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A 17th-century château. Vivre en France, a real estate firm that specializes in finding English speaker's homes in France, has on offer a château not far from our own Château d’Ouzilly.

Built by the Knights of Montmorillon, who have been recorded in the area since 1260, this property certainly buys you some history. As the years passed on, the family was involved with royalty, and there are links to Charles IX in the 16th century.

The château is divided into three parts. The first, built in the 17th century, is rectangular and has two cylindrical towers. The second part is 18th century and houses the old kitchen, the date 1769 is posted above the doorway. The third part dates from the 19th century. Altogether, there are five main rooms, five small reception rooms, eight bedrooms, and four bathrooms on the first floor plus another four bedrooms on the second floor, and lots of attic space. 

The grounds extend to 21 hectares, and there are stables, a garage, an open hangar, plus an orangerie. Price: FF4,100,000 (US$546,000) Ref: 2611. Region: Limousin. Contact Vivre en France, Web site: http://www.vefuk.com/. 

Surprising finds in Barbados.
Barbados is one of those destinations (unlike many I visit each year) where the literacy rate is respectable, the tourism industry is booming, the phones don't go on the blink, the water is treated, and you can get a gourmet meal. The United Nations has called this the most developed place in the developing world. And with reason. It is positively booming right now. 

Great construction projects are underway in Barbados. Hyatt has just demolished its hotel to build a more luxurious one. At the newly renovated Coral Reef Hotel, you'll now have a private plunge pool off your room. The Sandy Lane Hotel is in the midst of a $175 million revitalization. (Once it's complete in October 2000, I'm told you can expect to pay as much as $1,200 a night.) At the new Port St. Charles, a residential marina community, a custom-built, three bedroom villa will cost you nearly a million dollars.

Wherever you go, you'll find quality workmanship, first world amenities, and friendly, helpful locals. It is a pleasure to explore this island where, simply put, “things work.” (I should mention, too, that it is beautiful with its white beaches, tall cliffs, green rolling hills, and grand old homes.)

Yet despite all the obvious catering to the high end travelers and investors, there remain pockets where, for as little as $50,000, you can buy an apartment on a golf course, and hotels where you'll find four star quality for $80 a night.

If you're looking for that private retreat on a deserted beach, don't look for it in Barbados. Nearly a million tourists come here annually. But if, instead, you're in the market for a place where you can live as comfortably as you could back home, Barbados should be on your short list. 

Live on this island and you can eat out, enjoy the opera, golf, play tennis, swim at your neighborhood pool, share the company of other expatriates, and enjoy the benefits of island living, too - - dive, snorkel, sail, and lounge on a white sand beach. And one more important point: Barbados is, for all practical purposes, outside the hurricane belt. The last storm hit here in 1955.

For information about properties on offer, contact George Ramsay & Co., P.O. Box 8T, St. Thomas, Barbados; tel. (246)438-1376, fax 425-2413, ramswood@sunbeach.net

- - Jennifer Stevens, Baltimore, MD, USA

Honduras, Bay Islands
Among the Bay Islands, Roatan gets most of the attention. If you're looking for homes with modern amenities, this is where you should look. But for cheaper investments, and for the most natural surroundings, try the island of Guanaja. 
Here's a good investment opportunity if you don't want to do any of the construction or management work yourself. Villas Escondidas is a development company that has a proposal in which you pay $74,900 and get an individually designed home on a 1/4 acre of land. 
There are 19 lots remaining. They'll be easy access to the beach and a clubhouse. For your money you get the land, a small house (approximately 700 sq. ft.), and a five-year management contract for the care, maintenance, and leasing of the properties. You can stay there 30 days  a year and receive 50% discounts at the nearby resort.

For more information contact Donald Pearly, tel. (504)991-0281 or Email: posadadelsol@compuserve.com

Roatan
On Roatan, you'll find modern, ready-to-move-into homes. Expect to pay more than you would on Guanaja. 
For example, a  4-bed, 3-bath, three-level, ocean-view home is located on a .482 acre landscaped lot just a five minute drive east of French Harbour on the main highway. It has wood construction [Honduran treated pine] on the top two floors and a concrete first floor. The main floor (928 sq. ft.), has spacious decks all around, with a living room, a kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom. Upstairs (494 sq. ft.), there are two bedrooms and one bath with a deck off one bedroom. 
The first floor (576 sq. ft.), is a completely separate unit that could be rented. It has a laundry room, a bedroom, a bathroom, a living room and a kitchen. Glass louvered windows, aluminum and glass sliding doors, Honduran marapolan hardwood finishing, and fans provide views, elegance and comfort year-round. The house has an open, airy design. Cost: $175,000 Contact J. Edwards Real Estate, tel. (504)455-5525, E-mail: info@hondurasrealestate.net.

On Malta’s mainland
In Birkirkara, there's a house of character situated in a typical Maltese alley. The ground floor has a reception room, a sitting room, a fitted kitchen surrounding a courtyard that could be used as a dining/barbecue area, and a bedroom with an attached bathroom. On the second floor, there is a main bedroom with en suite shower room, another large bedroom and a landing/study area. The property also has private roof and ample parking space as well as a cellar and a functional well. Price: Lm35,000 ($89,600) negotiable. Contact the owner, tel: (356) 447-787. To have a look at the property, go to http://www.mol.net.mt/property/prop179/.

Successful upscale Italian Restaurant in Puerto Rico
It has lots of character and a good reputation and is located in a busy traffic area, close to highway to San Juan and Ponce. The restaurant is located in a newly-remodeled building, and has new equipment and furniture. It's a 30-minute drive from San Juan International Airport. The air-conditioned dining room has 80 seats, and there are 100 more on the roof terrace. This restaurant sits on top of the hill between Cidra and Caguas, well known for its many international pharmaceutical companies. The main room can easily be converted to banquet hall, sports bar, etc. 

The price includes the land and the building, as well as all equipment and furniture. Operating five days a week it nets $160,150 a year. Price: $650,000. Contact Jorge, E-mail: matos@coqui.net. For photos, go to http://home.coqui.net/matos/page9.html

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Article by International Living