Despite the allure of exotic faraway destinations, more than 2.5 million online searches suggest that Britons prefer the sunny shores much closer to home when it comes to buying property abroad.

According to the latest research by property website Rightmove, Spain is the most popular European country for Britons looking to relocate or buy a second home. Average monthly searches for property in Spain total 2,513,374 a month - over 74% more than France, the second most searched for location in Europe.

With fast Alfa-Pendular trains to Lisbon, Albufeira and Faro, São Bartolomeu de Messines is a typical Portuguese inland town which is attracting significant investment from across Portugal and beyond.

On August 25^th, the ceremonial first stone will be laid at the Ombria Resort, a 5-star tourist complex with hotel, residences, an 18-hole golf course at Estrada do Olival, between Tôr and Querença in the Algarve’s barrocal to the north of Loulé.

This is a first in Europe for the American Viceroy Hotels & Resorts group which will be managing the development, owned by the Finnish, Pontos Group.

Eduardo Peregrino is the new Operations Manager of Vale d´Oliveiras Quinta Resort & Spa.

The young hotelier has previously served as the commercial director of Vale d´Oliveiras for four years and has an impressive background in food & beverage, sales & marketing and front-office, working with several well-regarded brands including Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa, Porto Bay Hotel Group, Martinhal Resort, Herdade dos Grous and latterly as the general manager of Malhadinha Nova Country House & Spa in Alentejo.

Situated a short walk from the 'Dolphin's Roundabout' and within a few minutes of the O'Leme Restaurant and Pastelaria Amêndoa Doce, this townhouse is close to every amenity but situated in a peaceful and friendly community.

Do you wait all year for summer to arrive, for long sun filled days, warm rays to bronze your winter pale, for healthy doses of vitamin D to fill you with new life and energy? Do your sunny dreams get quashed when summer lasts no more than a couple of days, mid week, if you’re lucky, or a weekend or two?
If this is your norm maybe you're thinking something's got to change. You deserve more than a drip feed of the sun goodness - you deserve delicious Sunny Summer Sizzling heat! Yes you do!

This week Portugal’s leading online estate agent Beverywhere.com has a selection of fantastic properties for sale in the Algarve, from Eastern to Western Algarve and all under €500,000. 

Situated in the increasingly favoured neighbourhood of Brejos and ideally located for all the amenities of Albufeira, you’ll find this modern and well presented townhouse.

Notable for it’s family-centred design, with plenty of space in all rooms, a separate fully equipped kitchen and practical real wood floors, the house benefits from covered terraces, swimming pool and an easily maintained deck & garden.