The freedom of having a holiday home abroad can be tempting, and with so many breath-taking countries within a few hours reach, deciding where to invest can be a hard decision. If you’re ready to turn the dream in to a reality, the location of your overseas property should be an important consideration; from the time it takes you to travel there, to the climate, landscape, cuisine and activities that you’ll be able to enjoy locally. Currency exchange and large international payment specialists Eris FX have been serving overseas property buyers since 2006 and bring you their top picks of the most desirable holiday home hotspots to help get you started.

Spain

The TV programme and website, A Place in The Sun, has unveiled the top 10 places for Brits to buy a home abroad, and with nine out of ten destinations falling across Europe, Spain took the top spot! Bursting with ample unspoilt natural landscapes and beautiful beaches, many of which are relatively untouched. Whether you like to immerse yourself in lush forests, lakes, volcanos and mountains, or prefer to relax along the coast amongst stunning scenery, there’s sure to be a property spot to suit your tastes, and plenty to explore further afield.

If you’re looking for an urban residence, the bustling city of Barcelona, famed for its art and architecture, will not disappoint. Sun-soaked beaches coupled with vast history makes Barcelona a spot you can return to year after year without risk of boredom setting in. Looking for a more glamorous spot? The southern hotspots of Marbella, Porto Banus and Estepona offer lavish shops and glitzy port-side drinking and dining establishments, making for a well-rounded luxury escape year after year.

France

The robust outlook for the French real estate market and the great quality of life on offer are only a couple of the many reasons Brits are flocking to France for their home away from home. France is a beautiful and varied country that offers something to suit everyone’s taste, from spectacular countryside for nature enthusiasts, to stunning beaches for sun-worshippers and seas and mountains for adrenaline junkies. The exhilarating mixture of natural beauty, culture, sophistication and style is hard to find elsewhere. And of course, wine connoisseurs can enjoy some of the world’s finest wines. Some would say that you’re not investing in a property when buying in France, but a lifestyle!

Thanks to its ease of access and proximity to the ports of Roscoff and St Malo, Brittany, France’s northwesternmost region, is a popular destination for the British. Its lengthy coastline is also known as the Pink Granite Coast and is famed for its beautiful blush-hued sand and rocks, with chic beach resorts dotted up and down.

For sun-soaked summer escape, the south of France is a popular choice. The French Rivera’s beautiful coastline borders the warm waters of the Mediterranean and is known for its magnificent beaches, clear blue waters, impressive yachts, Michelin-starred dining destinations and champagne bars. Monaco is a year-round playground and exuberant location, Provence is one of the most beautiful regions of France and is home a diverse landscape of rolling vineyards and olive groves and Saint-Tropez is renowned for its port, beaches and nightlife.

Italy

Thanks to its long stretches of stunning beaches, intricate cities, charming properties and scrumptious food, Italy is a safe bet when it comes to holiday home hot spots. The love of central Italy’s Tuscany reached peak in the 90’s and continues to be a popular second home spot. The region is home to Florence, it’s capital, which boasts some of the world’s most recognisable architecture and art, including Michelangelo’s David statue. For those with an appetite for culture, Tuscany is a natural choice. Its diverse landscape includes mountains, beaches and not to mention the olive groves and vineyards – with so much on offer, it’s easy to see how whole summers in Tuscany can fly by in a flash.

If island living is more to your taste and you enjoy the finer things in life, look no further than Sardinia, the second biggest island in the Med after Sicily. With many glorious beaches, lakes and mountains of its own, the Costa Smerelda, perhaps better known as the Emerald Coast is a magical mix of sun, sea and music. The exclusive resort, which owes its name the gently changing shades of blue and green sea, boasts enchanting panoramas, dotted with homes tucked away for the ultimate privacy.

If you’re ready to turn your dreams of owning an overseas holiday home into a reality, it’s important to ensure you are getting the best currency exchange rates, so your money goes further. As with holiday money, shopping around instead of using your bank is definitely a good idea as there are dozens of FCA-regulated specialist companies, such as Eris FX, who can offer you a better deal.