A small island just 22 kilometres long and 25 wide, and 28 kilometres from Tenerife, La Gomera is known for its unspoilt setting.

And with one-third of the island protected as a World Heritage Site by Unesco and the Spanish government, there's little fear of mass tourism taking over here.

The island which is famous for its rare plant species has a native population of 19,000, and a year-round sunny climate which averages 180C in winter and 250C in summer.

To date, La Gomera has been developed as an exclusive holiday destination, with the Don Pueblo resort, golf course and country club having grown up around an existing 1940s villa. Property here is not cheap and two-bed units start from around 397,100. The resort site stretches to 225,000 square metres, much of which is given over to gardens and landscaping.

Laid out in a village style, accommodation in this phase consists of a mix of villas and lowrise apartments. Villa A is a two-storey home with a floor area of 190 square metres (2044 square feet). Accommodation includes a large open-plan lounge and dining room with a sliding glass partition opening out to an open terrace and private pool and garden. Kitchens come fully fitted with granite worktops and integrated appliances. Also at ground level is a home office, two bedrooms, one dressing room, a bathroom and guest WC. Upstairs there is a large en suite bedroom and dressing room. All flooring is marble throughout.

Villa B is even larger at 220 square metres (2367 square feet), and is similar in style and layout, but has a second en suite bedroom upstairs. All homes come with large terraces and balconies, overlooking the sea, the mountains or the golf course.

Price: Two-bed apartments from /397,100; villas from around /455,400.

Information: Developers Fred Olsen SA (00441473 292 202) or www. pueblodonthomas. com