0:00:02 > 0:00:05This elegant building towering behind me
0:00:05 > 0:00:08was constructed in just eight months
0:00:08 > 0:00:11and has already broken a world and a European record.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15Find out what the records were and where I am in just a moment.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37Today we're helping a Nottinghamshire couple
0:00:37 > 0:00:41who are convinced a new life on the Continent would offer them
0:00:41 > 0:00:45their perfect mix of scenery, sport and style.
0:00:45 > 0:00:49- The house I want to show you is this one.- Oh, wow!- Wow!
0:00:49 > 0:00:52And our search for their dream home could take them to a distant land.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54It's like a fairytale castle.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57- Yes, it is like, welcome to Hogwarts!- There you go.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01Welcome to Escape to the Continent.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04Today, we're in the beautiful Alpine region
0:01:04 > 0:01:06of Carinthia in southern Austria
0:01:06 > 0:01:10and this is the world's tallest wooden observation tower.
0:01:10 > 0:01:11It's called the Pyramidenkogel,
0:01:11 > 0:01:13which is the name of the hill on which it stands.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15This is its third reincarnation.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18It was built once in the '50s, again in the '60s
0:01:18 > 0:01:21and this one opened in June 2013.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24It is just shy of 100 metres tall
0:01:24 > 0:01:28and if you don't fancy climbing the 441 steps down to the bottom,
0:01:28 > 0:01:32inside, there's also Europe's tallest slide.
0:01:32 > 0:01:33Yippee!
0:01:35 > 0:01:36See you at the bottom.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42Wh-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo!
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Whoo! Oh! Oh!
0:01:44 > 0:01:46And on with the show.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49Carinthia is Austria's southernmost region,
0:01:49 > 0:01:53bordering Italy to the southwest and Slovenia to the southeast.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56Some of the most breathtaking scenery can be found
0:01:56 > 0:02:00to the northwest in the Hohe Tauern National Park.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02A 30-mile long scenic driving route takes in
0:02:02 > 0:02:06the might of Austria's tallest mountain, the Grossglockner.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09The Alpine scenery is also home to some of Europe's
0:02:09 > 0:02:11top winter sports destinations,
0:02:11 > 0:02:13such as Bad Kleinkirchheim.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17The whole region offers up over 625 miles of open pistes
0:02:17 > 0:02:20to satisfy skiers of all levels,
0:02:20 > 0:02:23but these majestic mountains are also a mecca for walkers
0:02:23 > 0:02:27and cyclists in the hot summer months.
0:02:27 > 0:02:28To the south of the region,
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Worthersee is the largest Alpine lake in Europe.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35It's popular with boating enthusiasts and lake swimmers alike,
0:02:35 > 0:02:40who are attracted by the crystal-clear, super-clean waters.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43To the east lies the region's capital, Klagenfurt.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46This attractive city was rebuilt in the 16th century
0:02:46 > 0:02:50based on an Italian architect's Renaissance ideals.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54The pedestrianised Old Square offers up a relaxed shopping experience
0:02:54 > 0:02:57alongside some architectural masterpieces,
0:02:57 > 0:02:59including the Landhaus building,
0:02:59 > 0:03:01which is home to the regional parliament.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04Austria's Carinthia region remains relatively
0:03:04 > 0:03:07undiscovered by the British expat community,
0:03:07 > 0:03:11but its rich mix of history, lifestyle and incredible scenery
0:03:11 > 0:03:13certainly offers up the right ingredients
0:03:13 > 0:03:16for a potential move to the Continent.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22Let's talk figures so you have an idea of how much things cost here.
0:03:22 > 0:03:28A family house in Carinthia costs on average £228,000,
0:03:28 > 0:03:32which is about £30,000 less than the average figure at home.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34And in Austria, generally, it's a booming market.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38In 2012, house prices went up by 11%,
0:03:38 > 0:03:41more than any other European country.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43And Carinthia is a really good place to buy
0:03:43 > 0:03:45because it's 50% cheaper here
0:03:45 > 0:03:48than in the neighbouring region of Salzburgerland.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Unless you want to go up into the more ritzy ski resorts
0:03:51 > 0:03:53like Bad Kleinkirchheim,
0:03:53 > 0:03:55where you're going to be paying a premium.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58So there's lots of lovely property and lots of lovely locations,
0:03:58 > 0:04:00but what's going to suit our buyers today?
0:04:00 > 0:04:02Let's meet them and find out.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05John and Elaine have lived in the Nottinghamshire hamlet
0:04:05 > 0:04:08of Church Laneham for the last ten years.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11They're very happy in their three-bedroom farmhouse,
0:04:11 > 0:04:14but are looking for a change of scene and have turned to John's
0:04:14 > 0:04:19beloved Austria to fulfil their life-changing Continental dream.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22I went when I was probably in my early 20s
0:04:22 > 0:04:28and I fell in love with the people, culture, the whole Austria thing.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31And then convinced Elaine that she'd like it too.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35And then, under sufferance, she came along and then said, "Actually,
0:04:35 > 0:04:38"you're right," which is quite a rare thing for Elaine to say.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42And it's the region of Carinthia in Austria that's attracting them.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45With its good transport links and varied climate,
0:04:45 > 0:04:48it could satisfy John's passion for sport,
0:04:48 > 0:04:52as well as Elaine's more laidback approach to the great outdoors.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55John loves to ski and I like to sunbathe.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58So, in the region that we're now looking,
0:04:58 > 0:05:00we will get the best of both worlds.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04John and Elaine run a caravan park from their 30-acre farm estate
0:05:04 > 0:05:07and it's the runaway success of this business that's led them
0:05:07 > 0:05:09to re-evaluate their future.
0:05:09 > 0:05:14We went from being a very small caravan site through,
0:05:14 > 0:05:17over the years, building up slowly but surely
0:05:17 > 0:05:21to the point where it's taken over our lives.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25So their plan is to take a step back and employ staff to run the site,
0:05:25 > 0:05:29whilst they oversee it from their dream home in the Austrian Alps.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33With the marvels of technology, most stuff can be done remotely now.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37So, whether we'll be in Austria or the United Kingdom, we can
0:05:37 > 0:05:40keep tabs on what we need to do.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44John is certainly driving this move, but Elaine appears to be on board,
0:05:44 > 0:05:47although she sees it more as a gradual transition.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51We could pack everything up and go and buy somewhere and then,
0:05:51 > 0:05:55if in four months' time we don't like it, then what do you do?
0:05:55 > 0:05:58This is why the move needs to be more of a transition,
0:05:58 > 0:06:00rather than an up sticks and going.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03John and Elaine's daughter is grown up
0:06:03 > 0:06:05and will stay at home to continue her studies.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09She'll also look after Elaine's five show horses and three of her dogs.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13But they'll also be leaving behind a wider network of friends and family.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17Moving away from the UK, obviously, there's family members
0:06:17 > 0:06:22left at home, but it takes us two hours to drive to my parents now.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26I can fly in to Manchester and in three hours...
0:06:26 > 0:06:32I will miss the people, the busyness of the caravan site, interaction with
0:06:32 > 0:06:36a lot of people, and I do talk a lot, so yeah, I'll probably miss that!
0:06:36 > 0:06:39SHE LAUGHS
0:06:39 > 0:06:42As with any move to the Continent, a grasp of the local language
0:06:42 > 0:06:45would certainly help, so how is their German?
0:06:45 > 0:06:49I'm quite comfortable with the language. Elaine's probably not...
0:06:49 > 0:06:51I'm not as comfortable in German.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55This is buying into a whole new way of life.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57New language, new challenges, new everything.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01Moving it forward. That's where we want to be.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06John and Elaine seem unfazed by the notion of an international move
0:07:06 > 0:07:09and they've hot-footed it to Austria,
0:07:09 > 0:07:13armed with a healthy budget of £375,000.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16I'm meeting up with them in the north west of the Carinthia region,
0:07:16 > 0:07:19at the scenic Lake Millstatt, to get the lowdown on their Austrian plans.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- Welcome to Austria, guys. - Thank you very much indeed.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25Thanks for bringing us here. What a beautiful spot.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27It's fabulous, isn't it?
0:07:27 > 0:07:29Tell me a bit about this move cos it's always a big move
0:07:29 > 0:07:32when you leave the UK to come to another place.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36- Who is the impetus from?- Me. - From John.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38I like everything about the...
0:07:38 > 0:07:40The options that you have within the Alps.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44Everything from something like this, boating, playing golf,
0:07:44 > 0:07:48all of the summer activities, it's 38 degrees here in the summer,
0:07:48 > 0:07:50- and I'm an avid skier. - I'm not a great skier,
0:07:50 > 0:07:53so we need to address what I would do in the winter.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57Is this a time of your life when you can change the pace of your life?
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Yes. We work a lot of hours at the minute
0:08:00 > 0:08:02and we're just trying to sort of cut back on that.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05That is something we were both agreed on.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08- Yes.- Very good. So you're not selling up?- No
0:08:08 > 0:08:10- So this is a transition?- It is, yes.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14What are you looking for, in terms of an ideal home here in Austria?
0:08:14 > 0:08:18Three bedrooms, so that obviously the family can come over
0:08:18 > 0:08:21and we've got somewhere for them to stay.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24I like open plan. I like sort of roomy...
0:08:24 > 0:08:30- rooms. Preferably not a lot of garden or...- Maintenance.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33- I'm not keen on pushing the lawn mower around either.- OK.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36What about style and age? Are you looking for...?
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- No, we're very open to that. - Open-minded.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42- So you're not dreaming of one of those chocolate box...?- No.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44In the mountainside on a hill!
0:08:44 > 0:08:46No!
0:08:46 > 0:08:49We have one of those. We live in a field at the moment.
0:08:49 > 0:08:54We'd like to a little bit closer to people and maybe restaurants
0:08:54 > 0:08:57- and shops. - We've got some beautiful houses.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01- I'm really excited to show them to you. Let's crack on.- Super! Looking forward to it!
0:09:01 > 0:09:06'Our buyers are looking eventually to move here permanently,
0:09:06 > 0:09:09'although their initial plan is to divide their time
0:09:09 > 0:09:12'between Austria and their home and business in the UK.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16'They have a budget of £375,000 and would like a property with
0:09:16 > 0:09:19'a minimum of three bedrooms, a feeling of open plan living
0:09:19 > 0:09:21'and a low-maintenance garden.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24'Finally, they want to be part of a community, ideally within
0:09:24 > 0:09:29'range of ski resort, to satisfy John's passion for the slopes.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33'We've got four impressive Austrian properties to tempt today's buyers.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36'Although they're open-minded about style,
0:09:36 > 0:09:39'the final challenging mystery house might be a step too far,
0:09:39 > 0:09:42'but would certainly offer them a brighter future.
0:09:42 > 0:09:47'What they don't know is that they will also be staying in a property that we've rented for them to give
0:09:47 > 0:09:50'them a fuller flavour of Carinthian life.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58'Our first property is around 55 miles northwest from Klagenfurt,
0:09:58 > 0:10:01'in the mountain community of Grantsch.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05'It's a short drive from the beautiful lakeside town of Millstatt.
0:10:05 > 0:10:11'This is an historic centre, famed for a Romanesque Benedictine abbey,
0:10:11 > 0:10:15'its red turrets standing proudly over the town's marketplace.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18'Millstatt offers up a good range of shops and cafes
0:10:18 > 0:10:22'and is also a focal point for a wide range of sporting activities.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26'Our first property is a little way from this thriving centre.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28'I just hope it's not too remote for their liking.'
0:10:28 > 0:10:33- Here we have house number one. - It's a cuckoo clock house!
0:10:33 > 0:10:36It's a very traditional Austrian block house, a Carinthian block house.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40- It's very pretty.- And the views are absolutely staggering.- Yeah.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43We've got Millstatt down there - that would be your local town.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45How old is the property?
0:10:45 > 0:10:48- 1998.- So it's quite new, then? - Yeah. 15-odd years.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50Really, it doesn't look new, does it?
0:10:50 > 0:10:56Inside, it feels very kind of modern. Are you a fan of wood?
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Probably not that much.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03- I'd have to see.- But it's very in keeping with the area.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06In terms of the aspect... I mean, this is the garden.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10- It's very manageable. It's not huge.- I love the pond.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13There's no reason why you couldn't put a swimming pool here.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16- They didn't want a swimming pool. - That would be good!
0:11:16 > 0:11:20- I'm maybe not so keen on that idea. That's maintenance!- Ah!
0:11:20 > 0:11:21The dreaded M word!
0:11:21 > 0:11:24'We'll leave them to battle that one out.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28'But this wraparound garden is genuinely low maintenance.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31'The pond extends across the front of the plot to a storage shed,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34'whilst the rest of the garden is laid out to lawn
0:11:34 > 0:11:38'with a few attractive shrubs. Nothing too demanding for Elaine
0:11:38 > 0:11:41'to handle, but can she get over her aversion to wood
0:11:41 > 0:11:43'in this Alpine setting?'
0:11:45 > 0:11:49- Thank you. - You step into the main area here.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52It's all open plan. You've got the living area here,
0:11:52 > 0:11:56those big double doors out onto the balcony. The terrace, I mean.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59And then through here into the kitchen-dining area.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02I love the snug. And I love the stove.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04Ah. The stove is very traditional.
0:12:04 > 0:12:09All over Germany and Austria, you get these Kachelofen tiled stoves.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11And then they just heat through the night.
0:12:11 > 0:12:16- What do you think, Elaine? - Too much wood.- Too much wood.- Yeah.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19I rather like the wood. I like the Alpine feel to it.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22If you painted the walls, for example, or the ceilings,
0:12:22 > 0:12:25- everything white... - Yeah, it would brighten it up.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28- It feels a bit sort of oppressive. - Who is the cook?
0:12:28 > 0:12:30Do you cook, the two of you?
0:12:30 > 0:12:33- I enjoy cooking. I find it very relaxing.- So I don't like to argue.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36If John wants to cook, I'm not going to argue.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- So you're not really fussed about the kitchen.- It looks nice.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41It's all right. THEY LAUGH
0:12:41 > 0:12:45So, if you're the cook, John, would you be happy in a kitchen that size?
0:12:45 > 0:12:47More than happy, as long as Elaine can't get in it,
0:12:47 > 0:12:49that's an advantage, really!
0:12:49 > 0:12:52I can practise making my schnitzels in there.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55'Elaine's not exactly enamoured with the ground floor.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57'There's also a basement on offer,
0:12:57 > 0:13:00'with two rooms currently being used as a utility
0:13:00 > 0:13:04'and a storage space, but we're heading up to the first floor.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07'There's a brief respite from the wooden interior in the modern
0:13:07 > 0:13:09'bathroom suite,
0:13:09 > 0:13:13'which features an enclosed bath and modern enamel taps.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16'There are two bedrooms to the front of the property.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18'The first of which is dual aspect,
0:13:18 > 0:13:22'offering up those spectacular views to the mountains.'
0:13:22 > 0:13:26We've got two rooms at the front of the house like this,
0:13:26 > 0:13:27sort of mirrored.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29- OK.- They're not huge.
0:13:29 > 0:13:34- Quite cosy.- Not much storage.- No. - That's the thing, isn't it?
0:13:34 > 0:13:38Not a lot of scope for either fitted wardrobes or anything like that,
0:13:38 > 0:13:41but would you want to put any more wood in there?
0:13:41 > 0:13:43THEY LAUGH No-one would.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45But they do have this feature.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Wow!
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- What a fabulous view! - That is fantastic!
0:13:53 > 0:13:57Really, the whole house is pretty much this view.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59Yes. It's what it's about, isn't it?
0:13:59 > 0:14:02'We may be moving away from the views,
0:14:02 > 0:14:05'but the last room, to the rear of the first floor,
0:14:05 > 0:14:09'could offer up the kind of space our buyers appear to be after.'
0:14:09 > 0:14:12This would have been, I imagine, designed as the master bedroom.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15They use it as an office, but it kind of makes sense to use it
0:14:15 > 0:14:18as a bedroom cos there's more storage there, you've got a wardrobe here.
0:14:18 > 0:14:24It wouldn't take a great deal to make it into a great bedroom. It's very light. Feels quite open.
0:14:24 > 0:14:29- Mm.- You're not so convinced.- No, it's not punching my buttons, this.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31I'm rather taken with the views.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34The views are fabulous. There's no doubt about that.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38The views are stunning, but there's a lot of wood!
0:14:38 > 0:14:41OK, let's step outside. We can talk about the price.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46'Well, there's a bit of a divided camp on this one.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49'Elaine did originally say she was open to any style,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52'but clearly wood is now off the agenda.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56'I don't even think this fantastic setting is going to win her over,
0:14:56 > 0:15:00'as we step outside to talk price.'
0:15:00 > 0:15:03We've got the views. I know that's a winner.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05- The wood has not been such a winner with you.- No.
0:15:05 > 0:15:11But what do you think this little slice of Carinthia costs?
0:15:11 > 0:15:14I would say...325?
0:15:14 > 0:15:16What do you think?
0:15:16 > 0:15:19I don't think this is a particularly touristy area.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22I think this would be about 285-290.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26In this instance, you should listen to Elaine.
0:15:26 > 0:15:31- She's almost exactly right. It's on just under 327.- OK.- OK.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34We're actually quite close to a very good ski resort.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38The area is a bit more prestigious than perhaps you might have known.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41That still represents great value, with the views here.
0:15:41 > 0:15:46- Have a look and explore downstairs. I'll see you at the front and then we can push on.- Thank you.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49'Our first property is almost £50,000 under John
0:15:49 > 0:15:52'and Elaine's maximum budget. It was built 15 years ago,
0:15:52 > 0:15:55'in the style of a traditional wooden block house.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59'It currently has two bedrooms, plus a spacious first floor office.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03'Downstairs offers up generous open plan living,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05'whilst the outside space features a large pond,
0:16:05 > 0:16:09'set against spectacular mountainside views.'
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Although it's a traditional Austrian house, which
0:16:12 > 0:16:17I think's really pretty, the inside just doesn't do it for me at all.
0:16:17 > 0:16:23Coming here has given us a clearer direction, clear pointers,
0:16:23 > 0:16:27as to what exactly we probably want out of a property in Austria.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31My relationship with Elaine has always been about compromise.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34We'll thrash it out. It could be a bumpy journey, but we'll get there.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- Still lovely weather here in Austria.- Fantastic.- Beautiful.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41Absolutely fantastic.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44We thought, rather than bundle you off to a hotel, which is
0:16:44 > 0:16:46not very authentically Austrian,
0:16:46 > 0:16:50we would sort you out your own Austrian home for the week.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Oh, fabulous!
0:16:52 > 0:16:56So we found you a lakeside dwelling, not far from Villach,
0:16:56 > 0:17:00where you can settle in and live the Austrian dream.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02Can't wait!
0:17:02 > 0:17:05'I'm hoping this immersive experience will give them
0:17:05 > 0:17:09'a feel for Austrian life. Their rental property is a ten minute
0:17:09 > 0:17:13'drive from the centre of Villach, in the district of St Magdalen.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15'And they're soon settling in.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17'John hasn't tackled a schnitzel,
0:17:17 > 0:17:20'but has produced a pretty authentic meat platter, as they chat
0:17:20 > 0:17:25'about exactly what they hope to get out of their Carinthian visit.'
0:17:25 > 0:17:29Having your own apartment gives you a better idea of the area
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- and how people live. - Be nice to meet local people.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37- To have a wander round and see what...- Adventure.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41We need to be looking at day-to-day living of ordinary people to
0:17:41 > 0:17:46get a proper feel of the area and how we feel we'll fit in.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49Do you think we're any closer to what we want yet?
0:17:49 > 0:17:53I think I've got a lot more idea as to what I'm looking for now.
0:17:53 > 0:17:59My idea was having something a lot more ski resort-based.
0:17:59 > 0:18:00I don't want that at all now.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04- I want a more...whole year round. - Yes, something that's...yeah.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08We can walk the dogs, we can go to the spas...
0:18:08 > 0:18:10I thought you were going to work.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13- I'm thinking about doing less work now.- Really?
0:18:13 > 0:18:15I'm thinking about you doing more!
0:18:15 > 0:18:18'Well, I'm sure the work-life balance will get ironed
0:18:18 > 0:18:21'out as they settle down to their first night in Austria.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29'It's the second day of our property hunt in Carinthia, Austria,
0:18:29 > 0:18:31'with Nottinghamshire couple John and Elaine.
0:18:31 > 0:18:36'They're embracing local life, starting their day with a Continental breakfast,
0:18:36 > 0:18:38'and a spot of shopping in the nearby city of Villach.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41'I'm just hoping John has more luck convincing
0:18:41 > 0:18:44'Elaine about the move than he does about his potential purchase.'
0:18:44 > 0:18:46- What about the hat? - SHE LAUGHS
0:18:46 > 0:18:48Maybe not.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53Today, I'd like us to concentrate on getting them to move here properly.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56None of this low-maintenance lock-up-and-leave stuff
0:18:56 > 0:18:59cos that's just going to tend towards it being a holiday home
0:18:59 > 0:19:01and not really a transition into the move here.
0:19:01 > 0:19:06So the first house today really is a beautiful house you've got to fall in love with and commit to
0:19:06 > 0:19:10and I'm hoping it's going to change the game.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16'Our second property is in the rural village of Linsenberg.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20'It's less than half an hour from the region's historic capital
0:19:20 > 0:19:24'Klagenfurt, whose extensive shopping and cultural diversity
0:19:24 > 0:19:28'could offer a useful focal point for the less sporty Elaine.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31'The local area is a little further away from ski resorts,
0:19:31 > 0:19:34'but is still incredibly picturesque.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37'Stunning views dominate over the Slovenian Karavank mountain
0:19:37 > 0:19:42'range, whilst local amenities, including a supermarket and bank,
0:19:42 > 0:19:45'are available in the nearby town of Poggersdorf.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48'Our house is a five minute drive from the village,
0:19:48 > 0:19:51'up a peaceful lane.'
0:19:51 > 0:19:52Here we are.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55House number two.
0:19:55 > 0:19:56Mm, that's nice.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59- Yeah.- It's got these amazing views of the mountains.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02It's very quiet, it's a rural area.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05The house is quite big and it's built to an enormously high spec.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09It's beautifully done inside. What are your first impressions?
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- I think it's quite quirky. - I like the overall aspect of it.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14Yeah, I like it.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17Not quite reading you, but that's all right. Shall we go inside?
0:20:17 > 0:20:22- Absolutely.- Super.- You'll be glad to know there's less wood.- That's good!
0:20:22 > 0:20:27'I think John and Elaine may be reserving judgment for now.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31'This detached house was built in 1983.
0:20:31 > 0:20:32'Its individual design
0:20:32 > 0:20:35'and aspect aimed at capturing the magnificent views.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38'I'm hoping the interior's quality
0:20:38 > 0:20:41'and space will appeal more than our first property,
0:20:41 > 0:20:45'as we enter straight into an impressive open-plan room.'
0:20:46 > 0:20:50- Very different feel from yesterday. - Gosh, yeah.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54- It's a very striking property. - Yes, it is, yeah. It's very nice.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58Enormously wide doors, bamboo floors,
0:20:58 > 0:21:01tiles mixed through into the hall.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04Big windows, but in sort of unusual shapes and sizes.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06Vast amount of attention to detail,
0:21:06 > 0:21:10- with decorating and quality of finish.- Yeah.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13The heating throughout the house is this clever sort of heat
0:21:13 > 0:21:15- exchange system. Familiar with that?- Right, yes.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19So you use the heat differential to heat the house and cool the house.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21What are your feelings?
0:21:21 > 0:21:25Cos this is more of a grand home that you want to live in.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29It is. It's a little bit bigger than I had sort of in my mind.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33- But it's feeling good. Yes. - Let's take a look in the kitchen.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36'The living space seems to have gone down well.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40'Let's see how the rest of the ground floor measures up.'
0:21:40 > 0:21:43Coming into the kitchen.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Certainly bigger than yesterday. Not huge.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48- Mm.- That's quite disappointing.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50Actually, that's a lot disappointing.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54It's a broom cupboard. I don't want to cook in a broom cupboard.
0:21:54 > 0:21:55I like open plan.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59For such a beautiful big house and then to put a corner kitchen in...
0:21:59 > 0:22:03- That wall would have to go. - So you'd bring it out.- Yeah.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06What you said yesterday, the kitchen was fine yesterday,
0:22:06 > 0:22:09- and that was tiny. - But it was open plan.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14And it opened into the main room and here, you're in an enclosed space.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16- Strong words.- Yeah.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18You spend a lot of time in the kitchen.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21'John may have bared his teeth there,
0:22:21 > 0:22:24'but the wall is not an insurmountable problem.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27'The open plan living space also feeds into a separate
0:22:27 > 0:22:30'breakfast room, complete with a feature tiled stove.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33'And the ground floor is rounded off by the first of this
0:22:33 > 0:22:35'property's bedrooms.'
0:22:35 > 0:22:37They have this as their master bedroom
0:22:37 > 0:22:41and you've got a bathroom and a toilet all on sort of one floor.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44- How do you feel about sleeping downstairs?- Yeah, I don't mind.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47- Doesn't make any difference. - Comfy with that, aren't we?- Yeah.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51This is more uplifting. It's not dingy. It's quite light.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53There is so much storage in this house,
0:22:53 > 0:22:56you would not really need any more wardrobes.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59You've got all those outside. Downstairs in the cellar,
0:22:59 > 0:23:02there's an entire room kitted out for your winter clothes when it's
0:23:02 > 0:23:06- the summer and your summer clothes when it's the winter.- More shopping!
0:23:06 > 0:23:10- I think not! - 'This is a really spacious house.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13'The enormous basement also offers up a utility room
0:23:13 > 0:23:17'and wine cellar, but we're heading up the attractive feature
0:23:17 > 0:23:19'staircase to the first floor.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23'There's a newly tiled bathroom, complete with a double sink.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25'The two upstairs bedrooms are both spacious,
0:23:25 > 0:23:29'whilst the angled roofline gives a cosy feel.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31'But we've saved the best room till last.'
0:23:31 > 0:23:35- This is...a big room.- Wow!
0:23:35 > 0:23:37- This is nice. - An upstairs lounge.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41Again, taking advantage of these unusual triangular windows.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43And the view is obviously stunning.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47You're never short of space in this house.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50- This is nice.- They're all different sorts of spaces,
0:23:50 > 0:23:52with different feels to them.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55I'm not really getting a feeling of whether you like it or not.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57The downstairs just doesn't really flow for me at all.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00I don't know if I could see myself wandering around here
0:24:00 > 0:24:02and living here really.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06It would be quite nice if you could say a bit more. We're trying to find the dream house.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09Yeah, the kitchen was disappointing.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12To make it how I would like it downstairs, I think
0:24:12 > 0:24:14I'd have to spend quite a bit of money on it.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18'I'm still not quite sure why this amazing architect-designed
0:24:18 > 0:24:21'house doesn't live up to Elaine's expectations.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25'The outside space is stunning. There's a mix of mature shrubs
0:24:25 > 0:24:28'and fruit trees dotted around the lawned gardens.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30'However, it is quite big.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33'And despite the owner's hands-off approach to grass cutting,
0:24:33 > 0:24:36'I'm keen to find out whether it would prove too much for John
0:24:36 > 0:24:38'and Elaine to handle.'
0:24:38 > 0:24:39What are your first impressions?
0:24:39 > 0:24:43I quite like it because it's very old flowerbeds...
0:24:43 > 0:24:45It's sort of well-established.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49So apart from walking round with a mower, there isn't really that much.
0:24:49 > 0:24:56- How much do you think this house costs?- I'm going to go for 348.
0:24:56 > 0:25:01I'm going to go even higher. I think it's more around the 400.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04Well, in this instance, you should split the difference.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07This is actually on at 378.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10- So just a little bit over the 375 you were looking for.- Yeah.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13But it's been on a while and I think the owners are keen to move,
0:25:13 > 0:25:15so you'd probably be able to negotiate.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19I would like you to explore more cos it's a much bigger house than yesterday's.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21- There's more to look at. In you go.- Cheers.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26I'm finding it very difficult to read these two,
0:25:26 > 0:25:28whether they're - this is not a contender -
0:25:28 > 0:25:32or it might be a contender but there are a few things we need to sort out.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35So we need to earwig what they're saying.
0:25:35 > 0:25:40'Our second property is just £3,000 over John and Elaine's budget.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44'It's a spacious detached house, built in the 1980s,
0:25:44 > 0:25:48'offering up three bedrooms and a large first floor living space.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51'The property also features a heat exchange system,
0:25:51 > 0:25:54'while the large garden benefits from magnificent views.'
0:25:58 > 0:26:00What a fabulous idea!
0:26:00 > 0:26:04I suppose this is because you have so cold winters
0:26:04 > 0:26:07and so hot summers, that you split lots of clothes.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09Yeah, split lots of clothes.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Would you get all your handbags in here?
0:26:11 > 0:26:13- I think not.- Risky!
0:26:14 > 0:26:16I really like the garden.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20Although, it's quite a big garden, it's just such low-maintenance
0:26:20 > 0:26:22because everything is so well established.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24The actual look of the house is really,
0:26:24 > 0:26:26really nice from the outside.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28The certain negatives, for me, I think
0:26:28 > 0:26:31it's probably a little bit too far off the beaten track.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34The kitchen's just way too pokey, I really like an open-plan
0:26:34 > 0:26:37kitchen and I want to be able to see the people that I'm cooking for.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40The downstairs area is probably bigger
0:26:40 > 0:26:44than we've got at the minute but the upstairs is a little bit smaller.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47I quite like bigger bedrooms
0:26:47 > 0:26:49but, maybe, not as much living space.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55- Well, that tour's finished.- OK.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59- We've got one more house today, so let's head on off.- Super!
0:27:05 > 0:27:07Perched high above the city of Villach,
0:27:07 > 0:27:10lies the ruins of Landskron Castle.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13This ancient site was mentioned in manuscripts as far back as the
0:27:13 > 0:27:199th century and has been occupied by monks, dukes and even emperors.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21The noble theme continues today,
0:27:21 > 0:27:24as this magnificent setting is now home to what was once
0:27:24 > 0:27:29known as the sport of kings, the ancient art of falconry.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32We know Elaine feels passionately about her animals, so we've arranged
0:27:32 > 0:27:35for her and John to meet head falconer Franz Schuttelkopf,
0:27:35 > 0:27:39to find out more about this most historic of pastimes.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42What's the history behind falconry?
0:27:42 > 0:27:46The beginning of falconry you can find in the Middle East
0:27:46 > 0:27:50and in the Far East about 4,000 years ago.
0:27:50 > 0:27:51Really?
0:27:51 > 0:27:57- It was, erm, a hunting art, mostly for poor people...- Right.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01..to get the food and later in the Middle Age in Europe,
0:28:01 > 0:28:04it was more sport for the high class.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06Yes, for the gentry.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08- Yes.- And how long have they been here at the castle?
0:28:08 > 0:28:11We started at the castle 30 years ago.
0:28:11 > 0:28:17We are 150 metres above the flat area,
0:28:17 > 0:28:19birds of prey like to
0:28:19 > 0:28:24fly in the up-current, they can use the wind and relax.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29The centre has established a breeding programme for a
0:28:29 > 0:28:31broad spectrum of endangered hunting birds,
0:28:31 > 0:28:34many of which are still found throughout the region.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37The main aim is to educate the public about their behaviour
0:28:37 > 0:28:41and habitat, through a variety of talks and demonstrations.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43Franz has agreed to give John
0:28:43 > 0:28:47and Elaine a hands-on experience with perhaps the most magnificent
0:28:47 > 0:28:51of Austria's native birds, a Golden Eagle, called Cleopatra.
0:28:51 > 0:28:52Wow!
0:28:52 > 0:28:54EAGLE CRIES
0:28:54 > 0:28:56The hood we use for the transport.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58So that she's not nervous.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01- She's crying all the time because she's young...- OK.
0:29:01 > 0:29:06And in nature she is crying all day for mama and papa.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08To come and feed her!
0:29:08 > 0:29:11This is the bird on the Austrian flag?
0:29:11 > 0:29:13- Yes, this is the heraldic bird of Austria.- OK.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17The Golden Eagle is native to Austria,
0:29:17 > 0:29:22- we have about 300 couples of Golden Eagles.- Wow!
0:29:22 > 0:29:23With the introductions over,
0:29:23 > 0:29:27Elaine can get to grips with Cleopatra herself.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30How do you train the birds differently to what you would
0:29:30 > 0:29:32have done in olden days, as it were?
0:29:32 > 0:29:36The basic training, for the bird, is very similar.
0:29:36 > 0:29:41It's important for the bird to fly and to form the muscles,
0:29:41 > 0:29:46to condition and the bird has to come back to the falconer.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50And it's time for Cleopatra's first flight of the day.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53Franz sets himself up about 50 metres away, whilst Elaine
0:29:53 > 0:29:55prepares to pull the hood off.
0:29:57 > 0:29:58Oh, wow!
0:29:58 > 0:30:00EAGLE CRIES
0:30:00 > 0:30:03As Cleopatra is only four months old,
0:30:03 > 0:30:06she's not expected to return directly to the handler's gauntlet.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09The aim is to make her land on a timber post,
0:30:09 > 0:30:15with the added motivation of Franz's tasty chicken morsel.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17Birds of prey are relatively unemotional creatures.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20So, the relationship with the falconer is initially based
0:30:20 > 0:30:22on a mutual understanding that the bird will return to the handler
0:30:22 > 0:30:26if it's provided with the easiest form of food.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29And Cleopatra has spotted another temptation.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32There's just no holding Elaine back!
0:30:32 > 0:30:34Here she comes!
0:30:36 > 0:30:38How cool is that!?
0:30:38 > 0:30:41Absolutely amazing!
0:30:41 > 0:30:44But flying time's finally over for today
0:30:44 > 0:30:47and it's time to bid Cleopatra and Franz farewell.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50- Fabulous!- Franz, that was just awesome!- I really enjoyed that.
0:30:50 > 0:30:55- Absolutely amazing!- Can I have a job?- Yes, you can have a job.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57THEY LAUGH
0:30:57 > 0:31:00Although John may have been less hands on,
0:31:00 > 0:31:02he seems buoyed up by this fantastic experience
0:31:02 > 0:31:06and takes the opportunity to see if Elaine has any further
0:31:06 > 0:31:08thoughts about their potential international move.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11Can you see us living here full-time?
0:31:11 > 0:31:15I don't know, I think it is just the upping sticks and going
0:31:15 > 0:31:18and it would have to be right.
0:31:18 > 0:31:22- Does the area feel right, so far?- I like the area.
0:31:22 > 0:31:28I love the mountains and the valley, I love the way it is but it's very
0:31:28 > 0:31:31hot in summer and very cold in winter.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36But Elaine's concerns seemed more to do with the house.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39Nothing has impressed her so far and we need to change that,
0:31:39 > 0:31:42as we continue our tour around Austria's Carinthia region.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51For our third property we're staying in the surrounding area,
0:31:51 > 0:31:54as we head to lakeside village of Annenheim.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57It's a ten minute drive from Villach's historic city centre,
0:31:57 > 0:31:59which sits on the river Drava,
0:31:59 > 0:32:02beneath the peaks of the Gailtal Alps.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05This medieval centre is a real cultural highlight of the region,
0:32:05 > 0:32:09hosting various carnivals and festivals throughout the year.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12Its pedestrianised centre also offers up a good
0:32:12 > 0:32:15selection of local shops, cafes and restaurants.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18Our property might only be ten minutes from the city,
0:32:18 > 0:32:22but it couldn't feel further removed in its stunning, tranquil location.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24Here we have it!
0:32:25 > 0:32:28- Cracking on...- OK.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32House number three is next to this amazing lake, Ossiacher Lake.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35The house I want to show you is this one.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37- Oh, wow!- Wow!
0:32:37 > 0:32:40- Ja, do you like it?- Yes, I do. - Yes.- Do you like the style?
0:32:40 > 0:32:42Even though it's a little bit wooden.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46Yeah, but it's a lot different than the first one.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48And exuding character.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50It's got lots of character, let's look.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53The main part of the house was built in the late 1980s,
0:32:53 > 0:32:54across a two year period.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56The exterior's mix of wood
0:32:56 > 0:32:59and render seems to be a happy compromise for John
0:32:59 > 0:33:02and Elaine and I think they'll be blown away by the outlook,
0:33:02 > 0:33:06as we make the climb to its elevated position.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08It's all about this!
0:33:10 > 0:33:12- The view!- That is a fabulous view!
0:33:12 > 0:33:15- It's a goody, isn't it?- Yeah.- And this is pretty much your garden.- OK.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18This is really where you'd be spending all your time.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21And you've got, obviously, access to the lake, swimming and water-sports.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24And, behind us here, well literally,
0:33:24 > 0:33:28the bottom of the cable car is down here, is a big ski resort.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31- Fantastic!- Really?- So, 20 kilometres of skiing...- Really?
0:33:31 > 0:33:33And you can walk to the ski lift.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36That pushes my buttons.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39- What are you thinking about it?- I like it.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42I like the view, I love the way it's where it is.
0:33:42 > 0:33:48- Erm, and the look of the house looks nice.- Let's look inside.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51Now, I've had positive starts with these two before
0:33:51 > 0:33:53but the interiors haven't added up.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55Let's hope Elaine gets a positive first impression
0:33:55 > 0:33:58as we enter in through the side conservatory.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04So, there's this big space with these retractable doors.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06- This is nice.- This is beautiful.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09And then into the main space.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12This is, perhaps, a slightly more snug room with the fireplace and
0:34:12 > 0:34:17then he's built in this great, big seating area to maximise the view.
0:34:17 > 0:34:18Good feel...yeah.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20- Job well done so far. - So far, so good.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23Is it going to pass the kitchen test, let's see.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31There's this dining are with this fabulous kachelofen,
0:34:31 > 0:34:36as you know, but perhaps the smallest of all our kitchens.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38JOHN GROANS
0:34:38 > 0:34:40Oh, that's little.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42It's interesting the Austrians and Germans too,
0:34:42 > 0:34:45don't really like open-plan kitchens, they think they smell.
0:34:45 > 0:34:51- I'm not quite as doomy about the small kitchen.- Really?
0:34:51 > 0:34:55- OK.- So, what is it that's changed your tune?
0:34:55 > 0:35:01- The view.- No, no, no, no, let's be honest about this, the ski-lift.
0:35:01 > 0:35:02Ah, ha-ha!
0:35:04 > 0:35:05You know him much better than me.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07Absolutely!
0:35:07 > 0:35:10I think that's what you call being totally rumbled.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14As with many Austrian houses, this property also has a huge
0:35:14 > 0:35:19basement, with plenty of storage as well as a utility room and workshop.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21But we're heading up to the first floor,
0:35:21 > 0:35:24which has a spacious bathroom with an enclosed shower.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27It also houses a sunbed
0:35:27 > 0:35:30but that could also be removed to free up space for a bath.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32There are also two bedrooms.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35The first of which benefits from full-length doors, giving it
0:35:35 > 0:35:40a light and airy feel, whilst the second has to be my trump card.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45Not going to get a lot more open-plan than that!
0:35:45 > 0:35:48- No.- This is a nice space, really nice space.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51- The house only has two bedrooms...- OK.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53..largely because this one is so gigantic.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57And then a very big, nice, wooden-clad bathroom,
0:35:57 > 0:36:00with its own sauna.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02Oh, gosh!
0:36:02 > 0:36:04And a little, sort of, toilet that looks like a sauna
0:36:04 > 0:36:06but it's actually a toilet.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08THEY LAUGH
0:36:08 > 0:36:09Would two bedrooms work?
0:36:09 > 0:36:11You could change something
0:36:11 > 0:36:14downstairs that if you need to accommodate more people.
0:36:14 > 0:36:15Yeah...would you like waking up here?
0:36:15 > 0:36:17Yeah, I think I could live with that.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19Could you, Elaine, that's the question?
0:36:19 > 0:36:22- Hmmm, I don't know. - What's the stumbling block?
0:36:22 > 0:36:26Erm, just the outside space of this one.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28I need another good look around outside.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30Well, let's go outside and talk about money.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36Here we are, back out with the view!
0:36:36 > 0:36:37Stunning!
0:36:37 > 0:36:40So, I think you'd probably rethink the way that you actually live
0:36:40 > 0:36:43because you would end up spending quite a lot of time out here.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45- Yes.- This would be your garden.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49- How much do you think the house is worth?- I would say...
0:36:49 > 0:36:51365.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55Yeah, I think we're on the same page but I'll say 360.
0:36:55 > 0:36:59- This is on the market for 335.- Really!?
0:36:59 > 0:37:00That's fantastic value.
0:37:00 > 0:37:04That surprised me because of its location and the views
0:37:04 > 0:37:05and what we've seen so far.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07You know, just have a wonder round and see
0:37:07 > 0:37:09whether you can make this work for you.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11OK, will do.
0:37:11 > 0:37:15Our third property comes in at £40,000 under John
0:37:15 > 0:37:17and Elaine's budget.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20It's a traditional Austrian village house, with two bedrooms,
0:37:20 > 0:37:23an open-plan living space and a large cellar.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26While the house doesn't come with much outside space,
0:37:26 > 0:37:28it does offer up spectacular views
0:37:28 > 0:37:32and it's just a stone's throw away from a local ski area.
0:37:32 > 0:37:37Well, this house definitely spins my wheel, floats my boat!
0:37:37 > 0:37:43It's open-plan, it's compact, it's pretty low-maintenance all-round.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47The downstairs cellar has loads of scope for a spare room
0:37:47 > 0:37:51and a bathroom and making it from a two to a three bed.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53Everything's just fantastic!
0:37:53 > 0:37:56I like the fact it's under budget, which would give us
0:37:56 > 0:38:00enough money to do a few alterations that I think it would need.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04My concern is just the access for when weather is bad.
0:38:04 > 0:38:09I need to know how isolated I am if we're under three foot of snow.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11- Finished?- Yes, thank you.- All done.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14This seems like it had more of a thumbs-up than most.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16- Definite!- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Good, well, keep that positive energy and let's have a rest.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21Super! Lead on.
0:38:34 > 0:38:38Carinthia, Austria is renowned for its appealing, varied landscape.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42Countless emerald-green lakes are interspersed with towering
0:38:42 > 0:38:46mountain peaks, creating unbeatable views throughout the region.
0:38:46 > 0:38:47Despite this beauty,
0:38:47 > 0:38:50it's still relatively undiscovered by the British
0:38:50 > 0:38:53but I've arranged to meet a couple who have decided to make
0:38:53 > 0:38:55Carinthia their permanent home.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59And our rendezvous doesn't get much more dramatic!
0:38:59 > 0:39:02I think John's rubbing his hands in glee, as we head up to
0:39:02 > 0:39:08over 3,000 metres to the stunning, snow-covered Molltaler Glacier.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11Welcome to this beautiful bit of Austria.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14John and Elaine, this is Guy and Jill, they've been here two years?
0:39:14 > 0:39:16Coming up for two years, yeah.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18I can't imagine why you'd want to move here!
0:39:18 > 0:39:20How often can you ski?
0:39:20 > 0:39:24Erm, you can ski here on the glacier almost all year apart from
0:39:24 > 0:39:25a few weeks in May and June.
0:39:25 > 0:39:29I'm assuming this is the reason why you moved to Austria, is it?
0:39:29 > 0:39:32Yes, we were looking for an outdoor life and we love skiing,
0:39:32 > 0:39:35so that was the primary factor.
0:39:35 > 0:39:39But also in the summer we can go mountain biking and hiking
0:39:39 > 0:39:41and walking the dog...
0:39:41 > 0:39:44- Water-skiing.- Water-skiing, yes.
0:39:44 > 0:39:45- Oh, awesome!- That's you sorted!
0:39:45 > 0:39:48These are really resonating with you, are they?
0:39:48 > 0:39:52I could do some, just the skiing doesn't appeal that much.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54There's buckets of things to do.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56Just the sightseeing alone,
0:39:56 > 0:39:59some of the mountain drives that you can do, you can shop, you can...
0:39:59 > 0:40:01Don't use the "shopping" word.
0:40:01 > 0:40:02THEY LAUGH
0:40:02 > 0:40:05- You and I are going to get some hot-chocolate.- Sounds ideal.
0:40:05 > 0:40:06But, John, it's your lucky day
0:40:06 > 0:40:08cos I'm going to let you go skiing with these expert skiers.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12- Fantastic!- Go enjoy yourselves.
0:40:12 > 0:40:14Guy and Jill are captivated by the area.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17They retired from their jobs in the Metropolitan Police Force to
0:40:17 > 0:40:19fulfil their dream of an Austrian life.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21And you really can't blame them
0:40:21 > 0:40:25when this mountain is pretty much in their back garden.
0:40:25 > 0:40:29- Have you had many good days up here? - We've had fabulous days up here!
0:40:29 > 0:40:30And lots of them.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32More like this than like anything else, so yeah, really good.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36- More chance of getting sunburn than anything else then?- Yup.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39This southerly region is known as one of the sunniest ski
0:40:39 > 0:40:40areas in Austria.
0:40:40 > 0:40:45Perfect conditions to enjoy over 25 miles of groomed glacial pistes.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55Ah, that was just awesome!
0:40:55 > 0:40:57Spot on, wasn't it?
0:40:57 > 0:40:58- What a place to be!- Spot on!
0:40:58 > 0:41:01- It's a good view.- Unbelievable!
0:41:01 > 0:41:03What's the tall one over there?
0:41:03 > 0:41:06That's the Grossglockner, the highest mountain in Austria.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10Clearly so!
0:41:10 > 0:41:12John's clearly blown away by the scenery
0:41:12 > 0:41:15but there's more to Austrian life than skiing,
0:41:15 > 0:41:18so they're making a home run to get the lowdown on the realities
0:41:18 > 0:41:20of a permanent move to Carinthia.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24Well, you're all in one piece, that's a good sign.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27So, we wanted to pick your brains or rather these two wanted to
0:41:27 > 0:41:29pick your brains about life here in Austria.
0:41:29 > 0:41:30- OK.- Fire away!
0:41:30 > 0:41:33Have you any regrets with your move?
0:41:33 > 0:41:35I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever!
0:41:35 > 0:41:37I love the life here and I can't see me
0:41:37 > 0:41:39ever moving back to the UK full-time.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43And you've settled in and fitted into the Austrian lifestyle OK?
0:41:43 > 0:41:45We have, yes.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48I think we've integrated ourselves into local village life,
0:41:48 > 0:41:49there's many festivals
0:41:49 > 0:41:53and the Austrians will always have an excuse for a party.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57We tend to turn up to just about all of them.
0:41:57 > 0:42:02Did you do a transitional move or did you just up sticks and come out here?
0:42:02 > 0:42:05We've got a flat in the UK, which we've kept
0:42:05 > 0:42:06and are keeping for the time being.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08But when we made the move, we came out,
0:42:08 > 0:42:11we moved all our stuff and we haven't gone back.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13No regrets and it's good that everyone wants to come out
0:42:13 > 0:42:15here and see us.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17So, it seems like you, kind of, work in seasons here,
0:42:17 > 0:42:20- much more than we do in the UK.- Yeah, very much so.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22There's two very distinct seasons,
0:42:22 > 0:42:25the winter which runs from the last couple of weeks of December
0:42:25 > 0:42:28through to April, depending upon where Easter is
0:42:28 > 0:42:32and then everything shuts down until, probably, the second
0:42:32 > 0:42:37week in June and then the hiking and walking season in the summer starts.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40- It's quite busy around here then, in the summer as well?- It is very busy.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43Even when it's busy, it's not crowded.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46Nowhere's ever crowded, that's the sense we get about Austria.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50I hear that there's slight differences in the legislation
0:42:50 > 0:42:52in motor vehicles from the UK to here.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54Well, one of the things that you need is you need to
0:42:54 > 0:42:56carry your driving licence with you all the time
0:42:56 > 0:43:00and you need to carry your insurance certificate with you all the time
0:43:00 > 0:43:03and the insurance, I must tell you, is slightly hefty here.
0:43:03 > 0:43:07The potential to slide off the road, to have accidents is greater.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10There's a lot of animals, deer, erm,
0:43:10 > 0:43:13and pine marten, which eat the electrics in the car.
0:43:15 > 0:43:19We have a four-by-four, which is around about 1,600 euros
0:43:19 > 0:43:23a year to insure but that includes the road tax.
0:43:23 > 0:43:25I suppose there's a lot of snow-sweeping
0:43:25 > 0:43:27and keeping the roads good to go.
0:43:27 > 0:43:31There is, you're paying for the local authorities to keep the roads clear.
0:43:31 > 0:43:34We can have, maybe, a metre and a half of snow overnight
0:43:34 > 0:43:37and everyone just gets up, goes to work, the roads are clear.
0:43:37 > 0:43:38Carries on as normal.
0:43:38 > 0:43:40And they carry on as they are.
0:43:40 > 0:43:42Some invaluable advice from
0:43:42 > 0:43:45Guy and Jill on what to expect from local life but there are also
0:43:45 > 0:43:48a few things to bear in mind when purchasing a property in Austria.
0:43:48 > 0:43:51The legal process is slightly different to that of the UK.
0:43:51 > 0:43:54Rather than using individual solicitors,
0:43:54 > 0:43:56a notary acts for both purchaser
0:43:56 > 0:44:00and vendor, drawing up the deed of sale and other relevant paperwork.
0:44:00 > 0:44:03Once a formal offer has been accepted in writing,
0:44:03 > 0:44:06it's seen as a binding contract for both parties,
0:44:06 > 0:44:08doing away with any risk of gazumping.
0:44:08 > 0:44:11And, finally, it's worth noting that if a house is sold
0:44:11 > 0:44:17within ten years, the vendor will be liable for a 25% capital gains tax.
0:44:17 > 0:44:21So, a long-term investment may well be preferable for most buyers.
0:44:25 > 0:44:28So, it's the final day of our Austrian property hunt,
0:44:28 > 0:44:31with Nottinghamshire couple John and Elaine.
0:44:31 > 0:44:33After a lukewarm start,
0:44:33 > 0:44:36they were blown away by a stunning lakeside home
0:44:36 > 0:44:40but is this move turning out to be John's dream rather than Elaine's?
0:44:40 > 0:44:43I think she still needs convincing that she won't be playing second
0:44:43 > 0:44:45fiddle to John's love of skiing,
0:44:45 > 0:44:49otherwise this whole move could find itself on a very slippery slope.
0:44:54 > 0:44:56For our mystery property,
0:44:56 > 0:45:00we're heading to the district of Volkermarkt and the town of Griffen.
0:45:00 > 0:45:03The local area is dominated by a 12th century castle,
0:45:03 > 0:45:05which sits high on a limestone crag,
0:45:05 > 0:45:08amidst the stunning tree-lined scenery.
0:45:08 > 0:45:11The town itself offers up a good range of amenities,
0:45:11 > 0:45:15including varied local shops and a selection of cafes and restaurants.
0:45:15 > 0:45:18The location certainly gives Elaine that sense of community
0:45:18 > 0:45:22and John's beloved skiing is only 20 minutes away,
0:45:22 > 0:45:24so the mystery element lies with the property.
0:45:24 > 0:45:28And I can safely say it speaks for itself.
0:45:28 > 0:45:32This is the mystery house!
0:45:32 > 0:45:33Well, it's different.
0:45:33 > 0:45:35THEY LAUGH
0:45:35 > 0:45:36Yeah!
0:45:36 > 0:45:38I feel I'm in Disneyland.
0:45:38 > 0:45:42Everything was constructed by the man himself, he's a carpenter.
0:45:42 > 0:45:47So, all the astragal glazing in the windows, all the design
0:45:47 > 0:45:51of the tiling and the roof and obviously the colour scheme.
0:45:51 > 0:45:53You've always wanted a castle...
0:45:53 > 0:45:55Yeah, maybe not in the middle of a village.
0:45:55 > 0:45:57..a mini Austrian castle.
0:45:57 > 0:45:59And maybe not a yellow one.
0:45:59 > 0:46:01- We can paint it.- That's a good point.
0:46:01 > 0:46:05- Open minded, John, open minded. - Yeah, and I like the gargoyles.
0:46:05 > 0:46:09- Oh, do you?- And I like the gutter ends, they're very cool indeed.
0:46:09 > 0:46:11All bespoke and this one runs into a bath-tub,
0:46:11 > 0:46:14so you can collect the water to feed the dogs.
0:46:14 > 0:46:15- Shall we look inside?- Indeed.
0:46:15 > 0:46:17Yeah, looking forward to this one.
0:46:17 > 0:46:20Well, it is the mystery house!
0:46:20 > 0:46:23The current owner has moved his furniture out to his next project.
0:46:23 > 0:46:26Apparently, he's converting a farm into a Wild West town,
0:46:26 > 0:46:30so he's not short of imagination!
0:46:30 > 0:46:33This is an open-plan extravaganza!
0:46:33 > 0:46:37How many houses have you seen with two octagonal rooms?
0:46:37 > 0:46:39It's like a fairytale castle!
0:46:39 > 0:46:41It is like "Welcome to Hogwarts!"
0:46:41 > 0:46:43There you go, you see.
0:46:43 > 0:46:48It's, at least, the biggest kachelofen of all.
0:46:48 > 0:46:51So, this is actually not one but two storeys high.
0:46:51 > 0:46:54It heats the entire centre of the house.
0:46:54 > 0:46:59Mosaic tiles, open staircase, lots of features and a big kitchen,
0:46:59 > 0:47:01the biggest kitchen we've shown you so far.
0:47:01 > 0:47:04Yeah, that has a huge amount of scope.
0:47:04 > 0:47:06And a little, sort of, octagonal dining room.
0:47:06 > 0:47:09I'm not horrified now that I've got in.
0:47:09 > 0:47:11The outside was a bit...wow!
0:47:11 > 0:47:13And the finish is actually really quite good.
0:47:13 > 0:47:16I was expecting a little bit, probably, DIY.
0:47:16 > 0:47:18In terms of square footage,
0:47:18 > 0:47:21this is probably the largest property we're going to show you.
0:47:21 > 0:47:25- It's very individual, really individual.- We are individual!
0:47:25 > 0:47:27Well, this is why we though we'd show it to you because
0:47:27 > 0:47:30it's the sort of extrovert house and you're quite an extrovert couple.
0:47:30 > 0:47:33We'd obviously need to make the outside a bit louder
0:47:33 > 0:47:35than it is at the moment.
0:47:35 > 0:47:36Turn it up!
0:47:36 > 0:47:39I think they actually quite like the more understated interior,
0:47:39 > 0:47:43although they haven't seen the downstairs bathroom yet.
0:47:43 > 0:47:46Oh, wow! Oh, my God!
0:47:46 > 0:47:47The downstairs bathroom.
0:47:47 > 0:47:50Welcome to my boudoir!
0:47:50 > 0:47:53I mean, the attention to detail is fabulous!
0:47:53 > 0:47:56Is it something you could live with or would you tear it out
0:47:56 > 0:47:57and start again?
0:47:57 > 0:48:00Erm, you'd have to give it time, wouldn't you?
0:48:00 > 0:48:02Yeah, about 20 minutes, I think!
0:48:02 > 0:48:03THEY LAUGH
0:48:03 > 0:48:05Well, each to their own
0:48:05 > 0:48:08but it certainly is spacious, as is the rest of this house.
0:48:08 > 0:48:13A further reception room leads off the bathroom, whilst a huge basement
0:48:13 > 0:48:17is laid out below, mirroring the footprint of the ground floor.
0:48:17 > 0:48:21And as we head upstairs, the space keeps on coming!
0:48:21 > 0:48:25- The fantasy continues up here.- More Hogwarts!
0:48:25 > 0:48:28- Look, it's a drawbridge.- Yes.
0:48:28 > 0:48:31It's very individual. I quite like that it's different.
0:48:31 > 0:48:34Through here is a really beautiful room,
0:48:34 > 0:48:36this is above the octagonal sitting room.
0:48:36 > 0:48:39It's, sort of, an octagonal...it wouldn't be suitable as
0:48:39 > 0:48:41a bedroom but it would be a reading room
0:48:41 > 0:48:43or a meditation room or a study.
0:48:43 > 0:48:45It's really quite striking!
0:48:45 > 0:48:48Then here you've got another room which could be a bedroom,
0:48:48 > 0:48:50though these two rooms are not finished.
0:48:50 > 0:48:53That's the upstairs bathroom, that's not quite finished.
0:48:53 > 0:48:56- OK.- But the rest of the first floor is pretty pristine.
0:48:56 > 0:48:59The second and third bedrooms are set in the eaves,
0:48:59 > 0:49:03featuring charming dormer windows with that distinct ornate glazing.
0:49:03 > 0:49:06And there's one more bedroom on offer.
0:49:06 > 0:49:09This is the biggest room, so this would probably be your master.
0:49:09 > 0:49:12It's a nice room. It actually has a nice feel, this room.
0:49:12 > 0:49:14I mean, you can see why we brought you here.
0:49:14 > 0:49:17Obviously, it's quite a striking property from the outside
0:49:17 > 0:49:20but it really does offer you an awful lot of space.
0:49:20 > 0:49:23- It does offer a lot of space.- And scope.
0:49:23 > 0:49:26It's actually quite useful to see it empty because you could,
0:49:26 > 0:49:28perhaps, move the kitchen to the back of the house.
0:49:28 > 0:49:31Yes, into the other octagonal room.
0:49:32 > 0:49:35Let's look downstairs and the garden.
0:49:37 > 0:49:39You know, I think much to their surprise,
0:49:39 > 0:49:42John and Elaine are quite taken with this property.
0:49:42 > 0:49:44The outside space is manageable,
0:49:44 > 0:49:47a level lawn wraps around the house, bordered by mature
0:49:47 > 0:49:51conifers on one side and a charming stream to the other.
0:49:51 > 0:49:54So, you missed the yellow inside, didn't you?
0:49:54 > 0:49:56Yes, you forget how bright it is.
0:49:56 > 0:49:59So, what are you thinking about the garden, is this too big?
0:49:59 > 0:50:04No, this is nice, this is a fine size.
0:50:04 > 0:50:06We'd just get one of those automated lawn mowers.
0:50:06 > 0:50:09How much do you think it's on the market for?
0:50:09 > 0:50:11365?
0:50:11 > 0:50:14I think with the property in its current state and condition,
0:50:14 > 0:50:20hmmm, about 330 but I do realise it has a huge square meterage.
0:50:20 > 0:50:25This house is on the market for just over...
0:50:25 > 0:50:28£239,000.
0:50:28 > 0:50:29Wow, really!?
0:50:29 > 0:50:31That is a bargain!
0:50:31 > 0:50:32Why don't you go and explore?
0:50:32 > 0:50:35There are huge cellars, lots of rooms we haven't explored.
0:50:35 > 0:50:39It's an epic building. Go...make it yours!
0:50:39 > 0:50:41Thank you...gosh!
0:50:41 > 0:50:43I love doing that!
0:50:43 > 0:50:47I love telling people that it's £100,000 less than they thought.
0:50:47 > 0:50:49And look, so happy.
0:50:49 > 0:50:53Our mystery house is indeed value for money.
0:50:53 > 0:50:57It's a unique property, built with great imagination.
0:50:57 > 0:51:00Offering up four bedrooms and huge open-plan living,
0:51:00 > 0:51:03including two beautiful octagonal rooms.
0:51:03 > 0:51:04There's also a massive basement,
0:51:04 > 0:51:08whilst the outside space is a manageable enclosed garden,
0:51:08 > 0:51:12set in a quiet location on the edge of the town.
0:51:12 > 0:51:15There's a massive amount of potential here. It's a lot of fun!
0:51:15 > 0:51:16The house is so much fun.
0:51:16 > 0:51:19Erm, it would make a fantastic holiday home
0:51:19 > 0:51:22but we're looking for a full-time home and I don't think this is it.
0:51:22 > 0:51:26I think this house appeals a little bit because I could do quite
0:51:26 > 0:51:30a lot to it and I do like to do houses up, really.
0:51:30 > 0:51:33And if John's off at work and skiing or golfing,
0:51:33 > 0:51:36at least I've got something I can get my teeth into,
0:51:36 > 0:51:40that would make it feel like home and it would be my little thing.
0:51:42 > 0:51:45The fairytale tour is over, erm, let's go somewhere beautiful
0:51:45 > 0:51:47so you can collect your thoughts.
0:51:47 > 0:51:49Fantastic!
0:51:55 > 0:51:58Carinthia's central European location established it
0:51:58 > 0:52:02as an important trading post in medieval times.
0:52:02 > 0:52:05The ancient town of Friesach rose above all others,
0:52:05 > 0:52:09its strategic position between Vienna and Venice securing it
0:52:09 > 0:52:13as the most important town in 13th century Austria.
0:52:13 > 0:52:15This wealth needed defending
0:52:15 > 0:52:18and it came in the form of no less than three castles.
0:52:18 > 0:52:22This history of fortification has sparked an ambitious venture by
0:52:22 > 0:52:28the local government and the EU to build a fourth castle from scratch.
0:52:28 > 0:52:31The aim is to embrace medieval building techniques and learn
0:52:31 > 0:52:36preservation techniques to conserve the older monuments in the area.
0:52:36 > 0:52:40I'm heading to a nearby forest to meet project co-ordinator
0:52:40 > 0:52:44Claudia Dolschek to find out more.
0:52:44 > 0:52:45- Claudia, it's amazing here!- Yeah.
0:52:45 > 0:52:48- It feels like we've stepped back in time!- Yes.
0:52:48 > 0:52:51What's going on here? What's the idea?
0:52:51 > 0:52:54We're here in the medieval construction site of the castle.
0:52:54 > 0:52:58These are only the huts because our craftsmen
0:52:58 > 0:53:02have to make the different things to build a castle.
0:53:03 > 0:53:06This first phase of the project has taken four years.
0:53:06 > 0:53:09Vast quantities of traditional materials have to be prepared
0:53:09 > 0:53:12before work can start on the castle itself.
0:53:12 > 0:53:17The whole build is expected to take another 20 years to complete.
0:53:17 > 0:53:20Are you being 100% authentic, or are you cheating a bit
0:53:20 > 0:53:23with deliveries and...?
0:53:23 > 0:53:26No, we want to reconstruct, and try to find out
0:53:26 > 0:53:29how does it work, to build such big castles
0:53:29 > 0:53:32without electricity, without modern tools.
0:53:32 > 0:53:36We are also researching the medieval construction methods.
0:53:36 > 0:53:40While the construction site feels totally authentic,
0:53:40 > 0:53:42all of the materials are sourced locally,
0:53:42 > 0:53:45including vast quantities of wood from the surrounding forest.
0:53:45 > 0:53:50The project's blacksmiths are also an integral part of the build.
0:53:50 > 0:53:53So, what exactly is it that he's making?
0:53:53 > 0:53:55It's a little bowl for the bricklayers.
0:53:57 > 0:53:59- Oh, I see. - Here we have one.- Oh, yeah.
0:53:59 > 0:54:01- To pour the...- To pour the sand, the water and the lime,
0:54:01 > 0:54:03- to mix them, and...- Ah, the cement.
0:54:03 > 0:54:05- It's like a scoop.- Yes.- Ha!
0:54:06 > 0:54:08The project's aim to recreate medieval life
0:54:08 > 0:54:10has led to some impressive structures.
0:54:10 > 0:54:13They're even building a wooden aqueduct
0:54:13 > 0:54:16to funnel the waters from a mountain spring.
0:54:16 > 0:54:19But we're heading right to the top of the site,
0:54:19 > 0:54:21to inspect the strategic location of the castle.
0:54:21 > 0:54:24If the model is anything to go by, this towering structure
0:54:24 > 0:54:27will be a magnificent sight when it's completed.
0:54:27 > 0:54:32- We are now here on the foundation of the castle.- Mm-hmm.
0:54:32 > 0:54:35And it will be eight metres on each side, yes.
0:54:35 > 0:54:38- And how high?- More than 20 metres.
0:54:38 > 0:54:3920 metres!
0:54:39 > 0:54:43And in the back side, there will be the residential quarters,
0:54:43 > 0:54:47and the chapel, the castle gardens...
0:54:47 > 0:54:49- It's such a great concept...- Yes.
0:54:49 > 0:54:51- ..because it's creating history... - Yes.
0:54:51 > 0:54:53..it's creating jobs...
0:54:53 > 0:54:56Some of the 30-strong team were formerly unemployed,
0:54:56 > 0:55:00whilst others have chosen to retrain to be involved in this paid project.
0:55:00 > 0:55:05Werner was once an electrician, but is now a carpenter in the sawmill.
0:55:05 > 0:55:10He's cutting some structural planks with a traditional frame saw,
0:55:10 > 0:55:12and I reckon he could do with a break.
0:55:12 > 0:55:14- How long do you take to do this? - Half hour.- Half an hour?
0:55:14 > 0:55:17Is there a trick - ein Geheimtipp?
0:55:17 > 0:55:19HE REPLIES IN GERMAN
0:55:19 > 0:55:22Ah! Like Arnold Schwarzenegger does it!
0:55:22 > 0:55:23Rrrr!
0:55:23 > 0:55:26It's a lot of exercise of the shoulders.
0:55:27 > 0:55:30'The frame saw has been used since Roman times.
0:55:30 > 0:55:33'Its rigidity allows the carpenter to saw through
0:55:33 > 0:55:35'considerably larger trunks than this,
0:55:35 > 0:55:38'but I think I'll be here all day, so probably best
0:55:38 > 0:55:40'to leave it to the professionals.'
0:55:40 > 0:55:43Thank you so much. Nice to meet you.
0:55:43 > 0:55:45'I'll look forward to returning in 20 years,
0:55:45 > 0:55:48'when this ambitious historic project is complete.'
0:55:48 > 0:55:51But for now, I need to round off our tour of Carinthia
0:55:51 > 0:55:55and find out whether John and Elaine can picture their future
0:55:55 > 0:55:58amidst this delightful Alpine landscape.
0:55:59 > 0:56:02Well, our little trip to Carinthia has almost come to a close.
0:56:02 > 0:56:04- Disappointingly so.- Elaine, I'm interested in whether this week
0:56:04 > 0:56:09in Carinthia has changed your idea of living in Austria?
0:56:09 > 0:56:12I think it has, yes, to see it without snow, as well,
0:56:12 > 0:56:14erm... We've been living the Austrian lifestyle,
0:56:14 > 0:56:16and going shopping and
0:56:16 > 0:56:20trying to work out what things are, so, really enjoyed it.
0:56:20 > 0:56:23Has it persuaded you that you could imagine living here full-time?
0:56:23 > 0:56:28Erm, not 100%, but I am more positive than I...
0:56:28 > 0:56:32- Initially, it was a no.- We need to spend more summer time out there,
0:56:32 > 0:56:35as well as winter stuff, I think.
0:56:35 > 0:56:38- Mmm. Yeah, probably, to get... - To get a more encapsulating view.
0:56:38 > 0:56:40What about you, John - is there anything
0:56:40 > 0:56:42that you've discovered that you're not so keen on?
0:56:42 > 0:56:44No, I just like it even more.
0:56:44 > 0:56:48The opportunity to do much more than just golf and skiing
0:56:48 > 0:56:50has been enlightening.
0:56:50 > 0:56:53So, what's going to happen now, in terms of real, practical stuff?
0:56:53 > 0:56:57I would probably like to come out and have a...a more
0:56:57 > 0:56:59of a recce round the area.
0:56:59 > 0:57:04And to see - I would like to look at the house near the lake again.
0:57:04 > 0:57:07And to see what the options are.
0:57:07 > 0:57:10And the mystery house - is that sort of off the books?
0:57:10 > 0:57:12No, I don't think it is!
0:57:12 > 0:57:15- I think that's something we probably need to talk about.- Yeah!
0:57:15 > 0:57:18Yeah, I think I could do a lot with that, and especially
0:57:18 > 0:57:20with it being so much under budget.
0:57:20 > 0:57:24So, it's not completely off, but I think it needs a bit of...
0:57:24 > 0:57:28- talking about!- It might be a bit of the compromise.
0:57:28 > 0:57:31Well, I hope that we contributed in some shape or form
0:57:31 > 0:57:34- to the move?- It's been most helpful, it really has.- It's been great.
0:57:34 > 0:57:36Carinthia needs you!
0:57:38 > 0:57:39- It does.- Really?!
0:57:39 > 0:57:41It needs your golf clubs!
0:57:45 > 0:57:49In my honest opinion, I think the Millstadt Lake would freeze over
0:57:49 > 0:57:51before Elaine moves to Austria.
0:57:51 > 0:57:54But luckily, that happens every year, so I'm quite optimistic!
0:57:54 > 0:57:57And I think that this trip has been a great one
0:57:57 > 0:57:59for her and John, because...
0:57:59 > 0:58:01well, largely because Carinthia is so beautiful,
0:58:01 > 0:58:03and who can resist its charms?
0:58:03 > 0:58:05Hopefully you can't, and you will join us
0:58:05 > 0:58:09in another jaunt to the Continent next time on the show.
0:58:09 > 0:58:12On reflection, John and Elaine had concerns over access
0:58:12 > 0:58:15at the lake house, and felt that the mystery house
0:58:15 > 0:58:18was stylistically a step too far.
0:58:18 > 0:58:22But they are planning to return to Austria in the near future
0:58:22 > 0:58:25to continue their search of this beautiful region.
0:58:25 > 0:58:28And if you're interested in escaping to the Continent
0:58:28 > 0:58:31and would like our help, please apply online,
0:58:31 > 0:58:35at bbc.co.uk/beonashow.