Isola Bella island and beach,
Taormina, Sicily
11,000, but they have a restricted range of properties for sale.
Sardinia
Sardinia is achingly beautiful, fi lled with pine and cork trees, vineyards and olive groves, all backed by mountains. The 1,148-mile coastline has white- sand beaches that rival the Caribbean’s fi nest, offset by seas of exquisite blue. Strict planning laws have preserved its rugged nature, keeping Sardinia clean, green and often delightfully sleepy. “Sardinia appeals for its
Cathy Hawker concludes our Italian series with a trip around the idyllic islands of Sardinia and Sicily
Mediterranean climate, friendly people, unspoilt countryside and coast, and its safe environment without earthquake risks,” says Janet Veillon of House Around Sardinia (
www.housearoundsardinia.eu). “In addition, property is good
value and a stable investment.” Anyone familiar with the exclusive
I
talians love a good beach and they are spoilt for choice with the Mediterranean islands lying off their west coastline. From
tiny Panarea, with its Greece-meets- Italy vibe across to majestic Sardinia, beloved of celebrities who moor their yachts in the turquoise waters off the super-pricey Costa Smeralda, there are beaches to please everyone. Unlike in many European countries,
beach resorts on the Italian islands retain the true essence of Italy, with a strong local culture. Even in the
height – and heat – of August, when the holiday season is in full swing, its crisp prosecco and fi nger-kissing antipasti are on offer in low-level resorts. Sardinia and Sicily, the
Mediterranean’s two largest islands, are the big hitters for overseas property buyers. The idyllic, otherworldly volcanic Aeolian Islands off Sicily’s north coast attract an elite crowd, with more than 200,000 annual visitors adding to a population of at least
north-east enclave of the Costa Smeralda, or Emerald Coast (see box on page 50) may be surprised by how affordable prices can be elsewhere. “In Sardinia, the north is more popular than the south for second- home owners, and, although it is a seasonal island, high rental yields are obtainable in the summer months,” says Linda Travella of Casa Travella (
www.casatravella.com). “Apartments close to the sea start from under €100,000 (£79,000) in Badesi and Valledoria on the Costa Paradiso, half an hour from Costa Smeralda; semi-detached villas from €320,000 (£254,000); and a fi ve- bedroom villa 45 minutes from Olbia is €580,000 (£460,000).” Most British buyers keep close
to the airports at Olbia, Alghero and Cagliari. Gemma Bruce of GK Italian
Property (
www.gkitalianproperty.com) suggests looking around Pula and
aplaceinthesun.com 47
ITALIAN ISLANDS
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100