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Location Guide
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Costa del Sol, Andalucia
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Andalucia embodies everything that is quintessentially Spanish, even to......
Andalucia embodies everything that is quintessentially Spanish, even to natives of other regions! All the images that are associated with
Spain, such as bullfighting, sherry and tapas will be found in this corner of Spain. By making your base on the Malaga coast, you will have
easy access to key places of artistic and cultural significance. The historic cities of Granada, Ronda, Cordoba, Sevilla, Jerez and Cadiz
are all within a 2-3 hour drive. And Gibraltar is little more than half an hour away.
Why the Costa del Sol?
Reasons for choosing the Costa del Sol for your Permanent Residence, Holiday Home or Investment Property :
- Unique micro climate giving over 300 days sunshine each year
- All year round rental market from golfers, holidaymakers and long term visitors
- Wonderful relaxed lifestyle
- Low cost of living compared with Northern Europe
- Low petrol prices, cheaper tobacco
- Property prices still good value compared with UK and Ireland
- Excellent investment potential
- Legal protection for money invested
- Constant improvements to infrastructure (golf courses, amenities etc)
- Zero tolerance on street peddlers, litter louts and rowdy behaviour
- Many blue flag beaches
History & Culture
Roman ruins and Moorish palaces, museums and galleries, cathedrals and churches are found in abundance in Andalucia, which is
steeped in history and culture. Away from the hustle and bustle of the coast, clinging to hillsides or nestling in lush green valleys,
are Andalucia's famous "white villages" with their quaint cobbled streets and white washed houses. Sun, sea and sand lovers who visit the
coast during the summer months often do not realise that Andalucia has such magnificent surprises to offer. With its abundance of natural foliage,
its pine covered hillsides, lakes, mountains and beautiful coastline, Andalucia offers among the best rural tourism sites in Spain. Spain is a
predominantly catholic nation, where the religious calendar is observed. Andalucia is renowned for its parades, pilgrimages and parties.
Cities, towns and villages have weeklong ferias in honour of their patron saints, with music, dance and general merriment being the order of the
day in celebrations that must not to be missed. Gibraltar, which is steeped in history, is just a short drive away.
Airports
The Costa del Sol is well serviced by two main airports with daily services to and from most of northern Europe. Malaga airport, which is the far
eastern side of the Costa del Sol, is the nearest international airport with daily flights to the UK and other countries.
On the far west of the coast is Gibraltar. Although there are border controls between Gibraltar and Spain, there are daily flights with Monarch and
British Airways to all London airports and recently, some flights to other Spanish destinations.
North of Gibraltar is Jerez de la Frontera with a small airport servicing London Stansted and also some internal Spanish flights.
Things To Do...
For the Children?
Children are never bored on the Costa del Sol: once they have tired of the beach, why not let them expend some energy
at Parkilandia (ball park) on the sea front in Fuengirola, or some of the Aqua Parks like Bahia Park. There is a paint ball
centre in Torreguadiaro, a Karting Club in Fuengirola, Funny Beach near Marbella, and of course, the popular Tivoli World (theme park).
For those who like wildlife, there are the Selwo Marine park at Benalmadena and the Selwo Safari park which is located east of Estepona
which provide year round entertainment for all ages.
And for the Adults?
In addition to all the cultural activities, fine food and sightseeing, the new Mijas Hipodromo provides horseracing events all year round.
Many national and international golf, tennis and other sporting competitions are held regularly. For boating enthusiasts, the Costa del
Sol boasts some world-class marinas such as the prestigious ports of Benalmadena, Puerto Banus, Estepona, Sotogrande and Duquesa with
plans for yet more marinas in the pipeline
With the Ryder Cup in 1997 and the Volvo Masters in 2007, both hosted at Valderrama in Sotogrande, this stretch of coast has been nicknamed "Costa Golf."
Andalucia has some of the finest golf courses in Europe; these attract tourists to the area throughout the year and especially in the cooler months. The mountains of Sierra
Nevada are only a couple of hour's drive from Malaga. Here Europe's southern most ski resorts host many national and international
competitions throughout the season. In the summer months tourists flock to some of the cleanest blue flag beaches in Europe. Water
sports are on offer all along the coast including parasailing, water skiing, wet biking and jet skiing. World-class wind surfing can be found only a short drive away in Tarifa.
Visitors can access the abundant number of municipal swimming pools and leisure facilities, as well as many private sports clubs and
gymnasiums dotted up and down the coast. Higher up, in the country, horse riding, shooting, fishing and quad biking can keep you occupied.
The greatest of sports addicts will be delighted to discover that Andalucia offers paragliding, caving and canyoning, scuba diving and
kite surfing as part of its bill of fare.
The Costa del Sol's nightlife is legendary. When the sun goes down the nightlife heats up. The three major casinos, innumerable numbers
of shows and concerts as well as the multitude of restaurants, bars and clubs here, ensure that boredom is one word you will not have to
bother learning in Spanish!
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Granada
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The world famous city of Granada receives over 2 million visitors a year......
The world famous city of Granada receives over 2 million visitors a year. Granada is known for its singular beauty, old university, and the
short distances to the Sierra Nevada skiing resort and to the Costa Tropical.
History & Culture
The city of Granada is the capital of the province of Granada and is situated in the eastern part of the region of Andalucia. Geographical and scenic diversity characterises the land.
There is the coastal area with its warm climate; the extensive, fertile Genil plain; and the mountainous regions with a colder climate, where we find the 3,481 meter Mulhacén, the biggest peak on the peninsula of Spain.
The city of Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains at the confluences of the Darro and Genil rivers. Its unique history has bestowed it with an artistic grandeur embracing Moorish palaces
and Christian Renaissance treasures. As the last Moorish capital on the Iberian peninsula, it also holds great symbolic value.
The city of Granada has been shaped by the hills, where the old districts in the Albaicín and the Alhambra were founded, brimming with steep, narrow streets, beautiful nooks and crannies, and marvelous landscapes.
The new part of the city is situated on the plain, criss-crossed by the large arteries of Gran Vía de Colón and Calle de los Reyes Católicos, and where the busy streets around the Cathedral are found.
Skiing in Sierra Nevada
Sierra Nevada is Europe's most southern ski resort. The resort is located 32 km from the centre of Granada and is only a 50-minute drive. In 1996, it hosted the World Alpine Ski Championships.
The ski season normally lasts from the beginning of December until the end of April or beginning of May. Artificial snow machines now mean that the resort can open for skiing
even when there is no natural snow. Andalusia has a very high proportion of sunny days even in the winter and usually it is possible to ski with beautiful blue skies and warm temperatures.
It is possible to ski in the morning and sunbathe at the beach in the afternoon on the same day.
The highest summit of the Sierra Nevada range is Mulhacén at 3,481 metres, the highest ski lift and piste goes to just below Veleta which is at 3,398 metres.
Airport
Granada Airport, situated in the area known as "Vega del Genil" or plains of the River Genil 16km west of the city of Granada and 106km south of the city of Jaen. It mainly handles national flights to Madrid and Barcelona
but recently has expanded with a number of international flights from low cost airlines into London.
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Cyprus
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The traditional farming village of Tersefanou is now becoming a focal point......
The traditional farming village of Tersefanou is now becoming a focal point for property development, tourism and golf in Cyprus.
Chosen as the proposed site for Larnaca's first 18-hole, competition standard, golf course, Tersefanou is gradually progressing to
merge its new image and traditional charm. Chosen for its strategic location, Tersefanou is perfectly situated only 8kms from Larnaca's
new International Airport and the highway network serving the rest of the island.
History & Culture
Tucked away in the easternmost corner of the Mediterranean Sea lies Cyprus. An island republic of spectacular beauty with sandy beaches
enclosed by rugged cliffs, cool cedar forests, scented orange groves and gentle meadows blanketed in wildflowers.
A sophisticated country, whose nine-thousand-year cultural legacy infuses East and West. An historic island, the third largest in the Mediterranean,
where modern travellers retrace the footsteps of figures as diverse as St. Paul, Alexander the Great and Leonardo da Vinci. And a romantic island,
once Anthony's gift to Cleopatra and where, according to mythology, the goddess Aphrodite first emerged from the sea. In Cyprus, one can share a
meze - a table laden with up to thirty "little" culinary delicacies - with friendly locals in a charming stone village. Witness artisan crafts made
according to ancient traditions. Wind surf, sail, snorkel and even snow-ski in the most cosmopolitan resorts. Luxuriate in five- and four-star hotels,
or while away your time in quaint village inns. There are truly worlds to discover in this eminently accessible island, where the service is extraordinary
and the people (often English-speaking!) are as warm as the Mediterranean sun.
The whims of history have endowed Cyprus with an incomparably rich heritage, making it a world-renowned destination for anyone interested in art, history,
and culture. Stone Age ruins, Greek temples, Roman theatres, Venetian structures and Byzantine churches cover the island. Golden icons, colourful frescoes
and archaic statuary are among the artifacts that will captivate you, taking you back centuries.
From independent travellers to honeymooners, archaeology aficionados to friends of nature, every visitor to Cyprus finds the island offers layer upon
layer of discovery. Food lovers delight in farm-fresh halloumi cheese and delectable meze, the local specialty appetizers that mix Western ingredients
with Eastern zest.
And that golden Old World sunshine - there are generally 300-plus sunny days per year - is something few can resist. Add it all up and you have
an ideally-situated island that truly has no equal. A place that measures up to its mystique: Cyprus.
Weather
One of the benefits of being a Mediterranean island is plentiful sunshine throughout the year, and Cyprus is no exception. In fact, Cyprus epitomizes the
ideal weather of the region with sunny days and fine temperatures almost every day. Extremes of temperatures are rare, meaning Cyprus has something to offer
every month of the year, whether it's swimming (as late as November) or enjoying cultural sites and festivals (all year long). While seasonal fluctuations
are not drastic, they are different.
Airports
There are two official airports on the island, one in Larnaca and one in Pafos. The International airport in Larnaca is located just 8km (4 miles) from central
Larnaca and offers flights to most European destinations including north Africa.
What to Do
Modern cultural interests abound as well. The museums of Cyprus feature the expressive works of late 20th century artists. While theatres present contemporary drama
and elegant concerts - often under the stars.
Inveterate shoppers, too, have much to celebrate. Stroll through the glittering jewellery stores, handicraft centres and local boutiques. Delicately woven Cypriot lace,
hand-turned pottery, and regional paintings and sculptures are among the souvenirs and gifts travellers most often bring home.
For outdoor enthusiasts, there are the Troodos Mountains, a rugged region that hikers, campers, and nature-watchers call paradise. In spring, the range is a dazzling
carpet of wildflowers (as is all of Cyprus, home to myriad blossoming plants - over one hundred species found solely on the island). In Spring, Summer and Fall, there
are walking trails and panoramic vistas for all to enjoy. And in winter, astonishingly, skiers hit powder in the mountains of Cyprus.
When the thoughts of some turn to bed, night owls begin to plan their evenings. Cyprus is famed for hospitality that knows no hours; tavernas, night clubs, bars, and
discos that draw international crowds can be found in every major town. For those who love a good party but don't want to stay up all night, there are wine festivals,
Carnival revelry, village fairs and many other island celebrations.
Families enjoy the wide variety of activities the island holds for both adults and children. Couples find themselves happily alone on empty beaches or wandering through
quiet villages. Singles and youthful travellers come for fast-paced fun and conviviality. It's easy to see why Cyprus has become a magnet in itself as well as a natural
stopping-off point on trips to Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Greece.
Rich in history yet replete with modern amenities, relaxing and effortless yet full of surprises, Cyprus is irresistible to everyone. And has been for 9,000 years.
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