Italy property seekers can pick up bargains in inland areas of Liguria, which itself offers less expensive homes than the nearby Azur across the border in France, it has been stated.

The region is popular with Italians and is well suited for British buyers due to "regular flights into Genoa and Nice," Luca Catalano of estate agency RealItalia told the Independent.

Prices in this area – so far largely undiscovered by UK investors – can include £259,000 for a one-bedroom villa but are cheaper a little way inland, Italian property specialist Gemma Knowles stated.

She told the paper: "Nice apartments in towns can cost from around £215,000 while inland you can find homes in charming hilltop villages or farmhouses from around £130,000."

Such a prospect may be of interest to UK buyers looking for Italy property outside the traditional heartlands such as Umbria or Tuscany.

Real estate portal Mondinion.com recently reported that Italy is its most searched-for destination, with site founder Zoltan Baranyai stating that Toscana and Siciliana were the most popular places in the country.

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