September 2006 Archives

I don't think I'd be satisfied with a month or two of NZ in all my lifetime.  I'd like to keep it as a happy escape, a retreat that's always open. And I'd feel best about it if there was a business waiting for me there. New Zealand is brimming with businesses that you can get yourself into. Keep them going while you're away.
There's immense choice of businesses from a picture framing venture for sale by a couple who've devoted their life to it and now need to slow down. Or there's the photographic business for sale under 50 grand. Of course food makes the best business sense anywhere... get yourself a Steak and Ale House in Hastings for 100-150 grand or a bakery house for 50-100 grand. Choose from cafes or health products set ups. Give rein to your won secret entrepreneurial dreams and just take off.

The Kaukapakapa Hotel is a house, business and a lifestyle all in one. I'm all for anyone luring me with a lifestyle! For NZD $1,900,00, the hotel is a revitalized country pub and is bursting with the potential to expand further into accommodation and restaurant ventures. The hotel comes with a public bar, juke box, pool table, landscaped gardens and a restaurant in a separate area. The deal will also bring you dishwashers and microwaves, fryers, and hotplates and more. Eight separate motel units and separate 4 bedroom house for yourself or for a manager you lure in to take care of the place in your absence is also part of the property. How I'd love to take off and buy this place!

A furnished 13 bedroom bed and breakfast is just an hour away from an airport. The property comes with  restaurant, english bar, dance floor and beautiful suites. With a golf course (9 hole short links), tennis court, swimming pool, croquet, spa, sauna, massage rooms, gym, full size billiard room and full conference facilities, the place is also great for business get- together's or wedding parties and the like. A gazebo on the lake makes it an ideal romantic setting. Situated on 25 acres of streams and rainforests and landscaped gardens, it's a lovely place not just for a boutique hotel but also if you wish to use it as a private residence instead.

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A completely furnished apartment in the adventure center of the country with 2 double bedrooms is up for grabs. Besides your bedrooms you'll have a open plan lounging room, a dining room with gas fire, 2 bathrooms with toilets and a separate laundry room complete with washer and dryer. The kitchen comes equipped with gas-cooking, dishwasher and range hood. The stylish property comes with state of the art furniture including 3 LCD TV's, surround sound, cutlery, ironing board and more. The internal garage comes with lockable storage units.
Conveniently enough you can split the apartment into a one bedroom studio unit with cooking facilities and separate fridge and a larger one bedroom apartment.
Why it makes sense to buy this property is because you'll have the lakes and the ski fields, the wine regions and the views right at your doorstep. More importantly, the development will be part of the Hilton Hotel complex and you'll have the convenience of restaurants and ski pick up points right next to you. Buy now for the smartest investment! It's going for £320,000.

Two luxury apartments with harbor views are left for you to snap up. The apartments are spacious with the sun dancing through the day. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a designer kitchen are the basics. Let your feet walk over cool Italian marble or sink into plush 100% wool carpets.  Enjoy mountain views from your patio or marvel over the sparkling waters of the ocean from your terrace. Lounge on spacious decks or soak away the tiredness in the spa pool. All the basic appliances, cable TV, secure car park in the basement and laundry room come with the apartment. In a prime beach resort area, this place offers you the most stunning views. (They exploit this completely with a glass fronted lift!) All this for a negotiable $2,100,00 NZD to $2,600,000 NZD.

A fully furnished studio apartment placed in a sunny corner of a Wellington street building has one bedroom and bathroom. Open plan kitchen and dining make this place a cozy home. The kitchen comes equipped with electric Cooking, laminated finish, microwave and small fridge. You won't have to worry about temperatures inside the house or cold showers with the property having ceiling insulation, electric heating and electric water heating. The bed, linen, breakfast and bedside tables, curtains, light fittings are all provided within the apartment price of $120,000.

Self contained, fully furnished apartments with great facilities for a more fly-by vacationer is available in Auckland. The place comes equipped with restaurant style kitchen, dining and lounge area, movie theatre, gym, internet conferencing room and pool. Studio Apartments are available from $70,000 plus GST.

Two apartments are for sale together or separately in the Nelson region on South island. The apartments are spacious, sunny and come with separate title deeds. Each place has 2 double bedrooms, kitchen and dining room. A spacious living room with fireplace can be found in one flat while the living room in the second one boasts a ceiling fan and Nightstor. You'll get a bathtub in your bathroom and a garage too. The garden is fenced and the whole property is easy to maintain. Offers of $600,00 for both flats or near half for a single one will be considered.

Find apartments more your pace for a perfect NZ stay.

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A cottage in Auckland affords the warmest mix of warm beaches and cozy living. A private garden with a giant Rimu has a walkway that leads you to the beach front. The waters not just sparkling but safe with kayaks and mooring available for your entertainment. Indoor entertainment in your self contained cottage includes Tv and CD stereo. Fishing or exploring areas are not far away and you'll get a microwave and freezer along with it for $80 per night for 2 people.

A redecorated self-contained cottage with beach views has spacious 4 bedrooms that can sleep 8 people. The cottage garden is fenced in and there's a garage on the grounds. Palm and fruit trees sway over the garden shed. Pick fruits and spend an evening lounging in with plans for a barbequed meal. Other than the bedrooms, you have a lounge, kitchen and dining area to spread out in. The accommodation is fully furnished with lovely blue bed spreads and peach curtains melding with gleaming wood floors. All the conveniences like washing machines, refrigerators, dryers, electric blankets, laundry rooms will be at your disposal. At $85 per night for 2 people with $10 for each additional guest, it's a good bargain.

A beach cottage with a magnificent garden is just 35 minutes away from wine region Napier. The cottage has a main house which sleeps 4 and a garden cottage which sleeps 2. Forget the bathrooms with water closets, the best is the claw foot bath with skylight that has stars sparkling down. Isn't that a nice thought? Sparkling champagne mixed with a bath and the stars? Nice as that is, I'd have to say that the garden's the best. A lovely secluded retreat, with lots of benches and private spaces for eating, sleeping and for a evening's gas barbeque. The kitchen is fully equipped and there are the usual living and dining rooms. If you're a wine aficionado, rent this cottage a mere 20 minutes from Napier.

The Wheki cottage enroute to the Abel Tasman National Park has spectacular sea and mountain views. The property comes as part of a farmyard experience with pig, chickens, a dog, cats and friendly horses. The beach is just a stroll away. Telephone, fax and email facilities are available. The nearby beaches are safe and sandy and perfect as an add on to your cottage life. The daily rates change season to season but weekly rates for stays of a month or more are $850 per week.

Go through loads more cottages before you cozy into one right here!

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New Zealand has a fascinating array of endless white beaches, sweeps of golden sand, beached shaded with red emblazoned trees, natural hot water beaches(!!) and more, where you can surf, bathe, dive, gawk at marine life and generally have a perfect beach day.

A Rangimarie waterfront property in Coromandel is a stately mansion with a private bay. The main house has 2 large bedrooms, 2 living rooms, bathroom and a dining room. But if you think that just 2 bedrooms is less for a house priced at 1,900,000NZD, then let me tell you of the 2 bedroom cottage that's part of the property or the adjoining annexe which comes with a bedroom and bunkroom. The house is also a find for its 4.68 hectares of ground of native bush. The house is surrounded by lawns and boasts a swimming pool on the terrace as well as a covered barbeque area and a boathouse. If I can't own a yacht, I'd love to own a little boat and pretend to be Lady Shallot amid the waters.

A fully furnished 3 bedroom beach house comes with 1 km of pristine white sand surf beach & safe lagoon. The house is low maintenance with open plan living and huge galley style kitchen. Two sun decks flow out of the house seamlessly. While the bedrooms are king size, the house comes fully carpeted and with landscaped gardens. An outdoor spa is a private affair with lush palm trees surrounding it. Other than a garden shed, included in the $490,000 price, is a teak dining table and chairs set, coffee table, spa, book cabinets, fridge, cutlery, microwave, queen, double and single beds, garden furniture and more!
Get in touch before the house goes off the market!

A beach house in the Bay of Plenty has 5 bedrooms and is an opportunity for you to enjoy the bliss of the beach at your doorstep.
The house splits into two dwellings, which you can take together. One dwelling is generously spread over three floors with garage and workshop space for the working vacationer. The second level has 2 bedrooms leading onto decks which will afford you stunning views of the sea. A huge office which can be used as a lounge is also on this floor. The third level has open plan living with the kitchen, dining and lounge areas all opening out on to the deck.
The other dwelling might be smaller but also frames the sea and is a self-contained 2-storey affair. It has 2 double bedrooms, kitchen and living areas and two bathrooms. For the moment, it has been rented out at $400 a night and in fact is a great investment opportunity for vacationers who want to put their house to use while they're away at home.

This beach house on Waihi beach comes with a flat and is an ideal investment for a two family vacation. With three bedrooms including an ensuite, a garage and all the joys of having a beach as your yard, this property worth $545,000 is a place worth looking into.

This picture postcard beach house is straight out of a children's tale. White walls with blue roofs, chocolate frames and a cute little garden with pebbled island make it a lovely getaway. You'll get your access to the beach, 2 bedrooms with a cozy atmosphere and all day sun. A workshop and outdoor entertaining area add a little something more to this package. Make it your own for $99,000.

If you're looking to rent chalets or studio apartments with beach views, there is a great option near the Abel Tasman National Park. You can choose from 5 one bedroom chalets, a two bedroom one or two studio units. The prices vary from 108NZD to 205NZD.

Take a look at the beach rental getaways or bachs in NZ before you go out and purchase your sunny spot.

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A 3 bedroom villa steeped in history comes with landscaped gardens, private verandah and native timber construction. Originally built in 1860, the villa has been restored with good heating and outdoor entertainment area. There is even a paved barbeque area. A shower and 2 toilets, a workshop and an extra lounging room in addition to the large ornate bedrooms make this property worth the $595,000. It's even got a nice white picket fence!

The Browning Street Villa in Auckland is a beautifully finished double bay brick affair. With 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, massive living room, laundry room, pavilion and a swimming pool, this property is a great choice.
Extensive outdoor spaces are available as well as landscaped gardens. The interior is luxuriously spacious with wooden floors and light streaming in. The expansive old charm has mingled well with modern ideas and it can be yours for a negotiable price of $1,300,000- $1,600,000 NZD.

The 3 bedroom Tauranga Villa in the Bay of Plenty can sleep 6 people and comes with a glorious 180 degree view over the city, harbor, sea and Mt. Maunganui. The home was built in 2004 and has won an award in 2006 as the "House of the Year" and comes with a Master Build New Home Guarantee. With plaster finish and colorsteel roofing, double glazing in the family room, the house is designed for modern, environmentally conscious living. All the living areas open on to a concrete deck giving you awesome views. The swimming pool is on the deck. A courtyard/barbeque area and an ornamental pond with bubbling fountain and stepping stones is also part of this grand villa. The lounge is particularly stunning with wall to ceiling windows and doors that open on to decks on 2 sides. A fireplace is an added attraction in this room.
Pure wool carpeting has been used in the lounge, library, hallway and bedrooms. The kitchen has equipments of the highest quality and opens out onto a second deck and eating area on the east side for you to enjoy a lovely warm breakfast.
There's a guest wing on the west side of the house with 2 double bedrooms.
The bedrooms with their bathrooms are the last word in luxury.
This villa is priced at $1,250,000 NZD and a report from Registered Valuers in Tauranga, dated 17 March 2006,is available on request.

A lovely early 1900's villa with river views is up for auction. An auction is an exciting way to buy something and this house
has a unique charm worth an auction. Spread out with high ceilings, lots of timber work, the villa has 4 bedrooms in addition to the lounge and family rooms. There is also a sunroom justified by the fact that this property has an elevated 1452m2 situation. You'll get all the modern conveniences including light fittings, TV Aerial, Stove, Washing Machine Taps, Alarm, Waste Disposal and more, as well as double garaging.

An exotic villa in the Italian style is available for a negotiable $4,450,000. Besides the house and additional deck area, there are 11 acres of land as part of the property with an additional 5 acres available on adjacent grounds.
The main house has 3 bedrooms, the usual lounge and family rooms, , dining and kitchen area, a sunroom and even an office. But as an extra high point, you get a billiards room cum library too! External loggias and various storage rooms are other factors. Across the courtyard, above the garage is a 2 bedroom unit ideal for guests. With timber and Italian tiles and marble, the house is lovely. The swimming pool is rather up to date and fancy with swim jets, an automated chlorination system and laser lighting. The property has its own lakes and waterfalls and a spa in natural surroundings. There is space for a tennis court or a helipad. This is a really lovely property and if I had the money, I'd certainly grab it up.

Of course, there are more villas to choose from.

Picture Courtesy: www.flickr.com

If you think that I'm going to tell you to get ready for more palaces and bridges, or chapels and forts... you're wrong. The attractions in NZ are as natural as natural gets.

From the full-fledged Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers close to the ocean, making their way from the heights of the Southern Alps down into untouched rainforest, to a living a breathing set of the Lord of the Rings trilogy - Fiordland, which offers a huge range of walking tracks in the wilderness consisting of numerous lakes, mountains, native forest and a pristine coast.

Eastwoodhill Arboretum is like an enchanted garden in the country. The result of one man's life's work, it presents over 3,500 species often studied by international scientists. But forget the details and visit in autumn for unforgettable splendor of colors.

Visit Tamaki Maori Village, the re-created ancient Maori village which presents Maori life as it used to be pre-European settlement. You'll not only get a tour from a Maori elder who'll weave you yarns of the ancient myths, but also watch a traditional performance, and eat from a traditional hangi (underground oven). Also try and visit a Maori Marae, a meeting house usually forbidden to foreigners.

Throw in some bungee-ing, paragliding, parachuting and jet boat rides in narrow gorges in Queenstown, the country's adventure sports capital.

If that's not enough for the dare devil in you, then venture out to Poor Knights Maritime Reserve for a little bit of any-old-day swimmin' with the sharks. You can get the same thrill in Gisborne. Sure, you'll be in a steel cage, but aren't a some pretty, colorful fish enough!?

Other than sharks, you could go whale watching in Kaikoura. These big sea monsters frequent this stretch of water for their kind of plankton. Go for an unforgettable experience and as a bonus, you might even glimpse some dolphins!

I've told you of the glow worm colony in Gold Coast, Australia. And it's neighbor, NZ, has one its very own too. The Waitoma water-sculptured limestone  caves with their glow-worm grottoes are a famous tourist spot. I think the most exciting way to view them is by cave-rafting - don a wetsuit and head underground with a tube. You float through caverns looking at magical roof lit by glow worms and staring at some unique rock formations. You can also explore the caves by punt. 

You can get the best of the Pacific islands at the world's largest Polynesian market in an Otara parking lot. Roam the market while feasting on island goodies, buy beautiful tapa cloth and top-notch Polynesian weaving.

You can't be in NZ and not visit one of its many wine-growing regions. Hawke's Bay has no less than 70 wineries that are open for free wine tasting.

One of the many national parks in NZ is Tongariro National Park, a great place for skiers, trampers and anyone who wants a good sweaty workout. With three major volcanoes, dominating a rugged central plateau landscape, the Park is rich with Maori legends.
Other than this park, you'll find a plethora of UNESCO listed and world-heritage parks in NZ. The Kahurangi National Park, the Abel Tasman National Park, Te Urewera National Park, Egmont National Park and the Whanganui National Park where there remains the ‘Bridge to Nowhere’, a relic of the failed attempt at settlement in the glorious wilderness are some to get you started off.

Mt Cook or Aoraki is New Zealand's Highest Mountain and is part of a World Heritage park preserved in its natural state. Aoraki means 'piercing the clouds' and you can ride up in airplane or helicopter for a closer, aerial view of the breathtaking vistas of Mt Cook national park. Better yet... drive up Mt Cook yourself and enter its national parks and enjoy the glacial atmosphere there.
The Park is a UNESCO World Heritage area and contains more than 20 peaks over 3000m. Sliding down from one side of Mount Cook is the spectacular Tasman Glacier, one of the longest outside the Himalayas.

Of the man-made attractions in the country, I'd suggest Auckland's Sky Tower, a casino with a glorious circular, glass viewing gallery at its bulbous summit. The views of the city, its beaches and the mountains, the coast and sea beyond are absolutely fabulous and if you're game it's also possible to abseil down the side of the building to the street, a drop of over 100m!

The other one worth a visit is the subterranean Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World. Penguins parade in a wonderland of ice and snow, while sharks, giant eels, stingrays and scores of shimmering fish swim the ocean-like depths.
A 350,000 liter open topped acrylic tank allowing visitors to view the creatures at close quarters.

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The Bay of Islands is a sight to behold and is one of the most beautiful New Zealand travel destinations. With 144 islands, secluded beaches, shores and coves this aquatic playground will keep you well entertained for even more than a day. The townships of the bay are rife with stories from the area’s colorful history. Explore the well-preserved Maori and European relics. The Bay of Islands is considered to be the birthplace of New Zealand as Waitangi, one of the islands is where New Zealand's founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed in 1840. Some of New Zealand's oldest buildings are found in the Bay of Islands.

Stewart Island, New Zealand’s third-largest island, has few inhabitants and can be reached by plane, helicopter, or boat ride aboard a motor catamaran from Bluff. The ride will take you 20 minutes. On the island you cold spy the endangered kiwi in the wild. You can find the birds of an evening feeding around Mason’s Beach, accessible by plane, or at Patterson’s Inlet, where you can go by water taxi.

Tucked into Stewart Island's Paterson Inlet, another destination is Ulva Island, where curious native birds will come down to the foreshore to watch you getting off the water taxi. Tiny Ulva Island has incredible native bird life. With flocks of them flurrying around, it's a camera worthy sight. And the best part is that they aren't scared of you!

Napier with its pretty Art Deco architecture, gorgeous boutique vineyard accommodations, a dazzling array of restaurants, and some of the best wines in the country is an enticing destination for a traveler. You could venture into The National Aquarium of New Zealand for a change of pace or spend an afternoon wandering the streets looking at one of the finest collections of beautifully preserved art deco buildings.

Other than Napier, you could ferry to Waiheke Island with some 45 vineyards. Make sure you visit Te Whau Vineyard, which has more than 500 cellared wines and an impressive menu highly rated by Wine Spectator.
From Wellington you could start out for the Wairarapa wine region or Cape Palliser with its wild coastline and seal. Then there's Kapiti Island, home to a bird sanctuary with birds like weka, bellbird and tui providing fantastic photo opportunities.

From Christchurch, you can take a one day back and forth journey on the Tranz Alpine Express to the Southern Alps, up over Arthur’s Pass and down the other side to the wild west coast. The journey itself is breathtaking. The tiny village of Arthur’s Pass is a good starting point for climbing, canyoning and trekking trips to the Arthur’s Pass National Park nearby.
The Alps themselves are larger than the Alps in Europe and provide a spectacular scenery of snowy peaks and glaciers containing unique flora and fauna. The area is dominated by the mighty Mount Cook and its national park. Skiing and snowboarding is possible along the Alps with many secluded ski fields, including heli-skiing, while around Mount Cook there are a number of awesome lone and guided walking and climbing trips.

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The museums in NZ are one of a kind boasting some of the widest collections in the world.

My favorite is the waterfront edifice in Wellington, one of the largest national museums in the world. This magical place melts arts and artifacts together with technological brilliance, creating absorbing displays and interactive games for all ages! Art collections, whale skeletons, working Maori marae and virual reality diversions all find their pride of place in the Museum of NZ-Te Papa Tongarewa.

After a significant internal revamp, the Auckland museum is everything you'd want in a city's storehouse of treasures: fun, interactive, attractive, informative, and filled with interesting collections. Its Maori and Polynesian section, the biggest in the world, sends shivers down your spine; forget your kids, set yourself loose in the Discovery Centre, where you can poke and pry into everything without compunction.

At the pinnacle of New Zealand's boating history, the NZ National Maritime Museum is booming. Look for KZ1 outside, and inside discover 1,000 years of the country's maritime history. You get to see sail makers, boat builders, and wood-turners at work and can even take a cruise on one of the vessels!

I saw a picture of the Rotorua Museum and just knew that I must visit it. Winner of the best Heritage Attraction for three years running, it is a great place to start your sightseeing in Rotorua. An architectural icon in itself, the building is one of the most photographed in NZ with a fascinating ans bizarre past. Take a look at the Bath House and you might even want to indulge in a curative treatment right here in Rotorua.

The Canterbury Museum and the International Antarctic Centre are two completely separate entities located miles apart, but together they present a terrific overview of life and history in Antarctica. Nowhere else in the world will you find this much gathered information about the great icy continent. There's everything from wildlife displays to human exploration accounts and a real ice chamber so you can get the feel of life in subzero temperatures.

Whangarei Art Museum permanently houses the city art collection containing both heritage and contemporary art work. A sizeable collection by early NZ modernist painter, Adele Younghusband is also part of the display.

The Cartoon Gallery is an online gallery for world class NZ cartoonists.

The Art Market in Waihi has been developed as a place from where artists can sell their work and now boasts more than 150 artists selling 1000's of individualistic pieces ranging from fantastic garden features to hand crafted jewelry. A range of art from NZ contemporary to Maori and Pacifica Art can be found.

The Kiosk is a 24/7 venue for contemporary art exhibitions by audio, screen and installation artists.

If you're looking for fun in NZ, it's not far away. The Auckland Dance and Open Air Film Festival are just the beginning. The Coromandel Pohutukawa Festival is a celebration of summer and includes a regatta, Warbirds over Thames and a Junk to Funk Wearable Art Competition.

You can view a provocative collection of films sourced from around the world at the Beck's Incredible Film Fest in Auckland and Wellington.

The Christchurch Arts Festival will dazzle you with jazz, opera, theater and cabaret performances.

A summer festival held at the magnificent Hamilton Gardens in February include theater, music, pantomime, Shakespeare, Major concerts and more.

Similarly, the Southern Lakes Festival of Color, held in the last week of April has an brilliant program showcasing respected names in art, music, dance and theater.

The Wellington Busking Festival is quite an extravaganza in February with amazing street performers and the Cuba and Manners Malls filled with acts from NZ and beyond to amuse and thrill you.

The country may be small, but it's not short of either art or culture. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Delve in and discover the hidden depths.

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I can't go to the Food in NZ without first lauding the NZ wine. The domestic wine and beer here have won international awards.
Here's a list of what you can savor while in NZ. For chardonnay, uncork Cloudy Bay (Marlborough), Babich Irongate (Henderson), Neudorf Moutere (Nelson), and Kumeu River (Kumeu). If you go in for sauvignon blanc, go for Cloudy Bay again, Hunter's Oak Aged (Marlborough), Grove Mill Marlborough (Marlborough) or Palliser (Martinborough). For the red wine aficionado, Atarangi pinot noir (Martinborough) should be your first choice, followed closely by Stonyridge Larose (Waiheke Island), Gibston Valley pinot noir (Central Otago), Te Mata Coleraine (Hawkes Bay), Brookfields Gold Label cabernet (Hawkes Bay), and, in fact, any pinot noir from Martinborough. If methode traditionelle is your thing, pop the cork on just about any of Daniel Le Brun's bottles in Marlborough, or Deutz Marlborough Cuvee or Pelorus Vintage (Marlborough). Botrytised sweet wines don't get much better than Villa Maria's Reserve Noble Riesling from Auckland.

The influx of immigrants in the country have made its cuisine sumptuously diversified with traditional Yorkshire puddings and scones mixed with European style cheeses with distinctive NZ flavors. In Auckland, you'll find the best Pacific Rim cuisine. Leading restaurants dabble with the flavors of Thailand, Japan, China, Vietnam, California, and Mexico.
As a leading producer of meat, you'll find lamb, beef, pork and even venison on most menus! Locally produced natural, sweet potato, the wide range of fish and the seasonal delicacies like oysters, scallops and gamebirds are also recommended.
Of course you'll also find the chains and fast food joints with dining in NZ being a mostly informal affair except for in the really exclusive places.
You'll find many a picnic area with barbeque facilities provided at roadside sites and lounge or public bars with counter service for an informal, relaxed evening.
Do not come away without letting the pavlova from Taranki tease your senses. It's a large roundcake with a meringue base topped with cream and fruit. This national dessert is crusty when you first bite in and deliciously soft on the inside.
Local fruits like the Gold kiwi and the Feijoa are also worth nibbling into.

Browse by cuisine or area to find a restaurant to suit your palate. You can also take a look at the 10 most reviewed restaurants in the country.

The first introduction I had to the beauty available in NZ was when a friend moved there and sent me a dazzling blue-green earring and pendant set. It was lovely and I decided then and there to give her some months to settle in and then to crash on her. Special souvenirs include distinctive jewelry made from New Zealand greenstone (a kind of jade) and from the enchanting translucent paua shell. Maori arts and crafts are reflected in a number of items such as the carved greenstone tiki (a unique Maori charm) and intricate woodcarvings often inlaid with paua shell. Other items of note include woolen goods, travel rugs, lambswool rugs, leather and skin products.
From arts and crafts to handmade products or the skin care specials, find the right shop for your search in your area.

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Flying is the best way to see the country's main attractions & destinations if you have limited time. Air New Zealand, Qantas and Origin Pacific are the 3 main airlines operating within New Zealand.

Since the rail network in New Zealand does not cover the whole country so be prepared to use other transport modes in some parts of the country. Three main long-distance lines run across the country - the Overlander, which runs Auckland to Wellington; the TranzCoastal, Christchurch to Picton; and the TranzAlpine, Christchurch to Greymouth. You can get yourself a Scenic Rail Pass for around $210 to $245 for 7 days which includes one ferry crossing and enables you to discover NZ by train at your own pace.

The Intercity and Newman's bus services are cost-effective ways of getting around. With a comprehensive coach network spread over 600 towns and cities daily, you can plan much of your sightseeing over coaches.
If you're planning to rent a car, then be warned that drivers in NZ are aggressive creatures and distances are deceptive.

Though short in km terms, the roads can often be narrow and winding. If you're staying for a while, you should consider joining the Automobile Association. AA offers excellent breakdown services and advice to drivers. If you belong to a similar organization in your home country, membership is free, so don't forget to bring along your membership card.

A ferry service runs between the two islands at least twice a day for you to crossover during your trip.

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New Zealand has everything from sun-spilt beaches to snow capped mountains and glaciers. You can walk up the side of on active volcano or thru endless valleys of rain forest. Awe-inspired fjords of the Deep South west and a wild and rugged west coast offer you sights that are no more than a few hours drive from each other.
Set aside enough time for New Zealand because that's the only limitation you're likely to face while exploring the country.
Other than its natural beauty, the country also offers dozens of activities including Bungee Jumping, rock climbing, skiing, Snow boarding, windsurfing, hang gliding, sky diving, parachuting, river rafting, jet boat riding, mountain climbing, jet skiing, cave-rafting, mountain biking, fishing, kayaking and much, much more.New Zealand is an all-year round vacation spot.
When you go to New Zealand will depend on what you want to do once you get there. The most popular time is in summer from December to February. great walking tracks appear and beaches come alive. Flowers bloom and fresh fruits fall off trees.

Expensive accommodation and airfares! Outdoor pursuits are best a this time.
If you're looking to ski in the Southern Hemisphere winter, then your months are June to August and you'll be heading to Queenstown, Mount Hutt, Cantebury or the Central Plateau. While these areas are dear (read expensive) for tourists in this season, the rest of the country has a dearth of tourists and you'll get some significantly discounted rates. Fall, that's February thru April, is the pleasantest time to go with few visitors and lovely, temperate days.

The Spring months of September to November are lush, beautiful months with daffodils, green grass, bluebells and rhododendrons. But the weather in these months is changeable with unpredictable rains and late snowfalls in the Southern island being common.

For people interested in Maori culture and who'd like to witness New Zealand's thermal activity - geysers, bubbling mud pools, and the like, the North island is the place to be.
Though the South island has got the reputation for being the adventure center and is less populated and more rugged, you can do your fair share of hiking, bungee jumping, rafting, swimming with dolphins in the north too.

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If you're renting property in Madrid, you'll come under legal provisions that are contained in the new Law of Urban Lettings.

When signing on the dotted line keep in mind what you rental contract must contain with different rules for short-term and long-term leases.
The rental contract may be made before a notary and recorded at the Spanish Property Registry.
Short-term rental contracts require that the tenant vacate the property when the contract ends.
A long term contract is one which exceeds 1 year in duration.

On signature of the rental contract, tenants are required to pay the owner a deposit (fianza) equal to 1-month's rent payment.
Considerations about repair of property, subletting, expenses also are important.
Tenants may be required to sign an inventory of the property contents and the state of them.
Conditions under which the contract might be rescinded are also detailed.
Make yourself conversant with the nitty-gritty of renting property in Madrid.

And look out for more flats and detached chalets while you're at it.

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An apartment that makes me want to live alone and spend time drinking coffee by a window is for sale in central Madrid for 248,000 euros. It's a third floor apartment with 1 bedroom and 3 exterior balconies for you to enjoy. A lovely crystal elevator, high ceilings, many windows and wooden parquet floors add to the charm of the place.

A flat in a new urban zone in Madrid with 3 bedrooms is well placed with several bus services close by. The kitchen is well equipped with modern conveniences and the entire house is beautifully illuminated. The new floors are made of wooden parquet and 4 completely new built-in closets are also part of the house. Besides a satellite dish and radio, the apartment also comes with lovely gardens and a swimming pool for a price of 414,698 euros.

A beautiful apartment with 6 bedrooms, an office, 2 bathrooms and a washroom is available for 661,114 euros. The house is fully furnished with exquisite pieces and has an independent hall with chimney. An open kitchen as part of the dining room gives it the homely touch. Stone and wooden floor, a closed terrace, swimming pool and gardens add to its appeal. In addition to this, there is 24 hour security and a social club.

Completely furnished apartments, with a capacity for two people which can be stretched to four people after putting in an extra bed. A fully equipped kitchen, refrigerator, dining room, TV, air-conditioning, hot water, heating, linen, bathroom, security-box, rent of mobile, Internet ADSL 512Kbps and Laptop is part of the package. The apartments are available for a minimum of 3 nights and come for 50 euros a night on stays of more than 2 weeks. Right in the center of Madrid, they're a great deal.

A studio apartment with 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom and open plan kitchen is available in a house in a lively area of Madrid close to the Royal Palace. A washing machine, heating, freezer, linen, TV, cooking stove, microwave, fridge and shower are the amenities in the house. The owner lives on site and is renting out the apartment for $437 a week.

An apartment right in the heart of Madrid can sleep 5 people and is available for 105 euros for 2 guests per night with an additional 10 euros for each extra guest. Lovely blue and lemon walls with wooden beams and sofas with bright pink upholstery make the place very inviting. Heating and air-conditioning systems as well as a TV, microwave, washing machine, toaster, coffee machine have been thrown in.

A plethora of apartments and short-term rentals are to be found in Madrid. Just take a look.

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A 4 bedroom chalet spread over 2 floors in a lovely rich brown with wood floors and double glazed wooden windows is for sale for 769,000 euros. In good condition, the house comes with individual heating and hot water facilities, has a fitted kitchen, 4 built in wardrobes and fireplace to enjoy marshmallows. A lovely, splashy swimming pool, garden and terraces are also part of the property.

A 3 bedroom chalet that can sleep 6 people has an independent kitchen as well as living and dining rooms. A terrace and balcony overlook the garden with trees and you can relax there while enjoying the ideal location of your summer chalet in such peaceful surroundings. A courtyard, cellar and outdoor furniture are also available. All the basic amenities like dish washer, washing machine, fridge, TV, barbeque, iron, microwave are provided with the house. Cleaning services are also available. You can rent this chalet for $688 a week.

An 18th century house in a sleepy village just 48 km from Madrid can be yours. Located at the top of the village, you get stunning views of the rolling countryside and houses. The house is spread over 3 floors and has 2 bedrooms, a large studio, storage room, living room and kitchen. The place comes with 2 bathrooms, fuel-heating and telephone lines. A terrace with 2 chimneys are quaint enough, but what's fascinating is that the house has a small cave!!!

40 km from Madrid, in the town of Manzanares El Real is a lovely mansion settled up in a mountain. With beautiful views of a lake and a honest-to-goodness castle, the mansion is spread over 2 floors with 6 bedrooms, 3 living rooms, 2 kitchens, 2 balconies and 2 chimneys! It would be ideal for a multi-family vacation. There are separate maid's quarters, a studio room, , laundry room, cable TV and high-speed internet for a convenient stay. With a pool and patio, the house is available for the negotiable rate of 595,000 euros.

For those of you who can get by in Spanish, go through more chalet choices and find your spot in and around Madrid.

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When you purchase a Madrid villa you pay an IVA tax which is 7% of the villa value and legal Fees that are approximately 3% of the villa value.  The Legal fees get split between the Solicitor, the Town Hall (to register your villa), and the Notary who is independent of both parties to ensure that everything is above board.  Notary's also draw up wills and it is advised that you get a Spanish Will when purchasing a villa in Spain because if you pass away without one, the villa will be repossessed by the Government.  The reason being the cost of finding overseas next of kin are high.  Check the laws valid in Madrid for different regions of Spain can have different laws.

A 6 bedroom villa is available in Las Rozas for 2,500,000 euros. With chocolate colored granite floors, oak paneling and mahogany inlaid work, the villa is a symphony in brown. A Library with space for over 4,000 books looks down on the main living area. The house has been detailed so lovingly that you need to see it to really appreciate it. The bathrooms are done in off-white marble and roof is of antique tiles. The main door is also an antique and the patio has an Arabic fountain and barbeque. Besides the formal dining and living room, there are also the maid's quarters, studio, laundry and TV theater like rooms. The place is spread over 2 stories which are pet friendly. Outside is a beautifully landscaped garden with a small greenhouse, woodshed and gardeners shed.
In addition to this are the terrace, swimming pool and small pavilion. cable TV, high-speed internet and 24-hour security are the other advantages.

A terraced 5 bedroom villa 20 kms from the center of Madrid has fenced private grounds with lawn, swimming pool, arbor, patio and garden furniture to make it all easily enjoyable. Going for about 630 pounds a week, it has a living and dining room, equipped kitchen, TV, washing machine and a garage next door with reserved parking. The bus stop is just 20 m away and the Warner Brother's theme park is also just a short distance away.

A villa in the Retiro district has 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms and is for sale at 1,700,000 euros. The house comes with marble flooring and is air-conditioned with 10 built-in wardrobes in the rooms. The bathrooms have hydrotherapy showers and baths. There is a sitting room and open terrace looking out onto the courtyard. You'll get parking space included in the price and an alarm system. There is an independent satellite dish too. Most attractive to me is of course the wine cellar and the fireplace.

Or you could find yourself a villa to rent in the center of the city.

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Nightlife in Madrid is heavy with dance halls, cafes, theaters, movie houses, nightclubs and music halls. Considering most restaurants don't even open till 9 pm, you can be sure that the city is prowling and hopping till the wee hours of the morning.
Keep in mind though that many of the hubs might be open only to Spanish-speakers or residents.

Madrid can be divided into zones to suit a night bird of any kind. If you want to go on a tavern crawling-wine tasting spree, Plaza Mayor and Puerta Del Sol  are the areas for you.
For a film and theater enthusiast the Gran Via and its branches is the place to be.

For revelers looking for a fun night, Chuenca with its Hortaleza, Barquillo, Infantas and San Lucas streets hosts many nightclubs and some stripjoints too. Cheaper restaurants can also be found here.

Students traveling on a limited budget can party away in the Arguelles/Moncloa areas. Ale houses, fast-food joints and dance clubs make it popular with university students and it is the part of town to see the most action.

For bars with live music venture to Malasaña, in the vicinity of the Plaza de Dos de Mayo.

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Shopping in Madrid with its estimated 50,000 stores can be an exhausting activity. If you're pressed for time or don't particularly care for the joys of window shopping then just head for large departmental stores on Puerta del Sol, and on the streets of Princesa, Goya and Castellana - you'll get everything.
Otherwise take your time with streets and nooks, big glossy stores and musty secretive ones as you search and find everything from high-fashion clothing to flamenco guitars to ceramics to... well... all you can think of.

International designer can be found around the streets of Almirante and Conde de Xiquena, as well as in the district of Salamanca where you'll also find the best shops for jewelry, shoes, leather goods, furniture and gifts.

Local treasures such as espadrilles, fabrics, ropes, hats and religious articles can be found around the Plaza Mayor.

The Rastro is the most famous of the flea markets ostensibly the largest in the world. It opens on Saturdays and Sundays and on holidays from 10 to 2. You'll find everything under the sun here from valuable antiques to used clothing, collector cards, books, records, paintings and what-not. Even if you're the department store type, make it a point to just stroll through the Rastro for a genuine market experience - the throngs, the smells, the energy, the trickery, the finds!

The Feria del Libro Antiguo y de Ocasión is a book fair for old and used books held at the beginning of May.

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Food in Madrid is a delicious mix of the country's many culinary delights. But it has its own distinct specialties on offer too like the Cocido (a stew combining vegetables, chickpeas and chicken, beef and pork into one sumptuous meal), the Callos, Sopa de Ajo (garlic soup) and potato omelet.
Desserts reveal the sweet tooth prevalent among locals - from rolled wafers and a small pie with custard, fritters filled with custard whipped cream and marzipan to anise-flavored doughnuts, you can feed yourself into a happy high.
Madrid doesn't have a very great number of international restaurants but those that are there are varied in their offerings.

There are the usual American fast food chains and most restaurants offer large portions but could be expensive by North American standards.

Quality restaurants and cafes can be found on the streets of Paseo de la Castellana, Paseo de Recoletos and Paseo del Prado.

The Plaza de Isabel II or the Plaza Oriente areas are popular with tourists for their cafes and restaurants.
Whenever possible, try the local food. It will be cheaper.
Also a great way to try out all the offerings of Spain is to go for tapa. Lounge in a cafe or a bar as you try savory titbits of a variety of dishes served together - the tapa. Bars across the city will serve you this along with a glass of beer or wine.

They don't rush through their food in Madrid. Every meal is an elaborate offer starting with breakfast in a bar with a little more coffee. Croissants or the traditional spanish churros or porras with hot melted chocolate.
Lunch is a grand three course meal with all restaurants offering lunch time menus that are not only excellent but more affordable. Served between 1 to 4, you can have a heavy meal of salad followed by fish and paella and wash it down with Spain's favorite sangria - a red wine punch.
Dinner in Madrid can be quite late especially if you've stopped off for tapas sometime after lunch. Anything till 11 pm is considered good time for dinner.

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Madrid is surrounded by some of the nicest day trip destinations within a distance of 9 to 150 miles. You can reach most in an hour.

Alcala de Henares has been declared a World Heritage city. The historical importance of the city is derived mainly from the university founded there in the late 13th century. The university building boasts a fabulous Plateresque facade and its interior courtyard, the Patio Trilingue is a must see. The auditorium, cloisters and gardens are also sightseeing stops.
The city's other claim to fame is that it is the birthplace of Cervantes, author of Don Quijote, and some rare editions of the novel can still be seen in the Town Hall.
The student's residence building, the church of the Magistral Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace and Cervantes' home can also be visited. A stroll along the main street is an enjoyable way to spend time here.
Just 33 minutes from Madrid, you can get there by trains that leave every 10 minutes from the Atocha and Charmartin stations.

Aranjuez is the former Royal summer residence poised on the fertile plain by the Tagus river. The Royal Palace and its three magnificent gardens make for beautiful viewing. The Jardin del Parterre is adorned with sculptures, the Jardin de la Isla showcases lovely fountains and the crowning jewel is the English-style principle garden. While in the garden also visit the Casa del Labrador, a neo classical hunting pavilion.
As summer residence of the Kings from the 15th century, the palace has been destroyed by fire and reconstructed many times over. Various outbuildings of the palace and structures built in accordance with the ideas of the Enlightenment movement can also be admired.

Since Aranjueza comes between Madrid and Toledo, you could move on from this town to the fortified hilltop city of Toledo.

This monumental place surrounded by the Tago river is best understood by walking through its streets. The architecture of the city reflects the many moods, influences and cultures in its history.
Visit the Cathedral with its breathtaking choir stalls and many museums with works by El Greco, Caravaggio and Bellini to name a few. The Iglesia de Santo Tome displays El Greco's Burial of the Count of Orgaz. Two synagogues, the Santa Cruz museum and El Greco's home and museum are other interesting sites.
Toledo is about 2 hours from Madrid.

Manzares el Real is a picturesque town at the foot of La Pedriza mountain and plays summer residence for many madrileños. Its 15th century castle is a jewel of civil architecture. Wander through La Pedriza park and along the banks of the Manzanarez river.

El Escorial is certainly one of the most grandiose and elaborate of the sites around Madrid. A huge monastery built in the herreriano style gives shelter to many of the past monarchs of Spain in a sumptuously decorated chamber.
Built with granite, the monastery, church and palace with their courtyards and corridors, towers and spires are a austere sight.
The Basilica covered by a 92 meter dome, vaults painted by Lucas Jordan and the many painted altarpieces and the main chapel are great treasures to be admired.
The Sala de las Batallas with its frescoes, the Casita del Principe and the Casita del Infante are some castles you should take a look at.
The chapterhouses with paintings by masters and the library with more than 40,000 volumes are great art experiences.
Despite al this artistic and cultural plenty, the best part of your trip is sure to be the panoramic views God gives you.

Avila is the most complete walled city in Europe with a cathedral built into the wall. The cathedral took nearly 600 years to complete finishing up in the 14th century. The wall is in remarkably good condition and just outside is the Basilica de San Vincente. The martyrdom of Saint Vincent and his sisters is depicted on the tombs inside the basilica. The town is also the birthplace of Saint Theresa and has a small exhibit with manuscripts and relics in her memory.

Segovia is famous for its cliff perched Alcazar castle riding on clouds and for its Roman aqueduct nearly 1 km long and 30 meters tall. The cathedral and food in Segovia are other reasons to visit.

The picturesque hill village of Patones de Arriba, Chinchon with a castle converted into a distillery and the cliff top Cuenca are other places you can venture out to.

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No Madrid visit will be complete without a thorough viewing of the Golden Traingle connected by the Art Walk - the Prado, the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía.

The Prado focuses on Spanish, Italian and Flemish art from the 15th to 19th centuries housing masterpieces from Goya, Velazquez, El Greco, Titian, Rubens, Botticelli and so many more. With over 9000 works of which only 1500 can be displayed at a given time, the museum also runs exhibitions of other masters, having recently extended a Picasso exhibition owing to overwhelming demand.

The Thyssen-Bornemisza museum boasts a fabulous collection of nearly 800 paintings housed in the Palacio de Villahermosa which was specifically remodeled as a showcase for them. This museum supplies the gaps in the Prado and the Reina Sofia with a immense western art collection including Italian primitives, works from the German, Dutch and English schools as well as impressionist and expressionist paintings. With lesser known artists also given place, the collection has been carefully laid out chronologically, thematically and stylistically.

The Reina Sofia is not just a museum which displays Picasso, Miro, Tapies, Oteiza and others but also the foremost art center in Madrid with a varying program holding conferences, courses, poetry recitals and even contemporary music recitals.
The museum's permanent collection raises it to international standards but its modern art exhibitions help in giving its an unique flavor. The art library on the top floor is the most extensive in Spain.

The Royal Descalzas Convent founded in the 16th Century contains a large collection of pictures, sculptures, tapestries and pieces of furniture. This is a 'closed' convent that receives visitors two hours a day.

Madrid is teeming with museums like the Costume museum, The Erotica museum, Museo Sorolla, the Cerralbo Museum and others.

Aficionados should also take time out for the Casón del Buen Retiro and the Museo de la Escultura Abstracta.

Other than museums, Madrid plays host to the International Jazz Festival in November and also the traditional Fiestas like the Fiesta de la Almudena, La Paloma, Santa Semana, etc.

Concerts and theaters put up great performances through September and October and of course you can see flamenco being danced at the Candela bar or the Cafe de Chinitas or Casa Patas or other bars and restaurants in the city.

For a singularly Spanish experience, visit the Plaza de Toros de las Ventas, which is the world's most important bullfighting ring. The bullfighting season lasts from March to October with fights every Sunday at 7pm.

The Feria del Libro is an annual book fair located in the Retiro park. For a bookworm like me this is a great event with leading international novelists and historians coming to promote their latest works and the number of stands increasing annually. The feria covers 2 weeks from late May to early June.

Take a walk down La Castellana street which has the largest skyscrapers in Madrid with buildings designed in many different styles.

Even the railway in Madrid has got a touch of the art and style with the underground station being designed by Rafael Moneo and housing a large greenhouse with tropical plants. The station is situated close to the Botanical Gardens.

The Retiro park is an oasis of peace and activity in the middle of the city. You can admire the palaces of Velázquez, in addition to participating in a variety of sports or laze on the grass while watching street performers and concerts.

The Jean Carlos I park is a modern and vast green space which holds within it the recinto ferial, where most of Madrid’s exhibitions take place. You can view the largest collection of macro-sculptures in Spain when you go there to take a walk, ride a bicycle, fly kites or fish. 

If you buy the Madrid Card valid for 1 to 3 days available for 28 to 55 euros, you could get free entry to 40 major museums, use of public transport, a bus tour, a guided walking tour as well as discounts in select shops and restaurants thrown in!

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Start your sightseeing in Madrid with the stunning Royal Palace. Since the Spanish Royal family doesn't reside there, it is open to visitors and believe me with 3,000, that's right - 3000 (!) rooms filled with incredible clocks, tapestries, armors and other artifacts, it is a great tourist stop. Of course not all the rooms are open to public but the main rooms with paintings by Goya, Caravaggio, Rubens, Velazquez etc and the famous Hall of Columns as well as the Throne Room with its lavish sculptures, can be visited. Frescoes by Tiepolo adorn the palace and the architecture of the startlingly white building in granite and Colmenar stone as well as the lovely gardens make it worth a look in their own right.

After you're down with admiring the Royal Palace take a breather by walking around the pedestrian friendly Campo del Moro or down the gloriously vibrant Gran Via.

From there, strike off for the Plaza Mayor. The square has a rich history as the central place for public condemnations to bullfights and pageants. It was also used as a market place and is a lovely place to while away time with its beautiful cobbled ground dotted with shops and cafes in covered arcades.

Just 2 minutes away from the Plaza Mayor is the Puerta del sol - the easternmost gate of the city under the Hasburg kings surrounded by churches and monasteries at the time. With 10 roads converging there, it is a popular meeting point and the geographical center of the city. The monument of the bear and the strawberry tree stands in the center of the square.

The Plaza de Cibeles has the landmark fountain with a statue of the Greco-Roman fertility goddess astride a lion-drawn chariot. Overlooking this square is the main post office dating back from 1904.

Casa de Campo is the largest park in Madrid and its grounds also house a funfair. You can reach the it by metro or by taking the telecabin which will give you a great aerial view of the city.

Other parks that are worth spending some cloud-watching time in are the Retiro Park which used to be the private gardens of Philip IV, the Botanical gardens and the Environmental park.
The Environmental park is a new landscaped affair with 10 pavilions specially designed to recreate different natural environments. So you could walk through rain forests of tropical storms while seeing for yourself how animal and plant life have adapted to a variety of eco systems.
In the Retiro Park you could picnic hidden away by the thick wooded areas or row down the lake with your beloved. Fortune tellers, pavement artists, refreshment points, circus acts and puppet theaters are peppered over its lawns.

The Faro de Moncloa is a flying saucer shaped observation deck in the university area which offers some of the picturesque views of Madrid.

There are beautiful monasteries and different walking tours for you to indulge in when you're at a loose end.

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Madrid has an extensive and very, very well oiled and convenient public transport system comprising the metro, bus service and train transport.

The metro has been revamped and expanded now stretching it's service right up till Barajas airport and Arganda del Ray in the far south of Madrid. A one-way ticket on the metro costs $1.45 or you can buy a taco (a 10 trip ticket) for $6. A Metrotour Card is also valid for 3 to 5 days of unlimited travel. The metro runs from 6 in the morning right till 1:30 am at night.

An extensive bus network with over 150 routes services the city and suburbs. The buses are especially fast and efficient since they travel along special lanes and each stop has a schematic diagram depicting the route in detail. The tickets are available for $1.45 and can be purchased even at most newspaper kiosks or shops selling tobacco and stamps.

The Bonobus ticket for $6.15 can be used for 10 trips and is valid even on the metro service. A $4 ticket can be bought for 10 trips valid only on buses.
The Madrid bus system is one of the best in Europe divided into the $1.45 common red buses and the smaller yellow microbuses.

Lookout for an illuminated Libre sign on the roof when you hail down your taxi. Cab fares are rather reasonable. When you flag a cab, its meter should show 1.35 euros. A extra charge is levied for trips to the railway station or the bullring as well as on Sundays and holidays. The rate of the extra charges is also fixed from 2 euros for railway trips to 1.35 euros on holidays and Sundays.
The Aerocity shuttle service operates 24 hours and will take you in air conditioned comfort to your doorstep. Depending on the number of people, it could be cheaper than taking a cab.

Make sure the meter is turned down when you get in and is on the correct starting rate. Avoid taxis without meters unless you're hiring them for a day or afternoon. For a metered cab look out for black cabs with horizontal red bands or white cabs with diagonal red bands.

Renting a car in Madrid is a madman's decision. If you drove down to Madrid, just leave your car in the nearest garage and forget it there till you're ready to leave. Parking is a nightmare in the city and expensive affair. The roads always look like rush hour. Save your car rental for excursions out of the city and just leg it or bus your way within!

Just keep in mind that in Spain, a time change occurs the first weekend of spring. Adjust your watch or face missing your plane by arriving too late at the airport!

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The best time to be in Madrid is spring or fall. The climate is generally temperate with balmy May possibly the most glorious time and October also dishing up ideal weather. The crowds are fewer during these two months too.
August is a tricky time to go... it's really peaceful but even inhabitants of Madrid take off at this time leaving 75 percent of the city's restaurants and shops shut!
Being the highest capital in Europe Madrid sees more extreme seasons. July and August are rather hot and dry hitting temperatures of 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mid April- June and September- November are the nicest times.

Spain has about 3000 feasts and fiestas in a year! Besides the usual holiday celebrations fron New Year's Day and Christmas to Easter and National Day, take a look at a few others on the Madrid Calendar.

January sees parades staged through the main thoroughfares in anticipation of the Feast of the Epiphany.

In February you get to be part of the biggest draw in Spain's cultural calendar - ARCO, Madrid's International Contemporary Art Fair with exhibits drawn from galleries around the world.
The Madrid Carnaval kicks off with a big parade along the Paseo de la Castellana and wraps up in style with a masked ball at the Círculo de Bellas Artes on the following night. Fancy-dress competitions, dancing in the streets all mark the Carnival ending with a sentimental "burial of a sardine" at the Fuente de los Pajaritos in the Casa de Campo. A concert in the Plaza Mayor follows that evening.

The Semana Santa week leading up to Easter Sunday sees plenty of non-religious festivities too. One of the most elaborate Holy Weeks celebrations in Spain, you'll see processions of hooded penitents moving to the wail of the saeta, a love song to the Virgin or Christ. Heavy floats can be seen bearing images of the Virgin and Christ.
The bullfighting season jumpstarts with the Holy Week offering a visitor some fantastic insight into the Spanish temperament.

On May 2, rock concerts and flamenco shows take place all over the city and particularly in the Dos de Mayo square to commemorate the uprising against the French forces.
Every city and town, big or small, in Spain celebrates its local saint's day. In Madrid, it's the Fiesta de San Isidro on May 15. A wide range of public performances, concerts, dancing, bullfighting mark the day of Madrid's patron saint. Natives run wild over ten days celebrating with food fairs, Castilian folkloric events, street parades, parties and other festivities.

The Corpus Christi in June is a major holiday marked by a big procession.
The summer binge of Madrid in July is the Veranos de la Villa with much happening from pop and classical music, folk dancing, zarzuelas, flamenco and open air cinema. The program changes every year but is always fun.

Two fun feasts mark August - Beginning with the Lavapies Feast on August 1 and going on till the La Paloma Feast on August 15, there is aplenty of children's games, floats, music, dancing and street fairs. What's really interesting to see is thousands of people racing through the narrow streets and apartment dwellers throwing water on them to cool them off!

September is a great time for theaters and concerts. But the Autumn Festival with a series of operatic, ballet, theatrical and music performances is held in October. This festival of world renown has reasonably priced tickets.

Better look out on December 28 - the spanish equivalent of April Fool's Day.

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Villa shopping in Aruba is like any other shopping there... you'll be spoilt for choice.
Start with a villa loacted a very convenient 7 minute walk from Eagle Beach and just 5 minutes away from Oranjestad keeping you close to supermarkets, shops and restauarants. The villa has 5 bedrooms and three bathrooms, a modernized fully equipped Europeran style kitchen with granite counters and spacious living room with light streaming in. There is a large terrace for entertainment with a pool and a covered pool bar.The master bedroom boasts a jacuzzi and a balcony with ocean views. The place is up for $449,000.

A lovely yellow villa in an upscale neighborhood has 3 spacious bedrooms and a ballroom sized master bedroom. Hmmm... ballroom sized?!! Italian tile has been used and the property is fenced in with good quality ironwork. The living and dining rooms are also big and the kitchen is a high quality Alno affair. Though the villa is not furnished, the light fixtures have been built in and the ceiling is prettily finished with trims and mouldings. The place is fully airconditioned with a remote controlled garage. What makes it a great deal is the two room apartment or office attached to the villa with kitchenette and bathroom that has a separate entrance. There's even a full service maidsquarter.
To find out more about the house and its price you need to fill in a form.

Miss Belinda's Arubian Villa has three bedrooms and is a unique wooden style hillside home in the countryside. Three words there that just sold me - hillside, wooden and country. On top of this, it's just 10 minutes away from a beach and close to restaurants and shops being located in Noord. The bedrooms are airconditioned and the kitchen is amodern affair with a breakfast bar for you to trudge in and hook yourself to a chair as you drink your morning coffee. You'll find lounge furniture besides a nicely landscaped garden with a riot of flowers and ahammock hanging in the patio for dreaming purposes.
The place is for rent and has different rates in different season spanning $2395 a month to $2895.

Villa Alexandra is one of few beachfront villas in Aruba. You could walk out the rear gate and find yourself on glorious white beaches to snorkel at one of Aruba's best reefs. With 6 huge bedrooms the villa is ideal for family gatherings, weddings, reunions, et al. Go with a fun gang and make full use of the fully tiled swimming pool, private beach area (!),  hammocks, lounging chairs with ocean views, entertainment patio with barbeque, beachside gazebo and open air verandah. You'll laze and catch up with friends while holding a book in one hand or look at stars from the gazebo while someone barbeques you a meal! The place comes with a full time cook and housekeeping staff, a ping pong table for fun and even an exercize room! For the golf enthusiast... you're just minutes away from a world renowned gold course. There's an office study and two studio rooms too. All bedrooms have TV and cable!! Two gazebos by the pool make for exquisite dining. The villa is available for anything between $5300 a week to $7000.

A mediterranean style villa in Tierra Del Sol has 5 bedrooms that can sleep up to 15 people. Th evilla is fully furnished. Tierra Del sol is a gated community of 600 acres which includes a resturant, Lounge located at the clubhouse, a world class spa and fitness center and an 18 hole golf course! The stucco exterior and grand views of surrounding natural preserves from the multilevel terraces, A Sunset House extending out from the pool with bath, floor to ceiling arched windows, custom designed kitchen, laundry room, maid's quarters, a powder room, media room, a double garage and storage are all combine to make this house a very grand affair. A terrace called the Star Deck is the clincher. The house comes fully furnished with oriental rugs, lamps and design trends from the leading names in the industry. The villa is priced at $2,999,900. Wow! There's a lot going on in that house.

Find more Aruba villas and luxury homes in different areas.

The Landslake Condos are part of three buildings. Building D & F consist of four condos, 2 on the ground floor and 2 above. Each condo has a fully equipped kitchen, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a dining/living room and a private balcony.

Another great condo option are the condos available in the Aruba Beach Chalet. Located right on the becah of Savaneta, the double storey condo is very stylishly done up and has 2 bedrooms with attached bathrooms, fully equipped kitchen, spacious living room, plush sofas and a restroom. Check out the rates on the Standard Chalet Condos and then you can take a look at the Superior Chalets or the Studio.

Aruba has a host of condos available in resorts and clubs and villas through timeshare. You can choose from the La Quinta beach resort condos or the Royal Palm condos, the Divi village has 7 condos for sale and 5 on rent, then there is the Costa Linda beach resort condos. Take your pick.

Tumba 44 is a new studio style apartment with 1 bathroom. It is fully furnished and has a fully euipped kitchen and living and dining area.

Look through more apartments.

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I give up. Aruba is the place for Villas. Forget homes and cottages. Since I can't seem to escape them... here are more of the same.

A villa in the Bubali area is a 3 bedroojm single family home with a large covered porch, a pool and garage. Close to Eagle beach, it's close to Ocean resort and the casino.

A jewel of a villa in the Tierra Del Sol vicinity  has 3 bedrooms and bathrooms and offers you great ocean views. Having just recently been constructed, you could purchase it for $695,000 for the present villa or $785,000 for a 4 bedroom 4 bathroom deal, which will take an additional 3 months to pull off. Brand new microwaves, fridges, stoves and dishwahsers are part of the deal, other than the exquisite carpets, chandeliers and furniture that adorn the home. Lounge chairs and a patio set are placed in the gazebo outside. You can reserve the property with a down payment as low as $95000. If you decide to rent it out, you could get as much as $3500 per week.

A luxury home in Noord has 4 bedrooms, bathrooms with showers, a study, living room, laundry room, huge dining room with a fully functional and lovely kitchen. The beautifully landscaped tropical yard with palm trees can be viewed from your wrap-around patio which has a large pool, gazebo, barbeque and shower. There's a double covered garage and total privacy if you want to rent out one side of the house while occupying the other. A great way to earn from your investment while living there!

A great place to rent is a 4 bedroom Mediterranean style home of which one bedroom is part of a self contained apartment. So you could rent just one part of the house or all of the 4 bedrooms. Th ehouse is extensively equipped and furnished having been built in 2004. It has a pool with bar, barbeque and a parking lot. The property is fenced in and come with cable connection for those who don't want to take advantage of the proximity of pristine beaches and watersports.

A beautiful house with landscaped garden is for sale in the Seroe Blanco area. A Regent Park home with 4 bedrooms with walk-in closets, a large swimming pool, carports, kitchen and storeroom comes with a security system. There's a TV room and laundry room in additon to the fact that the home has an apartment system.

Soledad is a perfectly finished house with 3 bedrooms with built in closets, a huimongous living room to lounge in and a comfortable kitchen with large dining. There's an additonal laundry room and a great garden with gazebo and a big pool. The gazebo comes with jacuzzi and small kitchen and bathroom. The house has a very rustic atmosphere and has been built in a Dutch-Aruboian style guaranteeing warmth while the slpit air conditioning cools all the rooms.

You can look through purely rental choices like the flower clad Casa Catalina or the 1 bedroom Sunset villa that can sleep 10 people or the cottag-y looing Aruba 500 Resort villa and many more homes and villas and apartments within villas.

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You might just want to consider going into business in Aruba. The Arubiana Inn is available with 16 furnished units euipped with small fridges, microwaves and queen sized beds for $1,100,000. Located just 10 minutes away from Eagle beach, it makes for a great investment especially considering that the governmemnt of Aruba is no longer giving out hotel permits and this sale comes with a full hotel permit. The inn has a bar/cocktail lounge, frontdesk office and restaurant space.
Hmm... For the sake of my entrepreneurial aspirations i need to rob a bank now!

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Food in Aruba is delicious, varied and an expensive af-fare if you mean to dine-dine. But Aruba has loads of places to eat and you're sure to find places that suit your budget. The fast food culture has also made its way on to the island making it possible to grab a quick and cheap bite.

Local specialties such as mahi mahi, grouper and snapper will be far more affordable. The Aruba Gastronomic Association offers special discounts to travelers. A dine-around program gives you 5 breakfasts or lunches and 4 dinners for $214 a person.

The smaller local restuarants also offer a diverse menu and you can sample authentic fare for about $15 a person. There are many upscale restaurants in Aruba priced at not less than $35 per person. But there's no need to dress up... restaurateurs understand that you're on holiday. You can slip into a sundress to enjoy your meal on the patio overlooking the sea.

The dining scene is vast, from choices on business dining to the best breakfast beats, regular fast food to belgian-french fare, argentinian steaks to family restaurants, large groups, outdoor dining to dining for special occasions and cheap eats! Make your selection.

Shopping in Aruba while not actually duty free, has low enough rates to warrant some real excitement on items such as jewelry, perfume, clothing and electronic equipment. But music to the ears of an accomplished shopper shall be the words 'no sales tax'.
Oranjestad has several malls and branded stores within walking distance of eachg other. Open-air stalls and a wharf side market are also worth a visit. The market is a bargain hunter's dream with paintings, t-shirts, photographs, pottery, jewelry all set up along the Boulevard.
Some great souvenirs are skin care products with aloe being made right there on the island. Or my favorite souvenir would have to be any hand crafted item by a native... often enough you can pick up something that was made right in front of your eyes at stalls beside the harbor or on the beachfront.
With roots in Holland, you get some terrific buys of Delft pottery or wooden shoes and windmills. I like the sound of it all. Delicate porcelain, clunky wooden shoes, romantic windmills, caribbean rum, French perfumne, Danish crystal, cheap cameras, indonesian fabrics... it realy is shopper's paradise.

Citizens of the United States who have been out of the country for a minimum of 48 hours and who have not used their respective duty free allowance within 30 days are entitled to a $600.00 duty free tax exemption. You can pool your exemptions, meaning a family of four can bring back $2400.00 worth of articles. Shop till you drop!!

In Aruba you could island hop. Make a day trip to Curacao, Caracas or Bonaire. Just remember... there won't be any ferry taking you across, you'll have to fly back and forth.

Entertainment is abundant in Aruba. Whether you windsurf, snorkel or scuba dive or indulge in other water sports, you'll never be at a loss for an activity. You could even kayak or parasail, but the most exciting has to be renting your own sailboat and taking off to go deep sea fishing. Or catching the underwater sights in a submarine!

Do it all in the day and then if you're still energized, strike out in to the Aruban night... casinos and discos, bars and lounges, shows and steelbands all await you. Fun all day round. You just need to gear yourself for it and ride with it.

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Fort Zoutman and the Willem III tower, the oldest building in Aruba house the Historical museum, a fascinating collection of articles spanning Aruba's history from the earliest times through the Spanish and Dutch periods. The Bon Bini festival, a weekly folklore fair is held here.

The Numismatic Museum situated next to the central bus station in Oranjestad contains over 30,000 historic coins and currencies from Aruba and around the world dating back to the 5th century B.C. including collection fron the Roman, Chinese and Byzantine empires.

The Archaeological Museum located diagonally across from the bus stop in Oranjestad, exhibits giant earthen jars over 5 rooms of which a few contain the remains of Aruba's original inhabitants! There's even a skeleton (though sadly not of a swashbuckling hard to catch buccaneer full with monocle!). Ancient artifacts, pottery tools and art are also displayed.

The Rococo Plaza or Museum of Antiquities showcases Louis XV Antiques & Curiosities and interesting items from Aruba and South America. The building itself is worth a dekko with onion shaped towers and a roof in red copper and made of antique building materials from the 17th century.

Other museums are the Aruba Local Balm museum that takes you through the 160-year old history of aloe gel and its harvesting techniques. Besides this you could see the De Man Shell collection in a private home on the island.

Access Art Gallery and Galeria Eterno are two art galleries you might want to drop by while on the island.

Shipwrecks are popular in Aruban history with Pedernales, Jane Sea and California wreck all being of historical significance as well as great viewing for diving enthusiasts.

The Church of Noord is a good example of neo-Gothic sculpture. The rectory was built in 1877 and is the oldest on the island. An interesting titbit that makes the church a place worth visiting is the fact that the retable, communion rail and pulpit won a prize at the first Vatican Council.

The Alto Vista Chapel built by Spanish missionaries in the 18th century is a little yellow building thought to be the first church in the Caribbean. Services are still conducted there and maybe you want to attend one. I certianly would... there's no other word for it... the church is cute. It's just the kind of place you'd want to find if you were Hansel and Gretel.

The Santa Ana Church showcases a 100 year old hand carved oak altar. Besides these, the Protestant church, the Beth Israel synangogue, the St. Franciscus Church are other religious sites worth a visit.

The Cultural center in Oranjestad, the Seaport Crystal theatre and the Let's Go Latin! are great theatre venues.

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Aruba is one of the top three beach lover destinations in the world. So when you get here, you're going to want to spend most of your time catching rays on golden sand. If and when you get restless and want to do other stuff, there's an impressive array of sightseer stops.

18 percent of the island is dedicated to the Arikok National Park. With its well kept walking trails that take you through some unusual plant and animal life like divi-divi and kwihi trees, exotic cacti, aloe, tropical birds and flowers, the park is a lovely place to spend some relaxed hours.

Along these lines, a place to visit is the Butterfly farm. It's a 3000 square foot enclosed garden with waterfalls and fish ponds. Hundreds of species of butterflies will visit you softly as you walk around to music.

The California lighthouse offers some spectacular views of the island along with an area called California white sand dunes which are popular with kids who go dune surfing. The lighthouse is names after a wooden ship that ran aground while sailing to Venezuela. A restaurant nearby offer refreshments by day and fine dining by night.

A very sad loss to Aruban tourism is the falling of the Natural bridge. If ever, a la Bridges of Madison County, you had wanted to be proposed to on a bridge, this god-formed coral structure just 25 feet above the sea, was the place to do it.
It's gone now but plans are on to pay tribute to it. We can't mess with Mother Nature.

But you could venture to the Natural pool hidden in Aruba's most rugged terrain. It's remote and perfect for quiet relaxation. It's tough to get to it but worth the trouble to watch the ocean surf break over the rocks and cascade into the basin. You can't snorkel in the churned up waters but just dip in and cool off.

There would be little point in going to Aruba without visiting at least one of the gold mills responsible for the islands name. The Bushiribana and Balashi gold mills are remnants of a history of adventures and quests with gold and treasures as the prize.

The Antilla was a German freighter that sank during World War II. It makes for a very popular dive site. The Debbie II, a 120 foot barge, submerged at North Point is another great diving experience.

The Alto Vista Chapel built by Spanish missionaries in the 18th century is a little yellow building thought to be the first church in the Caribbean. Services are still conducted there and maybe you want to attend one in a place of historical significance.

If you haven't been to the original... Aruba offers its own mysterious Stonehenge. The Ayo rocks have long puzzled geologists and house rare burrowing owls too for keen bird watchers.

A unique Roman Catholic shrine built into rocks is the Lourdes Grotto. A statue of the Virgin Mary weighing 700 kilos has been placed in the rocks and is lit through the night.

You can hand feed an ostrich at the Aruba Ostrich Farm. Besides seeing and touching these rare creatures, you could even balance yourself on one of their eggs!

Birdwatchers will enjoy Bubali Pond, where pelicans, black cormorants, sandpipers and wood storks fish, bathe and play in a picturesque waterscape.

The beaches in Aruba are varied... active, relaxed, secluded, thronging... name it and you have one to every taste. Palm Beach and Eagle beach are the more active and popular sunbathing, windsurfing spots. Manchebo beach is far more tranquil though still fronted by hotels and resorts. Hadicurari is a popular wind surfing destination while Baby beach, true to its name is calm enough for a baby to paddle in.

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Getting around Aruba is best by mopeds and motorbikes. By best I probably mean most fun. The terrain is flat and you can rent scooters for $30 a day and motorcycles for anything between $45 and $100.
On the other hand you could rent a car. Roads are good and parking's free everywhere on the island.

The main bus station is in Oranjestad and inexpensive and reliable public buses run between towns and hotels on Eagle Beach, Palm Beach, San Nicolas and Oranjestad. Touring the island in a 4 wheel drive is rather a pleasant way to explore.

Taxi are not metered and you should check the fixed rate before getting in.
Ferries depart daily to De Palma island from the mainland. Between 10 to 6, crossings run every half an hour.

Get around the island with the method that suits you best. Rent a vehicle or hop on to a bus.

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Aruba has consistently mild temperatures with no major rainy season. It's a hop-on-to-a-plane-right-now place. Any time at all.
From December through April are touristy months with the weather at its driest. January is a peak visiting month, though if you want to be a part of some festivities, then the last 2 weeks of February are a maelstorm of parties and parades with the Carnival in full swing.
For a more relaxed time, try mid-april to september.

Following Easter, the rates will drop and go down still further in June-November which is the hurricane. That's a good time for a string-budget traveler especially considering that Aruba lies well outside the hurricane belt.

Besides the Carnival in February, you might want to look out for the Aruba Music festival in October and ostensibly the best catamaran sailing event in the world, The Aruba Heineken Catamaran Regatta for a week in November. If you're not sailing, then grab a patch of sand and watch the races. There are other events orgaized for the entertainment of non-sailors too.

Aruba is a brilliant escape plan. In fact I have a friend who's constantly on the lookout for a small island where we're to build our huts and start life anew and I think I just might help him out by suggesting Aruba.

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A really fancy bungalow on Lavington along Othaya Road with 4 bedrooms and lush garden is there for the taking. Besides the four bedrooms and the separate dining and furnished kitchen, it has a spacious lounge complete with fireplace!!! There is a store room and extra quarters for domestics as well as a garage. The place is available for about $41,607.

A stone log lodge overlooking the Rift Valley is a catch simply for its location. Overlooking the lovely Naivasha lake, it's a bird lover's delight. It has two bedrooms that can sleep 6 people and comes with internet, terrace, appliances, swimming pool, gym, tennis court... i'm out of breath. Besides all this there is an airstrip and even more amazing... it's built right on a 18 hole golf course, so you can swing out with your irons any time you like! The place is up for $171,531.

Tadlitum Farm is a lovely, lovgely ranch property spread over 350 acres of rich forests and Savannah grasslands, with the Bissel river flowing through it. The house is luxurious with 4 ensuite bedrooms, bar, an upper deck lounge area gazing into hills, patio, another lounge, a reception area and a huge dining room. The whole place is brilliantly furnished and contains african artefacts too! The swimming pool comes wih a gazebo area to entertain up to 30 people comfortavly. Generators, electric fencing, garage, airstrip, staff quarters are only some of the other features. This great investment opportunity can be yours for 1,100,000 dollars.

Mohamed House is the perfect Kenyan experience home with 2 bedrooms with 2 attached bathrooms, an extra bathroom, sitting room and kitchen. The house sits on an acre of land and also houses a garage and a room for domestic help. What I like best other than the african style makuti roof is the fact that the house abounds with verandas so that you always have a feeling of space and light.

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A residential apartment in Kilmani has a ensuite master bedroom in addition to two other bedrooms. There is a sitting and dining room, a kitchen and a balcony offering you stunning views of the pool and the surrounding area. Fully secured, you'll also have a pool, garden and gym at hand.

Six 1 bedroom apartments on Diani Beach are avaialble for 33 USD a day or at the rate of $10,749 for three months. The house comes with a large private swimming pool flanked by sunbeds, fully equipped kitchen, a terrace and linen. Besides parking space, also included in the price are night time security guards, a poolboy, gardener and housegirl. As an extra benefit you can also have a private cook.

South C Parkview Apartments are beautifully crafted 4 bedroom affairs. On the first floor, the place has one master bedroom ensuite, a lounge area combined with dining, a panry added to the kithen and a staff cloakroom attached to the wash are.
The apartment has been tiled according to the area and has boasts built in wardrobes and dressing tables in the bedrooms and fitted cabinets and worktops in the kitchen. With lovely gardens, ample parking and a shopping area and entertainment complex as part of the development you have a package in your hands. And this for $6241!!!!

An exclusive apartment located on a creek near Tamarind Village in Mombasa offers great views of the ocean and old-town and comes with landscaped gardends, swimming pool and the easy access to all amenities. There are 3 bedrooms with 3 bathrooms and an utility room. The place is availabel for 185,000 pounds.

Two self-contained apartments on the tropical coastline of Kenya, 18 kms from Mombasa are available for $83,000. With 2 bedrooms each built over two storeys and a shared rooftop for sunbathers, you can take them together or just one. Since the house was built to live in, the furnishing are a touch above the rest and the garden is also well cared for.

Find other apartments or maisonettes more your speed.

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A lovely detached villa just 500 meters aways from the sparkling sand of the white Dinai beach has 2 bedrooms and is built along ecological lines. Surrounded by holiday regions you can indulge in all kinds of sports and safaris. The property itself comes with 2 swimming pools, swing, sand pit, garden seating and a garden worth the seating! The walled in property is festooned with bougainvillea and the garden is ripe with mangos, passion fruits, papayas, mangos, coconut palms and flowers. It invites even multi-colored birds who twitter away. Maid service, linen, staff, well furnished dining and living areas all make for a great slumping place after a hard day of lion watching!

Villa Madagaskar is a really pretty hideaway with its conical roof and palm-shaded blue pool. With 5 bedrooms that can house 8 people, a humongous living terrace with a view to the pool where you can entertain your guests and all teh basic amenities like fridge, grill ,oven, barbeque, DVD, audio player and more, this house is vacationer's paradise. It also has a telephone and a living room to that can comfortably seat 17 people!What I find a big plus here (besides the lovely garden of fruits and flowers) is the chalet style guset house that comes with the property. 

A double storey villa in the high class Runda area comes with numerous rooms including 5 bedrooms, 2 office rooms, guest wings, 2 sitting rooms and an indoor bar. The house has a swimming pool, sauna, steam room and staff too. Security is absolutely top-notch too!

A Swahili mansion along the traditional lines is up for grabs on Lamu island $323,124. If you've been keeping track, you know that Lamu doesn't allow motor vehicles on the island which leaves you a host of narrow streets to explore. Hijani House is tucked away in one such street in the stone town. Made from coral limestone with traditional doorways with arches and plasterwork, roof beams and painted mahogany, the house is spread over three floors with 3 bedroom. the master bedroom boasts a cathedral ceiling. The terrace garden has a dining area besides the fully equipped kitchen with its eat-in space. It's a great buy for it's location and architecture... which is a mix of the traditional with all modern conveniences factored in by the American owners. In the bargain you'll also get some Swahili antiques and local artwork as part of the sale.

Villa Patwa is a 5 bedroom villa right on Bofa beach. The bedrooms are all double bedrooms with three ensuites. Besidses the dining room and lounge are, there is a hige veranda with a bed and sofas to sprawled around it. The landscaped swimming pool is in addition to the laid out lawn and garden with beach-facing gazebo. Many cooks are welcome to spoil to the broth in the large, warm kitchen and there's arecetion are for you to pretend to be lord of the manor. There's a garage and ample more space for parking, 24 hour security, a chef and housekeeping and... insect screen everywhere!

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