Mallorca Get Away for Winter

-Paradise!

-Absolutely.

What if you could live abroad in winter for the same cost as living

-in the UK...

-This is priced at £595 per month.

Is that all?

..by renting a piece of paradise?

-Unbelievable! Wow, this is amazing.

-You could swap sleet and snow

for sun and sand.

Right, so let's go and have a look at some properties.

Well, absolutely.

Get Away For Winter teams up sun-seekers with a local property

-expert...

-Can you see yourself in here?

-I can, yeah.

-..to find their perfect rental retreat.

-It's like you're on holiday all the time.

-LAUGHTER

Together, there'll leave no stone unturned...

This is unbelievable, isn't it?

..in order to find and fund their dream winter getaway.

This is what I was dreaming of and didn't even think existed.

UK winters can take their toll on the best of us.

In Essex, one sun-seeker hoping to make her getaway a reality

-is Amanda Cruise.

-I'm happier in the sun, when I can go out for a walk

and walk on the beach, and swim.

It makes me a bit miserable when you see the dreary rain coming down

-of a day. I'm really, really a sun worshipper.

-SHE LAUGHS

Amanda is at a bit of a crossroads in her life, after her marriage

ended almost three years ago.

She left her job working in customer services at Gatwick Airport and is

now looking to make a big change in her life.

I'm currently single.

I have been for the last couple of years.

I sort of lacked a little bit of confidence, I suppose,

from having my heart broken, so I'm much more confident.

I think it's time for me now, and I think I

should get away for the winter

to see whether I really do like it.

If her winter getaway is a success,

Amanda would like it to be a more permanent move.

Her only ties to the UK are the close relationships she has with her

family, including her brother Joel,

daughter Natalie, granddaughter Paige,

and of course not forgetting little Beau.

I think she kind of needs our help, doesn't she, at the moment.

She needs our opinions.

Yeah, well, she hasn't really got anyone else to ask, really.

And she's always had someone,

so I think she kind of relies on us as well.

I think she's done really well to...

-Yeah, definitely.

-..to do what she's done for herself recently.

Yeah, no, she is doing really well.

The family will be helping with Amanda's search,

especially as they all plan to visit regularly and enjoy those long

holidays in the sunshine.

I've actually sold my house a couple of years ago, so with the proceeds,

I've been able to travel,

and now I'll be able to rent an apartment and see how that goes.

After selling her former family home,

Amanda initially rented a flat in Surrey, but for the last few weeks,

she's been staying with Natalie and Paige in Essex.

We are a little bit on top of each other.

I'm actually in my daughter's bedroom,

that she's kindly given up for me while I stay here for a few weeks.

And my granddaughter can't really wait, I don't think,

to get her bedroom back.

She's sharing with her mummy at the moment,

so I think she'll be happy that I'll be moving on.

If Amanda was to rent a place of her own in Essex,

she'd be spending around £1,185 a month for a two-bed flat.

Instead, Amanda's going to use this money to rent in the sunshine,

and she's also trying to drum up some extra spending money by selling

off some unwanted jewellery.

We've weighed out and graded all the different gold,

so you've got quite a lot of eight-carat and nine-carat.

And we've got some stuff here that we might need to test as well...

-Oh, OK.

-..for valuation.

-Yeah.

-Joel is helping, as he has a friend in

-the business.

-Commercial stuff like the Tiffany and the Swarovski,

you'll be better selling that on online auction.

Using the funds she'll make from downsizing her possessions,

and the money she would have spent on renting a property in the UK,

Amanda has set her winter sunshine budget at £1,400 a month.

Now, this will cover all her food,

travel and entertainment while she's abroad.

£750 to £900 of this will be spent on her perfect winter rental.

She knows how to make it work financially,

and she certainly knows where she wants to go.

I'd like to move to Mallorca.

Pretty sunny out there, and I have actually been there before.

So Amanda is leaving behind the rain and sleet

for a taste of winter sun and heat.

The Spanish island of Mallorca, off the coast of Spain, is the largest

of the Balearic Islands.

The island is extremely popular with tourists,

particularly the Brits and Germans,

and the airport in the capital of

Palma is one of the busiest in Spain.

Here, winter temperatures hit an

average high of 18 degrees in winter,

comparable to an average British summer's day,

and with a lot more sun guaranteed.

Artists and writers have been attracted to the dramatic and

picturesque west coast of the island for many, many decades,

and it's long been a hub for the glitterati.

And a woman who knows Mallorca property like the back of her hand

is Jan Dexter, who moved to Mallorca from Essex back in 1985.

One of the best things about living in Mallorca is the way of life.

We spend a lot of time outside for obvious reasons. And we can do lots

of things outside - barbecues, meeting up with friends.

It's a very social place to live, a very safe place to live.

Mother-of-two Jan met her partner on the island, and together

they have a German Shepherd called Sam.

Jan set up her own property business in 2011,

and has advice for anyone wanting to dip their toe into Mallorca's busy

-rental market.

-With anyone looking, they quite often need to be a little

bit flexible. Start off with a wish list, but you need to give and take

a little bit to get the ideal property for people.

And then, most importantly, you need to move fast.

If you delay a couple of days, you could lose that property.

Back in the UK,

Amanda's waiting to video call Jan and let her know exactly what she's

looking for in a winter home. INTERNAL RINGTONE

-Hello.

-Hello. Is that Amanda?

-It is!

Exciting times ahead. I hear you want to come and live in Mallorca.

I do, yes.

Well, I came here 31 years ago, so obviously I can recommend it.

-Oh, wow! Oh, fantastic!

-LAUGHTER

Tell me, Amanda, what is it that you're thinking about?

I'd like a nice apartment, actually. Probably just one bedroom is fine.

Two would be great. I will have family coming to visit.

Amanda has visited Mallorca before, and she has a good idea of

where she would like to stay.

Yeah, I've looked at, sort of the area near Palma, the city.

Being on my own, I do want to feel safe. I won't have a car with me.

-Right.

-So it would be quite nice, you know, that I can just hop on the

bus or walk. The beach, actually, is a big pull for me.

-So, the beach, somewhere that's safe for you.

-Yeah, yeah, a safe area.

So somewhere near Palma, somewhere safe,

somewhere with good public transport and near to the beach.

Anything else, Amanda?

I'd like a nice, big balcony. That's pretty important, actually.

Some outside space, a balcony, or whichever.

Let's add "modern" to the wish list and a great beach-facing balcony.

-Oh, that's lovely.

-See you next week.

-Yeah, I'll see you next week.

-Take care. I look forward to meeting you in person. Bye!

-OK, bye. Bye.

-LAUGHTER

It's a big list, and Amanda has high hopes that Jan can deliver.

I'm really confident, actually, that Jan's going to find me something.

Yeah, I think I'm in safe hands there.

For her rental budget of between £750 and £900 a month,

Amanda's hoping for a one or possibly two-bed apartment with good

transport links, great outside space,

and most importantly, somewhere near the sea.

The ball has been set in motion,

and Amanda's new life abroad may be moving from dream to reality.

UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYS

Amanda has made the two and a half hour plane journey from London to

Mallorca's capital, Palma,

and she's enjoying her first sight of the Mallorcan sun.

Just waking up in Mallorca and looking out on the balcony...

watching the sunrise, it's just amazing, I love it.

Jan is on her way to meet Amanda, to get the property search underway.

The biggest difficulty, really, is, as soon as a great property becomes

available, it's snapped up in 24 hours.

She will have to make a fairly quick decision,

otherwise somebody else will snap up that property

and we're back at square one.

I can't wait. I know that she's really worked hard to get some

properties together for me to see,

and I just hope one of them is going to be the one.

-Hi!

-Hi, Amanda.

-How are you?

-At last!

-I know!

-How are you?

-Yeah, I'm good.

-Excited?

-Yeah, yeah, very excited, yeah.

-Good, so am I.

-I can't wait!

-I've got some lovely properties.

-Oh, lovely.

-Beautiful blue skies?

-Definitely.

-Shall we go?

-Beautiful. Definitely.

-This side.

-Oh, yeah.

-LAUGHTER

The four properties Jan will be showing Amanda are all in different

areas of Mallorca.

So how have you coped with the search?

You found me some lovely properties?

Ah, of course, of course I have.

It's been quite difficult, because there's not very many properties

-around.

-Oh, gosh.

-A fair number are quite expensive.

-Yeah.

But then, you know, good properties, somebody goes and sees them and...

-Yeah.

-..they disappear.

Amanda will video call her lovely family back in Essex at each

property, as she's counting on them to help her make a decision.

-I like the opinion of family, like my daughter and my brother, you know.

-Yeah.

-Even my granddaughter,

because she said, "Oh, you've got to get a pool, Nana," you know.

-How old is she?

-She's 11.

-Oh, right, well, yeah, of course.

-LAUGHTER

Yeah. I think, if they could, they'd come every weekend.

They are heading to the first property, and where better to start

than the capital, Palma.

Of course, Palma is absolutely fantastic. I mean,

it's heaving all year round. There's life, there's so much to do.

Situated on the south coast of the island, Palma has been

transformed since mass tourism arrived in the 1950s.

Almost half the population of Mallorca live in this capital city.

-It's the capital of the entire Balearic Islands.

-Yeah.

And you've got lots of shops. Look at... I mean, a beautiful marina.

-This is beautiful.

-Looks gorgeous.

Palma boasts countless cafes, bars and restaurants.

It's the perfect place to soak up the sun and people-watch.

The first property Jan is showing Amanda is just a stone's throw from

the city centre, with views overlooking the marina.

Love it. The sun is shining on us today. Lovely. Oh, wow!

-It's nice and secure, which obviously, I know is important for you.

-Yes. Yeah, definitely.

Secure, central, and next to a lovely little park -

Jan's off to a good start.

-You said you wanted modern, didn't you?

-Oh, wow!

-And lots of light?

-Yes.

The apartment has a spacious lounge area and open-plan kitchen,

which offer luxury modern living.

Oh, my!

This is absolutely beautiful!

-You're right, I'm going to be...

-This is modern.

-Yeah.

I don't think we could find more modern.

The apartment has one good-sized bedroom.

-So, into the bedroom.

-Oh, lovely!

-More windows.

-Yeah. Nice and light, too.

-Plenty of storage.

-Yeah, there is a lot of storage, actually.

-Which is important for us girls.

-Yeah, definitely. Yeah.

-And, saving the best until last,

this beautifully equipped designer apartment has panoramic views over

-the marina.

-Wow!

-And now you can really see the view.

Yeah, definitely.

-Really beautiful.

-And feel the sea breeze.

-Yeah, I'm definitely inviting myself.

-Wow!

-If you have this nice bottle of wine there and...

-Oh, definitely.

-..watch Palma twinkle below us.

-LAUGHTER

The question is, does Amanda's budget spread to an apartment of

this standard in such a central location?

-Do you want to know the price?

-Yeah, go on, tell me the price.

-LAUGHTER

-Well, it is a little bit above your budget.

-It is.

-Yeah.

-I thought it might be.

-Yeah. I mean, it does take all the boxes, doesn't it?

-It does, yeah.

And the price is £1,160 a month.

-Wow, OK.

-But the good news is, that's all in.

-That's included all your running debts.

-That's fantastic.

-Yeah, so actually that would be just the end figure per month.

-Yeah,

-each month.

-I wouldn't have to think about any bills or anything.

-No, no.

Bills for an apartment of this size are likely to be in the region of

£150 a month.

So, taking that into account,

this property isn't too far over Amanda's £900 budget.

It is a big decision for me.

I'll have to maybe think about the price per month, but...

yeah, I'm really excited, actually.

Now, back in Essex, it's 10 degrees colder and a lot, lot wetter than

Mallorca. Amanda's brother Joel,

daughter Natalie, and granddaughter Paige are eagerly waiting to have a

-look at this apartment.

-Yeah, I'm feeling really excited for Amanda,

and it'll be interesting to see what different properties

that she's getting to see.

INTERNAL RINGTONE

-Hi!

-Hi.

-Hello.

-You all right?

-Oh, yeah, what's the weather like there?

-Raining.

-Raining, miserable.

-It's raining? Yeah.

It's bright sunshine here. It's absolutely amazing.

This is an amazing apartment. I'm just...wow!

-Do you like it?

-It's got the wow factor. This is the stunning view.

There's the marina, look!

Oh, wow. It looks lovely.

-Look at that.

-It's all very modern.

Yeah, so it's got a window here that is opposite the bed.

At the end, sort of, virtually the end of the bed, so, I think I'd keep the blind open

and, you know, wake up to that in the morning.

You know, like, bright sunshine and... The park's down there,

so there's all lovely trees. It's really, really quite pretty, actually.

Well, I think that viewing went really well.

Fantastic apartment, wonderful views, lovely and modern.

I guess the only little concern is the budget -

a little bit above what she wants to pay,

but maybe you we've got some room for manoeuvre.

How much is it?

Well, that's the thing, that's why I wanted to call you,

because it's, um, it's £1,160 per month.

But it does include everything,

so it's quite a big decision, I, think, because obviously it's over

what I really want to pay,

but I think it's a consideration that I've got to take.

-Well...

-What do you think?

-I think, if you took that property and that

view and put it in England somewhere, it'll be double,

-three times that.

-Yeah.

-I'm really glad that, you know,

that you like it as well, cos that's important for when you come

-over and visit. We can sit there, looking at that lovely view...

-Yeah.

-..having some sangria. Well, you have to have orange juice, Paige.

-LAUGHTER

OK, so I better go now, but, yeah, it's been lovely talking to you.

-Bye!

-Bye!

-bye. Bye, Paige.

-Bye.

-So, how did that go?

-They all liked the apartment as much as I did and,

yeah, I think they're looking to book their flights already,

to come and stay. Yeah, they all loved it.

They all just said, "Oh, you know, go for it!" It is a little bit out

-of my budget...

-So you're moving in?

-So, yeah, maybe.

-LAUGHTER

Something definitely to consider. High on the list.

Amanda has fallen for the first property she's seen,

available to rent for £1,160 a month - including bills, by the way.

It may only have one bedroom,

but Amanda was taken with the modern interior and those dazzling views

over the port, and indeed its proximity to Palma city centre.

But, ultimately, will Amanda feel that a one-bedroom with no balcony

is worth stretching her budget for?

If Amanda makes the move abroad,

she'll be one of over 1 million Brits living in Europe,

with almost a third of those people settling in Spain.

Many ex-pats come to Spain to retire,

but around 60% of the British community are under 65,

many of whom work in the country.

To help support herself while she's in Mallorca, and help her meet

people, Amanda's planning on picking up work as a PA, or in a bar.

Presently, British citizens can travel, work,

and live in Europe without any special visa requirements,

although this may be subject to change over the next couple of

years, as the UK goes through the process of leaving the EU.

Back on the search, Amanda and Jan

are heading off to property number two.

So we're coming into Santa Ponsa now,

and this is where I've got

a lovely property to show you...

-OK.

-..with sea views, as you requested.

-Oh, lovely.

Nestled on the coast, Santa Ponsa is 14 miles to the south of Palma,

but there are frequent trains that take you right into the capital in

30 minutes. Here, Amanda's budget goes quite a bit further

than in Palma, and although the area isn't top of Amanda's list of dream

locations, it does have a bustling town centre and beautiful beaches.

Have you been to Santa Ponsa?

I have. I went there last year for a couple of days.

-Yeah.

-So I was staying near to the large beach that's there.

-Right.

And lovely restaurants there, too, actually.

-One of our favourite restaurants, actually.

-Oh, really?

-Yeah.

The property's hilltop location means there are stunning panoramic

views of the Santa Ponsa coast.

-Gosh, that's a lovely view, isn't it?

-Wow!

-It's really impressive, isn't it?

-It is, yeah.

-Lovely. Oh, we're here already.

-So, yeah, OK. This is the first door.

Lovely.

The apartment features a large open-plan kitchen and living room,

with beautiful views over the coastline.

Wow, that looks gorgeous.

-How lovely.

-How's that for a view?

-Lovely beach?

-Yeah.

-It's lovely, isn't it?

-Wow.

-I think it's really a wow, yeah. Yeah, absolutely.

And best of all, it's only a short walk to the sea.

It's quite funny, you can hear the people on the beach.

-Playing on the beach, yeah.

-Because it's so quiet up here,

-the sounds are, you know...

-Yeah.

-..which is quite nice, actually.

There's a fully-equipped kitchen, and it gives Amanda the two bedrooms

she really wants, so there's plenty of space for guests.

Oh, it's quite big, actually.

Surprised? Nice and bright, isn't it?

-Plenty of wardrobe space.

-Wardrobe space, yeah, certainly.

-Which we know is important, don't we?

-Yeah, definitely, yeah.

And a room that Natalie, Joel, and Paige can use.

-This is the second bedroom.

-Yeah.

-Twin beds.

-Oh, that's handy.

-Yeah.

-The apartment doesn't have a balcony, but there is a communal

roof terrace with breathtaking views of the bay below.

-So, the final thing, of course, you don't know the price...

-Mm-hmm.

-..and you'll be pleased to know that, actually, this property is under your budget.

-Really?

-Yeah.

-Oh, wow!

-It's £625 a calendar month.

-Wow! Oh, my gosh, that's amazing...

-Yeah.

-..for what it has. I mean,

-obviously, two bedrooms and everything.

-Exactly.

-Yeah.

Even when Amanda factors in the cost of bills -

which can be up to £130 a month for a property of this type -

the apartment still comes under her maximum budget of £900.

However, being out of her original search area,

and with no balcony, Amanda does have reservations.

So it's time to talk it through with the family back in the UK.

-Hi!

-Hi!

Obviously I brought her out of her comfort zone and...

no balcony.

OK, so I'm at this apartment in Santa Ponsa.

So it's a little further than my chosen area.

-The views are fantastic.

-It's got a great view out the window.

-Oh, that looks lovely.

-Wow! Yeah.

But remember, this is just a window, there isn't a balcony.

-Oh, right, yeah.

-OK. Yeah. OK, so this is the bedroom.

That one looks a little bit more dated, doesn't it?

Yeah, it definitely is.

OK, so this is the second bedroom.

So you can just see there's wardrobes there, mirror,

-and the window is there, and...

-They're quite high, aren't they?

The price was very interesting. I thought that may sway it.

Anyway, I've left Amanda in the apartment to have a little look

around, and she's speaking now to the UK,

to her family, and see what their views are.

-What do you think so far? Are you...

-Yeah, I don't like it.

-You don't like it?

-Is there a pool?

No, Paige, there isn't a pool.

So I'm going to sign off.

-Take care.

-See you soon. Bye.

-Bye!

-Take care.

-Bye.

Have they convinced you how brilliant this apartment is?

-No.

-Not even Paige with that second bedroom?

-LAUGHTER

-No, she doesn't like it. She said it hasn't got a pool, for one.

-LAUGHTER

She didn't like the bedroom. They did like the view.

No, I'm not quite sure about that property at all, really.

It's not really my mum at all.

Well, it's not looking good for property number two,

despite being available to rent under budget for £625 a month,

excluding bills.

It gives Amanda the space she wants, and amazing sea views,

but it doesn't have the outside space

or modern finish that she craves.

Amanda's property search is focused along the south-west coast

of Mallorca.

This area is famed for its white sand beaches, and attracts most of

the 10 million annual visitors to the island.

In winter, however, island life is quite a bit more tranquil.

Renting here in winter also has its big advantages,

with prices plummeting across all budgets.

A one-bedroom apartment may cost

as little as £350 a month in the winter.

And if money is no object,

there are plenty of luxury properties on the rental market.

Take this villa in Santa Ponsa -

surrounded by extensive terraces, with spectacular views over the

surrounding countryside and towards the ocean.

Its modern designer interior and four bedroom suites are spread over

the property's two wings.

It has a swimming pool and a whirlpool,

and it's available to rent for £4,500 a week in winter,

reduced from £7,500 in the high season.

Or this stone house nestled in a picturesque village.

It delivers a slice of easy-going Mallorcan life in the countryside,

while being just ten minutes from

three major towns and a beautiful beach.

The house has four bedrooms, four bathrooms,

many options for alfresco dining,

and has its own private swimming pool.

It's available to rent in summer for £6,200 a week,

but in the winter that price halves to £3,100.

As well as reduced rental rates,

a big pull in spending winter abroad

is the chance to live like a local...

and Amanda is keen to fulfil a dream of learning how to dance,

so she's come to a dance studio in the centre of Palma, run by Jordi.

-Hey.

-Hi, Nice to meet you.

-Yeah, you too, Jordi. Hi. How are you?

-Fine. You want to dance a little bit Of salsa?

-I do, yeah, that would be

-great.

-OK, come with me.

-OK, thank you.

Amanda is hoping that by attending dance classes she won't just pick up

some dance moves, but also some new friends, up close and personal.

-Here we start just with the basic.

-OK.

-OK?

-Yeah.

And I'll show you, we start with the right...

She's certainly a fast learner. What a mover!

Salsa's roots stem from 1920s Cuba, and it's a mix of African and

Spanish influences. It developed

throughout the US and Latin America, and today is popular all

around the globe, with various distinct styles stemming from

their different geographical origins.

So, how long have you been dancing?

26 years that I am dancing.

-Yeah.

-And it's my passion.

In Strictly Come Dancing terms, with the salsa,

the upper body should remain level while letting your hips go wild.

SALSA MUSIC PLAYS

SHE LAUGHS

It's so funny. Thank you so much.

That was so much fun, thank you.

-You say you did groups here as well?

-Yes.

-Group dancing?

-Yes,

-group dances...

-So, I guess I'd meet, you know,

-if I came here, I would meet some people as well.

-Yes, yes. It's very

good in the group lessons to meet people, because also

sometimes there are people that don't come with a partner...

-Yeah.

-..and then you find someone to dance in the group.

-Sure. Yes.

And also you meet the other people from the group, and sometimes,

-after, the groups sometimes go to dinner or go to dance, and...

-Oh!

-..they are creating a...

-Yeah.

-Yes.

-Like a social...

-Yes, relationship, yes.

-Yeah.

-Oh, that's lovely. I like the idea of that.

-Yes.

Having seen two properties so far, Amanda and Jan are back on the

search to help Amanda in her quest to start a new life.

And luckily there are still two more properties to show.

We're going to beautiful Cala.

-OK.

-"Cala" is a cove...

-Yes.

-..in Spanish.

-OK.

So we're going to Cala Vinyes. Don't know if you've ever heard of it.

-I haven't, actually.

-Right.

-I've not been there at all.

Cala Vinyes is just 30 minutes by bus or car to Palma.

It's built around a small, sheltered cove surrounded by cliffs,

and it enjoys its own micro-climate, and the sun is known

to shine here - wait for it - at least 300 days a year!

Although it's a small resort with just a handful of local bars and

restaurants, its greatest asset is undoubtedly its fine,

-white sandy beach.

-It's very scenic, very pretty.

-A little quieter.

-Uh-huh. So...

-A little bit further out, but you've

-got public transport coming through again.

-Yeah.

And from here, you can walk along the beach.

It may not be somewhere Amanda knows,

but it's a beautiful slice of the island,

offering a more relaxed pace of life.

And the property they're here to see

is under five minutes' walk to the beach.

-Right, so we've parked the car nice and safely..

-Yeah.

-..in a community.

-It's really nice here.

-So we'll go up to the apartment here.

-OK.

-It's on the first floor.

-OK.

Right.

This apartment features beautiful modern decor throughout.

OK. Wow, that's a lovely terrace.

And you said you liked the modern and the neutral colours.

-I do.

-How about that kitchen?

Yeah, that's gorgeous, isn't it? Yeah, it looks all very new, actually.

I mean, the windows and the doors out to the terrace, that's amazing.

And it has not one, but two en-suite bedrooms.

Oh, this is nice. Oh, I like this.

-I had a feeling you'd like this.

-Yeah. Yes, I do.

That's nice. That is lovely.

-So your own en-suite bathroom.

-Yes. Yes, it is me.

Yeah, I think so.

I'm not a fan of darker wood, but it seems to sort of blend in.

Right, well, I've actually got another bedroom to show you.

-Really?!

-Yeah. Well, I'm thinking of Paige.

-OK.

-So let's have a little look.

-Oh, that's interesting.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Wow!

-Let's have a little look.

It's bigger than I thought it would be.

On to en-suite bedroom number two.

Oh, wow! This is pretty good, isn't it?

-I think so. Double bed...

-Double bed...

-..and single.

-..and a single.

Well, they'll be fighting over that.

-Can you imagine Paige climbing up there?

-She'd love it, yeah.

-LAUGHTER

-And yet another en-suite bathroom.

-That's perfect, isn't it?

So, something for everybody in this apartment, isn't there?

-Yeah, definitely. I could have quite a few friends come here, couldn't I?

-SHE LAUGHS

-Yeah.

-And now for the piece de resistance.

-Oh, my gosh! Wow!

-SHE LAUGHS

-What a view!

-Can you see the sea there?

-Yeah.

And look at that swimming pool, that's lovely.

And the pool as well!

This beautiful apartment has a huge communal pool.

What's Paige going to make of this?

Oh, I think she's going to love it here, actually. Yeah.

Big question is, can Amanda afford this place?

I am a little bit worried on how much you're going to tell me this

-apartment is.

-SHE LAUGHS

So, if I told you it was £850 per calendar month?

-Yep. You got the contracts?

-Of course.

-LAUGHTER

Amanda is totally smitten with the apartment,

and as the price includes all utilities except electricity,

it's under budget as well.

She can't wait to show the rest of the family.

-Hi!

-Hi!

-Hi!

I think that viewing went really well with Amanda.

She was really excited from the minute we went in the house.

Bedroom here.

So it's got quite a nice bed, bedside tables and everything.

I think, I wish I was upstairs with Amanda while she's speaking to the

-family.

-An en-suite, too!

-Wow!

-Nice.

-Yeah.

So I'm going to show you the second bedroom.

-Oh, bonus.

-Look at this, Paige.

-Oh, my gosh!

-Wow! Double bunk beds.

-Double bunk beds!

-Yeah.

-That's so cool!

Me and Mummy can go at the bottom and Joel can go at the top.

-Oh, yeah, that'd be fun, wouldn't it?

-LAUGHTER

Sounds as if Amanda has already moved the family in.

Obviously she doesn't know the area,

so I suppose that may be a small concern.

You go out the lounge, you've got this lovely sun terrace.

Wow, look at that!

Yeah, table and chairs here, and so that'll be great for in the

evenings, sitting outside, it's gorgeous.

And then you've got lovely views.

Judging by the smile on Amanda's face,

this place is looking as if it's moved into the top spot.

-What do you think?

-yeah!

-That's amazing!

-What do you think, Paige?

-I think you should get it.

Yeah, I'll call you back and speak to you later.

-So, bye for now.

-Right, speak to you later.

-Bye!

-Bye!

-Bye!

The whole place is just perfect.

-Yeah, I love it.

-So, you've got some thinking to do.

I have. I think I'd like to know a little bit more about the area...

-Uh-huh.

-..and I'd like to take a walk on the beach and have a look.

It's just really modern and nice.

I think it really ticks all of Mum's boxes.

The only thing I'm a little bit worried about is the location.

Property three has delivered on style, size and that bling factor.

It's available to rent for at £850 a month, including most bills.

It offers a modern interior,

with two en-suite bedrooms, an incredible view,

and even a communal pool.

It's a question of whether Amanda

will feel she can settle into a

quieter area that's further from

Palma than she'd originally planned.

With Jan's help, Amanda is discovering more about the island

that she may one day be calling home.

As she's looking for a rental property, Amanda is able to keep

costs and financial risks low, compared to buying.

And renting in Mallorca instead of the UK will cost her at least half

for a similar-sized property.

Compared to what she spends in Essex,

she'll also save money on everything,

from utility bills to public transport,

that can be almost half the price.

Back on the search, Amanda loved the last apartment

but is unsure of its location.

So, for the fourth and final viewing,

Jan is taking Amanda back into her comfort zone.

-We're now heading into Cala Mayor.

-Oh, OK.

Oh, I know it there.

Cala Mayor is a purpose-built beach resort close to Palma

on the south cost.

It's a very lively area,

and has recently received Blue Flag beach status.

It's also full of charming restaurants and cafes.

So, what's it like in the winter?

It is a lot quieter, obviously.

-Mm-hmm.

-Like many of the resorts on the Island.

Probably half of the restaurants and bars do close.

-OK.

-But, actually, that's an appeal for a lot of people.

They enjoy the peace and quiet.

-Yeah.

-Plenty of room on the beach, obviously.

-LAUGHTER

Amanda likes the area, but will the apartment be right?

-So we're coming in here.

-Fab.

-OK, so we're on the ninth floor now.

-Wow!

-Nice, brand-new door.

Lovely.

This apartment features a living room with an open-plan kitchen...

Oh, this looks nice. Lovely. A little table and chairs...

-Nice kitchen, good sized fridge-freezer.

-Yeah.

..which leads directly on to the balcony.

This is a lovely view. Gosh. Seeing the sea, just...

-Aw.

-And such a good size.

-It's like you're on holiday all the time.

-LAUGHTER

And back inside, there's not just one...

-And, beautiful bedroom...

-Yeah. That's really nice.

-..with a sea view.

-I like that.

..but two double bedrooms...

Oh, my goodness!

Another bedroom. Wow!

..with the modern interior Amanda is looking for.

-This is my type of bathroom. Wow!

-Nice and spacious, isn't it?

It is spacious.

Wow! It's time to find out about the price.

-So, how much is this apartment?

-LAUGHTER

Well...

well, this is really well priced. You've got your two bedrooms...

-Yeah, that's true.

-..and this is £1,070...

-OK.

-..per calendar month.

-All right. That's not too bad, actually, is it?

Oh, but that's actually including all your electric...

-Is it?!

-..water, community fees, and your wi-fi.

Oh, wow! Oh, that's amazing.

-So you just need to pay for your wine.

-Yeah.

-LAUGHTER

This is the third apartment Amanda has liked,

and this one is in her favourite location. Sounds as if she's going

to need help from back home to make the decision.

-Hi!

-Hi!

So I'm just looking at this apartment in Cala Mayor,

and I think you're going to like it, actually.

OK, so this is the bedroom. Got a lot of wardrobe space, actually.

There's like, three wardrobes there. OK, through here...

-there is another bedroom!

-Oh, wow!

-That's for us.

-Yeah, places for people to stay.

-Perfect.

-Guest room.

-Yeah.

I think it was a really positive visit,

and let's hope that the feedback from the rest of the family

is positive as well.

-And then you've got the lounge area.

-Oh, wow! Look at all that space.

-Love the sofa.

-Oh, wow, yeah!

-LAUGHTER

This is the view from the balcony, with the sun setting.

Oh, yeah, it's lovely.

I can see us on that balcony with a sangria, watching the sunset, Amanda.

-Yeah, I could see myself doing that, all right.

-Yeah, yeah.

-LAUGHTER

-Take care, then. Bye!

-Bye!

-Bye!

Yeah, they did like having the second bedroom,

but we're thinking that maybe, you know,

I'm paying extra for two bedrooms,

rather than just the one that I actually need.

I'm going to be the person here all the time,

and I think, you know, I've probably just got to consider that

and decide, really. I think I need a little bit of time.

So I don't know whether I can sign just yet,

but certainly, yeah, I do like the apartment. It's lovely.

The apartment in Cala Mayor has most of what Amanda's looking for -

available to rent for £1,070 a month, all inclusive,

it's only just over her budget.

Amanda likes the modern decor and the size of the apartment,

and it gives her the outside space she wants in an area she loves.

But she needs to decide if it's worth pushing her budget up for two

bedrooms, given that she only needs one most of the time.

Jan has shown Amanda four quite different apartments along the south

coast of Mallorca.

Amanda has some big decisions ahead,

and she needs to make them fast.

But, for now, there's just time for a cheeky glass of wine with Jan to

chat over the properties and decide whether she's ready to choose one of

the apartments she liked.

So, what did you think of those four properties?

I think they're amazing, actually,

apart from one that I really didn't like at all.

I think you know which one that is.

It was a great property, it just wasn't for you.

Yeah. No, it's just my personal choice.

-Yeah.

-And, yeah, but definitely not for me, but the others, yeah -

all contenders, I think.

I suppose the only thing I really should say is not to take too long.

-Yeah.

-Because these great properties, they disappear quick.

-Yeah, I understand.

-There's probably people viewing them now.

-Yeah.

-And...

-Oh, my gosh.

-Well, I hope you make a decision with the family.

-Thank you so much.

-And I

-hope to see you again in Mallorca.

-Yeah, brilliant.

-Cheers.

-Cheers.

-I've enjoyed the time with you.

-Yeah, me too. Thank you so much.

-We've had some fun, haven't we?

-We have. We really have, yeah.

Amanda wanted to escape the British weather

and try starting a new life by spending the winter abroad.

I'm happier in the sun, when I can go out for a walk

and walk on the beach, and swim.

Leaving the cold of Essex behind, Amanda jetted off to see what local

property expert Jan had on offer.

-At last.

-Hello! Hi.

-How are you?

-Yeah, I'm good.

-Excited?

Yeah, yeah, very excited.

In the capital, Palma, Amanda saw a fantastic apartment...

-You said you wanted modern, didn't you?

-Oh, wow!

-And lots of light?

-Yes.

-..but she found out just how much you have to spend to enjoy

luxury city-centre living.

-It is a little bit above your budget.

-It is.

-Yeah.

-I thought it might be.

-Yeah.

The apartment in Santa Ponsa offered Amanda a cheaper option, but even with its fantastic views...

-Lovely beach.

-Yeah.

-It's lovely, isn't it?

-Wow.

-I think it's really a wow, yeah.

-Yeah.

-Absolutely.

-Me too.

..Amanda knew this wasn't the place for her.

-Did they convince you how brilliant this apartment is?

-No.

-LAUGHTER

In Cala Vinyes, Amanda discovered a totally new area...

-I don't know if you've ever heard of it?

-I haven't, actually.

-Right.

-I've not been there at all.

..and an apartment she fell in love with.

Wow, that's a lovely terrace.

But with the final property located in her dream location of Cala Mayor...

-It's like you're on holiday all the time.

-LAUGHTER

..Amanda has a tough decision to make.

I think I need a little bit of time, so I don't know whether I can sign

just yet, but certainly, yeah, I do like the apartment. It's lovely.

The question is, has Amanda's dream of getting away from the cold

UK weather become a reality?

And which, if any, of the properties have become her winter home?

Hi!

-Here I am in sunny Mallorca.

-And I'm here visiting.

Amanda, in the end, picked property number three -

the Cala Vinyes apartment with beautiful views on this large

balcony, two en-suite bedrooms,

and a stunning communal swimming pool.

Cheers. The life here is really much better than England, for me.

I can wake up to the sun coming up I look out the window,

I've got a view of the sea and the trees rustling in the breeze.

-It's beautiful.

-Yeah, I've seen a real change in Amanda.

She's a lot more upbeat. She can get up and go and do stuff,

and she's met a lot of other people,

like-minded people out here as well.

So, yeah, it's really made a change for her.

It's a brilliant place here, and hopefully I can stay here forever.

SHE LAUGHS