Real Estate & Travel News in Italy from Propertyshowrooms.com

New flights make Italy 'more accessible'

Tue, 7 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT

New flights to Lake Garda in Italy will make the region even more accessible for tourists and property hunters.

Low-cost carrier easyJet has announced that it will be running a new route to nearby Verona from London Gatwick.

The news has been welcomed by the Italian State Tourist Board, which has recommended that visitors to the country spend time taking in the sights that Lake Garda, the Dolomites and other historic towns such as Padua and Mantua offer.

Stefania Gatta, a spokeswoman from the Board, added that for those who want to explore the city of Verona itself there was still plenty to do.

"You can visit the Arena, a roman amphitheatre which hosts the famous Opera Festival in summer, the medieval Piazza delle Erbe and Ponte Scaligero and the Romeo and Juliet balcony among other sites," she said.

"A short distance from Verona is the magnificent Lake Garda with Sirmione the nearest resort: visit the medieval Della Scala Fortress, the Roman remains of the famous Latin poet Catullo's villa, stroll along the waterfront and have a drink or a meal in one of the many bars and restaurants."

Italian property market likely to get tourism boost

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT

An increase in tourist numbers in Italy last year is expected to have a knock-on effect on the country's property market.

Euromonitor International's Travel Industry Global Overview found that visitor numbers to the European destination reached 43.2 million in 2010 - up 2.2 per cent.

Combined with stabilising property prices and a 1.3 per cent GDP growth, potential property buyers and holiday home investors are expected to reap the rewards.

In particular, the organisation claimed that the combination of fine cuisine, spectacular natural scenery and friendly local hospitality has helped Calabria establish itself as a tourism hotspot.

Steven Worboys, managing director of Experience International, said that the region has been attracting interest from investors around the world.

"Calabria was Italy's best kept secret for many years but now the region has been discovered and is charming not only British holiday makers and property buyers but also Germans, Russians, Polish and Scandinavian nationals seeking stunning scenery, a Mediterranean climate and affordable living within a few hours flight," he said.

Golf helping to drive Italian tourism

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Tuscany remains a popular region of Italy for tourists looking to explore the country, it has been claimed.

The news is likely to be welcomed by individuals with buy-to-let property in Italy who are hoping to cash in on the lucrative holiday home market.

In particular, a number of Brits are being drawn to the region to take advantage of a growing number of golf courses that are available to play at, the Italian State Tourist Board has said.

"What they are trying to push now is golf. They have some very beautiful golf courses. Being green and hilly, it lends itself to golf courses," Stefania Gatta, a spokeswoman for organisation said.

"So really you can have the whole experience in Tuscany. You have food, landscape, sea, mountains, golf and spas. It is a very interesting region and very well loved."

Meanwhile, recent research from Travelsupermarket.com has found that despite government austerity measures many Brits are still planning on taking a holiday this year.

Brits 'not likely' to forgo holidays this year

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Despite government austerity measures meaning many Brits are feeling the pinch, new research suggests that many will not be giving up on their holidays this year.

The news could be welcomed by those hoping to buy property in Italy, with the country's holiday rentals market likely to benefit from any additional tourism.

According to Bob Atkinson, travel expert at Travelsupermarket.com, many individuals still view time abroad as "sacrosanct" and will not be foregoing one this year.

"In a year when many people are cutting back spending, they will be looking at getting in deals early and taking advantage of the early booking," he added.

"People will be sitting around saying 'I have no money now' but will book a holiday because it has a low deposit and is something to look forward to through the rest of the winter."

Meanwhile, figures released by Sainsbury's Travel Insurance have found that 13.4 million people intend to book a holiday before the end of February - up by 50 per cent compared to the same period in 2010.

Lifestyle buyers could flock to Italy in 2010

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

New research has highlighted the key role that cash rich, lifestyle investors are likely to play during the forthcoming year.

According to data released by HomeAway and Savills International, traditional destinations like Italy are likely to benefit from the current economic climate as property investors shy away from buying in long-haul destinations.

Property buyers can capitalise on the tourist attraction that the country holds, with a vast history and culture helping to ensure it is the fifth most visited country in the world.

The research showed that investors have been looking to bolster their property portfolios with European property which has been benefiting from price reductions of up to 30 per cent.

Charles Weston-Baker, head of Savills International, commented: "In 2010, the overseas second home market will be characterised by cash-rich, lifestyle buyers benefiting from lower prices in traditional, established holiday home hotspots."

Earlier this year, A Place in the Sun predicted that Italy would be one of the top ten destinations for foreign property investment in 2010.

Italian region awarded Unesco status

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A region of Italy has been granted Unesco world heritage status, something that may interest overseas property investors.

The mountainous Dolomites range has been added to a list by the United Nations agency safeguarding Europe's most scenic areas.

Formed 250 million years ago, the 18 peaks in the eastern section of the northern Italian Alps rise up to more than 3,000m in some places and cover almost 142,000 hectares.

Unesco praised the "beautiful mountain landscapes" in the region and highlighted areas of international significance, including glacial landforms, deep valleys and fossil records.

Named after 18th century French geologist Dieudonne Dolomieu, the natural world heritage site is believed to have inspired architect Le Corbusier, writer Mario Rigoni Stern and poet Goethe and is protected by a number of parks.

Unesco's list of world heritage sites now features 890 properties that are deemed by the World Heritage Committee to have "outstanding universal value", including 176 natural sites and 689 cultural locations.

Italian property 'offering wide range of bargains'

Tue, 7 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The Italian property market offers a very wide range of bargains, it has been stated.

Various regions of the country offer low-priced prospects, including normally expensive regions such as Umbria and Tuscany, the Times reports.

An example quoted by the paper was a three-bedroom cottage in the village of Castiglione del Lago, which is in Umbria but near the border with Tuscany, costing GBP 149,000.

Prices across the country have dipped by ten per cent, director of Cluttons Estate Agency Linda Travella commented, but noted that "the bargains take some hunting down".

The Castiglione del Lago area may be particularly interesting for some buyers, as it hosts the Painting the Skies kite festival around the end of April and start of May.

In addition to the kites, visitors to the area can enjoy hot air balloons, exhibitions, films and food tasting.

Italy 'popular for overseas weddings'

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Italy is one of the most popular countries for Britons looking to marry abroad, it has been stated.

Director of overseas weddings firm Marry Abroad Charlotte Hand said the atmosphere and scenery of the country made it a venue many people enquired about via the company's website.

She stated: "Italy is one of the most visited countries in terms of hits on our site - it is a fantastically romantic country and real backdrop to any wedding."

Such considerations may be of interest to those investing in rental property in the country, as this could be let out to honeymooning couples or guests visiting Italy to attend the event.

Ms Hand also identified the Caribbean, Spain and Thailand as places where many people like to wed overseas.

A study by market research firm Mintel revealed in November last year that 16 per cent of British marriage ceremonies take place overseas.

Air France aids Alitalia lift off

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Italy's troubled national carrier begins a new lease of life with Air France-KLM holding a 25% stake in the firm...

Shorthaul investors less vulnerable to travel industry trauma

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Property owners who have invested close to home could be best-placed to deal with the fallout of the deepening global economic crisis, experts have said.

Zoom Airways and XL Airlines have both collapsed in recent weeks, while Alitalia is currently teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.

This is likely to be bad news for overseas property owners who rely on these carriers to access their foreign residence.

However, NuBricks.com believes that if investors have bought a home in a country which is accessible by other means, they may prove to be better off in the long run.

The website commented: "The ultimate winners in overseas property may well be the old standards of Spain, France [and] Portugal."

NuBricks.com added that the global holiday destination list is "shrinking" as the industry is looking into various ways of cutting costs.

This comes after the Passenger Shipping Association revealed that rising cost of fuel is leading to an upturn in the number of people travelling abroad by ferry.

Race to rescue troubled Alitalia

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Talks in Rome aimed at saving the airline Alitalia are reported to have made progress on a deal with potential buyers...

Europeans angry at Ryanair move

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Consumer groups and ministries in Spain and Italy denounce Ryanair's move to cancel tickets bought on third party websites...

Overseas travellers advised to learn language

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

People who are planning to spend time overseas have been advised to consider the language of their destination.

According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), knowing the native tongue can enhance a person's cultural understanding.

The organisation added that since people now live in a globalised world, speaking in a different language can be a very positive step to take.

Angela Baron, an advisor at the CIPD, commented: "I would always say that having languages is a useful skill and if you've got the opportunity to learn a language then don't let it slip by."

She added that if people want to live and work in another country, speaking the language of their host country can help them progress in their career.

This comes after Age Concern stated that older people who are planning to retire abroad may be required to use the native tongue if they were living in a non-English speaking nation.

The charity stated that language could play a "major role" in certain circumstances, such as if they needed to consult with local professionals.

EU court rules against Alitalia

Wed, 9 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The EU's top court rejects an appeal by struggling Italian airline Alitalia against conditions for receiving state aid...

Holiday home owners 'take multiple holidays'

Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Second home owners tend to take relatively short breaks overseas, according to a new study.

Research by Foreign Currency Direct found that on average, people with a holiday home visit their property five times a year instead of taking a single two-week break.

Figures also showed that nearly one in ten stay in their alternative residence about once a month, reports Travel Weekly.

Commenting on the findings, chief executive Peter Ellis said this could help account for the dropping popularity of traditional package holidays.

He observed: "We're increasingly money-rich, time-poor, so there has been significant growth in demand for short breaks rather than 7/14 holidays."

The study also found that one in five holiday home owners let friends and relatives use their property without charge, while a similar proportion rent their houses out for a fee.

Meanwhile, HolidayLettings.co.uk has revealed that most of the rental properties listed on its website are in established European markets such as Italy.

Year-round tourist spots 'have investment potential'

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Rental investors are getting low vacancy rates in year-round holiday destinations, it has been revealed.

According to Holiday-Rentals, most of its clients with a foreign property are able to rent them out for the whole year.

This is because many of these residences are located in places which do not have a seasonal tourist trade, such as Italy, France and Spain.

Therefore, investing in a country which attracts high volumes of tourists for 12 months of the year could be a lucrative endeavour.

Sarah Chambers, spokesperson for Holiday-Rentals, commented: "60 per cent of our clients own one or two foreign homes.

"They almost always rent them out for the whole year."

Speaking to the Telegraph, she said places with cultural or sporting attractions could have particularly high rental demand.

Meanwhile, research by TripAdvisor has revealed that most British consumers are not letting gloomy economic forecasts affect their holiday plans.

Italian food tempts tourists

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Italy's tourist market is being boosted by its fame in culinary circles, according to a new study.

Research by Expedia.co.uk has found that more than one in ten holidaymakers from the UK follow their taste buds when booking a trip overseas.

Italy was highlighted as a particular hotspot for this group of people, as people want to sample authentic Italian food in the place it was created.

Alison Couper, communications manager at Expedia.co.uk, said the findings show that UK tourists are "breaking away" from stereotypical food staples while on holiday.

She commented: "Brits are becoming more dedicated to immersing themselves in the home-grown local cuisine."

Ms Couper added that the notion of British people being "unadventurous with their culinary choices" is unfair and inaccurate.

This could potentially help enhance Italy's appeal among overseas property investors, as the country has a strong pull factor to attract visitors.

Italy's appeal to foreign property buyers was recently highlighted by NuWire Investor, which said demand for accommodation in popular tourist spots makes it a particularly good investment.

Pisa offers 'diverse attractions'

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Italian town of Pisa could be a good place to visit because it offers a variety of attractions, according to an official in the travel industry.

David Osborne, general manager of easyJet in the UK, stated that the region has far more to offer than just its "legendary" leaning tower and "something for everyone".

He commented: "Pisa is a perfect gateway to the stunning region of Tuscany and the nearby city of Florence."

Mr Osborne was speaking after easyJet began operating direct flights to the area from London Luton Airport.

The flights, which launched this week, look set to attract lots of additional visitors to Tuscany and generate extra interest in the region.

This could enhance the desirability of the region among overseas property investors, particularly if there is a sharp surge in rental demand.

Italy's appeal to foreign property buyers was recently highlighted by NuWire Investor, which said demand for accommodation in popular tourist spots makes it a particularly good investment.

Attraction of Italian property investment highlighted

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Italy's beautiful countryside and stylish Mediterranean beach resorts make it an attractive place for property investment, according to NuWire Investor.

The real estate news provider claims the country offers a great deal for travellers around the globe, which is good news for investors looking to take advantage of tourist demand.

Indeed, there are many opportunities in the Italian rental market, particularly in coastal areas and rural locations in southern Italy which are frequented by overseas visitors.

But the country's cities are also a popular choice for investors, with apartments in Rome, Milan, Venice and Florence all offering lucrative returns thanks to demand from those jetting off on short city breaks.

"Italy's exquisite cultural patrimony, evocative countryside and 'made in Italy' craftsmanship all combine to preserve the value of Italian real property," said Donald J Carroll, a member of Pirola Pennuto Zei & Associates in Rome, told NuWire Investor.

According to rightmoveabroad.com southern Italy is emerging as a competitor to the traditional destinations of France and Spain when it comes to holiday home investment, the Mirror reports.

Italy attracts Austrian visitors

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Holidaymakers from Austria are increasingly choosing to visit Italy, according to new research.

A study by IFT found that the European country attracted 14 per cent of Austrian leisure travellers in 2007, Weiner Zeitung reports.

This made it the most popular tourist destination in the world among this consumer base, ahead of rival markets such as Spain and Turkey.

However, Austrians were also found to be highly keen on visiting less established locations in Europe, particularly in the east of the continent.

This reflects the recent findings of research by Holiday-Rentals, which showed that overseas property buyers from the UK are still mainly opting to buy second homes in traditional European destinations.

Despite this, emerging markets in eastern Europe were said to have attracted an increased level of interest in the last few years.

The continent looks set to be equally popular with Austrian holidaymakers this year as well, as 63 per cent of tourists said they would go on a European vacation in 2008.

Influx of Spanish tourists good for investors in Italy

Tue, 5 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Owners of holiday homes in Italy may be likely to get higher returns from Spanish visitors in the near future.

According to ANSA, the number of people from Spain taking breaks in Italy went up by three per cent last year to almost two million.

This means that Spaniards account for the largest proportion of foreign visitors to the country, prompting authorities to do more to tap into this market.

For example, representatives of many bodies affiliated with the Italian tourist sector have recently attended a travel fair in Madrid.

Promoting the country as a holiday destination could help to attract more people travelling to Italy for leisure, which would directly affect the demand for rental property in popular areas.

Lazio was highlighted as one of the biggest hotspots for Spanish tourists, along with Veneto and Tuscany.

This comes after research by A Place in the Sun magazine revealed that Britons considered Italy as one of their favourite property investment destinations.

Foreign Investment 'Supporting Airline Industry'

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Growing levels of overseas property investment is helping to boost the airline sector, according to an industry group.

The Civil Aviation Authority stated that those who owned a foreign property tended to fly abroad more frequently than people who went overseas for a holiday.

Director of economic regulation Harry Bush said the additional number of flights undertaken by investors was more than the half the amount taken by regular leisure travellers.

He added that other demographic factors, such as people's marital status and overall wealth, also affected how often people travelled abroad.

Speaking to the Guardian, Mr Bush said: "These factors - longer term - support air travel."

This means that the aviation sector will be likely to welcome predictions from experts such as the National Association of Estate Agents on the future of property investment abroad.

According to the organisation, confidence among British investors is still high despite global economic problems such as the credit crunch.

Italy to attract winter sports fans

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Many winter sports fans are set to travel to Italy this Christmas, new research has revealed.

According to the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), the country's mountains have received strong levels of snow during the last few weeks.

This has led to a large proportion of people booking holidays in Italy over the Christmas and New Year season in order to enjoy activities such as skiing and viewing property in Italy.

The organisation commented: "After last year's woeful ski season, early snow conditions in Europe have been fantastic".

Figures from ABTA also revealed that a record number of people from the UK were choosing to spend the festive season abroad this year.

About 3.5 million people are set to leave the country in the next ten days and celebrate overseas.

Meanwhile, research by Ebookers.com has found that nearly one in four of those spending Christmas abroad are doing so for the first time.

Italy 'attracts nostalgic tourists'

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Holidaymakers who want to relive their youth are increasingly choosing to go to Italy, new research has found.

According to Expedia.co.uk, the country is one of the most popular locations among tourists who want to visit a place associated with fond memories, TravelMole reports.

Rome and Florence were both highlighted as places that were attracting nostalgic Britons, such as those who were returning to the scene of their honeymoon.

Others were said to be going back because they had enjoyed a memorable holiday there during their childhood, while others had enjoyed a gap year in the country.

Commenting on the findings, Expedia managing director Caroline Cartellieri stated that the nostalgia factor was one of the reasons Italy had remained a popular holiday destination over the years.

She said: "Nostalgia has become a big driver in destination choice."

This comes after Property Week reported that Italy was also a popular choice with overseas property buyers.

Citing research by Knight Frank, it said that Rome and Milan were widely seen as good investment options.

Investors 'choosing to spend large sums on Italian property'

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

A growing number of investors are choosing to spend more than €1 million euros on Italian property, according to an expert.

Linda Travella, broadcaster and founder of Casa Travella, said that affluent investors were shunning the emerging markets of eastern Europe in favour of countries such as Italy.

She stated that this was because Italy had an advanced infrastructure, meaning that people staying in the country would have access to resources they would expect to have at home.

In addition, she said that Italy also had many cultural attractions and leisure facilities that were appreciated by more affluent investors, such as restaurants, bars and boutiques.

Ms Travella remarked: "They are seeking the good things in life and Italy has that in abundance."

The country's climate was described as another major attraction, along with its heritage sites, beaches and friendly locals.

This follows research by Saga which found that Italy was the most popular holiday destination in Europe among Britons.

Tourism 'boosting Calabria's investment potential'

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Previously overlooked areas of Italy are becoming more appealing to overseas investors as a result of the growth of tourism, according to experts.

RealPoint Italy said that since areas such as Calabria had recently become popular with holidaymakers, they also offered viable investment opportunities.

The firm stated that options such as holiday homes and restoring existing properties represented "good potential investments" in Italy.

Eddy Crompton, director of RealPoint Italy, commented: "In the last year we have really seen a change in Italy."

He added that now that tourism was taking hold, "certain pockets" were now becoming increasingly popular with holidaymakers and investors.

Mr Crompton also highlighted other natural attractions of the area, such as its proximity to the coast and its "great" climate for 12 months of the year.

Earlier this week, a poll by Saga found that Italy was the most popular popular European holiday destination among British tourists.

Established markets 'popular with Britons'

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

British holidaymakers are still attracted to established European countries, despite the popularity of other emerging markets, a new poll has found.

Research by Saga found that Italy was the most popular holiday destination in Europe, along with Spain, France and Portugal.

The survey also found that these countries were also popular with people of all ages, with Italy being the favoured option among over-55s and those aged between 25 and 44.

Meanwhile, 18 to 24-year-olds were found to rate Spain as their favourite holiday destination in Europe.

Andrew Goodsell, chief executive of Saga Group, commented: "It's good to see traditional European destinations remain popular amongst people of all ages."

He added that it was "interesting" how Italy had overtaken Spain as the most popular holiday spot.

The countries highlighted as popular tourist locations were also recently said to be investment hotspots with overseas property buyers.

Last week, Barclays said the market was "flourishing" as people were continuing to invest in established markets.

Italian lakes recommended to overseas buyers

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Overseas property investors have been advised to consider purchasing holiday homes near Lakes Garda and Como.

According to BuyAssociation, the area is highly accessible due to its proximity to Venice and the city's airport.

Therefore, both tourists and holiday home owners would be able to get to the region "easily", the website said.

Paul Collins, property editor at BuyAssociation, said that the accessibility of their chosen area was one of the most important factors for overseas investors to consider when buying a foreign property.

He commented: "That's always a really big consideration for holiday home buyers and even for investment property as well."

Meanwhile, research by Expedia.co.uk has found that Venice is one of the most popular places for married couples to visit on their wedding anniversary.

This could mean that owners of rental properties in the region could benefit from customer at quiet times of the year for the tourist industry.

"Exotic" locations proving popular

Thu, 2 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Holiday destinations off the beaten path are opening up to tourists, according to a holiday company.

While cities such as Rome, Barcelona and Paris remain popular with Brits looking for a weekend or mid-week break, cheap flights to destinations like eastern Europe and the US were increasingly in demand.

Neil Smillie of Holidays-Direct said that, generally, popularity of some destinations was reliant upon the time of year and weather and low-cost flights meant more holidaymakers were combining a city break with a beach holiday.

"It is true to say that the world is getting smaller in terms of city breaks as customers continue to explore new places in shorter amounts of time," he said.

"From America to the Baltics, we are seeing many more people taking their city break explorations further away."

He predicted that destinations in eastern Europe and in Scandinavia would open up the city breaks market, driven by consumer demand to explore new places.

Simple Overseas Properties foreign investment company said that Morocco was an emerging market for tourists and was aiming for ten million annually by 2010.

Calabria highlighted as investment hotspot

Thu, 3 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

As long as British holidaymakers continue to chase the "Tuscan farmhouse dream", investors in rural Italy's property market will enjoy good returns.

This is the view of the Association of International Property Professionals (AIPP), which believes that the southernmost 'toe' of Italy, is the most popular area for investors at the moment because prices are low.

Paul Owen, AIPP chief executive, said that the new investment area is Calabria, which is proving popular with property firms.

"People want the old buying a Tuscan farmhouse dream. The attraction of Calabria in Italy's market is cheap prices. What's actually on offer there is a plot of land, not just the farm house," he commented.

He also said that although Italy does not compete with Spain in terms of market share, it is still an established investment destination.

"People know what it's about, they've been there, they know what they're going to get, they know how to get there," Mr Owen added.

According to a recent survey into the international property market by the AIPP, Italy was found to be the fifth most popular destination for British buyers.