Calabria is a charming mixture of mountains and wonderful coastline scattered with Greek ruins and beautiful hill-towns. For many years, Calabria in Southern Italy was a well-kept secret known only to the Italians who visit there en mass for the summer holiday period. It has also been relatively inaccessible to all other countries.

It has now opened its doors to the outside world and this is certainly focusing the attention of property investors from Britain and Ireland. With modern finance, options and building permissions in place (so long a problem in Italy); new off-plan developments at pre-release prices are now available.

Bordered by the Ionian and the Tyrrhenian Seas, it is the toe of the boot of Italy and is a narrow peninsula where the "cliffs meet the seas", the coastline facing the water every way you look and pine trees, grape vines, olive and fig trees cling to the rugged mountains adding to the beauty of this region of Italy. A highly rewarding place for those who prefer to seek and explore beyond the typical Italy, Calabria offers a diverse and exciting experience.

Reggio di Calabria is the oldest and largest city in Calabria. Set in the Strait of Messina, Reggio has wonderful beaches that stretch out in all directions. Reggio di Calabaria itself has endured in the face of invasion and shattering earthquakes. Many peoples - including the Visigoths, the Ostrogoths, the Byzantines and the Moors, have occupied the area. This beach resort province used to be the capital of Calabria until it was moved to Catanzaro. But although it is no longer Calabria's capital, its scenic location more than makes up for the loss.

Even with the advent of budget flights from UK and Ireland allowing greater access to the region, Calabria is an area relatively untouched by mass tourism and is one of the current "hotspots" for buying a home abroad. These many exciting new developments are usually all situated in beautiful landscape settings with communal swimming pools. The villas, townhouses and apartments are proving popular as holiday homes or as an excellent investment opportunity and are on the market at very affordable prices.

Whether you are looking for a genuine investment opportunity with finance options and rental expectations to make multiple purchases a genuine and realistic option or if you just want that place in the sun for a holiday home or your retirement, it is cheaper per sq metre than all other recognised areas including Northern Italy, Portugal, Spain and is proving better value than the emerging countries.

Trevor Norman is a partner in Property Group International, a property brokerage specialising in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Italy, Portugal, Spain and St Lucia.

www.propertygroupinternational.com

Source: www.articletrader.com