One to watch: visitors passing through Palma Airport on the golden isle of Mallorca reach 2.5 million in one month!

by Georgina Spain

Mallorca is the most popular tourist destination in the Iberian peninsula. With 300 days of sunshine every year, 23 golf courses, 25 marinas, as well as some of the most stunning scenery in Europe, it’s no wonder the island’s airport has beaten last year´s visitor numbers, while hotels in Mallorca are reporting a ten point increase on the occupancy figures from May last year.

 

•2.5 million visitors using Son Sant Joan Airport throughout May 2013

•6% increase in visitors to Mallorca

•Over 54,00 EU residents now living in Mallorca permanently

 

Son Sant Joan Airport has posted record traffic so far this year, with 2.5 million people using the airport in the last month alone. Coupled with visitor numbers increasing by 6%, this is great news for Mallorca’s property market, boosting buyer confidence and renewing excitement in the much-loved Golden Isle.
Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Manager for leading Spanish house builder Taylor Wimpey España and a resident of Mallorca comments,
“The rising number of tourists to the island has translated into the property market, with many holidaymakers choosing to make their stay more permanent.
“Our sales figures show Mallorca continues to have broad appeal amongst discerning buyers around the world and properties in prime locations are continuing to sell well.”
Indeed, demand for property in Mallorca remains high, with 54,000 EU residents (19,623 of whom are British) now living in Mallorca permanently. The island also boasts an estimated 60,000 second home owners from the UK.
Accessibility is a key factor for many of those buying first or second homes abroad and is one of the reasons that Mallorca’s property market is flourishing. New routes from Scunthorpe and Portsmouth, with reasonably priced flights of around two hours, have added to the already extensive network of flights between the UK and the Golden Isle. Links between Mallorca and the rest of Europe – particularly Germany and Scandinavia – have further added to the trend.
According to property portal Kyero, the average Balearic Island property costs €458k, more than double the average Spanish mainland property cost of €220k. The difference is a sharp reflection of the high end accommodation available on islands such as Mallorca, as well as the huge variety of outdoor activities and leisure pursuits that the Balearic Islands offer.
But purchasing a property on Mallorca doesn’t need to break the bank if you take the smart approach. Taylor Wimpey España is offering two bedroom apartments at its El Puerto II new development  for just €149,500. The apartments are located on the south east coast of the island, close to the glamorous Marina de Cala D’Or. With three communal swimming pools, the properties are surrounded by outstanding natural beauty as well as local locations offering activities such as water sports, biking and golf.
For those eager to purchase their dream Mallorca property without delay, the company is also offering key-ready, sleek and contemporary homes at Aires de Pollensa. The properties offer a winning combination of peaceful surroundings and beautiful views, matched with a wide array of popular facilities around the port. The closest attractions include golf – notably the famous nine hole Pollensa golf course – as well as cycling routes, kite surfing, sailing and diving schools. A host of traditional restaurants completes the idyllic location.
The modern three-floor development has two and three bedroom apartments available from €275,000, with spacious terraces and private gardens in a gated community, alongside parking facilities and a dazzling communal pool.
For more information contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com  for more information.  Those residing outside of the UK can call +34 971 70 69 72.

Costa del Sol property market set to sizzle this summer!

by Georgina Spain

Foreign buyers are now as important to the Spanish property market as they were in 2006, when the real estate boom was in full swing, with waves of “climate” migrantsinvesting in the Spanish property dream once again.

• Spanish housing sales increased 28.4% throughout 2012 (General Council of Notaries)
• British biggest buyers of Spanish property overall,equaling 15%of total foreign purchases

According to data from the Genera Council of Notaries, a total of 38,312 non-resident foreign citizens bought property in Spain last year, representing an increase of 28.4% on the 2011 figures, with Britsowning the biggest stake in the Spanish property market overall, holding 15% of total foreign purchases.
Split by region, it’s coastline areas such as the Costa del Sol boasting year round sunshine that are seeing a resurgence in overseas investment, especially by Taylor Wimpey España.
Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Manager for leading Spanish house builder Taylor Wimpey España comments,
“Brits have always loved Spain as an investment country – it’s a fantastic location for people seeking a bolt-hole in the sun, but over the last few years wehave seen an increasing number of salesfrom all over Europeon the Costa del Sol in particular. We are also benefitting from an increase in buyers from Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland and Norway .”
“It’s no surprise more and moreforeign buyers are snapping up Spanish property as increased flights across Europe have made it cheaper and quicker to get to Spain, helpingboost sales across the Costa del Sol.
The UK already boasts the highest number of routes to Malaga and now adds a further 3 routes bringing the total number of UK to Malaga routes to 22.Routes to Germany have also been strengthened with 7 new routes (Dortmund, Hanover, Nuremburg, Cologne, Munich, Münster, and Hamburg. The rest of the new routes are made up with Madrid-Barajas (2), Melilla (2), Brussels (2) Paris, Warsaw, Knock (Ireland), Oslo and Bergen (Norway) and Copenhagen.
These increases mean that Malaga will be servicing 10.1% more seats on European routes and an 8.9% increase in flights compared with last year’s statistics. In addition, routes that were dropped in the winter will also restart, i.e. Turkish Airlines will start to fly direct between Malaga and Istanbul and Delta Airlines will resume flights between the Costa del Sol and JFK airport in New York – great news for the Costa del Sol tourist industry!
Indeed, overseas property investment in Spain is also expected to increase, as a new ‘golden visa’ law is set to come into effect in the next yearthat will state non-EU nationals that spend more than €500,000 will get the automatic right to residency in the country.
So for those looking for a property in one of Spain’s few destinations that has it all: climate, quality services, golf courses, shops, hospitals, international schools, good infrastructure, and the Malaga international airport with connections to many cities across the globe, take a look at Taylor Wimpey Espana’s glamorous homes on the Costa del Sol.
La Floresta sur is a new residential development, currently under construction, set near the village of Elviria and its beach, very close to Marbella and Malaga.  Set in beautiful surroundings which have been declared a natural biosphere reserve by UNESCO, this development benefits from stunning views towards the oak and pine forest as well as towards the sea. These beautiful properties are available now from €178.000.
Another spectacular property choice in the Costa del Sol is Avalon, a new Taylor Wimpey development situated in one of the best areas of Marbella, the prestigious Los Arqueros golf course and 20 minutes from Estepona. The residential complex of luxury apartments and penthouses costing from €250.000, boasts a natural charm with stunning sea and golf views, wide streets, communal swimming pool and beautiful gardens.
For more information contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information.  If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call +34 971 70 69 72

At a Glance: Hungary buyers have appetite for Budapest

by Georgina United Kingdom
Buyers of property in Hungary have an appetite for Budapest, TheMoveChannel.com’s At a Glance reveals. The infographic, based on activity on the property portal in the past 12 months, shows that real estate in the country’s capital is the most popular, accounting for almost four in 10 (38.28 per cent) of all Hungarian property searches.
•Budapest accounts for 4 in 10 Hungary property searches and 3 in 10 enquiries
•Heves generates 1 in 4 Hungarian enquiries, demand driven by spa resorts
•Heves enquiries up over 50pc in Q1 2013 from Q4 2012
 •Google searches for Hungarian property down in past 12 months
Budapest benefits from having one of the highest profiles in Hungary among foreign investors. Indeed, many buyers search specifically for known areas within the city, with Budapest District V, District VII and District VI all appearing in the top 10 most searched-for locations. Together, searches for property in the city and those three regions account for almost half (48.4 per cent) of all Hungary searches on TheMoveChannel.com.
That demand continues through to the purchase stage, with Budapest real estate generating 29 per cent of all Hungarian enquiries on the site. But Budapest has competition from another in-demand destination: Heves. The region is famous for its therapeutic hot springs, which have given rise to increasingly popular resorts. Heves now accounts for one quarter (24.95 per cent) of Hungarian enquiries.
Somogy is the third favourite destination for buyers, responsible for 13.24 per cent of enquiries. The region is also significantly sought-after, with Karad and Siofok both appearing in the top 10 most searched-for destinations, together accounting for 6.38 per cent of all searches. Heves, by contrast, is only the subject of 2.10 per cent of searches, suggesting that buyers on TheMoveChannel.com are attracted to Heves for specific developments rather than a general interest in the area.
The At a Glance infographic also charts activity on Google over the past year. Prospective buyers most commonly search for “property for sale in Hungary” and are particularly interested in “houses for sale in Hungary”. Villas or apartments for sale in the country, on the other hand, appear in no Google searches at all. Overall, searches for Hungarian property have actually decreased in the last year, suggesting that buyers remain too cautious to return to the recession-hit housing market.
Editor Ivan Radford comments:
“European investors such as the Irish have always had a taste for Hungary´s capital city, particularly before the recession, but the At a Glance infographic reveals the increasing importance of other groups in the Hungarian real estate market. Holiday home hunters are turning to towns such as Somogy’s Siofok for the picturesque surroundings of Lake Balaton, while Russia´s expanding middle class are investing in developments such as the Saloc International Resort & Spa in Heves, which now drives a significant proportion of Hungarian activity on TheMoveChannel.com.
“Searches for Hungarian property may be decreasing on Google, but enquiries on TheMoveChannel.com have remained consistent in Budapest over the last 12 months, while a range of opportunities in Heves have seen enquiries peak in March 2013, rising 53 per cent in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the previous quarter. If that trend continues in the coming 12 months, appetite for Heves could well eclipse the existing craving for Budapest property.”
Click here to see the full infographic
Notes to Editors 
Founded in 1999, TheMoveChannel.com is the leading independent website for international property, with than 400,000 listings in over 100 countries around the world, marketed on behalf of agents, developers and private owners.
The website address is http://www.themovechannel.com/ and the office address is 24 Jack´s Place, Corbet Place, Spitalfields, London, E1 6NN.
Contact Dan Johnson on 0207 952 7650 for further information.

Italy, one of the world’s top holiday destinations, welcomes 14% more foreign property buyers

by Georgina Italy

Italy has long been the favourite holiday destination for many nations. With beautiful beaches, stunning scenery and gourmet gastronomy, it is a country with something for everyone.

  • Italy ranked 2nd top European country for tourism (Eurostat)
  • And 5th most popular destination globally (The World Bank)
  • 14% increase in foreign property buyers in 2012 worth €2.1 billion (Scenari Immobiliari)

Indeed its position as a top-ranking holiday location has been doubly confirmed of late. First, data from The World Bank, which examined almost every country across the globe, placed Italy as the fifth most popular world tourist destination. New figures from Eurostat then placed Italy as the joint second (tied with France) European country for tourism.

The figures are further supported by the latest residential research report from Knight Frank, which state that sales volumes in 2012/13 have strengthened, as international buyers look for long-term lifestyle purchases rather than short-term investment gains. International Residential Researcher Kate Everett-Allen comments,

“Despite the economic malaise, Knight Frank’s Italian team agreed a record number of sales in 2012/13, up by 50% year-on-year.”

To those familiar with Italy, the data will come as no surprise. It is a country of many faces, from the bustle of the big cities with their ancient architecture, to the refreshing simplicity of rural life in an idyllic setting. Of course the balmy climate – a key factor in many visitors’ choice of holiday destination – also adds to Italy’s charms.

Buying a second home in Italy has become increasingly attractive to foreign buyers. According to data from the Scenari Immobiliari research institute, 2012 saw an increase of 14% in second home sales to overseas buyers, with sales totalling €2.1 billion. The majority of buyers (almost 40%) were German, while 18% were British and 13% Russian.

This mix of foreign buyers is supported by new flights to many of Italy’s airports, with Russia’s Sheremetyevo International Airport recently announcing its summer flight schedule, which includes flights to a range of Italian airports. Italy’s Ancona airport is attracting particular interest, with Montenegro Airlines operating charters there during the summer months and Darwin Airline beginning four daily flights from Ancona to Rome from June 2013 in a code share with Alitalia. Flights to Ancona also operate from Albania, Germany, Belgium, Egypt, England and Sweden, as well as numerous internal Italian destinations.

Dawn Cavanagh-Hobbs, founder of family-run company Appassionata, which offers fractional ownership of its two luxury properties in Italy’s beautiful Le Marche region (accessed by Ancona airport), has noticed this interesting mix of nationalities amongst her properties’ owners. Dawn comments,

“The owners of the fractions in our two houses – Casa Giacomo and Casa Leopardi – are from a variety of countries. We have Swiss, Italian, Scottish, Irish, English, American and French owners at present. The fact that Le Marche can be accessed from so many places is an important factor for those looking to buy here. Of course, the idyllic Italian rural lifestyle and endless summer sunshine also play their part!”

Casa Leopardi (the only property with fractions still available) is a five bedroom, five bathroom ‘home away from home’ that has been sympathetically restored from the land’s original tumbledown farmhouse. It shares the five acre estate, which comes complete with vineyards, a lavender plantation, olive groves and a truffle orchard, with Casa Giacomo and nothing more, allowing room for plenty of spectacular panoramic views of the nearby Adriatic Sea and the distant Sibillini Mountains.

In addition to a private swimming pool and use of the estate’s all-weather tennis and basketballs courts, Casa Leopardi’s owners benefit from access to some of Italy’s prettiest stretches of sand, with three blue flag beaches within 10 km on the property. An abundance of restaurants and shops selling fresh, local produce, both at the beaches and in the nearby town of Montefiore dell´Aso, provide the perfect setting for a range of relaxed dining options.

Casa Leopardi itself is a delightful mix of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary, luxury living. The spacious, open plan rooms feature brick archways, beamed and vaulted ceilings and terracotta tiled floors, in authentic Italian style, while interior designer Dawn has maximised the balance of light and space in every room and filled the house with unique touches.

Only a couple of fractions in Casa Leopardi remain available. Appassionata is currently offering them for the special price of just £185,000, which includes five weeks’ exclusive use of the house every year, as well as a share in the organic produce from the estate. For sales completed before September, Appassionata is also offering two years of free maintenance fees (a discount worth around £7,600).

For more information contact Appassionata on 0039 073 465 8775, visit www.appassionata.com or take a video tour of Casa Leopardi.

Grab your bathers and head to Spain where 1 in 6 Blue Flag beaches are located

by Georgina Spain
Of the 48 nations eligible for recognition in the Blue Flag Programme, Spain has emerged number one. In fact, 1 in every 6 Blue Flag beach is located in Spain signalling good news for property owners with homes on or nearby these certified beaches.
•Over 550 Spanish beaches hold prestigious Blue Flag award
•1 in every 6 Blue Flag beach worldwide is located in Spain
•The largest Balearic island of Mallorca boasts 41 Blue Flag beaches
The Blue Flag is a voluntary eco-label owned and run by the non-government, non-for-profit organisation, the European Environmental Foundation (EEF) but what does this distinction guarantee? Beaches flying the flag must meet strict criteria covering environmental education and information, water quality, environmental management and safety & services with regular checks throughout the season to ensure compliance.
Marc Pritchard, Marketing and Sales Manager of leading Spanish house builder Taylor Wimpey España comments
“Here in Spain we welcome and fully embrace the Blue Flag Programme. When it comes to beaches you will find none more beautiful than in Spain and we are proud of our 7,000km plus coastline.
“We know that clean beaches are an important feature for many people looking for their dream property in the sun and those proudly flying the Blue Flag are particularly sought after. Beaches across Spain and its islands have been vastly improving year on year and it’s very pleasing to see the number awarded the Blue Flag rising yet again in 2013 confirming to me that Spain is the best beach capital of the world.”
Indeed with such an acclaimed coastline it’s no wonder that the TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards of 2013 rated Mallorca, the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca in the top ten Spanish destinations, all of which boast some of the best beaches in the world with Mallorca boasting 41 Blue Flag beaches, where building giant Taylor Wimpey de España have several stunning developments.
Taylor Wimpey Espana’s newest Mallorcan resort, Costa Beach, is on the island’s north-eastern coast, with direct access to the beach and outstanding views across the crystal clear Mediterranean sea. The two and three bedroom frontline residential properties which come with a large communal swimming pool and sunbathing area, are available from €220,000. Ground floor apartments include spacious terraces with a garden for private use, while penthouses benefit from direct access to private sun terraces. All of the properties are built to the highest standards and include designer fixtures and fittings.
For more information please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information.  If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call +34 971 70 69 72.

Know your EPCs from your ABCs: New Spanish ruling comes into effect tomorrow

by Georgina Spain

Already in place in the UK, Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) will be introduced in Spain on 1st June 2013 but what does this new piece of ‘green’ tape mean for owners of Spanish holiday homes?

  • Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) law comes into effect on 1st June 2013
  • New law set to lower CO2 emissions and lead to higher real estate quality
  • Selling/renting a property after June 1st without certificate could lead to hefty fines
Stemming from the Kyoto Agreement, the introduction of EPCs brings Spain in line with the 2007 EU Directive on Energy as part of a strategy to deal with climate change. The new decree will make energy transparent by testing and grading a building’s energy use and carbon emissions based on the way it is used and how the efficiency could be improved.
Many estate agents believe the move will see older properties being better insulated as a poor rating could be used by a buyer to lower the price. Meanwhile, anyone found renting or selling a property in Spain after June 1st without the certificate could face hefty fines.
The move is welcomed by companies such as leading Spanish house builder Taylor Wimpey España who are calling the introduction essential.
“This law is necessary in order to bring Spain up to European levels in the fight to reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. The law is already in practice on the island of Mallorca and has proved that energy efficient homes can reduce electricity bills and will lead to higher real estate quality and transparency in Spain,” explains Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Manager.
“Here at Taylor Wimpey España we already ensure your property has an EPC included in the price, cutting out any extra worry and making your purchase as easy as possible.”
Indeed, for those looking to purchase their own place in the Spanish sun stress free, why not take a look at what Taylor Wimpey España has to offer!
Brisas de Alenda, located on the forever-popular Costa Blanca, offers beautiful 3 bedroom townhouses located in a peaceful and quiet area adjacent to the Alenda Golf Course, just 15 minutes away from the beach. With generous private gardens, a communal swimming pool, a club house, gym, bars and restaurant, properties cost from just from €159,999.
Or how about living on the glamorous Costa del Sol? La Floresta sur is a new residential development, currently under construction, set near the village of Elviria and its beach, very close to Marbella and Malaga.  Set in beautiful surroundings which have been declared a natural biosphere reserve by UNESCO, this development benefits from stunning views towards the oak and pine forest as well as towards the sea. These beautiful properties are available now from €178.000.
For more information please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information.  If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call +34 971 70 69 72.

It’s not just our genes – now we are inheriting holiday destinations from our parents as well!

by Georgina Spain

It’s no longer just eye and hair colour that parents are passing on to their children. New research from TravelSupermarket has identified that holiday destinations are also inherited, with nearly 50% of UK adults surveyed returning to the holiday destinations of their childhood.

  • Nearly 50% of UK adults have inherited holiday destinations from their parents
  • 27% of Brits have been on an inherited holiday in the past two years
  • 39% want their children to have the same experiences they had

Fond memories of childhood days in the sun, along with the current tough economic times, mean that parents are looking to ensure they get both quality family time and value for money from their summer holidays. The situation has given rise to the ‘inherited holiday,’ with countries revisited so that parents know they will enjoy themselves (40% of respondents) and so that their children can have the same experiences as they had in their formative years (39%).

The inherited holiday trend is on the increase, with 27% of those surveyed having been on one in the past two years. For Marc Pritchard, Mallorca was the destination of some of his favourite childhood holidays. Having caught the love for the island from his parents, Marc took the inherited holiday one step further and, as an adult, moved to Mallorca. He has now lived there for some 20 years, bringing his own children up on the island. Marc comments,

“I have some wonderful memories of holidaying in Mallorca as a child. My parents instilled a love for the place in me at an early age and it is fabulous to now be able to live somewhere that is so close to my heart. The fact that through my work I am able to help others to build their own family memories here is an added bonus.”

Taylor Wimpey España, where Marc is the Sales and Marketing Manager, offers buyers a range of properties on the largest of the Spanish Balearic Islands. On the island’s south-west coast, the exclusive Los Altos del Golf development offers two and three bedroom houses with sea views. Located only 10 minutes from the famous Camp de Mar beach, the townhouses have been designed in the style of a small Mediterranean village, with coloured façades, verandas, spacious terraces, gardens and 3 communal swimming pools. Prices start from just €515,000.

Taylor Wimpey Espana’s newest Mallorcan resort, Costa Beach, is on the island’s north-eastern coast, with direct access to the white sandy beach and outstanding views across the crystal clear Mediterranean sea. The two and three bedroom frontline residential properties which come with a large communal swimming pool and sunbathing area, are available from €220,000. Ground floor apartments include spacious terraces with a garden for private use, while penthouses benefit from direct access to private sun terraces. All of the properties are built to the highest standards and include designer fixtures and fittings.

Italian-based Appassionata is also a part of the inherited holiday trend, though – like Marc – they have taken a novel approach to it. The family-run company moved to Italy’s Le Marche region in 2007, where they bought a derelict farmhouse to restore. After years of hard work, the estate now includes two luxury homes (Casa Giacomo and Casa Leopardi), as well as olive groves, vineyards, a lavender plantation and a truffle orchard.

Appassionata is offering the houses as fractional ownership properties, with owners enjoying five weeks’ exclusive use of their house each year, along with a share of the estate’s organic produce and use of its swimming pool, tennis court and basketball court. The majority of the owners use their house for family holidays, as Appassionata’s founder Dawn Cavanagh-Hobbs observes,

“Casa Giacomo and Casa Leopardi have been designed as a ‘home from home’ for the owners, so they can relax and enjoy spending time with their families as soon as they arrive. Owning a fractional property is so much more enjoyable than owning a holiday home outright, as all the maintenance and cleaning is taken care of without the owners having to worry.

“The inherited holiday idea plays a key part in our fractional ownership offer. Over 90% of our buyers have mentioned that their intention is to pass their share on to their children, meaning their families will inherit the property and not just the holiday destination.”

Although Casa Giacomo is now fully sold, a few fractions of Casa Leopardi remain available for just £185,000. For sales completed before September 2013, Appassionata is also offering two years of free maintenance fees – a discount worth around £7,600.

With properties of the calibre of those detailed above available, it seems the inherited holiday trend is here to stay, as increasing numbers of families seek to ensure that their children enjoy their summer holidays just as much as they themselves did when they were young.

For more information on Taylor Wimpey España, call 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com.  Those residing outside of the UK can call +34 971 70 69 72.

Appassionata can be contacted on 0039 073 465 8775 or by visiting www.appassionata.com. A video tour of Casa Leopardi is also available.

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside! Spain ranked top 10 in EU for bathing water quality

by Georgina Spain

Spain ranked top 10 in EU for bathing water quality with 3 Mallorcan sites (EEA)

Taylor Wimpey España records 30% y-o-y increase in property sales on Mallorca

Demand for frontline second homes met with launch of new Costa Beach development

According to new research compiled by the European Environment Agency (EEA), using data from more than 22,000 sites, Spain has been placed in the top 10 EU locations for bathing water quality with an excellent score of 82.8%.
3 coastal areas on the popular holiday island of Mallorca were noted in particular by the EEA for their ‘excellent’ bathing qualities which when combined with the 63 Blue Flag rated beaches makes it no surprise that leading house builder Taylor Wimpey España has experienced a year-on-year sales increase of 30% on the Balearic isle (April 2013).
Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Manager for Taylor Wimpey España comments,
“Mallorca remains a very popular choice for holiday makers from all over Europe, with families in particular drawn to the award-winning beaches and clean Mediterranean waters. Not content with simply visiting for a couple of weeks each year however, we are seeing more and more people looking to buy a holiday home on the island with 1 in 6 sales now for Mallorcan property.
“Demand for second homes with direct beach access remains especially high which is why we are very excited to be launching our new frontline development, Costa Beach. Adhering to the belief that location is key, this superb site on the north east coast of Mallorca is being redeveloped to offer a range of high quality beach homes on one of the most spectacular shorelines on the island.”
Superbly situated in Port Vell, near Costa de los Pinos, just 15 minutes from Manacor and 5 km  from world class golf courses such as Golf de Son Servera , the new 2 or 3 bedroom apartments and penthouses of Costa Beach also benefit from direct beach access and extraordinary sea views.
Designed to reflect the natural beauty of the surrounding area and built to the highest specification with designer fixtures and fittings, air conditioning, double glazing, security doors and private underground parking, Costa Beach presents a rare opportunity to own a frontline property in Spain from as little as €220,000.
With spacious terraces surrounding sumptuous landscaped gardens as well as a large communal swimming pool and wonderful sunbathing area for all owners to enjoy, Costa Beach is one development not to be missed so for more information please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information.  If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call +34 971 70 69 72

It’s a family affair! 21st century families turn to holidays to ensure quality time with their loved ones

by Georgina Italy

The modern world can be a hectic place. Demanding jobs, social engagements and household chores all erode the amount of quality time that families are able to spend together. The Disney Time Survey, conducted by leading research firm Kelton in February 2013, found that 71% of US parents would like to spend more time with their children and almost 50% of them felt that only half of the time they do spend with their children could be classed as ‘quality time.’ On holiday, however, this figure jumps to 82%.

  • 71% of parents would like to spend more time with their children (Disney Time)
  • 94% of parents feel that a regular schedule of family vacations is important
  • Sales of Italian second homes to foreign buyers soar 14% in 2012 (Scenari Immobiliari)

The survey emphasised the importance of taking time out as a family, a finding echoed in the UK by insurance giant AVIVA’s own findings, released in April this year. The AVIVA survey found that half of UK holidaymakers travel with extended family and friends in order to grab some of the much-needed quality time that modern living denies them.

The conclusions drawn from the Disney Time Survey were the same, with 94% of respondents believing that a regular schedule of family vacations is important. Furthermore, AVIVA found that by far the most popular choice was a relaxing beach holiday.

Given this preference, and the Sunday Times’ recent description of Le Marche as, “everything you want from an Italian summer stay,” it is easy to see why family-run company Appassionata has chosen the delightful Estate Giacomo Leopardi as the site for its two luxurious fractional ownership holiday homes. Nestled in the heart of Le Marche and only ten minutes from the Adriatic coast, Casa Giacomo and Casa Leopardi offer the perfect location for a family holiday.

The fractional nature of the properties, which come complete with swimming pools, tennis court, basketball court and landscaped gardens, means that owners can enjoy exclusive use of the house they purchase a fraction in for five full weeks every year. The arrangement ensures that all-important, quality family time is enjoyed, as Boston-based owner Jill Karp observes,

“I returned to Italy again with my family last July. They were all so pleased and loved the property so much it was hard to get them to go elsewhere! We enjoyed relaxing in the pool, playing a game of tennis or just reading in the beautiful countryside. We had wonderful lunches on the patio and savoured all that the property had to offer.”

Appassionata’s founder, Dawn Cavanagh-Hobbs, also emphasised the properties’ suitability for family vacations,

“Most of our owners use their property to gather their family and friends together, often from all over the world. They all love sharing their Italian home and giving a tour of the area, taking their loved ones to the fabulous restaurants on the beach and in the medieval towns close to the mountains. The properties are very popular with grandchildren: they love the nearby sandy beaches, swimming pools and tennis court. Skiing and sledging in the Sibillini Mountains are big hits in the winter, while getting close to nature as a family, through grape and olive picking and lavender harvesting on the estate is really popular. Both adults and children learn a lot about the processes involved and these activities make a fabulous break from electronics!”

And indeed it seems that now is the ideal time to invest in Italian property. The recent Scenari Immobiliari research institute study showed sales of Italian second homes to foreign buyers increased by an impressive 14% in 2012, with investors taking advantage of lowered prices to snap up their dream holiday homes. Increasingly, according to the summer 2012 survey from Engel& Voelkers and HomeAway.com, such investments are being seen as a form of retirement savings (by 43% of respondents) and as a hedge against inflation (24%).

But for American owner Deb Gale the family element was the most important factor,

“You cannot help but love the food, the wine, the restaurants and the markets but images of our daughters and a recent fresh pasta making lesson in our farmhouse kitchen at Casa Leopardi lingers even longer.”

Although Casa Giacomo is fully sold, a few fractions of the five bedroom/five bathroom Casa Leopardi remain available, for the current special price of just £175,000. For sales completed before September, Appassionata is also offering two years of free maintenance fees (a discount worth around £7,600). For more information contact Appassionata on 0039 073 465 8775, visit www.appassionata.com or take a video tour of Casa Leopardi.

Forget the sunshine! Tapas alone brought 5.6 million tourists to Spain last year

by Georgina Spain

Barely a week after Spain was shown to be the dominant country in Restaurant magazine´s list of the top 50 Restaurants in the World, a new report has revealed how food tourism is becoming an increasingly important sector for the Iberian nation.

  • Spanish cuisine big draw attracting estimated 5.6 million tourists (Spanish tourism office)
  • Visitor spending on food and wine in 2012 was €6.4 million, 10% increase on 2011
  • Taylor Wimpey España experienced 123% y-o-y sales increase in April 2013
The latest statistics from Spain’s tourism office show that the country´s food was thought to be a key attraction for as many as 5.6 million visitors last year, with an estimated expenditure on food and wine placed at €6.4 million representing a delicious 10% increase on 2011.
Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Manager for leading Spanish house builder Taylor Wimpey España comments,
“I’ve lived on Mallorca for almost 20 years now and have never tasted food quite as good anywhere else. We cater to all tastes, from family run tavernas tucked away in the hills above Palma serving the finest steaks to small fishing villages dotted along the coast offering the freshest catch of the day. And if meat or fish aren’t to your taste, Spain prides itself on a variety of national dishes using home grown fresh vegetables such as Patatas Bravas, Tortilla and Berenjenas con miel, slices of aubergine, fried and covered in a dark, slightly bitter honey or molasses which are to die for.
“With such a range of gastronomic delights on offer, it’s no wonder that we have experienced a whopping 123% y-o-y increase in sales in April this year with 25% of second home buyers coming from the UK, up 50% from last year!”
Indeed, it may only be 2 hours by plane from the UK but Spain offers a completely different dining experience for budding master chefs! This immensely varied landscape is home to an equally wide variety of produce and livestock and a multitude of seafood in the waters that lap the shores, from the Mediterranean to the Cantabrian Sea.
Southern areas such as the Costa del Sol in particular have plenty to offer; serving up fresh prawns with a spicy sauce, what the Andalucians know and love as gambas al pil-pil, a regional favourite. The salsa is made up of a combination of garlic, paprika, chillies, and white wine, arriving to your table sizzling and guaranteeing to get your taste buds tingling.
Costa Blancan cuisine boasts an enormous range of local products to sample such as the sticky rice that is the basis of the ubiquitous Paella which is grown in the rice fields south of Valencia. But these gastro delights aren’t just restricted to the mainland; Mallorca also offers hundreds of tasty specialities from llom amb col, a pork dish wrapped in cabbage with pine nuts and raisins all grown locally, to Tumbet, a traditional rustic vegetable dish that’s like a Provencal ratatouille bursting with colour and flavour.
So for those looking to make their stay in foodie heaven more permanent in exclusive Mediterranean surroundings, look no further than Taylor Wimpey España’s brand new beachfront La Vila Paradís apartments on the Costa Blanca offering direct access to Paraíso beach in the stunning Villajoyosa area.
Beautiful sea views are complemented by carefully landscaped communal gardens and a delightful pool with a range of unique, high quality two and three bedroom apartments boasting large terraces perfect for al fresco dining starting at just €249,000.
For more information on buying property in the Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca and Mallorca contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020, +34 971 70 69 72 (from outside the UK) or by visiting www.taylorwimpeyspain.com .