Pleasant weather, access to first-rate amenities in the form of a resort, and

These breathtaking locations throughout the world are waiting to welcome visitors with mouthwatering cuisine and housing options at reasonable prices.

If you own a vacation property, then you can technically take a vacation whenever you choose. However, with both real estate prices and mortgage rates on the rise in the United States, your ideal second home may be waiting for you somewhere other than in the country itself.

It is important to always consult with a local registered real estate agent and lawyer when closing the deal when investing in a residence overseas, as there may initially be some legal problems involved. However, there are a lot of advantages that come along with it as well, such as the possibility of gaining a second citizenship, experiencing a new culture, and always having a private spot to vacation that you don't have to share with anyone else. Not to mention the fact that if you chose to rent out the property, you can get some additional income from your investment in real estate overseas.

In order to assist you in narrowing down your search for a cheap vacation residence overseas, we spoke to expert brokers located all over the world and picked together eight of the greatest, most affordable, and dreamiest destinations to focus your house quest on. We hope that this information will be helpful to you.

Portugal
 

In the recent past, Portugal has developed into a popular destination for vacations. Over 300 days of sunlight a year are enjoyed by visitors to this country, which also boasts picture-perfect beaches with golden sand, delectable cuisine (and wine), lovely tiny villages, and a culture that is interesting. The southern region of Portugal known as the Algarve has quickly become one of the most popular places in the world to purchase a second home as a result of its breathtaking scenery, low cost of living, and plenty of options for outdoor activity.

"The most popular spots for real estate investment in the Algarve are often located in or near coastal places like Vilamoura, Carvoeiro, Lagos, and Albufeira. These are the locations where there is a large concentration of resorts, golf courses, and other facilities. Sandra Vicente of Portugal Sotheby's International Realty told Travel+Leisure that there are many smaller towns and villages in the region that offer more affordable options for buyers looking for a quieter lifestyle. She added that potential buyers will find a variety of property types, including older houses, modern new apartments, and villas.

Martin, Saint
 

This picture-perfect Caribbean island is shared by France and the Netherlands, and it features an unusual mix of cultures and customs, all of which are set against the breathtaking backdrop of the island's pristine beaches and verdant mountains. (The island is also known as Saint-Martin in French, as well as St. Maarten in Dutch.) But for those who would like to visit St. Martin more frequently than just for a weekend escape, the island presents a wide variety of alternatives for purchasing a holiday property at a price that won't break the bank. According to Harrison Drouin-Reed, an agent of St. Maarten Sotheby's International Realty, there are a few reasons why this is the case. These reasons include a high inventory of properties, competition between the markets on the two sides of the island, and tax incentives.

Drouin-Reed told Travel + Leisure that the median price of a single-family home in St. Maarten is approximately $550,000, which is cheaper than the median price of a home in other prominent Caribbean locations such as the Bahamas or the Cayman Islands. "According to data from the Caribbean Real Estate Association," Drouin-Reed said. On the Dutch side of the island, he said, prospective purchasers might find condominiums for as little as $200,000, while on the French side of the island, where prices normally tend to be a bit higher, they could find a modest studio for about $107,000. He also mentioned that the Dutch half of the island had a greater supply of condos for sale.

Greek island of Crete

Crete is the largest island in Greece, and as such, it provides visitors with an abundance of picture-perfect sea vistas, stunning scenery, and off-the-beaten path spots where they may enjoy seclusion and tranquilly while on vacation.

"Crete is also renowned for its rich, varied history and cultural background, and it is also home to some of the most impressive ancient ruins in the world and museums and cultural attractions guaranteed to satisfy the more culturally inclined," Marios Pavlakis, an Athens-based real estate agent with Sotheby's International Realty, shared with Travel + Leisure. He also mentioned that Knossos, dubbed Europe's oldest city, sits just outside of Crete's capital city Heraklion.

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Pavlakis stated that despite the fact that the real estate market on the island is experiencing a boom in interest, there are still opportunities to discover deals, particularly in regions such as the south of Crete, which attracts less visitors. According to him, the price per square metre has a median of 6,429 euros, which is equivalent to approximately $636 per square foot, but it can go as low as 2,727 euros, which is equivalent to about $270 per square foot.

Bulgaria
 

This little country in eastern Europe is steeped in history and is home to nearly 230 miles of picturesque Black Sea coastline, majestic mountain ranges (including the highest peak on the Balkan peninsula), and one of Europe's oldest wine districts. Its size is comparable to that of Tennessee. The Bulgarian lev is the country's official currency, and although it is a member of the European Union, the country has not yet adopted the euro as its common currency. Despite this, the country has the second lowest cost of living in the European Union. And this encompasses the real estate market as well.

According to Hristo Angelkov of Bulgaria Sotheby's International Realty, the nation has the cheapest average price per square metre in all of Europe. These prices range from $1,200 to $3,500 per square metre, which may be converted to approximately $140 to $325 per square foot depending on the type of property and the region. The districts along the northern and southern Black Sea coasts (in the vicinity of the towns of Burgas and Varna) as well as the winter resorts of Bansko, Borovets, and Pamporovo are among the most frequented tourist destinations in Bulgaria. (Because it is home to world-class ski facilities and is only a couple of hours away from the capital Sofia and approximately the same distance from some of Northern Greece's most gorgeous beaches, Bansko is a particularly popular vacation.)

Italy's Sicily
 

"In Sicily, and especially in the west, there is a lot of interest in small villages, where time is marked by a much slower rhythm, different from the big city, the cost of living is lower, but the quality — in some respect — is better," Diletta Giorgolo, head of residential Italy Sotheby's International Realty, told Travel + Leisure. She added that authenticity, unspoiled nature, culture, and Sicily's distinctive cuisine characterise life on the Mediterranean's largest island off

He explained that real estate prices for city houses tend to be cheaper than those for out-of-town residences, which offer greater solitude, and that this is because city properties are located in more densely populated areas. The emerging markets of Noto, Sciacca, and Cefalu are more wallet-friendly than the more established ones in Noto, Taormina, and Palermo. Some examples of these emerging markets include Menfi, Sciacca, and Cefalu.

"In the city, prices start from 2,000 to 3,000 euros per square metre, and a 150-square-meter property can range from 350,000 to 500,000 euros," he continued. This is equivalent to between $372,870 and $532,673 in American currency.

Montenegro

According to a survey that examines developing markets for second homes, the number of real estate transactions in Eastern Europe, particularly Montenegro, is increasing at an unprecedented rate. And it's not hard to understand why one of the tiniest countries in Europe is such a popular vacation destination, particularly for people who enjoy sailing and own yachts.

"Montenegro is a wonderful place to visit thanks to its pleasant climate and laid-back culture, which places a strong focus on spending time outside in addition to its breathtaking landscapes and rare combination of sea and mountains in a relatively small region. According to Niko Lakovi, managing partner at Montenegro Sotheby's International Realty, it is even conceivable to bathe in the sea and ski in the mountains on the same day during the springtime in Montenegro. T+L was given this information.

Because of its gorgeous stretch of Adriatic coastline and its excellent Porto Montenegro port in the Bay of Kotor, the country of Montenegro has quickly become one of the most popular developing sailing destinations in all of Europe. In addition, during the past few years, Montenegro has seen the opening of a number of opulent new developments, the most notable of which are Lutica Bay and Portonovi, both of which are now home to a One&Only resort. As a result, the country is rapidly becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination.

Lakovi continued by saying that if you are looking for a property that is within your price range, you should go outside of large developments. For instance, a 1,044 square foot apartment with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, panoramic views of the sea, and a private rooftop terrace in the seaside town of Tivat will set you back 360,000 euros, which is equivalent to approximately $383,240.

Mexico
 

Our neighbour to the south is a wonderful paradise for anyone looking to purchase a second property due to its beautiful beaches of white sand, lively dining scene, and rich culture and history. The regions of Cancun and Playa del Carmen have for a long time been a magnet for vacationers. However, they are now also home to a growing community of vacation homeowners and ex-pats thanks to the easy access from the United States (multiple airlines have daily direct flights to Cancun International Airport), growing inventory, good infrastructure, and overall excellent quality of life that does not come at an eye-popping price.

"Every year, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum generate around ten thousand transactions, ranking as one of the ten fastest growing real estate markets worldwide," Liszett Torres, general manager of Riviera Maya Sotheby's International Realty, told T+L. She was explaining that properties in the area make for an excellent investment. "Every year, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum generate around ten thousand transactions," she said.

She also mentioned that studio apartments start for as little as $150,000, while flats with one or two bedrooms begin somewhere in the area of $200,000 to $280,000, and homes begin somewhere around $500,000.

Thailand
 

Thailand is the ideal of a picture-perfect beach resort due to the fact that it is home to more than a thousand picture-perfect islands that are scattered across the green seas of the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Siam. When you add to that the wonderful food, nice people, investor-friendly regulations, and inexpensive cost of living (and real estate), you may begin to understand why so many individuals have decided to make it their second home.

However, according to Miss Abhista "Maeo" Patintu of List Sotheby's International Realty, purchasers can get a villa with a pool in the famed Samui islands for as little as $202,000. The costs for holiday homes on this area vary depending on the location as well as the facilities that come with the home. She went on to say that another location that is popular among people from the United States is Phuket.