Spain Assured Blogs

Aviva Products and Services

2011-12-13 +0100

Aviva. Aviva previously known as Norwich Union has always been a prestigious insurance provider with a reputation for quality products, services and customer care. This approach to the market place has made Aviva one of the most respected companies in the Spanish life and pension’s insurance sector and the leader in the bancassurance sector. Being one of the leading companies in its field you can find Aviva's products and services being provided here in Spain with alliances in Spanish Savings Banks such as Bancaja, Unicaja and Caja España to name but a few. There are many benefits to living in Spain with the most obvious being the terrific weather, however life sometimes isn’t all sunshine and it is always prudent to have something financial in place. Finding the right products can seem daunting at the best of times, but even more so when that commitment is an overseas one with all its added differences of an unfamiliar system, language and culture. For these reasons we believe the best way to do this is to get your cover (and whatever that cover maybe) with a Company that you know and trust and has an excellent reputation. Aviva could be that company and offer the following products and services. Savings Insurance Investment Retirement Health For more information regarding the products and services available in Spain please follow the link to Aviva or alternatively for services in the UK please click here for the UK website. The following companies have an alliance with Aviva and all are part of major banking institutions here in Spain.

A guide to buying an Almeria property in Spain.

2011-11-22 +0100

Procedure Reservation Contract. The first step is to appoint a lawyer or solicitor to act on your behalf. The lawyer will carry out searches on the property and advise you on proof of ownership and any charges (mortgages, embargoes, etc.) which would need to be lifted before, or at the point of sale. Once these initial checks have been carried out, a holding deposit (usually €3000) can be paid to the vendor to secure the property, and a reservation agreement signed and the property taken off the market. It is advisable at this stage to apply for an NIE number (foreigner identification number), open a bank account and leave Power of Attorney (if this is required) with your lawyer before leaving Spain. Private Purchase Contract. Within 30 days of signing the reservation agreement, you will need to sign a formal and much more detailed contract. This should include completion dates, inventory, and paperwork anomalies to be resolved prior to completion etc. and at this stage you would usually make payment of 10% (minus the reservation fee of 3,000€) of the purchase price. For example; a property purchase price of 200,000€, 10% is 20,000€, less 3,000€ reservation fee equals 17,000€ to pay. Upon receipt of this money the vendor is legally bound to sell it to you at the agreed price and in the agreed timescale. If the vendors default for any reason, then they must pay you back twice the money that you have paid them (in the example above that would be 40,000€). Completion. The completion and signing of title deeds will take place on before a public notary on a date mutually agreed between vendor and buyer, usually within three months from the initial reservation. The balance of the purchase price is due upon signing the deeds as are the lawyers’ fees. The title deeds must be taken to the tax office and property registry within 30 working days of the signing. Taxes and notary fees must be paid within the same 30 working days. Most lawyers will retain all of the tax amounts on the day of signing to pay the taxes on your behalf. NIE Number An NIE certificate (Certificado de Numero de Identificación de Extranjero) is necessary for the purchase of a Property in Spain. However, this cannot be applied for prior to finding a suitable property. This certificate must be applied for in person by the interested party at the foreign office closest to their proposed property purchase. It may be obtained through the embassies/consulates in the UK, but in reality this process is often not ideal and takes a lot longer than applying in Spain.

Map of Naturist Zone in Vera Playa Almeria

2011-11-02 +0100

Map of Naturist Zone on Vera Playa Almeria Spain

The Spanish Province of Almeria

2011-09-23 +0100

The Spanish Province of Almeria lies in the far South-Eastern corner of the Iberian Peninsula and boasts about 322km of varied scenic coastline that attracts package tourists to its developed resorts near the main towns. A sun-baked province with an average of 3,000 hours of sunshine annually and with the clearest skies in Europe. Almeria also offers idyllic spots for nature lovers to explore with many unspoilt fishing villages, beaches, naturist beaches, small intimate coves, mountain ranges and nature reserves such as Cabo del Gato-Nijar. Inland is rather barren and arid and boasts Europe's only desert region around the village of Tabernas which has been used as film locations producing a film industry responsible for many spaghetti westerns such as The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and more recently Indiana Jones and the last crusade. You can also find close by skiingin the Sierra Nevada Mountains and a Paramount Theme Park scheduled to open in 2015 in Murcia

The Indalo Symbol of Almeria

2011-06-20 +0100

Indalo is human figure which served as a lucky talisman, and which conferred health and love to the owner of the figure.

Its origin goes back to prehistoric time, as Indalos have found at the cave "Cueva de los Letreros" on the hill of Maimun, Velez Blanco. The figure has the shape of a little man holding an arch. If we take into account that the paintings in that cave are all from Neolithic times, we should agree that the Indalo is also from prehistoric times. The primitive residence of the province adopted the indalo, so that as time passed, it become the symbol of this town.

John Lennon wrote Strawberry Fields in Almeria Spain

2011-02-13 +0100

It's not well known that John Lennon wrote Strawberry Fields Forever in Almeria. He was living in the city in autumn 1966, while filming the black comedy How I Won the War in the nearby desert at Tabernas. Lennon first stayed in an apartment near El Zapillo, one of the city`s beaches, then he switched to the more spacious 19th-century mansion, Santa Isabel, on Camino de Romero (known locally as Cortijo Romero), with his then-wife Cynthia. Cynthia Lennon revisited the city in 2006, and the house, where David Lean and Sam Spiegel (director and producer of Lawrence of Arabia) and other movie moguls also stayed, is being turned in a Cinema Museum, with displays on the area's golden age of film-making - the 1960s and 70s - and an area dedicated to the Beatle. Here are some videos about John Lennon in Almeria. Some interesting clips about Cynthia Lennon's visit, where she returns to the house ...more info This one includes stills and footage of Lennon filming in the Tabernas desert, and some theories about how his Almeria sojourn influenced not only the famous song, but also his decision to leave the band YouTube video . Film about the history of Cortijo Romero, and its next incarnation as the Casa del Cine YouTube video Clips from films shot in Almeria, in promotional film for new museum. YouTube video. Source www.andalucia.com. The farmhouse has been transformed into a cinema museum. The property – where Lennon once stayed for a holiday – now pays homage to the famous film-making that went on in the area in the 1960s and 1970s. During that time Hollywood producers flocked to the province for its rugged countryside and perfect weather. The area, in particular, became famous for its spaghetti westerns and a series of hit films such as The Good, the Bad and the Ugly were shot nearby. Lawrence of Arabia was also filmed here. A string of film stars such as Clint Eastwood and Peter O’Toole also famously stayed at Casa Santa Isabel as it was then known. google_protectAndRun("render_ads.js::google_render_ad", google_handleError, google_render_ad); Now, after a six million euro investment from a local Beatles fan, the property has been brought back to life as the Casa del Cine. Source: www.theolivepress.es more info

Legal words and their meanings. Translating Spanish to English

2010-12-18 +0100

A Abogado Lawyer Act de notoriedad Legal act or document Acta notarial Notary’s certificate (debts) Actos jurídicos documentados Title registry Agrupación de Fincas Group of country properties Alta catastral Land registry inscription API (Agente de la Propiedad Inmobiliaria Official estate agent Arrendamiento de obra Building contract Asiento de presentación Provisional property inscription at the land registry B Boletín de enganche Supply report. It contains information on how much power and water a property is allowed C Cancelacion Cancellation Cédula de habitabilidad Habitation certificate Certificación Certification Cerificado bancario de devisas Foreign currency bank certificate Certificado final de obra Building completion certificate Código civil Civil Rights Comisión de urbanismo Building commission Comunidad de propietarios Community of owners Condición resolutoria Condition to cancel a contract Condición suspensia Conditions to postpone a contract Contract de arrendamiento Rental contract Contrato de opción Optional contract, with the right to buy a property, mostly by paying 10% deposit Contracto privado de compraventa Private purchase contract Copropietarios Co-owner, when several persons own a property together Cuerpo cierto Non variable condition. A condition that cannot be changed Cuota Instalment, changes D Declaración de obra nueva New build certificate Demarcación de Costas Coastal Derecho de retención Deposit that you pay to the Internal Revenue office if you are not resident in Spain Registered country property Land management rights Deracho de tanteo/retracto Purchasing Rights enables you to reserve an object to them later buy it or not E Edificabildad Máxima Construction limits Embargo Repossessions Escritura publico de compraventa Public sales deeds F Fianza Deposit Finca Country property Finca registrada Registered country property H Hacienda publica Internal Revenue Hipoteca Mortgage I IBI (Impuesto sobre bienes immuebles) Real Estate Tax (Rates) Impuesto de actos jurídicos documentados Documented legal acts tax, that is to be paid to lawyers Impuesto de transmisiones patrimoniales Property transfer tax, 7-8% of the indicated sum at the escritura Impuesto sobre contrucciones: instalaciones y Obras Construction and installation tax Impuesto sobre el patrimonio Wealth tax Impuesto sobre sucesiones y donaciones Succession and gift tax Impuesto municipales Local tax Información urbanística cédula Urban planning department Institución de heredero Appoint an inheritor IRPF Income tax L Ley de arrendamientos urbanos Local rental laws Ley de la propiedad horizontal Horizontal property tax Ley del suelo Floor area regulations Licencia de obras Building License (building permission) Licencia de primera ocupación First occupation licence N NIE (número personal de identificación de extranjeros) Foreigners personal identification Lumber NIF (número de identificación fiscal Fiscal identity Lumber Nota simple informativa Land registry certifícate – local searches Notario Official authorised to certify contracts O Obligación personal Obligation to pay tax as a resident Ocupación Máxima Maximum occupancy P Parcela Parcela Perito Expert Permiso de obra menor Minor building permission Plan parcial Urbanisation plan Planta Floor or level Plusvalia Value Added Tax Poder Authorization Posesión Possession Precio de venta Sales price Procurador Barrister Promotor Promoter Propiedad Property Propietario Owner Proyecto de ejecución Building execution R Recepción definitiva Construction completion Registro de la propiedad Land register Representante fiscal Fiscal representative S S.A. (Sociedad Anónima) Association S.L. (Sociedad Limitada Limited company Saneamiento Reconstruction Segregación de fincas Country property positioning Separación a linderos Distance between plots Servidumbre de tránsito Accessibility Solar Building Plot Suelo no urbanizable Non buildable floor Suelo rústico Non permanente floor Suelo urbanizable Building land or plot Suelo urbano Urban area T Tarjeta de residencia Residence card Tasa Taking possession Traspaco Transfer U Urbanización privada Private Urbanisation Uso de oficinas Office use Usucapión When you get a plot for a time period accorded by the courts Usufructo Rights of use UTM Plot number at the land register V Valor catastral Land registry value Valor comprobado por la administración Amount checked by Internal Revenue Valor real Real estate value Z Zona de servidumbre de protección Accessibility protected area

The Almeria Region

2010-11-28 +0100

The Costa de Almeria is situated between the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca on the southern coast of mainland Spain. It has become a very popular tourist destination both to northern Spaniards and northern Europeans alike. The two main holiday resorts are Roquetas de Mar which is 10km from the Almeria airport and Mojacar 90km from the airport. They both provide that perfect beach holiday destination with long sandy beaches lining the rugged and varied coastline with around 320 days of sunshine. The average temperature is 27º in summer and 15º in winter. This makes Almeria an all-year round holiday destination and a great place to live. Not only that, stunning mountains surround the region, and in the winter you can even go skiing on the Sierra Nevada ski resorts near Granada (about 2 ½ hours drive away). Part of the region has a dry and desert like landscape that has made the Costa de Almeria famous for the filming of many movies mainly Spaghetti Westerns due to the landscape resembling Arizona. There are also many first class sporting facilities; in fact Almería was appointed the host for the Almería 2005 15th Mediterranean Games. There are first-class water sports facilities and it’s also a golfer’s paradise, with several superb golf courses.

Useful numbers and links for Almeria Spain

2010-10-24 +0100

This great website www.thinkspain.com will answer virtually every question you may have about life in Spain. Below are useful numbers and links for people living, visiting or re-locating to the Almeria region of Southern Spain

Consulates:

The Levante Region in Almeria Spain

2010-08-03 +0100

Levante is the eastern coastal region of the Iberian Peninsula. This area includes the Valencian Community (Valencia, Castellón and Alicante provinces), as well as Murcia to the south together with almeria. The Levante, or Lievant in Valencian is a name used to refer to the eastern region of the Iberian Peninsula on the Mediterranean coast. There is no modern geopolitical definition of Levante although broadly the term covers the regions of Valencia, Murcia, Catalonia, Almeria, the eastern part Castile – La Mancha (Albacete, Cuenca, Granada and the southern part of Aragon. Among inhabitants of the so-called Levante, the term is rarely used. Its literal meaning would be “the east,” and thus makes sense only from the perspective of those who live to the west of the Valencian Community. Our region of the Levante “the east” is the province of Almeria which boarders the provinces of Murcia and Granada. Here you will find un-spoilt beaches, traditional Spanish towns, arid deserts, green national parks and breath taking beauty. Almeria offers more the 320 days of sun and the temperatures exceeds 18c annually and is one of Spain’s last refuges of un-spoilt coastline. In recent years Almeria has become a very popular location both with tourist and people looking to settle in Spain offering something for everyone with its diverse cultures and life styles. The coastal towns of Carboneras,Mojácar, Garrucha and inland at Los Gallardos are all expanding and attracting investment, business and tourisum to the area.The Levante demonstrates a modern model for the growth that maintains the areas natural beauty yet continues to attract business, visitors and residents.

Tourist information for Mojacar, Almeria, Southern Spain

2010-07-13 +0100

A brief History: Mojácar has been settled by many and varied people since antiquity. Populated since the bronze age around 2000 BC, and subsequently with traders such as Phoenicians and Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans etc. The north African Moors established themselves in Spain in the early VII century and Mojácar become part of their heritage. On June 10th, 1488, the leaders of the region drew a pact of free association between the Local Moors, Jews and Christians. Mojácar once again began to expand until the early XVII century, after which began another period of decline. The tourist industry began to reverse the trend. Places to visit: Mirandor de la Plaza Nueva – Viewing Piont. Mirandor del Castillo – Highest point of the village Iglesia de Santa Maria – Church 1560 Estatua de la Mojaquera – Marble statue Calle de Enmedio – Main Street Plaza del Ayuntamiento – Town Hall Square Puerta de la Ciudad o de la Almedina – City Door Fachada de Casa del Torreon – Old Façade Fuente Mora – Moorish Fountain Arrabal – Jewish quarter The Indalo: The town’s women when finishing their houses white wall washing, would draw this symbol over the doors to keep their homes safe from bad spells or storms. As a present, this magic symbol, gives luck and protection. Fiestas: Moors & Christians. The weekend nearest to June 10th. Colourful Historic Fiesta & Entertainment. Saint Augustin’s Day. The 28th of August. Saint Isidro’s Day. Parade (Procession) The Virgin of the Rosary Festivity. October the 7th. Beaches: From Marina de la Torre (in front of the Golf Course), near to the neighbouring Village of Garrucha, until Rambla de la Granatilla, at the enchanting hamlet of Sopalmo, only a few miles from the edge of the Cabo de Cata’s Natural Park near to Carboneras, Mojácar offers its 17 km of varied shore line. From the unspoiled beaches of Bordenares or Sombrerico, up to the more commercial ones (Ventanicas, El Cantal, etc). Surely you will find one to suit you, all year around. Golf: The consolidation of Mojacar as a golf destination can be justified fundamentally on three characteristics: The climate, the quality of the installations and the diversity of the courses found locally. There is no doubt that the incorporation of sporting activities into a new facet of the many different signs of identity of our traditional Andalusian culture, blending golf with nature and seamlessly integrating the courses into our countryside has been worth the effort involved. Useful Telephone number and information: · Town Hall: 950 615 009 · Library:950 478 107 · Post Office: 950 478 703 · Town Planning: 950 475 808 · Multipurpose Centre: 950 399 011 · Arts Centre: 950 472 972 · Taxis: 608 339 42 / 659 936 908 / 610 850 076 / 610 448 448 Useful Website: www.mojacar.es Tourist Office: Glorieta, 1 - 04638 Mojacar - T: 950 615 025 / F: 950 615 163

Golf Courses of Almeria, Spain

2010-07-08 +0100

Golf Courses of Almeria, Spain Almeria offers 8 golf courses, 7 of them with 18 holes and one with 9 holes. Some of these golf course are inspired by the famous golf courses in Arazona and California, which are Desert Springs and Valle del Este Golf. Almerimar Campo de Golf is located in Almerimar, El Ejido, Almeria. This golf course offers excellent sports facilities as well as apartment and hotels. more... Avda. Julián Laguna, 1 Urb. Almerimar • 04711 Almería Tel: (+34) 950 49 70 07 • Fax: (+34) 950 49 71 46 Alboran is located in the city of Almeria, with 66 strategically situated bunkers. more... C/ de los Juegos de Barcelona s/n Urbanización El Toyo 04131 El Retamar, ALMERÍA E-mail: alborangolf@alborangolf.com Telephone / Fax: (+34) 950 20 85 83 Desert Springs in Cueves del Almanzora. The first European golf course with an Arozona-desert style which offers a real challenge to any golfer. All in a very particular landscape of huge cactus, rocks and dry river beds. more... C/ Baria, S/N 04616 Cuevas Del Almanzora, España T: (+34) 950 467 104 Marina Golf Mojacar in Mojacar is modern with 18 holes, par 71 plus par of pitch and putt with a singular and unique driver swing on the 4th hole. more... Club Marina Golf Mojacar, Avda. del Mar 4, Marina de la Torre, Mojacar, 04368, Almeria. Telephone: (+34) 950 133 235

Moors and Christians, Mojacar, Almeria, Spain

2010-06-20 +0100

Every year in June Mojacar Pueblo have their annual moors and Christians festival which runs for three days over a weekend period. For the Locals and visitors alike the festival is probably the biggest calendar event of the year. There are medieval markets, several bands, magic shows and there are three Christian camps and three Moorish camps, which you are able to visit. The Christians and the Moors will have their camps spread out in various places within the pueblo adding colour and fun to all that attend. The festival always begins on a Friday with the opening of the Moorish and Christian camps (known respectively as 'kabilas' and 'cuarteles') and the festival continues uninterrupted until the final glorious parade on the Sunday evening. This is a great day out for all families, young and old. The are events of every kind – reenactments, magic shows, numerous bands and street performances not to mention a medieval market which is the center of most of the activities. The Medieval market is so authentic and if the partying late into the night is not your thing, the market should not be missed. Within the market you will find numerous stalls selling delicious foods all traditionally cooked, home baked breads of every variety, handmade jewelry and toys alike, street performers and even dancing bears! It is here also you will be able to sit, eat, relax and generally just take in this truly amazing sight.

Murcia Airport Information, Spain

2010-06-13 +0100

Murcia Airport, Spain Aeropuerto de Murcia – San Javier Ctra. del Aeropuerto 30720 Santiago de la Ribera Murcia Spain Telephone: +34(0)968 172 000 Email: aeropuertomjv@aena.es

Airport code: MJV

Murcia San Javier Airport is situated on the northern shore of the Mar Menor, in an inner lagoon of 170kms, which is perfect for doing all kinds of sports such as water sports, golf, climbing and trekking. The airport's strategic position brings it close to a Mediterranean culture founded on the pillars of different civilisations and settlements that have left their mark and influence. A single-level terminal building caters for all domestic and international flights. There is one ATM machine in the terminal building. The airport has two restaurants and a café, and both duty-free and regular shopping outlets are available. Products on offer include: cosmetics, sporting goods, delicatessen goods, clothing, toys, electronics, and other gifts and souvenirs. A travel agency has an outlet in the airport to aid with any further travel plans. A supervised children’s play area is located near the departure lounge. Those who require special assistance or wheelchairs should notify their airlines when booking their flight. Specially fitted toilets and ramps are located across the airport. Designated parking areas are available in the car park opposite the terminal. An airport information counter and tourist information booth are provided near the terminal’s meeting point.

Air Berlin: Palma de Mallorca

Almeria Airport Information, Spain

2010-06-04 +0100

Almeria Airport, Spain Murcia Airport? read more... Airport Code: LEI Address: Ctra. De Nijar, Km 9. 04130, Almeria. Tel: +34 950 113 700 Flight arrival and departure www.aena.es There are regular national flights to Madrid, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Melilla. Numerous charter companies do however fly in and out of Almería, making it the second most important airport in terms of foreign tourist arrivals in Andalucia. There are also regular International flights to Alicante, Amsterdam, Asturias, Barcelona, Berlin, Birmingham, Brussels, Alicante, Bonn, Dortmund, Dresden, Dusseldorf, Faro, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hannover, Helsinki, Jerez, Leipzig, Gatwick, Madrid, Malaga, Manchester, Melilla, Munster, Munich, Nuremburg, Paderborn, Palma, Salamanca, Stuttgart, Valladolid, Vitoria and Zaragoza. Birmingham Monarch London Gatwick EasyJet London Stansted RyanAir Manchester Monarch, BMI Baby Dusseldorf Ryanair Amsterdam Schipol Transavia Dublin Ryanair Palma de Mallorca Air Berlin Madrid Iberia, Ryan Air, Air Andaluz Barcelona Iberia, Air Andaluz

You can get flight arrival and departure information from the www.aena.es website. The real time information is provided from two hours before the flight to twenty four hours after the flight.

Useful telephone numbers: Airport Reception 950 213 700 Airport Information 950 213 709 Management 950 213 858 Control Tower 950 213 814 Weather reports 950 213 821 Security (24 hours) 950 213 721 National Police 950 213 825 Local Police 950 213 824 Guardia Civil 950 213 838 Customs 950 213 832 Lost Baggage 950 213 790 Cafe - Restaurant 950 213 834 Medical Services 950 213 747/8 Fire fighters 950 213 750 Radio Taxi 950 226 161 Autobus 950 221 422 Parking 950 213 857 Airport Transfers from Almeria Airport: www.shuttledirect.com Car Park:Is located in front of the terminal building and easy accessible. Obtain a ticket from the machine as you enter the car park. You have the first 20 minutes free of charge. Rates after this are by the hour, a 24 hour period or a monthly pass. Be aware that if you lose your ticket you will be charged the daily rate. Take your ticket to the 'caja' machine before you go to your car, insert the ticket then the required fee. Your ticket should then be placed in the machine as you exit the car park. Car Hire: www.economycarhire.com - www.carhirealmeriaairport.com - www.carapain.com - www.elitecaralmeria.com Buses to and from the Airport: “line 14” links the airport with the city centre train and bus station. The price of a single ticket is 0.70 Euro. There are busses every half hour in the day and every three quarters of an hour in the evening. The first bus leaves the airport at 07.22 and the last at 22.08. Almería airport is located about 10 Kilometres east of the city centre at the end of a dual carriage way the AL-12. There is also signed access from the 'Autovia del Mediterranoe' A7 which passes a few km inland. Taxis at Almeria Airport. The fare to the city centre is about 15 Euro. To Aguadulce 19 Euro, Roquetas 26 Euro, Cabo de Gata 23 Euro, El Ejido 40 Euro, Mojacar 75 Euro.

Naturist beach resort on Vera Playa Almeria Spain

2010-06-01 +0100

A Unique Naturist Resort - Vera Playa on the Costa Almeria in south-east Spain has a warm, dry near-desert climate - mainland Europe's only all-year-round naturist resort. It has 2 kms of superb naturist beach and a naturist residential zone of over 2,000 privately owned apartments, a major 4 star hotel and various commercial premises. It is not a centre, but a zone - no club, company or other organisation owns or controls the zone as a whole, which includes public streets and seaside promenade. We would like to acknowledge www.veraplaya.info for the sourse of this information FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) If you've got some questions in your mind about Vera Playa scroll down this page - hopefully you'll find the answer here: FAQ: Where exactly is Vera Playa? Vera Playa is located on the south-east corner of Spain, on the Costa de Almeria, near the Moorish hill-top village of Mojácar. FAQ: Is it in the back of beyond? No, it is conveniently close to several small towns (Garrucha, Vera, Cuevas de Almanzora) and, now, just part of continuous low-rise beachfront development over 5 kms from Villaricos to Puerto Rey/Garrucha. FAQ: Which airport should I fly to? Almeria, if you have the choice, but this is getting more difficult as several airlines have pulled out (e.g. British Airways) and others only fly there now in the summer (e.g. Monarch, from Birmingham and Manchester) - in fact Almeria airport's passenger numbers have fallen off a cliff and despite building much bigger terminal facilities the number of flights in and out seems to have declined especially from the UK. However, if you can get a flight there, Almeria is very convenient as it is only 85 kms or 50 mins away. Ryanair, famous for impetuous decisions about which airports they fly to seems to have stuck with Almeria, at least from Stansted, though they have dropped flights from Gatwick. Second choice airport is probably Murcia (San Javier - on the Mar Menor) which is 185 kms or 2 hrs (or 1 hr 30 mins on the new AP-7 toll motorway, cost = approximately 24€ for return trip) and a very close third is Alicante (210 kms, 2 hrs 20 mins - and lots of flights). Malaga is also a possibility - but a long drive (300 kms, 4 hours) and not all on motorway (which the other airports are - except for the last 15 kms or so). Allegedly, there will be a new Murcia airport in a few years time, which - if it ever happens - will be much nearer Vera (about 130 kms or 1 hr 20 mins). FAQ: What's the weather like? Vera Playa has a superb climate - the warmest winters in Europe and hot summers which are relieved by sea breezes, and (generally) very settled weather with dawn to dusk sun as normal. The dry atmosphere is excellent for sufferers from arthritis and other complaints which are aggravated by a damp atmosphere. FAQ: How big is the Naturist Zone? The naturist beach is around 2.5 kms long and the naturist urbanizacions front approx 1 km of beach and extend back about 400 metres. FAQ: Is only the beach naturist? No - everywhere within the zone is naturist - including the streets. FAQ: How will I know I am in the naturist zone? In the summer it will be quite quickly be fairly obvious, but the boundaries of the naturist zone are not well marked or signed. The naturist zone immediately adjoins textile residential areas and, quite frankly, it is almost impossible to say where the exact boundary is. In practice it is no big deal. You are not going to arrested for straying outside the naturist zone by a few metres - you'll soon get to know what's "naturist zone" and what isn't. It is worth noting that there are two urbanizacions which appear to be in the naturist zone but which are actually textile (Playa de Baria 1 and Vera Mar 6). Vera Mar 6 actually has notices now saying "no nudista" as, presumably, some owners and renters have tendencies to go naked within this urbanizacion (some naturists who have non-naturist familes own apartments in Vera Mar 6). FAQ: If the naturist beach is 3kms long and the naturist zone is only 1 kms long what fronts the other 2 kms? It used to be nothing (salt pans/desert/scrubland). Now it is textile developments. But the status of the beach has been upheld (by the Andalucian Ombudsman) as naturist despite illegal attempts by the local council to sign this southernmost 2 kms as textile. So you can use all 3 kms of the beach as naturist - and many Spanish people do just that, whether they are "naturists" or not. Some of the textile developments have sold themselves partly on the basis that they have the naturist beach for people to use. Of course, many textiles use it as well, but there doesn't seem to be the same exclusivity of either naturists or textiles that seems the case in, say, the UK. FAQ: Do you have to be naked all the time? No - nudity is permitted, not required. Most naturist urbanizacions require users of their swimming pools to do so naked (i.e. bathing costumes are not allowed), but otherwise many owners and visitors only go naked to sunbathe and to swim in the sea. It's a good place for first time naturists as there's no pressure - but most soon discover how good it is to go naked. FAQ: Do you need to have an INF card to visit or stay at Vera Playa? No. FAQ: What about voyeurs and weirdos? Vera Playa is open. Some of the urbanizacions (residential developments) are locked behind perimeter fences, but this is to preserve their facilities for use only by their own residents as much as anything. Some people do come into the naturist zone to look - but they are mainly the curious rather than the weird - though there are undoubtedly sometimes some of those. Pretty certainly some of the curious become naturists in the sense that they try out being naked on the beach and in the sea and find out it's good. The local and national police do patrol the naturist zone and beach (as they do everywhere) and there seems to be no greater a problem of undesirables on the naturist beach or, for instance, overtly sexual or other inappropriate or illegal behaviour on the naturist beach than any other beach (in fact quite possibly less). It is not a problem of any significant scale and most unlikely to affect or spoil your day on the beach. FAQ: What is the legal position about nudity in Spain these days? The Vera Playa naturist zone and beach are officially designated as naturist so no worries there. But as a matter of interest mainly, the present Spanish Constituition gives Spanish citizens the right to be naked in any public place - so sunbathing or swimming naked on any beach is, these days, not illegal (though you might not feel very comfortable doing so!). Things are very different from what they were in the days of General Franco and nowadays Spanish people - of all ages - seem much more relaxed about being naked to sunbathe or swim or play on the beach, though no doubt most would not think of themselves as "naturists". FAQ: What facilities are there in the naturist zone? The main one is, of course, the 3 kms of naturist beach. In the main season you can hire sunbeds and umbrellas on the beach and pedalos, sailboats, canoes etc. There is a large 4 star hotel, and about a dozen residential developments or urbanizacions within which are a total of around 2,000 privately owned apartments and houses of various sorts and sizes. Each urbanizacion has its own swimming pools. For food shopping, there is a substantial size branch of the Consum supermarket chain just outside the naturist area within easy walking distance (about 200m from the Torrema Natura and Bahia de Vera naturist urbanizacions - see area plan). If you have a car, there are also two branchesof the Mercadona supermarket chain within about 4 kms of the naturist zone. There are also small supermarkets in Hotel Street (only open at the times of year that the hotel opens, which is Easter until end of October) and next to the Reception & Lettings Office of Vera Natura (it is not yet clear whether this mini supermarket, which reopened in 2009 after a period of closure, will stay open all year). There are a number bars/eating places on the beach (most are seasonal), several bars/cafes near the main entrance of Bahia de Vera and Torrema Natura and even more in Hotel Street (near the Vera Playa Club Hotel) - most of these are seasonal. There is an absolute profusion of supermarkets, shops, bars, cafes, restaurants and clubs in the vicinity (2 - 20 kms away) - more, obviously, in the summer than in the winter. FAQ: Is there a naturist camping and caravanning site? There used to be a site which was partly textile and partly naturist but sadly there is now no camping or caravanning site at Vera Playa (It is believed the former site has been sold for redevelopment as textile apartments). The nearest site is a textile one on the edge of Palomares about 2 kms from Vera Playa (on the road towards Palomares and Cuevas, about 250m from the Repsol roundabout (which is currently being redesigned as a major traffic interchange to receive the new bypass road from Mercadona/the Vera-Garrucha road). FAQ: Night life - and nudity at facilities and in the evenings/night: The Vera Playa naturist zone is NOT a clubbers' paradise - it is basically a family orientated residential area. There is only one nightclub actually in the naturist zone (if it is still open which is in some doubt) and that is textile and frequented mainly by people from outside the naturist zone. There are a few bars/cafes including those on the beach which are naturist but most such facilities are actually outside the naturist zone and you will need to be clothed to use them. The Vera Playa Club Hotel has a dress code which is that you need to be clothed in its bars and restaurants except (during the day) the poolside bar. Everyone is expected to be dressed in the hotel after 8pm. The hotel bar and restaurant are only open to non-residents after 8pm. The bars and cafes/restaurants in "Hotel Street" and between Torrema Natura and the Consum supermarket (and within the Consum/ Hispania Centro building) are all textile. You can, obviously, be naked 24/7 in your own hotel room or in and around your own apartment if you are staying in one of the dozen naturist urbanizacions but it should be noted that it is rare to see anyone naked on the public streets after dusk and also useful to note that most Spanish naturists are not 24/7 lifestyle naturists, and are only naked (a) when the weather is hot and (b) to swim and/or sunbathe at the pool or on the beach. Northern European naturists are often naked when Spanish naturists aren't for the simple reason that the Spanish perception of when it is warm is rather different from that of northern Europeans to whom winter in Vera Playa seems remarkably like summer in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany or Scandinavia. FAQ: Who owns Vera Playa? Thousands of people who own their own properties, which are nearly all in 10 urbanizacions (mutually owned developments with communal facilities such as swimming pools). In addition there is a hotel, bars, cafes etc. FAQ: Do I need an INF card to get in? No - There are no barriers, Vera Playa is just part of the wider world. FAQ: How can I get there? 3 airports are within easy reach by motorway - Almeria (85 kms), Murcia (185 kms by motorway, 150 kms by mountain/coastal road) & Alicante (210 kms). You can be here in as little as 6 - 7 hours door to door from the UK ! FAQ: What about public transport? From and to the local airports: There's no doubt that the easiest and quickest thing to do is to rent a car to get to Vera Playa from your arrival airport - and then you've got it for the week or fortnight (Cost, for small car with aircon about £90 per week in summer, less in winter). But if you don't drive, or really don't want to rent a car it is possible to get to Vera Playa by public transport. from Almeria airport: Take the bus from the airport to the bus station in Almeria city. From there catch an intercity coach to Vera (which run approx every 2 hours during the day and up to about 2200 hrs). At Vera bus station take a taxi to Vera Playa.Cost? Almeria airport to Almeria city bus station - 2€, Almeria city to Vera - 9.50€ , Taxi Vera bus station to Vera Playa, approx 10€. Allow plenty of time and don't risk it if arriving or leaving late. Taxis are, of course, a form of public transport - From Almeria airport to Vera Playa a taxi, one way, will cost about 90€. There are various airport transfer minbus services which cost around 65 - 70€ per direction, per person. Travellers booking their air travel through Tarleton Travel can get return transfers for about £20 return per person. From Alicante airport: Due to greater distance, public transport from Alicante airport is a bit more complicated and obviously takes longer. It is possible as the following information contributed by our Forum member Rosa demonstrates, but do your homework before you go! : From Murcia (San Javier) airport: We have no details but it is pretty certainly possible to take a bus to Cartagena, then to Vera OR to Lorca and then to Vera OR take a bus bus to Murcia, then either train to Lorca and coach to Vera or direct coach from Murcia to Vera (final destinaton of coach - Almeria).If anyone has used public transport from Murcia (San Javier) airport to Vera please let us know the details and how easy and practical a journey you found it to be. 2. Around the local area: The Vera Playa naturist zone is now better served by public transport than was the case. There is now an hourly service to both Vera town and to Garrucha and beyond to Mojacar Playa (service no.2). Buses pick up and set down on the edge of the naturist zone, near to the Consum supermarket and at the recently built roundabout on the main Garrucha-Villaricos road where a new dual carriageway towards Vera is now open. The bus fare is 1€ to either Vera or Garrucha. The timetable for Linea 2 (and detail of other local bus services in the area) are available on the bus company's website - www.autocaresbaraza.com Important note - the bus timetable says "Vera Natura" but the bus doesn't actually go to the Vera Natura urbanizacion - the stop is near the roundabout adjacent to the Consum supermarket) In the summer there is a little road "train" which runs between Vera Playa and Garrucha town. The fare is €4 per person for a return trip and the service starts around 1730 hrs and continues until the last "train" from Garrucha at about midnight. You can hail and ride at any point on the little train's route (within the naturist zone it goes down Avenida Tortuga Boba and along Calle Naturaleza past Vera Natura and then up to the big roundabout on the main road). Its timing seems rather variable, although nominally hourly - you could be waiting around for it for some time. But it's a good option for an evening out in Garrucha and avoids drinking and driving (don't forget that the Spanish drink drive limits are considerably tougher than in the UK and just one drink can put you over the limit!). It used to be the case that without your own car or a rental car you were effectively confined to the naturist zone and immediately surrounding area. Obviously if you do have your own vehicle things are easier and you have more flexibility but you can now get out and about to at least the main local towns by public transport even in winter. In high summer a tourist "motor train" operates in the evenings which you can join and rejoin as you wish - this may be useful for going to Mojacar Playa to sample its bars and restaurants. If you have no car, the other option for getting around locally, other than on foot, is by taxi. Of course, you do not necessarily have to leave the naturist zone at all and on a short holiday, say one week, in good weather, you probably won't want to. But for longer visits, or in winter, or if you are unlucky enough to have some poor weather (unlikely in summer) you may well want to get out and around a bit . Car hire in Spain used to be very cheap but this year (2009) and due we believe to the Credit Crunch, prices have increased greatly and availability at busy times has declined (so essential to book early now, which was never the case previously). . A small car, with aircon, will now cost cost around £135 + fuel per week in the summer, and about £100 + fuel in the winter - if pre-booked on the internet via brokers such as www.doyouspain.com, www.drivespain.com, www.carjet.com or www.allinclusivecarhire.com. If you book direct with the car rental companies you are very likely to pay more and get less good conditions (e.g. extra charges for extra drivers or less good conditions re insurance excess). If you are hiring for more than about 3 days you will probably find your rental is only available on a full tank to empty tank basis, which s a bit of a racket as is the charge you will be made for the initial full tank. Look out also for extra charges for insurance cover for tyres, wheels, glass, roof and underside (i.e. nearly everything!) - you are likely to get charged up to €3 per day for this cover and if you go abroad more than a couple of weeks per year it can be cheaper to have an annual policy with a UK insurance company to cover these risks. Sadly car rental is no longer the bargain it was and you may well question whether you really need a car which will be standing for most of your holiday - transfers from and back to the airport are looking much more attractive now (but only for Almeria - at about €50 - €80 each way - Murcia and Alicante are enormously more expensive and car hire is still sensible). FAQ: What's it like in Winter? Weather, typically, is fine with midday temperatures in low to mid 20's, good for sunbathing. Sea OK for hardy, outdoor pools too cold, covered/heated pools best. Evenings can be chilly. Be sure to get apartment with good sun and some heating. Quiet time - good for exploring locality. And very cheap! There's not a lot open (in terms of shops, bars, restaurants) within the naturist zone in winter - though there's more than there used to be and it would be possible to survive without leaving the naturist zone - but without a lot of choice as to where to shop or eat. But there's plenty of everything just a bit further afield. FAQ: Are there Internet facilities (e.g. to send & receive e-mail)? If you are staying at the Hotel Vera Playa Club, there are now some coin-operated internet machines in the reception area. There is internet access at the Bar Trinidad (to the right of the Vera Natura Reception/Lettings Office). Outside the naturist zone (but only just), the next nearest internet access is now in the coffee shop above Consum at €1 for 30 minutes. We believe that wi-fi access is available here too. Next nearest is the Internet Cafe is at the Esquina del Rey commercial centre at Puerto Rey (about 2.5 kms from the naturist zone - south of the naturist zone, on the way to Garrucha - you pass it as you drive to Garrucha from Vera Playa, it is clearly visible from the main road). There are also plenty of internet cafes etc in Garrucha and along Mojacar Playa. There is said to be free wifi access in the vicinity of the Hotel Mexico and some people are now using broadband services from the cellular phone companies such as Vodaphone.

The Sierra Nevada Moutains and skiing, Spain

2010-05-30 +0100

The Sierra Nevada Mountains and Natural Park, Spain It’s hard to believe, but there is skiing in southern Spain, The natural park of the Sierra Nevada and its mountains expend over the provinces of Granada and Almeria and skiing resort itself is purpose built just for skiing. The resort itself comprises of hotels, and apartments at the base of the first series of lifts. The resort is not traditionally Spanish nor does appear to resemble an Alpine resort. It is what it is and if you are looking for skiing in southern Spain this is the place. The feel of the place is friendly and welcoming with good food, bars, quaint shops and elegant hotels climbing the mountain side. It's Europe's most southern ski resort, where the ski season generally runs from November to April. If unfortunately on your visit it does not snow (don’t panic) Sierra Nevada has one Europe’s most advanced snowmaking machines for this very reason. On a clear day you can see the peaks from the coast of Africa, and vice versa while you are skiing down the mountains. Sierra Nevada is also very popular with climbers and hikers. Several mountain specialized companies offer guided tours through the natural park and up to the peaks of the beautiful mountains. Apart from skiers and snowboarders at the resort, the park and mountains are popular with hikers, climbers and birdwatchers Sierra Nevada Tourist Information: Patronato Provincial de Turismo de Granada, Pl. Mariana Pineda, 10-2, Granada, Spain Telephone: (0034) 958 223 527 Internet: www.dipgra.es Email: turismo@dipgra.es

Things you need to know about Property in Spain.

2010-04-05 +0100

Hello and welcome to the first in our series of articles Blog's, covering topics relating to Property, Tax and Regulations also including what to watch out for? In short everything you need to know, to ensure a happy and enjoyable life in this wonderful part of southern Spain.

Car Prototype testing in Almeria, Spain

2010-02-19 +0100

If you love cars Almeria does now and again show you (and give you an insight) of what future production cars may look like and the many company’s using the province of Ameria to test them. You will see newly developed cars and prototypes all over the province as car manufactures take advantage of the rugged and formidable terrain . Only yesterday I saw three Porsche panamera’s going through their paces followed by three Audi Q7's and then 2 Range Rovers all being tested. Almeria has a lot to offer everyone and if you like cars there something here that I am sure you won't see anywhere else. When you come across the cars they are often grouped in three's and sometimes four's and you can bump into them on any day or at time. I am not sure how many manufactures use the province of Almeria for testing and development but I would think most of the big European car makers can be found here. Some of the cars you will see are usually first production prototypes and the manufactures go to great lengths to disguise them often using camouflage to hide their true identity showing the importance of the type of cars that can be seen here. I found this interesting (from a petrol head's point of view) which I thought worth sharing with people who might not know - The feud between Enzo Ferrari and Ferruccio Lamborghini. The fued satrated when Ferruccio Lamborghini bought a Ferrari 250 GTO from Enzo Ferrari .

It all began with Ferruccio Lamborghini (a Tractor manufacturer at that time) returned his Ferrari 250 GTO with a complaint that his newly purchased car had a problem with the clutch and that there were other improvements that could be made to the car. This infuriated Enzo Ferrari and he refused to listen to anything this “tractor maker” had to say or take him seriously. His thoughts were believed to be “what does a tractor maker know about sport cars” and “Who does he think he is telling him his business”. In short he dismissed everything Ferruccio had to say and this was the catalyst to the feud that lasted a life time.

Lamborghini loved his sports cars and left the meeting with Enzo determined to make a point. Ferruccio noticed that the clutches in his tractors were made by the same company that made Ferrari’s clutches. He was then able to fix and improve the clutch. Having made the improvements himself he then decided to play Ferrari at his own game.

Hollywood film industry in Almeria Spain

2010-02-11 +0100

Not many people know this outside of Almeria. but this Province has been a favoured location for many Hollywood films most famously The Sergio Leone Spaghetti Westerns such as “The Good the Bad and the Ugly”, “Fist Full of Dollars” and “For a Few Dollars More”.

Sergio Leone discovered the area during the 60's. Since then, this area is practically synonym for movies all over the world. It would be hard to find anyone who hasn't seen and admired these settings in one film or another. Texas Hollywood is still the chosen spot for many filmmakers to film, TV, commercials, videos and much much more. Even if you've been to Arizona or Texas, you'll barely be able to tell the difference. And you can find it all here, in Europe