Costa del Sol Tourism Guide

Picasso portrait fetches ?75 million

2006-05-24T12:31:00.000+02:00

Picasso's `Dora Maar with a cat´ (1941) was auctioned off by Sotheby's in New York last night for $95.2 million (?75 million), slightly less than the record of $104 million (?82 million) that was paid for the same artist's `Boy with a pipe´ in 2004.
It was thought that the portrait would fetch a maximum of $50 million, although a second Picasso had fetched twice its reserve price of $15 million when it went under the hammer the evening before.
`Dora Maar au chat,´ which is a colourful and impactful portrait of one of the artist's former lovers and muses with a cat sitting on her lap (photo), has been off the market for the last fifty years.

It is thought that Ms Maar, whose tempestuous relationship with the artist spanned the 1930s and 40s, helped paint the iconic `Guernica,´ which depicts the devastating blitz on the Basque town by Nazi dive-bombers during the Spanish Civil War.

Pablo Picasso was born in Málaga on the 25th October, 1881, and died in France on the 8th April, 1973.

DISNEYLAND IN MANILVA?

2006-05-24T12:23:00.000+02:00

From The Sunday Times article:

MalagaDISNEY is drawing up plans for a possible park on the Costa del Sol which could transform the area?s tourist industry. The company has held talks with Spanish officials about building on farmland near the town of Manilva, southwest of Marbella, although the two sides have given different accounts of the venture. Disney said it was in negotiation for various new schemes in Manilva, including a summer camp for children, offering the opportunity to improve their sports and languages.

Javier Sansierra, the executive who has been running negotiations with Manilva town hall, denied it planned a full-scale theme park like Disneyland Paris, operated by Euro Disney. ?While I completely agree that a Euro Disney would do well in Spain and personally I believe it should have opened here in the first place, there are no plans to open a second or mini amusement park in Spain for the time being,? he said. However, officials in Manilva suggested a more ambitious project was being considered.

?The discussions are well advanced,? said Lucy Fernandez, a town hall spokeswoman. ?It is at a sensitive stage, so I can?t say too much, but the eventual aim is to open a Euro Disney-type park in four or five years.? Francisco Alvarez, the local tourism officer, who has been closely involved in the negotiations, said: ?We have the space here for Disney and are urbanising a couple of large areas for them. I know the company has acquired at least one estate here and we hope they will begin building soon.?

It is understood that in return for permission to build a new park in the area, Disney could be expected to contribute towards the cost of a new motorway from Seville to the Costa del Sol.

The company had originally planned to open a Disney theme park on the Costa del Sol in the late 1980s. After a long search, it narrowed down its options to a choice between Estepona and Paris. Although Spain?s climate gave it the edge, the company eventually plumped for Paris, largely because of its better communications. Some executives now admit that the site in Estepona ? where a 247-acre safari park has since opened ? would have been the better option.

Other large theme parks in Spain have proved successful. These include the highly rated PortAventura near Barcelona, Warner Bros Park in Madrid and Isla Magica in Seville. Disneyland Paris has been affected by problems ranging from bad weather to cultural differences between the US and France.

EASYCRUISE COULD SAIL IN TO GIBRALTAR

2006-05-24T12:18:00.000+02:00

Stelios Haji-Ioannou, who pioneered cheap flights in Europe with EasyJet said he believed that the landing fees at Gibraltar?s ruled out the airport as a destination. He was speaking during the MedCruise conference held in Gibraltar and stated that the Rock?s airport was too expensive when you had much cheaper Málaga nearby.

EasyJet?s currently flies daily from nine British cities and four in mainland Europe to Málaga. Whilst Gibraltar seemingly stands no chance of winning any flights the close proximity of Easyjet could encourage EasyCruise to use the Rock?s port as a stopping point. EasyCruise was launched last year and operates on radically different ?no frills? basis to the traditional cruise industry.

EasyCruise attracts a younger clientele and is good news for destination ports, as the vessels usually stay overnight. With few amenities on board cruise passengers spend more time and cash ashore. The attraction of Gibraltar to EasyCruise is its close proximity to Málaga with its extensive cheap flight connections.

SAN ROQUE CELEBRATES 300 YEARS WITH POLO

2006-05-24T12:17:00.000+02:00

San Roque has celebrated its third centenary with a major polo tournament held at the Santa María Polo Club in Sotogrande. The event, for the trophy donated by the town hall, was sponsored by Turismo Andaluz and attracted many top players.

The final held on Sunday was between Pueblo Nuevo and Campamento. Although Pueblo Nuevo started stronger with a 4.5 to zero goals victory Campamento came back to make a match of its but Pueblo Nuevo emerged the victors thanks largely to Pablo Mora and the young Juan Carlos Gavira.

Eight teams battled for the trophy and each team took on the name of one of the zones of San Roque. Eleven of the 32 players were foreigners drawn from Russia, Italy, Luxembourg, South Africa and Egypt. The trophy was presented by the vice president of the International Polo Federation, Younes Faruk, and the matches were held in the presence of the mayor of San Roque, José Vázquez, along with many of the government team.

LA LÍNEA; HIGHEST HOUSING PRICE RISE IN ANDALUCÍA

2006-05-24T12:15:00.000+02:00

According to a survey carried out by Cohispania in to the rise in housing prices in Andalucía so far in 2006 the town of La Línea shows the biggest increases.

La Línea records a leap of 14.64 per cent that beats Veléz-Málaga and Torrox in to second and third places with their rises being 14.56 and 14.2 per cent respectively.

However La Línea is still in the catch up mode when it comes to the price of property per square metre. The survey shows that as of March 31 of this year the price of a new, unoccupied property in the border town was 1,918 euros per square metre. In the province the most expensive was Rota with 2,268 euros and in the Campo de Gibraltar the municipality of San Roque recorded 2,074 euros.

In Andalucía generally the average rise in the first three months of this year has been 8.83 per cent, compared with the figure for 2005 of 11.25 per cent. The average price per square metre in the region is 1,641 euros.

MY MATE MARCO in MARBELLA

2006-04-04T16:27:00.000+02:00

I think its about time to mention Marco's magnificent job running Skina restaurant in Marbella. Since Marco & Juan took over what was Messina, Skina restaurant has gone from strength to strength, receiving much acclaim & articles in Hi Magazine & more.

They work so hard to make everyone's experience perfect down to such fine details, and presentation is an art form. I feel Marbella needs more of these chic reasonably priced restaurants & less of the franchise disappointments masquerading as traditional spanish eateries like the La Pesquera chain.. mediocre food, sulky service & rude staff. Do they really feel this is a fair reflection of Spain for tourists? It dismays me that in Marbella Skina, Messina, Garum, Taberna del Mercado & the likes work so hard to attract & keep business, yet don't get the recognition they deserve.

So to Timo, Marco, Pia, Diana et al...keep up the good work!!!

To the public.... if you haven't been to one or all of the above, make the time & notice the difference!!

LONGEVITY COSTA DEL SOL

2006-01-13T14:18:00.000+01:00

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DR JEAN GARANT
www.longlifecostadelsol.com includes TV Interview footage & information on improving not only quality of life, but also length of life.

Andalucia Aims to Increase UK Tourism

2006-01-13T14:17:00.000+01:00

?HAPPY New Year, Happy New Andalucia? ? was the slogan used for a two-day conference held in London with 36 companies from different areas and 400 UK travel agents, tour-operators and airlines.

This was the first step of the Andalucia?s regional government?s tourism marketing plan for 2006. It aimed to show what could be on offer to satisfy the British market?s demand, while helping Andalucia ?to take a privileged place in UK tourism catalogues?, a spokesman for the Tourism Department said. The department is keen to maintain the attention of the British nation because it is the largest market outside Spain.

More than 1.2 million British tourists were accommodated in Andalucian hotels from January to November, 2005, a growth of 13.5 per cent over the previous year.

To further secure the market, visits are planned to eight tourism fairs and three conferences for professionals involved in the sector.

First smoking fine

2006-01-13T14:16:00.000+01:00

THE Navarra police in the town of Castejon are believed to have handed out the first fine under Spain?s new smoking laws, which came into effect on January 1. A 39-year-old man from Gandia was briefly detained after local police noticed he was smoking in the non-smoking area of a restaurant. He was arrested, taken before a judge in Tudela and fined 240 euros for ?failing to obey a police order?.

SMOKING LAWS in SPAIN

2006-01-13T14:15:00.000+01:00

THE new law banning smoking in almost all public places faces its biggest test as the country returns to work this week.

The law, which came into effect on Sunday, January 1, makes it

illegal to smoke in the workplace, and bars and restaurants over 100 square metres are obliged to provide non-smoking areas.

Smaller bars have to decide if they want to allow smoking or not. All must, by law, show signs saying if they will allow people to light up or not.

The number of places where people can buy tobacco will be cut by 40 per cent, with cigarettes and cigars only on sale at controlled vending machines and tobacconists.

Fines can be imposed for those who break the law, ranging from 30 to 600,000 euros.

However, a random poll by EWN reporters in the Costa Blanca indicated that little has changed since the new law came into effect.

Many of the smaller bar and restaurant owners say they are still in the dark as far the legislation is concerned, and that most of the information they have received has been via the media and not through official channels.

The owner of the El Cau bar in Polop, Ian Hartley, said that he had acted on his own initiative in the absence of any official directives and that neither the town hall nor his lawyer had given him any advice.

This was the case in 90 per cent of the establishments visited in the Marina Alta and the Marina Baixa area.

Talking privately to members of the police, most are reluctant to be the first enforcer in Spain to test the new law.

In six establishments north of Torrevieja which the team visited, it seemed as though no-one had even heard about the new law. Ashtrays were still on the tables, there was no signage about their smoking policy and children were still permitted in the smoke-filled bars.

Members of the public also seemed to be in the dark. From the 21 people we spoke to at random, only a third knew of the new restrictions and even they were not fully aware of the exact detail. The non-smokers welcomed the new law but failed to see how it was going to be policed.

The idea of a hospitality venue with a tobacco-free atmosphere would be welcomed by the vast majority of people we spoke to. The trouble is, they haven?t found one yet.

The smokers were not unduly concerned; they said they would always find a bar to smoke in. And if they couldn?t, they would just nip outside to light up.

Many hotels in Benidorm have removed machines that dispense cigarettes from within their public areas and from offices.

However, despite this, the Hoteliers Association HOSBEC has advised the government that its members cannot possibly comply with all the terms and details of the new law in time.

Opinion polls have found that although 77 per cent of Spaniards are in favour of the law, 69 per cent think it will be hard to enforce.

The Spanish Government is expected to earn 3,824 million euros in tax on cigarettes next year, which represents a 12 per cent increase over this year.

Elena Salgado, Spain's Health Minister, said that until now, Spain has been one of Europe's most ?permissive? countries in Europe in terms of the price of cigarettes and the availability of places where people can smoke.

The number of smokers in Spain is slowly going down, but is still

high compared to many other European countries. Some 31 per cent of Spaniards are smokers (compared to 35 per cent five years ago) and 50,000 people die from smoking-related diseases each year. Spain was one of the last countries to ban smoking on

international flights.

The government hopes to reach consensus with all the affected groups in terms of advertising, public spaces where smoking is allowed and the legal age at which teenagers are allowed

to buy cigarrettes - the Health Minister has already announced that fines imposed for selling tobacco to teenagers under the age-limit will be severe.

Smoking is now forbidden in all closed places of work in the private and public sectors; in all health and education centres; sport facilities; centres offering advice and attention to citizens; centres offering help to teenagers under 18; and places where food is prepared, made or sold.

It is also forbidden to smoke in all lifts, telephone booths, indoor cashpoints, bus stations and all areas of public transport which are not open air, such as metro, indoor bus stations, railway stations and airports.

Christmas National Lottery LOTERIA NACIONAL

2005-12-22T10:41:00.000+01:00

SPANISH NATIONAL LOTTERY DRAW 22 DECEMBER TAKING PLACE NOW!!!

If you have bought a ticket, log on to www.onlae.com & enter your ticket number from this afternoon to find out if you are a winner. With over 4000 winning numbers and huge prizes, Loteria Nacional is a massive Christmas Tradition. Best of Luck to all of you!!!!!!!!

Christmas Shopping Hours Malaga

2005-12-08T12:39:00.000+01:00

Christmas shopping hours are to be extended in six commercial centres, Norte, Ciudad Jardín, El Palo, Centro Histórico, Carretera de Cádiz and Cruz de Humilladero, are all to stay open on December Sundays, but this is the first time that festive days December 26 and January 2 are also to be included.

In all, 125 shops will try to meet the needs of consumers pressed for time as a result of their longer working hours.
Textile, gift and household shops are those notably involved in a campaign entitled, ?Christmas is everywhere in Málaga?.

An added bonus this year are the Christmas draws taking place on December 7, 15, 22 and 29, the prizes for which include a dinner for four with limousine transport as well as giving out 1,000 Euro cheques to be used as spending money in the participating establishments.

SPAIN'S BIG GAME SAFARI

2005-12-08T12:34:00.000+01:00

According to the Daily Record this morning, Police in Spain have arrested a gang suspected of organising lucrative Safari-style big game hunts on a farm near the Costa del Sol.

The raid on the farm happened as a lion and tiger, both bought from a circus, were about to be killed. The remains of a second tiger and several wolves were also found.
Hunters were paying thousands of pounds to shoot big game bought on the black market at the farm in Badajoz, south-west Spain. After the kill, they got the animal's skin or head as a trophy.

Malaga Cathedral Bells

2005-12-05T10:36:00.000+01:00

Eight of the 12 bells of Malaga Cathedral will return to the city in the middle of December after being restored by Alcantarilla ( Murcia ), as reported by the dean of the cathedral, Francisco Garcia Mota, who added that, until their final placement, they will be installed in the lower part of the atrium so that they can be viewed by the people of Malaga.

The dean explained that the works had been completed quickly and there will be 8 bells restored rather than the 4 predicted.

The 12 bells of the Cathedral were taken down at the beginning of September and transferred to the workshop, Relojería Valverde de Alcantarilla, except for one, that due to its poor condition will be replaced by a replica, which will be named after the patroness of the diocese of Malaga, Virgen de la Victoria.

Nevertheless, this will also be seen, since it will be in the bell tower of The Manquita, in a small museum, along with the other pieces that were removed.

Fiesta de los Rondeles ? Casarabonela

2005-12-05T10:26:00.000+01:00

Fiesta de los Rondeles ? Casarabonela The procession of the Virgin of the Rondeles will take place on the 12th December at the end of a 3 day celebration from 10 - 12 December.

The objective of the festival is for the local people to express gratitude to the Virgen de la Pastora for the harvest. At nightfall the tradition, which dates back several centuries, when the rondeles are lit ( grass torches impregnated with olive oil ) and the procession passes through the streets of the village.

When the procession arrives at the Church they sing the Salve a la Virgen and after this all the locals and visitors go to the plaza where hot cocoa and buns are enjoyed.

Alhaurin el Grande, Alora, Cartama, Coin, Nerja and Torrox

2005-12-05T10:24:00.000+01:00

Alora Will Benefit from the Financial Health Plan of the JuntaA total of six municipalities of Malaga province of between 10 and 20,000 inhabitants, among them Alora, would be able to benefit from the financial health plan of the Junta whose decree was approved recently in the council of government with the intention of improving the local tax office.

These six municipalities, Alhaurin el Grande, Alora, Cartama, Coin, Nerja and Torrox, whose populations adds up to 1000,000 people, form part of a total of 70 Andalucian localities that could welcome this decree and represent 1 million inhabitants. The provincial delegate of the Andalucian government, Jose Luis Marcos, informed a press conference that this will be produced through the constitution of a consortium that takes charge of refinancing in group form.

More Investments for the Area"The province of Malaga is going from number 22 to number 4 in terms of investment in Spain" stated Jose Sanchez, mayor of Alora, who, in company with Senator Pedro Villagran and Autonomous Parliament member Mariano Ruiz Quadra presented on the 4 November the general budgets of the State and Andalucia for the Guadalhorce area for 2006. According to Villagran "they are going to invest 900 million euros in the province", and "these budgets are fair, balanced and necessary for our province".

Alora receives much of the planned investments in these budgets. Specifically, in Alora the investment will be on the suburban rail line, the removal of level crossings, improvement of the irrigation channels, and desalination of the Guadalhorce reservoirs. Also, there will be investment in roads and the enlargement of the local Guardia Civil team next year. In addition, next year the Junta is going to carry out important investment for the Guadalhorce area related to the improvement of the A357.

The budgets of the Junta for our province represent an increase of 23% on last year according to Ruiz Quadra, "we have an excellent policy on security, good services, quality education and free books for all primary students".

Own Your Piece of Internet Spain

2005-11-25T14:37:00.000+01:00

Just released in a global version in a similar ilk to the milliondollarhomepage set up by students in the UK. The million World map (http://millionworldmap.com) offers advertisers global space at a price of 1 euro per pixel.

Stability Brought to Costa del Sol?s water reserves

2005-11-25T10:54:00.000+01:00

The level of the water reservoirs in the province of Malaga rose last week for the first time since the end of March. The increase was very slight, however - a little over 500 million litres - but, thanks to the rain and the measures to save water, at least the downward trend has been halted for the time being.

According to the Mediterranean-Andalusian Water Board, it was the first time in eight months that the reserves had risen. The reservoirs had been losing water week after week, due to lack of rain, dropping down to an average of 27 per cent their capacity. The six largest reservoirs in the province held a volume of 164.6 cubic hectometres at the beginning of this week but that is still far below the volume in them a year ago, 282.6 cubic hectometres, which represents 49 per cent of their total capacity.

The reason for the slightly increased volume is twofold: on the one hand a drop in consumption of 40 per cent since the special decree on drought came into force, and on the other hand, the rain which fell in the province last week, an average of 22.3 litres per square metre.

Beckitts restaurant

2005-11-24T17:06:00.000+01:00

COMING SOON! Five Continent Group (www.fivecontinentgroup.com) will be featuring Beckitt's Irish Restaurant in Marbella for the full virtual tour treatment, menus, winelists and restaurant review.

A favourite amongst Marbellans this well established restaurant near Bull McCabes Bar up the road from Skol apartments is now to be featured in FCG's Recommended Dining Guide for Costa del Sol.

Beckitts will be open this year for New Years Eve Dinner so get booking while there is availability!

Palacio de Congresos Real Estate Lectures

2005-11-24T16:53:00.000+01:00

JUEVES, 25 Thursday
9,30 ? 10,30 horas Análisis de los principales ratios comerciales de la promoción residencial en España y en Andalucía.Ponentes : D. José Manuel Sánchez. Gerente de Estudios de Knight Frank.D. Alberto Prieto Ruiz. Director de Area de Suelo y residencial de Knight Frank. Moderador : D. José Antonio Pérez Ramírez. Subdirector General de Instituto de Práctica Empresarial. ANALYSIS OF RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN SPAIN AND ANDALUSIA
10,00 ? 18,30 horas Programa de acompañantes. Visita a Málaga y almuerzo. Guided tour of Malaga
10,30 ? 11,00 horas Pausa. Café.
11,00 ? 11,45 horas El Golf como valor inmobiliario.Ponente : D. Francisco Aymerich Riestra. Presidente de Aymerich Golf.Moderador : D. Francisco Javier de Aspe García-Junco. Presidente de Fadeco.THE VALUE OF GOLF IN REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT
11,45 ? 12,45 horas Existe el producto estrella? Relación precio/m2. Tendencias actuales.Ponente : D. Francisco Avalos Luengo. Broker de Remax.La importancia de la red comercial en el mercado internacional.Ponente : D. Juan Bautista Marhuenda. Director Gerente de empresas promotoras de Santa Pola.Moderador : D. José Antonio Solís Burgos. Presidente del Colegio de Arquitectos de Sevilla.DOES THE PERFECT PROPERTY EXIST? THE REALITY
12,45 ? 13,30 horas Modelos de financiación inmobiliaria en la Unión Europea. Actualidad y tendencias.Ponente : D. Pedro Costa Samaniego. Director de la División de Banca Mayorista y Especializada de Unicaja.Moderador : D. Evaristo Caparrós Vacas. Presidente Investigaciones en Mercados Inmobiliarios.EU PROPERTY FINANCE MODELS. NOW and THE FUTURE
14,00 ? 16,00 horas Almuerzo de trabajo. (lunch)
16,30 ? 17,30 horas Presente y Futuro del Urbanismo en el litoral andaluz.Ponente : D. Manuel González Fustegueras. Arquitecto Urbanista. Redactor del P.G.O.U. de Marbella.Moderador : D. Andrés Alvarez de Toledo Rohe. Presidente del Colegio de Arquitectos de Málaga.THE PRESENT AND FUTURE OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN ANDALUSIA17,30 ? 18,30 horas Pausa. Café.
18,00 ? 19,00 horas El Turismo Residencial y su efecto sobre el valor de mercado de los inmuebles.Ponente : Sr. Campbell Ferguson. Vicepresidente de RICS España.Moderador : D. Andrés Pérez Ruiz. Director adjunto Programa Master Instituto San Telmo.THE EFFECT OF RESIDENTIAL TOURISM ON THE SPANISH PROPERTY MARKET
19,00 ? 20,00 horas La comercialización de la vivienda turística en el Reino Unido y Alemania.Ponente : D. José Mª Morillo León. Director Comercial de la oficina de la Embajada de España en el Reino Uido.Moderador : D. Juan Aguilera Ruiz. Gerente de Fadeco.WHAT SPAIN CAN LEARN FROM THE COMMERCIALISATION OF HOLIDAY HOMES IN GREAT BRITAIN AND GERMANY
22,00 horas Cena de Gala. Gala Dinner
VIERNES, 26 Friday
9,30 ? 10,15 horas Origen y naturaleza de la demanda de Segunda residencia procedente del mercado británico.Ponente : D. John Sherry. Gerente del Canal Internacional de Knight Frank.Moderador : D. Jerónimo Pérez Casero. Presidente de la Cámara de Comercio de Málaga.WHY DO BRITAINS WANT SECOND HOMES IN SPAIN10,15 ? 10,45 horas Pausa. Café.
10,45 ? 11,30 horas Construcción, energía y sostenibilidad en Andalucía en en el sector del Turismo Residencial.Ponente : D. Francisco Herrera García. Delegado de nueva construcción de Gas Natural Andalucía.Moderador : D. Juan López Cohard. Vicepresidente de Fadeco.SUSTAINABLE ENERGY AND CONSTRUCTION IN THE ANDALUSIAN RESIDENTIAL TOURIST SECTOR
11,30 ? 12,15 horas El Turismo residencial y la sostenibilidad en Andalucía 2004.Ponente : D. Alfredo Rubio Díaz. Profesor Titular del Dpto. de Geografía de la Uiversidad de Málaga.Moderador : D. Vicente García Martín. Presidente de la Confederación de Empresarios de Málaga.THE SUSTAINABLITY OF RESIDENTIAL TOURISM IN ANDALUSIA 200412,15 ? 13,15 horas La confianza, factor determinante para la internacionalización de la oferta del Turismo Residencial.Ponente : D. José M. Galindo Cueva. Presidente de la Comisión de Turismo residencial de APCE. Gerente de ASPRIMA.Moderador : D. Alfonso Sedeño Massot. Presidente de Gaesco.THE CONFIDENCE FACTOR AND ITS EFFECT ON INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL TOURISM13,30 horas Acto de clausura. Close
PROGRAMA DE JORNADA SALA 2 (second room presentation program)
VIERNES, 26 Friday
9,30 ? 10,15 horas Productos innovadores para la construcción : hormigón autocompactante y cemento autolimpiante.Ponentes : D. José Antonio Hurtado Hurtado. Director de calidad y producción de Hormisur.D. Angel Fernández Carazo. Técnico Comercial de Financiera y Minera.Moderador : D. Juan Cobalea Ruiz. Director de Hormisur.CONSTRUCTION INNOVATIONS, SELF COMPACTING AGGREGATES AND SELF CLEANING CEMENT
10,15 ? 10,30 horas Pausa. Café.
10,30 ? 12,30 horas El mercado inmobiliario español bajo la visión del comercializador francés, alemán, holandés y británico.Ponentes : Sra. Chantal Coste. (Francia).Sr. Sven R. Johns. (Alemania).Sr. André Groot. (Paises Bajos).Sr. Ian Tonge. (Gran Bretaña).THE SPANISH PROPERTY MARKET VIEWED FROM THE FRENCH, GERMAN, DUTCH AND BRITISH PERSPECTIVES
Presidentes de las Asociaciones Nacionales de la Confederación Europea Inmobiliaria.Moderadora : Sra. Anne Sophie Coste. Secretaria de la Confederación Europea Inmobiliaria.

Mediterranean Real Estate Exhibition Costa del Sol

2005-11-24T16:32:00.000+01:00

Today, November 24 saw the 2nd of a 4 day International Property Exhibition held at the Palacio de Congresos y Ferias in Malaga Costa del Sol.

Though busy, not packed, the event sponsored by Aifos may be a good guage of the transitional and currently bumpy real estate market in the Costa del Sol, though some promoters stands also covered property in Almeria, Murcia, Costa Blanca, Seville, Greek Islands & Brazil.

Notable by their absence were several high profile foreign developers & promoters normally highly visible at such events.

My overall impression was that although certain companies made serious efforts, building multi floor stands and even a showhouse from the promoters of Regidor Hills in Benahavis, the first day saw very few non-Spanish visitors or professionals & most of the attention focused around the Aifos stand.... not because of their developments but because Guadalpin Catering were running a free bar with canapes & andalucian tapas!

Costa del Sol Cider Success!

2005-11-23T11:09:00.000+01:00

A CHANCE drink in a Spanish bar has led a new husband and wife business to toast success as South Wales's top importer of a trendy new organic cider.

Hayley and Anthony Bradley first came across Sweden's increasingly popular Kopparbergs cider when they were on a Costa Del Sol holiday last summer.

"We liked it so much that we tried to buy some when we got home to South Wales. When we failed, we thought there was an obvious business opportunity," said Hayley.

Kopparbergs Cider has been available in Pear & Apple versions in Marbella, Costa del Sol for a couple of years now, stocked by major Supermarket Chains like Supersol & Euromarket, and in trendy restaurants like Garum & El Gusto.

Weeks later the Hirwaun couple had set up their new business, Designa Drinx, as distributor for Kopparbergs in Wales and the West Country.

A few months on, the business now supplies more than 20 pubs, bars and restaurants and is enjoying brisk business from four outdoor market outlets it runs each week.

La Cala Ladies European Golf Update

2005-11-22T10:25:00.000+01:00

? Only five of the 27 Britons who started the final stage of the Ladies European Tour qualifying school have a chance of earning playing privileges for next season after the third round at the La Cala course on the Costa del Sol, Spain.

With the cut coming after 54 holes and only the top 50 players making today's final round, 22 Britons missed out. The top 30 at the end of play today will earn full privileges and the remaining 20 will have conditional cards.

Those best placed include Scottish amateur Clare Queen, who lies joint second after yesterday's two-under par 71 and Kent's Danielle Masters who is in a share of fourth after a 70. Fame More (16th), Sarah Heath (25th) and Caroline Grady (45th) are the others still in the running.

Dawn French Play Set in Costa del Sol

2005-11-21T10:59:00.000+01:00

Dawn French and Alison Moyet are to star as sisters in a new West End play directed by Kathy Burke.

The two actresses have been close friends in real life for more than 20 years.
French plays a schoolteacher who devotes her time to caring for her disabled mum.
Former chart star Moyet plays her sister, who left home straight after school determined to become a West End star - but has ended up as a club singer on the Costa Del Sol.
Smaller is not a musical but is billed as a "play with music" which will allow ex-Yazoo singer Moyet to showcase her skills.
Moyet, 44, recently ended a stint as Mama Morton in hit show Chicago.
Meanwhile French, 48, best known as half of comedy duo French and Saunders, last graced the West End in one-woman play My Brilliant Divorce in 2003.
The play opens at the Lyric next year but tickets go on sale this weekend so the publicity bandwagon's started rolling.

Arrests Increase in Malaga Province

2005-11-21T10:57:00.000+01:00

The number of people being attested in Málaga has increased to 13,300 a year, more than in any other Andaulcian province.

The increase in crime in the province is being seen across the board, according to a study published by the Andaucian Crime Observatory.

Crimes against people were up 50% in 2004.Some experts say that the high concentration of the foreign population has favoured an increase in crime.

Five municipalities in the province are among the top 30 for foreign residents in Spain ? the city, Mijas, Fuengirola, Torremolinos and Marbella.

Welsh Pair Take Golf World Cup Victory

2005-11-21T10:56:00.000+01:00

BRADLEY DREDGE and Stephen Dodd became World Cup winners for Wales yesterday - without hitting a ball.

Torrential rain on Portugal's Algarve washed out play and with a forecast of more to come it was decided that the position after 54 holes would be the result.

For Dredge and Dodd that meant a two-stroke victory over defending champions England - Luke Donald and David Howell - and Swedes Henrik Stenson and Niclas Fasth.
And it also meant their biggest ever payday. Each of them walked away with cheques for £400,870 to provide a rich finish to what was already the most lucrative season of both players' careers.

Wales won with Ian Woosnam and David Llewellyn as their pairing in Hawaii in 1987. That was achieved in very different circumstances, a play-off with Scots Sandy Lyle and Sam Torrance being needed to decided the issue.

Storms Delay San Roque Qualifying

2005-11-15T11:09:00.000+01:00

The fifth round of the European Tour's qualifying school final was severely disrupted yesterday as thunderstorms battered the Costa del Sol.

Heavy rain delays Tour qualifyingBy Astrid Andersson in San Roque (Filed: 15/11/2005)
The fifth round of the European Tour's qualifying school final was severely disrupted yesterday as thunderstorms battered the Costa del Sol.
Heavy rain, hailstones and lightning caused a delay of almost 90 minutes in the morning at San Roque and, despite play resuming in the afternoon, further bad weather brought action to an early end.
Play is scheduled to resume at 8.30am today, with organisers hoping to begin the sixth and final round at 10am.
Qualifying school director Mike Stewart said: "The immediate forecast was for heavy rain to continue to fall and there was no chance of any further play due to the worsening condition of the course.
"Rather than having a new draw for the final day, which is the standard practice, we are going to keep the players in fifth-round draw order - which, weather permitting, should allow us to finish the event on Tuesday evening.

Almeria

2005-11-07T15:51:00.000+01:00

Almeria, which sits between the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol, is regarded as Spain?s Secret Coast. This makes it well worth a look for a potential investor, for whom being in on a secret at an early stage has to be a good thing.

From Mojacar, an ancient hill fortress town in the South, which the Moors and Christians fought over for centuries, through the hustle and bustle of Vera, up to the relaxed family-orientated fishing village of Villaricos in the North, this stretch of coast has something for everyone. In the background are fertile plains framed by mountains and desert, and the national park of Cabo de Gata to the south.

Inland, the area is being developed on a scale that will rival the Costas to accommodate a recent boom in domestic and international tourism. The area is served by three airports; at Almeria, a 50-minute drive away, Murcia and Alicante ? we made it door-to-door from central London via Almeria airport in six and half hours.

It?s still quiet outside the peak summer season (temperatures range from 35 degrees in July to 19 degrees in January), but estate agent Capital Eyes area sales manager Peter Stilma, a veteran of the Costa del Sol, recognises the signs.

?They?ve learned many lessons from the development of the Costas,? he maintains, ?and this area is benefiting from that experience.?
The government is committed to regenerating the area, and infrastructure is highly developed already, with new roads, medical facilities and schools. Zoning has been carefully thought out, and consequently you won?t see a single high-rise.

Expats Burdening Spain's Health Service

2005-11-07T15:50:00.000+01:00

SPAIN has protested about the multi-million-pound cost of providing healthcare for hundreds of thousands of Britons who have moved there.

Spanish authorities face soaring bills for drugs, nursing and home carers for the expatriates. Acute hospital care costs Spain an extra £40m a year.

?We have opened the door to everybody and it needs to be regulated,? said Cristina Gutierrez-Cortines, MEP for Murcia, a favoured destination. ?British officials think everything is fine because their citizens are getting everything free here. It?s not fine. We need action from Europe: we are spending money we are not receiving.?

Elena Salgado, the Spanish health minister, has opened talks in Brussels on obtaining a rebate.
Salgado?s spokesman, Roberto Rodriguez, said Europe?s system of reciprocal health and social welfare cover was inadequate to cope with vast numbers of British, German, Dutch and Scandinavian pensioners retiring in Spain. Many fail to register under the E121 scheme that allows governments within the European Union to reclaim a share of healthcare costs from patients? home countries.

An estimated 1m Britons own properties in Spain, according to a study of healthcare by Age Concern. The Spanish say many assume the system in Spain is similar to the NHS and fail to realise that, in Spain, families help to look after the elderly, supplementing professional care.
?A huge number of them speak little or no Spanish,? said Ana Skou, a spokeswoman for Mijas municipality on the Costa del Sol, where just over half the population of 62,000, are native Spaniards. ?Those who come as pensioners are the least likely to integrate. They fall ill and run into problems.?

Although 225,000 Britons are registered to vote in municipal elections in Spain, only 49,436, have completed the E121 form. The Spanish taxpayer is left out of pocket if any Briton who has not filled in the form needs care.

Ignasi Guardans, a Liberal MEP from Barcelona, said: ?These people are essentially health tourists. There is a huge cost to Spain because they have not been contributing to our health system.?
Britain?s work and pensions department said: ?(We do) everything possible to ensure migrants understand the requirements to register for their healthcare costs to be reimbursed from the UK.?
Age Concern has a network of 200-300 volunteers in five Spanish centres to help 12,000 elderly people, of whom one in eight is classed as an ?acute? case ? suffering from serious mental or physical illness, or destitute.

Jackie Codd, one of the volunteers, said: ?You get people moving here hoping for better care for things like Parkinson?s disease or Alzheimer?s when they are already ill. I had a man complaining to me the other day that no one spoke English at the Alzheimer?s support group his wife was sent to.?

Many expatriate pensioners do not realise housing and council tax subsidies and disability costs are not payable outside the UK. In practice, however, few are denied help in Spain, adding to the burden on the Spanish taxpayer.

Record Tourism Figures for Costa del Sol

2005-11-07T15:47:00.000+01:00

The latest predictions for the year end tourist numbers are up on last year.

Andalucia is expected to have welcomed 23.5 million tourists this year, while the Costa del Sol will have registered 16 million overnight stays in its hotels ? 6.7% more than in 2004. Despite the increase in hotel numbers along the coast, the average year round occupancy level will reach 57%.
The optimistic numbers come from SAETA, the regional tourism statistics body, which says this year has been a record one for tourism in the region.

However the optimism is slightly tempered by other research which has indicated that although tourist numbers are up, the daily spend from each tourist is down on last year.

Golfing glory for foreign investors

2005-11-02T10:21:00.000+01:00

A new trend is emerging in Europe, with an increasing number of property purchasers keen to buy second homes on golf courses.

Many people are increasingly attracted to the idea of spending money on a second home in a foreign country that is located on a golf course, but they're not necessarily interested in playing the sport. According to some investors, the main reason for purchasing a property on a golf course is not to have the opportunity to hit a ball around the course whenever they feel like it, but it is simply to enjoy some of the most beautiful landscaping work from the living room window.

Spain is renowned for some of the most impressive golf courses in the world, which are usually accompanied by sports and health complexes such as the famous La Manga resort ? a favourite for football stars during the summer months.

The quality of such institutions is having an effect on buyers, who are increasingly keen to purchase homes on golf courses because of the breadth of services easily available to them.

McGinley Victorious at Valderrama as Montgomerie Captures Order of Merit

2005-10-31T12:50:00.000+01:00

The drama at Valderrama was prolonged until the last rites of a magnificent season on The European Tour as Ireland?s Paul McGinley captured the Volvo Masters in great style and Colin Montgomerie of Scotland claimed a record-breaking eighth Order of Merit crown.

For a man who had led the tournament for two of the previous three days but came up just short, Montgomerie was still wreathed in smiles after fulfilling his season-long ambition, while McGinley savoured the biggest and most important victory of his career.

Montgomerie had led the tournament at one stage by six strokes and McGinley had been four over par early in his second round ? but their fortunes were reversed during a thrilling final day on the Costa del Sol which ended in the Scot landing another money list crown, six years after the last of his seven in a row. New Zealander MichaelCampbell would have needed to finish second as it turned out, but was down in 14th spot.

"I didn't need this, I just wanted it," said Montgomerie on being presented with the Harry Vardon Trophy as European Number One.McGinley's comeback during the week was as brilliant as Montgomerie's this season, the 38 year old recovering from nine behind the Scot at halfway to win by two from Sergio Garcia of Spain, who was destined to be runner-up for the second successive year.

McGinley followed an opening 74 with rounds of 68-65-67 for a total of 274, equalling the record low total for Valderrama set by ? guess who? ? Montgomerie, back in 1993 when he captured the first of that eightsome reel.Garcia?s 73 enabled him to finish two strokes behind with Montgomerie (74) and José Maria Olazábal of Spain sharing third spot on 277, seven under par, along with England?s Luke Donald, whose final round of 64 was the lowest of the week

Spanish Schooling...a complete Guide

2005-10-28T12:23:00.000+02:00

When kids reach the grand old age of 5 in Spain, it's time to go to school. But should your parents want to hand you over earlier, you will find nursery schools for children from as young as nine months.

Parents usually need to register their children for the September intake in May, either directly at the school or via the local town hall.

Nursery education (3-6 years)(Educación Infantil, EI)

Children usually receive three years of nursery education to develop their physical and mental skills. From the age of four they learn to read and write and by the time they complete their EI they will know the alphabet. Emphasis is placed on learning about various aspects of different cultures, the environment and road awareness skills

Primary education (6-12 years)(Educación Primaria, EP)

The six years of primary education are split into three two-year periods. If the child has not reached the required standard by the end of any period they may have to repeat the second year of that stage.

Pupils learn Spanish language, maths, Conocimiento del Medio (which includes history, geography and biology), Physical Education, Art and a second language, usually English. Religion is also taught at this stage in most schools, focusing on Catholicism.

There is no streaming in Spain; classes are all mixed ability, and parents can see teachers once a week to discuss their child's progress and problems. Children are introduced to exams from around the third year of primary school, but there are no national level testing exams as is the case in the UK.

Parents need to buy all textbooks and materials, but they save on uniform as few state schools have one. Homework may be given from the first year onwards.

School hours vary depending on the school and are usually from 9am to 4pm with an hour's break for lunch.

Spanish schools have a relaxed atmosphere with less discipline than British schools, for example, and the family is expected to help the child with their studies.Some schools, however, prefer to work through to 1.30pm or 2pm without a break and then the children finish for the day.
If your child's school day continues into the afternoon and you are unable to get home for lunchtime, school dinners are available.

Prepare your child for the fact that they will be sizeable lunches, as it is the main meal of the day for Spaniards, and that they will be encouraged to eat it, along with all the Spanish children. This may be traumatic at first for your child, being made to eat strange food with names they don't understand.

Secondary education (12-16/18 years)(Educacion Secundaria)

The secondary school system in Spain has seen major changes in the past decade. It has moved away from the traditional rote-learning model and is now more akin to the British comprehensive system.
Pupils attend secondary school (instituto) aged 12 to begin their four years of compulsory education. At the end, they receive a certificate and can either leave or go on to study for the 'bachillerato'.

If a pupil does not reach the required level of maths or Spanish at the end of each year they can be made to repeat the year, which can cause discipline problems when an older child is placed in a class of younger children. Subjects include the usual range and the ethos is now far more geared towards project work and continuous assessment than the old-style endless fact-learning.

Spanish schools have a relaxed atmosphere with less discipline than British schools, for example, and the family is expected to help the child with their studies.

Pupils who stay on after 16 can study for the two-year 'Bachillerato' academic course (either Arts, Humanities, Sciences or Technology), or enrol on practical training courses called 'modulos'.

Those who have passed the Bachillerato with good marks and who want to go on to university take an entrance exam in June.

International schools

For information about British English-language schools in Spain, contact the British Council, Paseo Martínez Campos, 31, 28010 Madrid.
tel. 91 337 3500,
www.britishcouncil.es,

or consult ECIS (00 44 1730 268244 or www.ecis.org).

For information about American schools in Spain, write to the Instituto de Cooperación Ibero-americana, Avenida de los Reyes Católicos 4, 28041 Madrid (91 583 8526).
Information is also available from embassies in Spain.

Enrolling your child

Foreign parents should prepare for a long process of enrolling their child in a Spanish state school. Go to your local town hall in the area you are moving to in order to ask their requirements as the process and paperwork vary quite substantially from region to region.
Generally, enrolment takes place in May and you will need to take the child's birth certificate or passport with an official translation of the parent's passport. You will also need proof of the child's immunisation, proof of residence and two passport photographs.

A teacher gets to grip with her classTo enrol your child in a Spanish state secondary school, you need proof of convalidation - the official record of your child's education. It is best to do this before you move to Spain, having obtained the appropriate forms from the Department of Education at the following address:
Ministerio de Educacion y CienciaC/Alcala,3428014 Madridtel. 91 701 8000

Send the completed form together with your child's school record book and/or examination qualifications, plus his birth certificate.

A child will not be accepted at school until the official papers have been received and stamped by the Department of Education. Expect the process to take between 3 and 6 months although a receipt from the Ministry for the convalidacion documents for your child should be acceptable.

Integration

Some primary schools in areas with large expat populations such as the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca provide extra Spanish classes to bring foreign pupils up to speed and to minimise disruption in classes for the Spanish children. They may also encourage a pairing scheme between Spanish and foreign children to help new pupils settle in.

Choosing A School

Finding the right school for you children will make your time in Spain a much more rewarding experience. Here?s a guide to what to look out for.
The main choice to make is whether you want your child to go to a Spanish school or an international school.

Current figures show that 80 percent of expats send their children to state schools in Spain, an experience that allows the child to integrate fully in local life and (depending on how young they are when they start) be speaking the language fluently within a year. But immersing the child in a foreign language from day one may put pressure on them, beyond all the ordinary strains associated with starting a new school.

An international school will enable your child to ease their way into school in a foreign country yet in familiar surroundings, with smaller classes taught in their language. But their level of Spanish may not be any better than if they had studied it as a second language back home.

PUBLIC (STATE) SCHOOLS

Spain's public or state schools are non-fee paying, though parents must pay for school books, school supplies and extra curricular activities such as sport, music and art. Foreign pupils can attend Spanish state schools, but you need a document known as the 'empadronamiento'. For this, you will need to register at the local town hall. Take originals and photocopies of your passport, proof of address and details of your Spanish bank account.

Finding the right school for you children will make your time in Spain a much more rewarding experience.The bureaucracy and paperwork required for enrolling your child in a Spanish school is lengthy and only manageable if you speak at least some Spanish.

Spain's public schools have improved considerably in recent years and the qualifications gained are valid if your child wants to study at a university elsewhere, such as the UK.
However, in areas with large expat communities such as the Costa del Sol, there is a growing problem of foreign pupils flooding schools (in Andalucia, the number of foreign pupils in Spanish schools quadrupled between 1997 and 2001). The result is disrupted classes, inadequate teaching and worse exam results as teachers are unable to deal with so many non-Spanish speaking pupils.

Bear in mind, too, that if you send your child to a public school in Barcelona, most teaching will be in Catalan, and in the Alicante area a proportion of classes will be in Valencian.

SPANISH PRIVATE SCHOOLS

There are many varieties of Spanish private schools, some which teach entirely in Spanish and are subsidised by the State providing they have at least 25 percent Spanish students. Others are bilingual schools which place a strong emphasis on English.
Most are day Catholic schools and co-educational with classes from Monday to Friday. Fees vary greatly, though they are generally lower than private schools in the UK and US. Schools in Madrid and Barcelona are naturally the most expensive. A subsidised Spanish school costs about ?600 a year.

FOREIGN SCHOOLS

This umbrella term includes schools solely for expats and schools which encourage a mix of Spanish and foreign children.

Classes are smaller and the atmosphere more relaxed than in Spanish schools. There is also a wider choice of academic subjects on offer and examination pass rates are high - as is the number of pupils going on to university.

If you prioritise an easy transition for your child over integration, it is worth considering a foreign school. Also if you are only staying in Spain on a short-term contract, you may feel it is not worth putting your child through the strain of having to learn another language - although the immersion will stand them in good stead in future years.

International schools vary hugely, however, and they are not necessarily ghettoes for foreign pupils. Spain has the largest number of 'foreign' schools of any European country, meaning schools where the majority of pupils are from the host nation, and many Spanish seek the prestige of sending their child to an English-speaking school.

So although lessons may be in English, Spanish may rule in the playground. Fees vary from around ?1,500-6,000 a year, with some schools in Barcelona and Madrid considerably more.
American schools follow the American system and prepare pupils for SATs and college admission in the US. British schools study the British curriculum and learn Spanish as a foreign language.

International schools take pupils from several different countries, including Spain, and prepare them for the internationally-recognised bachillerato for university entrance.

School Holidays

It?s great news for the kids, but maybe not so exciting for parents ? Spain has among the longest school holidays of anywhere in Europe. Be prepared.
The long summer break is a particularly tough test of any parent's mettle as to whether they can keep their child entertained during the hottest months with no school between the end of June and mid-September.
Children moving up from primary to secondary school get an extra two weeks summer holiday, which usually includes an end-of-school trip abroad. The other two main holidays are at Christmas, when schools breaks up for about two weeks, and Easter, with about 10 days holidays.

Half terms do not exist, though there is plenty of compensation in the numerous local festival days and non-teaching days (dias no lectivas, included below under 'Festivals') to give children and teachers more breaks in the school year.

SCHOOL YEAR 2004-2005
Madrid
Infants 13/9/04-24/6/05
Primary 13/9/04-24/6/05
Secondary 15/9/04-24/6/05

Catalunya
Infants 15/9/04-22/6/05
Primary 15/9/04-22/6/05
Secondary 15/9/04-22/6/05

Valencia I
nfants 9/9/04-24/6/05
Primary 9/9/04-22/6/05
Secondary 17/9/04-24/6/05

Murcia I
nfants 8/9/04-24/6/05
Primary 8/9/04-24/6/05
Secondary 15/9/04-30/6/05

Andalucia
Infants /9/04-21/6/05
Primary 9/9/04-21/6/05
Secondary 13/9/04-21/6/05

Balearics
Infants 13/9/04-22/6/05
Primary 13/9/04-22/6/05
Secondary 15/9/04-22/6/05

HOLIDAY DATES 2004-2005

Madrid
Christmas: 23//12/04-7/1/05Easter: 21/3/05-27/3/05Festivals: 11/10/04, 12/10/04, 1/11/04, 6/12/04, 7/12/04, 8/12/04, 31/1/05, 18/3/05, 28/3/05, 16/3/05
Catalunya
Christmas: 23/12/04-9/1/05Easter: 19/3/05-28/3/05Festivals: 12/10/04, 1/11/04, 6/12/04, 8/12/04 (2005 dates yet to be confirmed. Also two further festival days of school's choosing.)
Valencia
Christmas: 23/12/04-6/1/05Easter: 24/3/05-4/4/05Festivals: 11/10/04, 12/10/04, 1/11/04, 6/12/04, 7/12/04,8/12/04, 7/1/05
Murcia
Christmas: 23/12/04-7/1/05Easter: 21/3/05-28/3/05Festivals: 12/10/04, 1/11/04, 6/12/04, 7/12/04, 8/12/04, 19/3/05, 2/5/05, 9/6/05 (plus local Saint's day and other local festival days, and three days determined by regional school advisory board.
Andalucia
Christmas: 24/12/04-7/1/05Easter: 21/3/05-28/3/05Festivals: 12/10/04, 1/11/04, 6/12/04, 7/12/04
Balearics
Christmas: 24/12/04-7/1/05Easter: 24/3/05-1/4/05Festivals: 12/10/04, 1/11/04, 6/12/04, 7/12/04,8/12/04, 28/2/05, 1/3/05 (plus two local fiestas and one extra day to be decided)

Barcelona´s 1st English Radio station

2005-10-28T12:21:00.000+02:00

Radio Free Barcelona, the city's first English-language station, has started. But they promise it will be more than a group of moaning expats taking to the airwaves.
If you flick the dial on your radio in Spain, you should have little problem finding an English-speaking radio station somewhere.

There is already a raft of stations, mostly on the Costa del Sol, the Canary Islands and in the Balearics, where they are gabbling away in ingles.

It has to be said, though, they are mostly filled with the familiar fare of expat preoccupations, Seventies hits, BBC news and a DJ talking inanely.
Now there is a new kid on the block ? and it's promising to do something a little different.

Radio Free Barcelona hit the airwaves last week for two hours with little fanfare.
So far, it only has the unpopular early Saturday morning slot between 9-11am on Radio Gracia 107.7 FM with which to make its mark.

We don't want to have a group of expats moaning about problems with Telefonica. We all know about that and it will not attract people to the station ? John Barrass, presenterBut instead of going down the same road as many other more commercial stations, it will be a station in English for everyone living in the city.
And that means the natives too.

So their 'round table discussions' will focus on things which the average Catalan might get steamed-up about, as well as British, American or Indian expats.
Such as: new parking restrictions in Barcelona, the regional government's latest lunatic scheme to spend your money or those loutish tourists who will insist on visiting the city.

Presenter John Barrass says: "We will have a mixed group of expats and Catalans to make our roundtable discussions address things which everyone here is concerned about.
"We don't want to have a group of expats moaning about problems with Telefonica. We all know about that and it will not attract people to the station."

Monty Takes charge in Spain

2005-10-28T12:17:00.000+02:00

Montgomerie and Poulter Take Charge at Valderrama

Reuters ? Scotland?s Colin Montgomerie drew first blood in the race to become Europe's Number One for a record eighth time by grabbing a share of the lead after the first round of the Volvo Masters at Club de Golf Valderrama on Spain?s Costa del Sol.

The 42 year old Montgomerie, in a head to head joust with US Open Champion, Michael Campbell, to finish top of The European Tour Order of Merit, joined Volvo Masters title holder Ian Poulter of England on four under par 67.

New Zealander Campbell, ?153,487 behind Montgomerie going into this week's final counting event, bogeyed the last hole to register a one over par 72.A front nine of 32 gave Montgomerie the upper hand on playing partner Campbell, including an eagle two at the eighth when he holed out with his wedge from 111 yards.

The Scot, who will rack up his eighth Order of Merit crown if he stays ahead of Campbell, is erring on the side of caution despite his good start.Montgomerie was understandably delighted - especially as he admitted to feeling anxious at the start. "That's understandable. Human nature," he said. "I've been playing well, but there was an anxiety and I got rid of that in the first three holes."

Monty in Valderrama

2005-10-27T17:58:00.000+02:00

Colin Montgomerie heads in to the final week (27th October 2005), with his sights set firmly on re-capturing the coveted Order of Merit title at the Volvo Masters.

Montgomerie won the title for 7 consecutive seasons throughout the 1990?s, a feat which is unlikely ever to be repeated. Most sportsmen go through some dip in form, but for Montgomerie his whole life was turned upside down in 2002 following a well-publicised divorce.

But this season has seen the Scot go from strength to strength, and when he is in full flow there are few better golfers to watch.

A revitalised Montgomerie arrives on the Costa del Sol seeking his eighth Order of Merit title - and his first since 1999 - after a wonderful season that has seen him win the Dunhill links championship, finish second to Tiger Woods in The Open Championship, both at St Andrews, and register ten other finishes inside the top ten.

More Metro Plans in Malaga

2005-10-27T17:57:00.000+02:00

The Junta de Andalucia has described yesterday?s meeting with Málaga City Hall on plans for traffic during the two years construction of the new metro as satisfactory.

The regional government technicians have taken away four proposals from the Ayuntamiento and promised to study them. It comes as the latest traffic study in the city reveals that many roads, including the ring road are now at saturation levels.

Construction on the metro is planned to start next month, and the new proposals are expected to come back from the Junta within a week.And more details of the latest thoughts of the regional government on the metro have been revealed. The line will now continue to Rincón de la Victoria, with a stop in La Cala del Moral, and from there a surface tram will run as far as Vélez-Málaga.

There are also plans for some rail link from Torre del Mar on to Nerja, but work on this section along the eastern Costa del Sol is not expected to start until 2010.

Britons Setting Up Home & Business in Spain

2005-10-25T14:38:00.000+02:00

SPAIN was once viewed only as a summer holiday destination for those seeking sun, sand and sangria. But, increasingly, Britons are setting up home there, often starting businesses.

Stephen Womack finds out what it takes to become a successful expatriate, whether in Spain, or further afield in Cyprus or the United States.

THROW a beach towel in the air along the seafront at Javea on Spain's Costa Blanca and the chances are it will land on an estate agent's office. More than 20 agencies pack the streets by the beach in this town of 20,000 people halfway between Valencia and Alicante.
And the agencies are thriving, mainly because of the thousands of Britons who are eagerly buying homes along the coast each year. They are joining an estimated million from the UK living in Spain.

More than a third of the population of Javea are British. They have their own network of shops, bars and restaurants. And over the past four years, they have been buying homes as quickly as they are built.

Travel 300 miles south-west and the forest of cranes along the Costa del Sol points to a similar story. The capacity of Malaga airport is being doubled to cope with 24 million passengers a year as people flock to the region. The scale of growth is staggering. More homes were built in Spain last year than in France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands combined, says the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.
And properties are no longer being sold only to retired Britons who fancy playing golf in the sun. Increasingly, younger people are moving abroad for work. Freedom of travel and residency within the EU means that many Britons living in Spain do not figure in official statistics. Many inhabit a twilight zone where they might spend most of the year abroad, but are still registered in the UK for tax and social security.

David Franks is in an excellent position to gauge the true number of Britons in Spain. He is founder and director of the European Supplies Group, which has been importing food from Britain to Spain for more than a decade.
While some expatriates might not register at town halls, they still want to buy Marmite, PG Tips, Ribena and familiar breakfast cereals. David says: 'Based on what we are selling, we estimate there are now more than onem Britons living in Spain on a permanent or semi-permanent basis.' Such has been the growth that the company has moved to a new warehouse near Javea and has listed on the Aim junior stock market through parent group Lennox Holdings.
David has seen a change in the type of person moving overseas. He says: 'We have seen a demand for bigger packets - for 80 teabags not 40, for example,' he says. 'That suggests we're selling to more families.' Neil Armitage is marketing director for insurer Exeter Friendly Society, which specialises in medical insurance for British expatriates.
'More younger people are making the move,' he says. 'Three years ago, the average age of our new customers was over 50. But that has come down to 42. And we have more than doubled the number of children we're insuring over the same period.'

Elena Ryan of the Norwich & Peterborough Building Society on the Costa Blanca agrees. 'More families and younger people are coming to live in Spain,' she says.
'Some come to work. Others take advantage of cheap flights and commute back to the UK. I know of one psychiatrist who moved out here with his family, but flies back to London on a Monday to work.'
There are now 14 English-language schools on the Costa Blanca, with a high demand for places. A draw for younger Britons to move to Spain is parents who are already living there. One woman who retired to Javea nine years ago says: 'My daughter and son-in-law are moving here to set up a business next summer. Their children are taking Spanish lessons, but don't use my name because they haven't yet told their UK bosses they're quitting.'

Spain leads a British exodus that shows no sign of fading. More than 207,000 Britons emigrated last year, a record number leaving for a new life. Also revealing is net migration - the difference between numbers leaving the UK and those returning. Australia, Spain and America are the most popular destinations, while there has been a net inflow of British citizens from Germany and South Africa.

HELP FROM HOME AS YOU MOVE ABROAD

Barclays International, 0845 601 5910 or barclays.co.uk/europe
Lloyds TSB Own Overseas, 020 7374 6900 or lloydstsb.com
Norwich & Peterborough Gibraltar, 00 350 45050 or norwichandpeterborough.co.uk
Leeds Building Society Gibraltar, 00 350 50602 or leedsbuildingsociety.co.uk
Nationwide International, 01624 696000 or nationwideinternational.com
Britannia International, 01624 681100 or britanniainternational.com
Currencies Direct, 020 7813 0332 or currenciesdirect.com
Foreign Currency Direct, 0800 328 5884 or currencies.co.uk
Moneycorp, 020 7589 3000 or moneycorp.com
Worldwide Currencies, 020 8464 5888 or worldwidecurrencies.com
Axa-PPP, Healthcare, 01892 612080 or axappphealthcare.co.uk
Bupa International, 01273 208181 or bupa-intl.com
Exeter Friendly Society, 0808 055 6575 or exeterfriendly.co.uk

Coroner Probes Medical Malpractice in Marbella

2005-10-25T14:32:00.000+02:00

There are fears that the Nigerian First Lady, Mrs Stella Obasanjo, may have been a victim of medical malpractice as coroners investigating the possibility performed an autopsy yesterday on her body.
She died Sunday morning at Marbella Hospital in Malaga, Andalucia following complications arising from a cosmetic surgery she underwent to reduce fat from her body. Her remains accompanied by Nigeria's ambassador to Spain, Dr. Kingsley Ebenyi, however, arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at about 10. 30 pm. yesterday barely 24 hours after she died.

The autopsy lasted two-and-a-half hours and seems to have given clear information on the cause of death, said Antonio Garcia de Galvez, director of the Malaga Institute of Forensic Medicine, where the autopsy was carried out. Garcia de Galvez, in a telephone interview with the Associated Press declined to discuss the results of the autopsy, saying the data will be turned over to a judge investigating the case. He also would not say what kind of cosmetic procedure Stella underwent.

In Spain, autopsies can be requested by relatives or doctors. But they are court-ordered when the death is deemed to be of a suspicious nature - as in this case - or to have been caused by violence, Garcia de Galvez said. In Stella's case coroners are investigating the possibility of medical malpractice, he said. She was admitted practically brain-dead early Sunday to a hospital in Marbella after being rushed there from Molding Clinic, where she had the cosmetic surgery, Garcia de Galvez said.

Molding Clinic, located in Puerto Banus, a posh district of Marbella in Spain's Costa del Sol resort area, issued a statement yesterday saying it has provided judicial authorities with all the information they have requested and that the "fundamental causes" of her death have not been determined.

President Olusegun Obasanjo was said to have desired that his wife's body be brought back home immediately after the news of her death was broken to him. But that could not be achieved as the autopsy had not been done.

Obasanjo was said to have spoken to the Spanish King requesting that the autopsy be conducted without delay to enable her body to be brought home yesterday. The body arrived at the VIP wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport in Abuja at about 10:30p.m yesterday and was received by the widower himself. The President stood on the dais as the body was being brought down.The coffin, which was drapped in the national flag, was carried down from the plane at 10:45 p.m by soldiers dressed in ceremonial uniforms, while solemn music was provided by the Nigerian Army as it was placed into a waiting ambulance.

Nigerians from all walks of life, including Vice President Atiku Abubakar and wife, Titi, Senate President Ken Nnamani, Governors Bukola Saraki, Olusegun Agagu and Sam Egwu, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Lt Gen Theophilious Danjuma and Rev Father Matthew Kukah, Senators, members of the House of Representatives, Ministers and aides of the President, were on hand to receive the body.

Council of Europe Conference in Malaga: unaccompanied minors' migration ? acting in the best interests of the child

2005-10-25T14:28:00.000+02:00

Government representatives, parliamentarians, independent experts, representatives of various international institutions and NGOs will meet in Malaga (Spain), on 27-28 October, to identify ways of reinforcing the protection of migrant minors.

The participants, coming from countries of origin, transit and destination, will examine the migratory cycle of separated and unaccompanied children, with the aim of identifying ways to protect and promote their interests and to create for them the best life prospects.

The discussions will also centre on ways to improve dialogue and co-operation between countries of origin, transit and destination. The conference will be opened by Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, and by Consuelo Rumí, Secretary of State to Immigration and Emigration of Spain

(27 October, 9.00 am, Hotel Melia Costa del Sol, Torremolinos, Malaga). The opening session will be open to the press. The closing session (Friday 28 October, 13h15-14h00) will also be open to the press. It will be followed by a press conference.

Leeds Building Society has launched Euro mortgage

2005-10-20T15:11:00.000+02:00

Leeds Building Society has launched its first ever Euro mortgage available to UK residents, UK expatriates and Gibraltarians looking to purchase a property on the Costa del Sol. The product is a lifetime Euribor tracker plus 1 per cent and sits very well in the current market.

Sally Butcher, Gibraltar Operations Manager said, "We have a number of highly competitive Sterling mortgages available to purchase properties on the Costa del Sol and this new currency product compliments our range superbly. "The Euribor Lifetime Tracker mortgage is extremely competitive and will start at only 3.13 per cent.

This should suit customers who receive their income in Euros and there is no higher lending charge to pay and no early repayment charges, so the customer has complete control of their mortgage. I am confident we have a product to suit every customer's needs and that this product will prove extremely popular."

Marbella On The Up...Again!

2005-10-19T15:25:00.000+02:00

A combination of its desirable Costa del Sol location and comparatively reasonable house prices has resulted in an influx of British property investors, according to a report on the Easier Property News website, despite the recent popularity other locations such in France, Italy and the US.

For upscale property buyers, £1 million could buy them a two-bedroom first floor flat in Knightsbridge, one of London's most desirable residential areas.

In contrast, £1 million will secure Marbella homebuyers a four bedroom, four-bathroom villa complete with private garden and swimming pool. "Marbella is comparatively expensive when pitching it against less established overseas property markets," Easier comments.

However, compared to premium London house prices, as a location for an investment property, "Marbella suddenly seems, dare we say, cheap".

Join the club

2005-10-12T17:14:00.000+02:00

In the cooling Spanish market, a home on a golf course makes investment sense, finds Karen Robinson of The Sunday Times

Three years ago, when they were planning the development of a swathe of Andalusian hilltop with Mediterranean views, the chaps at Sotogrande did not ?try to reinvent the wheel?, explains sales director Michael Norton. They had ?a simple formula: a golf course?.

Sotogrande, of course, has form for this kind of thing, going back to the very dawn of the transmogrification of the Costa del Sol into the Costa del Golf. There are more than 40 golf courses between Malaga and Gibraltar, where the climate means that a game in the sunshine is a possibility just about year-round, and at least half a dozen more are in the pipeline. Long a byword for upmarket golf and homes, Sotogrande already had the world-class courses of Valderrama and the Real Club de Golf Sotogrande, plus Almenara and La Cañada, when they started work on their latest project, La Reserva.

Norton explains the relationship between the generously irrigated 18 holes ? where the bunkers are filled with dazzlingly bright marble chips instead of sand ? and the property that borders them.
?The trick here was to make sure that the villa plots on the front line were 3,000 to 4,000sq m. The maximum ?buildability? allowed on the plots is 25%, so we won?t end up with big houses on small plots. The golf is not overpowered by the real estate, and the real estate is not dominated by the golf.?

A villa at La Reserva could cost up to ?3m (£2m), once you?ve bought the plot and constructed your house, but you?d be into ?gold taps? at that price level, says David Vaughan, of Sotogrande?s UK office. Although these days the ostentatious signs of wealth are more likely to be a home cinema and a walk-in fridge.

There is a cheaper option: Los Cortijos de la Reserva, an enclave of 30 villas and 46 town houses close to the opulent new clubhouse, where a two-bedder starts at about £340,000 and the priciest four-bed villa is about £930,000. It?s no accident that these properties have all been clustered together rather than dotted around the course: it gives seriously upmarket buyers a sense of space and exclusivity that translates into higher values.

All buyers at La Reserva have a guaranteed right to apply for golf club membership: up to ?60,000 (about £41,000) for the one-off debenture and £1,700 a year in fees. The club allows the equivalent of two hours? green fees a day for non-members (there?s a large non-members area of the clubhouse), which means anyone buying to let in Los Cortijos can offer golf on the doorstep, along with the Sotogrande central reservation system that can book slots at its other courses.
?Now that southern Spain is seeing a cooling in the market, the worst-hit will be unplanned developments with no facilities,? says Tim Hodges, of property finder County Homesearch International Spain. ?Spanish property is still a good long-term investment, but you have to stick with quality. Golf is an investment bonus because it gives you winter rentals as well as summer.?

The La Cala Resort, three miles inland from Mijas Costa, has two golf courses and is building a third, along with surrounding properties ? ?That?s the downside,? says Hodges. ?There?ll be building for a few years? ? but the upside is that it?s an established venture with its infrastructure in place, and none of its 1,000 acres have been sold off to other developers. ?It?s not a speculation,? says Hodges.

James Reid, a retired financial director with an enviably deep toffee-coloured tan, lives full-time at La Cala in a semi-detached four-bedroom villa with pool on the development?s south course. He paid £660,000 for the house ? which came fully furnished, as it was the show home. ?I never get tired of the scenery,? he says. ?It?s like having your lawn mowed every day.? And he has found that his golf, for which he pays annual club fees of £1,250, has improved since he moved to La Cala.

Reid already owned a three-bedroom penthouse on the development, which cost him about £250,000 two years ago, and he plans to rent it out through a golfing holiday company in Britain.

Hodges and I inspect the show home of Real Altavista apartments, one of the latest developments in the La Cala master plan for an eventual 2,000 properties, where the cheapest three-bed apartment sells for about £280,000. Hodges is impressed: ?This is the middle market, but the middle market is moving up in standards and quality. It?s like a hotel fit-out? ? he indicates the marble floors and well-crafted wardrobes ? ?and if you?re buying with rental in mind, that?s what you want. And there is stuff to do: golf, riding, tennis. A spa is being built. This will hold its value.?

Occupying a similar niche in the market to La Cala is La Quinta, established for 17 years, with three or more years of construction to go to complete the building programme before it moves on to the next-door tract of scrubby hillside overlooking Puerto Banus. It has 27 golf holes, a five-star hotel and services to suit residents and holiday renters ? and five other golf courses are within five minutes? drive. The resort markets golf holiday packages using owners? apartments for accommodation.

As well as the resale market, new apartments are available in La Quinta Suites, 42 two-bedders scheduled for completion in November 2006, and in Buenavista, 52 two- and three-bedders that should be ready a few months earlier. Prices start at £254,000 at the Suites and £375,000 at the larger, more lavishly specced Buenavista (underfloor heat, ?intelligent? wiring, a laundry room that sends a ?flood alert? to your mobile phone).

Although the Costa del Sol?s golfing bonanza has been driven by northern Europeans? apparently insatiable appetite for the game, the sport is popular with the local people, too. Compared with the subdued atmosphere of some palatial Costa clubhouses, the 19th hole at Antequera Golf has the hallmarks of ?real Spain?: garrulous members comparing scorecards in an atmosphere thick with tobacco smoke and the smell of good, strong coffee.

Euro school signs World Cup star

2005-10-05T17:13:00.000+02:00

An international player who appeared in the 1998 World Cup finals is the latest player to join the Charlton Athletic European Soccer School.
Former Jamaica midfielder Fitzroy Simpson, who appeared in three World Cup matches for the Reggae Boyz, will help the Addicks' operation in South-East Spain.

And dozens of Spanish teams will kick off the new season in Charlton's colours following a shipment of kit out to the Costa Blanca.

Alongside providing fantastic football training for young Brits living in Spain, the school holds successful summer soccer training camps for young holidaymakers, with centres stretching from Gibraltar, through the Costa del Sol, and right up to the Costa Blanca.

Sierra Nevada Skiing Resort

2005-09-28T12:13:00.000+02:00

If you're thinking of a skiing holiday, usually Austria or Switzerland come to mind, and there are some great resorts and packages on offer there - but you can also consider the Italian or French Alps, or cross the ocean and try your luck on the ski slopes of the United States. Alternatively, did it ever occur to you to combine your skiing with a trip to Spain?

If you are looking for a really unusual ski destination, try the Sierra Nevada in southern Spain - it's one of the most distinctive skiing and holiday destinations around.It is the most southerly resort in Europe that offers skiing, which you can enjoy from December to April, along with many other activities.Almost 3 000m above sea level and a mere 45-minute drive from Granada, it is a picturesque resort that offers Old World charm with modern facilities. Although it is small in comparison to other resorts in Europe, it did host the World Ski Championships in 1996.

Sierra Nevada has numerous runs of varying difficulties and there's wonderful nightlife and apres-ski.In one two-week holiday you can ski in the mornings and tan at a beach on the Costa del Sol by the Mediterranean in the afternoon. You can sightsee in Granada, visit the Alhambra Palace and enjoy the nightlife and cuisine of southern Spain.

Volvo Masters Prizemoney Increased to 4 million Euros

2005-09-28T12:11:00.000+02:00

Volvo Masters Prizemoney Increased to 4 million Euros as Order of Merit Race Gathers Pace

Prize money for the 2005 Volvo Masters will increase by ?250,000 to a record ?4,000,000 when the 18th edition of the season-ending tournament takes place at Club de Golf Valderrama, Costa del Sol, Spain, from October 27-30.Defending champion, Ian Poulter of England, will be among a maximum field of 60 seeking the winner?s cheque for ?666,660 at Valderrama as the race to become Europe?s Number One reaches a dramatic climax at Valderrama.

With over ?17,000,000 in official prize money still at stake between this week?s dunhill links championship and the Volvo Masters, two issues have to be resolved, namely the winner of this season?s Vardon Trophy and the final composition of the field to contest the Volvo Masters.Valderrama has witnessed many exciting finales since 1988, and this year promises to deliver another rousing finish to a memorable year. Currently, New Zealand?s Michael Campbell heads The European Tour Order of Merit with ?2,398,201 as he seeks the Vardon Trophy for the first time.

European Golf Tour Qualification

2005-09-23T15:18:00.000+02:00

A HOST of Scottish hopefuls begin the long road to a place on the European Tour by playing in the first stage of the qualifying school, which gets underway this week in England, France, Germany and Italy

Qualifying is also being held at Golf de Moliets in France, the Golf Und Land Club in Cologne and Italy's Circolo Golf Bogogno.

Around 25 players from each of the six venues after 72 holes this week will progress to stage two of the process in Spain from 2-5 November. The six-round final is at San Roque on the Costa del Sol from 10-15 November.

Water Woes: Spanish Golfers Demand Green Fairways as Farms Go Without Water

2005-09-23T15:14:00.000+02:00

(Bloomberg) -- At a golf course in the shadow of Mount Abantos outside Madrid, near a 16th century monastery built by King Felipe II, Francisco Contreras swings his club, frowning as he sees dry patches of yellow on the green fairways.
``I'd much rather the course were green; it looks ugly when it's yellow,'' says the 37-year-old partner at a Madrid-based building company and a regular at the La Herreria course in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, 35 miles northwest of Madrid. ``Golf helps me relax. It also oils the wheels of business.''
Just a stone's throw away, Inmaculada Preciado, owner of El Chicharron, a farm, says she's out of grass to feed her 200 cows because of the lack of rain. ``We're stretched to the limit,'' the 42-year-old farmer says. ``The golf course is much greener than the farm. I'm not sure where their water comes from.''
Spain's worst drought in more than 50 years is pitting golfers against farmers and ecologists. The shortage of rain water is threatening to dry up fairways at the country's golf courses, prompting some resorts to siphon off drinking-water to keep them green and safeguard $1.2 billion in tourism revenue generated by the golf industry.
``It's atrocious so many courses in Madrid are using drinking water,'' said Santiago Martin, a spokesman for Ecologists in Action, a Madrid-based lobby group, in phone interview. ``The situation is similar across Spain.''
Ten of Madrid's 29 courses face fines and at least two more on the southern coast known as the Costa del Sol are being investigated. The Confederacion Hidrografica del Tajo, which controls water usage in and around Madrid, declined to identify the courses or the likely size of the fines.
Drying Reservoirs
The drought is most severe in the central and southeastern parts of the country, which had less than 250 millimeters of rain in the 12 months through Aug. 31, half the average in the last 30 years, Spain's National Meteorological Institute says.
Courses in those areas need about 350,000 cubic meters (92.5 million gallons) of water a year, said Francisco Aymerich, chairman of Aymerich Golf Management, which manages 17 courses. That's as much as the annual use of 7,800 city dwellers, according to Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute.
Water levels in reservoirs fell below the half-way mark and capacity is as low as 13 percent in parts of southern Spain, the Environment Ministry said in an Aug. 30 statement.
The government, in an advertising campaign, is urging water- saving techniques including turning off the tap when brushing teeth. Golf courses and private gardens face water restrictions if it doesn't rain more, Environment Minister Cristina Narbona told the Senate on Sept. 14.
`Easy Target'
``Golf is an easy target when there's a drought,'' said Miguel Angel Caderot, a spokesman for the Spanish Golf Federation, in a phone interview Aug. 31. ``It's seen by some people in Spain as elitist. But they should remember the economic benefits: tourism and jobs.''
At issue is the failure of Spanish golf courses to keep up with developments in water-treatment technology, said Sylvain Duval, an expert in golf course maintenance for Murcia, Spain- based company Polaris World. The company manages five tourist resorts in the country.
Polaris is among a handful of Spanish course owners that have in the last five years started watering grass with treated sea water. In the U.S, that has been happening for two decades and in Florida it's obligatory, Duval said.
Only two Madrid courses use recycled drinking water, which is the ideal means of keeping courses green, said Rocio Pattier, a spokeswoman for Confederacion Hidrografica del Tajo, the Madrid region water authority.
Recycled Water
``Most courses in Madrid were built a long time ago and haven't updated their infrastructure,'' said the Spanish golf federation's Caderot. ``Using recycled water is the way forward.''
About 20 of the 35 courses near south-coast city Malaga use recycled water, Alvaro Gonzalez, a spokesman for that region's water authority said. The authority is investigating two courses after discovering the ``large volume'' of water they're using, Gonzalez said.
A course near the southwest city of Cadiz was fined 60,000 euros ($74,025) in May 2004 for using water illegally for three years, said Ecologists in Action's Martin.

Las Dunas Shared Ownership Scheme

2005-09-23T15:11:00.000+02:00

FEW places in the world do serious glam quite like Marbella. Shops are designer, yachts are gargantuan, and cars are super: no fewer than 250 Jaguars, 34 Bentleys, and 15 Ferraris, Maseratis and Aston Martins graced Marbella?s golden streets in 2004, according to the local Oh Là Là magazine. But with prices for top-notch properties in prime locations more often in the millions than the hundreds of thousands, most people can only dream of joining the jet set there. Until now, that is.
Tomorrow Premier Resorts is launching its newest shared-ownership scheme, where owners can buy a deeded one-twelfth share of an apartment for ?130,000 (£87,500). Attached to the beachfront five-star Las Dunas hotel, which is an hour?s drive from Málaga airport, Las Dunas Suites will have all the usual five-star services: daily maid service, valet car parking, 24-hour concierge, bespoke catering, babysitting, and access to two restaurants, spa, pool and gym. Owners will even be collected at the airport by a chauffeur, and their pictures can be hung and fridge filled before arrival.

The Las Dunas Suites? marketing material describes the scheme as ?lifestyle ownership?, and if it is the Marbella lifestyle you are craving you can find it by the luxury-liner load: breakfast at the hotel?s Beach Club eatery is all starched white tablecloths and silver cutlery ? chilled champagne sits next to bottled water on the buffet table.

The hotel?s Michelin-starred Lido is reassuringly demure, while at the Felix restaurant entertainment is put on nightly and the atmosphere is lavish. Bejewelled guests twinkle expensively, impossibly glamorous women glow in Dior and Valentino, the men in pristine pressed linen suits. Arrive in smart shorts and you will be turned away: this is continental sophistication, with a twist of Marbella excess.

Even when out and about, Las Dunas Suites owners will be able to live up to Marbella?s polished image: a privilege card will give them reduced rates on a range of supercars that wait temptingly in the hotel garage. Those wanting to cruise in style can pick up a Bentley Continental GT for a week for ?5,915. Or, for maximum posing potential, a Ferrari F430 Spider costs ?9,800 for a week?s hire. (More modest models are on offer.) Yachts can be chartered in Puerto Banús, about a 15-minute drive up the Costa del Sol; suite owners get a 75 per cent reduction on the normal rate of about ?2,500 a day. The concierge can also get owners into exclusive golf courses, such as Valderrama, on special rates.

Spanish house price over inflation "myth"

2005-09-15T12:03:00.000+02:00

Research carried out on behalf of Spanish property investment site Kyero has branded reports of house price over inflation a "myth," and pointed to Spanish Red Guide 2006 figures, which have shown price appreciation of between 25 to 30 per cent some areas.

Kyero research suggested that there was little evidence of generalised house price over inflation. While top end properties, such as a four bedroom house in Costa Blanca have seen price decreases of around 5.8 per cent since June 2005, to 365,000 euros since June, Costa del Sol prices on the whole have remained constant.

"My impression is that it's primarily properties at the very top end of the market that are experiencing slight price erosion, most notably in some of Spain's more developed areas," said Kyero managing director Martin Bell. "That's not quite the same thing as a general slump in the price of all Spanish property."

Property investors have been advised to leave the most developed territories if they want to hunt for a bargain, as the level of development has dictated the level of house price inflation. While some are catching up with the Costas and are now steady, areas such as Tarragona and Costa del Azahar are still showing very healthy growth of 18 ? 20 per cent.

Two bedroom properties have appreciated by 28,000 euros and 20,300 euros respectively over the summer months.Crucially for property investment, demand for property has shown no signs of easing said Assetz director Stuart Law. "Capital growth in Spain is high and still forecast to grow at ten per cent a year for the next five years at least. Off-plan purchases at discounted rates still offer the best opportunity to maximise profits."

"Year-round sunshine and the extensive development in recent years of world class golf courses, makes 30- 35 weeks annual rental a realistic goal, with potential gross yields of 10 per cent plus. Investors looking towards lower priced East European markets should balance gains against a less predictable economic climate and lower levels of infrastructure, he added. "Even though property is cheaper in emerging markets, for reliability and stability of investment income, more mature markets such as Spain still stack up brilliantly against the competition."

Investment consultancy DBK has recently revealed figures showing the overall level of 2004 sales, with a record 181,000 coastal properties sold through the course of the year ? 13.1 per cent up on 2003 and almost 25 per cent of the total number of properties sold in Spain. Preliminary research has shown the number of sales sustained into the first half of 2005.

Electric car gives audio tour of Spanish city

2005-09-11T15:45:00.000+02:00

Attention, tourists: Forget about stumbling on cobblestone and fumbling through guide books in stifling heat. Entrepreneurs in the Spanish city of Cordoba have devised battery-powered sightseeing cars with computers that talk.

The vehicles boast Global Positioning Satellite technology that provides passengers with their location and explains attractions with its tactile screen or audio recordings.
A memory card stuck into a USB port provides information in Spanish, French or English on more than 150 attractions.

A trio of entrepreneurs launched the business, called Blobject, in May after concluding that monument-rich Cordoba, featuring an exquisite old quarter and a Moorish mosque with a Catholic cathedral built around it, often got overlooked by tourists lured to other southern Spanish cities, such as Seville or Granada.

"Cordoba's marketing was very poor," said co-founder Alfredo Romeo.
The project joins GPS tourism efforts in places including Montgomery, Ala., where IntelliTours LLC offers audio tours of Civil War and civil-rights sites using similar technology.

Grey pound fuels Costa retirement homes

2005-09-08T16:08:00.000+02:00

The increasingly greying population of the Costa del Sol ? where the number of over 80s has increased by 50 per cent in the last ten years ? will soon give rise to a new wave of property investment developments catering for the demands of an aging population, the leading Spanish daily Sur has predicted.

Property investment resort complexes incorporating nursing home services, such as medical care and supported living assistance alongside the traditional pools, have already begun to spring up across the Costa del Sol, and the trend is set to grow exponentially as the local health services become more strained and a current generation of retirees' ages."

The phenomenon of retired people from abroad arriving here was especially prevalent a few years ago because of the economic situation in the country. Spain was cheap for them," Ricardo Sanchez Bocanegra, chairman of the Federation of Costa del Sol Foreigners' Associations told Sur.

The Spanish health care system on the coast, which has already had to deal with an aging Spanish population as the young emigrate to the economic opportunities of the cities, is struggling to cope with the strain say experts "Foreigners living in the province have had a tremendous influence on the ageing of the population and that causes problems of health care because this floating population is not taken into account", comments geriatrician José Antonio Lopez.

The situation is further aggravated by foreigners with a second home in the province taking advantage of their stay here to receive free medical treatment, as guaranteed under an EU agreement. In addition to saturating the health services the growing number of elderly people has led to a shortage of places in old people's homes.

According to the Malaga Association of Homes for the Third Age there are 5,400 beds in state and private old people?s homes for a population of 43,000 over 80s.Faced with a shortage of public resources, and wishing to maintain their independence, the emigrant population of the coasts are already trading in their resort style condos for the new style supported and permanent retirement home investment property developments.

This will be supported by the wide number of middle aged and younger Europeans currently heading to the south coast of Spain looking for property investment opportunities and holiday homes, says Mr Bocanegra. "The free movement of workers and the fact that elderly relations are already here is attracting younger people to the country," he said.

Water Shortages

2005-09-05T11:41:00.000+02:00

Spanish water authorities and local councils are drawing up emergency plans to ship water to coastal areas, following the country?s worst drought for over 50 years.

With no sign of a let-up in the dry weather for the central, southern and eastern areas, the government has now ordered contingency plans to be produced on the basis that the water shortage will probably last for many years.

The water authority for the Segura basin, which covers the coastline from Alicante to Aguilas, has announced that it is considering hiring sea-going tankers to bring in water from areas with a more abundant supply. Reservoir levels in the area are down to 12% and the summer tourism is increasing demand still further.

On the Costa del Sol, regional authorities have also announced that one of their major reservoirs could dry up by November and that they will be pumping water in from other parts of Andalucia. ?One of the conditions is that it will not be used for watering golf courses,? Andalucia?s head of environment told the ?Guardian?

Scorched Golf Greens turning Brown

2005-09-04T17:57:00.000+02:00

The clipped emerald lawns of Spain's golf clubs are a lure to millions of tourists each year, but a sharp rise in the number of thirsty golf courses has made increasing demands on dwindling water reserves in a country fighting its worst drought on record.

Spain boasts hundreds of courses, mostly concentrated in the tourist regions of the southern coast. Their number more than doubled from 91 in 1989 to 250 in 2003, according to the Royal Spanish Golf Association.
More are planned to cash in on golf's tourism potential: the sport attracts well-heeled visitors and extends the tourist season, keeping euros flowing into an industry that accounts for around 12 percent of Spain's economy.
The average golf tourist spends around 4 to 8 times more than someone on a package holiday, says Roddy Carr, former Irish international and tourism consultant at U.S. sports marketing firm IMG.
"It's less people with more money," he said. He estimated the golf tourist industry in Spain is worth over $500 million.
Spain needs big spending golf tourists more than ever as it fights off competition from cheaper, more exotic holiday destinations like Turkey and North Africa.
Developers are planning around 21 new courses per year over the next decade, according to environmentalist group Greenpeace.
This could be bad news for precious water supplies in a country where the worst drought on record has slashed crop harvests and seen over 6,000 fires rage through forests.

ARID LANDSCAPES

The average golf course consumes the same amount of water as a town of 15,000 people in a year, according to Greenpeace.
Spanish water authorities are investigating 10 of the 28 golf courses based in the Madrid region following reports they have been using drinking water to irrigate the greens. There are also concerns that courses are not using enough recycled water.
But even environmentalists concede golf has an important role to play in Spain's profitable tourist industry.
"It's nonsense to say we shouldn't have golf courses here," says Guido Schmidt of environmental group WWF. "The question is the availability of water."
Some clubs have decided to make a feature of natural arid landscapes, rather than trying to mimic the sandy, grass-covered links of eastern Scotland, the historic home of golf which evolved from a game played there during the 15th century.
One municipal golf club on the outskirts of Madrid uses no water at all to maintain its course.
Although the land at the public Quijorna club is green during three seasons of the year, in summer it dries out and the browns and yellows of the central Spanish countryside dominate.
"The only thing we do is cut the grass," says vice director Javier Guerra. "At the moment we are using absolutely no water."
The 9-hole course stretches out beneath the sierras, dotted with evergreen oak trees, on land formerly used for growing crops of chickpeas.
The club plans to start watering the greens, where the holes are, and the tees to improve the quality of the game. But even so they will use only 20 percent of the water used by an average golf course, Guerra says.

FISTFUL OF DOLLARS

On a far grander scale is the Desert Springs club, which has been hewn out of scrub and desert near Almeria, southern Spain and has hosted the Spanish Open International Championship.
The course was designed by golf champion Peter McEvoy, who led Britain and Ireland to success in the Walker Cup.
The club uses selective watering and aims to blend into the stretch of desert, beloved of "spaghetti Western" directors in the 1960s and where Clint Eastwood filmed "A Fistful of Dollars."
"Rather than watering everything, you're just watering the playing areas. You don't play solid green all the way from tee to green," said McEvoy. "It's a question of trying to design something that looks right in the landscape."
There is no reason why these innovative courses should be a rarity, said golf consultant Carr. Good design should eliminate problems with water supply, he said.
New strains of grass that thrive on salt and brackish water, selective watering and recycled water programs can make all the difference.
"If the planning laws and regulations stipulate strong enough policy to ensure that the golf courses are to be built with environmentally-friendly ingredients, then there is no argument on the environmental issue," Carr said.
Back at Quijorna, Guerra points at the larks circling nearby. He says wild boar come out at night to feast on the acorns from the oak trees. He doesn't see why golf must be played on grass courses.
"It's like playing football: there are many grassed football pitches like Bernabeu (home of soccer team Real Madrid), but there are hundreds and hundreds of earth pitches," he said.

Parched Spain plans to ship water to coastal areas

2005-09-02T16:06:00.000+02:00

Giles Tremlett in Madrid
Friday September 2, 2005
The Guardian

Spanish authorities are drawing up emergency plans to ship water around the country's parched coastal areas in tanker boats amid warnings that the current record-breaking drought may last up to six years.
Most droughts over the past six decades have lasted between four and six years, an environment ministry report said last week.
With rainfall at record-breaking lows earlier this year, and no sign of a let-up for the parched central, southern and eastern zones of the country, orders have now been issued to draw up plans on the assumption that this drought, too, will last several years.

Spain: imports of citrus increase by 85%

2005-09-01T17:16:00.000+02:00

Tholen - The Spanish imports of citrus from third countries have increased by 85,5% this campaign. The most important cause of this, is the frost which has hit the citrus production this winter. Meanwhile, the exports of citrus show a decrease. The imports through Spanish ports have about doubled. During the period between September 1, 2003 and August 31, 2004, about 97K MT passed through Spanish ports. Between September 1, 2004 and August 20 this year the amount of shipments had increased to 180K MT.

Because of shortages from private production, exporters sought after merchandise from third countries to supply the European market between February and June. But also outside the Spanish season, Spain is exporting citrus from third countries to supply it?s European customers. Imports from Argentina, South Africa, Uruguay and Brazil have therefore increased.

1000s disappointed as Seabreeze pulls Costa del Sol Concerts for Jamiroquai & Bryan Adams

2005-08-31T17:35:00.000+02:00

Seabreeze Productions, a British-run music promoter based in Spain, has cancelled a series of concerts on the Costa del Sol, leaving ticket holders and intermediary businesses owed thousands of pounds.

Six thousand fans had bought tickets costing upwards of £32 each for Jamiroquai and Bryan Adams gigs, only to discover that the concerts, one earlier this month and the other at the beginning of next, would not take place. Seabreeze is based on the Costa del Sol but is run by British music promoter John Coletta, who is best known for working with major rock groups including Deep Purple. It has specialised in bringing British acts to Spain, with the shows billed ranging from Elton John to the English National Orchestra.

A spokesperson for Jamiroquai, who had been due to appear on August 6, issued the following statement: ?Promoters of Jamiroquai?s scheduled show in Marbella have today announced that they are unable to pay the costs of putting on the show. Jamiroquai, who along with their crew, trucks and equipment have been in town for two days, were ready willing and able to play tomorrow night?s concert and were extremely disappointed to be told the news.

?The promoters of the show, who have also cancelled several other scheduled shows with other artists through the remainder of the summer, were unable to fund the costs associated with putting on the show, including power, security, staging, policing and first aid.?
TickTackTicket, a Spanish agency, was used to sell tickets for the events. A recording on its ticket hotline now informs customers that all concerts are cancelled until further notice, due to technical and financial problems.

According to reports in the local press, the ticket agency and other companies involved with the event, as well as thousands of ticket holders, are still owed money, with TickTackTicket considering legal action after receiving no response from the promoter. Meanwhile, Seabreeze Productions has been uncontactable.

Times Economics article on Expats Working in Spain

2005-08-30T12:55:00.000+02:00

Spain, new land of opportunity
From Graham Keeley in Barcelona

?IT?S like Bognor with botox here,? said Lesley Bunce, surveying the scene on the ?frontline? in Puerto Banus.
She was referring to the stream of Ferraris and Daimlers trawling along the harbour side in one of the Costa del Sol?s most famous haunts.

Bunce, 44, who runs the Blue Bar in the resort, has been in Spain for only eight months. She refers to the ?frontline? not just because the bar is on the seafront, but because the constant battles against Spanish bureaucracy ?make it feel like a war zone?.
Bunce, from Southampton, has just won the latest round in this war over her electricity supply. ?So far we are doing well, but I would say to anyone coming out here: sort out everything before you make the move to Spain.?
She is one of the new breed of British entrepreneurs staging a quiet invasion of Spain.

John Woodward runs Voyages Orsom, which offers team-building activities and corporate entertaining on his catamaran, moored off Barcelona. His bread-and-butter are corporate clients who want to take the sea air, sip a beer and watch the sun go down behind Gaudi?s Sagrada Familia. Woodward, 49, sold his cottage in Huddersfield and found partners to invest £120,000 in the business, which, after five years, is doing well.
?Brits are coming out here and starting their own businesses because they are in a no-lose situation,? he said. ?If you have an idea, the necessary skills and a lot of determination, you might as well go for it, as you have given up so much to come here anyway.?

Near Torrevieja, on the Costa Blanca, Gina Marks is filming an episode of Dream Gardens. Last year, Marks, 33, set up Sol Productions, which makes a dizzying variety of programmes, from cooking shows about how to make paella to Mr Costa Blanca, a reality-TV show. She started the television company after spotting a market to make programmes to help expats integrate.

Meanwhile, Simon Lambert, 46, relaxes on his 81ft yacht off Majorca, enjoying the fruits of 25 years spent selling villas. Lambert, managing director of Parador Properties, one of the biggest British-owned property companies in Spain, set up his first company as a teenager and has been running Parador with a partner. The company made £4 million profit last year. ?I came out to Barcelona when I was only 19 and I still love Spain,? he said, ?but running a business here is just as hard as anywhere else.?

WORKING IN THE SUN

Population: 40,350,000
Labour force: 19,330,000
Self-employed foreigners: 141,000 (British 21,000)
Most popular destination for foreigners: Catalonia (followed by Valencia, Andalucia)

Taste of Britain in Spain

2005-08-25T16:43:00.000+02:00

A YORKSHIRE-based franchise operation which is taking a taste of Britain to foreign shores is has opened its first outlets in Spain.

Thomas Green's, which is based on Ripon's College Business Park, is aiming to roll out a network of British grocery shops throughout Europe. After early success in Holland, it has launched its first three stores in the Costa Blanca region of Spain - in Moraira, Benijofar and Gran Alacant - to serve the significant expatriate British community and growing tourist industry, as well as the local population.

Philip Evans, managing director of Thomas Green's, said: "Following the early success of our stores in The Hague and in Amsterdam, we are delighted to have begun our rollout in Spain. "Spain, which is home to over a million British expats and welcomes over 16m British tourists to its resorts each year, is a natural market for Thomas Green's.

"In particular, the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol represent excellent locations for franchisees given their popularity with Britons on holiday or seeking a home in the sun." He said the concept had received significant interest from potential franchisees in Europe, most notably in Spain, and he expect to roll out over 40 stores, including 20 in Spain, within the next three years.

Founded in 2004, Thomas Green Ltd works in partnership with Scunthorpe-based Nisa-Today's - the UK's largest distribution and services organisation for independent retail and wholesale companies - and its export partner Nisa International. Nisa International is the UK's premier wholesale exporter of grocery products to over 90 countries worldwide and a 2004 winner of the Queen's Awards for Enterprise in International Trade.

With access to Nisa-Today's product range and Nisa International's global distribution network, Thomas Green's is able to supply its overseas shops with over 12,000 ambient, chilled and frozen food products - lines typically sold in all major UK supermarkets.

Marketing

In addition, Thomas Green's supplies many non food items including magazines, DVDs and stationery to its franchisees. Thomas Green's helps the franchisees to develop their stores, with full retail branding, product selection, store layout plans and marketing advice. According to Mr Evans, the new franchisees in the Costa Blanca are already looking for their second sites. Josh Jewell, who has opened a franchise store in Moraira, said he was now looking to open a second outlet: "The Thomas Green's brand appeals to both British customers and Spanish residents looking for something different. The extensive range of goods supplied through the partnership with Nisa-Today's, together with ongoing support from head office, means that I can focus on my customers and growing the business. "Opening a second store on the Costa Blanca will enable me to capture more of what is a very receptive market."

2005: A Record year for tourism in Spain

2005-08-22T16:41:00.000+02:00

Figures just released show that the number of tourists coming to Spain has reached an all-time high this year. However, the overall balance for the Spanish economy is not as positive as it should be. According the the statistics, this year's tourists spend less and stay for shorter periods than in previous years.A record 31 million foreign tourists visited Spain between January and July this year, a rise of 6.1 percent compared to the same period in 2004.

Last month Spain received 7.4 million international tourists. Catalonia was the most popular destination in Spain for international tourists in July, and 2.2 million visitors spent a holiday in the Costa Brava or in the mountains inland. The second most popular destination is the Balearic Islands, followed by the Canary Islands, Andalucia (Costa del Sol), Valencian Region (Costa Blanca) and Madrid, in that order.

As usual the UK was the country which sent the most tourists to Spain in July (9.1 percent), followed by Germany (5.6 percent ), France (4.9 percent) and Italy (1.7 percent).

Callaghans Bar Marbella: Best Irish Bar Costa del Sol

2005-08-19T11:21:00.000+02:00

CALLAGHAN'S BAR : BEST IRISH BAR MARBELLA

Callaghan's Irish Pub in Marbella has settled into part & parcel of Marbella life very quickly. Formerly O'Willies Bar, just up the road from the ever popular Skol Apartments in Central Marbella, Callaghan's has filled a void of genuine Irish Pubs run by Irish in a tourist town frequented by frustrated Irish forced to show the bar staff how to pour a decent Pint of Guinness...if they even have any. We can vouch for Callaghan's and dispell the myth that Guinness doesn't travel well! The Bar opens all day for miracle hangover-cure All Day Breakfasts, a fantastic selection of food all week from their very own Honey Roast Ham to Caesar Salad, and Sunday Roasts are a real taste of home. Holidaying Families will be pleased to know Children & Families are welcomed and encouraged with a nice special menu for kids, friendly staff and the owners have cleverly created a perfect place to enjoy Sports coverage on huge flat screen TV spanning Sky, Setanta, BBC, Eurosport & more. GAA & Soccer tend to take preference...in that order!

Only British matador hangs up his cape

2005-08-18T15:06:00.000+02:00

A BRITISH matador has performed his final bullfight in Spain after retiring following a knee injury.

Frank Evans, 63, the only English bullfighter in Spain, was carried from the ring by his fans at his last fight on the Costa del Sol.

He originally learnt his trade using a supermarket trolley - fitted with a pair of horns - in his native Salford.

New Film "THE BUSINESS" set in Costa del Sol

2005-08-14T19:24:00.000+02:00

An evocative new British film takes Jason Solomons back to the early Eighties and the forgotten youth cult of the 'casual', who obsessed over brand-name sportswear, football - and Wham! Curiously, the film isn't set in London but on the Costa del Sol, the stretch of coast from Malaga to Gibraltar with Puerto Banus as its shimmering centrepiece. Fleeing a botched bank job, a south London gang escape to Marbella where they set up operations - running a nightclub and running drugs from Morocco.

It's a bit Sexy Beast, a bit Goodfellas and a little bit Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels - the swearing and violence will offend some - but where it carves out a singular niche in British cinema is in its detailed reverence for the clothes and music of the hitherto little-examined eighties 'casual' subculture.

Other directors have, of course, used clothes and music to recreate a precise era. Anthony Minghella's expert use of jazz and Fifties threads was pivotal to The Talented Mr Ripley, with Matt Damon's starchy Tom Ripley desperate to inhabit the easy tailoring of Jude Law's Dickie Greenleaf; Mike Leigh's Vera Drake was superb in summoning up its post-war London milieu through meticulous use of props and costumes; while Todd Haynes's clever detailing of glam rock's sounds and outfits in Velvet Goldmine was by far the film's most successful element and earned him an unusual Special Award at Cannes.

Nick Love's previous films, Goodbye Charlie Bright and last year's The Football Factory, have developed a cult following, with fans including Noel Gallagher and Harvey Weinstein. 'You can only develop a cult if your details are bang on,' says Love. 'And I kill to get the details right. Films should say something about a time and place so that these become as important as the lead characters. If I see a guy in the wrong jeans or hear the wrong song on the soundtrack, the whole thing's ruined for me. The film's spell just disappears.'

I must declare a personal interest here. Casual was my era, my music, and Marbella was also my playground. I spent Augusts in the early Eighties drinking Malibu and pineapple in dodgy Puerto Banus nightclubs, listening to Simple Minds, Wham! and Shalamar. The place has changed and the time has passed, of course, but The Business recreates it lovingly, wittily and faithfully. When the film has its UK premiere at the closing night of the Edinburgh Film Festival on August 27, the cinema may well look like Banus's legendary Sinatra's bar or, indeed, the Wimbledon changing rooms circa 1982 as guests sport specially designed Tacchini sweatbands and tracksuit tops. Personally, I'm looking for the right shorts and have just been outbid for a pair of navy Fila BJs on eBay. You cannot be serious... '

Casual has never undergone the cultural reassessment afforded fashion trends such as punk, but it had a more democratic and far-reaching influence, and it certainly lasted longer, resurfacing every now and then in slightly altered forms in cultures such as acid house (Happy Mondays), Britpop (Oasis) and the current 'chav' (Stone Island, Burberry). 'That's because it was always associated with football,' says Terry Farley, DJ, owner of Junior Boy's Own record label and renowned former casual. 'We were called football casuals and these were the days of hooligan firms and terrace violence. You were very likely to find a Stanley knife in the pocket of a Fila tracksuit, and the establishment wanted rid of us all.'
According to Farley, casuals also lacked a particular music scene. 'In the south, casuals listened to soul music and went to the Caister Soul Weekenders to hear Fatback and Luther Vandross,' he says. 'Up north, they listened to more of a white music sound. But it was really about turning up at football and looking good.'
In his recently published fashion memoir, The Way We Wore, journalist and broadcaster Robert Elms claims that casual provoked a style war, where what you wore was a weapon. He recalls a Saturday afternoon with his QPR crew seeing off a horde from Coventry by merely singing: 'My dog sleeps on Fila, my dog sleeps on Fila, La la la la, La la la la.' Elms writes: 'Some of Coventry's top boys were sporting Fila, which had been the business but had gone out of fashion in London at least a month before. Instead of launching ourselves at them, we were lambasting them for such gauche sartorial tardiness. As it dawned on them they'd been outdone in the style stakes, you could see their will for the contest wane. They'd been beaten and they knew it.'
Casual, it is generally agreed, started in Liverpool when the Anfield team ruled the domestic and European scene. Liverpool fans supporting their team in the European Cup would travel to towns in Italy, Spain, Belgium or Switzerland and pick up classy Euro sportswear as trinkets. Trainers, ski wear, track suits were all lifted from quiet backwater sports shops. The practice was known as 'steaming' - there wasn't much a shopkeeper could do against 400 tourists piling into his shop and, locust-like, denuding it of luxurious tops.
It wasn't long before people were descending on sport stores with a razorblade to slice off the Lacoste crocodile and sew it on their own cheap three-button polo shirt from the local market. 'Taxing' became an epidemic, sparking moral panic stories in the Daily Express and Daily Mail, as kids were regularly relieved of their trainers, done over in the park for their Diadora Borg Elites or Adidas Trim Trabs.
For others, including myself, the seminal casual moment came at the Hammersmith Odeon, when George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley on the Wham!' debut Club Fantastic tour tormented their teen audience by putting shuttlecocks down their tight Fila shorts before batting them into the crowd. Wham! were the first band to sport the casual look, although their shiny, Marbella-tan style was deemed too 'poncey' for them to be taken truly seriously on the terraces. But, as Nick Love points out, casual was a fashion taken up by both working- and middle-class youth. 'The two main icons were Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe,' he says. 'This was a fashion that had its main shop window on the green lawns of Wimbledon, and you don't get more middle class than that.
Borg in particular, with his icy demeanour and humourless determination, is a strange fashion icon for such a lad-based culture, but he dominated the Marbella scene. In The Business, his poster and tracksuits are everywhere, and I recall a trip to the exclusive Puente Romano resort, where he was the club pro, to watch the great man give an exhibition match.
In the film, the lead character, played with winning vulnerability by Danny Dyer, steps out into Marbella society sporting his Fila shorts after a scene set in a boutique stocked with classic casual gear. 'I bought it all up myself,' says Love proudly. 'I was on eBay, bidding like mad because you just can't get the vintage gear any more.' Casual items on the site are now changing hands for up to £400, suggesting the revival is fully upon us. Sergio Tacchini, celebrating its 40th anniversary next year, has just agreed a high street tie-in across the UK's Burton stores.
According to Love, he struck a chord unwittingly. 'I just wanted to make a film about a subculture and get it right. It seems to be chiming with people. If you make Gosford Park, how many people in the audience will know if you're using the right teapot or dinner jacket? Not many. But if you recreate the 1980s, you'd better get it right or people in their mid-thirties will come and bawl at you. Clobber, music, Porsches - people were mad into this stuff and you can't mess with their memories."

The Business is the closing night premiere at the Edinburgh Film Festival, 27 August. It is released nationwide on 2 September

Welsh Petrol Double Marbella Prices

2005-08-12T13:09:00.000+02:00

The most high-profile reason for the recent rise has been an escalated terror risk in Saudi Arabia, one of the world's biggest oil exporters.

This has come shortly after the death of the Saudi King Fahd, a beloved patron of Marbella, drove prices up amid international nervousness about a potential hard-line new regime.

Enduring instability in the Middle East, including the American invasion of Iraq and concern over a resumption of Iran's nuclear impact, have all had a more long-term impact on the spiralling prices.

Political unrest in smaller oil producers, such as Nicaragua and Venezuela, are also having a greater impact than in previous years because the paucity of stocks mean disruption can be compensated for less easily.

There is also a growing demand for refined oil products, including both petrol and diesel, particularly as China's industrialisation develops at pace, and the American public continue to buy fuel-hungry SUVs (sports utility vehicles) in their thousands.
Although the prices of refined products, including petrol, and crude oil are not directly proportional, there is no doubt major rises like those seen in oil trading recently are having a major impact on what Welsh motorists are spending at the pumps.
British fuel prices are among the highest in Europe, with the basic cost driven up by a tax rate of 67% - higher than any country on the continent.

Unleaded petrol in Marbella, Spain, this week cost just over half the price of petrol at Wales' most expensive fuel stations, at 49p per litre, while a litre of unleaded petrol in Portugal yesterday cost 75.7p.

Spanish drought "failing to deter" property investors

2005-08-11T19:01:00.000+02:00

Spain is currently experiencing one of the most severe droughts in European history, suffering conditions that have resulted in the withering of crops, drying up of rivers, and a water rationing policy at the peak of tourist season.

Traditionally, Spain has been one of, if not the most popular destination for holiday home investment, particularly among UK property investors. It would be assumed that the drought would act as a deterring factor for many investors. However, this may not be the case, with buyers showing evidence of sustained confidence in the Spanish property market, despite recent meteorological events.

Many investors are still putting money into Spanish properties, suggesting that buyers are looking further into the future than it might be assumed. Investment levels in popular holiday destinations such as the Costa del Sol remain high, and the property market has retained its buoyancy.

Five Continent Group starts Norway Virtual Tours

2005-08-09T11:51:00.000+02:00

Five Continent Group: Specialists in Virtual Tours combined with Tourist Guides are based in the Costa del Sol in Marbella. The company has now expanded to cover Scandinavia & will soon be covering the Costa Blanca, Costa Almeria, Canary Islands, and a Spanish City Guide.

Every Hotel, Restaurant, Shop, Golf Course, Spa etc is presented by FCG in 360 degree virtual tours to enable potential clients to get a true feel for them, and include where possible menus, pricelists, location maps and more.

The first Restaurant in Norway to be publicized by FCG is Marna in Mandal, Norway with dozens more coming over the following weeks and months

Marbella feels the loss of Saudi king Fahd

2005-08-08T15:12:00.000+02:00

Marbella Council announces three days of mourning for royal who spent millions in Marbella

On his last visit to the town, the king arrived with a fleet of jumbo jets, and about 3,000 family members, friends, camp followers and staff.

He booked 300 hotel rooms, hired 500 additional staff, and more than 100 new Mercedes cars arrived on transporters from Germany, where they had been leased.
By the time he left almost seven weeks later, he was said to have pumped more than ?90m (about £60m) into Marbella's economy.

For many years the Saudi ruler was a regular visitor to the southern coast of Spain during summer holidays.

King Fahd was probably the most illustrious person to take up residence on the Spanish coast during the summer. His death is a big blow to the local economy. The King built his own palace there - a marble and gold copy of the White House in Washington DC. And not just a palace: the Saudi ruler's Marbella property includes two mosques, a hospital, numerous swimming-pools and several massive villas.

Linekers Bar Puerto Banus

2005-08-06T10:35:00.000+02:00

Linekers Bar Puerto Banus. Fully air conditioned, friendly staff and competitive prices. Watch all the sporting events from around the world on 24 screens including 6 plasmas.Linekers has the only fully licensed legal bookmakers in Puerto Banus open every day for all your betting requirements. Linekers has extensive facilities to cater for large groups of holidaymakers, hen and stag parties; including a VIP suite above the bar suitable for any occasion.The Linekers Upstairs Bar / Games Room is available for private hire for functions & parties. Linekers Group also run Portside, Premier & Disco Inferno in Puerto Banus.

Bohemian Nightclub in Puerto Banus

2005-08-06T10:30:00.000+02:00

The Bohemian Bar & Nightclub in Puerto Banus opened recently to a hail of critical acclaim. Much along the lines of the Buddha Bars around the World, Bohemian has captured the niche market for Suave, Sophisticated Oriental & Indonesian decor blended with smooth tunes & a huge dance floor, private sections & late night license. Lovers of Banus nightlife who never want the party to end dance till dawn every night whilst rubbing shoulders with famous faces and celebrities from all over the World. Puerto Banus now has the coolest late night Bar in Costa del Sol...its official, and in association with Five Continent Group offers FREE ENTRY EVERY NIGHT to visitors to this site: Simply click on the five continent group webpage (www.fivecontinentgroup.com) , find Bohemian and print your own flyer: save ?20!

Lure of Spanish sand, sea and sun is holding firm

2005-08-05T17:51:00.000+02:00

By Jonathan Brown
Published: 05 August 2005

For those who thought the allure of a Spanish holiday had finally foundered in a raging sea of tacky souvenirs, buckets of cut-price sangria and vomiting tourists, news is at hand.
Two sets of travel industry figures have revealed that despite fears to the contrary, the traditional appeal of Spanish sand, sea and most importantly sun, holds firm. As well as strong visitor numbers to the Costas, more Britons are visiting Spanish cities - particularly Barcelona and Madrid.

From humble beginnings in Franco's Spain of the 1960s, when the first charter flights deposited white-kneed tourists to the Costa Brava, the army of British visitors has grown to 12 million a year and is still climbing. Those who have turned their back on the country as a package tourist destination for the relatively uncharted territory of Turkey and Bulgaria are being replaced by the legions that have bought their own villas and apartments there.
Four out of 10 new homes built on the Spanish coasts are bought by Britons.
According to Sean Tipton of the Association of British Travel Agents, Spain has been the number one destination for 40 years thanks to great value, copious infrastructure and, at the end of the day, a beautiful country with stunning weather. "We don't ever forsee it losing its position as the number one place to go on holiday," he said.

The latest findings from the Spanish Institute of Tourist Research have revealed a 2.7 per cent growth in British visitor numbers. Some 4.7 million travelled there during the spring - accounting for 29.6 per cent of all tourists.

And according to the airline easyJet, Spanish resorts are dominating its top five tourist destinations this summer. Malaga on the Costa del Sol, close to image-challenged Torremolinos, occupies the number one spot, with 1.5 million Britons having booked a flight there since March. Second most popular is Alicante on the Costa Blanca, where 1.1 million UK holidaymakers are due before the end of October, many of them en-route to the high-rise hotels of Benidorm.
Palma in Majorca comes fourth, with 750,000 expected there this summer. The best France can offer is Nice in third place with a million, while Faro, close to the Spanish border in southern Portugal, came fifth with 500,000.

Away from the coast, some 1.1 million will have boarded the low-cost carrier bound for Barcelona by the end of the summer, with 500,000 defying the sweltering heat inland by heading for Madrid. Distinctly cooler Amsterdam remains easyJet's number one city break destination with two million passengers due there this summer.
Jamie Wortley, easyJet's consumer manager, said: "The weather is clearly having an effect, with most Spanish resorts experiencing glorious sunshine. But people are also being more adventurous. Ten years ago they would stay at the same hotel for a fortnight. Now they are doing what was once the preserve of students and arriving at a destination, booking a hire car and travelling around to two or three resorts of their choice," he said.
In 2002, visitor numbers to Spain fell by a reported 20 per cent.

Top 5 easyJet beach breaks
RESORT NUMBERS:
Malaga 1.5 million
Alicante 1.1 million
Nice 1.0 million
Palma 750,000
Faro 500,000

Marbella seeks amnesty on illegally built Spanish properties

2005-08-01T16:28:00.000+02:00

Officials in Marbella are seeking an amnesty on existing illegally built holiday homes, amidst fears that innocent buyers could face their properties being destroyed. Continued high demand for holiday homes in prime Spanish locations has led to the mass development of cheap properties along the coast, many of which were erected without planning permission. Subsequently, local authorities on the Costa del Sol are considering demolishing all illegally constructed homes, with a view to formalising house building in the region.

Out of the 45,000 or so properties that have been illegally constructed along the Spanish coast almost half are located in Marbella. For property owners in the region, concerns are mounting over the future of their homes. In a bid to resolve the issue officials in Marbella are now lobbying neighbouring councils to allow a full amnesty on al existing illegal builds.

"Those who have bought apartments in good faith should not be punished," Juan Sanchez, President of the Association of Western Costa del sol Towns, told the Guardian. "The costs of compensation should be assumed by developers or town halls," he added.

It is thought that somewhere close to a third of all of Spain's Mediterranean coastline has been taken up by the construction of new homes. Spanish environment minister Cristina Narbona, has announced a plan to buy up "ecologically sensitive" land and private property that prevents access to the beach, in a pre-emptive, protective measure. Authorities are yet to reveal exactly how much is being spent on the land purchases, which will take effect in "exceptional cases".

Over the course of 2004 Spain saw more new houses built than Germany, France and Italy combined, continuing a remarkable trend that has resulted in over 20 per cent of all Spanish properties being built over the past decade. Popular locations including Barcelona, Marbella and the Costa del Sol have seen a dramatic surge in house-building, meeting demand for modestly sized and priced properties in prime regions. Last year 54,000 people moved to Spain, some 15 per cent of the total number of people (360,000) who moved abroad overall, and it is thought that nearly 70,000 Brits currently own a holiday home in Spain.

New Travel Guide For Spanish Airports

2005-07-30T13:00:00.000+02:00

Spanish Airport Guide (www.spanish-airport-guide.com) launched today contains vital information for anyone travelling to or through any Spanish Airport this summer. It lists all flights, services and facilities at each of the main Spanish airports.

Spanish Airport Guide provides an easy to understand guide to the 15 principle airports in Spain. The information on each airport in Spain is extensive with whole pages dedicated to shopping and eating facilities, the arrivals and departures halls and the costs of transport to and from each airport. In most cases there is a selection of different Airport maps.We provide a list of all 47 Airports in Spain and give in depth coverage on the 10 main Spanish Airports.
Spanish Airport Guide provides you, the traveller, with all the information you require to make your trip to Spain an enjoyable one.

If you are travelling to: Alicante Airport, Almeria Airport, Barcelona Airport, Bilbao Airport, Girona Airport, Ibiza Airport,Jerez Airport, Lanzarote Airport, Madrid Airport, Malaga Airport, Murcia Airport, Palma Airport, Reus Airport, Tenerife Airport or Valencia Airport, the guide provides links for comprehensive advice on the following topics:
Spanish Airport Transfers, Taxis, Buses, Trains, Maps, Driving Directions, Airport Shopping, Parking, Airport Telephone Numbers, Spanish Weather Advice, Duty Free Allowances, Arrivals & Departures.

Astronomers find large object orbiting sun

2005-07-30T12:55:00.000+02:00

Astronomers have found a large object orbiting the sun believed to be one of the largest entities ever found in the outer solar system, reports UPI.

Astronomers of the Institute of Astrophysics in Andalusia in Spain and US astronomers also appear to have detected it. They found it with one of the twin Keck telescopes in Hawaii.The object is reported to be at least 1,488 km across but may be larger than Pluto, which is 2,240 km across.

The astronomers said details of the object are sketchy as it never comes closer to the sun than Neptune and spends most of its time much further out than Pluto.They said it is one of the largest objects ever found in the outer solar system and is almost certainly made of ice and rock.

Israel exports to Spain up 19%

2005-07-30T12:54:00.000+02:00

Israeli exports to the EU rose in the first half of the year by 11.2%, or $466 million, to $4.6 billions. Exports to Spain rose by 19% ($53 millions), to the UK by 13% ($83 millions), and to the Netherlands by 12% ($79 millions).

'Spain not in a property bubble'

2005-07-29T12:02:00.000+02:00

Friday 29th Jul 2005,

Spanish developers exhibiting at The Property Investor Show in London (23-25 September, ExCeL London) hotly dispute recent reports that high levels of house price growth in Spain mean that the property market is set to follow the downward trend as seen in the UK market over the past year.

However, with an expanding economy, high employment and excellent infrastructure the market is still very strong, suggesting that high yields are achievable and investors shouldn?t dismiss the traditional Costas in favour of the less established emerging markets of Eastern Europe.

Despite negative publicity of a ?property bubble? causing prices to increase to levels comparable with those in England, good low-end investment properties can still be bought for around ?150,000. ?Even though property is cheaper in emerging markets, for reliability and stability of investment income, more mature markets such as Spain still stack up brilliantly against the competition,? comments Stuart Law, Managing Director of Assetz, a property investment specialist company who will be exhibiting at The Property Investor Show.
He continues: ?Capital growth in Spain is high and still forecast to grow at 10% a year for the next five years at least. Off-plan purchases at discounted rates still offer the best opportunity to maximise profits. Year-round sunshine and the extensive development in recent years of world class golf courses, makes 30- 35 weeks annual rental a realistic goal, with potential gross yields of 10 % plus.?

Along with stable macroeconomic conditions, including the availability of cheap, long term credit, Spain still offers excellent market conditions and guaranteed yields. With over 13 million UK tourists visiting the country each year, and an increase in foreign investment in Spanish property from under 200 million Euros a month to 600 million Euros a month, the boom looks set to continue for the foreseeable future.

James Barnes, General Sales Manager of Livingstone Estates, also exhibiting at the show, believes that Spain will continue to offer good investment opportunities, despite adverse publicity: ?The Spanish Costas are still incredibly popular among tourists and investors alike. The Costa del Sol in particular provides good all year round rental opportunities, with the typical beach holiday in the summer and golfing breaks in the winter. Across Andalucia, we have seen prices rise by as much as 15% over the past year. At the moment it?s still very much a buyer?s market, with investors being able to get good deals on property and securing reductions on asking price of around 10-15%.?

Nick Clark, Managing Director of The Property Investor Show, comments: ?Despite emerging property markets creating a real buzz at the moment, traditional markets like Spain are still incredibly popular among visitors to our shows. With low cost airlines leaving for Spain throughout the day, good infrastructure and an established year round rental market, there is no reason to suggest that the recent reports that the market is set to crash are true. However, we would encourage any potential or professional investors to research the market and get advice from a professional before they commit.?

The Property Investor Show will be held from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 September in the heart of London?s docklands at the ExCeL centre.

Property in Spain

2005-07-27T18:12:00.000+02:00

Average house prices there have risen 89% in the last four years to £119,519, according to the foreign exchange group, Moneycorp.However, the average price in Malaga has shot up 144% to £147,291, and in Alicante by 119% to £136,619. Prices in Seville have risen by 114%.

Only France has had comparable hot spots, with average prices in Montpellier also rising 144% to £147,291 and La Rochelle rising 126% to £132,619. Properties around Bergerac rose 157%."The property market here is very mixed at present," warns Campbell Ferguson, vice-president of the Royal Institute of Surveyors (RICS) in Spain.

In fact, there is evidence of a sharp slowdown in the holiday property market, with some buyers suffering badly. "There is far too much supply in some areas on the coast and in some price brackets," adds Ferguson.Just two to three years ago Brits were buying "off plan", paying large deposits on unbuilt and incomplete properties, then selling these on at fat profits before final completion. Some took options on multiple properties in one development.

The aim was to collect a sufficient capital gain to complete the purchase of one of these properties in their own name. All that they could lose were the initial deposits, and this did not happen. Better still, the resale of these options avoided local property taxes."Now there may not be anyone to sell on to," said Ferguson. "Either the whole cost of purchase must be met or deposits are lost in full."Estate agents selling Spanish property in the UK confirm this picture. "I would throw out a caution to investors buying new to re-sell in the short term," concedes Martin Bets, managing director of Simply Overseas Property.

Second-hand property, which requires more research and legal due diligence than buying new, is also offering real bargain basement prices. Sprawling, badly planned developments dating from the 70s and 80s now offer buyers the opportunity to own easily rentable properties close to the coast, ideal for groups of young tourists looking for cheap beer and beaches."You might not want to retire to these, but they can yield 10% or more at the cheaper end of the rental market," adds Bets.

Costa Blanca resorts like Benidorm and, further north, Javea, offer just such opportunities.The best way to find them? You can take a working holiday, or contact one of a growing number of auction companies selling mid to low-price properties.The hard statistics on Spanish property should also give British buyers pause for thought. According to the RICS, a whopping 47% of all new-build Spanish properties last year were on the tourist coast.

Last year Ireland built 14.1 properties per 1000, Spain 13.8 and Cyprus 7.8. No other EU country exceeded four per thousand. And since 1992, tourist coast properties have in each year accounted for at least 42% of all new-build Spanish properties.

The best and latest information on the whole Spanish residential market comes free from the Investment Property Databank.It shows a total return of 12.3% from residential property in 2001, 15% in 2002, 13.4% in 2003, and 14.7% in 2004.Of this, more than 10% in each year was accountable to capital gain, with the balance to rental yields. "The problem is that, as in the UK, investors are having to pay more and more for a property on which the rental yields may well be static or declining," adds Ferguson.

If you do decide to buy it has never been easier. UK and Spanish banks are falling over themselves to lend. Spanish euro-denominated mortgages used to be rigidly structured and required very high initial deposits. They had maximum terms of 15 years and fixed rates of repayment.Not today. Deposits have been reduced from at least 30% to as little as 10% of the purchase price. Better still, maximum mortgage terms have been increased in line with UK practice to 30 or 35 years.
Euro mortgage rates of as little as 2.75% and three-year fixed rates of 3.95% may look very tempting by comparison to UK mortgage rates. And not just Spanish but the local branches of UK banks offer these loans."These can be good value, but you should be sure of being able to meet any shortfall in rental income from your own pocket," warns Ferguson.

Harder to justify is borrowing against your main UK home to get a deposit for Spain, then relying on rental income to pay your Spanish mortgage. This practice has been encouraged by some UK mortgage brokers, but if UK and Spanish property values fall together it could leave the incautious in a very uncomfortable position.Among the places more vulnerable to a slowdown, or even a fall, are those dependent on only one budget airline.

In May the European Central Bank warned about high property prices in several of the eurozone countries, with Spain and France marked out for having markets where house prices had risen substantially.The RICS, though, recorded rises in France, Spain and Ireland of between 10% and 15%, with Portugal, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Belgium rising between 5% and 8%.

Wine Wars

2005-07-27T18:06:00.000+02:00

Overproduction and competition from New World wines have touched all of the EU?s major wine producers ? Spain, France, Italy, Greece ? this year.

Italy has become the last of the four to apply for crisis distillation, though the Commission spokesperson said its request for funding to distil six million hl of table wine was ?very unlikely? to be successful. Three to four million hl is seen as more realistic.

The EU budget already sets aside around ?220m every year to fund wine distillation, but has not had to find extra crisis funds since the 2001/2002 season; mainly because Italy, France and Spain had managed to reduce wine production by a combined 22mhl (14 per cent) from the year 2000.
However, Spanish production crept up by eight million hl in 2003 and the French and Italians followed suit in 2004, increasing their production by 11m and 8.5m respectively.

Tensions have sporadically erupted between the nations, particularly in France?s Languedoc-Roussillon region where the militant vintner group, CRAV, has claimed responsibility for attacks on tankers and distilleries containing foreign wines.

French wine makers met with government officials last Wednesday to discuss the on-going crisis and ask for help to distil an extra three million hl of ?vins de pays? and ?vins de table?.
France, Italy and Spain still control around 60 per cent of world wine exports, but the New World is eating into their markets.
Australia recently overtook France to become the UK?s biggest wine supplier and a recent report by UK consultancy IWSR predicts Italy could lose 37 per cent of its export markets by 2008.

Hungarian Success in Andalcia

2005-07-27T18:02:00.000+02:00

Malév has decided to prolong its scheduled Malaga flight till the end of October. Originally it should have operated only till the end of September, but the flight two times a week, was a great success among Hungarian travellers.

Malév Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft have almost always had full house on board carrying passengers from Budapest to Malaga, the ever so popular Spanish resort. There are mostly individual travellers but also tourist groups, and the number of transit passengers from Eastern-Europe is also significant. According to booking data the flight is going to have 100% load factor in August and September, while the numbers for October are also remarkable.

Spain means a growing potential for Malév. The Madrid flight showed a dynamic growth in years and is operating with high capacity ever since. From June this year the Southern region of Spain, with destination of Malaga, considered the gate of Andalucia can be reached by Malév?s direct flight. This is Spain?s most important tourist region; with 14% of travellers visiting this part of the country. Not only the high standard apartments, hotels, hostels and other tourist services are offered here but visitors can find an authentic Spanish atmosphere.

Malév?s new flights launched this year met a warm welcome. The Dublin-Athens, Helsinki-Athens flights proved to be remarkably successful from the very beginning among the Irish, Finnish and Greek travellers.

France Telecom Buys Spain's Amena

2005-07-27T17:58:00.000+02:00

France Telecom announced its biggest acquisition in more than four years on Wednesday, paying 6.4 billion euros ($7.72 billion) in cash for control of Spain's third-biggest mobile operator, Amena.

France Telecom is to buy 80 percent of Amena in a deal that it said valued the whole company at 10.6 billion euros, including debt.

Freed from the shackles of debt restructuring and cost-cutting, France Telecom had just lifted a 500-million-euro ceiling on the price of potential targets last month.

Europe's second-largest telecoms company in terms of sales said it would pay for Amena with 3.4 billion of cash, to be financed by new debt or existing resources, and by the issue of 3 billion euros worth of shares.

Amena is part of Spain's second-largest telecoms group, Auna, whose main investors include Endesa, Union Fenosa SA and bank Santander.

The deal comes as Auna shareholders are finalising the sale of Auna's cable unit to rival Ono, valuing the unit at 2.2 billion euros, Santander Chief Executive Alfredo Saenz said.
Shares in France Telecom rose as much as 2.5 percent on Wednesday and were up 1.4 percent at 24.72 euros at 1455 GMT.

The Amena transaction marks a further pick-up in telecoms mergers and acquisitions, coming fresh on the heels of Eircom's takeover of Ireland's third-biggest wireless operator, Meteor, for 420 million euros via a share issue.

Champagne Popping Record on Costa del Sol

2005-07-27T16:20:00.000+02:00

You can tell news is short with August looming in Costa del Sol when opening 1000 bottles of bubbly draws press releases....

Federica Loi, Director of Public Relations for Ocean Club Marbella, states ?We consider that having strong partners in our promotional events is just as important as having a strong product to offer. Our concept is to offer a whole new beach lifestyle integrating relaxation, entertainment, wellness, fashion and cuisine.

It is a huge project and with partners such as Marbella Options, Casino Marbella and Moet & Chandon, our expectations are constantly being exceeded.?

The event is open to the public, will have a nominal entrance fee, and will take place at the Ocean Club Marbella, next to Puerto Banus, on Sunday the 31st of July from 4pm until late.

Forrest Fires

2005-07-25T18:59:00.000+02:00

Mediterranean countries could save lives

New York, Jul 25 2005 10:00AM

Mediterranean countries could save lives and billions of euros every year if they better trained and mobilized communities in preventing and controlling forest fires, which destroy up to 700,000 hectares annually in the region, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.?The northern Mediterranean countries are spending billions of euros annually on their fire fighting budgets, but only a small fraction of these resources are used for the training of rural and urban populations,? FAO forest fire expert Mike Jurvelius noted.?Since people are the main cause of forest fires, prevention and control must mainly involve communities living near forests,? he added, stressing that investing in fire education will reduce the number of fires and the cost of fire management.

In the Mediterranean region, there are often more than 100,000 fires in a single fire season, with some countries recording over 20,000 fires every year.The cost of fire education campaigns is very low compared with the operating costs of a water bomber, which average 3,500 euros per flying hour; the cost of a large fire helicopter can amount to as much as 20 million euros. ?For the price of one large fire helicopter 10 million people could be trained in fire prevention and control,? Mr. Jurvelius said.

The main causes of outbreaks in rural areas are agricultural burning and conversion of forests to croplands, burning of residues and waste, burning forests to improve hunting, and arson. Barbecues and fires in camping sites also cause many wildfires. The recent destructive fires in Central Spain, which killed more than 10 people, were caused by the careless handling of fire during barbecues, FAO noted.Since the 1980s, climate fluctuations have caused more frequent changes in wind direction and have also led to more intense winds. This has made fighting forest fires more difficult and has resulted in more severe fires and higher death tolls.
?As long as people do not understand the dangers of using fire in the open without proper protection and often under extreme weather conditions, like hot summer temperatures of sometimes over 35 degrees, the fight against forest fires will continue to rely on heavy and very costly equipment such as fire-fighting planes and will be of only limited success,? Mr. Jurvelius said.

FAO has called upon governments to prepare voluntary guidelines for fire management and provide financial resources for awareness campaigns. Early warning systems should keep the population aware of the risk of fires in critical periods, and the use of open fires should be absolutely prohibited.

?As long as people do not understand the dangers of using fire in the open without proper protection and often under extreme weather conditions, like hot summer temperatures of sometimes over 35 degrees, the fight against forest fires will continue to rely on heavy and very costly equipment such as fire-fighting planes and will be of only limited success,? Mr. Jurvelius said.FAO has called upon governments to prepare voluntary guidelines for fire management and provide financial resources for awareness campaigns. Early warning systems should keep the population aware of the risk of fires in critical periods, and the use of open fires should be absolutely prohibited.

Rising Olive Oil Prices

2005-07-23T14:30:00.000+02:00

Spain's drought sets off a rise in olive oil prices
By EMMA ROSS-THOMAS
Reuters News Service

MADRID, SPAIN -

A scorching drought in Spain has sent olive oil prices soaring as farmers in the world's top producer estimate this year's harvest could fall almost 30 percent.

Extra virgin olive oil is being quoted at $3,620 a ton, some 20 percent above prices of a year ago, as the combined effects of frost and now drought ravage the crop.
"Consumers won't pay those prices. ... Everything has a limit," said Oscar Lopez, the market administrator of an olive oil futures exchange set up last year.
The industry estimates people consume more olive oil each year.

Even before the drought started, olive oil producers were trimming their estimates after frosts destroyed some of their trees. Spanish Cooperatives Federation reckons about 4 percent of all Spain's olive trees lost this year's harvest because of the frosts.
Some of those trees will have to be replanted, and so will not produce for about five years, said the federation's olive oil expert, Javier Lara.

Spain has had below-average rainfall since September, and farmers are hoping for rain before the November harvest.
Italy is the world's No. 2 producer, followed by Greece.

New Signings to Five Continent Group

2005-07-22T21:17:00.000+02:00

Five Continent Group 's new additions:

It has been a hectic week for the company with 4 new starters learning the ropes and a concerted effort to expand outwards through out the Costa del Sol with the Costa Blanca next in our sights.

At this very moment FCG has photographers and a Company Director in Norway and Sweden getting our Scandinavian Section up and running with Denmark next on their agenda.

The company has grown exponentially and come a very long way particularly over the past 6 months with more contracts for web design & solutions and marketing for some very notable leaders in the tourism industry.

Five Continent Group has a basic agreement with Bylos Andaluz Hotel in Mijas, Alsatli Spa Hotel and several more deals to be concluded in the forthcoming weeks.

The Dining Section has seen Caruso Italian Restaurant (San Pedro de Alcantara) sign up, Toni Dalli's famous Marbella Restaurant, Marbella's Taj Mahal Indian, a superb French/Indonesian Restaurant in Nueva Andalucia called Bistro the Gallery, and decisions are waiting from 6 top restaurants in Benalmadena Costa.

The Web Design Section is in the process of completing www.propertymortgagepartnership.com for a Guadalmina based Estate Agency specialising in mortgages and distressed sales, and our team has 3 new projects ready to go

The real estate property section has undertaken to sell 76 bargain detatched wood frame villas in Granada (3 beds for 125,000 Euros) and a large selection of repossessions.

Clampdown on the Costa

2005-07-22T21:11:00.000+02:00

Spanish authorities take action against house building

The Spanish government is taking action against the housebuilding epidemic taking place along the Spanish coast, in light of mounting environmental concerns and growing pressure to prevent the coast from being irrevocably damaged. At present, new-build properties in Spain are being erected at a rapid rate, in a bid to meet steady demand for homes in popular holiday locations from European investors.

Subsequently, it is thought that somewhere close to a third of all of Spain's Mediterranean coastline has been taken up by the construction of new homes. Already popular holiday destinations are becoming inundated with new-builds in an attempt to meet strong demand, and many of these properties are not fully legal or authorised.

The Costa del Sol is a prime example of a region in which this has taken place, and recently, regional authorities announced the possibility of demolition to help resolve the issue.Now, the Spanish environment minister Cristina Narbona, has announced a plan to buy up "ecologically sensitive" land and private property that prevents access to the beach, in a pre-emptive, protective measure.

According to the Guardian authorities are yet to reveal exactly how much is being spent on the land purchases, which will take effect in "exceptional cases".

Greenpeace is warning that rapid house building could be have a huge adverse effect upon the Spanish coastline, and the environmental group stresses that more needs to be done to prevent the situation from worsening. According to Greenpeace the constructions of 768,000 new houses along the Spanish coast have been approved as well as 58 new golfing clubs and 77 sailing ports.

Blackpool to Malaga

2005-07-21T11:35:00.000+02:00

Monarch today announced the launch of daily flights from Blackpool to Malaga.

Up to 100 jobs will be created when Monarch Scheduled arrives at the Squires Gate terminal in November.And company bosses hope to add at least two more foreign destinations to their portfolio before the end of the year.Monarch is the UK's largest independent charter airline and tickets for the daily Malaga flights on board a 174-seater Airbus A320 will go on sale today.Prices to Malaga start from £39.99 one way and £74.99 return.

The Luton -based company has 22 jets in its fleet and currently flies around five million people to more than 100 destinations every year.The addition of the Malaga flights mean Blackpool will now fly daily to two major Spanish destinations ? the other is Girona.It is one of just four airports to offer flights by Monarch Scheduled ? the others are Manchester, Gatwick, and Luton.Executives from Monarch Airlines touched down at Blackpool Airport's Squires Gate terminal this morning to announce the news, which will increase runway traffic by more than 25 per cent.Paul Whelan, chairman of City Hopper, said: "We are delighted with our new partnership with Monarch Scheduled.

Alan Cavill, head of corporate policy and development at Blackpool Council, said: "This is exciting news. We are very pleased to welcome another quality airline to add to the growing family in Blackpool."We know Monarch Scheduled will provide an excellent service to people both here in Lancashire and the North West, as well as customers in Spain."We are especially looking forward to helping promote the facilities and attractions of the Fylde to the people of Andalucia."

"It truly enhances the relationship of the local stakeholders here in the North West and those in Malaga."On the Costa del Sol, a massive marketing campaign is under way, driven by Monarch, to encourage thousands of Spanish tourists to visit Blackpool.Passengers flying into the Fylde will be encouraged to see the sights of the coast and the North West.Tim Jeans, managing director of Monarch Airlines, said: "Blackpool attracts millions of tourists each year."The council and regional tourism bodies are right behind us and can't wait for the influx of Spanish passengers ? up to 20,000 that we'll bring in each year."

Passengers passing through the departures gate at Blackpool Airport can also fly other cities including London, Dublin, Douglas, Aberdeen, Amsterdam and the Bulgarian seaside resort of Bourgas.

JELLYFISH ON THE COSTA DEL SOL

2005-07-19T13:59:00.000+02:00

JELLYFISH ON THE COSTA DEL SOL

Jellyfish invasion causes chaos for Costa tourists
By Mike Swain

BRITISH tourists were warned yesterday about an invasion of stinging jellyfish that have attacked thousands of bathers in Spanish resorts.
The Red Cross said it has treated more than 1,400 holidaymakers on the Costa del Sol alone last weekend.
Swarms of the mauve stinger - or pelagia noctiluca - have forced some beaches to ban tourists from the sea.
Red Cross spokesman, Andoni de Saracho, said: "We have never seen an invasion of jellyfish so big before.

"On some beaches we have had 60 people waiting for treatment. It is very worrying."
The worst hit areas include the Balearic islands - mainly Minorca - Costa Blanca, Costa Brava and the Canary Islands.
And on mainland Spain in Catalonia, on the Barcelona coast, there have been reports of up to 5,000 stings a day.
The jellyfish grows up to 10cm long and has eight tentacles - each up to three metres long. Its powerful sting leaves a large red mark.
Some people suffer allergic reactions which need urgent medical treatment.
Those in most danger include children, the elderly, asthmatics and people with heart problems.
Lawyer Mark Chopin, 37, of Beckenham, Kent, was stung on a beach in Benalmadena on the Costa del Sol. He said: "It was excruciatingly painful."
Josep Maria Gili, of the Institute of Marine Sciences, Barcelona, blames a rise in water temperatures in the Med and a decline in sea predators such as turtles.

Don Pepe Marbella´s chef headlines Gastronomy Conference

2005-07-17T15:00:00.000+02:00

"Best" brings one of the most nationally renowned young cooks, and liquid nitrogen to Bilbao

The conference, presented by the gastronomic critic Mikel Zeberio, hosted a presentation by Dani García, one of the most renowned cooks in our country.

Daniel García's Cooking School, of the Zortziko restaurant in Bilbao, has hosted an interesting conference called La Cocina del frío (Cold cuisine), within the framework of the Gastronomic Lessons and Cooking Techniques of ?Best (Bilbao Estimula '05). Year of Basque Gastronomy? and coordinated by the Communication Consultancy ?A Media Gastronomic Consultancy ? Viandar?.

The conference, presented by the gastronomic critic Mikel Zeberio, hosted a presentation by Dani García, one of the most renowned cooks in our country and responsible for the gastronomy area at the Gran Melia Don Pepe Hotel in Marbella (Malaga).

Together with his kitchen chef and assistant Juan Carlos Hernández, he showed the public the use and application of liquid nitrogen in cooking, a technique that allows for the creation of different textures. During the presentation, Dani García transformed textures and deoxygenated food products in order to create dishes such as frozen semolina of olive oil, toasted bread and garlic; pickled lobster, popcorn of raf tomatoes and olive oil; gazpacho of cherries, fresh cheese snow and anchovies; and oxtail ravioli with cauliflower and truffle.

The way this cook from Marbella and holder of one Michelin Star uses liquid nitrogen, surprised the large number of people who attended this new Best event. The assistants had the opportunity to experience the different textures of the frozen olive oil semolina and the popcorn made from raf tomatoes and olive oil, seasoned by Dani García's professionalism and sympathy, which conquered the audience that packed Daniel García's Cooking School. For several years, the Michelin Star-holder has been experimenting new cooking techniques together with Raimundo García del Moral, professor at the University of Granada and gastronomic critic, with the objective of modifying the textures of cold soups, ice creams, gelatines and many other food products, using sophisticated technical equipment. Born in 1975, Dani García started his education at the Hotel Management School of Malaga, ?La Cónsula?. In 1996, he started working as an apprentice at the Martín Berasategui Restaurant in Lasarte (Guipúzcoa).

After his training with Berasategui, Dani worked in several restaurants in the province of Malaga. Daniel earned his stripes as a kitchen chef at the Tragabuches Restaurant, which opened its doors in 1998 in the city of Ronda. He now holds that same position at the Gran Melia Don Pepe Hotel in Marbella. This event is one of the more than 40 activities carried out throughout the year 2005 within the framework of ?Best (Bilbao Estimula 2005). Year of Basque Gastronomy?, jointly promoted by the Bilbao City Council, through its Department of Employment and Economic Promotion, the Regional Government of Biscay and the Basque Government.

Costa de la Luz Information

2005-07-16T19:19:00.000+02:00

Sun, sea and space - it's a trick of la Luz

Cassandra Jardine mingles with the Spanish on the Costa de la Luz

When you say you are having a beach holiday in Spain, the news is generally received with pity. "How lovely, which bit?" people say and you know that they have an image in their minds of hideously crowded beaches filled with bright red Brits and Germans knocking back the sangria and spending their evenings clubbing or hunting for somewhere that serves good chips.

Shore thing: you can find good family packages
Spain's costas - the Costa Brava, the Costa del Sol, the Costa Blanca and the Costa Packet (ha, ha) - have become anathema for the discerning tourist, but all children like to go to the beach so, when I was told that there was another costa, one untouched by the fell hand of all-inclusive, free-brandy-for-breakfast package tourism, I was game.
Named after the bright white light that shines off the Atlantic, the Costa de la Luz in eastern Andalusia sounded promising.
"It's amazing. As soon as you turn the corner on to the Atlantic, everything changes," said someone who had spent a wonderful holiday on the southern section. "The big blocks fall away and there are these wonderful beaches and fantastic old towns such as Cadiz and Arcos and Jerez de la Frontera."
I'll have to take her word for that: the only family hotel offered by Sovereign, the tour operator we travelled with, is on the northern stretch of the Costa de la Luz, between Huelva and the Portuguese border. The flamingos in the Coto Doñana National Park may flit easily between the costa's two sections, but humans will encounter a delta that takes a very long time to drive around.
Our arrival was not auspicious. London was sunny as we set off but Spain was hidden under thick cloud. We had taken off at dawn, and planes to Faro were booked solid, so we had a four-hour drive from Malaga to reach the promised land.
On arrival it was all too obvious that, although five years ago there had been nothing but dunes and umbrella pines along the Islantilla stretch of coast, five years is a long time in tourism.
Far from sitting in splendid isolation, the Puerto Antilla Grand Hotel was surrounded by rows of others to left, right and inland. It had been standing only a year, and its wispy-topped palm trees were still settling into their new homes.
When we found that the sprawling hotel pool was out of bounds because of an annoying rule about no swimming after 6pm, depression set in. So gloomy were we that my 15-year-old son spent the evening on the internet looking for cheap flights home.
But once you realise that you are in a place for a week, you look for the good points. We all slept extremely well on that first night, thanks to the sea air and effective luz-barring blackout blinds, so we awoke in a better mood.
Driving rain made us cut our losses and head to Seville (an hour and a half away on a new, empty motorway) for the day. That in itself was worth the whole trip.
The cathedral, the Alcazar and the bull-ring are all magnificent, as are the tapas bars. The flamenco bars might be, too, if you can stay up that late; but the Isla Magica theme park is something I would recommend only to those with a passion for concrete and queues.
When the sun shone the following day, we made the most cheering discovery of all: the beach. It is wide, stretches for miles and is covered in fine, golden sand. Even more exciting was to discover that we could swim.
I had been told that at the end of May it would be too cold for anything more sensitive than an anchovy to enjoy a dip, but that was nonsense. The water was far warmer than it has ever been in Cornwall and offered respectable waves - not big enough for surfing, but much more fun than the stillness of the Mediterranean.
Even in high summer, a Spaniard told me, the beach is empty enough to find space, and thanks to a cool breeze, it never has that feeling of a giant sauna. "Last year, when I was in the Costa del Sol," he said, "the towels were packed so close together on the beach that you had to wait for someone to leave before you could put yours down."
A Spaniard? That was the other revelation. The Costa de la Luz is packed with them. They formed the majority in our hotel, with Portuguese coming second; German and British families are only just beginning to arrive in bulk.
From the point of view of our children, who like to run in packs with other English-speakers, the preponderance of Iberians meant a limited social choice, but there were just enough Hannahs around - why are English girls always called Hannah? - to keep them happy.
From every other point of view, being surrounded by Spaniards is an asset: they demand food with a local flavour (lots of good paella and local prawns), and they have their extremely well-behaved children around them at mealtimes, which means that they tolerate rather less well-behaved English children racing about with plates of fried eggs.
Most important, they speak a foreign language, which prevents the Costa de la Luz from feeling like a microcosm of England with the heat turned up.
The Spanish come here from the nearby cities of Huelva and Seville. They have always done so in small numbers, but in the past five years the area around Islantilla has woken up to its new future as a big tourist destination.
Architects have devised ways of building on dunes, so the coast is developing fast, with every yard between the ocean and the escarpment boasting either a building or a crane.
Where there are tourists, there are also amusements. Islantilla already has one golf course and another is due to open soon. A small market in nearby La Antilla sells potato crisps made before your eyes. And, next to our hotel, the children could hire motorised scooters and bikes, which they raced at alarming speeds.
A further joy lies in discovering that Huelva province's modest income has, until now, been based on strawberries, melons and - transportable home if you get it shrink-wrapped - jamon and chorizo from inland Jabugo, where the pigs have arguably the finest flavour in Iberia.
To get away from the crowds at present, all you have to do is drive a mile down the coast to an empty stretch of beach occupied only by boys kite-surfing and locals dredging the sand for cockles.
Or you can head farther east over the Portuguese border to the part of the Algarve where, thanks to a sand-spit, mass tourism has yet to arrive. If development stops now, Spain has a major asset in the Costa de la Luz. But the signs are that local developers are getting overexcited...

Gulf Finance House Commercial Bank offers Gazules Del Sol - premium residences in the heart of Spanish grandeur

2005-07-14T10:39:00.000+02:00

Gulf Finance House Commercial Bank offers Gazules Del Sol - premium residences in the heart of Spanish grandeur

In a strategic initiative aimed at diversifying its portfolio of high-value products and offering regional investors a slice of contemporary European lifestyle, Gulf Finance House Commercial Bank (GFHCB), today announced the commencement of sale of 107 residential units in the prestigious Gazules Del Sol apartment project in Spain.
Bahrain: Wednesday, July 13 - 2005 at 16:12 GMT+4

Located in the heart of Andalucia amid the tropical gardens of Costa Del Sol, Gazules Del Sol is a fully integrated residential complex that offers fascinating views of the Mediterranean sea and its sunny beaches, not far away from the majestic mountains that line the tranquil Spanish countryside. Gazules Del Sol is a mere seven minutes from Marbella - Europe's most marvelous resort, famed for its 5 spectacular beaches. The project, comprising two and three bedroom apartments, and penthouses with private gardens, is slated for completion by June 2006.

Building blight on Spanish coastline

2005-07-07T11:09:00.000+02:00

Thousands of illegally built homes could be demolished
Giles Tremlett in MadridThursday July 7, 2005
The Guardian

Tens of thousands of illegally built Spanish holiday homes, many bought by unsuspecting Britons, could be demolished as the country tries to limit the destruction of its Mediterranean coastline.

Local authorities on the Costa del Sol said yesterday that demolition was being seriously considered, though attempts would have to be made to compensate people duped into buying illegal properties.

Greenpeace says more than 44,900 houses and flats have been constructed illegally in recent years. About 20,000 of those have been built in one town alone - the southern Costa del Sol resort of Marbella.

Building blight on Spanish coastline Thousands of illegally built homes could be demolished Giles Tremlett in MadridThursday July 7, 2005The Guardian Tens of thousands of illegally built Spanish holiday homes, many bought by unsuspecting Britons, could be demolished as the country tries to limit the destruction of its Mediterranean coastline.
Local authorities on the Costa del Sol said yesterday that demolition was being seriously considered, though attempts would have to be made to compensate people duped into buying illegal properties.
Greenpeace says more than 44,900 houses and flats have been constructed illegally in recent years. About 20,000 of those have been built in one town alone - the southern Costa del Sol resort of Marbella.

The buildings were either put up by developers who did not have proper permits or who had been awarded licences by town halls that deliberately ignored their own planning laws.
Many owners were unaware that they had bought flats or houses built on greenfield or protected land, Juan Sánchez, the president of the association of western Costa del Sol towns, told the Guardian yesterday.

"Those who have bought apartments in good faith should not be punished. The costs [of compensation] should be assumed by developers or town halls," he said.
Mr Sánchez said Greenpeace's figures for the number of illegal buildings probably fell short of the actual total.

Marbella's town hall, which has turned a blind eye to much of the development over the past decade, was reported to be lobbying against demolition yesterday. It was hoping for a blanket amnesty on illegal buildings.

Greenpeace said that would set a terrible precedent, "showing that impunity rules on the coast".
Illegal building continues in Marbella without anyone doing anything about it, the organisation said.
A town hall spokesman refused to comment yesterday.

Greenpeace said that illegal holiday homes were just one of a series of problems caused by an explosion of building up and down Spain's Mediterranean coast in recent years.
Developers had sought permission to build some 750,000 new houses and flats over the next few years.

As space ran short, the building boom was now threatening the last few protected coastal areas, including the Cabo de Gata and Doñana parks.
"The last corners of the coast are now being built on," said Juan López de Uralde, the head of Greenpeace in Spain.

A new hotel complex on the Algarrobico beach in the semi-desert at Cabo de Gata, which won planning permission from a local council, was proof that even the most valued ecosystems were no longer safe, Greenpeace said.

Second-home owners from Britain and elsewhere, unscrupulous developers and town halls dependent on income from building licences have fuelled the construction boom.
International drugs money and the profits from the illegal arms trade are also said to have been sunk into Spanish coastal real estate. Some Costa del Sol town halls are so used to living off the proceeds of building licences and land deals that they receive between 50 and 70% of their income from construction, Mr Sánchez said.

The 11 former fishing villages that stretch west along the Costa del Sol from Torremolinos to Manilva are expected to have a permanent population of 1.5 million within ten years. That does not include the millions of visitors who come each year or those who live part of the time.
A plan to control and organise building on the Costa del Sol has finally been drawn up more than 20 years after it was first called for.
"Some things are too late to fix," said Mr Sánchez. "But we should not be afraid to grow as long as we do it in an organised, orderly way.
"Private enterprise and public initiatives work at different rhythms," he said. "It may take three years to put up a housing estate, but it takes 20 to build a motorway."

A recent Costa del Sol survey showed that hoteliers, who predict a fall in business, are among those most worried about overbuilding.
Greenpeace said that one of the biggest strains on coastal infrastructure was the building of new golf courses that each consumed as much water as a town of 15,000 people.
More than 20 of these were being opened each year, meaning that the country would have about 500 golf courses within a decade.

Overseas Property Investment

2005-07-05T19:55:00.000+02:00

Overseas property investment doubles in five years

More and more Brits are buying overseas properties, the Office for National Statistics has reported.
By the end of 2003/2004 some 69,000 owned homes in Spain, 51,000 in France, 5,000 in Portugal, and 3,000 in Italy.
In total overseas property investment totalled £23.2bn, some £183.3bn of which was in Europe. The figure has more than doubled in the last five years.

Spanish property investment accounted for nearly a third, both in terms of numbers and value. Nearly two thirds of Brit-owned overseas properties were in Europe, 6 per cent in the USA and 29 per cent outside Europe and the USA, in countries such Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean islands.

Almost £70m of the £190m rental income from foreign property now earned each year comes from Spanish investments, close to £50m from French and just over £40m from the rest of Europe put together.Meanwhile, a separate study on Spanish property investment by Grupo i? in collaboration with ?Live in Spain? and sponsored by Banco Santander Central Hispano found that Britons headed the list of foreign property buyers, followed by Germans.

It also suggested the Costa del Sol was by far the most popular area for foreign property investment.The study put the demand for second Spanish homes 117,000 this year, a figure that will increase to 150,000 by 2010 with more sales in the other ?Costas?.

Property.co.uk's analysis of Spain Property

2005-07-03T11:39:00.000+02:00

Spain Property Reports from the UK

What can you say about Spain: excellent year-round weather, a superb infrastructure, plenty of sport and leisure activities (including some of Europe's finest golf courses), great food and even better drink. No wonder this is the number one destination for both holidaymakers and holiday homers - and looks set to remain that way.

Having said that, southern Spain - and the Costa del Sol in particular - are having something of a tough time at the moment; property prices are high, the papers are full of reports of agents overcharging on commission, money laundering scams and 'land grab' horror stories. Yet, the famous costas march on, because, the truth is, nowhere else in Europe can match the year-round sun and fun of Spain, or the range of holiday property available - and all just a two-and-a-half-hour budget flight from the UK.

Furthermore, Spain is a big country with many possibilities for investment; inland properties can represent excellent value, city apartments are easy to rent, and previously 'undiscovered' parts of the coast are now emerging for bargain hunters.

Dakar Rally 2006

2005-07-03T11:31:00.000+02:00

The Dakar Rally, formerly Paris-Dakar, course runs from Barcelona to Granada, down the Costa Brava and Costa del Sol, over the Sierra Nevada mountains through Andalucia Southern Spain.

The Dakar course goes across Gibraltar to Morocco, Rabat and Agadir. Then Mali, Mauritania and Senegal: Smara, Zouerat, Tichit, Tidjikja, Atar, Kiffa, Bamako, Kayes, Tambagounda ... and the stretch sprint to Dakar's Atlantic beaches.

"It'll be like taking candy from a baby," Robby Gordon of Nascar fame said, looking ahead to the 2006 challenge. He'll be racing in his own car, out of his Los Angeles race shop, Robby Gordon Motorsports West, a California partner to his new Charlotte NASCAR shop.

As a Dakar rookie in the 2005 race, Gordon amazed everyone by leading the first five days of the rugged adventure, in a personal duel with legendary Colin McRae. Then they both crashed within an hour of each other. "Running one and two," Gordon said.

Benahavis: What A Difference (Part One)

2005-07-02T19:44:00.000+02:00

1. Benahavis : Costa del Sol's Secret Rural Getaway

The history of Benahavis starts at the end of the XIth century, when the Arabs founded the town. Closely related with the Costa del Sol's Arabic past, and particularly with Marbella, the district which it belonged to until it was granted the so-called "Carta Puebla" by Philip II in 1572.

Montemayor Castle, built prior to the Construction of Benahavis, playes a very important role in the battles between the various Arabs kings in Andalusia, because of its strategic position. It was disputed for many years by the military factions of the epoch. Its prominent location overlooking up to a hundred kilometres of seaboard, and even the African coast, was extremely useful at a time when piracy and invasion were commonplace.

The town takes its name from Havis, who reigned in Montemayor Castle. To be precise, Benahavis means son of Havis".
The castle's strategic location drew the attention of the Catholic Monarchs, intent on conquering the last Moorish kingdoms in the south of the Iberian Peninsula. Isabel and Ferdinand's forces had already laid siege to the Nazarite kingdom of Granada, but they decided first to occupy the nearby province of Malaga.

Soon on the 11th of June, 1485, Benahavis, together with the localities of Daidin, Montemayor Castle, Cortes Fortress, Oxen, Arboto, Almachor, Tramores and Calalui Fort (the Castle of Light), in the Bermeja Mountains, all within the district of Marbella, were handed over to King Ferdinand the Catholic, by Mohammed Abuneza after the signing of the capitulation.
The Catholic King entrusted their custody to Don Pedro Villandrado, Count of Ribadeo, the first christian mayor of Benahavis. From that moment on, a dispute arose between Benahavís and Marbella which lasted three and half centuries, until Benahavís achieved the status of a completely independent community.

As for Montemayor Castle, it is worth noting that as well as its impressive location, it had an underground passageway connecting it with the coast, through which the Arabs were able to transport soldiers.

Car Hire Costa del Sol. Tony's Rent a Car Malaga

2005-07-01T15:56:00.000+02:00

Tony 's Rent a Car Car Hire Rental Agency

Malaga Airport Costa del Sol

Tony's Rent a Car is located opposite Malaga International Airport,(AGP), Andalucia Costa del Sol, Southern Spain. Tony's Rent a Car, in conjunction with Five Continent Group offers you an unbeatable Special Offer on Car Hire for the remainder of 2005.
Tony 's Rent a Car is a family business dedicated to offering the most competitive prices on the Costa del Sol, and offers services such as delivering your chosen car right to the airport or any given destination along the Costa del Sol.

ANORETA GOLF MALAGA Costa del Sol

2005-07-01T15:29:00.000+02:00

Añoreta Golf Course is a parkland course, designed by Jose Maria Canizares. His design and layout for Añoreta Golf offers the golfer an excellent challenge. Water is a major hazard and is featured at eleven of the 18 holes.

The fairways of Anoreta Golf are lined with semi-mature trees. Golfers get the opportunity to play whilst enjoying fantastic vistas over the Sea from this golf course from several of the holes. Añoreta Golf Course Costa del Sol is located approx. 13 km from the centre of Malaga (East towards Nerja). It comprises 18 holes with a total yardage of 6538yds (par 71).

Wi-Fi in Spain

2005-07-01T11:27:00.000+02:00

WEROAM SIGNS UP FOUR NEW WISP'S STRENGTHENING ITS EUROPEAN HOTSPOT FOOTPRINT IN FRANCE, SPAIN, GREECE AND FINLAND.

Bern, June 27, 2005.

The new network partners cover major cities, airports and hotels in their respective countries. All new partners will support landing page, WISPr and WISPr EAP-SIM access. By joining the open WLAN roaming platform, they underline WeRoam's position as a leading WLAN aggregator and global roaming solution provider.

The French telecommunication specialist ADP Télécom operates extensive WLAN networks in the international Air hubs of Charles de Gaulle and Orly in Paris. Other highly frequented hotspots of ADP Télécom include the Alliance Hospitality hotel group with 36 Holiday Inn's throughout France and the capitals top locations Concorde La Fayette Hotel, Palais des Congrès de Paris and Paris-Expo Porte de Versailles.

Wifieuro of Spain, an operator covering the Costa del Sol provides access to all WeRoam customers in the attractive cities of Cadiz, Cordoba, Granada and Malaga.

FORTHnet of Greece also joined the neutral roaming platform, offering WLAN service on Minoan Lines ferryboats travelling to all major islands in the Aegean Sea. On the mainland, venues include Starbucks coffee shops all around Greece and hotels in Athens and Thessalonica.

More hotspots are now available in Finland too, where under the brand Zonet eight power companies have combined their regional WLAN networks, fully covering entire cities.
Toni Stadelmann, CEO of WeRoam, says, "Our focus on hotspot footprint is to cover highly frequented locations where mobile end-users expect and ask for WLAN services. Our recent agreements are implementing our strategy to add both attractive venues for business users and holiday destinations where in the future the consumer segment will further drive usage."

Atalaya Park Golf Resort Estepona

2005-06-28T17:44:00.000+02:00

Atalaya Old Course:

Atalaya Old Course offers golfers pleasant, flat parkland course with many bunkers, wide fairways and elevated greens. While the experts might find the challenge a little limited, the average club golfer will certainly find it quite enough to handle as the greens are sharply contoured and quick. Without attaining the standard of some of the other golf courses in the Costa del Sol region, Atalaya Golf has enough going for it to warrant a visit - as its enduring popularity since 1968 will testify.

Atalaya Golf represents good value for money in terms of green fees. Both Golf Courses included, Atalaya Golf has 36 holes (Par 72s) and is located in Atalaya, San Pedro, 7 kms west of Puerto Banús. FCG will arrange Buggy hire, Clubs hire, Hand cart rental and the Clubhouse offers Restaurant & Bar facilities.FCG Travel arranges your flights, hotel rooms, visits to attractions, activities, boat charter, Conferencing, car hire, green fees for the finest golf courses in Costa del Sol, winetasting evenings, gourmet cuisine, flamenco shows and much, much more... Atalaya Park Golf Hotel & Resort, Costa del Sol, which is known as the "Golfers' Paradise", offers an exceptional opportunity to play golf in the perfect location.

The Atalaya Park Hotel Estepona offers a driving range and a practice putting green located in the Hotel grounds (free use for Hotel guests), Golf Lessons, free to Hotel guests. The Atalaya Golf & Country Club is the headquarters for the Professionals Golfers´Association of Europe (PGAE) You can take the opportunity to brush-up on your Golfing Skills using Atalaya International Golf Academy where you will be able to improve your swing through the assistance of expert professionals who give 3- and 5- day intensive courses for all levels and ages. There are Special Golfing prices for Atalaya Park hotel clients.

Atalaya Rosner Golf Course:

Located on the Benahavis Road, off the Costa del Sol, Atalaya Rosner Golf Course is a beauty for the most demanding golfer, requiring accuracy off the tee and a steady putter on the green. Although deceptive at the beginning among the wide flat fairways, Atalaya Rosner Golf Course soon shows its teeth by rising into the hills and winding inland towards Ronda. The return 9 affords golfers a gentle walk down the fairways of the older course to the chalet-style clubhouse. 18 holes
Par 70
Ctra.Benahavis km 0.7 Estepona
Buggy hire
Clubs hire
Hand cart rental
Restaurant & Bar

Government to approve measures to boost tourism Industry

2005-06-27T19:09:00.000+02:00

Ministry to grant ? 107 million credit for modernization

Madrid

The Cabinet is due to approve today a series of measures to modernize and drive forward Spain's tourism industry, which accounts for 11 percent of total economic activity and is a source of much-needed foreign income for the country.
The measures include a ?107-million credit line for operators in the sector. Older hotels and resorts will been given access to soft loans to update their facilities as Spain seeks to hold onto its global market share amid growing competition from other Mediterranean countries such as Croatia and Turkey.

The measures were announced Thursday by Industry, Tourism and Trade Minister José Montilla in an appearance before the Senate. The government also plans to complete the regulatory framework for setting up the Spanish Tourist Board to promote the industry.
Foreign tourist arrivals last year hit a record 53.6 million, a rise of 3.4 percent over the previous year. There was also a record number of foreign visitors in the first four months of this year: 13.6 million.

However, tourist receipts, which traditionally help offset Spain's trade deficit on the current account, have been slowing. According to figures released Wednesday by the Bank of Spain, foreigners spent ?4.087 billion in Spain in the first quarter of this year, down 13.2 percent from the same period a year earlier. This along with a ballooning trade deficit was responsible for the current account deficit more than doubling in the first quarter to ?14.768 billion.

Part of the problem lies in the strength of the euro. But as Montilla pointed out yesterday, a growing number of foreigners have bought second homes in Spanish coastal areas. As a result, recent figures on overnight stays in Spanish hotels are "perhaps not the best," Montilla said.
Tourism is also a vital source of employment in Spain. Some 2.3 million workers are directly employed in the tourist industry, equivalent to 12.2 percent of the total national workforce and 20 percent of total employment in the services sector.

Costa del Sol Property News

2005-06-26T14:34:00.000+02:00

Spanish property market: Too much of a boom to go bust?

Throughout the course of last year Spain saw more houses built than Germany, France and Italy combined, continuing a remarkable trend that has resulted in over 20 per cent of all Spanish properties being built over the past decade, according to research. It goes without saying: that Spain is undergoing a serious property boom, outstripping a number of other European countries with similarly strong property markets.

Naturally, when a property market demonstrates this much growth this soon, fears of a market crash become increasingly acute. To a large extent this is alleviated in Spain by the rapid construction of new builds, meeting demand from domestic as well as foreign buyers, and it is this market in particular that could see even further Spanish Property growth and fuel an ongoing boom.

There are a handful of important reasons as to why the Spanish property market is so strong and showing continued signs of growth. Low interest rates are helping keep prices down in tandem with a relatively strong economy and declining unemployment rates. Foreign demand remains high for newer properties as well as slightly more expensive older homes, and a number of hotspots such as Marbella, Barcelona and the Costa del Sol continue to have strong appeal. Large cities in particular are attracting buyers in their droves, with somewhere in the region of two million people in total having moved into urban areas since 1998.Many of these buyers are investing in second homes.

Figures from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) reveal that 14 per cent of all Spanish properties were second homes in 1999 and the Office of National Statistics states that over 2003/04 nearly 70,000 Brits owned a holiday home in Spain. This is all helped along by the boom in low cost air travel, which has made it dramatically easier for buyers to travel between their homes simultaneously boosting appeal for buy-to-let investment.

Last year saw somewhere in the region of 54,000 people move to Spain, some 15 per cent of the total number of people (360,000) who moved abroad last year. This figure itself is strong evidence of the appeal of Spain for British housebuyers, and of all these, a sizable percentage are in the older, retirement age bracket. According to reports almost 30 per cent of all Brits who moved to Spain last year were over 60. Only five per cent were under 40 suggesting that, overall, younger buyers are substantially less likely to move to popular holiday destinations on a permanent basis.