The movie, which features Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan was filmed on the Greek islands of Skopelos and Skiathos, and since filming began last year, there has been increased interest in the islands - both from property buyers and tourists. Skopelos is situated to the east of mainland Greece and is part of a number of islands that make up the Northern Sporades. The main town and port of the island is also called Skopelos. Skiathos is also part of the Sporades islands and is the westernmost island of the group. It too has a town of the same name and a ferry service connects all of the islands in the group. Skiathos also has an airport that has flight times to London of three hours.

The property market in Greece could certainly do with a boom at the moment. The Greek property market has slowed down in the first quarter of this year, despite prices still rising. Land prices are still lower than in France, Spain and Italy, with prices in Athens, the country's capital, at 1,400 to 1,850 euros per square metre. "When all around us international property markets are flagging as a result of a global 'credit crunch' and more specifically because of stagnation in the UK, the property market in Greece is developing," according to property agency Amberlamb. "The Greek government has planned to increase tourism by 50 per cent by 2013, which means that with increased tourist numbers comes a larger demand for rental properties and a great investment for buyers."

There are also plans afoot in the country to ease the planning laws that have made it almost impossible for foreign investors to buy. According to Amberlamb, "There has already been an easing in terms of the complication of all the taxes involved." The Greek government, perhaps wisely, has still got strict laws which put restrictions on the density of a plot of land. Buyers can only use up to 20 per cent of the plot. This is to avoid the overdevelopment that has blighted areas of Spain where that same figure is 80 per cent. The reason is to protect the environment and preserve the character of the country. So it looks like taking a chance on Greece may be a wise decision for buyers.

Article published 11 July 2008