Hot Property 1

Thermes Parc, Portes du Soleil, Canton Valais, Switzerland.

From £155,000 (€223,000) fully furnished.

In a nutshell: Luxury apartments in traditional chalet style buildings in a stunning spa resort with natural thermal springs. In the heart of the Swiss Alps, the apartments are located at the bottom of the Dents du Midi mountain range in Val d'Illiez, at an elevation of 950 metres. A hotel, restaurants and shopping are all on site.

What’s so special about it? Beyond the obvious year round merits of a spa resort on your doorstep, in winter the development has direct access to Champery and then Portes du Soleil, the largest ski domain in Europe with over 650km of runs and 206 ski lifts.

Pros: Apart from great skiing in winter, there are year round activities and rental appeal. In summer there are 800km of walking trails and 24 lifts open for hikers, 10 high altitude lakes, which are perfect for fishing and 580km of biking trails. Lake Geneva is only 15 minutes away, offering a whole host of water sports and access by boat to beautiful towns scattered around the lake. Geneva is 1hour 20 minutes away.

Cons: This resort is perfect for skiers and summer hikers but if you are looking for more horizontal activities and long sandy beaches it’s not for you.

Agent: PURE International, +353 1 669 4763 www.pureintl.com

Hot Property 2

Pipa Hills, Natal, Brazil.

From €180,000

In a nutshell: A secluded luxury development of 52 3-bedroom furnished villas in a truly tropical setting.

What’s so special about it? Pipa is the most up market beach on the Natal coastline. The villas are only 600 metres away from the beach and only 200 meters to Pipa Centre where all restaurants and nightlife is located, so you won’t have to rush out to buy a car. There is 24-hour security, a bar and barbeque area, 3 communal swimming pools and a beautiful lagoon. Two golf resorts are being built nearby. The yearly average temperature is 27 degrees and it’s sunny virtually all year around.

Pros: It’s a nature lover’s paradise and is surrounded by miles of semi-deserted beaches. It’s the perfect development for the lifestyle buyer who wants a property almost ready to move into.

Cons: Brazil is a 7-8 hour flight away from mainland Europe but this area in northeast Brazil is one of the closest points to Europe in Latin America. You won’t regret it once you get there.

Agent: Aquarius Properties Abroad. +353 1 278 2900 www.aquariusproperties.com

Hot Property 3

Ski L’Aquila, Val d’Isere, Savoy, France

From €500,000

In a nutshell: An up-market development of 1, 2 and 3 bed apartments right at the foot of the ski slopes in Val d'Isère, which has undergone large-scale renovations by Pierre & Vacances.

What’s so special about it? The interiors are stylish with top-quality fixtures and fittings and a specific furniture range has been chosen especially for L’Aquila for those who want this option. It is barely a stone's throw away from the Solaise and Bellevarde cable cars, and a short walk to the town centre, shops and restaurants of this well-known resort for skiers.

Pros: The apartments are all generously proportioned, a rare luxury in alpine properties. The facades are a combination of wood and stone, in keeping with the traditional architecture of Val d'Isère, and the balconies have breathtaking views of the surrounding slopes and peaks. Pierre & Vacances manages and maintains the apartments and the entire resort. They let the apartment and pay you the rent net of service charges. This rent is guaranteed contractually, whether your apartment is actually occupied or not.

Cons: If you are looking strictly for a holiday home this development is aimed primarily at the investor. However there is an option to combine renting with holiday accommodation.

Agents: Pierre and Vacances. +353 (1) 483 0846 www.pierre-vacances.co.uk

Hot Property 4

Bella Maya Resort, Belize

From €305,000

In a nutshell: A development of 60 spacious waterfront suites with an infinity pool, poolside bar, dining facilities and tropical gardens.

What’s so special about it? Belize is an adventurer's paradise and one of Central America’s best-kept secrets. It offers a mix of tropical forests rich with wildlife, majestic mountains, mystical Mayan temples, and world-class diving and fishing. Its Caribbean coastline has lots of salt and freshwater lagoons, palm-fringed white sandy beaches and small idyllic islands.

Pros: Average nightly rates in the resort are €180-€250 so it should give investors excellent rental income and guests luxury surrounds. Apart from the high standard of the development, the sub-tropical climate in Belize is like a doctor's prescription: lots of sunshine and fresh air - no smog and no stress. The average annual temperature is 26° C. While some parts of Central America are not always politically stable, Belize is a democratic, English speaking country with a booming tourist industry, good standard of heath care and a legal system based on British common law.

Cons: A large number of the units have already been sold so interested buyers will need to be quick.

Agents: Someplace Else Ireland. 1890 425 425. www.someplaceelse.ie

Hot Property 5

Colina D’Atalaia, Lagos, Portugal

From €561k to €896

In a nutshell: A small private gated development of twelve 3 bedroom detached villas overlooking the golf course of Quinta da Boavista and close to the western tip of the Algarve. Villas range in size from172 to 334sq metres, with large covered terraces and individual private barbeques. Light filled rooms, mature gardens and a communal swimming pool complete the offer.

What’s so special about it? It’s only 5 minutes away from long golden beaches and the historic walled town of Lagos and its pretty marina. Local life in the town is thriving with daily fish markets and a weekly tourist market. Dolphin watching trips, scuba diving, water skiing and wind surfing are popular here.

Pros: It’s an easy commute of 55 minutes to Faro airport which is serviced by Ryan Air and Aer Lingus from Dublin, and Ryan Air from Shannon.

Cons: At times the route is oversubscribed as more Irish are purchasing holiday homes there.

Agent: Sherry FitzGerald International. +353 1 6399264 www.sherryfitz.ie

This piece was published in The Sunday Tribune in 2007.