0:00:02 > 0:00:04Local legend has it that swimming around these rocks under a full moon
0:00:04 > 0:00:06will make you a year younger for every lap.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10As you can see, I did about 20 laps last night.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12But where are these revitalising reefs?
0:00:12 > 0:00:14Find out in just a moment.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37After years of working six days a week and watching life drive on by,
0:00:37 > 0:00:40today's buyers are eager to explore sunnier climes.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43Our properties throw up moments of confusion...
0:00:43 > 0:00:45This is all your villas under one roof.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48- I'm confused.- Bear with me.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50..and a bit of a ruckus in the kitchen.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52Excuse me! You've made it sound...
0:00:52 > 0:00:55I can cook, I hasten to add.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03I'm on the coast between Limassol and Paphos on the island of Cyprus.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05And these limestone crags are known collectively as
0:01:05 > 0:01:08the Rock of Aphrodite,
0:01:08 > 0:01:11because it's said that the goddess of love and beauty was born out
0:01:11 > 0:01:14of the sea foam here and carried in a sea shell
0:01:14 > 0:01:16towards this very beach.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18And generations of hopeless romantics, like myself,
0:01:18 > 0:01:21have come to tie little handkerchiefs
0:01:21 > 0:01:23to the bushes on the beach,
0:01:23 > 0:01:25in the hope that the goddess will hear their prayer
0:01:25 > 0:01:27and send them true love.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30Not sure if it works but it's a magical gesture and all of a piece
0:01:30 > 0:01:33with this island's geographical beauty
0:01:33 > 0:01:35and ancient mystique.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38Cyprus is situated at the eastern corner of the Med,
0:01:38 > 0:01:4137 miles south of Turkey
0:01:41 > 0:01:44and a 4.5 hour flight from the UK.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Once a British colony, the island is now divided between
0:01:47 > 0:01:50a Turkish occupied northern territory
0:01:50 > 0:01:52and Greek influenced lands to the south.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57Nearly 900,000 Brits visited the island nation last year,
0:01:57 > 0:02:01drawn to a romantic combination of white sand beaches, blue seas
0:02:01 > 0:02:04and ancient lore and legend.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Nea Pafos, the sprawling archaeological site,
0:02:07 > 0:02:09is home to the house of Dionysus,
0:02:09 > 0:02:12named after the Greek god of wine,
0:02:12 > 0:02:15whose story dominates the countless artworks under foot.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19These intricate mosaics, undetected until stumbled upon by a farmer,
0:02:19 > 0:02:21some 40 years ago,
0:02:21 > 0:02:26have come to be known as some of the most beautiful in the world.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29Inland is an oft-overlooked territory of rustic landscapes
0:02:29 > 0:02:31with wide-ranging vistas
0:02:31 > 0:02:35and hilltop communities, interspersed with Byzantine churches
0:02:35 > 0:02:37and the occasional goat herd.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41And, at its heart, Cyprus has its very own Mount Olympus,
0:02:41 > 0:02:43a 6,000 foot-high range,
0:02:43 > 0:02:46where snowy peaks contrast with
0:02:46 > 0:02:48the glistening coastline below.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51Snow creates this winter wonderland in the Troodos from
0:02:51 > 0:02:55December to February, all just a 90 minute drive from the beach.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58What about property prices on the island?
0:02:58 > 0:03:02Well, over the last five years, property prices in Cyprus on average
0:03:02 > 0:03:04have dropped dramatically,
0:03:04 > 0:03:06with about 30% being knocked off their value.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09And if you couple that with a strong pound,
0:03:09 > 0:03:11now is a very good time for us to be buying here.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14Though, of course, as always location is key.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17If you want a seaside view, you're going to be paying above the odds.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20The most popular and expensive areas, the southern coast,
0:03:20 > 0:03:24with a three bedroom, semidetached house in Paphos, for example,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27going at £255,000.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29But you do get a lot for your money.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31So much so that 60,000 Brits have
0:03:31 > 0:03:33chosen to make Cyprus their home.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35So let's meet today's house buyers
0:03:35 > 0:03:39and find out why they want to be among their number.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42Seeking a new life abroad on this island are Nicola and Louis,
0:03:42 > 0:03:44from Watford in Hertfordshire,
0:03:44 > 0:03:47for whom bold leaps into the unknown hold no fear.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49It's a bit of a whirlwind romance.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51We got engaged within six weeks
0:03:51 > 0:03:54and married within ten months.
0:03:54 > 0:03:55I'd had a skiing accident and
0:03:55 > 0:03:59Louis' sister sent him down with a box of chocolates.
0:03:59 > 0:04:00We met in November.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03I'd only been out twice with her and I said,
0:04:03 > 0:04:05"It's pretty obvious to me, you and me are going to end up married."
0:04:05 > 0:04:10About Christmas time she started moaning to me that I hadn't actually asked.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12I said, "Well, all right, then, will you marry me?"
0:04:12 > 0:04:16And she said, "Yes." I said, "Well, there you are."
0:04:16 > 0:04:18But their shared profession has
0:04:18 > 0:04:20begun to undermine this romantic union.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24I've been a driving instructor now for about 20 years.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27I've been a driving instructor as well
0:04:27 > 0:04:29for about 14 years.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32We literally only have, probably, one day when we've got time together
0:04:32 > 0:04:34because, when you're self-employed,
0:04:34 > 0:04:37you don't want to turn the business away.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40And, having visited Cyprus every year for the past decade to
0:04:40 > 0:04:42celebrate their wedding anniversary,
0:04:42 > 0:04:45it's time to look into making the move permanent.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49Over the years, I can see the stress building up on people
0:04:49 > 0:04:52and over there it's a bit more laid-back.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55We want to embrace the life of Cyprus.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59It's got a lot of Greek tradition - the tavernas, the food.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01And you can go right up into the mountains
0:05:01 > 0:05:06and really feel that you are in a completely different country.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09If Cyprus does indeed turn out to be the right location,
0:05:09 > 0:05:12they'll still need to put their three-bed home on the market.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16This hasn't stopped them dreaming about their perfect new home.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20We've got to think about meeting new people over there.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23So we'd like to be in an area where we're not, sort of,
0:05:23 > 0:05:25secluded on our own.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27We'd like a property that is fairly new,
0:05:27 > 0:05:29that doesn't need a lot of work.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32I'm not that great on do-it-yourself.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34Well, he can do, do-it-yourself
0:05:34 > 0:05:37but it just takes a bit of a long time to do it.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41And, as well as having to consider the practical side of a move,
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Louis' mind-set is also causing some concern.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48I'm hoping that we'll have a nice long life there but
0:05:48 > 0:05:50whenever we're talking about it, Louis says,
0:05:50 > 0:05:52"I could get up in the morning
0:05:52 > 0:05:56"and I could go to the pastry shop and we can go to the restaurant."
0:05:56 > 0:05:58I keep saying to him, "It's not going to be a holiday."
0:05:58 > 0:06:01I've got to obviously keep him focused and make him
0:06:01 > 0:06:03realise that we are actually going there
0:06:03 > 0:06:06to set up our life there.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Founded in the 12th century, Paphos will be the
0:06:10 > 0:06:12focal point of our property search.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15But there is scope to branch out to surrounding, popular villages,
0:06:15 > 0:06:17either looking north around Peyia
0:06:17 > 0:06:19and the popular village of Tala,
0:06:19 > 0:06:22or south along the coastal road towards Kouklia.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25I've arranged to meet our prospective buyers in the ancient
0:06:25 > 0:06:27Tomb of King's,
0:06:27 > 0:06:30right in the heart of Paphos' Archaeological Park.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32- Hey, guys.- Hello.- Hello.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Kalosorisate, as they say in Greek.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37- I'm learning it word by word. - Are you?- It means "Welcome."
0:06:37 > 0:06:39Oh, right. Thank you.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41- I only know "Yamas," that's cheers. - Oh, yeah.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44- Well, that's useful. - No, I'm not very good at all.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- Not good at Greek?- No, no. - So what sort of lifestyle are you looking for?
0:06:47 > 0:06:50Because, obviously, this is a very Brit-centric kind of island.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Are you looking to be part of that community or more Cypriot?
0:06:53 > 0:06:57In reality it's probably going to be mixing more with Brits.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59- I'm going to be more Greeky. - You're going to be more Greeky?
0:06:59 > 0:07:02I'm going to start mixing with the locals.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04Just a bit concerned about whether Louis thinks
0:07:04 > 0:07:06- it's just going to be a long holiday.- Louis?
0:07:06 > 0:07:09No, no, no. I'm... I've come here for the slowness
0:07:09 > 0:07:12and the pace of life.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14I don't know about Louis saying about being a big more laid-back.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- He's already laid-back. So I don't...- You're quite relaxed now.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20You are thinking about possibly working because we're hoping to
0:07:20 > 0:07:23open your eyes a little bit to that.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25Yes, we can both teach driving still
0:07:25 > 0:07:28on the licence that we hold in the UK.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31I don't know if my nerves would stand it doing it over here.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34I would be quite happy doing something like villa management.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37And how are you two at, sort of, deciding about houses?
0:07:37 > 0:07:40We've both got the same taste really, so...
0:07:40 > 0:07:43And I think it's important when I go into a house and I know
0:07:43 > 0:07:45whether it would be homely.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47- So you're more heart than head? - Yeah.
0:07:47 > 0:07:48Tell me about the spec of house.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51What are you looking for in the house specifically?
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Preferably detached,
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- minimum of two, three bedrooms... - Yeah.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00..and somewhere where we could see the sea.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02Any no-no's? Any things that you really don't want?
0:08:02 > 0:08:05We don't want it to be overlooked.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08- But we do want to be in the middle of nowhere, though, do we?- No.- No.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10And your budget, remind us about the budget.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12How much money have you got in sterling?
0:08:12 > 0:08:14Well, it's going to be in the budget of
0:08:14 > 0:08:17about £375,000.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19Well, Watford to Paphos is quite a leap
0:08:19 > 0:08:21and we've got some beautiful properties, we really have.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- So let's go.- Right.- Follow me. - BOTH: Thank you.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28Once taxes are factored in,
0:08:28 > 0:08:29Nicola and Louis will be
0:08:29 > 0:08:31looking for a property costing
0:08:31 > 0:08:34no more than £350,000.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37Their wish list seems refreshingly unconstrained,
0:08:37 > 0:08:39yet with a focus on the feel
0:08:39 > 0:08:41and little else for the guidance,
0:08:41 > 0:08:43we'll have to use our nous to find
0:08:43 > 0:08:46at least one property that comes up to scratch.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48Over the coming days I'll be taking our buyers
0:08:48 > 0:08:50to view four diverse homes
0:08:50 > 0:08:52to see if they're truly ready to turn their romantic
0:08:52 > 0:08:55Cypriot dream into reality.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57But I'll keep the price tag a secret until the end of each tour.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02And we end on our mystery property, where we mix things up with
0:09:02 > 0:09:05a truly unique home, that could totally transform
0:09:05 > 0:09:07Nicola and Louis' Cypriot future.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Our first property is set within the Kamares development,
0:09:17 > 0:09:19just six miles north of Paphos.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23The 25-year-old village was designed for luxurious practicality,
0:09:23 > 0:09:27with access to an assortment of community facilities
0:09:27 > 0:09:29based around a clubhouse.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Its cosiness, cocooned within Mediterranean
0:09:31 > 0:09:34architecture and design.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Cypriots make up 40% of the local population,
0:09:36 > 0:09:40giving a great mix of local and expat residents.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43So will this combination of lodging and lifestyle be enough
0:09:43 > 0:09:45to entice Nicola and Louis?
0:09:47 > 0:09:50Now, usually at this point I'd say, "What you think from the outside."
0:09:50 > 0:09:52But actually, what are you going to say?
0:09:52 > 0:09:54- It's rather small.- Yes, tiny.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58This is actually because the house is built vertically, down the side
0:09:58 > 0:10:00- of the hill to maximise the views. - Oh, right.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03So really this is effectively the porch.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06- I'd be interested to see what's inside.- Yes, please.- Then let's look. - Let's go.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10Not too much for them to go on, thus far, but satisfied purrings
0:10:10 > 0:10:12from Nicola and Louis, none the less.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15The top floor of this three-storey property houses a main guest bedroom,
0:10:15 > 0:10:19separate bathroom and an extra spare room,
0:10:19 > 0:10:23which shares a balcony with the adjoining master bedroom.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25- So it's upside down, the house. - Right.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27So this is the master.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30So, you've got an en-suite next door with a bathtub.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33- Any thoughts straight away? - Yes, it's pleasant.- Pleasant?
0:10:33 > 0:10:36- That's a damning word.- That's a nice, neutral word, isn't it?
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- Louis, what do you think? You're a bit quiet.- Me?
0:10:39 > 0:10:41Well, eh, it's a bit white, isn't it?
0:10:41 > 0:10:43You've got to remember all of these houses are designed
0:10:43 > 0:10:45for lots of bright sunlight.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49I'm wondering, how do you get up to these wardrobes, up here?
0:10:49 > 0:10:50These ones?
0:10:50 > 0:10:51I mean, shelves right at the top
0:10:51 > 0:10:54but what do you need, a ladder to get up there?
0:10:54 > 0:10:55High ceilings.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58- Yeah, good in the summer when it gets hot.- Yeah.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01And also you can go out here onto the balcony.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04So on a sunny day you'd step out into 40 degree heat.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06It's a bit rainy today but
0:11:06 > 0:11:09it's all about this, the view.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- Oh, that's lovely. - That's a lovely view, isn't it?
0:11:13 > 0:11:15That must be right over to Paphos, isn't it?
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- Is it feeling like somewhere you could live.- It doesn't wow me.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21The area does and I do like this area
0:11:21 > 0:11:23but not from what I've seen so far.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26- This particular house?- Mmm.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29- The same for you?- It feels too closed in.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- Well, bear all this in mind, we haven't finished yet.- No.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35- The main course, if you like, is downstairs.- OK, then.
0:11:35 > 0:11:36So let's look at that.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40Hmm, not the start I'd hoped for
0:11:40 > 0:11:44and, if anything, it seems that those expansive views have penalised
0:11:44 > 0:11:47the house itself by emphasising a perceived lack of space.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52- Now, this is nice.- Oh, yeah.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54Now this is the real living space.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57- This room doesn't feel so closed in, does it?- No, no.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Because you've got the two patio windows
0:12:00 > 0:12:02and another side window.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04So, yeah, it's nice.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07The only thing that's really putting me off is this staircase.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09You get out the car and you open the door
0:12:09 > 0:12:12and you've got come down those steep steps.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14What about the style? Is this your style? It's quite modern.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17It suits me quite well.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19Downstairs you've also got another bedroom.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22It also has access out into the garden
0:12:22 > 0:12:24and another bathroom, so three bathrooms.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- Oh, right.- Right.- Useful.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28And then here's the kitchen.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32It's a bit cramped for me.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34I'd like a bigger kitchen.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38I think it needs a little more work surface area
0:12:38 > 0:12:41and you'd probably want to modernise it a little bit more.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43Oh, fluorescent light bulb.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45I think we're going to get rid of that.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47I thought they went out about 20 years ago, those things.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50OK, I think when we started to talk about the light bulbs
0:12:50 > 0:12:53we've probably talked enough about this.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55Shall we look at the garden? Let's step outside.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59Although, actually Louis, fluorescents are making quite the comeback.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02But their sudden prominence does draw attention to some rather
0:13:02 > 0:13:04underwhelming reactions.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07But Louis hasn't quite spotted all the small details.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10The house has fans throughout, as well as
0:13:10 > 0:13:13underfloor heating downstairs.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15And when it comes to what's available outside...
0:13:15 > 0:13:18- It's not a massive plot.- No.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20Got some nice plants and some nice shady trees.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22It's enough to keep me busy, I think.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25But for me it's just a bit too up-and-down. Too many...
0:13:26 > 0:13:28I still don't like that staircase.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30I'm having difficulty getting you outside.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32Look at the view, Louis.
0:13:32 > 0:13:33Look, look.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35Don't look at staircase, look over here.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37I mean, the view is beautiful.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40I mean, that is ideally what we would be looking for.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43- That really is nice, isn't it?- It is.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46Pertinent to the whole search is the price.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49So how much do you think this is on the market for in pounds?
0:13:51 > 0:13:52I'll let you go first.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55I'd say £275,000.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57No.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59I'm going to go
0:13:59 > 0:14:01£325,000.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04It's actually a bit higher than that. It's on right at the
0:14:04 > 0:14:07- top of your budget, £350,000. - Right.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09That's partly to do with its proximity to the clubhouse,
0:14:09 > 0:14:12which is a real asset in this village.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14But also you're only 50 minutes drive from the sea.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17Definitely, as far as the clubhouse is concerned,
0:14:17 > 0:14:19I think it's a nice idea
0:14:19 > 0:14:21because you've got the opportunity to meet new people.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25It's probably just a question of finding everything we want for the house really.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29Why don't you go inside and have a look because there are rooms that we didn't look at.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- And I'll meet you at the top once you're done.- OK.- Thank you. - Thank you.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38The views and locations certainly
0:14:38 > 0:14:39come at a premium with...
0:14:43 > 0:14:45Our first property has certainly
0:14:45 > 0:14:47offered plenty to think about.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49But the topsy-turvy architecture is
0:14:49 > 0:14:50perhaps too bold a step,
0:14:50 > 0:14:53even for this intrepid duo.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56If this was somewhere else on the island
0:14:56 > 0:14:58I wouldn't expect to pay that amount.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01We don't really want to change on the budget, do we?
0:15:01 > 0:15:05This is nice, I like this. This has got a nice feel to it.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09If the rest of the house was like this room, I'd say yes.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13You're on about three floors, the stairs are steep
0:15:13 > 0:15:17and definitely the kitchen is too small.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20I don't feel comfortable, basically.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23- We're not fussy at all really, are we?- No!
0:15:25 > 0:15:29Not quite the result I was hoping for, for our first house
0:15:29 > 0:15:32but, nonetheless, there was some positive stuff in there.
0:15:32 > 0:15:33OK, guys.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35Pull the door and come with me.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- That's our house for the day...- Yep.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40..but I've something else I want to show you.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42Oh, good. We're looking forward to that.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44You don't know what it is yet.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Well, Louis was right to be excited because I'm whisking them off
0:15:47 > 0:15:50to a stunning beach-side property.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53So we figured, you know, just looking at houses
0:15:53 > 0:15:56during the day is too easy.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59What we thought would be really good is if you lived in a house...
0:15:59 > 0:16:01- Oh, right.- ..while we were here.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04So we've organised this little beach-side residence for you.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06- Very nice.- Do you like it?- Yes.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09- Yeah.- Little, it's huge.
0:16:09 > 0:16:10It's slightly out of your budget.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13It's not going to be one you can actually buy, sadly.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Those are the keys, we'll bring your bags down.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18But go in, settle in and see what it is like.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22- I'll see you tomorrow morning. - BOTH: Thank you.- Have fun.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25The two-tier home is quite a find.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27As well as the sizeable open-plan living space
0:16:27 > 0:16:29with underfloor heating...
0:16:29 > 0:16:31Oh, wow, this is nice.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33..there are two double bedrooms,
0:16:33 > 0:16:35a luxurious pool
0:16:35 > 0:16:37and a variety of outdoor comforts.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40But it's definitely not for sale.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Yes, I could like this place.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44Put an offer on this one.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53After a first night in their seaside villa, Nicola and Louis are already
0:16:53 > 0:16:56planning for life on their adopted island.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59Are you going to be out this time every morning at seven o'clock?
0:16:59 > 0:17:00No.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Well, you're not going to be on holiday. You're not going to be
0:17:03 > 0:17:05laying in every morning, you'll be out walking the dog.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Day two of our property search here in Cyprus.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Yesterday was a bit damp, damp in terms of weather
0:17:14 > 0:17:17and also in terms of enthusiasm from Nicola and Louis.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20But today is going to be a bit better, I think.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23We've got a bigger house, bit more space, bigger balcony.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25A lot of these things crystallised for them yesterday,
0:17:25 > 0:17:28so I'm hoping that it's going to work.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31Although they need a bit of an imagination, so I'm hoping they slept well.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- There they are. Hello.- Good morning. - Good morning.- How was your night?
0:17:34 > 0:17:36- Very nice, thank you. - Was it good, nice and warm?
0:17:36 > 0:17:39- Wonderful, yes.- Yes, very nice, very comfortable.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42So winter in Cyprus is not too bad?
0:17:42 > 0:17:43- No, it's lovely.- No.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45Today is very nice.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47- You haven't been in the pool though? - No, no that's pushing it a bit.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51- There's always this evening. Come on, we've got another house to view. - OK, then. Thank you.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58We're off to the town of Peyia for our next property.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Built into the steep slopes of the coastal hills inland from Coral Bay,
0:18:01 > 0:18:05the town lies just eight miles north of Paphos.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09It typifies the contrast between the old and the new with eye-catching
0:18:09 > 0:18:14villas backing on to tavernas, cafes and small, local hideaways.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18The picturesque Coral Bay is a nine minute drive west.
0:18:18 > 0:18:23Or head east around the hilltops to encounter Cypriot wine country.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27And it's along these towering hilltops that we're set to explore
0:18:27 > 0:18:28with our next property.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32- Do you know Peyia? Have you been here before?- Yes, yes.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35We've been driving mainly.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38Not to actually look up the houses this far up.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40Well, what about...
0:18:40 > 0:18:42this one?
0:18:42 > 0:18:45- No, I haven't seen that before. - Good, that's a relief.
0:18:45 > 0:18:46That would be awful, wouldn't it?
0:18:46 > 0:18:48Although this actually is a holiday property,
0:18:48 > 0:18:51- so it's not fully furnished.- Right.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53- So we're going to need a little bit of imagination.- Right.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57- It's a beautiful approach, so follow me.- OK, then.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59Things are certainly looking up after yesterday.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02This four-bed villa was built just 11 years ago
0:19:02 > 0:19:04and has operated as a holiday let.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07But to access its most impressive side,
0:19:07 > 0:19:09we're veering slightly off-piste.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12Hopefully it was worth the jungle safari through the garden
0:19:12 > 0:19:14because then it leads to this.
0:19:14 > 0:19:15Oh, this is nice.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17A nice barbecue area.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20- You wouldn't know this was here from the bottom, would you?- No.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23- That's the point.- There's nothing around you here is there?
0:19:23 > 0:19:27- This is lovely.- It's a big, handsome property.- It is.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30I just like the view of those mountains.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32The view with that sea behind.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34I'm dying to see what's inside.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36Louis has certainly sparked into life
0:19:36 > 0:19:39and it's no surprise given what's on offer.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42This big house, covering 3,500 square feet,
0:19:42 > 0:19:46has landscaped gardens, large pool, the barbecue area
0:19:46 > 0:19:50and a hot-tub, which only avoided Louis' curious gaze as he was
0:19:50 > 0:19:54so taken with the surrounding mountains and sea.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57But will everyone still be bubbly once we get inside?
0:19:57 > 0:19:59Step in.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02- I like that.- That's a nice kitchen, isn't it?- Yes.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04Oh, good. So this is a better size, is it?
0:20:04 > 0:20:07Yeah, this is far more spacious. Yeah.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10Now, all these doors open, so on a hot day you can have them all open.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13It goes straight out onto the patio area, doesn't it?
0:20:13 > 0:20:16That's handy if you're barbecuing, isn't it?
0:20:16 > 0:20:18You haven't got too far to walk.
0:20:18 > 0:20:19- And you get a nice...- Louis!
0:20:19 > 0:20:22You get a nice view out of the swimming pool here
0:20:22 > 0:20:24while you're doing your washing up.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26While you're doing the washing up?
0:20:26 > 0:20:28Or while Nicola's doing the washing up?
0:20:28 > 0:20:29He's going to be doing the washing up.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32- Louis, do you want to join the party again?- All right.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34There's a utility room here, sort of larder, really,
0:20:34 > 0:20:37- you've got all the storage and the white goods.- That would be good.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42In terms of size, it's not that much bigger than the one yesterday
0:20:42 > 0:20:45- but it's just because it's open-plan.- I think that's it.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48Step down here because then you get the sitting room round there
0:20:48 > 0:20:50with a little fireplace as well.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52Well, you could put tables and chairs up there
0:20:52 > 0:20:55and use this for, maybe, a bit more
0:20:55 > 0:20:57of a sitting area.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59Yeah, I'm more comfortable in this place.
0:20:59 > 0:21:00What is it that you like?
0:21:00 > 0:21:03I suppose it feels more airy, doesn't it?
0:21:03 > 0:21:05You could even have a little table there, couldn't you?
0:21:05 > 0:21:07- I know, that's what I said.- Yeah.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11The top floor boasts three generously proportioned double bedrooms.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14There's a separate bathroom and...
0:21:14 > 0:21:19the master suite which has got an en-suite and amazing views.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22This is strange, this area though, isn't it?
0:21:22 > 0:21:24It's sort of a balcony room.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27It's still got those high wardrobes again.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30Yes, Louis, those high wardrobes. It's a Cypriot thing.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32They're very tall here, they're all 8-foot tall.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36It's nice and bright and it's a better size and, I mean,
0:21:36 > 0:21:40beautiful to wake up and look at that view every morning.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42You'd get nice sunsets from here.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44Let's go and see the view.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51A series of sliding doors and you
0:21:51 > 0:21:54come out to this which is a really gorgeous view.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57It is really nice.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- It's the whole of Coral Bay, you see.- You'll be able to see your sunsets here, Louis.- Oh, yeah.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05You haven't got any problem with anybody building in front. OK, you might get somebody there but
0:22:05 > 0:22:08you haven't got to worry that you're going to lose your view
0:22:08 > 0:22:10or anything, have you?
0:22:10 > 0:22:13- Not at all.- Let's go into the garden and talk about price.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17With the outdoor space and facilities
0:22:17 > 0:22:19coupled with open-plan living inside,
0:22:19 > 0:22:22benefiting from separate air-con and heating throughout
0:22:22 > 0:22:25and those panoramic views, there's plenty on offer.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28Do you want to go first?
0:22:28 > 0:22:30No, I'll let you go first.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33Well, I'd got for about
0:22:33 > 0:22:35the £350,000 mark.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37I don't think it's far off that.
0:22:37 > 0:22:38I think
0:22:38 > 0:22:42£340,000.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45OK, well, in this case you going to be pleasantly surprised
0:22:45 > 0:22:48because it's actually on the market for
0:22:48 > 0:22:50£316,000.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52- Oh, really?- Oh.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54- Is there something you're not telling us about this?- No.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56THEY LAUGH
0:22:56 > 0:22:58It's just nine minutes down to Coral Bay, three minutes
0:22:58 > 0:23:00to the centre of town in the car.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03- It's a lovely property.- It is.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05I'd be tempted by this one?
0:23:05 > 0:23:08Well, see if you can fall in love a little bit more walking around
0:23:08 > 0:23:10and then I will see you at the back and we can head off.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13I think we're falling in love with it already.
0:23:13 > 0:23:14Come on then.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19A big reaction to a big house.
0:23:19 > 0:23:20And with a potential 10% saving
0:23:20 > 0:23:23off their top budget, this four-bed
0:23:23 > 0:23:25villa is set to up the ante,
0:23:25 > 0:23:28putting the prospect of that move sharply into focus.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32I do like to roam about and this house gives me
0:23:32 > 0:23:35an open-air feel unlike the other house we looked at.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37I wonder what's up there?
0:23:37 > 0:23:39It's pretty sturdy, isn't it?
0:23:39 > 0:23:41No, I'd better not, she'd kill me.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43I like the downstairs.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45I like that it's open-plan.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47I think you could do a lot with it
0:23:47 > 0:23:49and I think there's different options.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53Nicola is the one that really decorates the house,
0:23:53 > 0:23:54I leave that to her.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58She does ask me but I haven't got a clue
0:23:58 > 0:23:59from one colour to another.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03From the master bedroom, there was that extra space before you
0:24:03 > 0:24:05actually went out onto the balcony.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07Maybe you could knock the wall through.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10She needs to know every little detail about the house
0:24:10 > 0:24:14and what she can put where, what table she can put where.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17The bathrooms don't really even need any work doing to them,
0:24:17 > 0:24:19maybe just a shower screen.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21As long as I know where the plug points are
0:24:21 > 0:24:24and where my bed is,
0:24:24 > 0:24:25I'm quite happy.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27The staircases seem to be quite wide.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31I think we've got to look further ahead, you know, if we do have a
0:24:31 > 0:24:34problem with stairs can always have a stairlift put it.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39- There you are, very good. Still in a positive mood about this one?- Yes.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41- You too, Louis?- Yes.- Excellent.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Right, well, we're going to head off
0:24:44 > 0:24:47and meet a certain couple who might give you some ideas.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49Come with me.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53This is not, in fact, the first time we've visited Cyprus on
0:24:53 > 0:24:55Escape To The Continent.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58We previously accompanied Evie and Brian as they were looking to swap
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Yorkshire for Paphos, on a budget of £200,000.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06As luck would have it, they did move over.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09The couple have been living in the mountainside village of Tala
0:25:09 > 0:25:11for the past nine months since
0:25:11 > 0:25:14they moved into a two-bedroom villa, complete with pool
0:25:14 > 0:25:17and towering views down onto Paphos.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19And, given that they'd only been together for six months
0:25:19 > 0:25:23before deciding to permanently relocate to a foreign country,
0:25:23 > 0:25:25I've arranged a rendezvous to see
0:25:25 > 0:25:28if their rather bold outlook will
0:25:28 > 0:25:30inspire Nicola and Louis.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33- Hello.- Hello.- I've brought some guests.- Hello.- Welcome.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39So this is Evie and Brian.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43- Hello, nice to meet you. - Hello, Brian.- Hiya.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46Now, I'm going to split you up, actually, because Brian you're
0:25:46 > 0:25:49the kind of cook of the two and so is Louis, so I thought it would be
0:25:49 > 0:25:51quite good for you to go food shopping.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54- Anything you'd like? - Shall I place an order?- You can do. - Surprise me.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56Surprise me, something fancy.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58Do you want to take his order?
0:25:58 > 0:26:02- You'll get used to him, Brian, don't worry.- Bye!- Bye.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05- Shall we have a cup of tea? - That would be lovely, thank you.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07Oh, yes, please.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12As the boys buckle-up for a ride down to Brian's favourite shop,
0:26:12 > 0:26:17we have an opportunity to ask, "What happened next?"
0:26:17 > 0:26:20So has it lived up to expectations?
0:26:20 > 0:26:23- Better, I think, better. - Oh, that's nice to know.- Yeah.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26You just feel better generally
0:26:26 > 0:26:28because you're just in such beautiful surroundings.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30How was the whole business of buying?
0:26:30 > 0:26:33The actual house buying process is really, really simple
0:26:33 > 0:26:36and it normally only takes four weeks to go from when you
0:26:36 > 0:26:39put your money down to exchange,
0:26:39 > 0:26:41which is really, really quickly.
0:26:41 > 0:26:46Out on the roads and up in the front seat, Louis just can't help himself.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50- I'm a driving instructor. - Yes, yes, I heard.- Yeah.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53- Is there anything I'm doing wrong? - Well, not yet. I'll soon...
0:26:53 > 0:26:57- I'm sure you'll tell me.- Well, how do you find these Cypriot drivers?
0:26:57 > 0:27:01The driving... Well expect the unexpected.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03They seem to get into these cars
0:27:03 > 0:27:06and take on a completely different character.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09They all think they're Lewis Hamilton.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11So do you miss home?
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Only raspberries because they're not here all year round.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17But you can get them and there's plenty of other fruit here instead.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21- Well, if that's the only think you miss that's pretty good. - Yeah, exactly!
0:27:21 > 0:27:23- It's the only thing I miss.- But do you think of this as home now?
0:27:23 > 0:27:25Yes, yeah, I do.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28And for my family to come out and see me, when I lived in Yorkshire,
0:27:28 > 0:27:30I was still four and a half hours away and
0:27:30 > 0:27:33here I'm four and a half hours away, it's just it's a flight
0:27:33 > 0:27:34instead of a drive.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36When people come to visit you
0:27:36 > 0:27:39it's actually more quality time that you're spending together.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42Yeah, I think that's true. And then you've got us?
0:27:42 > 0:27:43How do you find the social life?
0:27:43 > 0:27:45In Tala and other places in Cyprus,
0:27:45 > 0:27:48there's quite a large expat community.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51So, I mean, if you want the social life it's there.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54- Cypriots are very friendly.- Yeah.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57I mean, that's what it says in the books and it's true as well.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59That's what I've found.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02What about the work side of things? Because you do work here, don't you?
0:28:02 > 0:28:04I do but I was really lucky to get one. I work at the Herb Garden.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07I like to go to work. I meet a lot of people through work
0:28:07 > 0:28:09and that's really interesting.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12A lot of expats have gone back, I think, because there isn't that...
0:28:12 > 0:28:15- There's not that much variety of work.- Hmm, really?
0:28:15 > 0:28:19If you're coming here now, you need to have some form
0:28:19 > 0:28:21- of supporting yourself.- Absolutely.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25We certainly wouldn't be able to be here just on what I earn.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Have you got yourself a job?
0:28:27 > 0:28:31No, I'm not working. I've been retired before we moved out here.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34So you're used to not doing anything?
0:28:34 > 0:28:37Yeah, I'm just carrying on doing what I do.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41And retiree, Brian, has made the most of his time to source
0:28:41 > 0:28:43the very best local produce.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45- So if you want to eat healthily... - Yep.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48..in Cyprus it's no problem at all.
0:28:48 > 0:28:52If you're a foodie there's never a shortage of fresh produce.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55- So much of it, as well, is grown here.- Yep.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58So, of course, it's a good price because there's no importing costs.
0:28:58 > 0:29:00I see oranges are in season, aren't they?
0:29:00 > 0:29:05- Citrus fruit. I think it's October or November when all the trees explode.- Right.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09- What are these?- I think you need to boil them for a couple of hours.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11Oh, I wonder if Alistair would like that.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14By the time he's stripped the leaves off there's maybe be a little
0:29:14 > 0:29:16- bit to eat inside.- We're going to get him that.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18- He'll be happy with that. - As you wish, yeah.
0:29:18 > 0:29:22- I think I'll take that one back. I'll tell you what...- A valentine one...
0:29:22 > 0:29:23I'll take that back for Nicola.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26How do you get on with the Greek?
0:29:26 > 0:29:30- I am learning Greek...- Yeah. - ..but you don't need it.
0:29:30 > 0:29:31Hello.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35One euro, please.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42- Thank you.- Thank you.- Thank you very much. Have a lovely afternoon.
0:29:42 > 0:29:46The next stop on Brian's tour is Paphos harbour.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50Central to the town's history and guarded by a Byzantine fort,
0:29:50 > 0:29:53it's now acknowledged for its collection of restaurants and cafes.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57And it's here we're all meeting up to eke out those final few
0:29:57 > 0:29:59snippets of house-buying advice.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01First, some vegetables to dispose of.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04My favourite flower, I'll put it on my lapel.
0:30:05 > 0:30:09How did you pick that place, where you're living at the moment?
0:30:09 > 0:30:11It's quite high up, isn't it?
0:30:11 > 0:30:15The temperatures are always a few degrees cooler where we are
0:30:15 > 0:30:17then coming down here.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20So that's good in summer but not so good in winter.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22Have you found it a bit of a faff with all the driving, or not?
0:30:22 > 0:30:25It's only 20 minutes to come down here.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27You guys actually want to stop driving, right?
0:30:27 > 0:30:29It would be nice to be somewhere where you could just
0:30:29 > 0:30:31walk to the local shops.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34When you move to Cyprus, you live in a smaller world
0:30:34 > 0:30:37so everything is a lot nearer.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40It's no problem with parking, we've found, even in the season,
0:30:40 > 0:30:43we're always able to find somewhere to park for free.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45That's a big bonus, isn't it?
0:30:47 > 0:30:49Now, you came over here with a wish list.
0:30:49 > 0:30:50How easy was it to fulfil it?
0:30:50 > 0:30:53The property that you've got, did you get everything you want?
0:30:53 > 0:30:57- We forgot to put on that we wanted a sea view...- Quite a big...
0:30:57 > 0:30:59..in the programme.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01And we have got one now.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03But I think it was pretty close.
0:31:03 > 0:31:09- Do you?- Yeah, I think we pretty much got what we wanted for our budget.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12Your budget is a bit bigger. Do you think you're going to have to compromise?
0:31:12 > 0:31:15Or are you quite confident you can get what you want?
0:31:15 > 0:31:17- I think we can get what we want. - Yeah.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19There might be slight compromises,
0:31:19 > 0:31:23Maybe one bedroom isn't as big as we might have liked.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26- You're never going to get it exact. - No, you're not.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28Also, it's not really the indoor space anyway.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31Because most of the time you're outside. It's only really in the winter.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34That's a good point because we were talking about where you would
0:31:34 > 0:31:37have a dining room in that house that we saw today
0:31:37 > 0:31:41and then you're not really going to use it that much.
0:31:41 > 0:31:42Which is true, isn't it?
0:31:42 > 0:31:46- Well, we didn't buy one until the weather started getting colder... - Really...
0:31:46 > 0:31:49..and we couldn't sit out and then we bought a dining table and chairs.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52And in terms of the, sort of, down sides of moving,
0:31:52 > 0:31:56because you did move in a sort of...I have to say, we were a bit surprised and thought,
0:31:56 > 0:31:59"Oh, that's so romantic but it'll never work." But it did
0:31:59 > 0:32:00and it's wonderful.
0:32:00 > 0:32:04But I was wondering whether there were any sort of...
0:32:04 > 0:32:07Where you thought, "Oh, this is not quite as good as we imagined."
0:32:07 > 0:32:09- No.- No.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13- Oh.- It's a good advert, isn't it?- It is, yeah.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15You picked the right people to visit.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18British influence here extends far and wide.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22Cypriots drive on the left and road signs are even given in English.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25But, most pertinently, the house-buying process
0:32:25 > 0:32:27is very similar.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30The biggest difference being that there is a non-refundable
0:32:30 > 0:32:34reservation deposit which must be paid once an offer is accepted.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37Day-to-day living costs don't differ dramatically from those
0:32:37 > 0:32:40in the UK, particularly when it comes
0:32:40 > 0:32:42to utility bills or petrol, for example.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45But pennies will certainly be saved if you follow Brian's penchant
0:32:45 > 0:32:48for local fruit and veg.
0:32:48 > 0:32:5013% of the island is dedicated to agriculture,
0:32:50 > 0:32:53meaning lots of fresh, low-priced fare.
0:33:00 > 0:33:04Lovely Cypriot sun on day three of our property search
0:33:04 > 0:33:06here on the island of love for our
0:33:06 > 0:33:09ever romantic couple, Nicola and Louis.
0:33:09 > 0:33:13Yesterday I, sort of, got the feeling that they were a little bit
0:33:13 > 0:33:16lukewarm even though the house really pleased them.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19I'm wondering whether they're dancing on the edge of this adventure
0:33:19 > 0:33:21in Cyprus rather than plunging in.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24So I'm going to be probing that a little bit and, improbably,
0:33:24 > 0:33:26we've sent them up into the snow this morning.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29So I'm hoping they are still in good form.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35Rather surprisingly, snow is a regular feature
0:33:35 > 0:33:36in the Cypriot climate.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39Rain and snowfall happen mainly between November and March
0:33:39 > 0:33:42and, whilst the brollies are out on the coast, the central
0:33:42 > 0:33:46Troodos mountains can be covered in up to 40 foot of snow.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52One part of the day you're in the sunshine...
0:33:52 > 0:33:56And now you're up here in the snow, swinging on swings.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59But it's obviously been quite deep. Look how deep it is.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01I mean, when you consider...
0:34:01 > 0:34:03- how long it took us to get up here? - Not that long.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05- About an hour?- Um...- Yeah.
0:34:05 > 0:34:06Yeah, just over an hour.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09- I could get back into skiing. - You could.
0:34:09 > 0:34:13- You and I have never been skiing together, have we?- No.- No.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16I don't want anything to happen to me that happened to you
0:34:16 > 0:34:19but, then again, it was because of your accident we met, wasn't it?
0:34:19 > 0:34:22It was, that's true.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25Do you think I'd have the strength to ski now?
0:34:25 > 0:34:28I'll carry you down.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35And from the snowy splendour of the Troodos
0:34:35 > 0:34:38it's time to head back down towards Paphos.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40Our chosen target, the ancient village of Kouklia,
0:34:40 > 0:34:43which sits in an important archaeological region.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49The route, a seaside drive along the old coastal B6.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53When you hit the palm-tree-lined streets ten miles shy of Paphos,
0:34:53 > 0:34:56they're impossible to miss, take the exit and you're presented with
0:34:56 > 0:35:00one of the region's most traditional villages.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02Adorned with tavernas and small stone houses,
0:35:02 > 0:35:06we're back at the mythical home of Aphrodite, where the modern
0:35:06 > 0:35:10Aphrodite Hills developments have made this one of the most
0:35:10 > 0:35:14prestigious postcodes in southern Cyprus.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17This is a great offering. It also looks fantastic in the sun.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21- Really, really nice.- I can't wait to see what's inside.- No.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23Hold on to your horses.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25The great thing about this is that down there is the sea
0:35:25 > 0:35:28So you've got about an 800 metre walk down to the sea.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32- I think this might be a bit above our budget.- You'll have to wait and see.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35He doesn't want to give anything away, does he?
0:35:35 > 0:35:38Shall we take a look inside since you're so keen to go in?
0:35:38 > 0:35:40- Definitely.- OK then.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43This four-bed villa has a variety of exterior features that seem
0:35:43 > 0:35:47to be piquing Nicola and Louis' curiosity.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49I expect they'll like what's coming up too.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51Oh, this is fantastic.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53NICOLA LAUGHS
0:35:53 > 0:35:56Yes, I could do a few things in here, can't I?
0:35:56 > 0:36:00Really nice. I certainly could imagine living here, couldn't you?
0:36:00 > 0:36:03I can just imagine myself sitting down in the chair.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05She is doing the cooking here.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07Making me a cup of tea or something
0:36:07 > 0:36:10and we're just chatting away
0:36:10 > 0:36:13while she burns everything.
0:36:13 > 0:36:18Excuse me! You've made it... I can cook, I hasten to add.
0:36:18 > 0:36:22- Louis doesn't do as much as he makes out.- I do, I do.
0:36:22 > 0:36:26I like the way that you don't actually just imagine it, you actually do it.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29- That's a good sign. It means that you're settled in.- Yeah.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31- Shall we continue the tour? - Oh, yes, yeah.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38It's quite a simple layout in this house.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41There's this big living space which overlooks the pool
0:36:41 > 0:36:44and then ultimately overlooks the sea. There's another small room
0:36:44 > 0:36:47at the back which is a sort of the morning room. What about you, Louis?
0:36:47 > 0:36:49Can you imagine settling in here?
0:36:49 > 0:36:54I can. It's a bit similar to what we've got home but a lot bigger.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58Well, the strikingly and cleverly designed thing about this house
0:36:58 > 0:37:01is that this is south-facing, so this gets the brunt of the sun.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04But because it's got this big veranda and overhang,
0:37:04 > 0:37:06this room is always cool.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09- Which is brilliant.- That's good, isn't it?
0:37:09 > 0:37:12The smiles continue as Nicola and Louis lead on upstairs,
0:37:12 > 0:37:15stirring my curiosity as to what
0:37:15 > 0:37:19they'll actually do once they find something they want.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21But I suspect there are few more ums and ahs
0:37:21 > 0:37:24to come before we have that chat.
0:37:24 > 0:37:25Hmm, look at that.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27Oh, not again. It's these high wardrobes.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29THEY LAUGH
0:37:29 > 0:37:31That's enough!
0:37:31 > 0:37:34- This is facing the sunset.- It is.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36Yes, it's south-west.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38So the sun basically moves across to that point.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41So wherever you are you get a great sunset.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43You get a better view of it out here.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50It is a great view.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52You can see that the sea is literally down there,
0:37:52 > 0:37:54so you can actually walk.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56Just to know that you can step out the door
0:37:56 > 0:37:58and just stroll off is a bonus.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Let's go into the back garden and we can talk about price.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03- OK, we've got a back garden as well. - Yeah.
0:38:05 > 0:38:09There's a total of three decent sized double bedrooms upstairs,
0:38:09 > 0:38:12one with an en-suite and all
0:38:12 > 0:38:14enjoying fantastic sea views.
0:38:14 > 0:38:19- Oh, it's nice outside.- Oh, nice!
0:38:19 > 0:38:20Oranges, Louis.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25I don't know what to say really.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27It's beautiful.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30We'll invite you round.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32- Ah, so you've already moved in? - Yes.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35So I get the impression this is the one that actually has moved
0:38:35 > 0:38:38- you to think, "Oh, I could actually live here?"- Yes.
0:38:38 > 0:38:39It's got everything really.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42I did get the impression over the last two days
0:38:42 > 0:38:44that you were, sort of, playing at looking at the houses.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46Like, "Oh, yeah. That's nice."
0:38:46 > 0:38:48A lot of it has got to do with the feel
0:38:48 > 0:38:51and, I suppose, first impressions when you walk in.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53- But this one does have the feel? - Yes, definitely.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55So what does that set in motion?
0:38:55 > 0:38:59Thinking along the lines that, "Wouldn't it be lovely." Um...
0:38:59 > 0:39:02But that's still quite abstract though because you could buy it.
0:39:02 > 0:39:06If something is going to make us move I think this house would do it.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08So what you think the price is?
0:39:08 > 0:39:10I'm going to go for £345,000.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12I'm going way above.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14I'm going over budget,
0:39:14 > 0:39:17£375,000.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20Well, in this instance you are a bit closer.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23It's actually on the market for £368,000
0:39:23 > 0:39:26but the owner is open to offers because she wants to move.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29So it could be that you could negotiate down.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31Does that make it feel a bit more real?
0:39:31 > 0:39:33Yes, yes.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35I mean, obviously, there is a lot of other things to
0:39:35 > 0:39:39look at from our point of view at home and everything.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41But if it was...
0:39:41 > 0:39:44If we were able to do it this would certainly be the property.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47That's good to hear. So go in and have a look around.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49Sit yourself down on some sofas
0:39:49 > 0:39:52and imagine drinking some tea or gin and tonics.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56- Off we go then.- All right. Got any gin and tonics?
0:39:56 > 0:39:59- I don't know, we'll go have a look. - OK, then.- I'm sure if anyone
0:39:59 > 0:40:01can find them you can.
0:40:02 > 0:40:03See, that's it you see.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06I wasn't really believing the reactions to the other two houses
0:40:06 > 0:40:09because it was like, "Oh, that could be nice, might be nice."
0:40:09 > 0:40:13But here I think there's a hook and here I think, you know, if they could negotiate
0:40:13 > 0:40:16it could become a reality, much more exciting.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20Well, we've done our darnedest.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22It's clearly the right place
0:40:22 > 0:40:23but is it the right time?
0:40:23 > 0:40:25Speculation aside, this house is
0:40:25 > 0:40:27truly to be admired.
0:40:27 > 0:40:28The four-bedroom home was
0:40:28 > 0:40:30designed by the present owners
0:40:30 > 0:40:32seven years ago and cleverly
0:40:32 > 0:40:34embraces the abundant sunshine
0:40:34 > 0:40:35into carefully created
0:40:35 > 0:40:37outdoor spaces and
0:40:37 > 0:40:39cool, weatherproof indoor living.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41This one has definitely got me.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44I feel really comfortable in this house.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47I can't actually find a fault with the house.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49Nice setting, beautiful pool.
0:40:49 > 0:40:53I like the fact it's got a choice of having the sun or the shade, which is good.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55If Louis and I get on each other's nerves we've got
0:40:55 > 0:40:57plenty of areas that we can still sit outside.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00That doesn't happen very often.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02I do like pottering around in the kitchen.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05Whatever he might say, he doesn't do all the cooking.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08So it is important for me as well to have a nice kitchen.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10We're very tempted to actually say yes now but
0:41:10 > 0:41:12we can't just go ahead and say it,
0:41:12 > 0:41:14we've got things to tie up at home.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17I've still got family at home,
0:41:17 > 0:41:20I've got my mother to consider, we've got our business.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23So it's not just a question of just packing up and going.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29- There you are in the shade, nice and comfy.- Enjoying ourselves.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31This is a nice spot, isn't it?
0:41:31 > 0:41:33Chop chop, we've got things to do, places to see.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36We don't really want to go yet, though.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39Well, you can come back, especially if you buy it.
0:41:40 > 0:41:44Nicola and Louis have plenty to ponder on as another day
0:41:44 > 0:41:46draws to a close.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48So I'm leaving them to explore the surroundings of,
0:41:48 > 0:41:51what I hope could be, their dream home.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53Do you think we're allowed up here?
0:41:53 > 0:41:54- What's up here then?- I don't know.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57You can't eat olives directly off the tree, can you?
0:41:57 > 0:42:00Haven't they got to be processed, or whatever they do?
0:42:00 > 0:42:03I don't know. Here's one here.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05- Don't eat it.- Just try it.
0:42:05 > 0:42:06No!
0:42:09 > 0:42:11Oh, it's very bitter.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13- Well, I'm not surprised. - No, you won't want to eat that.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15THEY LAUGH
0:42:15 > 0:42:18- Could you see yourself living here? - I could, yeah.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20This would be a nice place to walk the dog.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24- This is like some kind of sanctuary or something.- Yeah.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33It's morning in Paphos where our buyers from Watford are looking
0:42:33 > 0:42:36for a Cypriot getaway that fits
0:42:36 > 0:42:38within their £350,000 budget.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41And, with the morning off from house-hunting,
0:42:41 > 0:42:44they continue to road test the region by popping out for a coffee.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47Do you think you could tolerate me all day long?
0:42:47 > 0:42:50Well, we do normally so I'm sure it'll be fine.
0:42:50 > 0:42:54I'd behave completely differently as to how I am on my holidays.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56In what way?
0:42:56 > 0:43:00- I just wouldn't be going and sitting on beaches all the time and... - You would though.
0:43:00 > 0:43:02I'd gradually mix in with the locals.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04You never know I might even get a little job.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07Well, that's the bonus though, isn't it?
0:43:07 > 0:43:11You'd have the time to have
0:43:11 > 0:43:13the odd day on the beach or to go
0:43:13 > 0:43:18out for meals, or come up to somewhere like this for a coffee.
0:43:18 > 0:43:20Do you see the shadows of those clouds on the sea...
0:43:20 > 0:43:23- Louis, I'm talking to you. - Oh, yeah!
0:43:25 > 0:43:28- I forgot you were. - You never listen to me, do you?- No.
0:43:28 > 0:43:31Do you think you could put up with this kind of lifestyle?
0:43:31 > 0:43:33- Yeah.- Yeah?
0:43:33 > 0:43:35Provided we could afford it.
0:43:35 > 0:43:37I mean, there's no point moving here
0:43:37 > 0:43:39and not being able to do all
0:43:39 > 0:43:41the things we want to do, is there?
0:43:44 > 0:43:47Here in the glorious sun of Cyprus it's easy to forget that actually
0:43:47 > 0:43:50selling up your home, ending your business, leaving your relatives
0:43:50 > 0:43:54and coming to start afresh in a new country is quite anxiety evoking.
0:43:54 > 0:43:57Yesterday I got the distinct feeling that, even though the property
0:43:57 > 0:44:00was almost perfect, that Nicola and Louis were, sort of,
0:44:00 > 0:44:04desperately looking around for negative reasons not to buy it.
0:44:04 > 0:44:05And that's quite common.
0:44:05 > 0:44:08So today, our last day on the island, we've taken them
0:44:08 > 0:44:10up into the hills to a beautiful ancient village
0:44:10 > 0:44:13and we're going to offer them a serious business venture
0:44:13 > 0:44:17which might, at least, allay their fears about their finances.
0:44:17 > 0:44:21We've travelled back inland for our mystery property.
0:44:21 > 0:44:23Kallepeia may only lie ten miles from the sea
0:44:23 > 0:44:28but it's a world away from Paphos' beach-dominated coastline.
0:44:28 > 0:44:31It's a crumbly, Greek-style village and feels much closer to the
0:44:31 > 0:44:34real Cyprus you'd imagine from yesteryear
0:44:34 > 0:44:35with its two shops,
0:44:35 > 0:44:38monastery-shaped tavern and an old church.
0:44:38 > 0:44:42The sea is 30 minutes away and the epic Troodos Mountains
0:44:42 > 0:44:44shimmer on the horizon.
0:44:44 > 0:44:46With a population barely reaching 300,
0:44:46 > 0:44:50could this peaceful community be the romantic getaway
0:44:50 > 0:44:52Nicola and Louis have always been searching for?
0:44:54 > 0:44:57Have you ever thought about coming up into the mountains to live?
0:44:57 > 0:45:01- Not really to live...- Not really, not this far up.- To visit definitely.
0:45:01 > 0:45:03What about you, Louis? Would you like to live up here?
0:45:03 > 0:45:07- I just think this is a bit too high up for me.- Too high?
0:45:07 > 0:45:11Well, maybe what's behind this door, our mystery house,
0:45:11 > 0:45:13might change your mind.
0:45:13 > 0:45:15- It certainly looks a mystery. - Let's have a look.
0:45:17 > 0:45:20Come up here and I'll show you around.
0:45:21 > 0:45:24- You mentioned villa management. - Mmm.
0:45:24 > 0:45:27This is all your villas under one roof.
0:45:27 > 0:45:30- I'm confused.- Bear with me.
0:45:30 > 0:45:33So we've come up into a very charming bit of the countryside,
0:45:33 > 0:45:36amazing views, very quiet, very rural.
0:45:36 > 0:45:38And essentially you've got
0:45:38 > 0:45:41two holiday lets and your home all in one complex.
0:45:41 > 0:45:43That sounds interesting.
0:45:43 > 0:45:47- I'm game.- Shall we take a look at your domain?- Definitely.
0:45:47 > 0:45:49Let's take a look at this one first.
0:45:49 > 0:45:51Taking that step from villa management to actually
0:45:51 > 0:45:53running a B&B could ease those
0:45:53 > 0:45:56lingering financial concerns.
0:45:56 > 0:45:59The original cottage was built in 1910
0:45:59 > 0:46:02but after a recent refurbishment it has been split into three.
0:46:02 > 0:46:05A three-bedroom chalet, a smaller two-bed set up
0:46:05 > 0:46:08and a more modern and larger main property
0:46:08 > 0:46:11that towers above the others.
0:46:11 > 0:46:15The rental chalets are similarly designed and proportioned,
0:46:15 > 0:46:18with functional bedrooms to the rear as well as integrated
0:46:18 > 0:46:20kitchen and living areas at the front.
0:46:20 > 0:46:22This is a good size, isn't it?
0:46:22 > 0:46:24What about the idea of doing a project like this?
0:46:24 > 0:46:27I love the fact it's local life
0:46:27 > 0:46:29and away from the tourist area
0:46:29 > 0:46:31but it is probably just a
0:46:31 > 0:46:35little bit far out. I would still like to see it all.
0:46:35 > 0:46:39Right place, possibly the wrong location.
0:46:39 > 0:46:40But as remote as we may feel,
0:46:40 > 0:46:44Paphos town centre is still less than 20 minutes away by car.
0:46:44 > 0:46:47Throw in the injection of Mediterranean charm with
0:46:47 > 0:46:50a stone-clad courtyard, cosy pool
0:46:50 > 0:46:52and 360-degree viewing deck
0:46:52 > 0:46:55and I'm still hopeful that the living quarters
0:46:55 > 0:46:57can win over our couple.
0:46:58 > 0:47:01- This would be your house.- Oh, right.
0:47:01 > 0:47:04- You've got a nice view of those mountains.- That's beautiful.
0:47:04 > 0:47:07The mountains are really beautiful. It's a much more peaceful
0:47:07 > 0:47:09offering than down the road in Paphos.
0:47:09 > 0:47:10You're in a more Cypriot community.
0:47:10 > 0:47:12Yeah, which isn't a bad thing.
0:47:12 > 0:47:15I don't really want to just mix with expats.
0:47:15 > 0:47:19Let's have a quick peek upstairs. You get an overview.
0:47:19 > 0:47:22There are two rooms on the top floor, one with en suite
0:47:22 > 0:47:23and both with views.
0:47:23 > 0:47:26A particularly lovely view over the Troodos.
0:47:26 > 0:47:28It's beautiful, really nice.
0:47:28 > 0:47:30- Your stomping ground.- Yep.
0:47:30 > 0:47:34This is a typical view of Cyprus really, isn't it?
0:47:34 > 0:47:36To open up a place up here, I would think,
0:47:36 > 0:47:40towards the summer you must have a few people coming through.
0:47:40 > 0:47:43And so it's a year-round island, isn't it?
0:47:43 > 0:47:46So they're not... Times like now they're not going to be out on the beaches.
0:47:46 > 0:47:47Are we winning you round?
0:47:47 > 0:47:50Are you starting to think, "I want to run this place?"
0:47:50 > 0:47:52I think...
0:47:52 > 0:47:56- If this place was lower down...- Yeah. - ..I'd do it.- Maybe.
0:47:56 > 0:47:58Well, it's worth maybe thinking about.
0:47:58 > 0:48:02Well, this might be a mystery too far but let's go downstairs
0:48:02 > 0:48:05- and find a spot to talk about the price.- Yep.
0:48:05 > 0:48:09But money talks and these properties can earn a pretty penny.
0:48:09 > 0:48:12The smaller two chalets will fetch up to £500 a week
0:48:12 > 0:48:14in peak season.
0:48:14 > 0:48:16How much do you think this whole complex is worth?
0:48:16 > 0:48:18LOUIS SIGHS
0:48:18 > 0:48:21- It's a very difficult one.- I'd say
0:48:21 > 0:48:23about £245,000.
0:48:23 > 0:48:25I would probably say
0:48:25 > 0:48:28£265,000.
0:48:28 > 0:48:31OK, so this is a testament of how much
0:48:31 > 0:48:34you don't want to move up here
0:48:34 > 0:48:38because this is actually on the market at £367,000.
0:48:38 > 0:48:41A bit over budget but they would negotiate probably down to
0:48:41 > 0:48:44- your price if you were interested, which you're clearly not.- No.
0:48:44 > 0:48:47Nonetheless, you know, it's still an interesting proposition.
0:48:47 > 0:48:50Certainly it is an option that we could look at.
0:48:50 > 0:48:53Well, the mystery is a mystery because it's a bit of a risk.
0:48:53 > 0:48:56And that risk hasn't quite worked for Nicola and Louis.
0:48:56 > 0:48:59Nonetheless we have planted an idea that could blossom
0:48:59 > 0:49:02financially for the both of them.
0:49:02 > 0:49:04In total the three properties here
0:49:04 > 0:49:06have seven bedrooms with modern
0:49:06 > 0:49:08practical fittings and it offers
0:49:08 > 0:49:10the best vantage point from which to
0:49:10 > 0:49:13admire the rural charm of the village.
0:49:13 > 0:49:16And I thought Nicola and Louis might benefit from exploring
0:49:16 > 0:49:19the area to see if there's any hope they could be charmed away
0:49:19 > 0:49:22from the familiar terrain of central Paphos.
0:49:22 > 0:49:25- This is really old, isn't it? - I know.
0:49:27 > 0:49:29- Yeah, look at the grapes.- Oh, yeah.
0:49:29 > 0:49:32Your grapes in our garden don't grow that big, do they?
0:49:32 > 0:49:35- Oh, what's going on here? - I tell you what they call that,
0:49:35 > 0:49:38in Italy they call that bocce.
0:49:38 > 0:49:40- Is it like boules?- What bowls?
0:49:40 > 0:49:42Yeah, no, not bowls.
0:49:42 > 0:49:45Those boules, like they play in France.
0:49:45 > 0:49:47Yeah, same thing.
0:49:47 > 0:49:50- They sound like they're English, Louis.- Let's go and ask them.
0:49:50 > 0:49:53No, they're in the middle of playing their game.
0:49:53 > 0:49:55If you come to live here you get crazy, like us,
0:49:55 > 0:49:58- and do silly things like this. - Do you know...
0:49:58 > 0:50:01- We were just going to ask you that. - Looking at you, I actually thought you were a Cypriot.
0:50:01 > 0:50:04- Not really, no. - Do you live in this village?- No, no.
0:50:04 > 0:50:06- I live in another village called Stroumpi...- Oh, yeah.
0:50:06 > 0:50:08..not far from here.
0:50:08 > 0:50:10- And how long have you been living here?- Ten and a half years.
0:50:10 > 0:50:12No regrets?
0:50:12 > 0:50:14No, I do not want to go back.
0:50:14 > 0:50:18- And what made you move here? - Well, it's a different lifestyle basically.- Yeah.
0:50:18 > 0:50:20We like Cypriots. We get on with Cypriots, we have Cypriot friends.
0:50:20 > 0:50:22And there's a lot to do.
0:50:22 > 0:50:25- And it's all to do with the weather really.- Yes, exactly.
0:50:25 > 0:50:28You can get out and you can do things.
0:50:28 > 0:50:30Are we interfering with your game?
0:50:30 > 0:50:32Thanks for that.
0:50:32 > 0:50:34You're making him conscious now.
0:50:36 > 0:50:39- Oh, rubbish!- That's rubbish.
0:50:39 > 0:50:41That's us putting you off, isn't it?
0:50:41 > 0:50:43You're my excuse.
0:50:43 > 0:50:45I hope your mission is very successful.
0:50:45 > 0:50:49- Thank you. Nice to meet you.- Nice to talk to you.- Thank you very much.
0:50:49 > 0:50:51- They looked a bit Cypriot, didn't they?- They did.
0:50:51 > 0:50:53That's how you're going to look.
0:50:53 > 0:50:55We're going that way, yeah.
0:50:55 > 0:50:57I think we need to go that way, don't we?
0:50:57 > 0:50:59I don't know.
0:50:59 > 0:51:02Thankfully, it's just a short 200 metre stroll through the local
0:51:02 > 0:51:04cobbled streets back to the mystery house.
0:51:04 > 0:51:07Well, all that's left for our couple to explore is the
0:51:07 > 0:51:10magnificent viewing deck.
0:51:10 > 0:51:12Although I fear it's possibly come a little too late
0:51:12 > 0:51:15to salvage this particular property.
0:51:15 > 0:51:18I don't think this location is quite their cup of tea. But, you know,
0:51:18 > 0:51:22the mystery house is always good for planting ideas.
0:51:22 > 0:51:24- There you are.- Oh, hello.
0:51:24 > 0:51:27It is a lovely view, you've got to admit that, haven't you?
0:51:27 > 0:51:29We were just enjoying it.
0:51:29 > 0:51:32- But maybe a bit remote for you? - I'm afraid so.
0:51:32 > 0:51:35Never mind, we can't win them all. But it's been good.
0:51:35 > 0:51:38So now is the time for us to put our thinking caps on.
0:51:38 > 0:51:40So come with me.
0:51:42 > 0:51:45Cyprus' mountainside communities offer glimpses of the ancient world
0:51:45 > 0:51:50with which this small island has such lasting ties.
0:51:50 > 0:51:51Indeed, the story of wine,
0:51:51 > 0:51:54so vividly told through the ancient tales of Gods and Kings
0:51:54 > 0:51:57depicted in Paphos' mosaics,
0:51:57 > 0:51:59doesn't end here for Cyprus.
0:51:59 > 0:52:03And the legacy of viniculture lives on into the 21st-century.
0:52:05 > 0:52:09I've headed across to the SODAP wine co-op, to the north of Paphos,
0:52:09 > 0:52:12to meet wine expert Alexis Machuca to learn more.
0:52:13 > 0:52:17- This is the future.- This is the future.- It looks like a school lab.
0:52:17 > 0:52:19This is the science part of wine.
0:52:19 > 0:52:21So what's going on here, for example? Hello.
0:52:21 > 0:52:23- This is Stefanos. - Stefanos, nice to meet you.
0:52:23 > 0:52:27We are measuring the alcohol content, the sugar content.
0:52:27 > 0:52:30We're trying to control the quality of the wine.
0:52:30 > 0:52:3340% of all Cypriot wine is produced here,
0:52:33 > 0:52:36requiring 4.5 million kilos of grapes
0:52:36 > 0:52:39to produce around five million bottles of wine.
0:52:39 > 0:52:42We have very strong varieties here in Cyprus, dry, medium dry,
0:52:42 > 0:52:44medium sweet.
0:52:44 > 0:52:46I have to admit I don't know Cypriot wine.
0:52:46 > 0:52:51If somebody in England, for example, says "I want to try and taste a Cypriot grape,"
0:52:51 > 0:52:54which name should they look for?
0:52:54 > 0:52:57- Maratheftiko.- Maratheftiko. - Maratheftiko.
0:52:57 > 0:52:58Yes.
0:52:58 > 0:53:01Botanical analyses have revealed that wine has been
0:53:01 > 0:53:04produced on the island for almost 5,000 years,
0:53:04 > 0:53:06making Cyprus the origin of
0:53:06 > 0:53:10wine development in the entire Mediterranean basin.
0:53:10 > 0:53:14Science dominates wine production, with a round-the-clock monitoring
0:53:14 > 0:53:18of sulphur and oxygen levels, acidity and much more besides.
0:53:18 > 0:53:20There seems to be a lot of white coats.
0:53:20 > 0:53:23The main point of the wine is not the science.
0:53:23 > 0:53:26There is not a machine that can tell you the flavours
0:53:26 > 0:53:29that you can find in wine.
0:53:29 > 0:53:32There is no chemical analysis that
0:53:32 > 0:53:34gives you the strength of the wine.
0:53:34 > 0:53:37These are things that only the eye, the nose and the mouth
0:53:37 > 0:53:38of a human being can do.
0:53:38 > 0:53:41- You're not in a white coat, does that mean you do the tasting? - Every day.
0:53:41 > 0:53:45Well, we're talking about tasting so maybe we could taste some?
0:53:45 > 0:53:48- Yes, let's do this?- Well, take off your white coat though.
0:53:49 > 0:53:53The vaults here age the mellow, sweet dessert wine, Commandaria.
0:53:53 > 0:53:55It was originally believed to have been given its name by
0:53:55 > 0:53:58crusading knights in the 13th century,
0:53:58 > 0:54:02but to have been first made up to 5,000 years ago.
0:54:02 > 0:54:05- How would you sell this to me?- It's the most aged label in the world.
0:54:05 > 0:54:08- Really?- And this Commandaria here won the trophy medal
0:54:08 > 0:54:10in London in 2007.
0:54:10 > 0:54:13- You're showing off now.- Oh, yeah. - Cheers.- Cheers.
0:54:13 > 0:54:16- Cheers.- Cheers.
0:54:16 > 0:54:19- I'm following you, you're swirling and you're smelling.- Yes.
0:54:22 > 0:54:25Oh, it's very sweet.
0:54:25 > 0:54:28The traditional Commandaria should be like this.
0:54:28 > 0:54:30- Can I ask some of your customers? - Oh, yes, please.
0:54:30 > 0:54:32- Hello.- Hello.- Are you drinking...
0:54:32 > 0:54:35- Oh, you're not drinking the sweet one.- No. That's your dessert wine.
0:54:35 > 0:54:37You need a day wine.
0:54:37 > 0:54:40- You sound like an expert. - I'm not, no.
0:54:40 > 0:54:43- What are you drinking there? - This is a red, it's the Merlot 2008.
0:54:43 > 0:54:45We have those grapes in our garden.
0:54:45 > 0:54:48- Oh, in your garden here?- Yes.- You live here?- Of course, we live here, yeah, yeah.
0:54:48 > 0:54:52I was thinking, "Does it grow in England?" Very nice to meet you.
0:54:52 > 0:54:54- Yes, nice to meet you too. - Yes, enjoy your wine.
0:54:54 > 0:54:58- Thank you, guys, so much.- Thank you. - Thank you.- Very delicious.
0:54:58 > 0:55:01A history of wine in a glass. Cheers.
0:55:01 > 0:55:05In offering the islands to his bride-to-be Cleopatra,
0:55:05 > 0:55:09Mark Anthony wrote "The sweetness of your love is like Cyprus wine."
0:55:09 > 0:55:12Musings that ensure wine's permanent link
0:55:12 > 0:55:14to the romance of the island.
0:55:18 > 0:55:21The suitcases herald the end of our quest to find
0:55:21 > 0:55:24Nicola and Louis' perfect Cypriot hideaway.
0:55:24 > 0:55:26All that remains is to meet up and find out
0:55:26 > 0:55:29what our buyers want to do next.
0:55:29 > 0:55:31I'm as sure as I'll ever be that Louis and Nicola
0:55:31 > 0:55:33are not going to buy the mystery house.
0:55:33 > 0:55:36But I am interested whether this week of Cypriot winter sunshine
0:55:36 > 0:55:39has focused their mind to make that decision about
0:55:39 > 0:55:41whether to move here or not.
0:55:43 > 0:55:45- Hello.- Hello.- Hello.
0:55:45 > 0:55:49So before I ask you about the houses, I wanted to ask generally
0:55:49 > 0:55:53- about how was living in your own home?- Lovely, really, really enjoyed it.
0:55:53 > 0:55:56Because you were worried about Louis being a bit too holiday-ish.
0:55:56 > 0:56:00I'm going to be like that all the time whether I'm here or in England.
0:56:00 > 0:56:01I'm that type of person.
0:56:01 > 0:56:04Let's talk about the house that you seem to like the most,
0:56:04 > 0:56:08- the one with the lovely kitchen and wraparound garden.- This morning when we woke up I said to Louis,
0:56:08 > 0:56:11"Did you go to sleep last night dreaming about that house?"
0:56:11 > 0:56:13And he said, "Yes." I said, "So did I."
0:56:13 > 0:56:16- Blimey, you two sound like the estate agents.- Yes!
0:56:16 > 0:56:17We could sell it.
0:56:18 > 0:56:22- Never felt like you were like, "Oh, yes, we got to move and this is the house."- No.
0:56:22 > 0:56:25There wasn't much urgency in your house search. Is that fair?
0:56:25 > 0:56:28I mean, if we could do it and we had nothing holding us back
0:56:28 > 0:56:31at home then we probably would
0:56:31 > 0:56:34make an offer on that house, wouldn't we?
0:56:34 > 0:56:35- And go for it.- We would.
0:56:35 > 0:56:38After speaking to Brian I realise
0:56:38 > 0:56:40it's not that straightforward and
0:56:40 > 0:56:44it's not that easy just to wind down the business and walk away from it.
0:56:44 > 0:56:47So do you think you came over here more with the dream that didn't
0:56:47 > 0:56:49have much detail to it?
0:56:49 > 0:56:51No, no. I knew it wasn't going to be
0:56:51 > 0:56:55an easy change of lifestyle.
0:56:55 > 0:56:58But it was a lifestyle I've been looking forward to.
0:56:58 > 0:57:02The one thing that was holding me back was whether we would have
0:57:02 > 0:57:04a circle of friends.
0:57:04 > 0:57:07Already, you know, just chatting to Brian and Evie
0:57:07 > 0:57:09and the people that we saw in the square,
0:57:09 > 0:57:13that has made me feel a lot more positive about it.
0:57:13 > 0:57:16What happens next in terms of the actual nuts and bolts of buying it?
0:57:16 > 0:57:19We're not going to go home and just say, "Right, that was fun,"
0:57:19 > 0:57:21and get on with things.
0:57:21 > 0:57:25We do need to look at everything to see when
0:57:25 > 0:57:27we could reasonably do it by.
0:57:27 > 0:57:31Well, it's been lovely showing you round. Very amusing, especially Louis with your...
0:57:31 > 0:57:35- That's been me, meeting you.- ..with your obsession with wardrobes. - And fluorescent lights.
0:57:35 > 0:57:39And fluorescent lights. You taught me a lot as well, so thank you for that.
0:57:39 > 0:57:43- I wish you well.- Thank you and thank you for all of your help.- Thank you.
0:57:43 > 0:57:44Pleasure.
0:57:45 > 0:57:48You'll remember, of course, that the deity of Cyprus is Aphrodite,
0:57:48 > 0:57:51goddess of fiery passion and desire,
0:57:51 > 0:57:55and if she had an influence on the show, I think it was a pretty subtle one
0:57:55 > 0:57:59because I don't think that Louis and Nicola are fired up to come back immediately and buy.
0:57:59 > 0:58:02But I do think they fell ever so slightly more gently
0:58:02 > 0:58:04and softly in love with the island.
0:58:04 > 0:58:07And I hope that you enjoyed this slice of winter sunshine
0:58:07 > 0:58:10and that you'll join us again for more Escape To The Continent.
0:58:10 > 0:58:14As the Cypriots say, "Yassas."
0:58:14 > 0:58:17Nicola and Louis have already planned their trip back to Cyprus
0:58:17 > 0:58:20and are still very interested in the third property.
0:58:20 > 0:58:22We wish them the best of luck.