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About Living & Investing In Spain |
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Stone Cottage And Beautiful Landscapes ~ By
Mark Medley - Living in the mountains of Spain just beyond the sea sounds
like a wonderful experience. Mark Medley reports from the mountains of
Andalucia and lets us know that there are some great old stone cottages
in the abandon towns of Andalucia. Internet service is available in these
remote regions and most other services are nearby, but you still have the
old rural life of Spain going on around you. More likely than not you will
have to refurbish your cottage and there are plenty of people who can help
you do this. And as anyone who has visited Spain knows the people the parties
and everything else that has to do with Spain is great fun. June/03 |
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| Travel
And Memories ~ by Diane Leon - Remembering a great journey can
make the stress of the present seem bearable. Remembering a beautiful trip
and writing about it is what you'll find in the above article. We turn
back to the year 1978 and are taken over the Pyrnees mountains and end
up at a small artist colony in the Aragon province of Spain. Sounds like
a good time. Oct./03 |
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| Living
On Ibiza ~ by Katharina Bishop - In March 2003 I found myself in
a travel agent’s office together with my husband Charles and our seven
month old son Kiran. England had been cold, dark and rainy for the past
six months and we felt that it was time for a family holiday. Two weeks
soaking up the rays on a Mediterranean island seemed like a very good idea.
Given the choice between various last minute packages to Mallorca, Menorca
and Ibiza, we breezily opted for the latter. Aug./05 |
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| The
Way Of St. James ~ by Richard Frederick - There may come a point
in some people's lives when they decide that they must go on a pilgrimage.
Pilgrimages come in different sorts. Some may be less weighty; they can
lead to Graceland or to Jim Morrison's grave in Paris. Others may be personally
important, perhaps the return of an emigrant to his birthplace after many
years of separation from his homeland. Others can lead to the settlement
of a new country. The dictionary says that a pilgrimage is a journey undertaken
with a specific objective. Nov./05 |
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| A
Look At The Ecology Of Coastal Livng ~
by Paul Read - Over the last twelve months, we have seen nature at its
most unforgiving: whilst the tragic tsunami hit Asia, Spain experienced
freak frosts that decimated crops and fruit trees followed up a drought
that many believe is one of the worst in living memory. This summer, whilst
the USA was hit by Katrina we have witnessed jelly-fish invasions on the
coast and tornados in Barcelona. Jan/06 |
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| A
Foot Walk Around Alicante ~ by Robert Carlton - After just coming
back from a short business trip to London, my wife and I were sitting together
with friends in our garden in the Alicante suburb of San Juan on a warm
summer evening. Whilst sitting together I mentioned a request from
Escapeartist for an Alicante article which I received some days before.
You should write about “Alicante and how to explore it in one day” – my
wife said, because traditional Costa Blanca tourists really won’t have
much interest in the city – but more in the beaches, villages and bars
around the area. June/04 |
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| Home
Home on the Range? -
Libby Royster returned to the US after two years as an instructor of English
as a foreign language in Madrid, Spain. Those two years were the best,
most challenging, of her life, she says. Returning wasn't an easy choice.
She left a lot behind. Her observations show that expats can return home,
again, but not without leaving much behind. She says, "Life does not end
when you come back. You just have to try harder, rage against the known,
and mix it up a little. And you can always go back…" |
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| An
Old Olive Mill in Southern Spain - Embraced
by the rugged, but beautiful terrain to be found in the heart of Andalucía,
Gaucín was once a sleepy, sun-bleached village. Nowadays,
it is managing to balance a centuries-old way of life with a burgeoning
interest from tourists seeking the authenticity of ‘real’ Spain.
Here they are discovering the ideal ‘get away from it all’ holiday destination...
indeed, one of the attractions of Gaucín is that it is so laid-back,
even the cicadas take a siesta. Sept./06 |
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Real
Estate in Spain - Spain offers infinite
variety with something for everyone, including magnificent beaches for
sun worshippers and spectacular unspoiled countryside for magnificent vistas
and peaceful strolling. There are also an abundance of mountains
and seas for sports fans and a vibrant night-life for the jet set. For
those who are comfortable living in cities, there are bustling sophisticated
metropolises. |
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| Coming
to Spain? - The
first part in a series of short practical articles (very general in scope)
for people who plan on visiting or living in Spain, written with the intention
of pointing out aspects of Spanish life that may be challenging to foreigners.
Sept./06 |
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| In
Spain ~ by Dawnelle Salant - I was particularly eager to visit
Barcelona as it is part of Catalonia. Being a Canadian, I’m fascinated
by other countries that also have two “separate” regions, complete with
their own languages, and I wasn’t disappointed. Barcelona definitely has
a different feel than the rest of Spain. It’s not just hearing Catalan
spoken, there’s something a bit more sophisticated about the city. It’s
rich with history, culture and art all its own. Sept./04 |
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| From
The Best Of International Living - "Barcelona is like Paris or
Rome —only smaller and a fraction of the price. It’s the chicest city in
Spain. All the trendy European and American designers have shops here.
It’s also safe, cheap…and easy to get around. And it has some excellent,
if bizarre, architecture. - - - Real estate and rentals in
Barcelona are surprisingly inexpensive… and a very sound investment, particularly
right now, if you’re paying with dollars or sterling. Prices are relatively
low because Spain is still digging itself out of General Franco’s socialist
mess." |
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| The
Cave Houses Of Southern Spain -
Old cave houses in the Granada countryside can still be found for a relatively
small investment. Last year, old cave houses in need of renovation were
on the market in Granada's pricey Albaycin district for 30,000 to 50,000
euros on small lots with no conventional buildings and no Alhambra views.
For finished cave houses, expect to pay eighty to two-hundred thousand
euros, depending on the adjoining land that goes with the cave, the views,
etc. There are currently cave houses with land advertised for as high as
900,000 euros, with Alhambra views, though we regard this price as extraordinary.
Given the real estate market in Spain, prices will continue to go up. You
can also explore areas such as Guadix and either buy existing cave homes
or buy land and build, with the latter option probably presenting the best
value if you discover a good site. by Charles Leary and Vaughn Perret |
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| France,
Spain And Dubai ~ by Rosemary Jaworsky - After my last article
for Escape From America Magazine, LIVING in GASCONY, (May 2005), I was
inundated with requests for information on residency, home buying, working
and healthcare, etc. I tried to answer every email to the best of my knowledge
and from some borrowed knowledge, too. Some of my writers, who were keen
to learn more of the area and were interested in buying, actually paid
me a visit. I still have about 6 more scheduled visits for September and
October and two confirmed visits for April and May next year. Since then,
I have continued to receive requests on secondary home ownership with a
view to later retirement. Oct./05 |
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| Studying
In Spain At Don Quijote Language School
- Spain is a really seductive country. In
January 2000 I came from Brazil to Salamanca (In the North West Spain)
for a short stay to learn Spanish and see for myself all the´exotic
landscapes I imagined while hearing fairy tales in my childhood. I decided
to stay longer and four years later I'm still here. In my opinion this
country is one of the best places to live in the world. In the lines below
you'll find out why Spain is so interesting and why it is so important
to learn Spanish nowadays. Life is good in Spain and people know how to
enjoy it. March/04 |
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| A
Year In Barcelona ~
By Blane Bachelor - Barcelona is the capital of Catalonian culture and
anyone from Barcelona will tell that being Catalonian is something very
different from being Spanish. The city is covered in layers of history
and culture and as a place to spend a year in it offers something for everyone:
great food, great people and great sites. Go and see for yourself. Dec./02 |
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| Like
Drinking Café Olé ~ By Maxine Schur - Great article
about traveling through the Costa Brava on Spain's northeastern border
near France. This is an area that became popular with artists in the 1920s
because of its great climate, people and food. If you want to know a little
about the towns that dot this area then the above article has some great
resources for exploring Costa Brava. June/03 |
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| Nothing
Like Its Packaged Sibling To The South ~
by Steenie Harvey - If you’ve wondered where discerning Spanish go in summer,
I can tell you. They’re on the Bay of Biscay...vacationing in tasteful
coastal towns like San Sebastian and Santander. Pounded by the Atlantic,
the Bay of Biscay fronts Spain’s northern coast —and it’s practically virgin
territory for foreign visitors. July/04 |
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| Moving
to Spain - How one couple created a dream home for S24.500 |
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| Trekking
Through The Beauty Of Spain ~
by Richard Robinson - Spain was never the softest of options for walkers
- even if you could plan your way around the heat of high summer there
were always the dodgy maps to catch you out. Those tantalising mountains,
rising mistily beyond the beach or viewed from some castle rampart remained
mysterious and inaccessible, vaguely daubed on playschool maps that ripped
apart when opened. Things have improved in recent years, though, and the
British expatriate community that can take some credit for blazing the
trails, organising groups and writing walker’s guide books. Spain these
days is more walker-friendly and the repertoire of rambles, the incredible
variety of landscapes, grows ever more accessible. Nov./04 |
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| The
Beauty Of Spain ~
by Hugh Phelan - If you are thinking of living abroad for the first time,
I can't think of a better country to start with than Spain. Great people,
great places and great food. The above article describes what it feels
like to arrive in Spain for the first time without any presuppositions
- the best way to arrive in any country. Nov./03 |
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| Real
Estate In Spain - If you have decided to buy a property in Spain,
there has never been a better time to set the wheels in motion. Interest
rates are low at the moment and there is an absolutely fabulous selection
of properties to choose from. Nov./04 |
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| 3
Paths To Personal Power From The South Of Spain ~ by
Paul Read - At first it seemed a romantic alternative; candle lit meals,
gas lighting and early evenings to bed. Living 2 km from the nearest electricity
pylon gave us a novel and factura-free lifestyle. Our friends frowned at
our choice of such a remote farmhouse, but although we had been pampered
by city life, we accepted that campo living was about going back to basics.
Equipped with a portable 12v battery pack we could recharge our mobile
phones and plug in a B&W 2 inch screen TV. What more would we need?
Well, for a start there was the washing machine, the water pump and the
iron. We had to use a generator for these things but the noise and the
fumes destroyed the peace of our valley as well as the lining of my lungs.
But AA batteries alone couldn’t run such power hungry items. Oct./05 |
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| Is
Land Ownership in Spain Truly Freehold? -
Taking land without justification or at worst, adequate compensation, is
an undeniable breach of human rights and perhaps of the theory of
freehold land ownership but,..hey what human rights existed in Spain in
1938..or even later? By Tom Clancy Mar/06 |
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| Red
underwear, a dozen grapes and great $25.00 meals - Spanish police
seized two vans from the Basque separatist ETA that were full of explosives
reportedly headed for the year 2000 celebrations in Madrid. They also swiped
17 bottles of sparkling wine from my party as we entered the capital's
Puerta del Sol in the first hour of the year 2000. by Ken Layne |
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| Zen
And The Art Of Gorse Clearance ~ by Paul Read - Lets try and be
positive about this. Gorse can provide a useful sanctuary for some animals
and birds, I’ve seen toads and wasps for example happily co-existing within
this hardy plant. Its presence, one has to admit prevents soil erosion
in places that perhaps few other plants would grow. Jun/05 |
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| Open
a Bar in Remote, Rural Spain - Are You Crazy? -
Is establishing a successful, thriving British
bar/restaurant in a remote part of Spain a possibility? Buy two crumbling
old farmhouses in a remote, rural part of Spain and open up as a British
bar/restaurant? Are you mad? April/06 |
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| Looking
At The Recent Past In Spain ~ by Paul Read - The 20th November
2005 marks the 30th anniversary of Franco’s death. One year ago the government
promised to “restore the true history” for those that died defending the
democracy enjoyed by all today. Because for whilst the Nationalists were
honoured as heroes, the Republicans that died fighting fascism lie forgotten
in hidden graves. But the removal, earlier this year, of the last statue
of Franco from the streets of Madrid created an unexpected backlash amongst
Spain’s not-so-dormant Right-wing. Will the Government now continue in
its pledge to “honour the dead” and to “re-write history” or will
it just let old wounds fester? Dec./05 |
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| Buying
A Bar ~
by Samantha Hornick - Ever wondered about buying a bar in Spain? Last year
alone, a record number of ex-pats left their home towns for a new life
abroad, and 75,000 of them bought properties in Spain, a figure which is
expected to rise to 100,000 in 2005. There is little mystery as to why
Spain has become such a popular destination for those seeking a new life.
For many Spain is the perfect choice with year round sunshine and a better
quality of life overall. But the biggest dilemma facing most potential
émigrés is finding work abroad and the one dream most of
them share is to own and run a bar in the sun. Buying your own bar is the
most appealing and low cost option for those wishing to move abroad and
´do their own thing´. May/05 |
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| When
you come to live in Madrid -
the burden of cultural adjustment will be upon YOU and there will be significant
changes to which you will have to adjust. Spain is a western country
with attitudes, habits, and a standard of living that is broadly speaking,
the same as in Britain and the US. This doesn't mean that you won't need
time to get used to the sights, sounds, tastes and smells of your new surroundings,
though. |
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| Real
Estate in Spain - In light of the Valencia Land Grab Law is the
Valencia Region worth investing in? Many people have invested in the region
in previous years and have seen terrific returns on their money. In my
own example I bought a property 4 years ago and it has grown in value by
some 300%.If anyone knows of a better investment vehicle then I would be
pleased to know about it. However in light of the recent coverage of LRAU
– Valencia’s land grab law – is Valencia still a safe place to buy property?
By
Vince Barnes Oct./05 |
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| Really
Rural Spain -
The city of Jaén city sprawls around the base of a pine sloped hill
and a magnificent 16th century cathedral draws the eye. Rest on stone
weathered benches on the cathedral plaza under monstrous magnolia trees.
There are many smaller monuments, well deserving of a maze-like stroll
around the cobbled narrow streets with their profusion of flowers tumbling
through wrought-iron railings. By Rachel Webb May/06 |
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| Moving
To The South Of Spain ~ by Mark FR
Wilkins - Over the last few years we have heard an increasing number, perhaps
apocryphal tales of UK citizens “not recognising “ the country they grew
up in. Feeling alienated in their own country and looking for a way out.
When you decide that you are nearing the end a busy working life, your
family have fled the nest or you simply want a better quality of life for
your family, your mind will inevitably wander to questions of whether there
is a better quality of life to be found elsewhere. We’ve all attended those
“lifestyle” shows at the NEC or Olympia where the prospect of 330 days
a year of sun, a milder climate for arthritic bones, a golf course for
every day of the week, international quality schooling and a magnificently
diversity of influences are dangled carrot like beneath our noses. Mar/05 |
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| A
Little Advice ~ by Katja Dekker - It has been almost three years
since we moved to Spain and finding our way around has been fun and sometimes
a struggle. When you move abroad you realize that you are giving up your
career, your house, the lease car and all. But in return, there is a romantic
future lying ahead of you; a future without stress, traffic jams, thousands
of emails a day, dark clouds, rain. An exiting future with new possibilities,
new people and new habits. Jul/05 |
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| Running
to Spain - Whatever your life stage, I am confident that you and
your family will experience a new lease of life, often out of doors, and
you’ll wonder for ever more why you didn’t do it ten years ago. Jun/06 |
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| Renting
month to month in sunny, southern Europe -
inger in beautiful Italian cities like Rome and Florence. Portugal is another
good bet for a longer stay—winters here are mild, trains go everywhere,
and you can do a lot of exploring from an Algarve base or the Lisbon coast. |
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| Summer
Jobs & Short Term Employment Abroad -Transitions
Abroad has collaborated with Escape from America Magazine to bring escape
artists a broad and exhaustive compilation of job opportunities in over
30 countries all over the world, including a regional guide to the Mediterranean,
Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe, Europe, Asia, and the Middle
East. In addition to that treasure, this page and the next offer
sound leads to serving in a voluntary capacity, as well as teaching overseas
at some of the world's most prestigious schools. In following issues
of Escape from America Magazine, we will be adding to this valuable resource
on a regular basis. We know how important our Jobs Overseas section
of your magazine is, and we're doing something about it. Check it
out. |
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| Spain:
An Overview - Spain
is a country with a rich, colourful and diverse history, a land of many
varied regions and a people who are proud and welcoming. For many first-time
visitors to Spain, the expectations are of frequently used and evocative
media images of sangria, sombreros and bullfights. While all of these play
a part within traditional Spanish culture, there is much more that makes
modern Spain a progressive, diverse and cosmopolitan society. Oct./06 |
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| Revival
Of Arab Baths ~ by Richard Robinson - In the shadow of the fabulous
Alhambra palace, El Bañuelo survives as an empty shell, the last
Arab bath in Granada. The rich carving and tiling, the hot running water
have long gone, but shafts of sunlight fire through star-shaped openings
in the vaulted roof, creating a shadow-play among the silent pillars, the
arches and the bare stone walls. In Moorish times in Al-Andalus (the name
given to the Moorish dominions in Spain) there was a bath on every street,
gurgling with steaming water, crowded with the devout going about their
ablutions. The city of Córdoba alone could boast 600 public baths
in its 11th-century heyday. Oct./04 |
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| Spanish
Property Prices - For many years now,
Spain has been one of the most popular places for those wanting to start
a new life in a foreign country. By far one of the most popular reasons
was that huse owners could sell their existing property in their home country
and purchase a property in Spain at a very good price - thus leaving a
large amount of capital that could either be invested or help serve as
income through the forthcoming years. Jul/06 |
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| Starting
a New Life in Spain ~ I
suppose it was about ten years ago when we first started thinking about
buying a property in Spain – a holiday home that we would intend to visit
for two or three weeks of the year. Over the following years, at weekends,
we would trail numerous property exhibitions organised by the big estate
agencies. But back then, like with many others, owning a home abroad turned
out to be only a dream, as the visits to the exhibitions were as far as
we got and we never took that step further. By Elaine Ablett Mar/06 |
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| Making
The Move ~
by Elaine Valet - I suppose it was about ten years ago when we first started
thinking about buying a property in Spain – a holiday home that we would
visit for two or three weeks of the year. Over the following years, at
weekends, we would trail numerous property exhibitions organised by the
big estate agencies. But back then, like with many others, owning a home
abroad turned out to be only a dream, as the visits to the exhibitions
were as far as we got and we never took that step further. Dec./05 |
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| Living
On A Spanish Farm ~
by Paul Read - Miguel has sold his car and has decided to buy something
much better. This new vehicle gives off no pollution, no emissions whatsoever.
In fact it uses a very green sort of fuel that can be recycled for other
uses. It transports him, his tools, his packed lunch and his dog to work
but he rarely has to use a road. And when the sun sets over the green Vega
that snakes up to his village from the Granada coast, his trusty mode of
transport gets him safely back home down narrow alleyways that even a Smart
Car would think twice before entering. Jul/05 |
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| In
Barcelona ~
by Shirleyann Costigan - I came to Barcelona to see Gaudi's masterpiece,
the Temple de la Sagrada Família. However, when I discovered that
six of my travel group wanted to see Parc Guëll I decided to visit
the Parc with them before going my separate way. At the Tourist Office
located in the Plaça de Catalunya it is possible to purchase a bus
pass that offers two different sightseeing routes around the city, both
on the same pass. Passengers can get off at any stop and catch the next
red or blue bus that comes by every 20 minutes or so, but because the stop-and-go
ride to the Parc would take 45 minutes, we opted to take the Metro directly
to Parc Guëll station. That was a mistake. Dec./03 |
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| A
Lost Treasure Found ~
by S.A. Costigan - The ancient and beautiful city of Girona, Spain, located
about 60 miles north of Barcelona, is a desirable destination on any travel
itinerary. It’s loveliness stands quite apart from its deep history as
the major Catalonian town on the Costa Brava. July/04 |
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| In
The Steps Of Popes, Princes And Kings ~ by
Brandon Wilson - Although they say that it’s the journey that matters and
not the destination, I, too, had my doubts. That was until I heard about
Spain's Camino de Santiago. And what a difference that trip has made. If
the idea of exploring Europe is met by a "been there, done that" response,
think again. There’s a unique option whose concept started long before
the advent of those whirlwind package tours. You can walk all or part of
the Camino de Santiago across northern Spain for an intimate, at-your-own-pace
exploration of a country steeped in magnificent beauty, art, history and
faith. Feb/05 |
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| An
Expat’s Guide to Living in Spain -
A report on moving to Spain. The nation that produced the twentieth centuries
best artists; including Picasso and Miro. The backdrop for the novel
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway, the novel about expats that
changed our perspective of the world. Spain is among the quintessential
expat destinations. With fine real estate, excellent food, profound culture,
and some of Europe's best islands and beaches, Spain is an extremely worthy
consideration as an expat destination. This report by Arin Vahanian, eighty
pages in length, provides the details that we need when considering Spain
as a destination. Real Estate, Contacts, Employment, Legal Considerations,
Citizenship, all laid out in a comprehensive easy to read format.
An Expat’s Guide to Living in Spain will save you money, answer your questions,
and prepare you to live in Spain. Aug/03 |
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| Mallorca,
Sardinia and Rhodes ~ By Ron Jenkins - Traveling and teaching on
the Mediterranean sounds like something from the Ancient world. That distinctive
Mediterranean blue water mixed with rejuvenating Mediterranean air. It
makes me think of a Chirico painting or a glass of retsina with a small
plate of olive oil, tomato and feta. Jan/03 |
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| First
Time In Iberia ~
by Matthew Atlee - There is a new direct flight from Panama City to Madrid.
The name of the airline is Air Madrid: the flights leaves every Monday
and Friday; the flight takes 10 hours and 20 minutes: you fly up the Caribbean,
over the Dominican Republic and then north past Florida, when you are in
the middle of the Atlantic Ocean you turn east and fly straight over Portugal
and Spain. When the trip was planned I thought we were just going to Spain
and then realized we were also going to visit Portugal, which I really
wanted to see because I had heard that Lisbon was a great city. It was!
Jan/05 |
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| Unique
Travel - In October 1999, I set out alone on a bike from Zurich,
Switzerland to Cadiz, Spain to get back in shape. The plan was to get in
condition as I biked along. Switzerland was probably the wrong place to
start - like training to fight Tyson while fighting him. An article by
Jerry Ritter - When Jerald Ritter isn't riding his bike he is publishing
a magazine on living in the Caribbean. He has lived in and invested in
the Caribbean and Latin America for much of the past thirty years. He publishes
the Caribbean Property List Magazine, the largest online directory of Caribbean
and Latin Americans properties on the Internet. |
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| Moving
To Spain ~ By Gaetan Philppart - Looking for a job in Spain could
be difficult right now as Europe is in a bit of a slump. But there are
always ways of finding jobs and the above article is filled with great
ideas about how to find a job in Spain. Who cares about the money: think
of the good times, the bars, the restaurants and the people you would meet.
April/03 |
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