On the very eastern edge of Russia is the formerly secretive city of Vladivostok. Once known mainly as the end of the Trans-Siberian Railroad and the home of the Soviet Union’s Pacific Fleet, this city is now thriving. The port is open to travelers and is home to a booming fishing business, and the hillsides of the town have many large mansions and homes that show off the country’s newfound...

Situated in Cologne, Germany is the German Sport University, the largest school of its kind in the world. It is the only German higher education institution devoted entirely to sport, and one of only a few of its kind in the whole world. Lying in the midst of the city’s green belt next to the soccer stadium, the university has attained international recognition for its range of courses and research into...

Home prices in the United States fell in July, but the lower prices also helped to spur an increase in the number of homes sold. A report from the National Association of Realtors indicated that July home sales increased 3.1%, while the median existing home price was down 7.1% from a year ago. For July, 2008, the median for all housing types – single family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops –...

Barbados’ second largest city is Holetown, located on the popular west coast of the island. This town is known for its beautiful scenery, scuba diving and snorkeling and the celebrities that vacation here every year. This area is also popular for its vibrant nightlife, so there is something for everyone here. As the summer holiday season winds down, now is the time to start looking for your Barbados...

Overseas property investors seeking property in an area that is set to be a holiday hotspot should maybe consider Olhao in Portugal.The village is along Portugal’s popular Algarve coast at the southern end of the country and is best described as as small fishing town. One new development for property buyers is the Village Marina Olhão, a residential project which will have amazing views of the...

Mortgages in the UK have dropped to where they were a year ago, according to a recent report from Moneyfacts. The average rate for a two-year fixed deal is approximately 6.59%, compared to 6.56% in August, 2007. That’s down from a high of 7.08% in early July of this year, showing a significant drop over the past month.   Of course, there are some caveats to the figures, as the best rates are available...

At the highest point of Cairo is a new development that will bring the most stylish living to the heart of this vibrant city. Uptown Cairo will have eleven villages in the Mukattam section of the city, and it will have a vibrant town center as well as clubs, hotels, golf courses, restaurants and more.   The development will be on the hillside that overlooks the city and have low rise homes as well as some...

The International Monetary Fund reports that the global credit crunch shows no signs of abating in its latest financial stability report. The IMF report indicates that falling house prices and slowing economic growth around the globe are hitting credit hard, as banks are under increasing pressure.   "Credit quality across many loan classes has begun to deteriorate with declining house prices and slowing...

The World Airline Awards for 2008 have just been announced by Skytrax, the London-based research firm that annually announces the awards after extensive polling of the market. The 2008 Airline of the Year is Singapore Airlines, which won the award in 2007 and is becoming known across the globe for its outstanding service. Singapore Airlines also won for the Best Airline: Asia and Best Airline: Southeast...

Just outside of the southern Cyprus city of Limassol is the small village of Souni. Nestled amidst pine forests and at the foot of the island’s mountains, this town is quickly becoming a favorite destination for those who want a home near the city, but also want the beauty and serenity of living in the country. There are a number of new and off-plan developments in Souni that have made it a property...