Greece boasts the longest coastline in all of southern Europe with more than 13,500 km. of the Mediterranean, Ionian and Aegean seas.

Due to unfathomable bureaucracy, however, it has so far played 2nd fiddle in the property market to the more established markets of Spain, France and Portugal, among others.

However, the Nea Democratia government, which was re-elected in September 2007, has taken steps to help make the procedures simpler, thus pushing Greece, and in particular the Greek Islands, to the forefront of overseas property destinations.

The Ionian islands are the most western and therefore the closest to the UK. Corfu is the most northerly and Zante the furthest south. As a group of islands they are undoubtedly the most beautiful in the whole of Greece, with lush green countryside, fabulous beaches and delightful villages.

35 years ago Corfu was THE place to go in Europe to rub shoulders with the rich and famous. The eighties, however, suffered a period of bad press which focussed on the 18 - 30's scene centred around Kavos in the far south of the island.

The nineties saw steady growth for families again and Corfu is now, once again, back where it belongs. The NE corner of the island has become synonymous with the upmarket British holiday. Often referred to as "Kensington-on-Sea", its rolling wooded hills and peaceful olive groves are home to a growing number of new luxury villas, most of them with pools. Your neighbours could be the Rothschilds, the Agnellis of Fiat fame and, perhaps soon, Roman Abramovich.

For top level capital growth and high rental demand, Corfu should be at the top of your investment list.