TO: WINE LOVERS!

Moderate wine consumption cuts stroke riskThe moderate consumption of wine (but not beer or spirits) is associated with a reduced risk of stroke, according to a new report. The authors believe wine’s protective effects may be linked to disease-fighting compounds other than alcohol. “Intake of wine is associated with lower risk of stroke,” concludes a 16-year Danish study led by Dr. Thomas Truelsen of Copen-hagen University HospitalPrevious studies have suggested that moderate wine consumption (a glass a day, for example) may provide cardiovascular benefit. This phenomena is exemplified by what the Danish team call the ‘French paradox’ - “a low incidence of cardiovascular disease in the (wine-drinking) French population despite an unfavorable exposure to known cardiovascular factors (such as smoking).” Investigating further, the authors tracked the stroke incidence of over 13,300 Danes for 16 years.They report that, compared with abstainers, individuals who said they drank wine on a monthly, weekly, or daily basis had a 16%, 34%, and 32% reduced risk of stroke, respectively.These findings suggest that other compounds in wine besides alcohol may have a positive impact on cardiovascular health. “Wine contains flavonoids and tannins,” the authors explain, “which are components presumed to prevent cardiovascular disease.” They speculate that drinking patterns specific to wine lovers may also influence cardiovascular health. Wine is more commonly consumed at mealtimes than either beer or hard liquor, and “these differences in ‘timing’ may be important,” according to the researchers. One recent study concluded that mealtime alcohol consumption reduced unhealthy alterations in blood composition that can occur after eating.Experts point out that excessive drinking can actually raise the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and stroke.The following are some quick suggestions on how to enjoy your lifestyle and enjoy your glass of wine in order to live a healthy, long life:Exercise is a key factor.However, it is wise to exercise before drinking a glass of wine or any other alcohol. Exercise makes your blood stream circulate faster, and could lead to a quicker absorption of wine in your system.Believe it or not, you can get drunk quite quickly from just one glass.Have wine with foods that are filling.Foods like pasta, red meat, fish and potatoes, this way, you will drink less. Always remember that moderation is important.The second or third and last drink of the day should be taken at night, an hour before going to bed. First, this will make you sleep better. Second, it will clean out your system one last time before hitting the hay.Never use alcohol as an escape method for difficulties you may face in your daily life. Once you start going down the path to addiction, it's ten times as hard to get out. Do yourself a favor and seek counseling from friends, family and professionals.Be aware of the alcohol content of all your drinks. Wines tend to be the least concentrated with alcohol. If you are a whisky or Scotch drinker, however, one small glass per day is enough.

Posted on: 13 March 2008 | 6:45 am

VALENCIA’S GARDEN OF EDEN

VALENCIA grew alongside the river Turia for many years and has a very special relationship with its water way. After the devastating flood of 1957, it was decided living alongside the river had become too great a risk and it was diverted. Today, the Turia’s old courseway is the largest urban garden in Spain, even though there was pressure for it to become a motorway...As the popular Spanish proverb goes, ‘nothing bad ever happens where some good doesn’t come out of it’, and the catastrophe of 1957 brought with it an amazing silver lining. The river turned into a magnificent garden that crosses the city from the north to the south and offers numerous possibilities for walking and sightseeing to visitors and residentsA walk along the TuriaIt is best to explore the Turia, by starting from the south and heading north, beginning with a visit to the impressive Arts and Sciences complex designed by prestigious architect, Santiago Calatrava. This year, the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (CAC) is celebrating its tenth anniversary, so it is a good time to visit and enjoy some of the one-off activities that are taking place.A visit to the CAC will take the best part of a morning, and later you can go down to the riverbed and start walking away from the sea.For those who are allergic to exercise there is a miniature tourist train that runs along the riverbed. The first feature you come to is the Gulliver, a children’s park with Jonathan Swift’s character of the same name lying asleep. He also serves as a climbing frame with several slides and other apparatus to keep the kids amused.Next is the Palau de la Música, the first of the city’s musical buildings and at its feet, some beautiful palm-lined gardens popular with skateboarding fans. Nearby fountains provide other activities for parents and children such as sailing remote-controlled model boats.Further on, there are several tiny copses where residents practice jogging, T’ai Chi and gymnastics. Soon you come across a bridge known as the Puente de las Flores. This walkway that crosses the river is home to – hence the name – thousands of flowerpots that change shape and colour according to the seasons. Later, there is another bridge, the Puente de Santiago Calatrava, which the Valencians call the Puente de la Peineta (‘little comb’) precisely because it looks like the comb-type accessories that falleras wear in their hair. Here, the trees begin to take on a dense, green lushness and their shade is very welcome on a warm, sunny day.Next, you will make out the shadow of the San Pio V fine arts museum with its blue dome alongside the Jardín de los Viveros. Both garden and museum are well worth a visit. The San Pio V gallery houses Spain’s most significant collection of 19th-century painting after the Prado museum in Madrid.A few metres on and you will probably come to a mass of people playing football at the feet of the Torres de Serranos. These imposing towers are one of the twelve gateways that gave access to Valencia via its old city walls - the majority of these gateways have disappeared now but these towers remain in a good state of repair, despite having been built as far back as the 14th century.Continuing on to the Pont de les Arts – a recently-constructed bridge that is influenced by 1970s’ architecture.Next, you will reach the entrance to the IVAM, or Instituto Valenciano del Arte Contemporáneo, one of the largest and most significant of its kind in Europe. Here, you can stop for a well-earned rest and a bite to eat in the cafeteria, which has a varied and tempting menu at very reasonable prices.You can continue along the Turia gardens as far as the Parque de Cabecera, crossing the La Petxina bridge and admiring the shell of the same name that christened it.Just fifteen minutes further on, you come to the last of the parks built into the riverbed that is soon to become home to Valencia city’s new zoo.

Posted on: 12 February 2008 | 4:52 am

EMPLOYMENT LAW IN SPAIN

Employment in Spain is highly regulated, with the main purpose to protect an employee's rights. The regulations are complex: jobs are grouped into categories, and each category has a different set of regulations. It’s important both as an employer or employee to be aware of the different types of work contracts, holiday entitlement and social security requirements when considering the options of working in Spain.LEGAL REQUIREMENTSIf you are an EU national you can enter Spain as a tourist and register with the Spanish National Employment Office (Instituto Nacional de Empleo - INEM) to look for a job, then you have 90 days to find employment. You can obtain an extension after that date or leave Spain and re-enter for a further 90 days. Once you get a job, your employment contract will be necessary to apply for your residence card.If you are from a non-EU country willing to work in Spain, you will need to apply for your work and residence permit, and therefore you will be required to present a job contract or an offer of employment in the form of a pre-contract stamped and signed by both parties (or a letter written on the headed paper of the Spanish employer). Once you are legally working in Spain you will be subject to the same labor legislation as Spaniards, and you will be entitled to all its benefits. TYPES OF WORK CONTRACTS• Indefinite contractsThis category includes the normal indefinite contract as well as several types of indefinite contracts with government incentives. The main characteristics of the normal indefinite contract are:In the absence of any other formalized contract type, the contract is presumed to be normal indefinite. Severance pay for improper dismissal is a maximum of 45 days salary for every year worked, up to a maximum of 42 months equivalent salary. There are no Social Security subsidies or any other financial incentives. Indefinite contracts with incentives may be used when hiring:- Workers over 45 who have been unemployed for at least one year. - Women unemployed for more than a year who have been hired for work in sectors where women have been traditionally under-represented. - Workers between 30 and 44 who have been unemployed for more than a year. - Unemployed workers under 30 years of age. Workers with disabilities. The main characteristics of an indefinite contract with incentives are: - Severance pay for improper dismissal is 33 days salary for each year worked with a maximum of 24 months equivalent salary. - Subsidies of up to 75% from the employer's social security contribution. - Tax benefits. • Temporary contractsThe main types are:Contract for a specific project or service, arranged for the purpose of performing work or providing a service which is temporary but of uncertain duration. Casual contract due to production overload or backlog. The maximum duration of this type of contract is six months in any twelve-month period. Contract to sit in for employees entitled to return to their job. The duration of this contract is the period during which the absent employee retains the right to return to his or her job. Work experience contract. This contract can be arranged with university or junior college graduates or persons with vocational qualifications or recognised equivalent qualifications, provided that not more than four years have elapsed since they completed the related training. The duration is from six months to two years. Trainee contract. This type of contract can be arranged with workers aged 16 to 21 who do not have the necessary qualifications to obtain a "work experience contract". The duration of this contract ranges from six months to two years, although it may be extended to three years by a collective labor agreement. Transitory employment needs may be met through workers provided by temporary work agencies.

Posted on: 4 February 2008 | 4:30 am

British homeowners in Spain: The right move at the right time

Spain is not a bad place to invest or move. After a long period of bad press in the UK and unstable British economy, things change and buying in Spain keeps being a profitable decision!Article from Daily Mail. 24th April 2007:Jennifer and John Day moved from Buckinghamshire to the Costa de la Luz last year. The couple, who are in their sixties, have made a killing on their property - and maybe just in time. Their home has almost doubled in value in 18 months. In November 2005, they paid £150,000 for an off-plan, three-bedroom, three-storey townhouse overlooking a golf course, seven minutes from the beach. By the time they moved in a year later, it was worth £230,000. Last week, it was valued at £286,000. Mr Day runs a building company. Mrs Day, who works as an administrator, said: "We'd been coming to Spain for years. Originally, we planned to keep this as a holiday home but then decided to relocate over here. "We used to go to the Costa del Sol but it has become so over-priced and over-crowded with high-rise blocks. "Here it is far more authentically Spanish - there isn't much of an expatriate community - and it's much better value for money. "Property prices in our region are stable. The Spanish aren't as obsessed by property prices as we are in England although they are happy enough to sell their homes for huge sums of money if foreigners come offering it." Readers of the Daily Mail newspaper said about this article:“My wife and I have been in Spain for 11 years and we have our son and his wife and two granddaughters, both of whom were born here. It is a great place to live with a fabulous climate and a lot less state interference in our daily lives. Our health service is second to none and the education system absorbs British kids into the system incredibly well. Property prices have risen but there are still good deals to be had; the silliness in the market of recent years has now ended. It is a buyers' market and you can always find a good deal if you are seriously looking”- Peter Mitry, Manilva, Spain“It is just possible to buy a property to enjoy. Does everything have to boil down to money and profit? We have a house in Spain to benefit from the climate and lifestyle not to make money.”- T Lovell, Horsham, West Sussex

Posted on: 14 January 2008 | 10:16 am

SPANISH CHRISTMAS

Unlike many other places in Europe, Christmas lights do not go up in Spain until December. Every town and city will decorate the streets. Christmas markets also begin to appear. Christmas trees are on sale everywhere and gypsies begin to sell Christmas trees in the streets.Spain has many of its own unique traditions, all of which are great fun.22nd December - All over Spain people never stray far from a TV or radio as the Christmas lottery is drawn over a period of many hours. Everybody in Spain buys tickets for this lottery in the hope of winning El Gordo (the fat one) and the winning number usually means that a good number of people from the same village become a lot better off overnight. Besides the big three prizes there are thousands of smaller prizes shared by people all over Spain.Christmas Eve is celebrated more so than Christmas Day. The family gathers together in the grandparents' home, alternating grandparents from one year to another, but all the women and many of the men help in the preparation of the evening meal - a veritable feast - which begins about 10 p.m. and can go on until the small hours. Some sing carols around the crib of the nativity scene which remains without the baby until the stroke of midnight. Other families go to midnight Mass but many in modern-day Spain watch the Christmas programmes on TV while washing down Christmas sweetmeats of Turron (nougat) and mantecas (a range of butter-based biscuits) with Cava after their meal.After the meal the adults will then exchange presents. The children will usually only receive a small gift.Every town and most churches will have a 'belen' which is a nativity display. Some of them are very impressive and can cover massive areas. Some are animated and illuminated and draw huge crowds.Christmas Day is a fiesta day so all banks and shops are closed, probably to recover from the night before. Christmas Day in Spain is one of the quietest of the year. Anyone wanting to eat out on this special day will have to book well in advance.28th December - This is the day of Santos Inocentes (Holy Innocents) and is the equivalent of April Fools' Day when people play practical jokes on one another. Often the national media will include a nonsense story in their broadcasts. In some villages youngsters of a village light bonfires and one of them acts as the mayor who orders townspeople to carry out civic tasks such as sweeping the streets. Refusal to comply results in fines which are used to pay for the celebration.New Year's Eve is big in Spain and on New Year's Eve it is the tradition to wear red underwear but they have to be bought for you by someone else. Most towns organise street parties with entertainment and firework displays that last all night. Most bars and restaurants are open for private parties only. There will be music and dancing and the wearing of the usual party outfits. At the stroke of midnight it is tradition to eat 12 grapes - one on each stroke of the clock to bring good luck for the new year. The grapes are a late variety from Vinalopó near Alicante.6th January - This is the Feast of the Epiphany when the Three Kings arrived in Bethlehem. For Spanish children this is the most important day of the year when they wake up to find that Los Reyes Magos (the Three Kings) have left gifts for them in their house. Santa may leave them a token gift on 25th but the Three Kings are their favourites, especially Baltasar who rides a donkey and is the one believed to leave the gifts. During the day of 6th the Three Kings continue their good work and are seen distributing gifts to children in hospitals all over Spain.The day after receiving their gifts children return to school, their parents go back to work and Christmas in Spain is all over for another year.

Posted on: 21 December 2007 | 10:14 am

SPAIN - Driving Licence Points System

With 4,400 people losing their lives on the roads of Spain last year, the Government hopes that the new points driving license, introduced on July 1st 2006 will change driving habits across Spain.People will still be fined for traffic offences as before, but most of the offences will now see a deduction in the number of points on your driving license. There is still a 90 € fine category for small offences which sees no change in your points tally. Also if a fine is issued but the driver at the time is not identified, then obviously no points can be taken, although the fine can now reach 1,500 €.Drivers with more than three years experience start with 12 points, while new drivers are credited with eight. Drivers can get two extra points after three years with no offences and a further point after that after three more years to reach the maximum number of points – 15.The points are to be deducted when the fine becomes fixed. When you receive the letter with the fine there are three things you can do.1. Pay up within a month and get a 30% discount and get the points deducted.2. Launch an appeal within 15 days.3. Do nothing. If you do nothing the fine is considered fixed in a month when your points will be deducted.If you leave the fine unpaid, you'll find the amount due taken automatically from your tax rebate or directly from your bank account.Drivers can check their current balance on the Traffic Department website – www.dgt.es. The points can be considered as being virtual in as much as should you renew your driving licence, your points balance remains unchanged.You can voluntarily take a course once every two years. This consists of 12 hours of classes, 170 € cost and 4 points at the end guaranteed. However if you lose your license you are obliged to take another course of 24 hours of classes, 320 € cost and 8 points at the end, provided you pass an exam. These new education centres are now being established and the government has a target that by the start of next year, all residents of the country will be no further than 30 kms away from one.Passengers can lose points too. If you are a passenger in a car and stopped not wearing your seat belt, then your license will still be deducted the three points, even if the driver is wearing his.How can you lose points ?Speeding - Between 2 and 6 points depending on how far above the speed limit you were travelling.Using the mobile phone or any other apparatus considered a distraction – 3 points.Not using your seat belt or helmet for bike riders – 3 points.Drink driving – 4 or 6 points.2 points will be taken for:* Dangerous parking* Using radar speed trap detectors* Forgetting to turn on your headlights* Taking a child under 12 as a passenger on a motorbike3 points will be taken for:* Making an illegal turn* Driving too close to the vehicle in front4 points will be taken for:* Driving without the correct license* Taking a vehicle onto a motorway that is not authorized* Reversing on a motorway* Dangerous driving or overtaking* Blocking another driver from overtaking* Jumping a red light* Disobeying police instructions* Throwing any dangerous objects from the car – this includes cigarette butts* Driving with too many people in the vehicleAnd finally 6 points will be taken for:* For extreme dangerous driving, which could be, for example, taking part in racing, driving against the traffic and so on.* Professional drivers risk losing six points if they do not respect official rest periodsDRIVE SAFELY AND SAVE POINTS AND MONEY!

Posted on: 22 November 2007 | 6:43 am

Valencia Off-plan Properties, a viable option for overseas buyers

Off-plan property purchase in Valencia was once viewed as the optimum way to gain 18 months of capital appreciation without so much as applying for a mortgage. In the early 2000s, when capital appreciation was 15 or 20 per cent per annum, offplan development was a very attractive proposition,but with the recent property downturn in Spain is there still anypoint in buying off-plan?The developer likes early-bird purchasers as their deposits not only provide a bit of cash to get the heavy plant digging but also reassure the bank manager that his financial stake is safe.In return for your ‘support’, patience and willingness to take a ‘risk’ in buying something you cannot physically see, the developer will discount maybe 10 per cent or so from the market value.This, of course, means at completion stage you have a minimum 10 per cent profit already built in, yours for the taking upon resale.Price aside, off-plan purchase gives you the chance to cherry pick the best unit. Penthouses, corners and those with the best views sell faster and resale better and as a pioneer you can take your pick.Additionally, an off-plan property in Valencia should display the latest in building techniques and materials from sound-insulation to durable flooring. And, that ten-year construction guarantee, compulsory under Spanish law for structural defects, is yours for the full decade, which can’t be said for a resale.Lastly, many developers allow you to get involved in the closing stages of build and stamp your personality on the product. Whether that may be choosing tiles, paint colour or appliances, it is a luxury only afforded by off-plan purchasersOff-plan property development in Valencia still has its place and that the recent downturn in the country’s property market is making the option a more attractive proposition. Buying off-plan property is no longer as attractive as it was when prices were rising in Valencia, but it will still suit some buyers who like stage payments spread over many months, and want a brand new property.Developers are now bending over backwards to attract buyers with incentives such as furniture packages and mortgage payments, so in a funny way buying off plan is starting to look more attractive than at any time in recent years.Spanish property experts advise that buyers of off-plan property in Valencia do their homework, look at examples of the developer’s previous work and make sure both they and their lawyer are clear on which features or qualities were promised contractually, including square metre build sizes.Real estate investment is based on research, research, research, and research would suggest that better areas for off-plan investment exist to those prepared to work with market professionals.

Posted on: 12 November 2007 | 5:54 am

GOLF BASICS FOR BEGINNERS

There are a lot of books and other information products available for established golfers, but not a lot for adults who are brand new to the game. Amongst all the tour talk, long drives and 400cc drivers, it seems beginners are left out.Golf is a great game providing a lifetime of enjoyment and when you finally achieve a certain level of proficiency, a whole new element of the game appears, ensuring there is always a challenge.Here are some of the basics you need to know in order to get started.Golf CourseFirst thing that one encounters is the golf course. A course is made up of a series of holes, each comprising of a teeing area, fairway, rough and other hazards, and the green with the pin and cup. A typical golf course consists of eighteen holes, but many have only nine.HoleHoling a ball consists of hitting a ball from a tee on the teeing box and once the ball comes to rest, striking it again and again until the ball goes into the hole. A hole is classified by its par, the number of strokes a skilled golfer should require to complete play to the hole.Traditionally, a golf hole is either a par-three, -four or –five, though some par-six holes exist, but are not usually found on golf courses.The par of a hole is determined by the tee-to-green distance. But these distances are not absolute rules in themselves. There can be variations depending upon the prevailing rules and practices.HandicapA handicap is basically rating of an amateur golfer’s ability to play golf over 18 holes. The 2 main formulas used in the game are stroke play (also known as brutto or medal) and match play.In the Stroke play formula an individual competes against the par of the course to determine his/her handicap. The match play formula is a game during which two players compete with each other. In other words, your score per hole depends on the other player’s score.ClubsGolf clubs are used to hit a golf ball. They basically fall into three broad categories namely• Woods: Earlier they used to have wooden heads, hence the name, and are used to propel the ball for long distances from a tee or fairway. They have varying degrees of loft (angle of club face relative to vertical). Now these come with titanium or composite heads.• Irons: Originally with metal heads also with varying degrees of loft.• Putter: they are used to propel the ball short distances along the ground with optimum accuracy, usually on the putting green.

Posted on: 17 October 2007 | 11:02 am

VALENCIA – THE RIGHT INVESTMENT

With a beautiful old town, beaches, modern architecture and now the latest addition to the grand prix circuit, this stylish city has much to offer buyers.It is on the Mediterrranean, the place that invented paella, has a wonderful medieval centre that is a World Heritage Site and the cathedral has a little ancient stone cup that some believe to be the Holy Grail. Valencia has acquired a taste for the international spotlight. With the America's Cup came a new £350million super yacht marina in place of a functional fishing port. Now Spain's third-largest city is turning its attention to the next glitzy event: the arrival of Formula One next year on a new harbourside circuit to rival Monaco.It has the same prized combination of a beautiful old town and beaches. It also has some fantastic modern architecture: Santiago Calatrava's City of Arts and Sciences rises spectacularly from the dry river bed that dissects the city, much of it an exotically landscaped park that gives the impression of abundant greenery.One of the reasons that the city remains relatively unexplored by second home buyers may be the "land grab" scandal, which came to light in areas such as the Costa Brava. Here, unscrupulous builders, working alongside malleable councillors, developed land without permission. But so far cases of developers serving compulsory purchase orders on home owners have only applied to rural areas.The tourist office is doing a good job now of promoting the city. Low-cost flights are drawing people looking for a lively weekend bolt-hole, two hours from the UK and 10 minutes from Valencia airport." New metro and tram routes and a high-speed rail link to Madrid, opening in 2009, are also making Valencia's suburbs an appealing prospect for commuters.Tim Marshall, 23, a builder from Bristol, has renovated and sold a five-bedroom house in Villamarchante, 30 minutes by tram to the city centre, for £275,000. He has now bought a six-bedroom house in nearby Pedralba for £165,000 through Valencia Property. "The city and surrounding villages have developed a lot in the four years I've been here," he says."You can live just outside the city, in a large house with a garden, stables, and terraces overlooking orange groves and mountains for the price of a two-bedroom apartment in the centre."

Posted on: 21 September 2007 | 6:05 am

LIVING IN VALENCIA

Valencia, Spain’s third-largest city and capital of the region. Foreign tourists don’t overrun the city, as they do much of Spain, and the foreign community is smaller than in Madrid or Barcelona. This makes it easier to meet locals.Moreover, the city itself is an appealing and inexpensive place to live, with a pleasant historic center and numerous art museums. The waterfront esplanade, lined with restaurants and bars, where on summer weekends the dancing goes on until sunrise, is only a 10-minute tramway ride from the center. A three- to four-hour bus ride, the cheapest and most convenient way to travel, brings you to Barcelona in the north, Madrid in the west, and Alicante in the south. The famous party island of Ibiza is an overnight ferry ride away. In Valencia, as in the rest of Spain, people are lining up to learn English. University students need English to find employment upon graduation, and companies tell employees that career advancement depends on their ability to speak English. As a result, English language schools are opening up all over Spain.Main industries With a very large and important port, Valencia is definitely an industrial city. Manufacturing, furniture, shoes, cement, paper, ceramics, and textiles are main industries here. LanguageThe community of Valencia (the three provinces of Alicante, Valencia, and Castellón) has two official languages: Castellano and Valenciano, a local dialect. Classes at the University of Valencia are offered in both, and with speaking and understanding only Castellano you can certainly get by in daily life in Valencia. If interested, you can also take classes in Valencia to learn Valenciano. GastronomyYou will not go hungry in Valencia. Like any modern city, Valencia has a little bit of everything in terms of food and restaurants. There are some constants, though. I found that Valencia has a very Mediterranean cuisine, with lots of seafood, olives, olive oil, vegetables, and rice. Tapas (small rations of food) are, of course, famous in Spain, and Valencia is literally FULL of tapas bars and restaurants. Valencia is famous for its paella, a rice dish made in a special pan, also called a paella. While there is paella in all of Spain, it is said that paella originated in the area of Valencia. Paella comes in all forms and ingredients, but traditional Valencian Paella contains chicken, rabbit, special beans and vegetables, and saffron. Another famous food here is aioli, a garlic mayonnaise.Eating times in Spain are different than what you may be used to. Breakfast in the morning usually consists of only a coffee and croissant. Lunch, "La Comida" is usually eaten between 2-4 pm, and is the big meal of the day. Many stores and businesses close for the time of the comida, the famous Spanish "siesta." Dinner, or "La Cena" is typically a lighter meal and eaten around 9-11 pm. NightlifeInformally, Valencia is known throughout Spain for its parties. Whether you like small bars, jazz clubs, or huge elaborate discos, you will find it all here. And most likely, all in the same night! People typically don't head out to hit the town until late, sometimes going to a disco as late as 2:30 or 3:00 am. Some clubs stay open until 8, 9, or even 10:00 am! If you stay out to see the sun rise, you've had a normal Spanish night of fiesta. And if you're not into the bar scene, there are lots of other things to do, too. Movie theatres, a Music Hall, plays, tapas restaurants…whatever you can imagine! TransportationTaxis - Taxis are white, everywhere, and pretty cheap. You can usually flag one down on any street. The green light on the roof illuminated means the cab is freeBuses - EMT (the public bus company, 96 352 83 99) buses are big and red, easy to use, and even cheaper then taxis! Maps, destinations, and frequencies are clearly displayed at the bus stopsMetro and Tramvia - Valencia has a good metro system, There is also a monorial-type tram that runs from various points in the northern part of the city, to the beachTrain - RENFE is the company that operates the trains that traverse Spain. The main RENFE station in Valencia is Estacion del Norte. You can inquire about schedules and buy tickets right at the station, to go virtually anywhere in Spain or further.Central Bus Station - For longer trips outside of the city, the Central Bus Station has buses that run virtually everywhere in Spain and other cities in Europe.

Posted on: 7 September 2007 | 6:02 am

VALENCIA GRAND PRIX 2008

Spain’s second Grand Prix has been confirmed for 2008 with the announcement that the European Grand Prix will be held on the streets of Valencia.The Hermann-Tilke designed track will chart a course around the city’s Americas Cup port. The city announced a seven-year deal with Bernie Ecclestone today.It will be the first time that F1 has visited two true street circuits in a year since 1991, when races were held at Monte-Carlo, Monaco and Pheonix, United States.When the beautiful Mediterranean coast collides with fun-loving Spaniards you are bound to have a good time. But when you take that and combine it with a challenging new street course, F1 fans have just found another favourite race! Setting the stage for the 2008 European Grand Prix, Valencia appears to be, dare we say it, a sister race to the Monaco Grand Prix. No longer can Monaco boast the only street course, let alone alongside a harbor, on the F1 calendar. Valencia`s new street circuit will be based harbor-side around America`s Cup Port, which currently houses the America`s Cup sailing event. Sailing, cycling, diving, golfing, racing, you name it! Valencia loves sports! Located along the Mediterranean Sea and blessed with good weather year-round, Valencia is draped with sun-kissed beaches and azure blue waters.The calendar as proposed is as follows:Australia (March 16), Malaysia (March 23)Bahrain (April 6)Barcelona (April 27)Turkey (May 11)Monaco (May 25)Canada (June 8)France (June 22)Britain (July 6)Germany (July 20)Hungary (August 3)Valencia (August 24)Italy (September 7)Belgium (September 14)Singapore (September 28)China (October 12)Japan (October 19)Brazil (November 2)

Posted on: 5 September 2007 | 5:20 am

Buy to let properties in Spain

Spain is one of the best places for a buy-to-let holiday home, because it offers excellent rental income.Buying a bargain abroad means that your loan repayments won't swamp your letting income – "The Spanish rental market is well established and there are cheap, flexible mortgages. Wherever you're thinking about holiday letting, ask yourself:1)Is it easy to reach your property from the UK?2)Is there an established tourist trade?3)Are there seasonal fluctuations for ski or beach properties?There's a range of mortgages available in Spain, including up to 60% of the property's value for self-certified mortgages, and 95% on a status basis, and you can find a mortgage fixed at 4.89% until October 2008."Original source: New Skys

Posted on: 29 September 2006 | 12:45 pm

Valencia - Possible site for new UN Logistical Base

Francisco Camps, the political party leader for the PP in Valencia, announced in Brussels that he accepted the proposal to present Manises as a possible future base for United Nations peace forces.Mr Camps added that he had been given an "in-depth" presentation of the project and that the enlargement of the Manises airport had been taken into consideration.Mr Moratinos, the Foreign Affairs minister and member of the opposing party, thanked Mr Camps for his support and collaboration, and apologised for not warning Mr Camps before proposing Manises as a candidate, adding that it was "geographically and geopolitically" the perfect site and added that he was "delighted that we can all work together to ensure the success of the project."

Posted on: 25 September 2006 | 4:29 am

Valencia airport Metro link

It has been rumoured here in valencia, that the new extension of Line 5 of the Valencian Metro service will begin stopping at the airport in the first quarter of 2007.The line which will be extended to include Quart de Poblet, Manises and the airport will be approx. 200 metres from the Terminal buildings.

Posted on: 20 September 2006 | 7:03 am

Home buyers put sun before profit

Two-thirds of Brits want to escape the UK and buy a home in the sun, a new survey has revealed.Surprisingly, 62% rate overseas sun and lifestyle more important than effective investment or making a profit from their home abroad, the survey from currency experts HIFX shows.Around 50% want an overseas property to escape long and stressful UK working hours and high taxes and more than a quarter are looking to emigrate.The 2458 adults questioned by pollsters YOUGov are three times more concerned about escaping the UK’s bad weather than making long term profit.Spain remains our top get away destination with 46% of prospective buyers aiming to buy there. However, far flung destinations such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand are also increasing in popularity and emerging destinations such as Bulgaria and Cape Verde are also making an impact.Most want a villa by the sea (49%), followed by a house in the countryside (19%); just 5% of buyers would consider an apartment in a city.Mark Bodega, marketing director of HIFX comments: “There has been a shift from a second home being regarded as a luxury to it being something attainable by most people.“The impact of growing prosperity, cheaper flights and the low cost of borrowing – even lower in the Eurozone than in the UK – mean the trend for buying property abroad is expected to accelerate.”Original source: New Skys

Posted on: 14 July 2006 | 11:00 am

Valencia Train crash Victims elevated to 42

The death of a relative of a personal friend of ours here at EPS raises the number of deaths in the Valencia Train crash to 42. The daughter of the victim, an 11 year old girl, who was also admitted to the “Hospital La Fe” is thankfully stable. The mother, Carmen Stick, was in a critical state as a result of the accident and unfortunately passed away at noon today in the hospital.All of us here at EPS and TODOCASA (our parent company) are deeply shocked and deeply saddened by the tragedy which struck hardest here, as 20 of the 42 who died where people who lived here in Torrent where we are based.Once again EPS/TODOCASA sends its condolences to all the Victims of the tragic accident and most of the businesses here on the Main Avenue, including ourselves closed early yesterday afternoon, as a mark of respect to the dead.EPS TODOCASA

Posted on: 6 July 2006 | 1:18 pm

Valencia Train Crash

At least 34 people have been killed and dozens more injured in a train crash in Valencia.Officials said a wheel broke on a curve as the train approached the Jesus underground station and two carriages derailed. Another 32 people were hurt, of whom two were in critical condition. Trapped passengers rang emergency services from mobile phones and 150 people were evacuated from the station platform. Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero decided to cut short an official visit to India and return to Spain on news of the accident. "It seems this unfortunate accident was caused by excess speed and a wheel breaking just before it entered the station," government official Luis Felipe Martinez told Spanish radio.Emergency services set up two field hospitals in tents on the street and a judge arrived to supervise the removal of bodies. Hospitals appealed for blood donors. Last September, three trains crashed into eachother on the metro network but no-one was killed.Easy Property Spain would like to offer its condolences to the families of those affected in the crash.

Posted on: 3 July 2006 | 3:44 pm

Pope in Valencia

Pope Benedict XVI will host the last 2 days of the 5th World Meeting of Families in Valencia, on the 8th and 9th of July. Thousands of families from all over the world are expected to gather in the Spanish city for the event which is organised every three years by the Catholic church.

Posted on: 27 June 2006 | 12:32 pm

FUN IN THE SUN IN VALENCIA

This week as it has been so hot in Valencia, we´ve decided to have a bit of fun and therefore we thought we would share these funny comic strips that we received via email, we´ve taken out the rude ones and left the ones that we hope won´t offend anyone.From all of us at Easy Property Spain, we hope you enjoy them as much as we did.To view them clearly you should ideally click on each photo as this will open it full size in a new window

Posted on: 21 June 2006 | 5:50 am

VALENCIA SHAVES LUV

The new territories and housing chief González Pons has revoked a section of one of the 13 articles of the new Ley Urbanistica Valenciana, LUV, that Brussels says infringe EU legislation.His move comes as the European Commission steps up pressure on Valencia to make sweeping changes to the law so that it fully complies with EU regulations. In a letter sent to Valencia in April, the commission highlighted 13 articles that it claims do not adhere to current EU rules. It also questioned how certain promoters gained advantage over their rivals when Plan Parcial schemes were presented.Sr González Pons also has to explain to the commission the system for awarding public contracts, which up until now have never been published in the EU official bulletin.The regional environment secretary Cristina Serrano said on Sunday that only 69 Planes de Actuación Integrales (PAI's) were approved between 2004 and 2005 and not 1,000 as claimed by the European Commission.Critics of the LUV land law say the revoking of a sub paragraph of article 135 is no way near enough to cool the EU Commission's interest.OVERDEVELOPEDA report elaborated by the Observatorio de la Sostenibilidad shows that 60 per cent of the Valencia region territory has been developed, leaving the region as the third most developed in Spain only behind Madrid and Baleares.Meanwhile Sr González Pons countered by saying that environment minister Cristina Narbona has doctored the figures by adding 25,000 hectares of concrete to them. He claims that Sra Narbona is trying to give the Valencia Region a negative image and damage tourism.Author: Tom Cain

Posted on: 19 June 2006 | 1:23 pm

Triangle of Gold in Valencia

The real estate company Llanera appears to be negotiating the acquisition of a company called REVA, which controls the largest citrus operation in the province of Valencia.With the purchase of Reva, Llanera would own 6.5 million meters in the triangle between the A-3, the by-pass and the Perenxisa mountain range (Calicanto and “El Bosque”).The agricultural land owned by Reva, belongs to 3 municipal boroughs: Chiva (the majority), Aldaya and Torrent (the least), and consists of different types of oranges and mandarins.In parallel with this process, Reva created a real estate division that has been urbanizing various plots of land located to the north of the A3, in the municipality of Ribarroja, where industrial estates and residential groups have been created.Three years ago, the international real estate consultant Richard Ellis described this area as an authentic “triangle of gold”, indicating that it was one of the areas of future urban expansion with the greatest projection and expectations in Spain, due to the strategic location, magnificent communications with the Mediterranean, the availability of water and its proximity to the airport and the city of Valencia. And yet it stated that such advantages were, nevertheless, priced lower than in Madrid or Barcelona.

Posted on: 30 May 2006 | 4:41 am

Americas Cup on tour in Valencia, Alicante and other major cities

The Alinghi Team on the balcony of the Town Hall in Valencia The Americas Cup Tour Exhibition which will take place in various European cities, will be located in Alicante - Valencia until next thursday 27th, from there it will move on to Alcoy and then onward to more than 30 cities.Also there are just 21 days left to the start of the 2006 Americas Cup season with the Louis Vuitton Acts 10 & 11 which will take place between the 11th and the 21st of May 2006 in Valencia to win the fantastic trophy shown below.

Posted on: 21 April 2006 | 7:25 am

Formula 1 in Valencia by 2009/10

52,500 people turned up to the Ricardo Tormo race circuit in Valencia to show their support for the GP2 races and show Mr Ecclestone that we should host formula 1 races also.Although the Cheste race circuit would need modifications to compete with other existing circuits, such as more overtaking areas, faster straights and wider pit lanes, the Valencian community would be willing to spend the estimated 20 million euros necessary.Mr Ecclestone, suggested that mooring for super yachts would be required but with the Americas cup being hosted in 2007, Valencia seems to be the perfect place especially when the airport (which is currently been extended) is only a mere 15 minutes from the track.Finally, he also described it as "the best kept secret in the world," stating that the Ricardo Tormo circuit at Cheste would be allowed to play host to Formula One racing.Just another reason why you should buy in Valencia NOW before it´s too late!

Posted on: 10 April 2006 | 12:09 pm

Four new towers to be built in Central Park in Valencia

Four new towers and 100,000 square meters of garden will be added to the 250,000 square meters of current garden area closest to the Centre of Valencia.CURRENT PHOTO PROJECTED PHOTOAs for the use of the four towers, Alfonso Grau explained that they will be used for residential and tertiary use, without any concrete building assigned for offices. The design of the green area may change with the definitive project, although the intention of the City council is that it will serve to link the districts of Jesus and Ruzafa with a checkerboard proposal, thanks to pedestrian areas.

Posted on: 7 April 2006 | 11:43 am

Formula GP2 comes to Valencia

HISTORY OF FORMULA GP2 Formula GP2 (formerly known as International Formula 3000) started in 1985. It rose to being the final training ground for future F1 drivers, being the main support race at European Grand Prix. It produced a long line of Formula 1 drivers including Juan Pablo Montoya, Jean Alesi, Nick Heidfeld, Olivier Panis, Ricardo Zonta, Justin Wilson, Luca Badoer, Roberto Moreno and Ivan Capelli.In 2005 the formula was relaunched. It is now called Formula GP2 to be more in line with the old Formula 2 name and public expectations as a stepping stone between Formula 3 and Formula 1.Amongst the competitors in 2005 were the sons of previous Formula 1 World Champions Nelsinho Piquet, Nico Rosberg and Mathius Lauda. Nico Rosberg became champion and was then given a Formula 1 drive at Williams alongside Mark Webber, whilst Scott Speed - who finished third - secured a drive with the new Torro Rosso F1 Team. At least half a dozen GP2 drivers also got to race for their countries in A1 Grand Prix, so the relaunch of the series achieved its aim of furthering drivers careers.GP2 LATEST NEWSNelson Piquet Jr has set the fastest time in the final afternoon of testing at Circuit Ricardo Tormo.Nelson Piquet Jr has finished the final session of pre-season GP2 series testing on top of the timesheets. The Brazilian took his Piquet Sports entry to a top time of 1:19.445 on an afternoon in which the teams and drivers ran heavy to test race set-ups for this weekend's races. Neslon was followed by the iSport of Tristan Gommendy, with local boy Felix Porteiro third for the Campos Racing team.The temperatures stayed down this afternoon, as light spots of rain fell towards the end of the afternoon. The rain never fell hard enough to merit wet tyres as the potential downpour that had been forecast instead manifested itself in light spitting.The top three were joined in the top one second bracket by the Dams of Franck Perera, as the Trident Racing pairing of Zuber and Bruni came home fifth and sixth. Adrian Valles completed an excellent day for Campos Racing in seventh, with Lucas di Grassi eight for Durango, Nicolas Lapierre ninth for Arden International, and the quickest overall man of the test Lewis Hamilton tenth for ART Grand Prix.Tomorrow is a free day for the drivers and teams, as they prepare for the race weekend which begins on Saturday morning. Tomorrow night however will see the launch of the GP2 series in the heart of Valencia itself.Thanks to official GP2 Website for latest news and pictures and Motorracing for links to driver info.

Posted on: 6 April 2006 | 11:36 am