MAJORCA: CASA DOURO (£2.69m)

The island is a perennial favourite with British buyers, although in spite ofan estimated third of all properties hereon the island are German-owned. We like Majorca because it is only a short flight away — great if you have small children.

Casa Douro is a restored finca in landscaped gardens overlooking the Santa Ponsa golf course. It has a large beamed sitting room, five bedrooms, five bathrooms and a large guest or staff annexe.There is also a lovely courtyard at the back, with a fountain, a large covered barbecue and private access to the golf course.

Details: Knight Frank International, 020-7629 8171, www.knightfrank.com

SWITZERLAND: SUN BROOK CHALET (£417,000)

These wooden houses are terribly pretty — they look like one of those music boxes we brought home from Switzerland as children. There are only 12 of these lodges being built in the village of Zweisimmen, in the heart of the Bernese Oberland, which has plenty of tempting shops, bars and restaurants.

The company behind the project is At Home in the Alps, and it says that every house will be different, according to what each buyer wants. Work begins in March,this month, so you will have to buy off-plan, but they will be ready in time for next year’s snow. There’s also an outdoor swimming pool. Brrrrr . . .

Details: Chesterton 020-7201 2070, www.chesterton.co.uk

THAILAND: TRISARA VILLA ($2.4M,£1.4m)

Thailand is a fair old slog, so this house is probably more suited to couples without children. It is on a development of 18 houses, built in traditional Thai style in a tropical forest, overlooking a white sandy beach and the Andaman Sea. The layout is unusual, but imaginative, with a large living room, dining room and four bedrooms, all with sea views and linked by garden walkways. There is a large deck, a private pool and a five-star hotel near by.

Details: Indigo Real Estate, 020-7095 8702, www.indigore.com

FRANCE: VILLA PROVENÇAL (£352,000)

This should not dent the bonus too much, should it? These very pretty bespoke villas, built in traditional Provençal style, are on individual plots - so they’re not all together -dotted around the Var region, which is in the hills behind St Tropez. You choose how many bedrooms you want, go and look at a few villas that have been built already, and then place your order. Bricks and Mortar has seen these properties and the finish is good — wrought-iron balconies and stone staircases, and the price includes landscaping.

Details: A Place in France, 023 92832949, www.aplaceinfrance.co.uk

BARBADOS: VILLA ST LUCY (£4.37m)

This is an amazing house that stands, appropriately enough, on Flamboyant Drive, overlooking the 18th hole of the Royal Westmoreland golf course. It has seven bedrooms on three floors, a glass atrium over the entrance hall, a very large sitting room and a dining room with a pickled pine ceiling. All the bedrooms are en suite and three have balconies overlooking the sea. There’s a 55ft oval swimming pool, landscaped gardens and a waterfallight suit Bob Diamond actually.Details: Savills International,
020-7016 3740, www.savills.com

FACTFILE

These companies also specialise in homes overseas:

• Premier Resorts has new homes and shared ownership properties in the Caribbean, Canada, Portugal, Spain, Marrakesh, Cyprus, France
  and Italy (020-8940 9406, www.premierresorts.co.uk).
  
• Erna Low sells ski homes in America and Canada as well as luxurious beach spa properties in Mauritius and the Caribbean (020-7590 1624, www.ernalowproperty.co.uk).
  
• Collier CRE offers properties worldwide, including Australia,
  New Zealand, Canada and Europe (020-7487 1978,
  www.ccreinternationalsales.co.uk).

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