As an international businessman, I am often required to work across multiple time zones and switching off from work and finding time to relax can be difficult. That being said, unwinding does not come naturally to me. I can trace this back to when I was reading for my PhD at Cambridge, or even to my schooling, and see the pattern throughout the twenty years that I have spent building my business, the Global Group.
However, this is something that I am working hard to be better at as it is important to achieve a strong work-life balance and make the time for leisure activities.
Personally, I make a special effort to ensure that I spend a good amount of time with my four young daughters. Even though I am constantly travelling around the world, I always try as hard as possible to travel back to Hong Kong on the weekends to see my children. Family is so important to me and in my opinion, it is crucial to make time to spend with your family as they are your most reliable support system. It gives me great pleasure to come home and hear all about my daughters’ lives and achievements.
As someone that is constantly jet-setting around the world and spends a lot of time in airports and on planes, I can share with you some of my top tips for relaxing and unwinding during international travel.
Firstly, I like to make sure that I do take some time out to do the things that I love whilst I’m flying long-haul. So, although I use some of this time to work, films are a passion of mine and therefore I always make sure to make the time to watch the latest movies during my flights. If I’m not in the air, then I love going to the cinema to watch the latest releases, and London’s West End is my favourite place for this.
I love to invest in cultural items as it allows me to combine work and relaxation. Some of my favourite things to learn about and invest in are fine art and fine wines. Cigars are also a passion of mine, and I am a member of a cigar club in Hong Kong, which is a favourite haunt of mine.
For me, studying is an activity that I also find relaxing, as I enjoy learning new things, widening my horizons and keeping up to date with the constantly changing world around me. It is important for me to ensure that I am as knowledgeable as possible about global trends and ideas as this is useful for me from a business perspective. But I also find it personally fulfilling. For example, I recently finished a course in FinTech from MIT, which I found fascinating and hugely enjoyable.
One of my favourite ways to fully relax and take my mind off the most pressing demands of work is to spend time catching up with my friends around the world. I’m very fortunate in that I do a vast amount of global travel, and I make sure I catch up with contacts whenever I can.
Finally, I like to invest in things that I can take travelling with me. I am particularly interested in discovering and acquiring the newest phones and computers. This is largely due to that fact that, not only are they attractive to have in themselves, they are also extremely useful and can be used for socialising and business. Keeping up to date with the latest advances in technology also means that one can save time and be more efficient, once you have mastered them, thereby freeing up more time.
Business travel can be draining but, with a little planning, it can also be a great opportunity to take a moment for yourself, recharge your batteries, and allow you to combine work and pleasure.
Written by Katina Hristova
Another option for your business travel or holiday, also located in the dazzling Canal District, is the superb Seven One Seven Hotel. Housed in a stunning 17th-century building which overlooks the Prinsengracht canal, the boutique hotel could easily be mistaken for a private house. Despite its central location, once you walk through the dark-green door of Seven One Seven, you will feel worlds away from the hustle and the bustle of the bars, restaurants and coffee shops nearby – something that reserved romantics will definitely appreciate.
Beyond the entrance is the salon – a gorgeously assembled, high-ceilinged space, adjacent to which is an elegant lounge area, decorated with sumptuous furnishings, designer pieces and original art. The nine suites, which reflect the lounge’s interior design style, combine elegant, antique décor with modern and homely feel. They vary from spacious to very spacious, not only according to central Amsterdam standards. The two executive suites (called Schubert and Picasso) have high ceilings and boast prime views of the Prinsengracht canal. All rooms feature the latest in-room advanced technology, including audio system. Each suite is a room of enchantment, crafted from a range of furnishings, decorations and works of art that have been thoughtfully assembled to create a truly magnificent atmosphere.
The delicious breakfast that the hotel offers in a cosy and tastefully-decorated restaurant area, is served a la carte and includes eggs, cold meats, a selection of cheeses, pastries, fresh fruits and juices. The friendly and knowledgeable staff offer impeccable service and tend to the needs of all guests at all times. Their discreetness adds to the low-key and domestic aura of the Seven One Seven Hotel.
Breathe in the Dutch air, absorb everything that Amsterdam has to offer and make yourself at home in a stately Amsterdam canal house. The laid-back, guesthouse feel of the splendid Seven One Seven hotel will undoubtedly make your stay in the culture-filled and spirited Dutch capital truly unforgettable!
For more information, please call +31 (20) 4270717 or email info@717hotel.nl
JP Donnelly, founder, www.5starvillasales.com
Buying a holiday home is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make; make it right and you will have a long term investment for you and your family to enjoy for years to come. However, the process of buying a vacation home can be overwhelming, negotiating potential language barriers, dealing with the legal aspects, even finding the right home in the first place. As experts in luxury villa sales, here are our tips to help you on your way.
- A home, a rental or a bit of both
I acquired my first holiday home aged 24 when I bought three apartments in Alanya and for me it was always an investment rather than a home and I feel this distinction is important. If you’re looking for a property as an investment your criteria would be different to a second home. The key to a good investment property is often timing; buying at the right price in the right conditions. And if your motivation is purely for a holiday home, then look at factors like flying time and flight availability from local airports to make even long weekends at your home in the sun feasible. But the reason that most people buy a vacation home is to be able to use it as a base for family holidays for a number of weeks, renting it out the rest of the time. The main issue to consider here is the demand year round, alongside issues like maintenance and durability of fixtures and fittings and facilities- a private south facing pool is something almost all renters will ask for!
- Location, location, location.
Emotion undoubtedly drove the purchase of my first holiday home. Alanya in Turkey was an area that I knew and loved and it is extremely likely that when it comes to buying your holiday home, you too will be drawn to locations that perhaps you have holidayed in in the past. But don’t let emotion completely drive the purchase. When thinking about location, consider your main reason for buying. For pure investment then locations like New Zealand and Florida are good bets; Florida came fifth in an investment review of American property hotspots in 2015. Again, timing is everything here; look at prices over the years and only buy when the conditions are right.
For a pure holiday home, look at European destinations like Spain, Cyprus and Turkey to maximise your time out there, and if you do consider further afield bear in mind that this will usually mean less holidays but of longer duration- your schedule and lifestyle will often make this decision for you. For a holiday home that you also rent out, the demand for short term rental is key with Florida having one of the best rental markets. 5 Star Villa Sales has 4 to 9 bedroomed vacation homes at the exclusive Champion’s Gate gated community, offering strong rental potential and yield. Expect to pay around £341, 993 ($512,990) for a 3812 ft², 8 bedroom, 5 bathroom, 2 garage ‘Maui’ home. The rental income on a property like this can cover ongoing costs, including mortgage, management and maintenance fees whilst allowing owners to enjoy 3-4 weeks in the property each year. At current rates the 8 bedroom Maui will rent at £2629 for 7 nights.
- Look after the legal aspects
Before you set out on a trip to research properties, it is always best to work out the figures and if you require a mortgage, then look to obtain a decision in principle beforehand. This puts you in a stronger negotiating position. I have come across many, many people who have purchased their holiday home without the assistance of a lawyer, but in my opinion, their assistance can be invaluable- especially if you are a cash purchaser. A lawyer will look at aspects such as outstanding debts (like maintenance fees for example) that are owing on a property so that you don’t get lumbered with them post purchase, and ensure that any taxes due are paid. An English speaking lawyer can also assist with overcoming any language barriers. Research potential lawyers beforehand and find out if they specialise in property law, you may even be able to speak to previous clients.
5 Star Villa Holidays offers holiday homes for sale in Florida, Turkey, Spain and Cyprus at www.5starvillasales.com or on 0151 494 9145, and rental properties with sister company www.5starvillaholiday.com
