Property for sale in Slovenia to receive added boost from first Slovenia Ryanair flight to Maribor

Property for sale in Slovenia, particularly Slovenia ski resort property should receive a favourable price boost as accessibility to Maribor, Slovenia’s second largest city and gateway to the nearby Pohorje Mountains improves thanks to Irish carrier Ryanair’s first foray into the Balkan country accompanying Easyjet who have been flying from London Luton to Slovenia’s capital of Ljubljana since May 2004 when Slovenia joined the European Union.

Bringing Europe’s biggest discount airline route destinations total to 96 airports in 25 countries. In 2007, Ryanair expects to carry more than 42 million passengers on 454 routes between 24 European countries and as part of its plans for further expansion with $700 million spent on ten new aircraft, with the aim of adding 50 new routes all over Europe in the coming months. These new routes will provide a massive boost to local economies all over Europe with increased visitor numbers and give passengers greater travel opportunities. Tickets are initially on sale for 1p plus tax and the London Stansted -Maribor route will begin thrice weekly operations on June 5 and will carry 40,000 passengers in the first year of operation.

Dubbed the Cut-Price Alps in a recent Sunday Times article which profiles a

“small but growing band of British buyers who have discovered that Slovenia offers a healthy dose of the outdoor life at a fraction of the cost of neighbouring Austria and Italy. More than a third of this country of 2m people is covered by mountains, and the scenery is spectacular…..“Slovenia offers lots to do, no matter what the season,” says Saxon, 45, a computer specialist from Hilton, near Derby. “In winter, you can go skiing. In spring, there is fantastic foliage, and in summer, the weather is more guaranteed than here and there’s loads of mountain- biking and water-rafting.”

The article points out that given the infancy of Slovenia’s property market, off-plan developments are limited and organising a local mortgages remains tricky so equity release on your principal residence may be a better option but the prospect of finding more bang for their bucks in the tiny unspoilt former Yugoslav republic is persuasion enough to consider locations such as the Julian Alps, its wine-growing regions, caves and a small sliver of coast, all within easy reach of one another. A good road network and borders with Italy and Austria give added appeal, a flat in the capital makes an ideal base with winter sports trips commutable in under an hour with all the benefits of weekend city living.

“British buyers are now the biggest European investors in Slovenian property, though the numbers are still small: Britons own just 652 homes there, according to the latest figures from the Slovenian tax authorities.”

Slovenia’s decision to take on the euro at the start of this year demonstrates its desire to better itself. Knight Frank predicts that prices, which have been growing in double figures for the past few years, will increase 10%-15% in 2007.

Travel to Slovenia is getting easier than ever, with budget flights already in operation, the Ryanair Maribor flight opens up Slovenia’s northeast. With property here considerably cheaper than in Ljubljana, in summer, Maribor holds great city break appeal with riverside walks, a castle to explore and the prospect of cycling around some of the beautiful surrounding vineyards whilst in winter the ski slopes are a short tram ride away.

Recently taken the plunge and bought in Slovenia? Let us know what you have bought and where. What are your intentions for the property, business or pleasure?