Lloret de Mar - Things to do.

As I have said before ¨There is always something happening in Lloret¨ and this weekend something really special happened....
We were able to see a free show of the Rolling Stones tribute band - Smoking Stones as part of the yearly Clon Festival here in Lloret. They're show was on Friday 18th August at an outside venue on the edge of the beach. The show started at 10.30 and they played through to 12.30. It was a perfect summer evening, with people dancing and singing to songs which everyone knew from the original 'Stones'

The band originates from this area of Spain and have been together 11yrs, and are said to be one of the top tribute bands in the world of the Rolling Stones. If you are a fan of the Stones music, you will enjoy the Smoking Stones should you ever get chance to see them!

Otherwise you could visit they're website and see them in action in the videos section, click here...

Costa Brava Weather.

Over the last fewdays here on the Costa Brava we have finally had the rain which we have needed for many weeks now (if not months) but for people spending their annual holiday here its a big disapointment. Today however looks a little more like August, although temperatures have dropped from the high 3os we were getting a couple of weeks ago.
It is now 10.15am and currently 22c with hardly a cloud in the sky!
Tomorrows forecast is for the same as today - but more rain is forecast to follow, fingers crossed for our relatives, friends and other holiday makers here it will hold off until they have gone home!

Costa Brava - Camping.

For a change from the normal hotel/package holiday, camping here in Lloret could give you a completely different holiday. The campsites are very well equipped for a family holiday, with different options of accomodation. You can either park up your own camper van or rig up your own tent, but there are also apartments, tents, or chalets to rent.
Facilities include - bars, swimming pool, paddling pool for the younger children, shops , supermarket, electricity, restaurant, showers, laundry and in the high season entertainment.
So every thing what you could need for your holiday is catered for.

The nearest campsite to Lloret de Mar centre is Campingtucan.com which is on the road at the back of the resort.
The other one is Canyelles.com which is located just a short way up the coast in its very own picturesque bay on the beach.

Ryanair - New Route

Starting at the beginning of November is a new long overdue flight into Girona from Yorkshire.
The new link is from Doncaster airport, and will operate three times weekly - Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Departing from Doncaster at ..... 19.55
Arriving at Girona at .................. 23.10

Return flights operate the same days.
Departing from Girona ................ 18.05
Arrive Doncaster .........................19.30

Some free flights are on offer, but if you are not lucky enough to get one I have seen them for as cheap as £14.99, but for more detailed information go to the Ryanair website at Ryanair.com

Buying Property in Spain.

Every year thousands of British buy a property in Spain, some just for a holiday home but many move out here permenently. What ever the reason may be, its always advisable to ensure you choose the area most suitable for you and your family. Prices are rising every year,but you still get much more for your money here than in Britain...

Coastal propertys are approximately 20% dearer than inland, so it maybe tempting to buy inland, but it's always advisable to make checks on your chosen area, as it may not come upto your expectations. Then after putting down a non-refundable deposit, you may find out that the property you are planning on buying is not connected to all services such as water, electric, telephone and sewage drainage. So it could be too much of a culture shock having to get your water delivered, or the cess-pit emptied once or twice a year!

Once you do find your property, whether its a run-down finca, apartment or one of the best villas around, the buying process is the same. As soon as you pay your deposit, the property will be taken off the market. Your lawyer will then write out a contract of sale, agreeable to both the the seller and the buyer. After which he will do all the necessary checks to ensure the property is free from all debt from the previous owner, and is rightly their's to sell!

It's always wise to remember while you are looking for property here in Spain, the price advertised is not the total cost. On top of the purchase price you should always add on approx 10%, this is for your legal fees and taxes.

If you are planning on buying a resale property its quite normal for the sale to be completed in only a couple of weeks.

So happy house hunting.....don't let the horror stories you may have heard about buying abroad put you off. The best advice I can give you is to, just do your homework on the area you have chosen. A lot of people have taken the plunge and regretted it, but everyone that I know out here are very well settled with no intention of ever going back to the UK (me included!!)