A Place in The Sun Is Winter Tonic

Do you fancy a break from the grey cold skies of winter and to get away from the gloom of the papers? Winter sunshine could be the tonic to boost you spirits. Buying a property abroad where you can relax in the warmth each winter is still one of the moist desirable things many us want to do. Surprisingly winter sunshine tonic is easily available and can be achieved without spending a fortune. For Europeans only a few hours away are the Canary Islands, offering 12 months of the year sunshine and now even lower property prices. The good money is heading to one particular island in the Canaries this island is Lanzorote.

Property in Lanzarote has seen good capital growth over the last few years however there is still a wide choice of properties available from studio and one bedroom apartments for less than 100,000 Euros. What is more buying property on the island right now means that you will benefit from the improvements being made on the island.

Puerto Del Carmen - the main engine room of tourism and the epicentre of the Lanzarote property market - is about to undergo a major revamp. As island authorities press ahead with a multi million euro project that is designed to "reinvent" tourism in the resort and maintain its competitiveness versus other holiday destinations around the world. Puerto Del Carmen has long been a hot spot for overseas investors. Thanks to Lanzarote´s year round climate and a buoyant tourist industry. Tourism has transformed a former fishing village called La Tiñosa into the islands most popular destination and generated reliable rental returns for owners of apartments and holiday villas in Puerto Del Carmen.

Over the years the resort has also become the main hub of the islands growing British and Irish expatriate communities. They now officially number around 6,000 citizens - although the real figure is deemed higher by most observers due to the fact that many émigrés don't immediately register for residency on the island. Creating further demand for relocation, rental and commercial property. In many ways though Puerto del Carmen has become a victim of its own success. As thirty odd years of package tourism has impacted upon the resorts infrastructure and facilities and left it looking decidedly tired around the edges. Whilst the kaleidoscope of neon lit bars and restaurants along the main beachfront strip creates a rather outdated image - especially in comparison to newer, purpose built resorts in competitor markets such as Dubai. Island authorities believe that these factors - if left unchecked - will start to erode Puerto del Carmen's popularity as a holiday destination. And in order to avoid this scenario they are now embarking on an ambitious project to transform the resort. One of the main elements of this project is the redevelopment of the Old Town harbour area. Long a focal point for holidaymakers but currently just home to a few excursion vessels and fishing boats. Not for much longer however as the port will soon be remodelled into an upmarket marina with moorings for luxury yachts. A move that is designed to attract a more affluent tourist to Puerto del Carmen and provide competition for the hugely successful marina at Puerto Calero, just a few miles along the coast. Elsewhere, the main beachfront strip will be rejuvenated by the creation of greater pedestrian access and the renovation of shop fronts and fascias. Which will create a more aesthetically pleasing overall image for the main face of Puerto del Carmen. In tandem with the opening of the resort's new golf course next year - only the second on the island - these improvements seem likely to ensure a bright future for both tourism and property in Puerto Del Carmen in the medium term.

So if its winter sunshine you need I would seriously consider Lanzorote Canary island as your winter tonic.