Studio Flats London

Among the populated beaches of Durres and Vlora, Albania offers unexplored stretches on the north and south coasts of the Adriatic and Ionian seas, which are attracting more interest among foreign tourists.

Real estate property investment is also now considered to be a major part of teh economy as many more investors are realising the huge pottential Albania has to offer.

Statistics from June record a 20% increase of tourist visits to Albania from the same period last year. Expectations ran high for June and July, which marked the peak of the summer season.

Among the populated beaches of Durres and Vlora, Albania offers unexplored stretches on the north and south coasts of the Adriatic and Ionian seas, which are attracting more interest among foreign tourists. Statistics from June record a 20% increase of tourist visits to Albania from the same period last year. Expectations ran high for June and July, which marked the peak of the summer season. “More tourists are arriving in Albania this year, and their number has been steadily increasing in the past few years,” Minister for Tourism Ylli Pango said at a press conference. Visitors from Kosovo comprise the bulk of the tourists. Their number has increased by 43% this year, according to official sources. There are also 42% more tourists from Macedonia than there were at the same time last year.

But for such a well located country, which enjoys over 402kms of unspoilt coastline along the Ionian and Adriatic seas, Albania has been virtually untouched by the property boom which swept Europe in the last decade. Ironically, however, just as the rest of Europe is beginning to put the brakes on property, Albania wants to make its presence felt.

‘Albania is the last European market to be discovered,’ says Ismet Terziu, a native Albanian based in London with agents Albania Properties. ‘While other countries may have been oversubscribed in recent years, nobody could level that accusation at Albania.’ That might well be the case but few will deny that this is a risky, emerging market.Property as investment is still in its infancy, with clean title and valid planning permission chief concerns among overseas buyers. Efforts are being made to minimise corruption, while the Albanian government is intent on increasing transparency in business and banking, which, it hopes, will encourage more foreign investment. Investors are primarily focusing on the capital, Tirana and the coastal cities of Durrës and Vlora.There is also interest and development in the southern city of Sarandë, close to the Greek border. To encourage the development of tourism, gated resorts are under construction, but there is a lack of facilities. Mr Terziu points out that there are no golf courses – despite 300 days of sunshine per year. But there is no shortage of land. With a population of 3.6 million in a country roughly the same size as Belgium. Albania has beach-front and city sites available.

For more information you can visit: www.albania-properties.co.uk or www.holiday-property.net.

Do you fancy a romantic break in London where you can do some shopping, enjoy the lights, take in a show and enjoy some of the fabulous restaurants that London has to offer with that special person in your life?

If you have the time to spare to come to London, you can rent a lovely studio apartment just off Trafalgar Square at a very reasonable price. You will be able to enjoy the privacy and intimacy of your own apartment where you will have your own fully equipped kitchen to prepare snacks and your own private bathroom. Your apartment will be your own pied-a-terre for the duration of your stay.

Close by is Embankment Station on London underground’s where you can take the tube on the District, Circle, Northern and Bakerloo lines. You will only be a minute’s walk from the River Thames where you can stroll along the Embankment and across the Jubilee Bridge to the South Bank. Along the South Bank there are a host of restaurants and places of interest to explore. The Festival Hall itself is home to a fantastic programme of music throughout the year.

Oxford Street and Regent Street are only 15 minutes walk away with their bright lights and amazing array of shops as well as the fabulous London theatres. You can go and watch a show, enjoy a musical and have a thoroughly wonderful time. Soho and Covent Garden are also within walking distance.

The London Eye is a “must do” for visitors to London. Enjoy its slow rotation whilst looking out over one of the most stunning skylines in the world.

Why not enjoy a romantic dinner for two on one of the well appointed Thames riverboat cruisers? The river is beautifully illuminated at night and you can enjoy good food and wonderful views as you sail along the river and take in its fabulous views.

If you would like a romantic getaway with your loved one in 2009, then London has everything to ensure you have a great trip.