Top language searches:

1. Learn a new language fast
2. Study languages abroad
3. Learn Spanish
4. German language course
5. Russian language schools
6. How to learn a new language
7. Learn to speak French
8. Language immersion
9. Language translator
10. Language programs

This summer many people wil be heading off to foreign countries to soak up some sun and a little culture. In many of those countries, the natives will speak English because it is such a ubiquitous language. Although this is very useful for us Brits, it doesn't half make us lazy. We lack the impetus to learn another language beyond a smattering of the local lingo such as, 'Deux bieres s'il vous plaît' or 'Dos cervezas por favor' (unless of course you prefer to drink wine).

Instead of expecting others to understand you, or using a complicated mixture of pidgin English in a dodgy accent while gesticulating wildly, why not learn a new language? The satisfaction you get from studying another language is almost on a par with the frustration, but I'd say satisfaction is the overall winner. The learning curve at the start is very high and you can find yourself picking up a lot of basic words and phrases quickly. Unfortunately the hard part is moving onto more complex points of grammar, but by that stage you'll already know enough to impress yourself and your friends, and this should be encouragement enough to stick at it!

The trouble with learning a new language is that it requires a great deal of effort and patience. It doesn't happen overnight. You have to spend at least an hour every day reading, listening and studying. But if you really want it, you will succeed. Of course, the best way to learn quickly is to spend time in the country of your chosen language. So now you have an excuse to book more holidays to France, Spain, Italy or wherever you want. These days there are so many different resources available for learning languages, there's really no excuse not to. You can join lessons, use language CDs, there are online podcasts and tutorials, you can set up language exchanges through the internet and you can use your local library.

Do you want to learn a language or are you already fluent in several? Tell us about your language learning experiences by leaving a comment.

Top dentist searches:

1. Find a dentist
2. Dental insurance
3. Teeth whitening
4. Dentures
5. Smile makeover
6. Cosmetic dentistry
7. Dental health
8. Sensitive teeth
9. Dental charges
10. Teeth cleaning

I can't think of a single person I know who actually enjoys going to the dentist, but there are many people who dislike and even fear it so much that they will avoid an appointment at all costs. If you find that the idea of sitting in the dentist's chair brings you out in a cold sweat, makes you feel dizzy, sick and have a panic attack, you are a victim of dentophobia and you're not alone.

People all over the world suffer from this intense fear of the dentist and there can be many reasons behind the fear such as feeling embarrassed about oral hygiene and bad breath, fearing the potential pain of treatments, having bad experiences in the past, feeling helpless and not in control and even learning to fear the dentist from others.

If you have a fear of the dentist, there are ways that will help you deal with your fear - you can't ignore it because avoiding the dentist will lead to such bad tooth problems that you may be forced to have emergency surgery that could be very unpleasant. If you visit your dentist regularly, although it will be a scary experience, at least you'll get away with only minor check ups!

You could seek cognitive behavioural therapy for your fear if it is very severe. This form of treatment involves speaking with a therapist who will try to understand your patterns of thinking and help you to identify your 'false' attitudes and go about changing them. Another way to face your fear is to tell your dentist exactly how you feel, and they will be certain to be more gentle and understanding with you. You could opt for sedation during treatments but this is not always recommended. Finally you could find a dentist who specifically works with dentophobes. They are trained to use a range of methods to put their patients at ease including massages, scented candles, soothing music and hypnosis.

Do you suffer from dentophobia? How do you deal with your fear? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

The new version of Microsoft Windows will be released on October 22nd. It is the next step up from Windows Vista and contains several new software updates. The upgrade will be made available for free to people who purchase a Hewlett Packard PC between now and the 22nd October. Also, Windows XP and Vista users will be able to purchase a cheaper upgrade version of the new Windows 7. But to get a full upgrade, you will have to pay for the new operating system. Will it be worthwhile or an unnecessary waste of money?
Check out our list of top computer product searches:

1. Windows 7 Internet Explorer
2. Windows Live
3. Windows update
4. Windows Vista
5. Windows XP
6. Linux vs Windows
7. Windows installer
8. Windows support
9. Windows anti virus
10. Windows XP help

Some of the new features of Windows 7 are revamps of applications such as Paint, Notepad and Calculator. Although these are rather small, simple apps, they have remained the same for years now so it's interesting to finally see them being updated. Windows 7's user interface is less cluttered and there are lots of new window management features to keep your desktop manageable and tidy. However, many critics have claimed that the differences are so slight as to be barely noticeable, and some say that this new release is merely what the last one, Vista, should have been. Windows Vista was released behind schedule and was not well received.

For those who decide they do want to upgrade to the Windows 7 version which contains a XP mode, they may find they will need to buy a new computer. A lot of laptops may not have the right processing chips to run the software. So although Microsoft may be pricing their new software relatively low to allow for the recession, users may find themselves paying out for an update (or even a new computer) that features only relatively minor improvements. Do you think Windows users need another software update or are they simply being ripped off? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

Top government searches:

1. Local government
2. MP
3. Big Ben
4. Houses of parliament
5. Westminster
6. Goverment benefits
7. House of Commons
8. Parliament expenses
9. Government website
10. UK Parliament

It's not only oblivious school kids and lackadaisical students who enjoy long, envy-inducing summer breaks. Our very own government representatives, the members of parliament, also get about 80 days of recess from their strenuous labours. Despite MPs earning salaries in excess of £60k per annum, parliament shuts down for 3 months while MPs concentrate on their constituencies, catch up on paperwork and plan their legislative agendas for the following year. And also take exotic beach holidays with their families, no doubt.

Our parliament is not the only one to have a summer recess - this occurs in many other countries too. But do you think it is the best way for the government to operate? Many people feel that it impedes the process of government. And while it sounds very admirable that these MPs spend extra time working in their constituencies, they're not formally obliged to. Ultimately, should an MP wish to spend three months sunning himself in St. Tropez, there's nothing to stop him doing so.

Some MPs are opposed to the long recess and in 2002 the House of Commons voted that parliament should resit for 2 weeks during September. However, as soon as 4 years later the practice was formally dropped. Evidently just 2 weeks out of their busy 3 month schedule working hard to empower the people they represent is just too much to ask of them.

In light of all the recent expenses scandals, do you suspect that some MPs might be planning to use the coming summer months supporting foreign economies with taxpayers' money? Or do you believe, or even know for certain, that MPs perform valid services over the summer recess? Leave a comment and share your opinions with us.

Top travel accessory searches:

1. iPod accessories
2. Luggage straps
3. Digital luggage scale
4. Travel insurance
5. Computer accessories
6. Wheeled luggage
7. Waist money belt
8. Noise reduction headset
9. Travel eye masks
10. Discount luggage

Travelling is stressful. Knowing what to pack, sitting on crowded, boring long-haul flights, worrying about keeping your belongings safe - it can't be avoided but it can be made more bearable. Many travel accessories have been invented with the aim of removing some of the hassle from holidaying. So here are a few of the most searched-for travel gadgets that will make travelling infintely more enjoyable.

Ear plugs
Planes, trains and indeed automobiles can be very noisy places. If you want to get some shut-eye without being disturbed by babies crying, people snoring and noisy engines, get some ear plugs. You can buy foam plugs cheaply - about £3-4 for a pack of 10 - and these are pretty effective. Alternatively you could invest in some noise reduction headphones so you can listen to music or a laptop with really clear sound while blocking out all external noise.

Money belt
Travelling abroad means handling fistfuls of foreign currency and there's nothing more tempting to a would-be robber than seeing a fresh-faced traveller with pockets full of notes. Keep your money safe in a money belt that sits against your skin. It might not be very comfortable, or cool, but if someone starts fishing around under your clothes to get at it, you'll know all about it.

Laptop
Nowadays you can find laptops outside of business class. There are such small ones available (10"screens) with lots of memory and storage on them that it makes sense for anyone to bring one along in your carry-on luggage. You can watch films on it, listen to your music library, upload and store your holiday photos, get online with WiFi and play games.

Neck pillow
This is something I always remember - when I'm sitting on the plane and suffering from neck ache! These handy pillows that wrap around your neck and support your head are perfect for when you want to sleep but the seats next to you are all taken.

Electronic book
Can't decide which paperback to read on the beach? Can't afford to have all those books weighing down your luggage? Buy an electronic reader like the Amazon Kindle. It can store up to 200 books: just a few more than you could fit in your carry-on luggage.

Travel adaptor
A universal travel adaptor is essential for people taking gadgets to foreign countries. Even if you are only taking a hairdryer - when you get to Spain, your 3-prong British plug won't be any use with their 2-prong plug holes!

What do you think are indispensible travel accessories? Leave a comment and share your ideas.

Top skin cancer searches:

1. Skin cancer
2. Causes of skin cancer
3. Cancer research
4. Prevent skin cancer
5. Sun protection
6. Skin cancer awareness
7. Suntan lotion
8. Signs of skin cancer
9. Cancer support
10. Cancer treatment

You may not realise it, but skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the UK. It is caused by overexposure to ultraviolet rays found in sunlight and also sunbeds. Since here in the UK we rarely see the sun, many people are fooled into thinking they are safe from UV rays. This is not the case. In the UK where the sun is not as strong as hotter countries, you can still get burnt, even on overcast days. You are especially at risk if you have fair skin and freckles.

Early signs of skin cancer can be spotted if you check your skin regularly. Look at the NHS website and Cancer Research for detailed information on checking for moles. If you spot cancer quickly, there are various treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy and these are often successful. But it is far better to take precautions before it is too late. Protecting yourself against skin cancer is easy to do.

If you are particularly at risk then you should wear sunscreen at all times. Even if you have dark skin and do not burn easily, you should still wear a hat and try to keep out of direct sunlight for long periods. Babies and young children have very delicate skin and must always be covered up in the sun. When choosing a sunscreen, make sure it has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 and a broad spectrum, meaning that it protects against the different types of UV rays. Also remember that one application of cream or spray isn't really enough - you have to keep applying it every 2 hours as long as you are in the sun.

If you still want a tan and decide to use a sunbed instead of the real thing - beware, it can be just as dangerous, if not more so. Sunbeds also have UV rays that harm the skin. Many people assume that sunbeds are a safer way of tanning but in fact some sunbeds have higher intensity UV rays than the sun.

The safest way of getting a tan is to use a fake spray tan or tinted moisturiser. This way your skin will not be damaged by UV rays. But remember that you must still use sunscreen over your fake tan when you go out in the sun!

Do you always protect yourself from the sun? Or are you a sunbed addict? Leave a comment and share your experiences.

Most smokers decide to quit smoking at some point in their lives and not all of them are successful, I can tell you. It's not an easy thing to stop smoking for good: just when you think you don't need another cigarette, you let your guard down and before you know it you've fallen off the wagon. Whatever you do, don't be disheartened and don't give up giving up! If you have decided to quit, either for the first time or the umpteenth time, arm yourself with our helpful hints to quit smoking.

Top quit smoking searches:

1. Nicotine patch
2. Nicotine gum
   
3. Stop smoking
4. How to quit smoking
5. NHS quit smoking
6. Smoking and pregnancy
7. Hypnotherapy smoking
8. Best way to quit smoking
9. Stop smoking forums

If you have tried to quit before but it didn't work, take some time to think about where you went wrong. Maybe you smoke when you're bored or when you're at work. Try to find ways to distract yourself or remove yourself from temptation at these times.

Many people recommend picking a 'quit day'. This shouldn't be the perfect day to quit, just any day in your calendar, but make sure you stick to it. Then on this day don't even go near a cigarette or other smokers. Don't do any of the activities you normally associate with smoking. You have to break the habit or smoking and all the other little habits that go with it such as having a cup of coffee in the afternoon with a fag. Chuck out all your cigarettes and ashtrays. It's really important to remove all tobacco products from around you - don't keep any 'safety net' cigarettes lying around for emergencies. Also, tell your friends and family that you're quitting so that they won't offer you a cigarette and will understand your irritability!

You will probably need support when you quit - don't be afraid to ask for help from your friends and family or from health professionals. In fact, if you are really serious about quitting, you should visit your GP who will be able to give you plenty of advice and, if you need it, patches, gum and lozenges to help you cut out nicotine. Not everyone needs these substitutes, some people can go cold turkey and others need props or chemical substitutes - it doesn't matter how you quit, as long as you do it!

Some people find the problem with quitting lies in their hands. To solve this problem, you can buy inhalators that look like cigarette holders which you can suck on to release nicotine and satisfy your craving. Taking up exercise when you quit can be a good way to help. Exercising releases endorphins into your body which make you feel good and help your body to cope with withdrawal symptoms. It will also help your lungs increase their capacity - if you smoke before you exercise you will really feel it.

Above all, try to stay positive. It isn't easy to quit smoking but it definitely is possible. Have you quit and how did you do it? Or are you about to quit now? Leave a comment and share your experiences.

Top weather searches:

1. Weather stations
2. Weather forecast
3. Today's weather
4. Local weather
5. Wellies
6. Raincoats
7. 10 day forecast
8. Weather info
9. Weather sites
10. Travel weather

How many people have heard of Saint Swithin? He was a Saxon bishop of Winchester who on his deathbed, according to legend, wished to be buried outdoors. For nine years his grave was situated outdoors but then his body was moved to an elaborate shrine inside the Winchester Cathedral. During the ceremony a huge storm whipped up reflecting the bishop's despair.

In later times a myth developed around Saint Swithin that if rain falls on his memorial day - 15th July - then rain will continue to fall for the next 40 days. But if the weather is fine on the 15th, the next 40 days will also be fine. There is even a rhyme to explain this:

St Swithin's Day, if it does rain
Full forty days, it will remain
St Swithin's Day, if it be fair
For forty days, t'will rain no more

There are lots of myths and old wives' tales about predicting the weather. For example, killing a spider will make it rain the next day, snow will fall when the cat washes behind both ears, 'when the chairs squeak, it's of rain they speak', if you sneeze three times within a few seconds, the next day will be sunny. There are many, many more like these - how many do you know?

What is the weather like today - will we be seeing a month of rain or sun? Can there be any truth in these myths about the weather when science and meteorology experts can't always get it right? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

Having a year-round golden glow is actually quite hard work to achieve. You can either spend hours lying in the sun, holding reflective cards to ensure the sun's rays are focused on you, rolling over every few minutes to ensure an even tan, or you have to spend money in tanning salons using sun beds or sun showers, or you can get spray tans or use self-tanning lotions. Check out the most searched-for tanning solutions.

Top tanning searches:

1. Self tanning lotion
2. Spray tanning
3. Tanning beds
4. Skin care
5. Best suntan lotion
6. Organic skin care products
7. Tanning salons
8. Spray tanning equipment
9. Stand up tanning
10. Anti aging skin care
    

If you want a perfect tan, which of these methods is best to use? To get a real tan involves either having a lot of spare time, money or living in a sunny country. Not many people are able to spend all that time sunbathing. Not only is it time-consuming but it's also bad for your skin. Prolonged exposure to the sun's rays causes damage to your skin from UV rays. When you turn red after being in the sun - that means you've burned! Doing this increases your chances of developing skin cancer.

So what about sunbeds and sun showers - the capsules you stand in for 5 - 10 minute tanning sessions? These can set you back a lot of money because you are supposed to have a lot of sessions to build up your tan. And, in fact, these short bursts of UV is just as harmful as long spells in the sun. If you use a tanning bed too much you will definitely increase the likelihood of getting cancer. It's just not worth the risk.

So that leaves us with spray tans and lotions. Everyone knows that lotions are a pain. It's hard to get an even tan and you often end up with streaks and orange fingers. If you're happy to have just a bit of colour and not a deep tan, tinted moisturisers could be the perfect solution for you. Some of the best ones are Johnson's Holiday Skin Body Lotion, Nivea Sunkissed Skin and Elemental Herbology Sun Kiss. But if you want something a bit darker than that, spray tans are an effective way to get an all-over tan without risking skin cancer. You can either get home kits or get it done professionally.

Top movie searches:

1. Movie rental
2. Cinema tickets
3. Harry Potter and the half blood prince
4. Blockbusters
5. Public Enemies
6. Cinema finder
7. Transformers 2
8. Vue cinema tickets
9. Online movies
10. DVDs

Even if the weather isn't sizzling, you can still enjoy summer with these hot new movies coming out this year. Released on the 1st July and starring Jonny Depp, Public Enemies is a thrilling 1930s gangster film which is already drawing excellent reviews. Or if you're looking for some family dinosaur entertainment, Ice Age 3 was also released on the 1st.

This weekend sees the release of the most flambloyant, cringey and hilarious movie of the year - Sacha Baron Cohen's Austrian fashionista Brüno is heading to America to see how many people he can shock and upset. It's not for the faint-hearted but guaranteed to make you laugh until you cry.

The long-awaited sixth installment of the Harry Potter saga will be out on general release next week. In this chapter of Harry's story, he learns more about Lord Voldemort's dark past, prepares himself for the final battle ahead while dealing with confusing emotions and romantic relationships.

A remake of a 1974 hit movie that was based on a book of the same name, The Taking of Pelham 123 starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta will be released on the 31st July. Travolta leads a group or heavily armed men to hijack a New York subway train in return for a ransom of $10million.

The bestselling book The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger has been made into a movie starring Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams. Henry (Bana) has an uncontrollable ability to travel through time which makes building a relationship with Claire (McAdams) almost impossible.

Inglourious Basterds is Quentin Tarantino's latest offering starring Brad Pitt in a gung-ho Nazi-killing movie that will be released on August 21st.

Written by guest blogger Freya Koepping

Top cricket searches:

1. Watch cricket online
2. Test cricket
3. Freddie Flintoff pictures
4. Lords cricket hospitality
5. England cricket scores
6. Ashes cricket tickets
7. Cricket live TV
8. Cricket bats
9. The Oval tickets
10. Cricket tours

Perhaps, like much of the world, you don't know what all the fuss is about. Or perhaps you wonder why there is not more fuss about the most ephemeral sporting fixture of them all - the Ashes series.

If your first experience of cricket has been the recentTwenty20 cup, where the focus is firmly on after-work socialising with friends in the sun, with the occasional glance towards some vaguely identifiable figures toiling away on the picturesque backdrop of the lush green pitch, then the prospect of watching a game that will last for a total of 25 days over the next 2 months must make you wonder just how many Mexican waves it can stay interesting for.

But plenty of people do still find this anachronistic idea interesting. A contest that in most years follows the same pattern as its origins in 1882, with Australia inflicting an ignominious defeat on the England team at the Oval, it captured big headlines in the summer of 2005, when 'Ashes fever' gripped the nation, and became such a preoccupation for your correspondent that she not only took the day off to bite her nails watching Kevin Pietersen save the day, but also agreed to an ill-advised tour of the rather less successful series in Australia in 2006.

Still, one suntanned Aussie was so pleased about their historic win at Adelaide on 5th December that yours truly managed to flog him a worthless ticket stub for a tenner after the match!

You can see why it became a national obsession: after all, what other sport is played exclusively when the weather's nice, gives you all day to enjoy some Pimms or the Sunday papers, is covered for 8 hours a day of mildly amusing radio banter on Test Match Special, and can still be decided right up to the last ball.

So why not follow in the footsteps of famous fans like Mick Jagger and (apparently) the delectable Hugh Jackman. Tune into the radio, dress up in silly costumes and catch a game if you're lucky enough to have tickets, or follow the action online at Asylum's live blog.

The first test is under way in Cardiff, so watch this space. Are you a cricket fan or are you mystified by anyone's interest in the game? Leave a comment here and share your thoughts.

Going bald is a natural occurence for many men, and some women, and it can be a stressful and upsetting experience. Here are our top searches in hair loss treatments.

Top hair loss searches:

1. Hair loss solutions
2. Prevent baldness
3. Baldness treatments
4. Conceal hair loss
5. Hair replacement systems
6. Hair pieces
7. Hair transplants
8. Male pattern baldness
9. Stop baldness
10. Hair loss information

If you do notice the dreaded receding hairline and want to do something about it, these are a few options that are open to you.

First: you could buy a hairpiece. It is possible to find good hairpieces that will cover receding hairlines and bald spots really well and not be noticable at all. They do require maintenance of course, but so does your real hair.

Second: you could opt for a hair transplant. This will be a lot more expensive than a wig but the results are very impressive as single hairs are transplanted into your scalp. (See Elton John's fine new barnet above).

Third: take various medications that stimulate hair growth. Minoxidil is one popular treatment that has varying degrees of success. It is marketed in the UK as Regaine and can be fairly expensive - but of course not the thousands that a transplant will set you back. There is also a product called Propecia, which works by inhibiting testosterone. Again the product has varying results amongst patients. Read the blog imgoingbald.com for one man's quest to regain his hair through using different hair products.

Fourth: sit tight and wait for the latest hair loss treatment. Recently it was discovered that Botox injected into the scalp can dilate the blood vessels which allows nutrients to get to the hair shafts and stimulates new growth.

Fifth: get used to it. Shave it all off and savour the feeling of the air against your scalp. Being bald isn't so bad! It works for Bruce Willis and Gail Porter.

Top lottery searches:

1. Euromillions
2. Lottery tickets
3. Lottery winners
4. Winning lottery numbers
5. Lottery website
6. Lottery winnings
7. Online lotto
8. How to win lottery
9. Jackpot
10. Lottery syndicate

Every Friday night, someone in Europe has the chance to become a millionaire. There are huge amounts of money to be won if you play the Euromillions lottery. And although there is only a 1 in 24 chance of winning even the smallest amount (and tiny odds for the jackpot), it's still exciting to buy a lottery ticket and keep your fingers crossed!

It is possible to win it big. In the past, individual winners have scored between £30 and £110 million pounds - all for themselves! Others have been elated to win the draw, only to find they have to share the jackpot with up to 20 other people - that must be quite a blow. But, if it's possible for 20 people to all choose the winning numbers at the same time, then it must be possible for you to choose the winning numbers sometime ... right?

If you don't already know, the way to play is you have to pick 5 main numbers ranging from 1 to 50 and 2 Lucky Stars ranging from 1 to 9. If you match all 7 numbers, you win the jackpot. If you get 3 numbers right you win a prize - this can be a combination of 3 main numbers, 2 main numbers and 1 Lucky Star or 1 main number and 2 Lucky Stars.

Will you be buying a lottery ticket this week and have you ever won anything? Leave a comment and share your experiences with us.

Getting a new job can be a daunting task but your fears will be hugely relieved with some proper preparation. Here are our top job-related searches and a few tips for aceing the interview.

Top career searches:

1. Jobs
2. Interview questions
3. Find jobs online
4. Interview techniques
5. Management jobs
6. Stay at home jobs
7. Cover letters
8. CV examples
9. Career changes
10. Job finder

Make sure you are on time! Prepare before the interview to see how long it will take you to travel there, what routes and transport you can take and what alternatives you have in case of traffic jams/train delays etc. Always leave yourself plenty of time to get from your home to the interview so you don't have to hurry and arrive all sweaty: first impressions really do count. For this reason, the next tip is to dress to impress. Wear something you think would be smarter than what is normally worn in the job you want to get. Pay attention to detail and don't be let down by chipped nail varnish or dirty nails, muddy shoes or an untucked shirt.

As soon as you know you have the interview, find out everything you can about the company. Use what you learn in the interview to prove to the interviewers that you have an interest in the job and that you're keen. Check the company website and if they have any, try out their products. Think of a few questions to ask about the company and the job. Also take some time to think what kind of questions might come up and prepare some answers. Search for interview questions online to get an idea of what might come up.

It might be annoying or tricky but try to work out what your strengths and weaknesses are. When mentioning weaknesses, always follow up with a solution for how you can counteract your weakness. Remember that body language speaks volumes about you so smile, maintain eye contact and have a firm handshake - this way you'll come across as confident.

Our final piece of advice is remember that a job interview is as much a chance for you to decide if you like the company as for it to decide if you would fit in there. Sell yourself but make sure you think you'll be happy in the job too. Do you have an interview coming up? Or do you have any interview nightmare stories to share? If you do, leave a comment and tell us all about it.

Top overseas property searches:

1. French property
2. Morocco properties
3. Villas abroad
4. Buying property abroad
5. Overseas mortgages
6. Cyprus property
7. Moving abroad
8. Overseas property
9. Property investors
10. Apartments abroad

How many times have you dreamt of winning the lottery and moving to a hotter country? Buying a house abroad doesn't have to involve millions of pounds and it can be a great investment - whether you use the house to rent out for extra income and as your holiday home, or if you intend to retire there.

When deciding on your perfect location, have a good think about what you prefer - towns, countryside, beaches, mountains. Check out where the nearest shops and attractions are - especially if it will be a rental property. How convenient is it to reach from the airport, what's the electricity supply like? You'll have to visit the area to get a good idea of it. The most important thing about buying property abroad is to a lot of detective work. If you were buying a hous in the UK you would want to find out as much as you can before doing so. The same applies even more so for a foreign investment. Speak to estate agents and property developers, check out online forums for advice.

It is possible to buy an overseas property with a mortgage of up to 75-80 percent of the property's value. You can do this through a UK mortgage broker or with a bank in the country that your house is located in. If you plan to rent the property and would be paid rent in another currency it might be best to take out the mortgage in the same currency - this can also be useful if the exchange rates are favourable. When planning your finances to buy an overseas property, bear in mind there are other fees you'll have to pay: notaries, estate agents, solicitors and taxes. Do your homework before making any offers!

There's a lot of legal work involved with buying abroad, and foreign laws can be confusing and frustrating so make sure you seek appropriate advice. For example, if you buy in Spain and decide to live there for more than six months, you'll need to apply for a 'residencia' to become a resident. Doing this can be advantageous as you'll pay lower taxes. Make sure when the contracts are drawn up you read them carefully - and that you can understand the language!

If owning a home abroad is your dream, remember that it's not a simple process but it is definitely achievable. Do you own a foreign property or are you planning to buy one? Leave a comment and tell us what you think.