Country Guides Country Guide: Italy

Date Published:

30/05/2008

Realitalia’s commitment to restoration projects is underlined by its painstaking restoration of Colletta di Castelbianco, a 13th century hilltop village in Liguria, northern Italy. The medieval village restoration has been combined with 21st century living requirements, including fibre optic broadband and satellite TV.

Catalano said: 'Colletta di Castelbianco, set midway between Genoa and Nice, offers unique properties sculptured from original medieval buildings to create magical homes each with their own character.' Property for sale – studios, one, two and three bedroom homes – is priced from €137,000 (£126,000).

Also in Liguria, developer Coletta di Castelbianco Sri and Realitalia are creating one and two bedroom apartments with a distinct green hue, located in four hectares of parkland and with bay views from most apartments at Dominio San Sebastiano, near Genoa. Prices start from £230,000.

The new homes will be constructed using high energy-efficient construction techniques, so that they will require up to 20 times less energy than traditional buildings in the area. The green aspects extend to solar and PV panels, which will provide hot water and also contribute to the resort’s energy and electricity needs.

For new build property head south, to the deep south of the ‘lower laces of Italy’s boot’, around 45 miles from Lamezia Terme Airport (served from London by Ryanair). Here you’ll find Tropea, which earlier this year The Sunday Times placed at number one spot in its ‘Top 20 Beaches’ guide. The nomination immediately elevated a hitherto largely unknown corner of Italy into a ‘must visit’ destination.

Those who might be looking for a place to say for longer than the annual holiday leave might head for Tropea Beach Resort. A development of 80 one and two bedroom apartments and 44 three bedroom, three bathroom villas with private pools, barbecues and rooftop solariums, start from €122,355 (£113,000) through Gem Estates

Nearby, across a stretch of water that separates the island from the mainland, Sicily is one to consider too. Ryanair has opened a new route to Trapani airport, which commenced on 28 October 2008. Flying out of London-Luton, prices start one-way from £10.94 excluding tax. Property for sale on the island is huge and varied, if mostly older stock, with a typical price being around €1,000 a square metre, less in the countryside.