Sitting around sipping espresso, forking up pasta and looking Sophia Loren-like... 

Amanda Lamb has done it! She has finally taken her own advice and bought a place abroad 

Well, I’ve finally done it. After years of telling you all to buy property abroad but not taking the plunge myself, I’m now in the process of becoming the proud owner of a beautiful two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment in the medieval town of Nardo in Puglia, southern Italy.

The journey started last year when we went to film in Puglia with two friends. I often feel like a kid in a sweet shop when filming A Place in the Sun. We look at some amazing houses around the world and more often than not either myself or one of the crew fall in love with a property we feature. So far, though, none of us have actually bought. I think one of the reasons is that we’re spoilt for choice. We visit so many countries and look at so many properties it’s a case of ‘where do we start?’ 

I have always loved Italy and the Italian way of life, all that sitting around sipping espressos, forking up pasta and looking incredibly stylish and Sophia Loren-like. When I found out we were going to Puglia again I was genuinely excited. We went there four years ago and I fell in love with the place. 

The third house the boys looked at was amazing. I always go to the properties before the house-hunters to run through the filming schedule with the crew, and I remember thinking: “Please don’t let them buy it – I want it!” Not exactly the impartial property expert, I know. Gazumping our house-hunters would have been bad manners, but I have to admit the thought crossed my mind. However, they fell in love with it as soon as they saw it and put in an offer there and then. Darn it! Fortunately, the developer (who is English) had several other properties available and I’ve settled on what is known as the Romeo and Juliet apartment due to its amazing balconies. 

Nardo is right at the bottom of the heel of Italy. It’s just received a city of excellence award, and there is a major regeneration process underway there. If any of you are thinking of buying in Italy, Puglia is a region that you should seriously consider. Until recently it was quite difficult to get to. You had to fly to Rome and then get a flight to Bari. Now you can fly direct to Bari or Brindisi with one of the low-cost airlines. When an area becomes more accessible, prices inevitably increase. In Lecce, prices in the old town have doubled in the last two years. Impressive, huh? 

But my main reason for buying the property isn’t financial. I see how happy our house-hunters are when they find the property of their dreams and what a difference it makes to their lives. I plan to use it several times a year and let my friends and family use it whenever they want. At the moment, though, it’s in need of total renovation. 
Nigel, the developer, is fantastic and I trust him completely. It’s always wise to check out a developer’s work if you’re buying a renovation project. 

Talk to some of their clients to find out what they thought about their standard of work. 

Anyway, the wheels are now in motion and it should be ready by the beginning of next year. I promise you an exclusive tour of the apartment then. If you’re in the process of buying right now, welcome to the gang, I hope it’s everything you wish for. I’m off to practice my Italian and drink copious amounts of cappuccinos. Ciao for now...