New Year Opportunities in the Greek Property Market

New Year New Opportunities

Welcome to our first newsletter for 2010.

So what’s the story so far this year ?

Predictions on Sterling vs the Euro are targeted by reports from the major currency houses to reach 1.20 ( sometime this year, but no one has put a date yet on when this magical figure will be reached ), I have to say we have had a positive opening and we are currently seeing 1.15 so far this month.

What about Property ?

My view for the market is that we will see a steady increase in sales volumes through 2010, so good news for those that are selling their properties.

There is a lot of talk surrounding the Greek economy and the national debt in the international press right now, I have recently visited our offices in Greece and the local real estate market ( greek residential ) remains buoyant and it is anticipated that 2010 will see a significant rise in the International buyers particularly in areas such as Crete, Corfu and Zakynthos.

Easy jet have just announced a number of new routes to Greece in 2010 with prices starting from only 41 GBP further details can be found on www.easyjet.com

Fuerteventura seems to have resolved the issue of the lack of flights over the winter with Ryanair returning to its services for the Island and Easy Jet now running its regular services to Stanstead and other UK airports, in fact I traveled to Stanstead recently with Easyjet and you could not have found a better flight.

Good luck, happy hunting and wherever your search may you find your DREAM HOME we are there to assist you.

If you have a flight only GoldAcre Estates can assist you in finding your perfect accommodation to stay during your search for your Dream Home.


Please remember any comments that you may have on how we can improve our newsletter are always welcome write to me directly john@goldacre-estates.com


John Goldacre

Patmos is one of Europe's Most Idyllic Places to Live

If you want to be in your own unspoiled world, move to one of these picturesque spots.
The above phrase is describe the island of Patmos, at an text at the www.forbes.com .

Last year, the rising dollar meant European property was becoming more affordable. But even now that the globe is fully in recession, Europe's most idyllic locations have yet to lose any of their charm.

Fortunately, that hasn't led to high prices absolutely everywhere. While many tranquil spots in Europe remain pricey (think Tuscany), others like the Greek island of Patmos have remained somewhat easier on the wallet.

What Patmos--a tiny island in the Aegean Sea--doesn't have in terms of expense it makes up for in religious history. Also known as the Holy Greek Island of Patmos (it's where St. John is thought to have written the Book of Revelation), the island is home to more than 50 churches. But it has its origins in Greek mythology: The legend goes that Zeus allowed Patmos to rise up from the ocean, and humans are thought to have settled there as far back as 2000 B.C.

In Depth: Europe's Most Idyllic Places To Live

Patmos also offers peace and quiet, with a population of just under 3,000 and space of 13 square miles--and it isn't teeming with tourists. The only means of transport to and from there is a ferry boat from the neighboring islands of Samos or Kos, yet visitors who know of the place return time and time again.
"Patmos' saving grace is that it has no airport," says Patricia Schultz, author of 1,000 Places To See Before You Die. "It is quiet, traditional and removed but not primitive. That and a beautiful interior and great beaches draws a very sophisticated crowd."
Yet living here won't dent the wallet too much. A three-bedroom house located about a five-minute walk from the beach will set you back 300,000 euros ($428,700). A one-bedroom house, also near the beach--it's hard not to be on such a small island--costs around 160,000 euros ($228,650).
"Prices in Patmos haven't really moved too much in the last year," says Elena Panagopoulou, of GoldAcre Estates in Patras, Greece. She adds that while property prices have slid in Athens, they've been resilient on the country's 227 inhabited islands.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/09/03/europe-most-idyllic-places-lifestyle-real-estate.html

On Sunday the Patras Carnival of kids

Two days only remain, for the Carnival of the kids, as on Sunday about 10,000 small carnival, will dance to the central streets of Patras, on Sunday, Feb. 7 with the central slogan "seeds emit a distress ...."

This year the Patras kids Carnoval is close 15 years, expected to rouse young and old, offering one of the most powerful moments and quality of Patras Carnival.

Eleven carnival floats, the most of influenced by this year's theme for the Environment, 63 groups from schools, kindergartens, schools and other dance clubs involved for the child, including contributions outside of Patras, the carnival will leave their imprint and trigger the mood soaring.

New Development for sale in Rethymno, Crete Property

New Development for sale in Rethymno, Crete Property

The traditional village of Gavalochori is situated in the foothills of the White Mountains in an area of outstanding natural beauty. In this spectacular area 3 villas are constructed with traditional building techniques to blend harmoniously with the environment. The traditional style and the modern comforts are put together to ensure the unique Cretan way of life. Remarkable beaches are close by and the Chania International airport and Souda port are a few minutes drive.

More Info on this Crete Property

Flights from Zakynthos to London

Posted online contract signed by local tour operators in the airline Easy Jet, a very positive development for the tourism economy of Zakynthos.

This company, provides direct low-cost tickets, there will be direct flights from London to the island and back during the next season with individual visitors, to compensate the model of mass packaged tourism to promote the tour opereitor.

The Patras Carnival starts

Patras is the third biggest city of Greece, but also is famous throughout Greece and the world for the unique Carnival of Patras, which annually raise the sight of thousands of spectators.

The best carnival of Greece, with fabulous floats and enjoyment that you will not find anywhere else. Every year 200.000 visitors come to see the parade and have fun at the carnival.

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Approximately 40,000 to carnival (carnival major) and 10,000 in small carnival, filled the streets with colors and notes, creating a great celebration.

The entire city from the Opening Ceremony Saturday, January 16 at 9 pm until the Closing Ceremony Sunday, February 14 will be coordinated in their own unique frequency of joy, of fun, inspiration and creative ...

In George Square, thousands of colorful fireworks in the sky to be launched from three different points in George Square to follow an amazing laser show, with one of the largest laser that exist in Greece with colors and patterns, which is writing to all the length and width of the square.

The celebrations of Theofania

The day of Theofania was celebrated yesterday in every corner of Greece. The water is sanctified by the priest, as a way to deal with the elves, but is really interesting to read how the Greek people celebrating the Theofania in different areas.

In the island of Ionio Lefkada: holy oranges
The faithful gathered beside the sea and the priest throws the cross into the water, as in many parts of the country. But in Lefkada, along with the cross, the sea and throwing a bunch of oranges tied together with a rope. Then the blessed oranges, hung next to icons in churches.

Hermione Korinthos: seafarers diver
Shortly before the cross was dropped into the sea, the 'diver' characteristics known as the lads who will dive to catch the cross, wearing traditional costumes of old sailors and turn from house to house singing. The housewives of the welcoming greetings and traditional treats and wish them every success in dive below.

Kastoria: the revived Ragoutsaria
On the day of Epiphany in Kastoria revived Ragoutsaria. The people wearing scary masks to exorcise evil from the region and seek "compensation" from passersby for the good they do in the city. Similar is the custom "rokatzaria, which revived in Drama, where people with terrifying masks rid of evil spirits.

Halkidiki: the king and fotarades
In many villages of Halkidiki still revives the custom of Fotaradon. The "king" is loaded with bells opens the dance and follow Fotarades, believers of nationals with wooden swords, trying to prevent anyone trying to steal a sausage that is set up in the village square

Galatista Halkidiki: the camel and the kidnapping ...
This is a custom, which revived continuously since the late 19th century. Then, someone in love to kidnap the beloved under the eyes of the Turkish Commissioner, has an idea of a unique trick. Erected a feast in the village while he created the effigy of a camel in which he hid and friends of the kidnappers who entered the house and stole his girlfriend.

St. Baptist Halkidiki: the Fruits & Vegetables and bats
Rich in traditions of Lights, the Chalkidiki revives the custom of Fruits and Vegetables in Agios Prodromos. On the eve of Epiphany, some lads, the Fruits and Vegetables, saying the carols and instead of money, housewives give them meat and sausages. On the day of St. John the Fruits and Vegetables dancing in the village square. When they break out of the circle dance, grab a bat and just re-enters the dance, the bats fly up and whistles to mark the end of the holiday season.

Drama: The bampougera and the ash
It is one of the most interesting traditions which you will find in Drama. On the eve of Theofania, women taking ashes from the fireplace and spread with the right hand in the house, saying spells to leave the goblins. On the day of Theofania and after the blessing of water, some residents-the-bampougera wearing animal skins, stand outside the church and holding a bag (supposedly filled with ashes) to beat this encountered bullies and the goblins!

Drama: the niggers and Alexander the Great
The custom of Nigger takes us many years back, when the Negroes warriors of Alexander the Great is said, that with their shouts able to prosecute their opponents of Indian elephants. Today, the locals, dressed in animal skins, wear bells and dancing in the street to chase the evil spirits and goblins. This custom, revived and in several areas of Kavala.

Thessaly: rivers and spraying
In many villages in Thessaly, where there are rivers, people get the icons from the church and the river transport. There, in the icy waters of the river, throwing the cross and sprinkle it with the icons, which then return to the church and tend to sprinkle with holy water and the fields to have a good harvest. In several villages in Thessaly, plunge the entire image in the river!

Dodecanese: the diver holding their breath
In Dodecanese but mainly in Symi and Kalymnos, the 'diver', those who dive to catch the cross, defying the low water temperatures of the sea, holding their breath to stay as long as possible under cold water. And of course, as long as the icy plunge, the fishermen of the islands with boats, forming a protective cordon around the diver, who are the lucky new year has just entered.
Source: naftemporiki.gr