Meravista asks why the authorities in the Algarve’s Monchique hills are allowing a disused 17th century convent to fall into ruins, whilst 120kms east in Tavira, a similar building has been preserved over the years by a succession of owners and is currently up for sale at €2.25m. 

17th century Franciscan convent - Nossa Senhora de Desterro (Our Lady of Exile) is one of the region’s remaining examples of Manueline architecture. It was built by order of a Viceroy of India, Pêro da Silva, who is believed to have planted the massive magnolia tree in the grounds and it’s said that he was later buried here.

In light of the recent publicity around the former £1m London council house, Algarve property specialist website Meravista.com looks at London prices ‘vs’ Algarve prices and what buyers can expect for their money.

In London’s Royal Borough of Kensington, where buyers are prepared to pay a premium for the kudos of an SW10 Chelsea postcode, a leading estate agency made the news when they put a property on the market Limerston Street at close to a million pounds. That’s not a remarkable price for a three bedroom apartment in this fashionable area of the capital - similar properties are selling at an average of £1,039,286*. What is remarkable is that in 1989, the same property was sold for just £48,000 by its owners - the local council.

Whether we like it or not, it's established fact that children shape their parents' holiday choices. Each year the TripAdvisor family travel survey demonstrates the influence that kids have on their parents' decisions. In 2014, some 92% of respondents planned to travel with family and relatives' considerations were plain to see in the amenities wish list, with complimentary breakfast, close proximity to local attractions, free Wi-Fi, a swimming pool and room service making the top five.

If you live in a village in Portugal, you’re likely to have an abandoned school building in your immediate neighbourhood. Certainly in the Algarve there are numerous examples of abandoned schoolhouses, some have been sold or are up for sale, but the majority remain under local council ownership and don’t appear to have a very bright future ahead.

The Chinese year of the sheep, which begins next month, is set to see investors flocking to Portugal in search of high end properties costing €500,000 or more, that qualify them for the country's golden visa scheme. 

The sheep is representative of people who combine creativity with considerate planning, which is typical of those with the imagination and organisational skills to move overseas and start a new life in a foreign land.

It was a good year for the overseas property market in 2014, as interest increased for purchasing a property outside a client’s home country for the purpose of a holiday/retirement home, possible immediate investment by rental return or future growth.

This was mainly led by better economic news in some of the countries where potential buyers were situated (UK, Germany and Scandinavia) and the continuation of low interest rates.

The Portuguese property market records 12 months of growth, with outlook for 2015 equally positive. “If you’re looking to buy property in Portugal, now is the time.”

Bold words indeed from Chris White, Founding Director of boutique real estate agency Ideal Homes Portugal, but the figures certainly add weight to his claim.

As the nights draw in and those early morning starts seem ever colder, the idea of sitting outside and soaking up the sun may seem like a distant dream, but the perfect outdoor terrace is actually a lot closer than you might think.

According to Eurostat, the pursuit of winter sun expanded over the 2013/14 season, with 15.4 million more nights spent in hotels and similar establishments within the European Union, an increase of 2.9% on the previous year. The 2014/15 season looks to be a good one too thus far, with the Airports Council International reporting an increase of 5.6% in passenger traffic at EU airports in October.