Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:09 am. Have you come across this Spanish word before? A ‘Parador’ is a state-run tourist hotel usually found in rural beauty spots or places of historical interest. The Parador in Spain is often converted from interesting buildings such as castles or monasteries and offers much more than […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:09 am. Apparently, Spanish is becoming an increasingly popular language to learn. Why? Alongside Spain’s popularity as a holiday destination comes its attraction to young people as a ‘cool’ place with ‘cool’ people.   Some of this undoubtedly comes down to the passion for party, late nights in […]

Last updated on June 5th, 2020 at 06:45 pm. One of the main concerns for anyone coming to live in another country must be ‘how will I obtain the healthcare I need?’. This is particularly the case where you are perhaps a little older in years and know that more, rather than less, healthcare is […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:09 am. Walk out into a bar or café area late at night in summer in Spain and you will be greeted by chatter. The Spanish talk, and often seem to talk loudly. Everyone seems to have a comment to make and usually at the same time. Depending […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:09 am. Once a week I go for a run. I don’t go far and I certainly don’t break the sound barrier. Over the summer in Spain it can be difficult to find the best time to go. Ideally it would be early in the morning before the […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:09 am. What happened to the day when a little paddle in the sea was more than enough? No longer a simple slide into the water or an inflatable dinghy, the Spanish water park experience has to get more and more thrilling to keep them coming. Water parks […]

Last updated on May 18th, 2020 at 05:46 pm. As July and August descend in Spain, the Spanish people come into their own. The streets will be deserted at 2.00 as they retreat inside, only to emerge again as the sun starts to set and temperatures are returned to a sensible level. Contrast this with […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 am. If you turn on the television and tune into a political debate you expect the politicians to match a particular profile; usually male, over the age of 50, conventionally dressed and perhaps a little overweight. It is wrong to stereotype and there are exceptions, but such […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 am. It had been quiet for a while around the subject of airport security. This wasn’t to last. On the 2nd July 2014, new airport security restrictions were introduced from UK airports.  The US is concerned that events in Syria and Yemen could have an impact on […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 am. Amongst all the controversy over immigration in many European countries, most would acknowledge that there are times when immigrants can be a boost to rather than a drain on the economy. Spain recognises that for some of those wishing to obtain Spanish residency, there can be […]

Last updated on October 29th, 2019 at 09:21 am. There are beaches on your doorstep and you can enjoy all the facilities available to the holidaymaker every weekend of the year, if you choose. If you live in Spain, chances are that no one you left behind in your native country would expect that you’d […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 am. Keeping safe in the water is a particularly important issue around this time of year. Last July and August 155 people drowned in Spain. Of course, there are a number of self evident measures you can take that could be considered common sense. Making sure children […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 am. When we first came to Spain, many years ago, it seemed to us that there was a kind of reckless disregard for ‘safety’ on the roads. Drinking and driving was not uncommon. Manoeuvres seemed to be made without warning and oblivious to other road users. And […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 am. In many countries recycling your waste has become something of an art form. Certainly in the UK, in some counties, there seems to be a different container for every different type of waste – newspaper and cardboard, bottles and tins, waste food and garden waste. The […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 am. Last week, I was driving in inland Murcia virtually alone despite it being the middle of the day and marvelling at what a joy driving in Spain is compared to the crowded roads in the UK. Despite covering close to 1000 km per week on business, […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 am. There seem to be mixed messages surrounding just how many of the British have left Spain and when. The number declared as being registered on the padrón in the Alicante province is down by 90,000 compared to 2012.   Most expats in Spain know of at […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 am. 1. Would you like to live here? Casa Batlló With hardly a straight line in sight, Casa Batlló, designed by Anton Gaudí, is a very famous example of what happens when you let your imagination as well as architectural brilliance run away with you. Whether you […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 am. Smoking in public continues to be a hot topic in most European countries. It seems governments are finding it difficult to work out how far to go/ not to go when it comes to the whole smoking issue. Matters have perhaps been complicated by the increasing […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 am. Taking estate agents to task over the EPC There has been a lot of confusion around the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and what exactly is expected from house sellers and estate agents. Numerous warnings were given about how the Spanish government was going to ensure that […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 am. It’s almost a national institution. The chiringuito, or Spanish beach bar, can really make your holiday that extra bit special. Equipped with young, energetic individuals, music into the night and the cocktails and spirits to match, they are a key feature of most beaches in Spain. […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 am. If you see someone drunk and disorderly in Spain, it is likely they’re not Spanish. No doubt reading this there are many examples you can think of to the contrary. However, in my experience, problems with alcohol are much more likely to be enacted by visitors […]

Last updated on February 28th, 2020 at 11:36 am. As in other countries, you can expect to be fined in Spain for a number of infractions of the traffic code. Speeding, parking where you shouldn’t, not having the right paper work in the car, all carry traffic fines in Spain – some substantial. An unusual […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 am. During March we welcomed people into our offices to answer their questions about tax and legal matters. However, we know that not everyone can make it to Torrevieja or Alicante. That’s why we’ve been running our ‘Tax, tea and travel’ roadshow. We started off by visiting […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 am. It remains a strange feature of the expat phenomenon that many of the expats who live in Spain know more about what is happening in the country they’ve left behind than the one they live in. Expat radio shows, access to the home country’s TV stations […]

Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:10 am. Spain is renowned for its collection of unique, rich, varied and perhaps rather bizarre festivals. Las Fallas has to rank high on the list of those internationally acclaimed opportunities to make lots of noise and party. In 2014 Las Fallas took place in Valencia from March […]