Cannes Tourism

Attractions Along The French Riviera

Situated at the Eastern end of the French Riviera, Nice acts as a travel hub for many locations and attractions along the Cote d’Azur and also for some across the nearby border with Italy. Nice airport has long been a major arrival point for visitors to this part of France and provides a stopping point for many low coast airlines that bring passengers to the area.

Nice airport is quite large by any standards and has a wealth of facilities to satisfy the large tourist volumes that pass through. Check-in and baggage processes are very efficient and there are plenty of car-hire options to choose from. Nice airport is linked directly to a modern road network which provides fast motorways both westward towards Cannes and eastward towards Italy.

Drive along the A8 motorway to the east and you will quickly come across signs to the principality of Monaco, home to the famous Grand Prix and also to many wealthy individuals attracted to the country because of its advantageous taxation rules and glamorous image. Monaco can claim many records, including being the most densely populated sovereign country and the second smallest country in the world. The principality claims tourism as its main economy and strangely, although the casinos in Monaco are famous, citizens of the country are forbidden from using them. Although Monaco is not part of the European Union it does use the Euro as its currency.

If you pass Monaco and continue eastwards from Nice you will approach the Italian border within 30 kilometres. Just across the border are two locations worthy of a visit. Despite is vast history and wonderful architecture, the town of Ventimiglia has become famous for its Friday street market which causes the place to become gridlocked with visitors, including many who travel across from France for the day. The market has gained a reputation of being one of the biggest black markets in Europe and many of the products there are fake replicas of designer goods. Sunglasses, watches and clothing of all the top brands can be found, but there are also more traditional market goods such as food and flowers. It’s certainly a fun place to visit on market day.

Further east into Italy and the start of the Italian Riviera is marked by San Remo, a beautiful tourist destination which its own abundance of history. Local shops and markets, as well as two marinas and many hotels and restaurants make the pace an interesting one to stay in and of course the weather in this part of the world is usually warm and sunny.

A journey to the west of Nice along the coast road takes you first to the old town of Antibes. The walled town of Antibes has a long history dating back to 43BC when the town fell under Roman control for the next 500 years. Now Antibes is a town attracting a young population but also a nautical one. The marina at Port Vauban is the largest single yacht harbour in Europe with space for over 2000 yachts. Many of the yachts that are too large for the other marinas along the coast seek moorings here.

Cannes is an attractive coastal resort only 15 miles West from Nice that also benefits from an upmarket image. There is plenty to see and do here but for many a stroll along the famous Boulevard de la Croisette, which is flanked at both ends by impressive marinas, is enough to pass the time. The international film festival that takes place in Cannes every May sees the place transformed, as celebrities and film professionals take over the town. Almost 25,000 film industry and press are attracted to the festival and for anyone not associated with the event it is probably wise to avoid seeking accommodation in the town unless you are prepared for the high prices that come into play during the period.

If Nice and Cannes are a little too busy for you, then a trip further west along the Cote d’Azur will take you along a spectacular coast road to many quieter places. Frejus is an example of many of the small towns along the coast here. Typically a marina provides the focal point here, playing host to yachts owned by the rich and famous who have chosen to own one of the many luxury villas in the hills around the town. As well as the coast, the hills and mountains to the rear of the town are also part of the attraction. There are many wonderful walks to be made here and there is also a famous Mountain Bike event, the “Roc Azur” which takes place in October every year.

French Riviera Tourism -The Carnival of Nice

The ancient city of Nice on the French Riviera, sandwiched between Cannes and Antibes to the west and the principality of Monaco to the east, is a year-round resort and thriving commercial center. It is a city famous for many things, perhaps the most illustrious being the carnival that has taken place in February each year since the Middle Ages.

The most widely-believed origin of the word “carnival” is from the old Italian “carne levare”, meaning “away with meat”. By the Middle Ages, the people of Nice, before fasting forty days, as appropriate for the Catholic tradition of Lent, enjoyed rich and plentiful dining.

To enjoy this time of festivity even more, every excess was permitted. It was also a time for making fun of everything and everybody at everyone’s expense. This involved the elaborate charade of concealment behind masks and disguises until Mardi Gras.

The first reference to a carnival in Nice in the history books dates back to 1294 when Charles d’Anjou, Count of Provence, mentions having spent “some joyous days of carnival” in the city. But In the 17th century excesses were brought under control by the “Abbés des Fous” whose role was to regulate the population. At this time, under the influence of the famous Venice Carnival, balls become more common that street entertainment.

During the major political upheavals during France’s eventful history, such as the French revolution or the first empire, the carnival was put on hold temporarily.

However, the first carnival parade, which is typical of the modern carnival, was inaugurated in 1830 in honor of Charles Felix and Marie-Christine, sovereigns of the Piedmont Sardinia Kingdom. The parade involved a display of thirty carriages before the king and Queen to announce the start of the carnival.

The carnival in the form we know it today was started in 1873, with the founding of the “Festival Committee” which would organize the carnival and massively increase it in size under the patronage of the city’s governors. Now parades and floats, paying stands and a more organized event made their appearance.

It was at this time that one of the carnival’s most spectacular and fascinating features was born. The local artist Alexis Mosssa together with his son Gustav Adolf brought a surprising particularity, at once both fabulous and grotesque – the now famous giant models which have become its hallmark.

The first Flower Procession was started in 1876 on the Promenade des Anglais. The same location has been used ever since and it has developed into a glorious show, an important part of today’s carnival.

Nice carnival always tries to be topical in its annual choice of theme, if indeed a little irreverent, in keeping with the spirit if the original carnival. Cartoonists and artists from around participate in creating some of the designs used in the parades. In 2002, to celebrate the King of Euroland, artists created their vision of the introduction of the Euro. In 2004, the artistic requirements became even higher as the carnival producers engaged several sculptors to further improve the originality of the floats.

For the 2005 carnival, the model creators were all trained to use “plastazote”, a thin foam that made highly intricate but lightweight designs possible. The result was the creation of many giant heads.

Carnival themes are becoming increasingly more philosophical and satirical in nature. The 122nd edition of the carnival in 2006 has the theme “King of Dupes”, intending to illustrate the paradoxes of contemporary society where the real and the virtual mix, to the extent that their respective boundaries are no longer discernible, creating a sort of showbiz culture. Here the carnival parades become “virtual moons of green cheese” and the flower parades are made of “fantasy and illusion”.

Now Holistic India Tours from India Tourism!

After Holistic Health Packages of Ayurveda and Holistic Healing through Yoga and Meditation, India Tourism now offers holistic India Tour for those who want a wholesome fulfilling travel experience in India, which include visiting prime tourist sites, witnessing highlights of Indian cultural, traditional and arts scene, staying at best luxury heritage hotels and five star resorts, and personalized services throughout the trip to India.

For three consecutive years, India remains amongst the most popular countries in the Readers’ Travel Awards by the world’s leading travel magazine Conde Nast Traveller. In 2007, it was the world’s most liked country for variety of attractions it offered, value for money, and culture. The culture of India remained its favorite highlight over the next year too. India gained most points for glorious scenery in 2009. Incredible India campaign by Ministry of Tourism not only received a warm response all over the world but its creative on ‘Taj Maha’ was also awarded the Bronze Lion Award at the 55th International Advertising Festival held at Cannes, France.

The holistic India Tour and Travel Packages offer a range of tour themes to international tourists that may include India Heritage Tours, Rajasthan Fort and Palaces Tours, Textile Tours of Gujarat, and Tribal Tours of Orissa and Chhatisgarh. Camel Safaris in the Desert Triangle, Temple Tours of South India, Goa and Kerala Beach Tours, and Wildlife Tour and Tiger Tours to some of the best National Parks and Bird Sanctuaries of the World offer different types of experiences. Active people may prefer Adventure Tours in Himalayas, while romantic couples may prefer Kerala Houseboat Tours. There are pilgrimage tours for people of all faiths and religions in India as well as spiritual tours to cities like Varanasi, where a boat ride in River Ganges spell a transcending experience for many.

Customized to one’s tastes, interests, vacation dreams, activity and fitness levels and age groups, Holistic India Tours may offer leisurely packages with ample of rest time for a group of oldies, those who may have various physical problems, or for those who just want to relax and unwind as a break from their hectic, strenuous daily lives. They can also be fairly activity-oriented and extremely educational for teenagers who are always interested in exploring different vistas, going on treasure hunts in old caves, heritage monuments and temples, and experiencing thrill and adrenaline rush as they trek through most inaccessible and treacherous trails in forests and jungles or high mountains.

With an eye on responsible and sustainable tourism and the focus on safe and stress-free travel experiences for foreign visitors, India Tourism is fast taking over as the most rapidly rising sector for earning foreign exchange revenue in the country. A country of one billion, India can provide you with the company you desire or allow you free moments to reminisce on old memories and ponder on the glory of human achievements. India tour operators and travel agents offer expert consultants who can help you come up with well-planned itineraries that can help you see and experience India in your very own way without having to face unnecessary troubles from the unknown challenges of local regions.

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Camping in Eastern France

While the recession is affecting tourism globally, more affordable holiday options such as camping holidays in France are increasing their share of the market. Read below about increasingly popular destinations for camping in France along the country’s eastern border.

Early in September, Associated Press reported the recent findings of France’s Secretary of State for Tourism. The report describes the increasing trend for French holidaymakers to stay in France for their breaks from work, with a growing number opting to spend their holidays camping. France is the world’s leading tourist destination, attracting visitors to its cities of culture and its varied, beautiful landscapes, so it’s no surprise that French holiday makers are increasingly enjoying what their own country has to offer.

Jura

The first on our list is Jura in the east, a department halfway down the country, four hours’ drive from Paris and six hours from Calais. The Jura Mountains are enjoyed by nature lovers, ramblers, and winter sports fans, and it is a beautiful place to visit all year round.

Jura is close to the Swiss border, with Bern only a couple of hours’ drive away. As a result, the region’s cuisine and architecture has a Swiss flavour so you can enjoy the best of two neighbouring cultures while camping in France.

As well as exploring the rich pine forests, visitors to Jura flock to see the Cascades du Hérrisson waterfalls. The descent of the water over the Cascades du Hérrisson is spread along two miles of beautiful countryside, during which the water drops six hundred metres into the Val-Dessous. This is a green and idyllic place, and, like the rest of the region, is perfect for hiking excursions during your camping holidays in France.

The Alps

The French Alps is undeniably a stunning mountain region of France. Camping la Serraz is a campsite well-placed to enjoy the plentiful views of snow-capped mountains and serene lakes that you can find here, including the crystal clear Annecy Lake, just ten minutes walk from the site.

The Alps is also home to the country’s largest National Park, the Parc National des Ecrins. It’s a must for visitors on camping holidays in France who will appreciate landscapes of rugged beauty plus the historic and interesting towns of Grenoble and Aix les Bains warrant a visit.

For those with a taste for adrenaline-fuelled fun, there are jet skis to race across the glacial lake at Lac de Bourget. If you enjoy the scale of the Alps and have a head for heights, you should visit Chamonix, which lies close to the border of Italy, Switzerland and France. At Chamonix, you will find the cable car – the highest in the world – that ascends a mountain called Aiguille du Midi (3,842 m), part of the Mont Blanc Massif.

Cote d’Azur

Two hundred and fifty miles further south is the Cote d’Azur on the south east coast of France. Camping here puts you among the delights of the French Riviera, which is a desirable stretch of coastline washed by the Mediterranean Sea.

More than just a region of beautiful beaches, the Cote D’Azur offers a mix of the traditional and the modern with sophisticated beach resorts rubbing shoulders with rustic fishing villages. Camping in France here means having access to some of the finest beaches in Europe, and being within reach of the famous cities of Cannes and Nice.

Nice Car Hire Hot Spots

Renting a car in Nice opens many exciting travel options. From wave-lashed beaches to pretty towns and villages, you’ll find plenty of exciting day-trip destinations. The freedom afforded by Nice means you’re completely independent. You don’t have to rely on local timetables for scheduled stops and you can start and stop your journey wherever and whenever you like. The following is a guide to some of the city’s hot spots.

Nice Airport Mini Guide:

Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is located 6km to the west of Nice. The airport offers a good range of facilities including a post office, business centre with meeting rooms, as well as short and long-term parking.

Things To See/Do in Nice:

For most tourists, Nice offers the first glimpse of the turquoise paradise that is the Côte d’Azur. Nice has long been a favourite holiday destination for those looking for a relaxing break. The city was founded by the Greeks and named after Nike, the goddess of victory. It was the Romans who began the tourism industry here, when they started the mineral bath trend on Cimiez. The city has always had a noble following. In the 19th century, Nice was the destination of choice for British and Russian aristocrats.

Although slick and modern today, the city still exudes a wonderful sense of charm, harking back to its medieval days. The Vielle Ville (old town) is especially picturesque, boasting vibrant red-tiled roofs, narrow winding streets and bustling laneways teeming with shops, bars and restaurants. A hop skip and a jump from here is the fabulous Cours Saleya flower and food market, where you’ll find plenty of fresh and fragrant local produce.

After all that browsing, you’re sure to be a little peckish. Fortunately, there are plenty of fine restaurants in the area, offering first class seafood and delicious local cuisine.

No matter where you’re staying in Nice, with Nice car hire the beach is never far away. The beautiful Promenade des Anglais is to be found alongside the shingle beaches for about 8km and has been a favourite destination for day-trippers since Victorian times. Nice enjoys a sunny Mediterranean climate, with mild temperatures for most of the year. Rain occurs most frequently from September to March.

Eating Out in Nice:

Dining out in Nice gives you the chance to sample some of the tastiest cuisine in the south of France. The Mediterranean influence means there is an abundance of spicy foods and freshly caught local seafood. Local specialities include Beignets de fleurs de courgettes, Ratatouille, Pichade, Pissaladiére, Pan-bagnat, Soupe au pistou, Tourte de blettes and Daube.

Day Trips/Events in Nice:

Nice is a wonderful base from which to explore the surrounding countryside and coastlines of the south of France. Exciting day-trip destinations include the pretty fortified village of Saint Paul de Vance, beautiful and historic Avignon and Villefranche sur Mer, a delightful little seaside town.

Nice plays host to a range of events throughout the calendar year. Highlights worth pencilling into your diary include May’s International Film Festival in nearby Cannes, July’s Nice Jazz Festival and December’s magical Christmas Village.

Top 10 Overseas Property Investments in 2010

1. Brazil
The Brazilian property market has got a lot going for it. The country is attracting a lot of inward investment, has one of the world’s fastest growing economies, a rapidly emerging mortgage market, a general shortage of quality homes, and has been selected to host the 2014 football World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games. This will lead to the construction of new and improved infrastructures and homes across Brazil.

Property investors from around the world are flocking to Brazilian shores with a view to snapping up real estate, in anticipation of future capital growth.

One local expect projects Brazilian property prices could appreciate by up to 200% over the next decade, driven by the country’s burgeoning economy, and the pending introduction of mortgages to overseas nationals.

Investment banking firm Goldman Sachs believes that Brazil’s economic growth could outstrip that of the other BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) member nations over the next few years.

Brazil’s economy is widely expected to become the fifth largest in the world by the time the Olympic Games kicks off in 2016, and yet Brazil property and land prices still remain a fraction of those found in more developed nations.

The Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has already pledged to spend up to £11.5bn on building a million new homes in Brazil between now and 2011.

However, potential high property investment rewards are not with out their risks, as crime and corruption still remains widespread in Brazil.

2. France
In stark contrast to the relatively high risk, high return nature of investing in Brazil, the risks associated with investing in French property are far lower.

France has traditionally always been a rather safe haven for property investors. The nation was the first European country to come out of recession in 2009, reflecting the fact that the global credit crunch had much less of an impact, compared to other European counterparts.

France’s strong economy is having a positive impact on its property market, which now appears to be on the road to recovery.

Increasing property and mortgage transactions are boosting residential values, with the latest FNAIM data revealing that the average price of a French property appreciated by 2.8% between April and September 2009.

Although average prices remain down 7.8% year-on-year, the market is generally expected to improve further, due to France’s prudent attitude to mortgage lending.

Anyone taking out a mortgage in France is generally only permitted to borrow one third of their total gross monthly income. This has ensured that mortgages remain readily available, with 100% loan-to-value home loans available at competitive borrowing rates.

Consequently, mortgage lending in France is soaring. French mortgage broker Athena Mortgages reports that there was a 21% rise in mortgage enquiries in Q3 2009 compared with the previous quarter.

The buy-to-let and leaseback sectors are reportedly attracting particular interest from investors, due to improved yields across the country.

The capital city of Paris has long been identified as one of the most attractive European cities for investment, and is typically the most popular place to buy a home in France, along with Cannes, Marseille and Nice, which are all located along the southern Mediterranean coast.

3. USA
The USA property market may be showing tentative signs of improvement, following one of the worst economic and property crashes in living memory, but the downturn has come at a cost to many US homeowners.

Data from RealtyTrac shows that a record high of 938,000 US homes foreclosed in the third quarter of 2009. If this trend continues, foreclosures would reach around 3.5m by the end of 2009, up from around 2.3m properties last year.

Properties in Nevada had the highest foreclosures rates in Q3, followed by homes in Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Utah, Georgia, Michigan, Colorado and Illinois.
Rising unemployment levels – currently at a 26-year high of 9.8% – was cited as the main reason for the increase in foreclosure levels. Yet, there may be worst to come, as the unemployment rate is not expected to peak until mid-2010.

Unfortunately, one person’s misfortune is another’s gain. With around 7m properties currently in the foreclosure process, compared with 1.3m for the same period in 2005, predatory investors are buying up distressed, abandoned and repossessed homes at bargain-basement prices, as now appears to be the ideal time to fill your boots. 

Although the sub-prime mortgage crisis started in the USA, there are growing signs that the property market may now be at or near the bottom of the cyclical downturn. Various indices reveal that average residential prices started to rise, albeit marginally, during the second quarter of 2009.

4. Norway
Sales in Norway have nosedived over the past year or so, as residential values have cooled.

However, the Norwegian property market downturn, which has not been anywhere near as severe as in other neighbouring countries, appears to have already bottomed out, and looks ready to lead the Scandinavian property market recovery.

The key to the Norwegian property market is the strength of the country’s economy, which has made it one of the wealthiest in the world, while new housing output has dropped below average, which could fall short of demand next year.

Norway is rich in both gas and oil and this helps to support the country’s economy and ensure that its currency also stays strong – both alluring to property investors.

The country’s population is estimated to increase by 23% – approximately one million people – over the next 40 years, which should make sure that long-term residential demand is robust.

Another positive is the fact that unemployment is extremely low – approximately 3% – compared to its European counterparts. 

Almost half of the Norwegian population resides in the counties of Oslo, Rogaland, Akershus and Hordaland, and so this is where property investors should focus their attentions. Property prices in these places remain relatively cheap compared to wages in Norway.

5. Switzerland
Many of the high earners currently living in Britain look set to quit the UK in droves ahead of the introduction of a 50% top tax rate in April 2010, and escape to more tax-friendly shores, such as Switzerland.

The Swiss authorities are actively lobbying to attract many of these disillusioned high-net worth individuals, who are being tempted by assurances that they will be allowed to steer clear of European Union regulation and Britain’s Financial Services Authority.

It is estimated that hedge funds managing in the region of £10 billion in assets have already moved to Switzerland in the past year alone. This has increased demand for homes to rent and buy.

Due to canton restrictions, it has previously been difficult for foreigners to buy property in Switzerland. However, the country has now eased its strict property buying regulations, and opened its doors to more international buyers, partly through the introduction of ‘residence de tourisme’ style investments, which is similar to the ever-popular ‘leaseback’ formula in France.
 
Switzerland, one of the richest nations in the world, is of course a tax haven.
Anyone who sets up permanent residency in Switzerland would be entitled to take advantage of the country’s favourable tax law, including the lump sum taxation, which charges a levy based on people’s lifestyle and spending habits.

Given that one’s taxable income is charged at just five times their annual rent or rental value of their property, and the fact that assets outside Switzerland remain tax-free, should ensure demand for Swiss properties – to rent and buy – remains strong for years to come.

Historically, Swiss property values have typically appreciated in line with inflation.  Properties located at the top end of the market, in cantons like Valais and Vaud, have reportedly increased by up to 20% in the past year.

6. Australia
The Australian economic and property market recovery has been swifter than the other leading nations around the world.

It has been claimed that the revival in the country’s property market and economy is as much as 12 months ahead of the other developed countries in the economic cycle.

Unemployment peaked in September 2009, in stark contrast to Britain and the USA, while increasing commodity demand from China has forced the Australian Central Bank to raise benchmark interest rates. Yet this has failed to cool strong residential demand, which coupled with a general housing shortage, is forcing property values higher.

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics house price index shows that the average price of a residential property in Australia appreciated by 4.2% in the third quarter of 2009, which means that in the year to September, residential prices increased 6.2%.

Australia could be set for a residential property price boom over the next few years, as the country’s economy continues to show genuine signs of recovery.

A recent Australia property report projected that average residential prices in nearly all capital cities would increase by between 11% and 19% by 2012, with the greatest property price rises expected to be recorded in Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne.

7. Malaysia
I tipped Malaysia to be the number one place to invest in property in 2009, due to the country’s robust property ownership laws, lack of capital gains tax and attractive mortgage rates.

However, residential sales were sluggish during the early half of the year, as the market struggled as a direct consequence of the global credit crunch, while there are some political uncertainties emerging.

But with consumer sentiment improving, the recent positive market recovery, supported by the construction of new residential schemes across the country, should continue in 2010.

While property prices race ahead across much of Asia – in countries like China, Vietnam and Singapore – which has led to heightened fears of budding property bubbles, the Malaysian property market has merely stabilised, making it suited to more balanced investors.

With an extremely young and well-educated population, long-term demand for property in Malaysia looks set to grow.

Domestically, an increasing number of people are moving from the countryside into the larger cities, while internationally Malaysia looks set to cross a demographic landmark of huge social and economic importance.

Malaysia’s population is growing by around 2%, or an extra 500,000 people, every year.  The World Bank projects the country’s population will grow annually by 1% until 2050, which will place further pent-up demand on property values.

Malaysia’s property prices are still lower than they were in 1997, due partly to the Asian financial crisis in the late 1990’s, suggesting very real room for growth.

8. Abu Dhabi
The recent property price falls in the fast growing UAE capital of Abu Dhabi, the richest and largest of all the seven UAE states, have been nowhere near as severe as in neighbouring Dubai.

The tax-efficient emirate has the largest fossil fuel reserve in the UAE, is the fourth biggest natural gas producer in the world, has the world’s highest income per capita, is home to almost all of the Arabic Fortune 500 companies, and is currently sitting on over 88 billion barrels of proven oil reserves.

Yet Abu Dhabi is now actively trying to reduce its reliance on oil, and is diversify its economy into the financial services and tourism sectors. Billions of pounds have been allocated for infrastructure projects and the development of residential, leisure and cultural schemes across the oil-rich emirate. The plans are truly remarkable.

Nevertheless, investors seeking out bargain deals will find some of the best opportunities for distressed property investments in the Gulf region in Abu Dhabi. 

The recent slowdown in the property market means that just 45,000 are anticipated to be completed in the capital in the next four years, augmenting the exiting housing shortage.

The supply of housing stock remains scant, partly because Abu Dhabi is not part of a community master-plan like those pioneered by Emaar and Nakheel in Dubai.

The housing shortfall in the capital is expected to stand at around 15,000 homes next year, which could mean that property prices and rents are forced up, while residential demand – domestic and international – is expected to increase. 

Because Abu Dhabi does not have the same high level of exposure to the global financial crisis, compared with other UAE emirates, mortgages for non-residents – at up to 75% loan-to-value – are readily available again. This is likely to appeal to buy-to-let investors, as well as those people seeking equity release and to remortgage their properties in Abu Dhabi.

9. Oman
The relaxed Arabian state of Oman, voted ‘destination of the year 2008’ by Vogue magazine, has long been a popular holidaying destination for people living within the GCC.

With a population of around 2.3m, Oman is being modernised and liberalised culturally and economically by hereditary Sultan, Qaboos Bin Said Al-Said, a forward-thinking leader.

Sultan Qaboos strategy for economic growth – Vision 2020 – aims to diversify Oman’s economic dependency on oil, and focus on other industries, such as property and tourism.

Demand for property in Oman is primarily being driven by the Sultan’s decision to introduce legislation in 2004 – ratified in 2006 – permitting foreigners to buy freehold property and land in designated tourist areas, most notably Muscat. These projects are referred to as Integrated Tourism Complexes (ITC). Furthermore, foreign homeowners can now apply for residency visas.

A number of luxurious developments are being erected across Oman including, The Chedi, Azaiba, Wadi Kabi, The Wave, Barr Al Jissah Residences, Jebel Sifah, Salalah Beach, The Malkai, Muscat Hills, Al Madina A’Zarqa, Jebel Sifah, and Salalah Beach.

The fact that Oman appeals to end-users – not just investors – means that the medium to long-term prospect for Omani property market growth looks good.

10. South Africa
South African property market conditions look ripe for investment, as the country starts to come out of recession. Recent property price falls appear to be bottoming out, while FIFA’s 2010 football World Cup fast approaches.

From the moment world football’s governing body, FIFA, awarded South Africa the rights to host the World Cup in 2010, shrewd property investors from around the globe have been looking on with great interest, with one eye firmly on cashing in on the sport’s popularity.

The first ever FIFA World Cup to be hosted on African soil has the potential to be the biggest sporting event of all time.

The tournament is expected to attract around 350,000 football fans for a month of football mayhem, starting on 11 June 2010, which is tipped to contribute around £1.5bn to South Africa’s gross domestic product and generate another £500m in government taxes.

South Africa property prices haven softened over the past year or so, due to a fall in residential demand, caused by reduced housing affordability, higher inflation and interest rates.

But residential prices could soon experience growth, on the back of what should be a reinvigorated economy, spurred by the football tournament.

While the odds may be stacked up against the South African football winning the World Cup in 2010, it is not too far fetched to assume that the country’s housing market could prove to be the real winner of the tournament, generating significant returns for property investors in the process.

Italian Tour Operator FUORITINERARIO-DISCOVER YOUR ITALY will be present at the INTERNATIONAL LUXURY TRAVEL MARKET

Fuoritinerario – Discover Your Italy is a professional Tour Operator specialized in offering original and innovative travel packages to Italy. Its mission is to offer luxury tours to Italy that are anything but ordinary by showing to travellers the real Italy not only through the sites, art and history but more importantly through the people and their traditions: the Italy of the Italian people. Consistently with its mission, Fuoritinerario – Discover Your Italy has decided to take part The International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) 2009 (www.iltm.net), the leading annual business to business event for the global luxury travel community. Discover Your Italy will be exhibiting in partnership with the Italian State Tourist Board – ENIT. The trade show will be the opportunity for presenting the unique luxury Italy Tours: Cultural small groups tours to Italy, Italy Wine and Food Tours, Luxury Italy Honeymoons. Daniela Mencarelli, co-founder of Fuoritinerario – Discover Your Italy (www.discoveryouritaly.com), will also make a press conference at ILTM together with Kevin Fox, President of Re:Source Media (www.resourcemedia.com) and founder of East Tours (www.east-tours.com) on the topic: “A PERFECT MARRIAGE FOR MEDIA & TRAVEL Effective Travel Marketing & Branding via Television & Web”. During the press conference Mencarelli and Fox will outline the case study of the international cooperation between Fuoritinerario – Discover Your Italy and EAST Tours which has brought to the production of amazing TV shows “Wine Portfolio, Veneto Episode- Discover Your Italy & more”, (recently aired on CNBC World) and outstanding luxury Italy wine tours. Wine Portfolio is a television series at CNBC World that integrates food, wine and tourism. The show’s slogan is Eat, Drink, Travel. www.wineportfolio.com The Press Conference will be held at 3pm on December 8th at the Media Center inside the Palace of Festivals and Congress in Cannes, France.

Fuoritinerario – Discover Your Italy is a professional Tour Operator specialized in offering original and innovative travel packages to Italy. Its mission is to offer luxury tours to Italy that are anything but ordinary by showing to travellers the real Italy not only through the sites, art and history but more importantly through the people and their traditions: the Italy of the Italian people.

Consistently with its mission, Fuoritinerario – Discover Your Italy has decided to take part The International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) 2009 (www.iltm.net), the leading annual business to business event for the global luxury travel community. Discover Your Italy will be exhibiting in partnership with the Italian State Tourist Board – ENIT.

The trade show will be the opportunity for presenting the unique luxury Italy Tours: Cultural small groups tours to Italy, Italy Wine and Food Tours, Luxury Italy Honeymoons.

Daniela Mencarelli, co-founder of Fuoritinerario – Discover Your Italy (www.discoveryouritaly.com), will also make a press conference at ILTM together with Kevin Fox, President of Re:Source Media (www.resourcemedia.com) and founder of East Tours (www.east-tours.com) on the topic:

“A PERFECT MARRIAGE FOR MEDIA & TRAVEL Effective Travel Marketing & Branding via Television & Web”.

During the press conference Mencarelli and Fox will outline the case study of the international cooperation between Fuoritinerario – Discover Your Italy and EAST Tours which has brought to the production of amazing TV shows “Wine Portfolio, Veneto Episode- Discover Your Italy & more”, (recently aired on CNBC World) and outstanding luxury Italy wine tours. Wine Portfolio is a television series at CNBC World that integrates food, wine and tourism. The show’s slogan is Eat, Drink, Travel. www.wineportfolio.com

The Press Conference will be held at 3pm on December 8th at the Media Center inside the Palace of Festivals and Congress in Cannes, France.

Hello From Nova Scotia – Part 10 – Victorian Heritage In Yarmouth

Another long and exciting day was coming to an end: from my early morning interview with Patrick Redgrave, the owner of the Garrison House B&B in Annapolis Royal to my learning experiences at the Bear River First National Cultural and Heritage Center to my drive along the Evangeline Trail with a quick stopover in Digby, a drive through the Acadian communities in Clare County and a quick peak at the unusual Yarmouth Lighthouse, I had finally made it to my destination for the evening: Yarmouth, a town of about 8,000 souls on the southwestern tip of Nova Scotia.

The weather had taken a turn for the worse, fog had rolled in off the Atlantic Coast and rain was surely going to fall tonight. From the Yarmouth Lighthouse I drove along coastal roads and causeways into town and was able to locate the tourist information office on Main Street. Although it was closed the map on the outside gave me an opportunity to locate my abode for the night: the MacKinnon-Cann Inn, a historic bed and breakfast.

I located Willow Street and parked my vehicle in the gravel-covered courtyard behind the large mansion where I was going to stay tonight. Two friendly gentlemen welcomed me right away and helped me carry my luggage inside:Neil Hisgen and Michael Tavares, both co-owners of the MacKinnon-Cann Inn.

Neil graciously helped me carry my suitcase upstairs to my room. All seven guestrooms at the McKinnon-Cann Inn are named after a 20th century decade and decorated accordingly: there is the 1900s Room, the 1910s Room, the 1920s Room, and the decades of the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and 1960s are represented as well. I parked my luggage in a superbly appointed and beautifully decorated guestroom and headed downstairs to chat a bit more with the owners.

Michael, wearing simple jeans, a sweatshirt and a backward-facing baseball cap, looked like he had just finished painting something as evidenced by the paint splatters all over his clothing. He was just taking a break from working on a renovation project next door: a Victorian house he had just recently bought which he was in the process of restoring. I found out that both Michael and Neil are originally from the United States, and they also own another large Victorian brick mansion, the Charles C. Richards House literally up the street. Michael and Neil just purchased another recently restored blue-coloured Victorian mansion that is still empty and will be turned into a private home in the near future.

Now, not only am I a travel writer, but I also have a strong interest in real estate, heritage buildings and architectural preservation. I was excited when Michael told me he would have some time tomorrow to sit down with me to tell me more about the four properties that he and Neil had purchased and restored right here in Yarmouth. He went on to say that he does most of the work himself and loves getting right in there and getting his hands dirty.

I wanted to get a lay of the land of the Town of Yarmouth and Michael was so kind to draw me a map for a wonderful local walking tour which would allow me to capture some of the beautiful well-preserved and recently restored Victorian architecture of Yarmouth. So off I went with my hand-drawn map and indeed the Collins Heritage District features an extensive concentration of beautifully restored Victorian properties.

Along streets with names such as Collins, Clements, Park, Forest, Willow and William Streets I was admiring beautiful properties featuring unique Victorian architecture. Some of the distinguishing elements include widow’s walks: lookout rooms at the highest point of the house which would allow wives of sailors to look out for the husbands’ ships in the age of sail. Ornately carved and painted verandas are another typical decorating feature of the late 19th century. Windows with intricate wood work and ornamentation are also a characteristic feature of this era.

After my brief architectural tour I walked down on Main Street which features many business offices, retail stores and a few dining establishments. Most of the restaurants and bars are located along Water Street. Yarmouth was a major ship building centre in the past during the Golden Age of Sail. Today it is still a local hub of the fishing industry, but tourism is playing an increasingly important role.

Yarmouth serves a community of about 70,000 people located in the three counties of Yarmouth, Digby and Shelburne. One of Yarmouth’s major attractions is the ferry service to Bar Harbor and Portland, Maine. “The Cat” is North America’s largest catamaran and a high speed connection between Yarmouth and Bar Harbor, Maine – a three hour journey, while the route between Yarmouth and Portland, Maine, takes six hours.

Outdoor adventurers will also find lots to do in the Yarmouth area: from hiking to fishing to various seafaring adventures there are abundant recreational activities in the area. Culture lovers will find a variety of music, theatre and crafts events, interspersed with a few museums including the Yarmouth County Historical Museum and the Yarmouth Firefighters Museum, enhanced by a smattering of galleries and historic architecture.

After a long, exciting and action-packed day I was rather exhausted and just picked up a little snack before I headed back to my welcoming home at the MacKinnon-Cann Inn for the night where I relaxed in my beautifully appointed guestroom, watched some TV and took advantage of the in-room high-speed Internet connection. I would need a good rest for tomorrow for the biggest day of five-day Nova Scotia whirlwind tour: a trip along the Lighthouse Trail to the historic town and UNESO World Heritage Site of Lunenburg.

For the entire article including photos please visit
http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/yarmouth.htm