Six years ago the global recession triggered the onset of Greece’s colossal government debt crisis. Bailouts from the European Union (EU) and International Monetary Fund followed, then austerity measures, strikes and talk of a possible exit from Europe: Greece really was on the ropes and second-home buyers were giving it a wide berth.

In 2014 it seems that Greece has turned a corner. Tourism is flourishing again — Thomas Cook reports bookings up 242 per cent in a year, holidaylettings.co.uk says there has been a 300 per cent rise in inquiries, the economy is improving and overseas property-hunters are back.