Hello there,

How are you faring in these challenging times? Well, I hope - and if not…my thoughts go out to you. No matter how big the problem, there will be a day when it is all over, although that sometimes seems hard to believe. Please pour a glass of wine – too early? Well, have a cup of tea or coffee, kick back and let your thoughts drift back to your last Greek holiday… Remember, if your plans to buy are on hold for a while, you can still use the time constructively by reading the Greece Buying Guide to plan your way forward. Go to:
http://www.GreeceBuyingGuide.com./guide.htm

You will find plenty to keep you busy and to direct your thoughts to the time when you fulfil your dream!

A while back now, I used to take slides…how old fashioned that suddenly sounds! Anyway, the thing with them is that you could almost be back there, with the image huge on the wall or screen. I have some lovely ones of Santorini, Delphi, Sifnos…all over the country actually. Times have changed but I think that the charm of Greece is that there are still places, just off that main road, or over that hill, away from the crowds…places that have remained unchanged for decades. There is something so comforting about that – or is it just my age showing? Let me know how you feel – I would really love to hear where your favourite spot is and why you love it.

And have you ever read any Greek poetry? I wish I could say otherwise but I have only read it in translation…but even so, it’s remarkable. I have a simply wonderful book called ‘Modern Greek Poetry’ – if there was a fire it’s this and the photos I would grab! Cavafy is one of the poets I love:

As you set out for Ithaka
hope your road is a long one,
full of adventure, full of discovery.
Laistrygonians, Cyclops,
angry Poseidon-don't be afraid of them:
you'll never find things like that on your way
as long as you keep your thoughts raised high,
as long as a rare excitement
stirs your spirit and your body.
Laistrygonians, Cyclops,
wild Poseidon-you won't encounter them
unless you bring them along inside your soul,
unless your soul sets them up in front of you.

Right, having waxed poetic, let me drag myself back to reality! I talk a bit about Easter on Corfu – I hope you are planning a trip out to Greece over this wonderful time? As always, our very own Charles Purdy will be offering his words of wisdom on how best to fund your purchase and I have found a stunning property to whet your appetite yet again!

Please do keep your emails coming or feel free to call me at any time. I have to say it is a complete joy to be able to help in some way with your property plans. You are also welcome to pop in for a coffee, our offices are right in the middle of Lyric Square, Hammersmith and the kettle is usually on!

Warm spring greetings,

Carol

Carol Dunning
Greece Buying Guide Advisor
The Overseas Guides Company Limited.
mailto:carol@OverseasGuidesCompany.com
Phone 0207 898 0549
1, Lyric Square,
LondonW6 0NB

Corfu…island of memories

I first went to Corfu in the 1960’s. I don’t know how long you have been reading my newsletters – perhaps at this stage that look is flitting across your face, as it does across my son’s: a look that says “try to be patient, she’s already told me that” …!

I was thrilled when I returned, so many years later, to find that it is still the same lovely island, busier in some parts but in others almost totally unchanged. As I have said to a number of Greece Buying Guide readers, if I was buying in Greece, this would be the island I would choose.

Now, as you may know, the Orthodox Easter dates differ from the Anglican and Catholic – this year they are a week after the UK’s…with Easter Sunday on the 19th April. So this is the last newsletter you will get from me before this date, and I am so hoping that you are going to be spending Easter in Greece.

Again, something I have mentioned before, but one of my best memories of Greece was an Easter holiday spent alone on the island of Sifnos. I ate all my meals at the same restaurant, and by the time the Easter weekend rolled along, I was part of the family at the restaurant. The owner’s child sat with me at my table (as did the family dog) and after a while I was joined by the elderly Greek grandparents of the child, who spoke not a word of English – and I no Greek! That of course did not deter the family from whisking me off to the church on Sunday, where we circled the alter and returned to a wonderful meal of lamb and a pile of dyed red eggs on the table.

I have not personally spent Easter on Corfu but it is on my wish list of ‘things to do before I die’! Last year one of the Greece Buying Guide readers, Tony Bovill, wrote about the experience. Evidently the traditional customs of the Greek Orthodox Easter celebrations have been influenced by Western traditions, making the Corfiot Easter festival unique and a most attractive festival for visitors from all parts of the world and of every faith.

The philharmonic bands (all 18 of them in the capital), the parades, the beautifully performed ecclesiastical music and the local customs combine with the natural friendliness and hospitality of the local people make this a truly memorable experience.

Easter begins on the morning of Palm Sunday with the procession of Saint Spyridon winding its way between the Venetian walls of Kerkyra as it has done since 1630. The following week is Holy Week, and local people begin their preparations all over the island for the Easter festival on the Monday. That afternoon the bells of all the churches ring out to summon people to church while on Tuesday the Organization of Corfiot Activities stages an evening of music and poetry. On Holy Wednesday people gather to hear the Municipal Choir sing hymns appropriate to the Holy Passion, some with a Byzantine influence.

On Holy Thursday it is the custom to dye the aforementioned eggs red, a symbol for the renewal of life and the natural cycle. In Corfu, as an exception, the Catholic Easter is celebrated at the same time as the Orthodox Easter with the Service of Twelve Gospels at the Catholic Duomo on Holy Thursday.

Good Friday is filled with activity - the busiest day of the entire Easter celebration. The churches are crowded for the ceremony of the Descent of Christ from the Cross and each one has its own funeral bier. In the city of Kerkyra (Corfu’s capital) alone more than 25 funereal processions take place from mid afternoon until late at night.

On Easter Saturday things begin early: at 6:00am there is a ceremony in the church of Virgin Mary ton. Later on, there is another procession of Saint Spyridon, which first took place in 1550 to commemorate the miracle of the Saint who saved the island from starvation. After the procession the Shrine of the Saint remains open in the church for a three-day pilgrimage.

Unmissable too is the First Resurrection ceremony at 11:00. Thousands of clay pots filled with water are hurled on to the streets from the balconies above. This custom is connected with the Gospels but also has a Venetian influence and actually happens in order to keep the bad spirits away and to bring good luck and happiness. After the throwing of the pots the bands come out again and make their way through the narrow streets.

When night comes, everybody gathers in the Main Square of Kerkyra. Thousands of people crowd around the main square, which is illuminated by hundreds of candles that burn on every balcony and at every window overlooking the square.

At midnight the Resurrection is celebrated with drumbeats and fireworks. As soon as the lavish display of fireworks finishes everyone follows the bands through the old city, singing and greeting each other. In restaurants and tavernas, hotels and homes, a meal is eaten, for many people the first for several days. The meal starts with the traditional Magiritsa (meat soup) and the cracking of red-dyed eggs, and continues with fogatsa bread, columbines (Venetian cakes) and lots of wine.

On the morning of Easter Sunday there are church processions in the streets, with the icon of the Resurrection of Christ. Easter Week in Corfu ends with the feast-pilgrimage on the Friday after Easter at the Paleokastritsa monastery. Whew…I must confess that I am exhausted just reading about it all – but what a wonderful and exhilarating experience it must be.

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to either go a few days earlier than Easter (or indeed stay a few days later) to have a look at properties if you are thinking of buying. It’s early in the year – too early for most tourists out of the actual Easter weekend. You may find that the agents and developers are not as busy and after a long winter without sales cheeky offers may be fallen upon with shouts of glee!! Always the optimist…

If you want to chat to a really good and reliable agent on the island do just give us a call on 0207 898 0549 and let’s have a chat. Or go to:
http://www.GreeceBuyingGuide.com/property.htm
and fill in the property form.

Where to for the £ against the euro?

by Smart Currency’s Charles Purdy.

Where to for the £ against the euro? This is a question I am often asked and, to be honest, it is near enough impossible to know what the answer is, especially at times like this when all economic reason seems to have been either discarded or disowned.

There is a belief that by the end of the year we will see sterling rise to €1.20/£1. That could be…but I think we have an equal chance of being at €0.90/£1 by the end of the year.

There are three main reasons why the future exchange rate for sterling is so uncertain. Firstly, sterling is unloved and is not one of the big boys, such as the €, the US$ and the Japanese Yen, when it comes to world trade. Secondly, the IMF views us as the most likely of the industrialised nations to be last out of the current recession; we have a government which is running a huge budget and balance of payment deficit. Thirdly, our economy is dependent on the financial sector, which is clearly in trouble.

With so much uncertainty I think it is important not to second guess what is going to happen – rather work out a plan which will limit your downside risk [and remove some, if not all, of the stress] based on where we are now. Unless you are a committed gambler, I suggest you make sure that you don’t suddenly have to find another £5,000 to cover the increased cost of buying those euros for your house purchase should sterling continue to lose even more ground against the euro.

Also you shouldn’t risk the value of your monthly pension going down even further. We know that, even with deflation on the horizon, every lost € hurts and can reduce your enjoyment of a “life in the sun”.

If you haven’t had a chance to discuss in detail what the alternatives are for either larger or more regular payments, and how to minimise your currency risks, then please give us a ring and we will be happy to talk about your possible options.

To read the latest on Serling and the Euro go to: http://www.GreeceBuyingGuide.com/Currency260309.htm

Why overseas property buyers lose money...
...and how you can avoid it!

This 10-page educational report outlines:

• Case Study: When Property Buyer, Mr Reed, Purchased an Overseas Property, he Made Three Mistakes that Cost Him £10,256...learn how you can avoid them...
  
  
• How the Banks make HUGE profits from their long-standing unsuspecting customers
  
  
• Ways to safeguard yourself against adverse fluctuations in exchange rates (or in other words, helping you to keep your money in your pocket)
  
  
• The entire process of moving money from the UK to any overseas location, so that you're armed with all the knowledge you need to make intelligent decisions about your money
  
  
• How you can ultimately save £100’s and £1000’s so that you have ample money to buy furniture and white goods…
  
  
• More case studies of people that lost money due to foreign currency strengthening against the pound, so that you learn from other peoples mistakes rather than your own!
  

And just a couple remarks about the report from our readers...

" We have found your free report to be extremely helpful... Wendy Watson"

"I have read and absorbed the information in the stories outlining the mistakes which the uninitiated can make when transferring currency. It is very illuminating and essential that any one,like myself, who is in the process of buying an overseas property should be aware of. I would go so far as to say that every agent selling overseas properties should be compelled to advise their prospective purchasers that it is paramount that they use a currency expert such as yourselves. Regards, Eric Thomas"

To get a copy of the report at no charge go to: http://www.smartcurrencyexchange.com/freereport.htm

To get a Better-than-Bank rate go to: http://www.smartCurrencyExchange.com/smartsquotation.htm
or call Carl on 08081 630 102 freephone.

Top Tip

Here is an email I received from a Greece Buying Guide reader, Des Hope:

Hello Carol
I was pleased to see that a recent news letter put the spotlight on Corfu and that you are promoting the Corfu Trail. I spoke to you on the phone (and mentioned that we walked the Corfu Trail as a preliminary to buying a property near the mid west coast in Kouramades near Sinarades and yes...we did purchase through your recommended property professional!

Providing someone is reasonably fit the Trail has to be the best way to get "intimate" with Corfu and a great help when trying to make decisions about where to buy and my advice would be to walk the length of it before you even start looking. It is not difficult walking and even the most demanding sections in the north are no more challenging than the English Lakes. I think the problem that a lot of people have when thinking of buying out there is lack of focus and clarity about what they really want and why they are buying and lack of planning. Walking the Trail was absolutely critical in helping us in these respects

…last summer I re-walked part of the trail and on the sections that I did (which were in the north) I found it in good shape and still well signed. So a message to all those potential purchasers out there - get your boots, walking poles and water bottles and enjoy the walk of a lifetime.
Des

If you want to chat to a really good and reliable agent on the island do just give us a call on 0207 898 0549 and let’s have a chat. Or go to:
http://www.GreeceBuyingGuide.com/property.htm
and fill in the property form.

A Luxurious Property in Greece

Villa Artemis - An Exclusive Retreat Overlooking Navarone Bay, Lindos Price £1,600,000

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 4

Property size: 300 sq.m.

Land size: 2000 sq.m.

This property will not be in everyone’s budget, but we can dream can’t we? Rhodes is still a very secure place to be investing in. There will always be folk who want to spent time on the island: as a home this is a dream, but as a let it also ‘ticks all the boxes’ - to use rather a clichéd phrase – in terms of an investment property.

Built by the leading developer of Rhodes in the most prestigious area of Greece, Lindos, this executive villa is truly unique! Surrounded by the calmness of the imposing rocks of Navarone, in a colourful interplay with the sunlight and the deep blue sea, the area is one of supreme beauty. The villas have been built using high quality materials such as wood, local stone and marble. The property boasts open plan living areas with priceless 360 degree views of both mountains and coastline, a gourmet kitchen, 5 spacious bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a gymnasium, a Jacuzzi and Sauna.

Extra benefits are satellite TV, central air conditioning, a private garden and an oversized (5m x 10m) masterfully crafted swimming pool. The property is for sale completely furnished and fully equipped, with interior specifications of the highest standards including flat screen televisions in every room. The property also comes with its own car, a Nissan Qasquai (1600 cc). This villa is a sound investment opportunity for both rental income or simply as a holiday home.

Distance from the beach: 1km

Distance from central town: 2km

Distance from the airport: 45km

Please phone me if you are interested, or go to:
http://www.GreeceBuyingGuide.com/property.htm
and fill in the form.

Holidays Uncovered

I have found such a wonderful website that I just have to share with you! It’s called Holidays Uncovered and contains no nonsense reviews by people just like you and me. Personally I will never book a hotel again without referring to this website!

I tested it by typing in a hotel I had actually visited and up it came with a couple of reviews. One had pretty much my thoughts on the hotel, but funnily enough it seems that not all the rooms were as good as the one I had stayed in. After reading that I would insist on seeing the room before checking in…and how useful is it to know that?

The site includes most countries worldwide. Not only are there comprehensive hotel reviews but general travel reviews with all sorts of interesting bits ’n bobs, best to see, a weather chart and a forum that you can join. I was reading this sneakily while at work, but this weekend I plan to dash off a few reviews of hotels I have stayed in around the world – it’s the least one can do for one’s fellow travellers!

I recently visited Ladakh in Himalayan India – my second visit actually to this really out of the way place. I feel honour-bound to share with folk the two or three really spectacularly good hotels that I discovered there – through much trial and error I might add!! If you want to have a look, go to:

Holidays Uncovered

and do add your reviews too – it’s the right thing to do!

Burning Questions

Here is a question I received from a reader:

“hello there, & thank you for all your information that you send, as we are looking to take our pets with us when we move, could you do a snippet on how to? & how much? etc, we'd really appreciate it,
cheers
Jo 'n' Ade 'n' Sam”

I am wondering if one is the afore-mentioned pet and if so, which one?!!

Here goes with a general outline: The standard requirements for bringing a pet into Greece are that your pet must be micro chipped and registered and must have had a rabies vaccination within the last 12 months, at least 30 days before travel.

Throughout the EU there are standard rules for the issuing of a PET passport and animals travelling within the EU are required to have one. More information on the passport scheme and travelling with pets is available on the wonderful DEFRA Website – I will refer you to it as regulations change from time to time: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/regulation/eu_reg.htm

Pets must be transported by an authorised carrier. Olympic Airways, BA and other International scheduled airlines will transport pets to Greece.

For more on carriers you can go to: http://www.greecebuyingguide.com/links.htm#resources
and go down to ‘Getting to Greece’.

Make sure you locate a local Vet ('ktiniatros') and obtain an emergency telephone number as soon as you arrive in Greece with your pet, just in case.

Rent or advertise a rental property

Do you have a holiday home that you want to rent out? OR

Do you want to take a ‘test-drive’ and stay in a holiday home – in other words, ‘try before you buy’? I found that holidaylettings.co.uk is an excellent resource.

This site really has to be one of the most easy and clearly laid out sites that I have seen – within a few seconds I was viewing a lovely property in Cyprus…plus instructions as to how to get there, where to eat….this could become addictive! Over 2 million holidaymakers visit the site each month, so that speaks for itself. And if you are advertising your own property that is really music to the ears isn’t it?

To find a property to rent, you can use various search criteria and restrict your choices to location, dates, price and various other options. Late deals, early bargains, holiday ideas – it’s all here. If you know what you want it’s here, and if you don’t, they will help you to find it!

As for renting a property out…Rather than getting tied into a monthly direct debit or a commission type payment there is only a small annual fee required. For the fee, you’re allowed a full page of text with up to 20 photos, an availability calendar and an easy system to get the information onto the website.

Before recommending the site to you, I did a bit of background research…The company has been around since 1999, and have grown continuously since then - by an amazing 100% in each of the last 4 years! Over 17,000 owners advertise over 28,000 properties on the site and they have over 2 million visitors to the site every month.

I’ve been informed that HolidayLettings.co.uk also has an excellent reputation for telephone customer service provided by real people in their Oxford, UK office. They were ranked in the top 10 of the most visited property websites throughout 2008, ahead of all other UK holiday home letting sites, by Hitwise, the leading online intelligence service.

As they mention on their website, low-cost airlines and holiday rentals listing sites have made holidays in Europe and beyond much more affordable to the independent traveller. Plus of course those hit by the credit crunch may well be seeking to rent abroad rather than going the expensive hotel route – have a look and see what you think.

If you want to rent out a property, one of my associates managed to get a deal for Guide Readers… If you enter the following promotional code you can get 15 months of advertising (of your property) for the price of 12 months – Code: 45749. Or, just go to: Holiday Lettings

Greece Property Buying & Investment Guide

“Guiding you from no knowledge to well informed, the Greek Buying Guide represents an essential starting point for anyone intending to buy property or land in Greece. The step by step approach makes for an easy and understandable read. The key steps don’t even have to be committed to memory as the checklists are comprehensive. The guide takes a large percentage of the risk out of buying overseas. Highly recommended!

Christine Dawson”

If you haven't already purchased our excellent FULL Guide why not get a copy today?

Go to: http://www.GreeceBuyingGuide.com/Guide.htm

Goodbye for now

I have had some really good feedback regarding James Villa Holidays, which I talked about in last month’s newsletter. “My wife and I go on holiday with James 3 times a year and must say they are superb. Never had a bad villa or any complaints at all. Next trip with them in May to Turkey” - so says Paul Jennings. Thanks Paul – I love to have input from you so please keep those emails rolling in or, better still, give me or the OGC team a call on 0207 898 0549. Or pop in for a cup of coffee next time you are nearby – Hammersmith London is where you will find me and I will always be pleased to see you.

‘Bye for now and all the very best for Easter if we don’t talk before then!

Best regards,

Carol

Carol Dunning
Greece Buying Guide Advisor
The Overseas Guides Company Limited.
mailto:carol@OverseasGuidesCompany.com
Phone 0207 898 0549
1, Lyric Square,
LondonW6 0NB