TRAVEL SPAIN

Many expatriates tend to concentrate their job searches in Spainto the main tourism  areas  where perhaps they may feel most at home, however if you are prepared to broaden your horizons there are many employment opportunities to find rewarding work in the big cities such as Madrid, Bilbao, Barcelona, Seville, Alicante and Valencia.

Your experience is invaluable to many companies in Spain. Many are now looking to the United Kingdom or other European countries to find people who are willing to relocate and provide the company with all the experience and knowledge they have to bring with them. This can be a big plus for existing Spanish companies and international entities looking to expand and gain the knowledge that you bring with you to help drive their business to the next level.

In general Spanish salaries for working in Spain are less than those in the UK and other top EEC countries but bear in mind that the cost of living is less and the lifestyle is better. EEU nationals have the right to seek employment in Spain without a work permit. Most jobs in the holiday hotspots are dedicated to tourism, hospitality and real estate areas and in general only a basic knowledge of Spanish is required if non at all. However to be able to gain  employment away from these areas you will be required to have a good  knowledge of the Spanish Language. However speaking Spanish is fun and will open many doors and new opportunities and will enhance your overall experience in Spain.

The basic salaries range from 600 - 2000 for sales roles and many are commission based jobs,  there is though, the potential to earn six figure sums. Non sales roles is where the salaries can vary massively, for example a secretary or receptionist  may earn 600 - 1000 per month, a graphic designer may earn 2000 per month and an IT database developer may earn 2000 per month. Some business will still be closing down for 2 to 3 hours a days as the siesta is still in force in certain industries, specially the important touristic areas although this custom is becoming  less frequent. 

Depending on which area of employment you may work in, the Spanish have had a system in the past whereby the normal 12 month salary payments are increased by two extra payments each year,  thus you get a 'bonus' at Christmas and summer. However due to the current climate in Spain most employees will offer you a set fixed wage inclusive of any extras you may be entitled to and will expect you to agree to this before entering into any contract.  This system is fine as long as you are happy with the salary and conditions from the outset.

One of the positives of the property crash for new arrivals to Spain is it is now the best time to buy property as an incredible 50% has been whipped off the values in the last 5 years. A two bedroom apartment in nice areas on the Costa del Sol  costing around 200.000 Euros in 2005 can now be purchased for around 100.000 Euros, it is a buyers market at the moment as investors look to profit from the  market situation. On the other hand you may wish to rent a property, on average you will be pay around 500.00 Euros per month for a very respectable 2 or 3 bedroom apartment.

The Costa del Sol has not been named the Costa del Golf without good reason, it is simply a golfers paradise, there are some 69 golf courses in Andalucia , of which 45 are situated along the Costa del Sol, four of those are ranked in the top 10 in Europe, add to that a fantastic all year round climate and you are most definitely in golfing heaven !!.

This concentration of quality courses along with an excellent warm and sunny climate has proven to be a must golfing winter destination to many thousands of northern Europeans each year.

Valderama was chosen for the Ryder cup in 1997 which ironically was almost washed out due to the heavy rains, however even the unusually wet weather couldn't dampen the atmosphere during those momentous days for the European team. This year Valderrama golf club will celebrate in style as the Volvo Masters commemorates its 20th anniversary, the longest-running single sponsorship in European golf. The tournament will be played between the 1st and 4th November 2007

Due largely to the success of the Ryder Cup, golf was taken to new levels on the Costa del Sol as it gained universal recognition and along with it more quality courses where constructed to supply the ever increasing demand. Our complete guide to golf courses on the costa del Sol provides information and full details of each course.

Some of the new additions to the Coast is the excellent 9 hole par 3 Greenlife course situated in the Urb Elviria in Marbella. There is also the increasingly popular Cabopino Golf Club, a short testing 18-hole course designed by Spanish architect Juan Ligues. A short drive along the coast road towards Marbella situated in front of the prestigious Los Monteros luxury Hotel lies the beautiful Santa Clara Golf , a well maintained course with wide fairways and little rough. Another popular and family orientated course with both the local and expat community is Baviera Golf which lies east of Malaga approximately 5 minutes drive from the Village of Velez Malaga. This challenging but not over difficult course offers nice open fairways , lush greens and spectacular views to sea and mountains. Really good to see so many families out playing at this course including the younger members.

Due to the increasing demand of golfers who enjoy playing 9 holes instead of the usual 18, some excellent smaller Par 3 courses have sprung up all along the Costa del Sol. These courses are very player friendly, great value , help your short game tremendously and can be played easily in around 2 hours making them ideal for the local golfing enthusiast who's time and funds maybe limited. The pick of these courses include, Greenlife, El Candado, La Siesta, La Noria, Monte Paraiso, Magna Marbella , Alhaurin and Benalmadena Golf.

A special mention must go to the spectacular La Cala Golf Resort which is now the biggest in Spain since the third ( Europa Course ) came into play. This resort truly encumbers the spirit of a complete golfing community which includes 3 championship courses, a fabulous club house and restaurant, well structured property developments around the courses, many competitions for players all ages and standards, the elite David Leadbetter Golf Academy , a small par 3 course, great practice facilities and a well stocked pro shop. A real must on the itinerary of all players visiting the Costa del Sol.

Due to the high prices of property close to the coast and lack of building land in those areas the promoters know well the importance of Golf courses to interest an tempt future property buyers to Spain. The Spanish tourism authorities are also highly aware of the lucrative commercial benefits of offering quality golfing facilities . The average golfer will spend some 120 Euros a day whilst the conventional tourist spends little more than 38 Euros. 80% of golfing visitors will repeat the same course as well as trying others. 16 new course are planed on the Costa del Sol with a further 19 in the Cadiz region which includes the increasingly popular Costa de la Luz. This means huge investments in Spain and the creation of hundreds of Jobs which is as we all know is music to any politicians ears and so the efforts to build on and sustain manageable quality golfing tourism is of the up most
importance to all concerned.

So whether you are an experienced player or simply a beginner there are courses on the Costa del Sol to suit all tastes and requirements, playing standards and individual or group requirements....but remember during the high season to ensure your favorite course is available don't be disappointed and book your tee times early whenever possible.

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When it comes to renting a holiday property or staying in a hotel what are the benefits of holiday rentals Spain.

Well holiday rentals in Spain offer outstanding value for money. With private holiday lettings you can save around 50% compared to the average family holiday stay in a hotel which leaves you more holiday spending money to enjoy yourself.

When searching for a holiday rental Spain there is such a huge variety  to choose from, Villas with Pools. Beachside apartments, rural properties, luxury homes, the choice is overwhelming. So whether your kids prefer a superb sunny villa with a swimming pool and Jacuzzi or you are looking for a nice quiet countryside retreat you will certainly find your ideal holiday rental property that suits your needs.

Spanish Holiday rentals offer you total privacy, so no need to worry about other guests, cleaners and other hotel staff as your space is totally yours to enjoy. And the great thing is you are not restricted to one or two rooms, your holiday home can be as big or s small as you wish from single roomed studio to a 10 bedroom villa.

Unlike hotel package holidays with a holiday rental you can freely make your own schedule as you go along, your not set to meal timetables, dining times etc, you can tailor your itinerary to  suit you and your family.

Renting a family home is a great way to spend quality time together in a relaxed holiday mode. You can invite your friends or family to enjoy a nice BBQ for fun  summer nights on the terrace or spend long days around the pool.

Private holiday rentals in Spain can be the perfect solution for pet lovers. There are plenty of pet friendly rentals to choose from around the world, you ll not only be able to enjoy a great holiday for the whole family but save money on expensive kennel fees. What ever your Spanish holiday requirements are there are plenty of benefits to renting a property to enjoy a fantastic family holiday getaway.

The province of Seville in Andalucia,  is  full of picture postcard landscapes, monuments, white villages, fertile lands and the world famous Doana National Park. The Aljarafe region is one the prettiest with its beautiful towns and villages including Carmona, Utrera and Ecija.

The city of Seville must surely rank as one of the most romantic in Spain. The city  offers everything you would want for a romantic getaway, perhaps to  spend an unforgettable St Valentines. The city is steep in history and many cultures. It offers some of the finest food and wines in Spain and of course is credited with inventing Tapas.

An evening stroll along the Guadalquivir river is a must. Lining the banks are an array of  old bars, cafeterias and  restaurants serving up such delicacies as cured jam,  local goats cheese and anchovies  in oil  and vinegar. 

There are many historic landmarks and monuments in Seville  including the Golden Tower, the La Giralda, Seville Cathedral and the Maria Luisa Park.

The city offers some beautiful romantic hotels and our pick of the best is the Hacienda San Rafael .

This truly authentic Andalucia hotel offers luxurious surroundings and is full of Spanish charm. It is set among 350 acres of a working farm which makes this centuries old former olive far, a perfect romantic retreat. It has retained so many of its original features which have been beautifully restored in the traditional colonial Andalusian style.