Final.com is predicting 2009 to be a day for new ... - Journey Every day Information Global
Final.com is predicting 2009 to be a day for new ...Journey Every day Information Global, Greece - Dec 30, set of coursesDestinations anywhere the hit is motionless sound, such as financial plan welcoming Bulgaria and South Africa, determination too gain as of the financial slump. ... |
Final.com is predicting 2009 to be a day for new ... - Journey Every day Information Global
The new year will bring a host of opportunities and some great bargains to be had for savvy shoppers. The online retailer is expecting to see interesting changes in consumers’ travel habits throughout 2009. Holidays are predicted to be the last luxury to go when things get tough and Britons will look at ways to cut corners and make their pounds go further. For short and mid-haul holidays, the online travel agent is expecting the non-euro zone destinations to continue their successful ascent. In 2008, Tunisia’s bookings increased by 71%, Istanbul’s hotels rocketed up by 53%, whilst Egypt and the Czech Republic were all amongst the top 10 best selling destinations. In 2009, whilst the UK is expected to do very well, non-euro zone places are all expected to be very popular with holidaymakers too.Destinations where the pound is still strong, such as budget friendly Bulgaria and South Africa, will also benefit from the economic downturn. The average length of a holiday will also be reduced to limit costs. The seven night packages are the ones most likely to sell out. During 2008, the retailer has already witnessed customers reducing their holidays by an average of two days. Hotels have also seen some changes in habits with a shift from five-star to three-star hotels in luxury destinations like Dubai. In 2009, big hotel groups such as the Hilton are opening their budget chains in Europe as four-star hotels are battling head to head with three star properties in prices. Consumers are increasingly price driven but do not want to cut down too much on the quality of a hotel. UK hotels was the success story of 2008 with Liverpool bookings up 100% year on year, Scottish hotels up an average of 42% and Northern Ireland up 48% between 2008 and 2009. Our customers are determined to keep on holidaying but they will watch their pennies and make sure they do not break the bank when away. Task Force for the Protection of Children in Tourism Hospitality Lawyer: Fortunes will be made... Providers of luxury travel products are going to witness shorter stays by their customers and an increase in seasonality. People are going to become more value conscious and will opt for those luxury offers that represent a convincing value-for-money proposition. Providers of overpriced services are those to feel the pinch. Both people paying for their personal trips and firms paying for their top executives' business trips will cut back on travel expenses, thus affecting all luxury travel providers. Those people opting for high-end travel products are not going to be affected by the looming crisis.
Britons skull additional afield for holidays to evade luxurious Euro region - Cable.co.uk
Cable.co.uk |
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Britons leader additional afield for holidays to evade luxurious Euro region - Cable.co.uk
The current rate is pretty much what it has always been but we have become very spoilt in recent years with up to two dollars to the pound, and we all piled over to the States to do our shopping."He added that the currency instability had created some unlikely winners. Car hire dealsTenerife £120, Majorca £101 & Faro £88 prices based 1 week hire in MarchFind out more More car hire dealsTelegraph offersLate deals, special offers and travel classifieds. Find out moreTravel insuranceInsurance Cover from £8.99 Find out more Australia's Northern TerritoryWhatever your agenda, Australia's stunning Northern Territory has an experience for everyone. AdvertisementAdvertiser Links FASHIONSales directoryView our online sales directory to find out when the best sales start. TravelHeaven and hellDarren Gough talks about his best and worst holiday experiences. FAMILY HISTORYBuild your family treeSearch census records and put together your family tree for free. COMPETITIONSWin a holiday in AntiguaYour chance to win a seven-night holiday for two at Club Colonna.
Good name crunched Britons diagram cheaper holidays: census - AFP
MSN Cash UK |
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Praise crunched Britons arrange cheaper holidays: census - AFP
AFP: Credit crunched Britons plan cheaper holidays: poll var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ?
Britons Favour Bulgaria for Vacations in 2009 - Standart Information
Britons Favour Bulgaria for Vacations in 2009Standart Information, Bulgaria - 17 hours agoIn 2009 the British will favor expenditure their holiday in Bulgaria, Failure, Egypt, as in a good way as Morocco and Tunisia, says the forecast of Bob Atkinson as of ... |
Britons Favour Bulgaria for Vacations in 2009 - Standart Information
Atkinson explains that due to the unstable pound rate to other foreign currencies people will be very careful when choosing their holiday destination. Because of the higher euro rate, destinations outside the euro zone will be liked better. In general because of the crisis in 2009 people will prefer more economical trips and shorter vacations.
Don’t Dedicate Up Your Aspiration of Touching Overseas - Take shelter Offshore
Don’t Dedicate Up Your Vision of Touching OverseasProtection Offshore, UK - Dec 22, set of coursesThe Sunday Era ran in the company of stories concerning expats having to go back house this weekend, and additional journalists experience optional so as to Britons who mean to shift overseas ... |
Don’t Hand over Up Your Vision of Touching Overseas - Protect Offshore
Thanks to the fall in value of the pound in relation to the euro, the dramatic drop in property prices that markets such as France and Spain have suffered means very little to Britons going in search of a home abroad now. However, having said that the cost of living in many European nations was already considerably cheaper than in the UK! Take Bulgaria and Romania for example, both new entrants to the EU and both countries where a pound will still go an awfully long way. Consider renting out your property in the UK rather than selling it. There is still strong demand for rental accommodation whereas even those who want to buy are being scuppered by banks refusing to lend. Plus, if you do sell now you will not be selling for top dollar as everyone knows the British housing market is in decline.With your property rented out and a monthly rental income secured you can rent a property abroad. This is again because of the weakened pound. You will be more likely to learn the language – as you will have to learn to negotiate with market stallholders. You’ll be more likely to make friends as you’ll want to hear from other people about how they are coping in these tough financial times. Page 1 of 1 Related What’s So Good About Living Abroad? Living Abroad in Costa Rica Three Places to Consider Retiring Abroad Living Abroad in China Living Abroad in Nicaragua For an Affordable Retirement What About Costa Rica?
Final.com is predicting 2009 to be a day for new ... - Journey Every day Information Global
Final.com is predicting 2009 to be a day for new ...Journey Every day Information Global, Greece - 2 hours agoHolidays are predicted to be the continue lavishness to go at what time belongings get rough and Britons determination seem at habits to cut corners and be their pounds go additional. ... |
Final.com is predicting 2009 to be a day for new ... - Journey Every day Information Global
The new year will bring a host of opportunities and some great bargains to be had for savvy shoppers. The online retailer is expecting to see interesting changes in consumers’ travel habits throughout 2009. Holidays are predicted to be the last luxury to go when things get tough and Britons will look at ways to cut corners and make their pounds go further. For short and mid-haul holidays, the online travel agent is expecting the non-euro zone destinations to continue their successful ascent. In 2008, Tunisia’s bookings increased by 71%, Istanbul’s hotels rocketed up by 53%, whilst Egypt and the Czech Republic were all amongst the top 10 best selling destinations. In 2009, whilst the UK is expected to do very well, non-euro zone places are all expected to be very popular with holidaymakers too.Destinations where the pound is still strong, such as budget friendly Bulgaria and South Africa, will also benefit from the economic downturn. The average length of a holiday will also be reduced to limit costs. The seven night packages are the ones most likely to sell out. During 2008, the retailer has already witnessed customers reducing their holidays by an average of two days. Hotels have also seen some changes in habits with a shift from five-star to three-star hotels in luxury destinations like Dubai. In 2009, big hotel groups such as the Hilton are opening their budget chains in Europe as four-star hotels are battling head to head with three star properties in prices. Consumers are increasingly price driven but do not want to cut down too much on the quality of a hotel. UK hotels was the success story of 2008 with Liverpool bookings up 100% year on year, Scottish hotels up an average of 42% and Northern Ireland up 48% between 2008 and 2009. Our customers are determined to keep on holidaying but they will watch their pennies and make sure they do not break the bank when away. Task Force for the Protection of Children in Tourism Hospitality Lawyer: Fortunes will be made... Providers of luxury travel products are going to witness shorter stays by their customers and an increase in seasonality. People are going to become more value conscious and will opt for those luxury offers that represent a convincing value-for-money proposition. Providers of overpriced services are those to feel the pinch. Both people paying for their personal trips and firms paying for their top executives' business trips will cut back on travel expenses, thus affecting all luxury travel providers. Those people opting for high-end travel products are not going to be affected by the looming crisis.
Britons top additional afield for holidays to evade luxurious Euro region - Cable.co.uk
Cable.co.uk |
|
Britons leader additional afield for holidays to keep away from luxurious Euro region - Cable.co.uk
The current rate is pretty much what it has always been but we have become very spoilt in recent years with up to two dollars to the pound, and we all piled over to the States to do our shopping."He added that the currency instability had created some unlikely winners. Car hire dealsTenerife £120, Majorca £101 & Faro £88 prices based 1 week hire in MarchFind out more More car hire dealsTelegraph offersLate deals, special offers and travel classifieds. Find out moreTravel insuranceInsurance Cover from £8.99 Find out more Australia's Northern TerritoryWhatever your agenda, Australia's stunning Northern Territory has an experience for everyone. AdvertisementAdvertiser Links FASHIONSales directoryView our online sales directory to find out when the best sales start. Personal financeShare tips for 2009Our panel of experts predict which shares will deliver next year. DATINGKindred SpiritsFind friendship and romance with the Telegraph's online dating service. MUSIC50 free music downloadsSee our editors' recommendations and start downloading tracks free.
Belief crunched Britons diagram cheaper holidays: census - AFP
AFP |
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Praise crunched Britons diagram cheaper holidays: census - AFP
AFP: Credit crunched Britons plan cheaper holidays: poll var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ?
Additional Britons choosing North Africa for festival breaks - asap Information
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Additional Britons choosing North Africa for festival breaks - asap Information
Posted on: December 15th, 2008 by Andrew Bones As the pound weakens against both the euro and the US dollar, British travellers are looking to destinations in North Africa for more affordable breaks. Late last week the pound bought €1.06 or $1.41 at bureaux de change, as compared with €1.32 and $1.38 a year ago, meaning that destinations including Spanish resorts and the US are seeing a steep drop in UK visitor numbers. Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia, in contrast, are experiencing a surge in the number of tourists, as are other non-euro denominated spots such as Bulgaria and Turkey, where costs are low and the pound has only seen a five per cent drop since last year. Cheapflights reports that searches for flights to Turkey this month are up 22 per cent and for Egypt by 13 per cent over last year. On the other hand, searches for Malaga, Tenerife, Orlando and New York are down by 21 per cent over last year. In December of 2007, 10 destinations in the eurozone placed in its top 15 searches. This year, only six placed in the top 15, with Barcelona, Gran Canaria and Majorca, all in Spain, falling off the list.
Possessions in Lapland: Arrival in out of the aloof - Cable.co.uk
Cable.co.uk |
Possessions in Lapland: Pending in out of the chillyCable.co.uk, Joint Realm - Dec 24, set of coursesBut so as to won't discourage the little but rising figure of Britons who are snapping up good deal homes in Swedish Lapland. Most excellent recognized for its Priest Christmas ... |
Possessions in Lapland: Arrival in out of the aloof - Cable.co.uk
It comes with a fridge-freezer, washing machine and bedroom furniture. A renovated one-bedroom bungalow with outhouses on a 1,400 square metre plot with river access, 50 miles south of the Arctic Circle, for �27,500. A three-bedroom house set between two lakes and with six acres of land is on sale at �37,500. The summers are short and the winters are long, with temperatures plunging to -30C. But that won't deter the small but growing number of Britons who are snapping up bargain homes in Swedish Lapland. Best known for its Father Christmas industry centred on the Finnish town of Rovaniemi, Lapland is Europe's last wilderness, comprising the northernmost parts of Sweden, Finland, Norway and Russia. Daniel and Sophie Smith, from Bedfordshire, bought a spacious three-bedroom bungalow with outbuildings and a sauna for £45,000 a little over a year ago. For Daniel, 34, a builder by profession, price was initially he main draw. What started as a plan for a sort of family gap year away from the UK has turned into a permanent move."The Smiths' children, Oscar, 11, and Lauren, six, are settling into a local school, having picked up basic Swedish in three months. Daniel is the first to concede that Lapland is not the most obvious destination for foreign property seekers, but believes it is a good choice if you like the outdoor life, particularly hiking and canoeing in the warmer months and cross-country skiing in the winter. The first snow turns Swedish Lapland white in November and it only starts to melt in April. Jokkmokk is the capital of a district straddling the Arctic Circle with fewer than 7,000 permanent residents spread across an area larger than Northern Ireland. Locals delight in telling visitors that Malmo in the south of the country is as far from Jokkmokk as it is from Rome. And although one in five Swedish families owns a summer cottage, very few will consider buying in such a remote area given the unspoilt countryside on the doorstep of every southern Swedish city – one reason why Lapland's houses are so affordable. Daniel no longer works in the building trade and has set up an adventure sports company, The Lapland Experience, with a Swedish partner, offering snowmobile, husky sledding and fishing trips. They hope to capitalise on the increasing interest in winter adventure holidays in the area, due mainly to the success of the Ice Hotel two hours' drive north of Jokkmokk. Getting to Lapland is straightforward but not cheap. This is not budget-airline territory: the easiest access is to take a frequent domestic flight from Stockholm to the airport at Lulea on the coast in Sweden's far north (Stockholm is well connected with a range of UK airports). From there, Jokkmokk is 115 miles inland over excellent roads via the garrison town of Boden which – unlike Jokkmokk, but in common with other urban centres in Lapland – is rather bleak. Swedish Lapland is also connected to Sweden and the south of the country by train (see details overleaf). The nature and sense of emptiness are positively overwhelming. Brown bears, elk, wolverines, lynx and the more common reindeer are all found in Lapland. The flora are no less exotic: summer sees the arrival of giant mushrooms the size of frying pans, and miniature strawberries, which children traditionally collect on toothpicks as gifts for their parents. The couple paid £40,000 for their two-bedroom house in 2007 and – in Lapland terms at least – are neighbours of the Smiths (a half-hour drive separates them). Jane and Andrew have become converts of the northern Swedish lifestyle. You regularly see families out walking together – it's a very outdoor life in all weathers."Evidence of a communal spirit is everywhere. The sole guesthouse in Jane's Lapland village is a co-operative run by the local community. The neighbourhood ski slope is also community-run. Both couples bought properties through TraveLapland, a British-owned company which specialises in locating and renovating timber houses – many painted the traditional Swedish dark-red – and then selling them on to British and other foreign buyers. David and Kerstin Wells, originally from Essex, set up TraveLapland after moving to the region four years ago. They sell houses fully furnished if required, and offer an after-sales caretaking service, including paying utility bills, for second-home owners who stay in Lapland for only part of the year. They are selling a renovated one-bedroom bungalow with outhouses on a 1,400 square metre plot with river access, 50 miles south of the Arctic Circle, for £27,500. A three-bedroom house set between two lakes and with six acres of land is on sale at £37,500. Wooden houses survive for many decades in northern Sweden's dry climate. Although the values of homes in southern Swedish cities have been hit by the economic downturn, Wells says prices are stable in Lapland, as house prices did not rise dramatically in the past 10 years as they did in much of the rest of the country. You can go ice-fishing in the winter and drink water straight from the lakes. When I visit my local supermarket on a Saturday there aren't any queues, and the driving is considerate."Now, that really is a foreign country. TraveLapland: www.travelapland.co.uk ; 020 3286 4073. Telegraph Property ClubComprehensive advice, articles, offers and tips for buy-to-let landlords. Personal financeRecord year for JessicaJessica Gorst-Williams wins £1.3m in payouts for Telegraph readersSUBSCRIPTIONSSubscribe and saveThe Telegraph from just £5.90 a week, saving more than £100 a year.
Don’t Provide Up Your Fantasy of Touching Overseas - Take shelter Offshore
Don’t Do Up Your Fantasize of Touching OverseasProtect Offshore, UK - Dec 22, set of coursesThe Sunday Era ran by means of stories concerning expats having to homecoming to your house this weekend, and additional journalists carry out optional so as to Britons who care for to change overseas ... |
Don’t Do Up Your Aspiration of Touching Overseas - Take shelter Offshore
Thanks to the fall in value of the pound in relation to the euro, the dramatic drop in property prices that markets such as France and Spain have suffered means very little to Britons going in search of a home abroad now. However, having said that the cost of living in many European nations was already considerably cheaper than in the UK! Take Bulgaria and Romania for example, both new entrants to the EU and both countries where a pound will still go an awfully long way. Consider renting out your property in the UK rather than selling it. There is still strong demand for rental accommodation whereas even those who want to buy are being scuppered by banks refusing to lend. Plus, if you do sell now you will not be selling for top dollar as everyone knows the British housing market is in decline.With your property rented out and a monthly rental income secured you can rent a property abroad. This is again because of the weakened pound. You will be more likely to learn the language – as you will have to learn to negotiate with market stallholders. You’ll be more likely to make friends as you’ll want to hear from other people about how they are coping in these tough financial times. Page 1 of 1 Related Living Abroad in Costa Rica Three Places to Consider Retiring Abroad Living Abroad in China Living Abroad in Nicaragua For an Affordable Retirement What About Costa Rica?
Britons top additional afield for holidays to evade luxurious Euro region - Cable.co.uk
Cable.co.uk |
|
Britons come first additional afield for holidays to evade luxurious Euro region - Cable.co.uk
The current rate is pretty much what it has always been but we have become very spoilt in recent years with up to two dollars to the pound, and we all piled over to the States to do our shopping."He added that the currency instability had created some unlikely winners. Car hire dealsTenerife £120, Majorca £101 & Faro £88 prices based 1 week hire in MarchFind out more More car hire dealsTelegraph offersLate deals, special offers and travel classifieds. Find out moreTravel insuranceInsurance Cover from £8.99 Find out more Australia's Northern TerritoryWhatever your agenda, Australia's stunning Northern Territory has an experience for everyone. AdvertisementAdvertiser Links FASHIONSales directoryView our online sales directory to find out when the best sales start. Personal financeRecord year for JessicaJessica Gorst-Williams wins £1.3m in payouts for Telegraph readersSUBSCRIPTIONSSubscribe and saveThe Telegraph from just £5.90 a week, saving more than £100 a year.
Dreaming of Contemptible Bulgarian Possessions - Mission Bulgaria Possessions Periodical
Dreaming of Inexpensive Bulgarian PossessionsMission Bulgaria Possessions Periodical, Bulgaria - Dec 22, set of coursesBritons determination the majority probable think about all Bulgarian possessions contemptible compared to their place of birth state, still possessions in the assets Sofia. ... |
Dreaming of Shoddy Bulgarian Possessions - Mission Bulgaria Possessions Periodical
There is hope that the pound will bounce back some time next year but meanwhile, the failing pound has had a huge effect on hopeful Bulgarian property buyers from the UK. The upside is that there are still plenty of Bulgarian property bargains to be had despite the bad exchange rate. Bulgaria has a good stock of inexpensive property which should make buying your dream home still realistic. With the festive period, UK buyers can take their time to browse and surf the internet with a view to doing a viewing trip early next year or in the spring. The main thing is to be more flexible when on a lower budget - the other side of the coin is that buyers are a highly sought after species these days, so you should be able to haggle that bit more! This doesn't mean at all that a few months ago you were looking at a fully renovated house for your budget and are now reduced to a ruin of a place. You just need to know where to look and actually an old house for renovation might be the ticket. They do have a certain charm but you need to be careful about renovation costs. It can cost you the same as you paid for the house itself, even more if it all gets out of hand. Perhaps the best way to get a cheap Bulgarian property is to broaden your search to the lesser known areas. In every country there are basic factors which put the price of a property up - sea views, next to a ski gondola or close to an airport being three of them. However, moving a few kms inland prices drop quickly. An hour's drive from an airport and you'll see a marked difference in what you can get for your money. The definition of what is "cheap" is very hard to quantify as it all depends upon each individual's perception. Britons will most likely consider all Bulgarian property cheap compared to their home country, even property in the capital Sofia. However, the exchange rate has "inflated" prices for Brits. Nevertheless, Bulgaria has much to offer to those searching for a cheap property if they undertake a bit more research and look outside the predictable spots. Properties for Sale and Rent Looking for that perfect property?Quickly and easily find your new property in Bulgaria. Click here for more.textbg = document.getElementById("ja-catslwi-textbg3");textbg.style.opacity = 0.8;textbg.style.filter = 'alpha(opacity=80)';Interamerican InsuranceWe'll cover you !
Don’t Do Up Your Fantasize of Touching Overseas - Protection Offshore
Don’t Dedicate Up Your Fantasy of Touching OverseasProtection Offshore, UK - Dec 22, set of coursesThe Sunday Era ran among stories concerning expats having to give back internal this weekend, and additional journalists carry out optional so as to Britons who care for to go overseas ... |
Don’t Provide Up Your Aspiration of Touching Overseas - Protect Offshore
Thanks to the fall in value of the pound in relation to the euro, the dramatic drop in property prices that markets such as France and Spain have suffered means very little to Britons going in search of a home abroad now. However, having said that the cost of living in many European nations was already considerably cheaper than in the UK! Take Bulgaria and Romania for example, both new entrants to the EU and both countries where a pound will still go an awfully long way. Consider renting out your property in the UK rather than selling it. There is still strong demand for rental accommodation whereas even those who want to buy are being scuppered by banks refusing to lend. Plus, if you do sell now you will not be selling for top dollar as everyone knows the British housing market is in decline.With your property rented out and a monthly rental income secured you can rent a property abroad. This is again because of the weakened pound. You will be more likely to learn the language – as you will have to learn to negotiate with market stallholders. You’ll be more likely to make friends as you’ll want to hear from other people about how they are coping in these tough financial times. Page 1 of 1 Related Three Places to Consider Retiring Abroad Living Abroad in China Living Abroad in Nicaragua For an Affordable Retirement What About Costa Rica?
Possessions in Lapland: Arrival in out of the aloof - Cable.co.uk
Cable.co.uk |
Possessions in Lapland: Pending in out of the chillyCable.co.uk, Joint Realm - Dec 24, set of coursesBut so as to won't discourage the little but rising figure of Britons who are snapping up good deal homes in Swedish Lapland. Most excellent recognized for its Priest Christmas ... |
Possessions in Lapland: Pending in out of the chilly - Cable.co.uk
It comes with a fridge-freezer, washing machine and bedroom furniture. A renovated one-bedroom bungalow with outhouses on a 1,400 square metre plot with river access, 50 miles south of the Arctic Circle, for �27,500. A three-bedroom house set between two lakes and with six acres of land is on sale at �37,500. The summers are short and the winters are long, with temperatures plunging to -30C. But that won't deter the small but growing number of Britons who are snapping up bargain homes in Swedish Lapland. Best known for its Father Christmas industry centred on the Finnish town of Rovaniemi, Lapland is Europe's last wilderness, comprising the northernmost parts of Sweden, Finland, Norway and Russia. Daniel and Sophie Smith, from Bedfordshire, bought a spacious three-bedroom bungalow with outbuildings and a sauna for £45,000 a little over a year ago. For Daniel, 34, a builder by profession, price was initially he main draw. What started as a plan for a sort of family gap year away from the UK has turned into a permanent move."The Smiths' children, Oscar, 11, and Lauren, six, are settling into a local school, having picked up basic Swedish in three months. Daniel is the first to concede that Lapland is not the most obvious destination for foreign property seekers, but believes it is a good choice if you like the outdoor life, particularly hiking and canoeing in the warmer months and cross-country skiing in the winter. The first snow turns Swedish Lapland white in November and it only starts to melt in April. Jokkmokk is the capital of a district straddling the Arctic Circle with fewer than 7,000 permanent residents spread across an area larger than Northern Ireland. Locals delight in telling visitors that Malmo in the south of the country is as far from Jokkmokk as it is from Rome. And although one in five Swedish families owns a summer cottage, very few will consider buying in such a remote area given the unspoilt countryside on the doorstep of every southern Swedish city – one reason why Lapland's houses are so affordable. Daniel no longer works in the building trade and has set up an adventure sports company, The Lapland Experience, with a Swedish partner, offering snowmobile, husky sledding and fishing trips. They hope to capitalise on the increasing interest in winter adventure holidays in the area, due mainly to the success of the Ice Hotel two hours' drive north of Jokkmokk. Getting to Lapland is straightforward but not cheap. This is not budget-airline territory: the easiest access is to take a frequent domestic flight from Stockholm to the airport at Lulea on the coast in Sweden's far north (Stockholm is well connected with a range of UK airports). From there, Jokkmokk is 115 miles inland over excellent roads via the garrison town of Boden which – unlike Jokkmokk, but in common with other urban centres in Lapland – is rather bleak. Swedish Lapland is also connected to Sweden and the south of the country by train (see details overleaf). The nature and sense of emptiness are positively overwhelming. Brown bears, elk, wolverines, lynx and the more common reindeer are all found in Lapland. The flora are no less exotic: summer sees the arrival of giant mushrooms the size of frying pans, and miniature strawberries, which children traditionally collect on toothpicks as gifts for their parents. The couple paid £40,000 for their two-bedroom house in 2007 and – in Lapland terms at least – are neighbours of the Smiths (a half-hour drive separates them). Jane and Andrew have become converts of the northern Swedish lifestyle. You regularly see families out walking together – it's a very outdoor life in all weathers."Evidence of a communal spirit is everywhere. The sole guesthouse in Jane's Lapland village is a co-operative run by the local community. The neighbourhood ski slope is also community-run. Both couples bought properties through TraveLapland, a British-owned company which specialises in locating and renovating timber houses – many painted the traditional Swedish dark-red – and then selling them on to British and other foreign buyers. David and Kerstin Wells, originally from Essex, set up TraveLapland after moving to the region four years ago. They sell houses fully furnished if required, and offer an after-sales caretaking service, including paying utility bills, for second-home owners who stay in Lapland for only part of the year. They are selling a renovated one-bedroom bungalow with outhouses on a 1,400 square metre plot with river access, 50 miles south of the Arctic Circle, for £27,500. A three-bedroom house set between two lakes and with six acres of land is on sale at £37,500. Wooden houses survive for many decades in northern Sweden's dry climate. Although the values of homes in southern Swedish cities have been hit by the economic downturn, Wells says prices are stable in Lapland, as house prices did not rise dramatically in the past 10 years as they did in much of the rest of the country. You can go ice-fishing in the winter and drink water straight from the lakes. When I visit my local supermarket on a Saturday there aren't any queues, and the driving is considerate."Now, that really is a foreign country. TraveLapland: www.travelapland.co.uk ; 020 3286 4073. But he was less appealing in life than in death, says William Langley. Telegraph Property ClubComprehensive advice, articles, offers and tips for buy-to-let landlords. TRAVELHeaven and hellJustin Lee Collins talks about his best and worst holiday experiences.DATINGKindred SpiritsFind friendship and romance with the Telegraph's online dating service. FAMILY HISTORYBuild your family treeSearch census records and put together your family tree for free.
