We’ve offered you the chance to own your own village, but how about your own island?

Yes, islands do come up for sale and in some gorgeously exotic locations, too. Not surprisingly, they (mostly) come at quite a price, so it’s not a purchase for the faint-hearted. But if you’ve won the lottery, are a self-made billionaire or simply fancy doing a Richard Branson, then owning your own island could be a distinct possibility.

One of the benefits of owning your own island is that it can be what you want it to be. You can set the rules and choose who comes to stay. You never need worry about getting a space on the beach, as you own it. You can grow what you want and build where you want. And if you simply want peace and quiet, you can head off to your island retreat on your own and not have to worry about noisy neighbours.

Sounds ideal? Here are some real life islands to get you dreaming.

Exuma Cays in the Bahamas is a 681 acre private island that’s up for sale at a price of £23,706,130. It’s surrounded by gorgeous turquoise sea, has plenty of secluded bays and beaches and tropical foliage. For those who own a private jet, there’s a 2,500 feet airstrip already in place, but there’s room to extend it further. The main property on the island is a two-storey house with six bedrooms, plus there are staff quarters nearby too. If you’ll only visit your island for holidays, this one comes complete with a resident caretaker – their quarters are at the other end of the island.

Bird Cay, part of the Berry Islands in the Bahamas is a 250 acre island that’s on the market for £14,041,608. This lovely looking island is located 30 minutes away (by air) from Nassau and was originally developed in the 1940s by Francis Francis, heir to the Standard Oil Company. The island comes complete with a main residence, five waterfront cottages, a guest house and a boat house, plus it has the pre-requisite sandy beaches, ocean views and exotic planting. This could be your own private island retreat or work as a holiday business venture.

I bet you didn’t expect to find an island for sale in Italy? But, yes, you really could purchase a small, 6,000m island in the Venetian Lagoon. The island was once a fortified point, which has been restored by the current owners, and features a four bedroom villa. The island, which comes with all mod cons, is reached via two large navigable canals and there are two wharfs for mooring boats. It’s up for sale for £10,911,600.

Also in the Bahamas is Leaf Cay, part of the Exuma Cays. This lovely little 45 acre island has almost pure white, sandy beaches and is surrounded by stunning turquoise seas. It’s located between Lee Stocking Island (what a great name) and Norman’s Pond Cay and has excellent fishing opportunities. This gem will set you back £3,510,402.

White Island in Grenada could be yours for the somewhat more affordable sum of £3,047,931. This immaculate Grenadine island is located 35 miles south of Mustique and one mile south of Carriacou and a 15 minute flight from Grenada International Airport (a private jet would be handy). This untouched island, surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, has its own mountains, woodland and 3000ft of coral sand beaches. It’s the ideal place to relax and unwind, or make the most of snorkelling and diving in the sea.

Where would you set up your holiday home?

This week, I heard about Park Caravans giving away their older mobile homes to get people started on the second home property ladder (and you thought you were having trouble getting on the first home ladder). But if you are in a position purchase a second home, it’s certainly not a bad investment. You’ll probably only use it for a few weeks of the year, but you can make a fair whack on rental if you’re in the right area – definitely enough to meet the mortgage repayments.

But where do you settle for? Do you choose somewhere like Spain with an already established holiday property market, or do you choose somewhere a little out of the ordinary, in the hope of jumping onto the market when it gets more popular?

Of course, if we’re dreaming, let’s go a step further. Where would your ideal holiday home be?

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Most of us want to be happy in our work and life, so I was interested to see that Rough Guides have a new book out called the Rough Guide to Happiness. Last week in The Times the author, Dr Nick Baylis, rounded up 10 of the happiest places to holiday and find contentment, both in the UK and abroad.

It would be fair to say that if you’re looking to buy a holiday home abroad for relaxed, inspiring and happy weekends and holidays, then some of his recommendations could be worth a shot, even though happiness is partly dependent on what you make of it. So based on this, here’s a look at three varied international destinations that could, in their own way, provide happiness and contented times.

Norway

Norway is one of the world’s most stunning countries and is perfect if your ideal holiday getaway features fresh air, mountains, glaciers, skiing, nature and fjords. Western Norway boasts several world famous fjords, including the Geirangerfjord and the Nærøyfjord, which are both on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

In the Arctic Circle area, the sun doesn’t set during the summer months, producing the famous midnight sun, and in the winter months there’s the magical northern lights phenomenon to see – if you’re lucky. If you simply want to relax, unwind and breathe in the pure air, or get out and about, actively exploring or skiing, Norway offers plenty of options to keep you happy.

New York

It’s a stark contrast to Norway and features less of the natural phenomenon, but if your idea of happiness is to be in a city that’s alive day and night, then New York could fit the bill. Buzzing with nightlife, culture, shops galore, a global array of restaurants and, of course, good old Broadway, you can’t fail to be bored in this city.

Whether you want a to live like a native New Yorker for a while, or follow the tourist trails, then owning your own property in the city or suburbs allows you the freedom to visit without the expense of shelling out for hotels or other accommodation.

Toulouse

The capital of the Midi-Pyrenees region is located in the heart of Southern France, about halfway between the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Nicknamed the ‘La ville rose’ (rose red city), due to its distinctive buildings made from red bricks, the city is ideal for those seeking a European holiday home base that’s not too far from the UK, but far enough to feel like you’re on holiday.

This modern city has retained plenty of its historical charm, which is seen in its many architecturally impressive buildings, and has a wide cultural appeal. You could unwind in one of the many quaint cafes, explore the regular outdoor markets or take a tour of its historic buildings.

Do you have memories of your happiest ever holiday? And where would your happiest place for a holiday home be?

British food is the third most missed home comfort for Brits who move abroad, but if you can’t live without your favourite foods, it could set you back a tidy sum.

New research carried out by Foreign Currency Direct, a specialist foreign exchange provider, has revealed the true extent of the cost of expat foods. Depending on where you choose to live abroad, the cost of enjoying your traditional British favourites varies significantly. The US does itself proud by catering most for the tastes of so-called Limeys. In fact, British favourites such as baked beans, English tea bags and Heinz Tomato Ketchup actually cost Brits 17% less than they’d pay for them back in the UK. But, sadly, that’s not the case in all countries.

In France, for example, instead of saving money on buying British food, expats will have to fork out about 133% more if they want to eat their favourite foods. A basket of shopping that includes six large free range eggs, 200 English tea bags, Heinz Tomato Ketchup, a jar of Branston Pickle, baked beans, 12 rashers of unsmoked bacon and a pint of beer or lager would set you back £35.75 in France. The comparative price in the UK is only £15.36 and in the US it would be £12.82.

It’s a similar situation elsewhere in the Eurozone, where many countries are selling British goods at a premium; the average price is now £27.04 (compared to £15.36 in the UK). In Italy, the cost of 200 English tea bags has risen to £12.78, more than three times the price in the UK, and in Greece expats are paying up to 92% more.

The full cost breakdown of a basket of food, based on the top 10 countries Britons would most like to move to, is as follows:    

UK – £15.36
US – £12.82
Australia – £16.11
New Zealand – £16.79
Canada – £18.29
Spain – £25.48
Cyprus – £26.31
Portugal – £27.25
Italy – £27.25
Greece – £29.48
France – £35.75

(This is based on a basket containing: six large free range eggs, 200 English tea bags, Heinz Tomato Ketchup, a jar of Branston Pickle, baked beans, 12 rashers of unsmoked bacon and a pint of beer or lager).

Of course, it all begs the question can you live without your age old favourites and, if you’re moving abroad, should you not try and adapt more to the diet of the locals? With the cost of some of the British food abroad, it seems that adapting may be the cheaper option!

If you fancy a change of scene for a few days away, or a long weekend break, owning your own city pad can make quick retreats all the more easier. With no accommodation to find at short notice, all you need to organise is your transport and tickets, and you can be on your way in no time.

Choosing to buy an apartment rather than a house can work out well if you’re intending to use it yourself, as there’s generally less upkeep to be done and less to worry about when you’re not around. Plus, if you do decide to let it out in the future, apartments in city centres stand a good chance of being rentable, both on a short and long-term basis.

Here are some ideas for prime pads in desirable cities.

Paris

It’s got to be one of the top city locations for a weekend away, especially the romantic kind, and is easily reachable from the UK. Whether you want to enjoy some sightseeing, or while away time drinking coffee and watching the world go by, there’s plenty of variety in Paris.

If the café culture meets your approval, then this two-bedroom apartment in a period building has a café almost on your doorstep. Set in the heart of the trendy Marais area of Paris, with its designer boutiques, it’s been recently renovated and is on the market for £656,838.

Lisbon

The capital of Portugal stakes its claim as being the westernmost capital in mainland Europe. Compared to other capital cities in Europe, it’s relatively small, but that makes it perfect for exploring.

If you fancy living in an historic building, then this 18th century palace has been sensitively converted into contemporary, designer flats. Benefiting from river views, there are two bedrooms and great transport links nearby.

Budapest

Hungary’s capital has had a strong reign in the property investment stakes over the years and remains a popular location for tourists. It’s serviced by a variety of airlines, including several budget airlines, which makes getting there relatively easy.

Five star hotel services are on hand at this luxury waterfront development in District 13 of Budapest. The two-bedroom apartment, overlooking the water, have hotel services on tap – perfect for weekend breaks where you don’t have to do anything.

Moving abroad to work and start a new life is a big step, but one that many people choose each year. Some even go one step further and start a new business abroad too.
If you’re looking to move abroad full-time and are after some inspiration and ideas as to what you could do work-wise, then here are some links to tales of people who’ve already taken the plunge.

For the couple in this feature, it was an olive grove in the Le Marche area of eastern Italy that caught their eye. They offer some insight into what it’s really like moving from high-earning, stable careers to working the land and growing olives for a living.

Owning a vineyard and getting into wine production is also a common theme amongst some expats, and the British couple who run Domaine de Lauroux in France are no exception. You can read about their story on their website – their Vineyard Diary offers particular insight into the actual work involved in growing, harvesting and running a vineyard business.

Aside from growing olives or grapes, many younger Brits are heading overseas to live and work in countries such as Dubai. Here you can read what it’s really like for young Brits who’ve taken their careers to the bright lights of the United Arab Emirates.

Sadly, not every new venture abroad works out quite as planned. A feature in the Independent last week looked at the highs and lows of running a business abroad and featured a couple who bought a ski chalet and run ski breaks, plus someone who bought a riding holiday business in Spain.

When you’re considering your options for working abroad, it’s also important to assess whether you have the types of skills that your chosen country would benefit from. To find out more about how your skills could help or hinder you, then check out this article.

At this time of year, when foreign property owners are planning relaxing trips away for Christmas, New Year or a holiday break, the benefits of owning your own property abroad become crystal clear.

During peak holiday periods, such as December, early January, Easter, half terms and during the school holidays in July and August, the prices of holidays abroad tend to soar. Rental holiday property costs hike up (sometimes doubling or trebling what they are in low season), especially in the popular areas, which adds expenditure to your trip. Even the cost of flights or other means of transport can be more than during off-peak times. Although there’s the temptation leave it late to book, hoping to get a decent last minute deal, you still can’t guarantee that you’ll secure a good offer and it may prove decidedly stressful.

Those that own holiday homes abroad though, don’t have to worry about sudden price increases in rental fees, as they’ve already bought property and have a readymade base awaiting them. It’s especially handy for those with families, who have to take holidays during the peak seasons to fit in with children’s school holidays, as it means they don’t have to worry about the increased cost of holidaying abroad at those times of the year. Or if you’ve got a large family and need a certain amount of space, at least you can rest assured that your home can comfortably accommodate everyone.

(Plus, if you’re ever thinking of renting out your property, you could also cash in on the peak season rates!)

If you’re considering investing in a golf property, or buying a home near a golf course, it can be mind-boggling trying to decide where to choose, as there are so many top notch overseas golf courses these days. But inspiration is at hand, thanks to the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), who’ve recently assessed thousands of courses around the world and named the winners in their prestigious annual awards.

The annual IAGTO awards recognise the outstanding golf destinations in five regions of the world – Asia and Australasia, Africa, the Indian Ocean and the Gulf States, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America and Europe. In addition, the International Association of Golf Travel Writers, a sister organisation of IAGTO, which represents over 100 members in 27 countries, awards a prize for the Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year.

The awards celebrate the destinations which are making waves in the golf tourism world and the results are invariably of interest to property investors, as they highlight areas where golfing properties may do well, either currently or in the future.

The results of the 2009 IAGTO Awards are in:

New Zealand picked up the award for the Golf Destination of the Year: Asia and Australasia.

The European award went to Andalucia, in Spain (no surprises here).

The Africa, Indian Ocean and Gulf States award was picked up by Dubai.

The Latin America and Caribbean award went to the Dominican Republic.

The North American prize went to South Carolina.

As for the Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year, it went to Kenya, which was noted for having 40 golf courses across the county, located in very diverse areas and with wonderful wildlife in close proximity.

An often-cited reason people buy abroad is the dream of buying a house and land to run as a business – most typically, it’s a vineyard property.

The quintessential dream usually involves finding your dream home abroad, moving to live in it and start a new life, happily tending vineyards to earn a living or fund your retirement. Of course, sadly it’s not always as easy or straightforward as that and heading abroad to embark on running a vineyard can be very hard work, especially if it’s a complete change of life and new career. Long hours are likely to become the norm, if only as you get the business established, and if you’re starting from scratch, it can take a while to learn everything and yield any returns for all your hard work.

But despite the potential problems, many people do take up the challenge and try and make their dream a reality – and some are very successful. If you don’t have previous experience in the wine world, it helps to buy an already established business which may come complete with customers, so you don’t have to learn the ropes and do extensive marketing. Plus, some vineyard properties are sold with all the necessary equipment included, which can save time and money in the long run.

Alternatively, if you want to be able to get away from your work some of the time and don’t want to live on site, there are options to buy a vineyard and a house nearby.

If owning a vineyard and making wine is part of your dream, then there are plenty of prime properties around the world that could fit the bill. Here’s some insight into what your money could buy you in various countries.

France
Located near Sauveterre de Guyenne, in the Dordogne area of France, is a wine property with 15 hectares of Bordeaux vineyards. The stunning 17th century house, plus gite for wine guests, is surrounded by vines dating back 20 years, including 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. It also comes with longstanding customers and is on the market for £968,415.

Italy
A wine estate in the Massa Marittima area of Italy, with 19 hectares of land, is on the market for £1,642,095. It currently produces 50,000 bottles of rose and red wines a year, one of which is prize-winning, plus oil, honey and Grappa. The large wine cellar that comes with the property is being sold with all the wine-producing and packaging equipment.

New Zealand
At Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand a vineyard nursery set on 11.3 hectares is for sale. The successful nursery comes with buildings, plants and machinery and the existing nursery manager (18 years of experience) is keen to keep her job. It’s on the market for £795,000 – £900,000.

Properties with add-on factors that enhance your lifestyle are high on the priority list for many second home buyers, and one of the current trends that’s growing in popularity is to buy property in or near marinas.

Previously it’s been golfing or skiing properties that have topped the charts for many property buyers and, although still very popular, marinas have now sailed into the picture too.

For existing yacht owners, there’s an obvious attraction of being able to buy a property with a berth thrown in as part of the package. It can make enjoying sailing holidays all the more appealing when there’s somewhere to moor the boat at the beginning or end of a break, and offers the chance of going out on day trips while making the most of a holiday home.

But marina properties also appeal to lots of other buyers, and you needn’t necessarily even own a yacht. Many people merely love living by the waterside, and properties in or close to a marina often have fantastic views, plus lots of other facilities on hand too. Some buyers aren’t yet into sailing, but feel inspired to take it up and want to have the option of a berth, should they end up buying a yacht in the future. Plus, there’s the fact that owning some marina properties is hugely desirable and, as properties with berths are snapped up quickly, it’s a nice extra asset to own.

There are several categories of marina properties – those that are part of the marina development and have a berth included in the price, those where you get the option of a berth and discounted rates when buying your property, and properties that are located nearby and gain the benefit of looking out over the marina.

The good news is that there are a wide range of marina properties available on the market, from well-established marinas to newly built developments, and they’re located in many countries around the world. Prices vary, but if you’re buying a marina property in a well-known resort, expect to pay a premium price for a property with a berth included.

It’s often said that Port Grimaud, in the south of France, is where the idea and popularity of marina developments originated, back in the mid-1980s. Properties in the exclusive private marina, overlooking St Tropez, do come on the market from time to time, like this renovated waterfront property, and boast private boat moorings and other appealing features.

Elsewhere, at the Marina de Sotogrande in Spain, two-bedroom apartments such as this are built to make the most of uninterrupted views of the marina and Mediterranean Sea, plus come with the option of purchasing a 15m berth along with the property.

Whether you’re a yachting fan, or just want to get close to the action and hang out with the sailing crowd, then marina properties may be the option to go for.