JUNE 2007

Hi,

Welcome to the June Newletter. Summer is here but it hasn´t quite reached “sizzling” temperatures. What a fantastic time to come over and view properties with us. Over the last four weeks we have taken on over 50 properties, all different shapes, sizes and price ranges. Keep an eye on the website for updates.

Some of you will already know that we had family staying this month. A lot of sightseeing, eating and the occasional drink has been had! We visited Seville, Granada, Malaga, some of the pretty whitewashed villages around Cordoba, barbequed at the lakes, shopped in Gibraltar, trekked around the mountains of El Torcal and had lazy days down on the coast. Glad to be back in work for a rest! Being inland means that we are centrally located for everything - come and see what it can offer you!!

Looking forward to seeing you all in June.

Maria

Stop press....stop press....

Important news for purchasers

As highlighted in the National Press, there is a resistance for UK purchasers to buy in an overdeveloped, crammed, coastal market. Whilst here at Inland Andalucia we are experiencing our best year's sales figures, proving that more people enjoy open country space more than ever before. New builds in particular are in high demand.

For details of our new build properties click here

SUMMER SPECIAL

For "flaming June" and "fun-filled" July

4 DAY/3 NIGHT VIEWING TRIPS

(Book now to avoid disappointment)

ONLY £75.00 PER PERSON

• We book your flights from all UK and Ireland airports

• Arrange accommodation

• Collect you from the airport and take you back in an air-conditioned vehicle

• Show you the area

• Help you to select properties specifically to suit your requirements

Give us a call today

Romeria

During May most of the Andalucian villages held their Romeria. These are annual religious pilgrimages to chapels and shrines associated with particular Saints or miracles of the Virgin. The pilgrims, called romeros, make their way on foot or horseback to the particular site, often covering long distances and making offerings before gathering for a huge picnic.

The festivities of the day often include sports fixtures, sideshows, craft stalls, fireworks, traditional music and dancing. Snacks of tortilla, jamon, prawns and fried peppers are sold along with plenty of local wine and sherry. Some of the locals will dress in traditional Andalucian dress and arrive in the brilliantly decorated wagons. Families often camp at the site on the Saturday night to begin the celebrations early on the Sunday morning.

New AVE line attracts 20,000 new rail passengers

Passenger figures between Malaga and Madrid have grown by at least 20,000 since the Santa Ana station was opened last year. Since the new line opened between the new station just outside Antequera and the one in Cordoba the journey time has been reduced by 20 minutes.

Once the remaining line is completed and the high speed trains start to run between Malaga and Madrid, the journey between the two cities will be reduced from 3 hours 47 minutes to under 2 hours 30 minutes.

Great changes in Antequera

With the opening of the A92 motorway a few years ago Antequera became more popular, an easy journey up from the coast. Now with the final stretch of the dual carriageway to Cordoba well under construction, the airport plans are progressing through the various channels and the high speed train has dramatically reduced the travelling time between the major cities, Antequera is well and truly “on the map”.

The town´s industry has a major boost with the growing industrial estate. A major Logistics Centre is on the cards and Hojiblanca, the world’s greatest olive oil producers have a base there and the tourism industry is booming with plans for new hotels and golf courses.

And it certainly is booming………..

As already stated, the tourism industry is booming in Andalucia and the year has started well with more than 2.3 million foreigners visiting the area between January and April this year, 6% more than the same period last year. Predictions are that this year a total of 58,201 flights will have landed in Andalucia’s five airports by the end of July. The figures being based on reservations already made.

“Bring me sunshine”

And many of us will immediately think of Paul who works in our Fuengirola Office, the man with the big smile!!  Paul always gives people a friendly welcome and his enthusiasm is infectious. 

He hails from Harlow in Essex and moved to Mollina with his family 3 years ago to escape the stressful times in his job as transport manager for Safeway.  They thought life would be more relaxing in Mollina, “and it is!”  Paul’s 2 sons, Ryan aged 12 and Daniel aged 9 attend the local Spanish school in Mollina and learnt to speak fluent Spanish very quickly. They've settled into school amazingly well.  In Paul’s own words:

“the education system here is very good and the wonderful climate has also given them the opportunity to expand their sporting activities to include golf, football, regular outdoor swimming and basketball.  As well as school sports, the Local Authority provide excellent activities for all children and my sons regularly travel to surrounding villages for team events.”

With the road network being as good as it is, Paul finds travelling from Mollina to Fuengirola each day a breeze and the family frequently go to the coast at weekends to enjoy the beach.  Paul is also partial to the culinary delights of Andalucia:

“We love the fantastic food here, both cooking at home and eating at the local restaurants.  My favourite restaurant is the Meson in the neighbouring town of Humilladero.  It is open in the summer, weekends only from 9.00pm onwards.  If you’re not there by 9.30pm you’ll not get a table which, incidentally, are outside in the courtyard.  The food is excellent and the ambiance is wonderful.”

“Time flies by here and the regular festivals and fiestas come round very quickly.  In Mollina we are very lucky to have the prestigious wine festival.  Basically its 3 days of partying to traditional music and enjoying a selection of local wines and tapas.  It’s a great experience with the whole village coming together to celebrate the local grape harvest.”

Pop in and see Paul and his colleague (also Paul) if you’re in Fuengirola, our office is just by the beach!!

On Tour with Grupo Inland Andalucia..................a tour of the real Spanish villages

Villanueva del Trabuco

This typically Spanish town with narrow streets, whitewashed houses and a lovely town square is situated in the foothills of the Sierras which dominate the landscape. Some of the properties in the town date back 200 years, but there are many new houses springing up and the town is expanding.

Trabuco is an ideal base for hill walkers, birdwatchers and skiers, the Sierra Nevada being about an hour’s drive. The main industry is olives and olive oil which is obvious by the grove upon grove of olive trees that surround the town. There are also plenty of shops, bars/restaurants, a municipal pool, schools and a health centre. The locals, as in most Spanish towns, love their fiestas and there is always something to celebrate. The August fair lasts for 3 days during the final week of August.

Local delicacies from the town include tortillas with fresh asparagus, gazpacho (chilled tomato soup) and potaje de lentejas y habas (lentil and bean stew).

Our property of the month, which has just come onto our system is VL458. This lovely villa is situated on the edge of the town with fantastic views. Click here for details on VL458

The Story Behind the Black Bull!!

Visitors to Spain can't help but notice strategically placed bulls when driving around the country. Well heres the story behind them!

It was created about 50 years ago by Osborne, the once British-owned sherry makers, as part of an advertising campaign for the company's Veterano sherry. Giant cut-outs of the bull were located along roads throughout the country, but mostly in Andalucia where the company is based. Originally the bull bore the word "Osborne" in white letters across the bull's body. However in 1988 a new law came into force which prohibited billboard advertising along public roads. After a major outcry the bull was given a reprieve as it had become an affectionately accepted part of the landscape. The word "Osborne" had to be removed, but the bull stayed!! It is now part of the cultural and artistic heritage of the Spanish people, transcending its origins as a "brand" and becoming a "national symbol".

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s a double decker!!

The A380 airbus, the world’s first, landed in Spain last month and it literally is a double decker! It took its inaugural flight from the UK to undergo further tests at Seville airport.

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