Overseas - March, 2008

Amanda Shiel takes a look at what’s available near excellent courses

Alentejo, Central Portugal
The Tróia Peninsula, known for superb golf and water sports, is the setting for the 440-hectare Troiaresort, a new development on this northern tip of the Alentejo region of Portugal, just 30 minutes south of Lisbon.   
A range of apartments, townhouses and villas is currently under construction at the resort, which will offer a wealth of facilities and amenities in a picturesque setting. All properties will have a sea view.
The first phase, which will comprise three hotels, a marina, casino, conference centre, commercial facilities, restructuring of golf course and delivery of Marina and Beach apartments, will be completed by September 2008.
The Troia Golf Championship Course was designed by renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones Sr. and is considered to be one of Portugal's most beautiful courses, with its unique location between the sea, the Sado Estuary and the Serra da Arrábida.
Prices range from €290,400 for a one-bedroom marina apartment to €1.3 million for a six-bedroom villa. All apartments and townhouses come fully furnished.
For further information visit troiaresort.net or call +351 214 643 322.

Western Algarve, Portugal
Parque da Floresta Golf & Leisure resort is an all-round destination situated near Lagos in the Western Algarve, Portugal. Luxury properties surround its championship 18-hole, par 71 golf course.
The large range of amenities includes a golf academy, restaurants and bars, a bowling green, floodlight tennis courts, outdoor and indoor heated swimming pools, children's pool, kid’s clubs, and a health and beauty spa (more info below).
Properties at the latest phases of Parque da Floresta are currently for sale through outright and fractional freehold ownership. Built in the style of a new golf village and named Quinta da Encosta Velha, there is a broad range of properties available.
Buyers can select one of the unique Golf Village Houses with communal heated pools and gardens or an independent Golf Villa with private pool and small gardens. There are also linked villas with private heated plunge pools, gardens and barbeques. Within Quinta da Encosta Velha is a business and conference centre, reception area, and A Taberna Restaurant.
Parque da Floresta resort is less than one hours’ drive from Faro airport, providing flights to a large number of UK and Irish airports.
A two-bedroom Golf Village house with communal gardens and heated swimming pools is available for €397,500.
Contact Vigia Property Sales UK on 01223 316820 or visit parquedafloresta.com.

Costa del Sol, Spain
La Heredia will be comprised of 135 two-, three- and four-bedroom luxury townhouses. Each has a unique design and includes fireplace, double glazing, under floor heating throughout with individual climate control in each room, garage space and a storage unit. Purchasers will have the secluded, rural refuge of their dreams, yet remain within minutes of the bustle and excitement of the coast.
The golf course is the centrepiece of the Monte Mayor estate, situated between the villages of Benahavís and Cancelada.    
Townhouses start at €695,000 (two-bed/two bath) and range to €995,000 (four-bed/four bath). Villas start at €930,000 (four-bed/four bath) and range to €1,050,000 (four-bed/four bath).
Contact La Perla International Living on 00 31 20 589 40 70 or visit laperlainternationalliving.com.

Los Arqueros, near Marbella
Close to Marbella, Residential Los Eucaliptos is at the award winning Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club and consists of 15 buildings with six apartments in each.
Los Eucaliptos is being developed by Taylor Woodrow to a very high standard. The development is made up of two- and three-bedroom apartments with an allocated parking space for every apartment and a communal swimming pool with landscaped gardens.
From: £170,000 for a two-bedroom apartment
For more details call Chesterton International Ltd on 020 7201 2070 or visit chesterton-international.com.

Pezula, South Africa
Located on the eastern head of Knysna, on South Africa's famous Garden Route, Pezula is surrounded by rugged cliffs, ancient forests and sheltered beaches, with sweeping views of the Pezula Championship Golf Course, the Indian Ocean and the Knysna Lagoon.
The Country Estate at Pezula has just been launched and consists of just 28 exclusive north-facing plots priced from R1.26 million (approx. UK£ 93,181), it represents country and nature living at their best and the last opportunity to own a piece of Pezula.
Pezula is also selling its fourth phase consisting of 34 plots ranging in size between 2,500m² and 10,000m². In contrast to earlier releases these are ‘plot and plan’ sites. Each is sold with a complete set of approved architect designed plans which effectively streamlines the process of building at Pezula for overseas buyers. Starting at ZAR 2.2 million (approx UK£160,426), all properties have magnificent views of the Knysna Lagoon and the Outeniqua Mountains.
Contact the Pezula Group on  +27 44 302 5332 or visit pezula.com.

Abruzzo, Italy
San Donato is located 850 metres above sea level and is surrounded by a residential village just 10 minutes from the historic city of l’Aquila in Italy.
Residences comprise 100 studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Facilities include a swimming pool, a fitness centre, restaurants, bars, a golf pro-shop and clubhouse. Owners are offered a discounted fee for golf course membership and green fees. Owners also have access to all on-site facilities. Completion is expected in March 2009.
Abrruzzo is one of the most thinly populated and unspoilt regions of the Italian peninsula. Skiing is provided in the winter at nearby Campo Felice – a 20 minute drive from the development – and for summer fun blue flag beaches are 45 minutes away. Situated in the heart of Italy, Pescara is 60 minutes from Son Donato and Rome is a 75 minute drive.
Easy access is provided from the UK via a huge range of regular and budget airlines into both Rome and Pescara.
Prices at San Donato Golf start at €109,143 (approx. £76,000).
Call Overseas Homesearch +44 (0) 800 652 0769 or visit overseashomesearch.co.uk.

NonSuch Bay, Antigua
NonSuch Bay, a 16-hectare (almost 40-acre) development, provides a wide choice of accommodation, from luxurious waterfront townhouses with private plunge pools and moorings to well-situated apartments of different sizes set flanking the beach or on the hillside.
On-site amenities include a restaurant, a private dock and moorings, shops, tennis courts and at least one communal swimming pool. Only 20 minutes from English Harbour and 25 minutes from the capital city, St. John’s, and the island’s V.C. Bird International airport, which offers direct flights to and from London in just eight hours, NonSuch Bay is a convenient and attractively priced Caribbean haven.
All three of Antigua’s golf courses are open for public play.
Two-bedroom apartments cost from US$475,000.
Contact Robson Barnes 01483 242 49 or visit robsonbarnes.com.

St Lucia, Caribbean
Raffles St Lucia comprises a 200-room Raffles Resort, around 250 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and 72 villa plots.
Further features include the Raffles Amrita spa, five swimming pools, a choice of restaurants and a Jack Nicklaus Golf Club (JNGC).
Thirty-five special Founders packages are available until the end of 2007, which include in the purchase price: a one- or two-bedroom apartment, plot of land (includes building permit for construction of a villa), two Jack Nicklaus Golf Club St Lucia memberships (Founder and Golf) and an associate membership to the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club worldwide reciprocity programme.
Prices from are from US $1,100,000 for a package with a one-bedroom apartment and US $1,600,000 for a package with a two-bedroom apartment. Reservation for the Founder’s Package requires a US $5,000 refundable deposit
Call Chesterton International on 0207 201 2070 or visit chesterton.co.uk.

Belek, Turkey
Augustus Country Club offers exceptional facilities including two tennis courts, golf, putting greens, café/sports bar, shops, restaurants and a superb spa and indoor pool.
Prices start from £107,000/€160,000 for detached villas built in local stone. There is a choice of two-, three- or four-bedrooms with en suite facilities.
Luxury detached four-bedroom, three bathroom detached villas start from around £175,000.
At the top end of the market there is Villa Caesar in Augustus Village near Antalya for £795,000. This truly remarkable bespoke villa offers the very finest lifestyle and has been conceived as zero carbon rated.
For more details contact Nirvana International on 0118 965 4072 or visit www.nirvanainternation.com.

The long sandy beaches, quaint towns, stunning scenery and fine food have ensured that Spain has remained a popular choice. Amanda Shiel takes a look at what’s available

The Balearic Islands, an autonomous division of Spain, are one of the most popular destinations in the Europe and it is this popularity that has sent property prices in this area soaring by a staggering 15.26 per cent in the last 12 months. Demand for properties on Mallorca in particular has resulted in a limit to the new land available, pushing prices up.
For those keen to purchase a home on the stunning island before prices rise further, Taylor Woodrow de España has a selection of fantastic developments to suit a range of budgets and lifestyles.
For sun worshippers, the east coast of Mallorca is famous for its beaches and offers more than fifty secluded coves of enormous beauty. Cala Millor is an ideal base from which to discover this region. Just 3km from the resort is Port Verd, a collection of 33 spacious two- and three-bedroom apartments, priced from €239,000. This stunning development is just 200 metres from the beach and also benefits from a swimming pool, making it the ideal place to relax and soak up the Spanish sun.
Another development on the east coast is El Puerto II at Cala D’or, a stunning collection of just 31 two-bedroom apartments, priced from €238,000. Many apartments have views over the marina and the development is surrounded by generous gardens and three communal swimming pools. The Vall D’or golf course is just ten minutes away for those wishing to perfect their game in a beautiful climate.
Cala Magrana 2 at Porto Cristo is a more established development where Taylor Woodrow de España has a selection of two-bedroom apartments, priced from € 250,000 and three-bedroom townhouses priced from €285,000. The development is just two minutes away from the sea and very close to golf courses, as well as the marina of Porto Cristo.
Situated adjacent to the popular and well-established Cala Magrana 1 development, properties here benefit from communal gardens and swimming pool, and would be ideal for families or those looking to relocate to Mallorca.
For further information telephone the sales office on 08000 121020 or visit taylorwoodrow.es.
Malibu, at Puerto Banus on the Costa del Sol, is a tranquil retreat from the glitz and glamour that epitomises the exciting Mediterranean coastline of five star hotels, gourmet restaurants, exciting bars and the famous marina that draws some of the finest privately owned craft, in the world. Home of the stars, Puerto Banus oozes sophisticated charm and a certain cutting edge chic.
The four-bedroom ground floor apartment is located in one of the most luxurious front line beach complexes along this golden mile of coastline and is within walking distance of the Andalusian style marina and exclusive resort that is Puerto Banus.
Owners will benefit from 24 hour security, access to the beach, two sweeping free form communal swimming pools and private and spacious terrace.
Puerto Banus is within a short drive of Marbella and there is easy access from Malaga International Airport via the new motorway.
For more details contact Unique Living on 0845 430 0185 or visit uniqueliving.com.
Spain has long been a prime destination for those seeking to combine great weather and beautiful surroundings with their love of golf. For investors, buy-to-let golf properties tend to result in more rental weeks annually, and those who purchase near major golf courses can expect good occupancy rates throughout the year.
Taylor Woodrow de España’s Las Encinas de los Arqueros development on the beautiful Costa del Sol is a collection of just 30 two- and three-bedroom apartments that have been traditionally designed in the style of a Mediterranean village and built to only three storeys high.
The apartments, which are priced from €240,000, feature private gardens or balconies with stunning views overlooking the golf course and sea, a communal swimming pool, landscaped gardens and allocated parking.
Situated only a short distance by car from Marbella and Puerto Banus, Las Encinas de los Arqueros is ideally located and just under an hour away from Malaga airport.
For more information on this development contact the sales office on 08000 12 10 20 or go to    taylorwoodrow.es.
Residents of the luxurious apartment development Los Cortijos in Mijas will gain a bird’s eye view of Marina Mijas. With an initial investment of 50 million euros, Marina Mijas will comprise 800-1,000 berths of all sizes up to 100 metres (328 ft) as well as two docks designed to accommodate transatlantic cruisers. In addition there will be two hotels, a commercial area with shops, restaurants, cafés, leisure zones, a congress centre, yacht club and full service dry dock. The new facility will comfortably create up to 1,000 new jobs and the avant-garde design will ensure that it becomes a worldwide reference point.
Los Cortijos will comprise one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments are set within the Costa del Sol’s true ‘golf valley’ with 12 courses within literally minutes of the resort. The properties themselves all boast golf, sea and mountain views with no sub-standard views on offer and are superbly equipped with first class laminate wooden flooring in living rooms and bedrooms, heating and comfort cooling, fully fitted kitchens, disabled-adapted lift access to just two apartments per floor, allocated parking and storage. On-site facilities include a gymnasium, spa, sauna, three swimming pools and manicured gardens whilst the Calanova Golf Clubhouse is within comfortable walking distance.
Prices start from just €195,000 euros for a one bedroom apartment with 25m² of terracing rising to €440,000 euros for a three-bedroom three bathroom duplex penthouse with a mammoth 40m² of terracing.
For further information on Los Cortijos contact Duchy Estates on UK freephone 0800 849 8089 or call the Spanish office on 00 34 952 906 944. Alternatively, visit duchyestates.co.uk.
Spread over two valleys in the foothills of the Sierra Bermeja on the cosmopolitan Costa del Sol is the 900 acre paradise of Monte Mayor Golf & Country Club, La Perla International Living’s flagship resort development in Spain. Here, residents enjoy not only the best weather in Europe, but also the unspoilt beauty of the Andalusian countryside.
Purchasers will have the secluded, rural refuge of their dreams, yet remain within minutes of the bustle and excitement of the coast. Whether buyers prefer the natural beauty of the golf course designed by Jose Gancedo, the rugged hills or shimmering water panorama stretching all the way to Africa, the views at Monte Mayor are incomparable.
Buyers have the option of superb plots, which are carefully situated throughout the landscape of Monte Mayor, or for those who prefer living in a more intimate, interconnected community, luxury townhouses are also available in the private mountainside village of La Heredia de Monte Mayor. Homes here offer wonderful views sweeping out over the Mediterranean to the African coast.
La Heredia will be comprised of 135 two-, three- and four-bedroom luxury townhouses. Each has a unique design and includes fireplace, double glazing, under floor heating throughout with individual climate control in each room, garage space and a storage unit.
Townhouses start at €695,000 (two-bed/two bath) and range to €995,000 (four-bed/four bath). Villas start at €930,000 (four-bed/four bath) and range to €1,050,000 (four-bed/four bath).
For more information contact La Perla International Living on 0031 205894070 or visit laperlainternationalliving.com.

Family snap up a bargain
Tracy and Richard have lived on the Costa del Sol for five years but always in rented accommodation. With demanding jobs they never had the time or the inclination to house-hunt but as the market cooled towards the end of 2007 and daughter Lylla settled into school, Tracy and Richard decided that they’d take the plunge and go bargain-hunting.
Tracy says, ‘Our criteria started off rather vague, a townhouse or a villa maybe with a budget of €500,000 to €700,000. The only definites were that we needed a big garden, so apartments were out, and wanted to stay to the west of Marbella close to Lylla’s school. We made an online enquiry with Duchy Estates and were emailed a selection of properties, many of which were exclusive to the agent rather than pulled off a multiple listing system. And as they understood what we were after we agreed to conduct some viewings.’
The couple had a stroke of good luck when a property that had originally been out of reach suddenly became an option after the vendor dropped the price from €890,000 to €790,000 euros. The four-bedroom villa in Cancelada was on a 940m² plot, had an immaculately maintained garden with swimming pool and partial sea views.
Tracy says, ‘Richard was immediately impressed with how well the property was built. The French architect had opted for 600mm thick walls and at nine-years-old the property had had plenty of time to settle so anything structural that was going to fail would have already done so. The current owners had lovingly looked after the villa and no major works on the kitchen or bathrooms was needed. In short we loved it, but not for €790,000, which was too much. After some negotiations our initial offer of €660,000 was nudged a little higher to €690,000, but for that we also got most of the furniture and cupboards full of bed linen and crockery.’
Tracy, Richard and daughter Lylla cannot envisage moving from their villa for many years to come and with all that space they might even extend the family!
Contact Duchy Estates on UK freephone 0800 849 8089, the Spanish office on 00 34 952 906 944 or visit  duchyestates.co.uk.

 

We look at some of the green options available overseas, including apartments in France built with sustainable Romanian wood.

 

Castelclarens in the village of Casteljaloux

 

Castelclarens is a new development near Bordeaux, France.

 

These well proportioned apartments of between 25 and 65 sq metres are in a superb location, on a lakeside and surrounded by a pine forest. They are also just an hour from Bordeaux and easy distance of Toulouse.

 

This is a low density development with underground parking facilities (one space per apartment) with buggies to carry people around the residence. Ground floor apartments will have private gardens. Upper levels, maximum three storeys, will have balconies. There are two private pools, one indoor and one outdoor.

 

Other facilities will be a sauna and a jacuzzi. The whole complex is being designed on a “water” theme behind electronic gates for additional exclusivity.

 

To ensure they are eco-friendly the apartments are partly constructed from sustainable Romanian wood.

 

Prices range from 70,000 euros/£49,081 for a 25 sq metres apartment to 180,000 euros/£126,209 for a 65 sq metre apartment.

 

Olive Tree International Property Limited www.olivetreeworld.com

 

 

Domaine du Bois des Harcholins, La Moselle, northeast France

 

Le Domaine du Bois des Harcholins is an environmentally sustainable sports and leisure development. It is due to be completed from the beginning of 2010.

 

Built to High Environmental Quality ® measures, it has been designed to provide noise and heat insulation and the cottages will be High Energy Efficiency Building certified.

 

They boast a number of eco-friendly features including:

 

• Zero-carbon

Different renewable energy sources will be used onsite, including a wood and gas boiler to provide 80% of energy requirements for the heating of the main central facilities. Solar panels will be used for hot water in some buildings, and energy-reduction and power-saving measures initiated.

 

• zero-waste

Waste sorting and recycling will be managed and followed. Each cottage is equipped with recycling bins. Suppliers are asked to minimise packaging and recycle or reuse. Organic waste is composted and used as a nutrient for gardening.

 

• sustainable water

The legislation in France does not allow the use of rainwater inside of buildings (toilets, for example) but all rainwater from the central facilities will be harvested and used for the lagoon and the lake to contribute to the preservation and promotion of biodiversity.

 

• local and sustainable building materials

The construction of cottages and the structure of the central facilities will be in wood grown in either local or sustainable development certified forests. P&V has a policy to promote the use of renewable, recyclable and eco-certified materials for construction.

 

• sustainable transport

P&V will create a car-free development with electric shuttles to transport visitors around the village. Cottages will be connected to the rest of the development by pedestrian and cycle tracks. Parking is restricted to beltways around the development. High-speed train connections from Paris by TGV, reducing 80% of CO2 emissions over the equivalent journey by plane, are operational.

 

The two and four bedroom cottages are on sale from €144,000 (£100,000).

 

For more information contact nVillas info@nvillas.com