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A 20 year passion for the idyllic Greek island of Zakynthos (also known as Zante), a chance meeting in his local pub with someone destined to become his business partner, the discovery of land for sale in a newspaper he doesn't usually buy.

The involvement of businessman Paul Marsh in the development of a luxury villa complex is no coincidence? it's a whole series of them!

It was highly appropriate that Paul, a pub management company executive, should meet Ian Kerrigan in a pub. But it wasn't one of his. The pair were introduced in their Biggleswade local by the landlord, soon after they moved to the Bedfordshire town.

That introduction, ten years ago, led to some small, private joint business and stock market investments, property purchases and investments and the discovery that they shared a love of Greece, and eventually the establishment of a development called The Olive Groves.

A stunning complex of three luxury stone-built villas in their own private grounds, set on a hillside with unrivalled panoramic views of Zakynthos and the neighbouring islands.

The Olive Groves - traditional hand-crafted Zakynthian style villas - are sure to make dreams come true for generations of holidaymakers.

The development was finished in 2006 and the venture got off to a great start in the Autumn of that year, when their first clients, Jim and Rita, immediately booked a return visit!

Said Jim: "We were very dubious at first, as we knew they had only just been built. However, Ian was very up-front and honest and re-assured us all the way".

"Once we arrived our fears immediately disappeared. We checked in at the new airport terminal and was welcomed by the lovely Katerina with our hire car. We followed Katerina for only ten minutes to The Olive Groves and were simply gob smacked at what we saw".

"The development just sits proudly on the hillside, there was even a passenger lift to take ourselves and our luggage up to the houses and after only a few hours door to door, we were in paradise".

"Booking and payment was painless, the villas are fantastic, very tasteful and traditional yet with modern interiors; Zante is to die for, the people are extremely friendly. We definitely will be returning very soon."

The Olive Groves adds up to a major investment by Paul, a 39 year-old executive, and Ian, a 45 year-old self-employed software engineer. The consensus of both was that this exciting overseas investment had more potential of a long term return than any current UK pension opportunity.

Paul and Ian run the business in their spare time, Ian utilises his IT skills and experience. He has, for example, with the help of an IT company, set up and established a first class automated web site and system for bookings www.theolivegroves.com .

Paul was introduced to Zante 20 years ago and despite an inauspicious start, has been returning year after year ever since. His first visit could so easily have been his last!

He went on a "blind package deal" not knowing where he was going. He arrived in Zante and his tour operator took him to what Paul describes as "a shed".

"There's no way I am staying here?, he told them, got a taxi and headed to a nearby village. On route they drove down a dirt track and stopped at a bar, which also had accommodation. It was pitch black, but hosts Yannis and Helena Mamfredas and their family made him welcome.

In the morning, Paul stepped out and found he was 250 yards from the sea, and he saw the beautiful island in a new light.

He also struck up a great relationship with his host's son Takis Mamfredas, who was the same age, and has grown up with him with both visiting each other at different times over the years.

Takis is now the local manager of the The Olive Groves complex, as well as his parent's holiday apartment business, a car hire outfit and travel agency. His expertise and 25 years experience working in the holiday business, will ensure that no holidaymakers have to take a similar step like Paul did into the unknown.

But how did The Olive Groves come about?

Paul read about the proposed development of three holiday homes being built for sale on his favourite island in a Sunday newspaper that he only bought by chance. It sounded worth investigating, and he and Ian (for company) went out to see the site with a view to buying one and investing the money they have made from UK property investments.

When they saw the land and met the developers, they where so impressed, Ian deciding he wanted one as well.

But when they actually saw the 1,500+ square metre site and its incredible location, they enquired about buying all three to ensure they didn?t adopt "neighbours from hell." So, The Olive Groves was born.

They had a lot of help and support from the local tourist board and contacts in Zante as their plans to invest in the island developed.

The building work took six months (probably the fastest development in history of its size on the island) - carried out by a Greek Mainland construction company, who employed specialist stone workers from Romania to work alongside their own local island team.

The development quickly became the talk of the island. Construction on the "one in a million" location wasn't easy, and great skill was required to cut into the hillside.

The beautiful hand-carved stone features give the finished villas, which each sleep eight people, an individual look and style, while inside, no expense has been spared in terms of providing all the high quality cutting edge facilities, even the most discerning holidaymaker could demand.

Now, with the development complete, Paul and Ian are confident that many other British holidaymakers will make the same discovery Paul did when he first visited this lush holiday paradise .... and will come to love it as much as he does.

They are also putting their experience to good use, to help other people looking for investment opportunities. Paul in particular is working closely with the developers in introducing and helping new clients to their new developments.

Paul has now put together a formula for people interested in investing in Greece, together with a network of contacts, including legal and bankers, making the process of buying on the island as painless as possible, and as easy if not easier than Spain.

He is also in negotiation with the developers to become the sole agent for sales and re-sales whilst looking at a guaranteed first year return on investment, complete with a full holiday home/investment letting and property management package.

A newly revamped website showcases The Olive Groves and gives all the detail about the development anyone looking for a spectacular villa location for their 2006 holiday could ask for.

Checkout www.theolivegroves.com - which now features a complete glossary of photographs, and also features a very helpful insider's guide to the island, produced by a leading travel writer and a long term resident.