Discovering the Appeal of the Sun-kissed Grand Cayman Island

The Cayman Islands is a British overseas territory consisting of three islands less than 500 miles south of Miami. The islands have a reputation for having some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, as well some of the best diving and snorkelling.

The largest island is Grand Cayman, and it’s here that you'll find the capital city of George Town which is excellent for those who enjoy fine dining and shopping. It's possible to do National Trust historic walking tours around the city, with a number of historic buildings currently being restored by the Trust and National Historic Sites Committee, and it is a great way to find out a little more about the history of the islands.

Grand Cayman makes an excellent place from which to start exploring these islands, and one of its main attractions is Seven Mile Beach, which although very long and beautiful is slightly less than 7 miles long. If you are a keen snorkeller or diver then there are a number of excellent tours available which can be personalised to suit your level of experience and comfort. It's also possible to sail, try your hand at parasailing or go deep sea fishing.

Other must see attractions include the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park which sprawls over 65 acres. The park includes a 0.8 mile walking Trail as well as a small cafe and a beautifully restored turn-of-the-century farmhouse complete with original furnishings, cistern, cook room and outbuildings.

There is also a two acre lake which is an important site for native aquatic birds, and the Park houses the Cayman Blue Iguana Captive Breeding and Reintroduction Facility. In fact there is a lot to see and do on Grand Cayman, and it makes the perfect location for those wishing to relax on a beach as well as for those who like to be slightly more active.

Discovering Cape Verde’s Third Largest Island

Cape Verde is an archipelago of 10 islands 300 miles off the coast of Senegal and thanks to year-round temperatures which average 24°C it is fast becoming a sought-after holiday destination and tourism numbers are increasing rapidly.

It's been predicted that the number of visitors to the islands will exceed 1 million annually by 2015, and it had the distinction of making Lonely Planet’s list of top 10 countries last year. It is being likened to the Canary Islands but in fact is quite different, and at just a five-hour flight from the UK it’s eminently accessible.

The most obvious attraction of the archipelago is its beaches, and Boa Vista, the third largest island has no less than 55 km of pristine sandy beaches, and as tourism is only just beginning to take off most are beautifully quiet. The landscape on the Boa Vista is almost lunar and it's generally necessary to take a 4x4 vehicle to get around.

The main town on Boa Vista is laid-back Sal Rei, and it's easy to see the Portuguese influence as the islands only gained independence in 1975, and the official language is Portuguese. It's very much a fishing town as this is still quite a thriving industry, but there are already a number of craft shops and souvenir shops to cater for the tourism market.

Although there are a number of sites worth seeing on this island one of the major attractions are the nighttime tours to see the loggerhead turtles which nest in their thousands on the eastern and southern beaches each year. Boa Vista is a charming island, and as it becomes more widely known it's easy to imagine visitors flocking here.

Enjoying the Quiet Charms of Akbuk

If you are looking for the perfect spot in which to enjoy a quiet and relaxing holiday, or are looking for a holiday home surrounded by gorgeous scenery, then Akbuk might just fit the bill. More and more holidaymakers are choosing to visit Turkey, and some will go on to invest in property in the country, attracted by the affordable prices and easy accessibility from the rest of Europe.

There is no doubt it is a beautiful country, as it is rich in culture and has an unspoiled beauty. Whether you are looking for gorgeous sandy beaches, colourful bazaars, or want to explore the many ancient ruins, Turkey has all the ingredients for an unforgettable holiday, and Akbuk is in the perfect location.

This small former fishing village whose name means White Bay is situated right on the waters of the Aegean and surrounded by mountain forests and olive groves. It is renowned for having excellent air-quality as it enjoys low humidity and high oxygen content, making it ideal for anyone who suffers from respiratory diseases.

Development here is strictly controlled as much of the land is protected, and this will ensure demand for property remains high while the idyllic nature of the resort is preserved.

Although the resort is quiet, it's up to you as to whether you choose to have an active or relaxing holiday as there are plenty of things to see and do nearby. Akbuk is well supplied with local shops, restaurants and bars, and there is a local market every Friday which is superb for anyone who is self-catering as you can buy super fresh fish, vegetables and fruits and spices. It's just 20 minutes away from the larger and more lively resort of Altinkum and a mere 50 minute drive from Bodrum airport.

The Implications of Britain's Relationship to the Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands is a British overseas territory and as such has a UK Governor, while its democracy is loosely based upon the UK’s legal system. This relationship brings political stability to the country, and is considered vital for attracting business to the islands.

The fact that the legal system is so closely related to the English legal system is extremely important as the ultimate right of appeal is the Privy Counsel in the UK, and there is also the ability to extend international conventions and UK laws wherever appropriate.

The islands also have an enviably low crime rate, and businesses are reassured by the fact that the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service can always call upon the UK police forces for assistance.

The UK also has the ability to approve borrowing by the Cayman Islands government, and while this policy hasn't always proved popular some experts do think it has been beneficial in keeping the country's financial management under control.

This relationship is not one-sided, and the Cayman Islands also bring considerable benefits to the UK, one of which is the international transfer of capital through structured finance products and funds. This helps generate substantial revenue for the City of London through accountancy firms, investment managers, banks and law firms. For its part, the Cayman Islands adhere strictly to international standards, a fact that was recently acknowledged by the Financial Stability Board.

Of course the Cayman Islands isn't all about business, and its tourism industry has substantially increased this year, with visitor numbers from the US and Europe up by 6.5% and 5.7% respectively.

Cape Verde Economy Predicted to Enjoy GDP Growth of 6.8% in 2012

While the rest of the world continues to struggle with the global crisis, Cape Verde continues to buck the trend. This archipelago is located in the mid-Atlantic between Brazil and Senegal and is just five hours away from the UK. Although its economy did suffer during the global crisis with GDP growth dropping from 8.6% in 2007 to just 3.6% in 2009, government policy has ensured it is back on track, with growth predicted to be more than 5% this year by the World Bank.

Cape Verde is increasingly attracting investors as it is one of the most stable countries in Africa. It enjoys low inflation and low crime and has been granted special partnership status by the EU. It's a great place in which to buy property, as the property laws are easy to understand, dating back to the time when the country was under Portuguese rule, and property rights are strongly protected.

The country has few natural resources and energy and fuel costs can be quite high, but the government is planning a huge renewable energy project which includes Africa's first large-scale wind project. The intention is that renewable energy will provide 50% of the country’s requirements by 2050.

Most of the development is taking place on the island of Sal which was originally known for its salt mines. Nowadays the island is undergoing substantial infrastructure improvements which include a marina plaza and new roads. Luxury developments can be found at Tortuga and Dunas, and some properties can be bought through SIPPS although they have to be commercially leased.

Reasons for Investing in the Cayman Islands

There’s no doubt the Cayman Islands is a great place in which to own a holiday home, but one of the major attractions for owning property here is the lack of direct taxes. The islands have no income tax, no property tax, no inheritance tax and no capital gains tax, offering investors the chance to see substantial gains on investments within a relatively short period.

The government makes it very easy to invest, as there are no restrictions on foreigners owning land. Purchasing property is pretty straightforward, and the modern land registration system is run by the government.

The Cayman Islands is also one of the safest countries in the Caribbean and enjoys good political stability and has the highest per capita income in the region. Property continues to increase in value each year, but it is still possible to buy reasonably priced property, especially on the two smaller islands, and these make excellent destinations for people looking for a more relaxed pace of life or those looking for a retirement home.

Each of the three islands has a very individual personality, and Grand Cayman, the largest island has something for everyone and is the most cosmopolitan. It is the main hub for shopping and banking and while still retaining its local culture, has a very international feel. Little Cayman is ideal for nature lovers who long for uncrowded beaches.

It is home to just 200 people, as well as a wide variety of exotic birds, in iguanas and plants. Cayman Brac is popular as a weekend getaway for those who live on Grand Cayman, as well as being a holiday destination in its own right, and of course all three islands have spectacular beaches and clear warm waters which are ideal for snorkelling, swimming and diving.

Former Cape Verdean President, Pedro Pires Nominated 2011 African Personality of the Year

The former president of Cape Verde, Pedro Pires has been shortlisted by Forbes magazine for the African Personality of the Year award for 2011. His name is one of five being put forward, and the nominee will be announced at the end of the month.

The award is given to the individual who has had most influence on events during the year, and this latest nomination comes shortly after Pedro Pires was awarded the prestigious Mo Ibrahim prize for good governance, having served his country for 16 years.

Pires was instrumental in helping to achieve independence for Cape Verde from Portugal and served as prime minister between 1975 and 1991, and was president between 2001 and 2011.

His second term expired earlier this year and he decided not to run for office again. Another of his major achievements was to transform the political system from being a single party autocracy into a multi-party democracy.

Cape Verde has achieved a tremendous amount in just a few short years, and although it is a small country it is notable for its democracy, stability and growing prosperity. The economy has been growing steadily over the past few years, and this is expected to continue in spite of the international crisis, although at a more moderate rate.

Travel companies have already reported an increase in winter holiday bookings to Cape Verde this year as the archipelago becomes better known. It's fast becoming a popular alternative to the Canaries, especially amongst clients looking to try somewhere a little different, as it still offers pretty much guaranteed sunshine without the need to fly long-haul.

China Provides $4.7 Million Interest-Free Loan to Cape Verde

China has agreed to provide an interest-free loan of $4.7 million to Cape Verde which will be used for projects which are considered a priority. These include infrastructure and economic and social facilities such as the National Stadium and the new maternity ward at the Agostinho Neto Hospital. The money will also be used to fund building work at the Santa Maria technical school on Sal Island as well as projects which will improve water and energy efficiency.

There is also likely to be additional funding available for social housing. This isn't the first time China has provided loans to the country which is still very much an emerging economy.

It's definitely a country which is well worth investing in, as it has a very stable democracy and until the recent economic downturn, enjoyed good economic growth of around 7% annually.

The economy is mainly service oriented and is focused upon the rapidly growing tourism sector.

The islands are perfect for tourists as they enjoy a warm climate year-round and are close enough to Europe to be enticing enough for a short winter break. The islands are extremely interesting as each has a diverse landscape while the people are warm and welcoming and celebrate their culture through music.

Although the islands have a lack of natural resources, and have to import much of their food, major efforts are being made to build renewable energy sources such as wind farms, which is essential as the country has one of the fastest-growing tourism industries in the world.

Escaping to the Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands consists of three separate islands called Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, and its appeal is easy to see.

The islands have a reputation for being an offshore haven, George III exempted the islands from taxation in 1794. This was reportedly done  to thank the islanders for rescuing the crew and cargo of 10 merchant ships which had come to grief in the surrounding waters. Whether or not this is true, it is still one of the world’s largest financial centres and does attract the wealthy.

Unsurprisingly the Cayman Islands can boast of having the highest standard of living out of all the Caribbean islands as well as a very low crime rate.

While the islands are undoubtedly glamorous, they do have much to offer ordinary mortals just looking for a luxurious holiday, and there’s a lot to see and do.

You can choose to go on a boat trip to see the dolphins or can view the island from horseback. There are also a number of guided tours along nature trails which allow you to experience the islands different ecosystems.

For something a little more manicured visit the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park which is home to the many birds and parrots, and some exceptionally beautiful orchids which are in bloom from May through June.

It goes without saying that diving here is exceptional, and even if you don't want to dive you should at least do a spot of snorkelling to admire the abundant marine life. The Cayman Islands offer a taste of paradise to everyone who visits.