From a private island in the Seychelles to a medieval castle in France or even a Fijian retreat with an inclusive jeep, 35-foot cruiser and E320 Mercedes Benz – the world is full of highly desirable and expensive properties. Being charged with the brief of choosing ten destinations across the globe was an immensely enjoyable experience purely and simply because property fascinates me and has done for as long as I can remember.

This interest derives from my ‘super-mother’ who, after converting a New York brownstone mansion into apartments when I was a toddler, moved on to design and subcontract large-ultra modern houses in the leafy, wooded suburbs of Salt Lake City. If mother was not drawing blue-prints, ordering bricks or overseeing earthmovers, she had a paintbrush in her hand. As a family we moved every few years to her next project. In an otherwise orderly, or-dinary and loving family, from an early age I was im-bued with an interest – through my mother’s eye – in property.

My 2005 property list includes two destinations with strong personal associations. One is in the French Côte d’Azur’s ultra-exclusive Cap Ferrat, where as a teenager I made a pilgrimage to Somerset Maugham’s house. (I too – like my hero Maugham – would become exiled from my homeland, America.) The other is in the US, where my choice, a neo-modern Connecticut home, is not too dissimilar from the less grand versions in which I grew up. Thus as an accolade to my mother and my formative years, Conn-ecticut is my premier global choice.

On a more objective note, the world’s luxury residential market is booming. At the New York HQ of the international Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation, Jim Gillespie, president and CEO, says: “By November 2004, sales through our luxury marketing programme were 52 per cent up from the previous year. This is particularly significant considering that 2003 marked more luxury home sales than during any other year in the company’s history.” But what price luxury? In the US luxury market alone, Forbes reported the average 2004 luxury house price at $55.25 million, up more than $5 million over one year. By comparison, our Investment Inter-national New Year’s properties range from $2.09 million to $34.56 million, and are absolute ‘bargains’.

If, though, like me you are not in the position to splash out on a million-plus property, you’ll take heart from Frank Sinatra when he sang: “I’m no millionaire but I’m not the type to care ’cause I’ve got a pocketful of dreams.” Whether it’s a wish-list or you’re in the market to buy now, let’s take a closer look.

Fijian fantastic

How would you like a South Pacific retreat and a 35-foot cruiser with a flying bridge, a Mercedes and a Prado four-wheel-drive jeep all included in the price? Transport need not be a worry at this contemporary property on The Cove at Denarau Island, Nadi. Expansive open-plan living leads on to a wide covered terrace and an infinity pool. The house features five bedrooms, an office, gym, wine cellar and home theatre. The all-encompassing price – with furniture, vehicles and a boat – is a reasonable FJ$3.5 million ($2.09m), and is my ‘cheapest choice’, from Bayley’s Realty. Contact – www.bayleys.co.nz

French Fairytale

Legend has it that Richard the Lionheart is buried in the grounds of this fairytale chateau near Limoges. The price-tag of €26 million ($34.56m) may seem steep for a medieval fortification, but when you realise that you’ll be getting 500 acres of prime oak and chestnut forests, lakes, pastureland and 17 bedrooms – plus everything from a ‘Great Knights’ Hall’, chapel and music room to a home cinema, library and dungeon – the price starts to make more sense. Alongside central heating throughout and an integrated computer network, the owners are throwing in a personalised ‘château’ dinner service for 30 people. Outbuildings range from six houses to extensive stabling. For the ultimate in privacy, contact Savills – www.savills.com

French finesse

Cap Ferrat epitomises luxury and prestige and is a destination oozing with famous residents. The joint villas Sarah and Tabuk, set on a dramatic hillside with views across the Mediterranean, have been cleverly designed to provide flexible accommodation for entertainment on a grand scale or to enjoy family privacy. Villa Sarah is the main residence with lavish living and reception rooms and some accommodation, while Villa Tabuk provides the principal bedrooms. Amenities include two swimming pools, a jacuzzi and steam room. There is direct lift access between the villas and the indoor and outdoor pools. Mature gardens are terraced with a series of attractive retaining walls. The property provides garaging for 10 cars and extensive domestic office and staff accommodation. Available from Knight Frank for €23 million ($30.6m) – www.knightfrank.com

‘Irishly’ individual

Humewood Castle is not really a castle, but a Victorian castellated and impeccably constructed country house – some say ‘a grand folly’. Being set within in a walled sporting estate of 440 acres in an area of outstanding natural beauty just 45 miles south of Dublin makes Humewood special and for €16 million ($21.2m), good value for money. The house contains 13 bedrooms and extensive reception rooms. Outside is stabling for 18 horses, an outdoor arena and four lodges. A further selling point is that a planning application has been submitted for 26 houses, which could be sold separately with 120 acres. From Sotheby’s International Realty – www.sothebysrealty.com

Italian indulgence

No list of the world’s most desirable destinations would be complete without an Italian Renaissance palace. Palazzo E Giardina Guisti – described as one of Italy’s most desirable and prestigious properties – sits in an 18,000-square-metre park with geometrically perfect hedges, mythological statues, fountains, cypresses, and a labyrinth. Visited by numerous famous persons such as Mozart, Goethe, Emperor Joseph II and Tsar Alexander, the palace comprises 5,500 square metres on three floors plus cellars and attics connected by two monumental staircases and three secondary stairs serving the intermediate floors. The second floor has five reception halls, frescos, fireplaces and original wooden floors. In addition to the palace, there is an 18th-century cottage and a 19th-century villa. Situated at the heart of historic Verona, the asking price is €14 million ($18.6m) from Giorgio Viganò – www.italian-network.it

Kiwi kismet

One of New Zealand’s most expensive mansions is located on a clifftop overlooking Auckland’s outer harbour, Rangitoto Island and the Pacific Ocean. Designed by Pip Cheshire of Jasmax Architects with an emphasis on glass and light with nearly 11,000 square feet of living space, the property has been named New Zealand’s ‘top home of the century’ by National Business Review. Four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a cinema and library are complemented by a swimming pool, pool house and spa plus underground parking for seven cars. The sale price is NZ$8.25 million (US$5.8m). Further information from Bayley’s Real Estate – www.bayleys.co.nz

Mustique magic

Long known for exclusivity, properties for sale on the island of Mustique are rare, especially those with 11 acres of ground. Alizé – surrounded by lush tropical foliage on one side and crystalline blue seas on the other – is exceptional. Its clifftop position affords panoramic views across distant islands and year-round sunsets. A long, winding driveway leads to the principal residence with its two reception rooms and a spectacular octagonal dining room that overlooks a large infinity-edged swimming pool to the horizon beyond. Two wings of accommodation branch off from main living areas. Outside are formal gardens, terraces, an elegant dining gazebo, one guest cottage and three two-bedroom purpose-built cottages. The property, at $11.5 million, is fully furnished with a mix of antique and New World furniture. From Knight Frank – www.knightfrank.com

South African supreme

If a sweeping ‘Scarlet O’Hara’ staircase and vaulted ceilings appeal and if you wish to join the swelling ranks of international buyers seeking a South African foothold, one of Johannesburg’s finest properties has come on the market for ZAR23.76 million ($4.1m). The seven-bedroom house sits on an acre of land in the élite suburb of Sandhurst and boasts a wine cellar described as ‘large enough for a monastery of monks with the character of a bacchanal festival’. The grounds include formal gardens, fountains, lawns, a pool and two separate mini-villas. Through Lew Geffen – www.sothebyslewgeffen.co.za

Spanish spectacular

Palazzo Dell Luce in the exclusive enclave of La Zagaleta on the Costa del Sol has strongly rumoured Hollywood connections – designed and built by an unnamed celebrity who decided finally that the area was not for him. The palatial villa was created with specialist collaboration between local and international contractors to create one of Europe’s finest residences.

Standing on a 20,000-square-metre plot, the property has panoramic views over the Mediterranean. A double-height entrance hall leads to various reception rooms, a master bedroom with a jacuzzi, four further guest suites and two self-contained apartments, all spread over three floors. The library has mahogany panelling from the US. There is also a gym and spa with a Turkish bath. Bathrooms use rare marble and are inset with semi-precious stones. Not surprisingly, there is a large cinema. Ceramic tiling in the pool is interspersed with pieces of pure gold. A snippet at €20 million ($26.5m) from Hampton’s International – www.hamptons-int.com

Sumptuous Seychelles

If you long for the splendid isolation of your own tropical island – just 1,800 miles from India, 800 miles from Kenya and 0.3 miles from the archipelago’s largest island of Mahe – Therese Island is for sale. With easy access from the mainland this 179 acres (74 hectares) of paradise is laden with tall palm trees and lush vegetation. No wonder it has been described as an emerald gem in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. The highest point above sea level is 640 feet (160 metres). From this vantage point you can view white sand beaches and the many ‘romantic’ rock alcoves at the water’s edge. For sale freehold, the price of €4.2 million ($5.57m) reflects the absence of any dwellings, but the island beckons development as a private retreat for one family or as a bungalow resort. Therese is for sale through the world’s largest island broker – Vladi Private Islands. Contact – www.vladi-private-islands.de

United States ultimate

The bright lights of Manhattan are a mere 45 minutes from Greenwich, Connecticut, once described as ‘New York with grass’. From the big-city buzz to suburban tranquillity, the best of both worlds are yours if you buy this showcase neo-modern house on seven acres of gated and formally landscaped land. With five bedrooms, six full and four half bathrooms. There is an indoor swimming pool and a second pool outside with spa, plus an illuminated tennis court, a two-bedroom cottage and a seven-car garage. On the market from Sotheby’s International Realty, Greenwich Brokerage for $15 million. See www.sothebysrealty.com So ends my wish-list – and one day, who knows…