A new race track is being constructed on Yas Island and will host the 2009 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This race will be the final one for the 2009 Formula One season and is scheduled to take place in November, 2009. This will be the second Grand Prix in the Middle East, following one in Bahrain.   Yas Island is a major new development off the coast of Abu Dhabi that is being overseen by Aldar...

Croatia’s capital city of Zagreb has a spectacular ski resort just minutes from downtown. The Sljeme ski area is a popular destination on the slopes of Medvednica hill and is typically host to a couple of World Cup Ski races each winter. This year the women’s race took place on the first weekend of 2009 and saw German Maria Riesch take home the Snow Queen Trophy.   American Lindsey Vonn was the...

The Turkish news agency Hurriyet gives an insight into the Istanbul property market with a report that indicates that the majority of homes in Istanbul are bought without a mortgage.   Istanbul which has been increasingly popular with international buyers seeking investment  property is a unique real estate market. Property is being purchased through "family loans." Parents or elder family members help...

British television viewers are being treated to a glimpse of Australian life for couples who are making the move from Britain to Australia. Channel 4 popular overseas property show concentrates on immigrating Brits in a new series “A Place in the Sun Down Under”   A Place In The Sun property show hosted by Amanda Lamb helps three families relocate 'down under' and will show the ups and downs of...

Tasmania’s Bay of Fires has been named the ‘hottest” travel destination for 2009 by the well-known international guide book publisher Lonely Planet. This remote destination off the southern coast of Australia leads the publisher’s annual Blue List. Other top destinations include the Basque Country in France and Spain; Chiloe in Chile; Ko Tao in Thailand; Languedoc in France; Nam Ha in Laos; The Big...

The exclusive W Hotels chain, part of Starwood Hotels, is opening a host of new properties in 2009, including one of its most exotic destinations in Santiago, Chile. This new hotel is located across from Plaza Peru in the center of town and has wonderful views of the Andes. It provides convenient access to both the sea and beaches as well as some of the country’s finest skiing.   In addition to...

With the economic downturn curtailing many plans for 2009, holiday travel will also take a hit. As a result, many British families will look long and hard where they spend their money, and it will often be close to home. Spain and France will be two international destinations that will continue to see a lot of visitors.   With their close proximity to the UK and the ease of travel with the Channel Train...

You can't choose your family and in some respects the same applies with your neighbours, so if you had the choice who would you choose? A survey commissioned by an online real estate website found that most would select Sarah Palin.   According to the survey conducted by Harris Interactive(R) and commissioned by real estate Web site Zillow.com. U.S. adults would most like to be neighbours with Sarah Palin...

Residential real estate in Prague is expected to remain in strong demand through 2009 as the market will open up to more foreigners in May. Demand for households and flats will continue, though not at quite the same levels as in 2007 and the first half of 2008. Experts predict that demand will resemble that of 2005 and 2006, according to a report in Hospodářské noviny.   Reports indicate that as many...

Lisbon comes out near the top of the International Congress and Convention Association ranking of destinations for worldwide business events and is a popular place for companies and organizations to hold their events. In the most recent ranking from the ICCA, Lisbon came out in 6th place with 90 associated events last year.   Recent events in major years, such as Euro 2004 Football Championships and the...