Europe travelers tips

Combining the rush to modernise with political tensions in the post-Franco era (and just a little acquisitiveness), many coastal towns have experienced a concrete sprawl, typified by the 1993 Bigas Luna film Huevos de Oro (Golden Balls), a surreal comedy noir about a crazed developer who dreams of building the biggest sky-scraper in town. But in Marbella, at least, the supply of new villas is only just beginning to recover, after a scandal worthy of a Bigas Luna plot.

To most, Marbella has a reputation as the Costa del Sol’s quality resort, with its stylish restaurants and bars, surviving historic quarter, and ample beaches. The wealthy build their villas in the hills on the outskirts of the town, or around the marina and casino complex at Puerto Banus: and while the town has an atmosphere of exclusivity demonstrated by the many Rolls Royce cars, and luxury Marbella villas ranging between 1 and 6 million euros, there is a demand for more affordable new and used properties, of 750,000 euros and under. But until recently, there has been a shortfall of these newer properties.

In the 90s, the town’s populist mayor (who was also a property developer, and renowned for bad language and fisticuffs) rushed through a number of planning applications, for individual villas and for resorts, which contravened previous planning regulations. A new planning document was drawn up by the Town Hall, but failed to receive approval from the regional government. The Town Hall went ahead giving licenses mainly for apartments within the Marbella municipality. The boiling point was reached when the central government dismissed all the councillors of the Marbella Town Hall, following a court investigation that found that there had been corruption in the granting of ‘illegal’ licences. During a year or so, many Marbella apartments were difficult to sell, as the licences were considered suspect. As a result, banks would not grant mortgages on these properties.

In recent months, a newly elected Mayor and town council have drawn up a new urban plan, which would mean that 95 percent of these properties would be legalized They understand that the priority is to reactivate the Marbella Real Estate Market and give security to buyers and property owners. This will no doubt be good news for the Marbella property scene.

The PGOU Urban Plan will be open to public observation from August to October, in an attempt to gain support, and will hopefully be approved by the beginning of 2008, providing any issues related to environmental impact and technical specifications have been resolved. Other actions that the Town Hall has put in place are cleaning, security and public works to the promenade, beaches and monuments. Security is a concern for families lured by the area’s international schools, but who don’t want to experience the downside of living in a rich man’s paradise.

If the only resort in Europe with a year-round season, rolling green hills and the rich history of Andalucia appeals to you (not to mention the golf courses and yaughting), now is the time to have a look at finding a villa in Marbella. And of course, make sure that the builder and property developer are fully insured.

Spain is the ninth largest country in the world in terms of economy. It also has the fifth largest economy in the European Union. It is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, and is a wonderful country that is rich in history and culture. It has been a popular holiday destination because of the many things that it can offer to make your holiday a great and exciting one. There are a lot of beautiful places to visit, magnificent historical buildings, glorious beaches, etc. Here is your guide to the kind of activity you want to do during your holiday vacation in Spain.

Sports Activities

There are a lot of fun sporting activities in Spain. You can play golf or watch a football game if you want to. If you want nature tripping, you can go hiking. You can also stay in the warm, sandy beaches in Spain and enjoy the sun. Then you can enjoy water sports as well like scuba diving in the Mediterranean sea or take a day trip to the famous Canary Islands, also a Spanish territory.

Historical Places

You can have a taste of Spain’s rich history. It has plenty to offer, from ancient castles to World Heritage cities. Spain has the most of these World Heritage cities among any single country in the world. There are historic buildings as well that you can explore and learn about the history of Spain.

Night Life

A siesta is part of the Spanish culture. With this practice, it gives them more extra energy for late-night activities. So you can expect a lively night life in Spain that will keep you out of boredom when the sun starts to set.

For Family and Kids

The country of Spain is also suitable for your kids and your whole family. Spain has fascinating treasures to share with you. Your family will surely enjoy interesting museums, zoos, and safaris. You can all enjoy a walk to nature trails, explore Spain’s natural preserves, visit aquariums and watch the dolphins play.

There are also theme parks in Spain that your family can enjoy especially your kids if they enjoy adrenaline rides. They can have a great time with its fun, exciting, wild rides which all ensure your family’s safety.

With these various things to do and visit in Spain, you and your family will have a wonderful holiday vacation that will make you come back on the next holiday. Spain is such an extraordinary place to visit during the holidays.

If you are on a tight budget, you can look for cheap holiday packages to Spain. There are a lot of travel companies that offer cheap holidays to Spain. The internet is a great resource if you want to search for great travel deals. There are packages that doesn’t only include airfare and hotel accommodations but extra activities as well. You can choose for a package that includes the kind of activity you want to enjoy in Spain or the one that includes a trip to Spain’s beautiful and historical places.