Country Life 22-Jun-2022

The return of La Dolce Vita DEMAND for luxury properties in Italy has soared in the past year: price growth is at its strongest in more than a decade, up 4% on average, according to Knight Frank. ‘For the lockdown-weary buyer, Italy delivers on all fronts,’ the agents explain in their latest report on the country. ‘Space, views, culture, history, good food and a healthy lifestyle; all are in abundance. For a new breed of hybrid worker, labouring under the dappled shade of a cypress tree is an appealing alternative to a cramped spare room, particularly for Vitamin D-deficient northern Europeans.’ A significant number of buyers is also keen to take advantage of Italy’s flat tax, which enables people who meet a range of criteria, including owning or renting a property in Italy,…

Adam Handling, chef IF I could live anywhere in the world, it would be Bangkok in Thailand. I love the food there and the culture—[people] sit on little plastic stools in the streets eating the most wonderful, affordable food that is fresher than anything you’ll ever get in this country. I first went to Bangkok about 10 years ago—my best friend lives there and he would show me the places the tourists don’t go to, where you get to taste some really incredible things. Thai food over here very much caters for the UK market and it has to travel halfway around the world. Over there, they’re eating what they’re picking out of the ground. That is the great thing about it—the fish comes out of the sea, then you’re eating it.…

Best for walkers—Conques THE Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route takes in many idyllic villages, but Conques, on the path that leads from Le Puyen-Velay, is a particular highlight. Cobbled lanes meander between peach and ochre timber-frame cottages and its crowning glory is the 11th-century Sainte-Foy abbey. Look up above its entrance to admire its incredible tympanum, which depicts the Last Judgement of Christ. Inside, the stained-glass windows by artist Pierre Soulages were added in 1990 and complement the Romanesque architecture with their modern design. The Abbey, with its enchanting cloisters, is also home to one of Europe’s greatest medieval gold artworks, a collection of reliquaries known as The Treasure of Conques. Best for island escape—Ars-en-Ré ONLY two of the enchanting villages on the Ile de Ré hold the prestigious title of Plus Beaux…

Ménerbes Set in nearly 5½ acres of grounds close to Ménerbes, this beautiful property comes with two houses (a main residence with six bedrooms and elegant reception rooms and another home with four bedrooms), plus an outdoor pool and a range of outbuildings. €3.8 million through Knight Frank (020–7861 1083; www.knightfrank.com) Grignan Dating from the 18th century, this elegant bastide in the countryside near Grignan has preserved many original features, including terracotta floor tiles and marble fireplaces. The almost 5,600sq ft of living space include formal reception rooms, eight bedrooms, a home cinema and a billiard room. Outside, the grounds house a pool and many ancient trees. €2.15 million (about £1.83 million), Mayfair International Realty's associate Groupe Mercure (00 33 147 055 137; www.mayfairinternationalrealty.com) Vézelay The 2,153sq ft interior of this village house has two…

In 1982, Charles Ceyrac, the mayor of the village Collonges-la-Rouge, established Les Plus Beaux Villages de France with the aim of keeping alive the communities in the country's prettiest villages, which were in decline as industry drove people to the cities. The idea took off and the association, which initially counted 66 villages, now has 164, each adhering to strict criteria, such as having a population of less than 2,000 and maintaining a number of aesthetic requirements. To celebrate the 40th anniversary, many events will take place across France. Highlights include Les Nuits Solaires, which will see historic buildings in the Loire Valley village of Montrésor lit up with a colourful sound and light show from July 1 to August 31; a festival of artists and artisans in the Allier village…

Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland WHEN you first set eyes on Reynisfjara Beach (also known as Black Sand Beach) at Iceland’s southernmost town, Vík í Mýrdal, more commonly known as Vik, you will feel as if you are at the end of the world. Dramatic rock pillars (the Reynisdrangar basalt sea stacks) rise from the sea against the backdrop of bleak, jet-black sand and white sea foam, fierce Atlantic waves and ever-changing light under hexagonal cliffs. As you take in the moody atmosphere, you may imagine you’re in a film set and, indeed, the beach appeared in Game of Thrones. The sea stacks feature in ancient legends and are home to thousands of seabirds, such as puffins, guillemots and fulmars. However, the beach, which is about 112 miles from the capital, Reykjavik, is not…