From well-trodden paths in south-west France to the "secret" Europe...
Date: 02/05/2007Dear Friend of Europe,
Now that I’m back in my spiritual non-smoking home (more on this later in the month) after a little jaunt to Luxembourg, I can get even better prices in the sales (you can, too, if you want to order our Europe-focused products—see the yellow box below). I’m also looking to save money on my next trips with the discounts on early reservations that are offered at this time of year.
For all the jokes about strikes, the French national railway, the SNCF, provides a great service, and I often check out its last minute offers for the week, published on Tuesdays. For the moment my sights are set on Brussels, an easy day trip, and London—however did we manage before the Eurostar? Later on I’ll be exploring Burgundy, the south of France, and, once the weather warms up, perhaps the Lake District in the UK.
Plus I’ll be heading to a very attractive city—a mystery destination—for our upcoming Live and Prosper in Europe seminar this September. I cannot as yet reveal where it’ll be held, but you can sign up for an e-mail alert to get the details (once they are confirmed) by e-mailing events@internationalliving.com.
Until then, I hope you enjoy this issue of The European, with the low-down on property in a desirable part of south-west France, and wine tasting in another quiet corner of the continent, off the beaten tracks. Kevin Stillmock brings you the inside story on opportunities in a region of the “secret” Europe, in a seemingly chaotic but also breathtakingly beautiful country that has elevated itself from a former dictator-driven society to the seventh largest member in the EU. Plus you can discover where to get locked up for an evening’s entertainment. It’s all in Issue 9.
Bests,
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Leigh Fergus
Editor, The European
P.S.Italian special !
Dreaming of getting away from it all? Want to wake up to the timeless softly rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside? We’ve negotiated a 50% discount for a luxurious Tuscan villa week-long stay—and a $10,000 credit if you reserve a unit during your stay. Click here for more information.
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Melnik: a vine Odyssey
by Ty Treadwell
It’s wine that draws visitors to the tiny town of Melnik. The region now known as Bulgaria has been active in wine production for nearly 8,000 years—Homer mentions wines from the area in both The Iliad and The Odyssey—and Melnik itself has been a major production center since 1346. While most Americans are unfamiliar with these vintages, Bulgarian wine has been widely exported to Germany, Denmark, and the United Kingdom for decades. In fact, up until 1990 Bulgaria was one of the largest exporters of bottled wines in the world, second only to France, with wines from Melnik reigning supreme among connoisseurs. Winston Churchill himself declared Melnik wines to be his personal favorite, ordering them by the barrel to ensure that he always had plenty on hand.
Seventy-five per cent of the grapes grown in the region are the native broad-leaved vine variety of Melnik. The lands surrounding the town are the only places in the world this variety is grown as attempts to transplant the grape to other countries have continually failed. The wine it produces is dense and bold, the perfect accompaniment to Bulgaria’s spicy meat dishes and hearty salads.
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Less Melnik wine is being exported these days, but this simply gives wine lovers an excuse to journey here and enjoy what’s on offer on site. Most of the wineries offer tasting rooms, some of them in the same caves where the wine is stored, serving wine by the glass straight from the barrel. When we told our waiter that we wanted to buy three bottles to take with us, they were bottled, corked, and labeled right before our eyes.
Getting there
Melnik can easily be reached by train and bus from the capital, Sofia.
A pleasant alternative is to rent a car and savor the beautiful landscape at your own pace. Go in spring and you’ll be overwhelmed by the variety of blossoming trees: Cherries, peaches, apricots, figs, and almonds will all flash by in a colorful blur, their intoxicating smell drifting in through your open windows.
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Three must-do's in the capital that time forgot
by Anne Coombes
Built by Stalin as his model Soviet city after seeing it reduced to rubble in World War II, Minsk remains a beautiful city. Its wide tree-lined avenues lead you through a succession of open squares and parks and the colonnaded facades really are breathtaking.
But why come here? Here are a few recommended must-dos…
Firstly, Minsk offers an authentic soviet experience. Although ostensibly European, Belarus’ capital continues to hearken back to a time even Moscow has forgotten. Hammers and sickles adorn almost every building, and the streets (Lenin, Karl Marx, Engels...) are kept spotless by armies of cleaners. The police are a visible presence on most street corners; nobody dares to drop as much as a sweet wrapper. The KGB is still operational—almost certainly keeping hotel rooms for foreigners under surveillance. Meanwhile, the President, known as “Europe’s Last Dictator,” keeps a tight reign on everything from what’s on sale in the shops to who studies at the universities.
Your options for eating out are limited but the local fare has its own charm. Why not try a bowl of borscht (beetroot soup) or schi (cabbage soup). For more decadent dining, a plate of blini (pancakes) and caviar with Belarusian vodka should do the trick.
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Minsk quick facts:
Population: 1.8 million |
Start off the experience by checking into your hotel—don’t be surprised by the arctic wind blowing off reception: In Soviet times you were supposed to feel grateful for anything you got, so being pleasant wasn’t part of anyone’s job description. Some efforts are now being made to improve service, but most staff still tend to look at you as if they’d like you to drop dead—the same applies in shops.
My own stay at the Planeta Hotel was most memorable for the breakfast buffet, a compilation of the previous night’s leftovers—how else can one explain the profusion of cold brussels sprouts? Although there are no tea-making facilities in the rooms, each floor has a housekeeper to help out. If you go to her office and act out pouring water, drinking, then smacking your lips in pleasure, she’ll soon realize that you’re desperate for a cuppa’.
Another must-do is to sample the local nightlife. The address to try is the Alcatraz, a nightclub located under the Trade Union Palace in October Square, guaranteed to amuse. This is where you can be locked in your own private cell should the mood takes you.
To top off your Minsk experience, I recommend a trip to one of the city’s state banyas (saunas). What could be more invigorating than getting naked with a few dozen strangers, steaming yourself into oblivion, then jumping into a barrel of ice cold water before whipping one another with damp birch twigs? And all for the bargain price of $1.
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Affordable Dordogne?
by Leigh Fergus
The Dordogne has long been a favorite haunt for the Brits, attracting retired military staff, horsey types, and the well-heeled—all looking for luxuriant countryside, a good quality of life, and space. As such, the locals have been only too keen to cash in on the interest that their region attracts, and this has seen property values rocket even more in recent years.
While the price rises have not always been to the detriment of the locals, it is getting harder to find small habitable places that don’t require extensive renovation. At least that’s what I thought the last time I went to visit properties near my favorite town, the gothic-sounding Sorges. Sure, there are plenty of carefully presented longères and maisons de maître that go for top dollars, but there are still surprises—pleasant surprises—to be had here.
I recently visited the area with nothing more in mind than sampling a little unspoiled countryside and admiring the gardens (the village of St. Jean-de-Côle has made a name for itself country-wide, blooming tastefully every summer in time for the flower show). But, as I leaned over yet another impossibly photogenic mossy wall to admire the plants, I noticed a real estate office, or agence immobilière.
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Local contacts: Agence Immobilière Herman de Graaf,Le Bourg, 24800 St.Jean-de-Côle, France; tel. (+33) (0) 55362-3803; e-mail: agence@immobilier-dordogne.com Agence Nontron Immobilier, 3, rue Carnot, 24300 Nontron, France; tel: (+33)(0)55360-5310; website: www.laroche-immo.com Immoland, 12 rue Jules Sarlandie, 24800 Thiviers; tel: (+33) (0) 55352-6606; e-mail: immo.land.thiviers@wanadoo.fr |
Closer inspection told me that the Agence, run by transplanted Dutchman Herman de Graaf, offered more than simply châteaux and mansions. Photos showed a fishing lake with wooden chalet and small forest going for 76,000 euro ($99,000) in the area. This is much more in my budget—and personally manageable, I tell myself—than the majestic 19th-century nine-bedroom manor, complete with chapel, dormitory, and campsite facilities, on sale for 390,000 euro ($504,000) on more than 2 acres. This is not to mention the restored stone farmhouse with guest cottage that could be used for a holiday rental, with a price tag of 311,000 euro ($402,000)…
Heartened by this discovery, I spotted notices for a tidy two-bedroom townhouse with adjoining barn and outbuildings, all ready to move into, for 81,000 euro ($105,000), as well as a charming four-bedroom home in the historic town of Bourdeilles, not far from the castle, offered at 76,000 euro ($99,000). This may be an affordable region after all…if you take the time to look.
Further Reading:
Working and Living in France: The Ins and Outs was $29.95, now $23.95 is your complete guide to all things French (and yes it's 20% off as well.) Get the inside scoop on how to avoid all that red tape, maneuvering the intricate tax system, finding an English speaking doctor and all you need to know to live your new life in France.
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Living a charmed life in the secret Europe
by Kevin Stillmock
A growing number of people are discovering what companies such as Price Waterhouse Coopers and International Living have been claiming for years—that some of the world’s hottest real estate investment opportunities are a little off-the-beaten path. In today's secret Europe you can get in at bargain-basement prices and reap huge profits.
There's no doubt that you've read about this place and heard stories about it since you were a child—it’s Transylvania, in the modern-day country of Romania. In this storybook land of castles, medieval towns, and breathtaking natural sites, you'll see mountains comparable to the Swiss Alps—with complete modern infrastructure for snow sports—cascading waterfalls, untouched medieval towns, and cosmopolitan cities with all of the culture and nightlife you would expect to find in Europe.
Billions of euro will be invested in additional infrastructure now that the country is part of the European Union, and the region will prosper in many ways, including tourism growth. In fact, the first international airport in a ski resort in Europe is currently under construction here. This means incredible real estate opportunities for those prepared to act in the short-term. You can come and visit, staying at a bed and breakfast starting at about $30 a night. Or you can buy something with a view (like my apartment)...for as little as $20,000 down.
NOW 20% OFFYou can own a second home in Europe— somewhere you would want to move into right now—for less than $25,000. I've seen hundreds of properties in dozens of destinations all over this grand continent... in France, Italy, Greece, Spain, and Portugal... plus a few places you may never have considered. Family homes...city apartments... vacation cottages...investment opportunities... a villa by the lake...a house on the beach...a chalet in the mountains... Somewhere in Europe the perfect second home is waiting for you. Find out where, Your Own Second Home in Europe was $29.95, now $23.95. |
But as property values continue to rise and amenities continue to improve—to correspond to EU standards—Transylvania will become as unaffordable as many other European destinations. Acting sooner rather than later will allow you to reap fairy tale proportion profits and live a charmed life—rather than "living in a fairy tale," ever waiting for the next opportunity to come around the bend.
Developers from South Carolina have announced the go-ahead for American Resort: Transylvania, a resort that looks set to be Romania's premier resort community. This multi-million-euro project will offer all the amenities of a world-class Colorado ski resort at a fraction of the price, with excellent transport connections. Built with vacationers of every age in mind, the resort will offer full-time escorts for children and rich nightlife alternatives for adults. Condos and villas offer rustic, luxurious accommodation just minutes from skiing and attractions, and start at only 1,200 euro per square meter ($145 per square foot).
Investors should note that the surrounding area has shown an average of 212% growth in the previous year, still with significant growth potential, and that the addition of the new international airport and super highway better connecting the region with the rest of the E.U. ensure this area will be a top European hot spot.
Those who would prefer acquiring property or holidaying outside a major resort have the opportunity to purchase a villa in Transylvania's largest city, Brasov, just miles from skiing, at an astonishingly low price. An established developer has started construction of a small, private community offering fully finished houses at just 600 euro per square meter ($81 per square foot).
Whether you’re looking for a unique holiday home or a compelling investment opportunity, you'll find what you’re looking for in Romania.
If you are interested in finding out more about these projects, please use the form at www.romaniareport.com and be sure to mention "International Living: The European" to receive an automatic discount off any real estate purchase.
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