I am the person in charge of overseeing our ski properties. I have been involved in estate agency in the uk for 23 years and overseas for 9 years now. I am a verk keen skier and have been fortunate enough to have skied in many different parts of the world places like France, Austria, Switzerland, Bulgaria, USA, Canada and even Scotland. I am also on my way very soon for a weeks skiing in Flaine in France so will write up on this blog my experiences of this resort when I arrive back.
I am keen to help clients buy property in or close to Ski resorts or, for the best of both worlds, areas where you can ski in the winter and enjoy the sunshine in the summer.
Altinkum BeachAltinkum lies along the crystal waters of the Aegean Sea in the sunny Didim region of Turkey. Altinkum`s long, fine sandy beaches have been marvelled at for centuries and have even given the resort its name, translated as “Golden Sands”. The name is no exaggeration, as Altinkum`s wide sandy beaches stretch for over a kilometre and glisten alluringly in the golden Aegean sun.
Unlike its busier neighbours, Bodrum and Kusadasi, Altinkum retains a small and quiet, quintessentially Turkish charm whilst still being a popular tourist destination. With plenty of restaurants, shops and activities on offer, the resort provides all the services and amenities a demanding family would need, yet is small and quiet enough to give a real sense of “getting away from it all”.
Things To Do
Top of anyone`s list of things to do in Altinkum has to be visiting one of its three stunning beaches. All three are sandy, safe and are kept very clean. They slope gently into shallow, clam waters, which makes them perfect for families with small children. The activities and facilities available are the same as most well developed European beach resorts, with water sports including windsurfing, jet skiing and snorkeling. Sun-loungers and parasols are widely available and drinks and food are never far away. It is easy to see why most people don`t venture too far from the beach whilst in Altinkum, however the resort has much more to offer the traveller who can peel themselves from their sun bed.
Any holiday in Turkey would not be complete without a shopping trip, the Turkish way. In this respect Altinkum doesn`t disappoint. Along the pedestrianised seafront are many stalls and boutiques selling jewellery, souvenirs and gifts. This is a great place to test out your bartering skills and to pick up some mementos along the way. Further into town are many more delights for the avid shopper. Altinkum`s main shopping area surrounds Dolphin Square. Here you fill find endless bazaars and emporiums selling everything from fine hand woven rugs to counterfeit designer handbags. There is also a large shopping mall within close distance of Altinkum containing most of the expected and a lot of the unexpected shops and services.
Those looking for some history from their stay in Turkey are well situated in Altinkum. Regular bus services link Altinkum with the significant historic sites of the Temple of Apollo in Didyama, the ancient Roman ruins in Ephesus and the ancient spas in Pamukkale. Its position on the Aegean coast makes it a perfect base for exploring by boat the numerous historic sights throughout the region.
Dining & Nightlife
The majority of the restaurants in the resort cater for a largely British crowd and this is reflected both in their names and the food they offer. Along the seafront expect mainly British fare, however there are many hidden gems dotted around Dolphin square where you can find authentic Turkish cuisine at very reasonable prices. Self-caterers will find everything they need in the many supermarkets in the town centre. Restaurants and bars along the seafront are open well into the night and there are nightclubs for the party animals. Favourites in the region are Medusa and Dolphin bar. The resort is lively though not rowdy.
Altinkum is a great all-round destination, perfect for last minute holidays as it offers a wide variety of attractions and activates that will satisfy even the most demanding of travellers.
We look to the future and many of us with an interest in travel and life overseas consider retirement in a foreign country. My own destination of choice would be the wonderful Languedoc in Southern France - wonderful climate, amazing scenery and a history all of its own. Add to that the cuisine of the region and I am sure my days would be filled.
We have the dreams but not everybody can experience it and, for those who do does it “do what it says on the tin”?
I have just discovered a blog by Languedoc Lady - recently retired and swapping California for life in Languedoc. Check it out! http://gayleen5.wordpress.com/
Another Christmas has come and gone in a flurry of hype expense and anti-climax and 2011 is now with us. For those of us here in the UK the cold weather makes us think of summer, of blue skies and blue seas, outdoor eating… I am getting carried away now!
OR… for the winter sports enthusuasts it suggests the piste, the ski and the gluwhein.
Whatever your preference and wherever you would choose to spend your time I hope that the coming year allows you to live your dream and that 2011 proves to be a happy, healthy and pleasant year for us all.
Would I criticise the banks?…. well, probably I would!
Do I believe the banks give us a good deal when it comes to sending money abroad?……. Absolutely not!
For those of you lucky enough to be getting ready to send the purchase money to France, Italy, Spain, Canada or whichever little part of the world is to become yours stop and think before you do. Do not simply rely on your bank to transfer the money on your behalf no matter how helpful and friendly your local branch may be - it could be a decision that could cost you hundreds if not thousands of pounds on the exchange rates alone.
When we are changing £100 into euros for a day trip to Malaga then a percentage point or two may be relatively insignificant and convenience may be more important - “what is a couple of quid here or there anyway?”. What if that £100 is £100,000 that “couple of quid” could be a “couple of grand” or that £200,000 villa could cost you an extra £4,000.
Banks, like most of the high street offer (despite my personal bias) good general middle of the road, usually, convenient and hopefully reliable service but there are times you need a specialist. The local newsagent deals with money all day every day but you would be unlikely to ask him to prepare your tax returns!
There are companies like Foremost that specialise in foreign exchange transactions and offer commercial exchange rates, lower commission charges and can transfer money around the world with all the efficiency and security of your local Royal Bank of Halifax West plc. So if you are thinking of transferring money overseas (or back here for that matter) or if you have dollars that you want to convert to euro or any other foreign exchange transaction let us know - we can probably help (or we know a man that can!)
Welcome to the world of Suncastle Limited. Hopefully we can share our enthusiasm for overseas properties and some of the ‘real’ destinations that we have to offer.
Languedoc in South West France with its climate, history and a cuisine all of its own. The vibrant city of Montpellier, the spectacular living history of Carcassonne & Perpignan, vineyards and the Cevennes National Park contrasting with the modern developments of the Camarge and Cap D’Agde.
Andalucia in Spain with the spectacular cities of Cordoba, Granada and the oft overlooked Malaga. Talking of Malaga lots of low cost flights too!. A move away from the bright lights of the coast is real Spain with amazing value for money.
Abruzzo - whether your tastes are ski, beach or countryside there is something there for you and budget flights to Pescara from Stanstead. Fo our friends in the North take the flights to Rome, less than a couple of hours away.
New to our listings but sure to become a favourite - the resort of Mont Tremblant in Quebec, Canada. In the winter an exciting ski resort with all that you would expect of a North American resort. In summer a truly beautiful area of mountains, rivers, forests and lakes. There is luxury here but also a great opportunity for us real people there are waterside plots from 40k, studio apartments from under 60k and bungalows from 100k.
If value for money and guaranteed (well, virtually) sunshine then Turkey has to be the choice - the second most visited country by British visitors and whether you opt for the better know resorts of Marmaris or the up and coming Altinkum or laid back Akbuk on the Aegean you will be amazed by the prices.
So please feel free to ask questions, make comments share tips, news, information bad jokes, recipes anything. All we ask is keep it clean!
