Monday, 25 March 2013

Villa Spain: Getting Value for your Money

One of the first things you have to understand about renting a villa in Spain is that the term “villa” pretty much covers anything from a medieval cliff-top fortress to a beach-front shack, with everything in between! So before you sign rental contracts, it's wise to thoroughly scope-out the property, speak to the owner/agents and understand what exactly you're getting. This way you won't end up being disappointed with your Spanish villa after your arrive.

A big advantage with a villa rental is that you can share costs with family or friends. You can pick the right size of accommodation depending on the number of people but sometimes, you get very good off-season or holiday deals on enormous properties which were designed to house twenty or thirty people – in such a case, you're assured of both luxury and space.

The other thing to keep in mind is the kind of holiday you want. With a large group, you could have different interests, age groups, special needs, etc. so pick a villa located close to what a majority of people want. For instance if your group consists mainly of youngsters who love partying, something in Ibiza would be great, whereas if they want history/culture, then Andalusia is perfect. To relax on the beach with night-life thrown in, try the Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca. Do your research before you finalize the location.




Villa Ladera Del Aguila, Nerja, Costa del Sol

Many villas are located quite far from the major towns, so you could end up paying out a lot of cab hire. Firm up your itinerary before you go, so that you can make a guesstimate about how much you're going to be spending on transport. Another important thing is to decide what kind of holiday you want: luxury, DIY, a bit or both, a totally chilled-out one or a completely scheduled one etc. This allows you to check out the facilities available in the villa: whether you want to do your own cooking or need help, house-cleaning, laundry, etc. Get information on the appliances available and be specific about what you need.

Short-list a few likely choices and contact the owners. Ask for detailed floor plans, photos, testimonials, a map regarding exact location, facilities available nearby and a copy of the rental agreement. Go through these very carefully and match the photos to the description. Some of the villas may be very old, with peculiar floor-plans, unsuitable for seniors or children. Baths, bedrooms and living areas may be smaller than advertised. Check on the hygiene and cleanliness by contacting people who have stayed there before. If you're going with other couples, make sure that the number of bedrooms/beds is right.



Once you have made the final choice, ensure that all paperwork is in order. Get information about local contacts in case you need assistance. If your group includes seniors/children, access to medical facilities is important. Confirm that there are no extras or nasty surprises awaiting you.

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Rental in Spain: Long Lets

If you've fallen in love with Spain and want to spend a long time here, enjoying the wonderful climate, warm hospitality, sun and sand, great cuisine, culture and traditions and the festivals, traditions and arts, the best thing to do would be to opt for a long lease or long let rental in Spain. These properties are scattered all over Spain, from coast to coast, or located in the country-side, near bustling cities, quiet fishing villages, beach-fronts, apartment blocks, condos, mountain retreats or remote islands.

An advantage of the long rental is that if you're planning to make the country your permanent home it gives you the flexibility and time to make decisions about where to settle down and when. You can take your time to explore the options without the stress of a short-term rental, hotel or resort. It also allows you to experience the place in a more authentic way and not as a mere tourist or visitor. You can gauge for yourself the local conveniences and facilities and decide whether this is the place that you want to spend the rest of your retirement in. You can take your time and make your final decisions after thoroughly studying all aspects of living in Spain.

The long let is also a great option for artists, writers and people who may be convalescing, since the warm climate, year-round sunshine and relaxed atmosphere can be very healing. Generally, these lets are for six to eleven months or even five years at a time, with suitable extensions as required. One of the advantages of opting for this type of lease is that you can deal directly with landlords or property owners without having to go through agents or middle-men. Another plus point is that most  properties which are up for long let are completely furnished, with appliances, sheets, hard and soft furnishing, right down to a well-stocked kitchen. So you don't need to ship out your personal things at a huge expense and effort, till you're completely sure about your future plans.



Villa Los Algarrobos, Frigiliana, Costa del Sol

Some tips: You will have to sign a standard contract form with the property owner. Ensure that you understand all the terms and conditions before signing. If it is in Spanish, get a translation and read through completely. If you're renting furnished, the contract contains an inventory of all the items on the property. All repairs are the owner's responsibility and the tenant cannot make any alterations without permission. While vacating, cost of any damage or breakage will be deducted from the deposit. All utilities and general upkeep should be borne by the tenant. It is important to view the property thoroughly before signing the contract and make a note of any previous damages.

Keeping these tips in mind, a long let is a great rental option in Spain.

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Wednesday, 20 March 2013

Villas Holidays in Spain

Spain happens to be a great spot for a holiday and you will find tourists from all corners of the world flocked here to experience firsthand what this beautiful country has to offer. It is quite easy to choose a fulfilling holiday option in the country since it has everything that you could consider important while here hence you are bound to enjoy every minute that you spend here. Accommodation is one of the most important factors during a holiday and needs to be carefully considered.

Tourists have different kinds of expectations when it comes to holiday accommodation and this could be the reason why Spain has provided all options to make it easier for each individual to select something that is in line with the holiday experience he or she is looking for in the country. You will be exposed to everything from holiday resorts, hotels, holiday homes and villas and even apartments. The villas are particularly popular in Spain.

Villa Roisin, Haria, Lanzarote

The villas offer some of the most interesting villa holidays since they provide you with maximum comfort and luxury that you could need during the holiday. The villas are designed to accommodate every need and you will find them in different sizes in that you are able to choose in relation to the number of people you are taking for the holidays in the country. Even though they will contain most of the amenities and facilities deemed to be essential during a holiday, they can be different and hence you will need to carefully consider all options before settling for something that you feel is ideal.

When settling for a villa holiday, it is important to remember that there are villas which share most of the facilities such as swimming pools and in case you are looking for a holiday experience that is most private, then you would need to consider this before choosing something that will meet with every need that you have for the holiday. It is very possible to find exclusive villas giving you the chance to enjoy every facility at a personal level without necessarily having to share.

Another important consideration to make when choosing a villa for your holiday is the location. This will determine the kind of experience that you have during the holiday such as the views that you are exposed to and the environment that you will enjoy throughout your holiday stay in Spain.

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Spain Shopping Tours

A holiday in Spain is never complete without a shopping tour and fortunately this is a country that has everything that you could be looking for whether it is for using during the holiday or to take home as a souvenir. You will basically find everything that will always relate with the country bringing in those sweet memories of the holiday that you spend here. The shopping centers are practically in any of the locations that you could have selected for the holiday hence you do not have to move far looking for particular things.

Since the seventeen regions making up Spain have very unique cultures, it is likely that you can find something that will relate to each of the region that you visit during the holiday thus making it easier for you to identify with the country long after the holidays are over. You will find everything from traditional artifacts, art collections and modern items including sculptures, pottery items and all kinds of handicrafts you can take home with you.

Villa Maday, Arrecife, Lanzarote

In actual sense, this country is a great producer of handicrafts which can be really unique and you can use the selected few to add a touch of beauty to your home after the holidays. It will be a constant reminder that you toured the beautiful country and will bring in those memories that you got from your holidays within the country. It is best that you ensure that you do not end up going over your budget limits with all the shopping which can be enticing.

When making the holiday budget, it is best that you make an allocation for some shopping indulgence so that you manage to get those items you find most attractive and amusing during your holiday in the country. There are shopping malls in most parts of the country, flea markets and art centers meaning that you can therefore get any kind of item that you are interested in. All kinds of clothing items and beauty items will also be readily available in these areas and all you have to do is select the most unique and those that are hard to find at home.

During your shopping spree, you can also get gifts for people that you left at home as a way of giving them a sense and feeling of what Spain is all about. The items are all offered at very friendly prices and you will definitely find something affordable and unique.

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Sunday, 17 March 2013

Writing Holiday in Spain

To inspire the creative writer, there's nothing like the Spanish atmosphere! Full of history, romance, color and adventure, filled with myths of heroes and beautiful princesses living in medieval Gothic castles, legends of sea-faring pirates and adventurers, ships filled with gold and treasures from far-away lands, this is a country that is steeped in a wonderful literary tradition. Great writers like Cervantes and the mythical stories of El Cid have provided a wonderful base for the superb Spanish prose and poetry.

If you're a traveler who wants to combine a writing holiday with your rest and relaxation, Spain is the perfect choice. Many literary clubs and organizations offer workshops and writing tours across Spain. Usually held at four or five star resorts or hotels, country estates or historical mansions or paradores (castles and fortresses converted into hospitality services), these workshops are usually curated by a well-known writer who has good experience in teaching creative writing. You can pick the language of your choice and you will be assigned to an award-winning or best-selling author in that language. Additionally, you can also pick the genre that you wish to write in – romance, memoirs, suspense, crime, humor or non-fiction.

Some of the courses are held over a weekend and include all meals, a review and appraisal of your work, constructive criticism and tips on getting published. Longer courses can accommodate any writer from beginner to published authors who wish to take a writing holiday for inspiration or to bounce ideas off the group. Generally the courses or workshops accommodate up to twelve like-minded people and are a lot of fun and filled with creative energy as writers share their ideas and experiences with the assistance of a professional mentor. Often, the courses are held in small groups at the professional writer's own home, with plenty of peace and quiet. Farm-houses with magnificent views of the mountains in Comares village in Andalucia, medieval Moorish castles in the Sierra Nevada mountains or town-houses in the Balearic Islands are some wonderful options.


Villa Canadu, Nerja, Costa del Sol

Guest writers may also be invited to give special readings and there are film and video shows about local culture, traditions and the arts. Trips to the local villages, seaside, countryside and famous or little-known monuments are also organized to provide the fillip to your imagination. Superb local cuisine, wines and desserts are included.

The great thing about a writing holiday is that it gives the creative writer an opportunity to get away from the hectic or humdrum life that is their normal routine. Often a new place and environment provide the much needed catalyst to get your creative juices flowing and what better place than Spain!

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Spain: Tenerife

With nearly 400 km of pristine coastline, year-round sunshine, mysterious volcanic landscapes and a great party atmosphere, Tenerife is the largest and probably the best-known of the Canary Islands. This spectacular archipelago consisting of seven major islands is situated on the north coast of Spain and is an autonomous region. The fascinating blend of African, Spanish and European cultures gives the Canary Islands their unique charm, a fact that's evident by the nearly 12 million visitors that the islands receive every year.

Tenerife's dramatic lunar landscape, formed from thousands of years of volcanic eruptions, is also known for the highest mountain in Spain, the Pico del Teide, and this area is ideal for adventure tourism, walking and trekking, hiking, biking, driving, climbing, rappelling and a host of other exciting outdoor activities for the entire family. Southern Tenerife is the tourist hub, where visitors from all over the world arrive specially during the winter months, often to get away from the bitterly cold winters of their own countries.

Some of the must-see attractions here are:

Pyramids of Guimar: Located in Chacona, these pyramids are now part of an ethnographic museum and park. Their exact origin and purpose is still being researched but presently, the museum offers some interesting videos and lectures. The park itself is very well laid-out in a picturesque garden full of indigenous flora. This is also a great location for organizing conferences and other business events.

Arona Auditorium: If you're a flamenco enthusiast, you can visit this venue for live shows and also take a tour of the historical section where the cultural and traditional roots of the dance-form are displayed. You can enjoy a dinner with flamenco or live opera here as well.






Villa Ladera Del Aguila, Nerja, Costa del Sol

Bananera Jardines: This theme park and banana plantation offers an interesting glimpse into the traditional banana-growing agricultural industry of Tenerife. There are different types of cultivated plants, crops and farming implements displayed in the living museum here.

Jungle Park: The Parque las Aguilas is a botanical garden and zoo which the whole family can enjoy. The main attraction here is the spectacular birds of prey show and the train ride through the nearly 8000 acres of unspoiled forest and parklands.

Castillo San Miguel: Located close to Tenerife Airport, this entertainment center hosts a magnificent medieval live show that reproduces the legends of the Knights of the Round Table. A great evening's family entertainment of chivalry and knighthood, dueling and jousting followed by a magnificent medieval dinner.

Santa Cruz shopping: For local and international fashions, souvenirs, fine jewelry, handicrafts, boutiques, food-shops and arts and crafts shops, a trip to the capital, Santa Cruz is essential.

Tenerife also has great beaches and quiet coves and valleys for rest and relaxation when you want to get away from the crowds. It all depends on what you're looking for!


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Thursday, 14 March 2013

Spain: Photography Holiday

Today travel and tourism are no longer just about reaching your destination and settling down on the beach, sightseeing and rushing through the local attractions. Niche tours and holiday ideas are becoming the trend and one of the biggest tourism trends today is the “Hobby Holiday.” This kind of vacation is for the person who has always wanted to devote a sizable chunk of time to a hobby and has never found the time or the right kind of environment for it.

Spain offers a plethora of hobby holidays, including culinary and wine tours, painting and creative writing tours, art and culture, literature and history tours etc. One of the most popular hobby tours available is the photography holiday.

The one week trip can either be combined with a more conventional holiday or one or two members of a family can take the photography holiday while others relax at a resort or beach. A typical photography holiday is curated or guided by a well-known professional photographer and he or she will advise the participants about the kind of equipment that they should get. The course can be either for beginners or for more advanced photographers.

Villa Minerva, Lloret de Mar, Costa Brava



One such holiday is in the Sierra de las Nieves in the Costa del Sol region of Andalucia. Located close to Marbella the playground of the rich and famous, these mountain ranges offer some spectacular landscapes and wonderful terrain, ideal for the craft of photography. The snow-covered peaks looming in the distance, over pine-clad valleys, mysterious caves and deep pot-holes reaching into the earth's unfathomed depths all provide a wonderful canvas for the creative eye. The area is also a protected bio-reserve and home to thousands of species of flora and fauna.

The photography tour includes all meals, with desserts, wine and cheeses. Accommodation is in one of the big hotels in either Malaga or Marbella or in a country estate close to the Sierras. Marbella and Malaga provide fabulous opportunities to click pictures of the quaint white-washed villages, medieval cathedrals and pretty flower-decked balconies. After a detailed orientation, the visitors are treated to a daily photography lesson, trips to surrounding villages and a nightly review of all the learning experiences during the day. Individual attention is given to each participant and they are given professional tips on shutter-speed, lighting, composition, camera angles, creative concepts of a good image etc. Other information like camera control, use of flash, filters, black and white photos, print-making, portraits, landscapes and video are also part of the course.

The final outcome of the tour is your own personal portfolio of pictures which include professionally taken photographs of architecture, flora and fauna, portraits and of course the stunning scenery of the Sierras.

If you're an amateur photographer and have always wanted to hone your professional skills, this would be the perfect holiday for you!


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