Cumberland Properties

Russia – Turkey visa-free travel

With the signing of a mutual agreement between Turkey & Russia [Tuesday, 18 January 2011] mutual visa regulations will most likely be lifted within two months time.

The decision is expected to increase trade between the two nations & has excited tourism operators, as it will go into effect prior to the start of the summer season.

After the initial protocol to lift joint visa regulations was signed on 12 May 2010, today the Re Admission Agreement, considered the final stage in the process, was signed between Turkey & Russia.

According to the Russian Embassy visa regulations should be lifted between the two countries in one to two months time.

Now, not only will businessmen be able to travel freely without the burden of obtaining visas, but the practice is also expected to positively affect tourism between the two nations. Last year alone, three million Russian tourists vacationed in Turkey.

Cumberland Properties welcomes the news, as making travel easier between the two countries will undoubtedly increase the number of rental enquiries to Seaview Regency Prestige, already popular with Russian tourists if the 2010 season is anything to go by, commented Cumberland Properties rentals manager Utku Karamanlioglu.

He added that the prospect of owning a Turkish property, whether as a holiday home, or a property investment in Turkey would now become even more attractive to Russian property investors keen to capitalise on the growing number of Russian tourists visiting the Bodrum peninsula.

Cumberland Properties have recently sold a significant quantity of Turkish property at its popular Woodland Regency development to Russian nationals both as Turkish holiday homes & also as Turkish property investment.

Following Cumberland Properties successful debut at the Moscow International Property Show last November Cumberland are planning to have a presence at the forthcoming DOMEXPO to be held at Gostiny Dvor, just 200 meters from Red Square, Moscow, between Thursday, 24 February – Sunday, 27 February 2011.

For further information:

Elena Sikorsky  elena@cumberlandproperties.net London office [Наш русскоговорящий сотрудник]

Selim Sirri  selim@cumberlandproperties.net London office

Volkan Akgözlü  volkan@cumberlandproperties.net Bodrum office

Utku Karamanlioglu  utku@cumberlandproperties.net Bodrum office

Source: Sabah

Moscow International Property Show – post show roundup

Economists & writers will long argue about the causes & consequences of the economic crisis, but a real estate business has no such luxury as time for reflection.

An increasing number of events dedicated to the elite segment of real estate are proving the fact – the crisis has been overcome & a new era has been ushered in.

Positive changes in the market have already activated its most reliable sector – luxury property. Cumberland Properties participated in the XV International Property Show in Moscow, which is closing the season of presentations in real estate this year.

Keeping with tradition aiGroup invited exhibitors to the shopping centre “Tishinka” in the centre of the Russian capital, where 184 companies from 40 countries brought fresh designs for the demanding Russian client. Around 8,000 visitors, among which friends & partners of Cumberland Properties, were asking questions of real estate companies’ representatives & choosing the most suitable offers during the two show days.

As president of aiGroup Kim Waddoup remarked, “there is yet no better tool for investment than property, especially an overseas property”.
This year has significantly expanded the selection of geography. Five to six years ago Russians were buying real estate mainly in Europe – in Spain, France & the UK. Today there is hardly an island left where footprints of a Russian buyer won’t be found. Distances do not confuse Russians. However, their neighbours, Bulgaria, Finland, Montenegro & Turkey remain the favourites & are constantly strengthening their positions.

Surprisingly the economic crisis has had a beneficial impact on the overseas segment of real estate. In the context of inflation, the need to invest, or simply a desire to secure financial assets, it has prompted many Russians to refer to such a reliable instrument as property ownership abroad.

This was evidenced by a significant number of interested visitors, investors & potential buyers at the Moscow International Property Show this year.
Russians & representatives of other CIS countries are not only aware of what it is to invest in real estate, they also believe this sector to be the most profitable to invest in.

That’s why Cumberland Properties who have long specialised in the design, construction & provision of exquisite interiors to their exclusive properties in Turkey, decided to offer the market a few new projects at the Moscow International Property Show where Cumberland’s Woodland Regency development was the most admired of all.

While the name of Cumberland is becoming familiar to the sophisticated ear of the discerning Russian buyer our team continues to work on the next set of fabulous ideas.

Bodrum Foundation Helps Disabled

A foundation established 13 years ago by volunteers in the popular resort town of Bodrum has created a source of 4 million Turkish Liras for the education of the disabled in the region. Bodrum Health Foundation, or BSV, was established in 1996 with 36 members & considered its first priority to provide care for disabled children. Purpose built, in 2002, Begonvil Education & Rehabilitation Centre was constructed on 10,000 square meters of land provided by Turgutreis Municipality.

Speaking at a dinner party organized to mark the 13th anniversary of the foundation’s establishment, foundation president Ahmet Biçer said over 140 disabled people have been educated with the financial support of 4 million liras. “Close your eyes for 30 seconds & imagine yourself or one of the people you know is disabled,” Biçer told an audience of 400 guests, including 50 overseas nationals living in Bodrum.

“The founders of this foundation set out with this philosophy & created a chance of high-standard education & rehabilitation for 140 disabled people. These people, who created this organization without expecting anything in return but the happiness of the children, are the real heroes of Bodrum.”

Biçer said the foundation hopes to complete a new workshop for the disabled next year with an estimated investment of 450,000 Turkish Liras.

According to the information on the foundation’s Web site, Begonvil Special Education & Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children provides trainable mentally impaired children, autistic children & those with physical disabilities in the 0-18 age group with one-on-one & group education. The centre has professional training rooms, a library, a lounge, a kitchen & a dining hall.

The interior of the centre has been designed to provide disabled individuals with safe & easy mobility. In the gardens, there is an agricultural rehabilitation area, a playground, swimming pool & Jacuzzi. Presently, 90 physically & mentally disabled individuals are provided with services at the rehabilitation centre.

One-on-one education is given in five main fields: physical development, self-care skills, mental development, emotional & social development, & language development.

Fields defined in accordance with the child’s needs are supported with group education. The children who have completed their basic development can start academic education, receive training for independent living, & attend vocational education workshops. During the workshops making galoshes, ceramics, accessories & souvenirs develops the children’s manual skills.

The aim of these endeavours is to support the disabled children’s personal & social life skills so as to increase their self-confidence & motivation & to enable them to become independent, self-contained individuals with an improved sense of self-worth.

Because education & rehabilitation cannot be solely indoor activities, picnics, excursions, trekking & activities in the sea are considered to be crucial endeavours that foster harmony between disabled individuals & society. Therefore, the rehabilitation centre organizes many outdoor activities that children can attend together with their parents.

Television & radio programs are prepared & panel discussions are held to inform the public & to raise awareness. The newspaper of the foundation, Gökkuşağı (The Rainbow) is published every two months & delivered to 3,000 locations in Istanbul & 2,500 in Bodrum.

Physiotherapy for children with mobility problems

Physiotherapists at the centre rehabilitate mobility problems of children who suffer from certain disabilities, Cerebral Palsy, motor mental retardation, & Down’s syndrome. In addition, in accordance with the needs of children with other disabilities, programs for individual, group or home exercise are offered.

The aim of the therapy programs is to minimize the mobility problems of the children & to help them gain maximum independence in daily life. Therapy sessions are held with the full support & cooperation of the families.

Education & rehabilitation of children with a diagnosis from a fully equipped state hospital & a medical report from the hospital board can register for the centre where they are given meticulous care by a team of specialists. The team includes physiotherapists, special education teachers, ceramics teachers, & child development & education teachers. Moreover, specialists in music & folk dance volunteer & also support the centre.

To spread the workload, the foundation & the rehabilitation centre depend on the help of volunteers. The social committee, which consists of volunteers from all over the Bodrum Peninsula, work all year round for the betterment of the foundation. The activities of the committee include organizing fairs & benefit dinners, working on projects with similar institutions, & preparing programs to raise public awareness.

Source: http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com

Cumberland Design & Construction News

Never a dull moment at Cumberland, this autumn, and throughout the winter, will see the continued development through to completion of our Woodland Regency site.

Due to local legislation that is defined by the council and designed to protect tourism, there are restrictions placed on builders and developers; limiting the scope of works that may be carried out during the “high season”, in order to preserve the peace and tranquillity normally associated with the Bodrum peninsula.

Consequently, this is our busiest period of the year on the construction side of our operation and every minute counts.

By the time you arrive for your well-earned break or holiday every trace of our busy winter schedule will have been removed. The paint will be dry, the lawns watered and the sun loungers set-out around the poolside just waiting for you to recline, relax, rejuvenate and enjoy a long, cool refreshing drink in the beautifully secluded surroundings of the olive and pine tree forest in which our exceptional Woodland Regency development is set.

But right now things are moving apace and we’d like to take you on a quick tour of exactly what we’re up to here at Woodland Regency.

No one wants to holiday under a cluster of electric cables strung from unsightly pylons do they? So they just had to go. You will see from the photos that the original pylons have been replaced for a more aesthetically pleasing variety – if such a thing is possible when it comes to electric pylons – and the old cables replaced for the new armoured type and rerouted around the perimeter of the site. Consequently, Woodland Regency is now cable free both above and below ground. This has the dual benefit of both improving safety and improving the aesthetics in order not to detract from the natural beauty of the locale.

Our old warehouse has been dismantled and donated to Konacık council. We understand that a portion of it will be used for storage, however – more interestingly – and more in keeping with Cumberland Properties philosophy – the majority of it will be re-erected, refurbished and reused to provide an adult education centre that will be run by, and for, the local community. It is planned that a considerable number of socially orientated courses will be made available to the surrounding populous. Cumberland Properties would like to wish all those involved the very best in all their endeavours.

The area created by the clearance of our old warehouse will allow work to progress on the footings and necessary groundwork for 3 further C-type units. Each finely crafted and exquisitely finished apartment will comprise of 2 bedrooms, a bathroom and feature an open-plan ground floor that combines the kitchen / breakfast bar with the dining and living space to create a wonderfully fresh ambiance. Each of these will occupy a 1,141 sq ft plot, to include terraces, and will have a floor area of 670 sq ft set out over 2 floors.

Whilst we’ve had trucks and JCB’s roaming around the site this has provided an opportune moment for work to continue on the provision and extension of drainage to the new and existing units respectively.

We have also taken delivery of a considerable amount of topsoil, ready for Cumberland Landscaping & Design to get to work with, in addition to that already available on site.

On the lighter side of things, relatively speaking, work continues with the installation of staircases, balustrades and aluminium windows and doors to the existing units.

All finished off with a lick of paint to keep the site presentable whilst our work continues.

For more information contact: volkan@cumberlandproperties.net

or visit: www.cumberland-properties.com

easyJet Launch 5 Routes For 2010

EasyJet, one of the worlds leading low-cost airlines, will place a stronger focus on Turkey in the coming year by launching five more routes to Turkey, as the country has a promising aviation sector, Peter Voets, the company’s Switzerland, Austria and Eastern Europe marketing manager, has said.

Speaking to the Anatolia news agency, Voets noted that Turkey has one of the fastest growing aviation sectors in Europe. The inclination of individuals toward travelling in recent years has played an important role in this growth, he remarked, adding that easyJet cannot remain indifferent to this potential.

“Low fare flights in Turkey have a big potential even though their market share is only 3%.”

Voets, noting that the Turkish market can easily adapt to low fare flights, said customers are more budget conscious – especially during the economic crisis.

EasyJet, the fourth-largest airline in Turkey in terms of seating capacity, has a market share of 7%, he said.

Source: ANSAmed

Brits To Travel More In 2010

Holidays are considered to be the best part of the year for people in the UK, a price comparison website has claimed.

Bob Atkinson, travel expert at travelsupermarket.com, said that Britons are more likely to give up spending on items such as a new sofa than cut back on holidays.

He said that a “work hard, party hard” culture is prevalent among people at the moment, with many consumers making holidays into the ‘highlight’ of their year.

“Brits will give up all sorts of things in order to save up and spend on a trip or a series of trips as a reward for working hard during the year – time off gives us the opportunity to rest, relax, party or indulge in our interests, with more and more of us taking activity breaks, whether they are cultural, sporty or family-orientated”, Mr Atkinson added

A newly completed project of 13 two storey detached villas and 6 three storey semi-detached villas all of which have 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and represent exceptional value for rentals in Bodrum.

Set on a gently slopping hill, in a jewel of a bay called Küçükbük – conveniently located just outside Gündoğan town centre. This quiet bay is renowned for its crystal clear sea, traditional gulets, cafés, bars and beachfront restaurants. Gündoğan town is famous for its local fish restaurants and readily accessible amenities including: ATM’s, bakeries, pharmacies and supermarkets.

The accommodation comprises: an impressive double height entrance door with wooden doors and a floating modern portico above. From the front door there is a fitted storage area to the left and ahead you can see through the hall and out through glass doors into the garden; on the ground floor to the right there is a guest bathroom and a double bedroom, to the left you enter the spacious kitchen / dining area opening into the living area with double doors to a large private garden.

A recent report from Travelzoo revealed that 42 percent of Brits plan to travel more in 2010 compared to 2009.

Visit: www.cumberland-properties.com

Turkey Shrugs off Latest Global Downturn

“Thanks to the bayram (holiday), the Turkish market seems to have turned the Dubai bend without a shock” Ali Bahçuvan, president of the Turkish Shareholders Association, or BORYAD, told the Anatolia news agency.

If the United Arab Emirates fails in calming investor sentiment, a “second shock wave” might come, Bahçuvan said, calling Turkey a “reference market” for emerging markets.

“The weight of foreign investors and interest-rate cuts make Turkey an example,” he said. “The economy did not deteriorate despite a non-deal with the International Monetary Fund. All these help pull Turkey’s risk premium down.”

In an interview with Bloomberg in London during October, Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said, “Going forward of course we hope that Turkey will be strong enough not to have to need, to tap into international financial institutions’ resources”.

Turkey has tackled the effects of the global financial crisis without new lending from the IMF.

“We’ve gone through the worst and Turkey has been able to finance its deficit at historically low interest rates,” Simsek said. Spending plans for next year are “realistic” and financing “should not be an investor concern.”

In a note to investors on Tuesday, Timothy Ash, an emerging-markets economist at the Royal Bank of Scotland, said Turkish banks are not “particularly exposed to the $26 billion of Dubai World liabilities.”

Separately, the Financial Times reported that Britain’s banks were Dubai’s biggest foreign creditors. The report said Royal Bank of Scotland had the biggest exposure, of up to $2bn. HSBC, Standard Chartered and Lloyds Banking Group had exposure of about $1bn each, according to the paper.

Speaking to the Anatolia news agency, Bülent Erdogan, chief executive of Turkish construction giant Nurol, said three of the company’s ongoing projects had stopped six months ago due to problems with payments.

“We have six more ongoing projects in Abu Dhabi; we have seen no problem there,” he said. “[But] we also do not have any capital investments in Dubai.”

Emin Sazak, chief of the Turkish-Qatari Business Council of the Foreign Economic Relations Board, said “If [Dubai World] says it will postpone payments to creditors, that would also mean delays in payments to constructors,” he said, adding that only a few Turkish companies had planned to invest in Dubai, but pulled back due to the global credit crisis.

Unicredit Group and Yapi Credit Bank partner all Cumberland Properties projects for your peace of mind.

No Flamingos At The Wetlands In Bodrum

Flamingos failed to flock to the Tuzla wetlands near the resort town of Bodrum this year, marking the latest blow to an ecosystem that faces the risk of disappearing completely. The area was declared a special protection zone five years ago, but industrialization & urbanization in the region is putting the wetlands at risk. Marble plants & carpet washing factories have continued to operate in the area their wastewater reaching the wetlands through the Mazı River.

 

More than 5,000 summerhouses were also built near the Tuzla wetlands, & all their wastewater is released into the lake. Once home to 120 species of birds & 50 species of fish, the wetlands now struggle to survive.

One of the most important wetlands in the Aegean region is the victim of “a murder of nature & environment”, according to Süha Umar, deputy president of the Foundation for Preserving Wildlife & Game.

 

Umar said the foundation filed complaints to the prosecutor’s office & the Muğla Governor’s Office against the industrial facilities that are destroying the area.

 

“The Tuzla wetlands are a unique asset that offers both historical & natural beauties,” he said. “While we are making plans to promote Tuzla & turn this spot into a popular tourist destination, some irresponsible people are turning the heaven into hell. I will do everything possible not to let them.”

 

Cüneyt Karaoğlu, a member of the Bodrum Volunteers Association, said flamingos did not come to the Tuzla wetlands this year for the first time. Karaoğlu noted that construction in the area has damaged the stability of the wetlands.

 

“The regulations regarding the protected areas have changed a few times in the last couple of years,” he said. “As a result of our inspections in the Tuzla wetlands, we found out that the number of animals in the area was decreasing, & we sent our reports to officials underlining the reasons for the decrease. ”Karaoğlu said precautions should be taken immediately; otherwise, he said, no animals will be left in the wetlands.

 

Bahattin Atçı, local governor of Milas, said the factories near Tuzla were warned last year not to release their wastewater into the Mazı River. “I will immediately send teams to the area to check the factories,” said Atçı. “We will severely punish anyone who poisons or damages the wetlands; no one should doubt that.” The local governor added the former salt plant in the area would be converted into a cafeteria & bird watching house.

 

The deep inlet from the Gulf of Güllük & Mandalya Bay forms Tuzla Lake. Home to a host of ancient ruins, the lake is surrounded by mountains covered with olive groves, pines & tamarisk trees.

 

Designated an Important Bird Area, or IBA in 2001 Tuzla Lake, dissected by a causeway, is particularly special as a bird sanctuary. Throughout the year, a large variety of rare birds including pelicans, flamingos & white storks can be seen flocking to the wetlands.

 

The IBA also covers the Güllük Delta, leading up to the Hamza Valley & following the Akyol River into Uyku Vadisi, or Sleepy Valley. Sleepy Valley is a natural preservation area among steep rocks, a forest of rich fauna & the Hamzabey River. It is called this because one feels sleepy as a result of the fresh, clean air in the region. This valley is now an official National Park.

 

The brackish waters of Tuzla Lake, less than a meter deep, provide vital nourishment for birds “refuelling” on their long journey to & from Russia, Scandinavia, and parts of Europe & Africa. It is rich in fish, algae & tiny creatures & fed by three fresh water streams. The lake attracts flamingos, grey heron, egret & numerous species of duck & goose. Although rare, 45 Dalmatian pelicans have been sighted here, as well as white pelicans, pygmy cormorants, spoonbills, & ospreys.

 

The varied nature of the lake’s surroundings also makes it an important habitat for birds & other wildlife. Mud flats are alive with waders, including the rare terek sandpiper. The surrounding farmland, forest & hedgerows attract even more rarities such as the booted eagle & the saker & lanner falcons.

 

The area also benefits from an especially mild microclimate so booted eagle & swallows were spotted there in December when they would usually be in Africa at this time. The Cyprus warbler, rarely seen this far west, is another visitor benefiting from the warmer temperatures.

 

Apart from the myriad bird life of Tuzla Lake that numbers into the thousands & thousands in winter, permanent inhabitants also include terrapins, snakes, wild boar, badger, fox & porcupine.

 

 

For more information visit: http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com

The Ultimate Celebrity Destination: Bodrum The “St-Tropez of Turkey”

Home to The Mausoleum, one of seven wonders of the ancient world, Bodrum has long been recognised as a celebrity hotspot. Nowadays, jet-setting actresses including Nicole Kidman, Uma Thurman and Liz Hurley holiday in Bodrum, but more than two thousand years ago, Cleopatra, Queen of Ancient Egypt, was also known to reside in this charming Mediterranean town.
To this day, the elegant celebrity tradition thrives in Bodrum, with infamous individuals such as Beyonce Knowles selecting it as their ideal holiday destination or investing in the unique property found on the peninsula.
With an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, Bodrum is renowned for its exquisite range of wildlife and natural setting of pine trees and olive groves. However, it also offers an extensive range of leisure activities including water sports, golf and yachting. Hollywood actor Tom Hanks who sojourned in Bodrum for a few days whilst cruising the Turkish coastline on board a magnificent yacht has enjoyed the latter of these pastimes.
Gloriously tranquil fishing villages frame the peninsula, offering the serenity of an unspoiled coastline and an authentic taste of Turkey’s rich cultural history.
Nonetheless, fashionable celebrities have long appreciated the distinguished nightlife presented in Bodrum centre. Whilst living in Bodrum, singer Norah Jones worked at the animated nightclub Hadigari and Dustin Hoffman held an exclusive party at Europe’s largest open-air disco, Halikarnas. The unique nightclub was also home to the very first international beauty pageant, Miss Globe, in 1988.
Many of the celebrity figures that have delighted in visiting Bodrum have stayed at extravagant hotels or have rented or invested in luxury villas within the region. Hannah Gelbart of Cumberland Properties recommends selecting an established and guaranteed property developer who offers top-quality, high-end construction with no expense spared.
So if you can picture yourself lounging by a spectacular infinity pool, shopping in an authentic Turkish market or a luxury boutique and sipping cocktails under the stars at a magnificent bar on the main street of Bodrum, you can see why Turkey has been tipped as a top tourist destination for 2010. Do not delay in experiencing it for yourself.

Cumberland Rentals

As a gesture of goodwill Cumberland Properties are offering an exclusive 10% early booking discount to readers of this website.
Seaview Regency Prestige is a newly completed project of 13 two storey detached villas and 6 three storey semi-detached villas all of which have 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Set on a gently slopping hill, in a jewel of a bay called Küçükbük – conveniently located just outside Gündoğan town centre. This quiet bay is renowned for its crystal clear sea, traditional gulets, cafés, bars and beachfront restaurants. Gündoğan town is famous for its local fish restaurants and readily accessible amenities including: ATM’s, bakeries, pharmacies and supermarkets.
All villas are open-plan, creating a light and airy ambience, and are thoughtfully laid out in landscaped gardens with private parking. They each have uninterrupted views of the Aegean sea and cascade down to a large pool terrace below with bar, plenty of sun loungers, showers and toilet facilities. The beach is just 5 minutes away.
The villas incorporate a glass brick design feature to provide a cool and welcome retreat from the sun. There is also an interesting use of contrasting textures both in and out, with a combination of aluminium and stone materials used in their construction.
The accommodation comprises: an impressive double height entrance door with wooden doors and a floating modern portico above. From the front door there is a fitted storage area to the left and ahead you can see through the hall and out through glass doors into the garden; on the ground floor to the right there is a guest bathroom and a double bedroom, to the left you enter the spacious kitchen / dining area opening into the living area with double doors to a large private garden. The stairs to the upper floor lead to a balcony and an airy hallway leads to two bedrooms and a family bathroom. The master bedroom is en-suite and has a private balcony with superb sea and garden views. All bedrooms are fitted with wardrobes as standard.

For more information visit: www.cumberland-properties.com

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