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[adrian j boris] 01/9/2019 17:23

French ‘world’s best’ theme park opens site in Spain
The El Sueño de Toledo show is in the same style as shows at the original French park, but focuses on Toledo history

The French Puy-du-Fou historical theme park in the Vendée (Pays-de-la-Loire) - previously voted the “world’s best” theme park - has opened a new sister site in Spain, near the city of Toledo.

The new park is located a few kilometres away from Toledo, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986.

Organisers of Puy-du-Fou Toledo - including Nicolas de Villiers, the son of the original founder, and the park’s current president - are hoping to attract visitors from all over the country due to the site’s convenient location less than one hour’s drive away from the capital city of Madrid.

The new five-hectare theme park is three times’ smaller than its French counterpart, but is still set to create 87 new jobs this year. By 2028, more than 876 direct jobs will have been created, alongside just over 2,400 new jobs created indirectly in the same time.

While the original Puy-du-Fou focuses on Vendée history for its historical re-enactments and famous nighttime light shows, the Toledo site, named Puy-du-Fou España, will pull from its own local history to create a new set of performances in the same spirit.

The El Sueño de Toledo ("The Dream of Toledo") show is already confirmed, with 15 dates scheduled for this year.

The opening night took place this weekend.

The performance lasts one hour 10 minutes, and includes 185 actors and horse riders. Each show will be played to an audience of up to 4,000 visitors.

An added nocturnal theme park will be completed by 2021, and offer nighttime performances and light shows in the same style as those shown in France (known as “Cinéscénie”).

President Mr de Villiers said: “It is a common humanity that we cover in our shows, which creates real emotion whatever your culture [or history]. That is the strength of Puy-du-Fou, and this artistic signature that we have created. We are confident and supported by the Spanish, who are really looking forward to this show.”

Puy-du-Fou is the third-most-visited theme park in France, with more than 1.5 million visitors per year. It also claims to offer the largest sound and light show in the country.

In 2012, it was voted the world’s best theme park by the American Themed Entertainment Association, beating 700 parks and shows in 40 countries to victory.

The original park was also the first in France to win the Thea Classic, the industry equivalent of the Oscars, with judges calling it a “unique” destination.

[maywillow] 02/3/2019 16:59

Mar 2, 2019, 11:06am
Spain Shows Sense In Dealing With British Expatriates
Stephen Pope
Stephen Pope
Contributor
Markets
I focus on developments on economic and market aspects within Europe.

FILE: The flip flop sandals of a holidaymaker decorated with the British union flag, sit on the sandy beach in Benidorm, Spain. Photographer: Matthew Lloyd/Bloomberg©; 2016 Bloomberg Finance LP

There has long been a symbiotic relationship between the Spanish economy and British Expatriates (Expats) and the U.K. in general.

The website fullfact.org, reports that 1.3 million people form the U.K. live in other European Union (EU) countries. Of these Spain hosts the largest group of U.K. citizens at an estimated 310,000. France is in second place with 165,000 and in Ireland with 118,000 comes third.

Except for Greece, one could make a good case for Spain enduring more pain than any Eurozone nation during the sovereign debt crisis and economic meltdown. Such was the worry over a Spanish default that in July 2012 the spread of 10-year Spanish debt over Germany reached 6.10%. The subsequent action taken by the European Central Bank (ECB) and the improvement in the Spanish economy took this down to 1.03% at the close of business on March 1st.

No wonder there has been a sense of concern as to what U.K. expats might do if the Brexit process ended in an outcome of no-deal? This was doubly worrying as so much of the Spanish economy had been focused on residential property construction.

When the economy slowed, building programmes ground to a halt abandoned as incomplete by bankrupt developers. Thousands of houses and apartments stood empty. If the British left in droves, property markets would be even more depressed as over 50% of expatriate homes are owned by British citizens.

The majority of British in Spain have chosen to integrate and live among their Spanish neighbours. Only a minority have chosen to live with one another in so-called “Expat Ghettos” that are sprinkled around the Spanish Mediterranean coast.
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Therefore, it is welcome news to hear that even though a general election campaign is in full flow, Spain's cabinet acted to approve a series of measures for U.K. citizens that reside in Spain to continue living there just as they do now even if a satisfactory Brexit deal cannot be achieved.

The Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell said the main purpose was that no-one would be left unprotected. That is a good step although such a measure would appear to be temporary; the plan approved by the cabinet does include a clause for Britons living in Spain to apply for a "Foreigner Identity Card" before December 31, 2020 so as to prove their legal residency status.

This should prove to be a straightforward process as the Spanish newspaper “El Pais” (“The Country”) reports that the process would be "nearly automatic" for those U.K. nationals who already have permanent residency.

Of course, nothing in life is given away as it must be pointed out that the plan is dependent on the U.K. reciprocating with similar measures for Spaniards residents.

One may call me a cynic; however, one must bear in mind the contributions British expatriates make to the Spanish economy. The British consul in Alicante has stated the figures for the Alicante province alone to amount to €1.32 billion ($1.50 billion) a year. Over 25% of all British expats live in that area).

Another factor is that Spain knows the value of good relations with the U.K. for its wider economy. Spain currently enjoys a €11 billion ($12.4 billion) surplus in the trade balance with the U.K., which is approximately 1.1% of GDP, according to El Pais.

The U.K. is also Spain’s primary direct investment destination, with Spanish companies investing €48 billion ($54.2 billion) or 14% of the annual total. Money also flows the other way as 10% of the U.K.’s total foreign investment is directed toward Spain.

Not only is Spain keen to maintain a good relationship with the British that live in Spain. There are many tourist Euros at stake. British tourists flock to Spain each year for their holidays as good weather and beautiful beaches are virtually guaranteed. The British make 25% of all tourist visits to Spain with vacation spending contributing €14 billion ($15.8 billion) to the Spanish economy.

This may be a sign of a late move by Europe to seek a deal for Brexit that the House of Commons could approve. Spain has had to overcome its frustration by not being able to build a claim on Gibraltar. It has done so because the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, would love to boost his election chances with a good future relationship with the U.K. cash cow.

Maybe, other nations will look to their own economic interests, i.e. sales of German cars, French cheese and wine or Italian fashion. The EU may feel its integrity is crucial but having a good relationship with the U.K. for migration, trade and tourism will prove essential for future economic prosperity. After all, it’s all about the money.

Stephen Pope has over 30 years of experience in the international capital markets and is Managing Partner at Spotlight Ideas.
Stephen Pope
Stephen Pope
Contributor

[zangdook] 14/11/2018 05:40

"the cost of a one-bed apartment in a city centre being £216 cheaper in Spain. Or, if you want to invest in property, you will save £13,912 per square metre on the average house."

Somebody didn't proof-read their article. Perhaps those numbers go the other way around? Even so, they look funny to me. Maybe they're just wrong.

[sarkasm] 04/9/2018 15:45

How do you save £22k a year? By moving to Spain

By Kate Saines in Household Bills September 4, 2018 0

If you are still dreaming of your summer holiday, take inspiration from new research which has revealed moving to Spain could save you £22,000 a year in living costs.

Despite the effects of Brexit, setting up home in this country will cost you less in accommodation, commuting, childcare, fuel and even entertainment according to the data released by thinkSPAIN.

Spanish utility bills are £400 cheaper on average than those in the UK, according to the study, and on the other end of the cost scale you can save 21p on every litre of milk you buy.
Buying a home

But it’s the price of a house which will ensure Brits moving abroad make big savings, with the cost of a one-bed apartment in a city centre being £216 cheaper in Spain. Or, if you want to invest in property, you will save £13,912 per square metre on the average house.

Public transport is nearly half the price in Spain and petrol prices come in at 12p per litre cheaper – which is a saving of £144 per year.
Education and childcare

There is also a vast difference when it comes to education and childcare. Indeed, private pre-school and day care per month would be £548 less in Spain and you could make savings of up to £6,909 per year on private primary school education.

Even luxuries like cinema trips and football tickets will set you back far less than in the UK. A cinema ticket costs, on average, £3 less in Spain and you can save a fiver on the cheapest football tickets.

And, of course, there is another major advantage to relocating to Spain. A spokesperson for thinkSpain said: “The Spanish climate may not come with a price tag, but can offer a better quality of life than in the UK.

“You can ditch the winter coat for shorts and sandals, with an average high temperature of 19.6 degrees Celsius in Spain, compared to a mere 14 degrees in the UK.”

There is more information about the comparisons in the costs of living in the UK versus Spain in thinkSPAIN’s guide, ‘What Price is Paradise?’

[sarkasm] 17/6/2018 15:51

How to avoid the pitfalls of buying a home abroad: From legal wrangles to currency worries, the eight key issues you need to consider

While Spain and France are popular spots, other countries are more affordable
Bulgaria and Brazil are among the most affordable places to buy a second home
Each country will have a different legal system so it's important to wise up

By Esther Shaw, Financial Mail On Sunday

Published: 23:30 BST, 16 June 2018 | Updated: 14:12 BST, 17 June 2018

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Buying a property overseas is a life-long dream for many people looking for sun, relaxation – and perhaps a place to retire.

Some will plan on basing themselves abroad for a few months of the year while others will want to relocate permanently. Many will pick spots on the Continent though some will venture further afield.

Whatever you decide, unless you plan carefully those dreams of owning a place in the sun could soon turn into a nightmare. Here are some of the potential problems and pitfalls you need to be aware of.
Popular: The South of France remains a favourite choice for Britons
+5

Popular: The South of France remains a favourite choice for Britons
1. Picking the wrong location

While Spain and France remain popular destinations for Brits, other countries are more affordable. Latest findings from currency specialist FairFX reveal that Bulgaria and Brazil are among the most affordable countries to buy a second home, based on property and living costs.

The company looks at the average cost of a two-bedroom apartment in specific countries, but also factors in a selection of everyday costs – including a car, utility bills, petrol, internet and mobile phone usage.
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Ian Strafford-Taylor, of FairFX, says: ‘When deciding where to buy, you need to look not only at the cost of property, but also how much it will cost you when you are out there.’

Also bear in mind that while it is easy to fall in love with an area when you are on holiday, it can be different when you are actually living there. Everything from access to local shops and public transport can become more important.

You must also consider how easy it will be to travel home. Good transport links to main cities and airports are essential. Crucially, you need to find out what the area is like in winter.

Tips:

Carry out exhaustive research. Attend international property shows and speak to experts. Subscribe to magazines and websites devoted to expats in your chosen country. Ask plenty of questions in the forums.
When you have narrowed down an area, take trips out there to get an understanding of what life is really like – and the costs involved.

Keith and Hilary Coombes bought a house in Spain 11 years ago. As a result, they now split their time between Moraira near Alicante and a retirement village situated between Oxford and Swindon (see case study box at bottom for their story)
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Keith and Hilary Coombes bought a house in Spain 11 years ago. As a result, they now split their time between Moraira near Alicante and a retirement village situated between Oxford and Swindon (see case study box at bottom for their story)
2. Legal lapses

When it comes to purchasing a property each country will have a different legal system so you need to wise up. Many will use the notarial system where the buyer and seller need to be present with a legal representative at the same time to check and sign legal documents to transfer property.

David Reith, of financial adviser Hargreaves Lansdown, says: ‘In France, the notaire overseeing the sale of the property acts on behalf of both the buyer and seller so it is vital to get independent advice.

‘In Spain, larger developers will tend to employ a lawyer and offer you their services, but it is essential to have your own advice. In Portugal, you need to be registered in the country for tax purposes before any purchase takes place.’
CASE STUDY: 'We hate the cold so go Down Under in winter'
Escape: Phil and Bryanna Whitaker bought a flat in Queenstown
+5

Escape: Phil and Bryanna Whitaker bought a flat in Queenstown

Phil and Bryanna Whitaker bought a property in New Zealand after retiring from running a car dealership.

The couple, both in their 60s, purchased a five-bed apartment on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, a mile from the centre of Queenstown. This cost just under £500,000 back in April 2016.

They now split their time between New Zealand and Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire.

Phil says: ‘We both hate the cold. As the days shorten in the UK, we escape Down Under to spend the British winter in Kiwi sunshine.’

When the couple were house-hunting they looked at dozens of properties around Queenstown. They chose their apartment because of the views over the lake and the mountain range – and the fact they can easily walk or cycle into town from there along the lake shore. The couple funded their purchase by downsizing their UK home to an apartment.

Phil says: ‘We knew we had to consider the impact of currency movements when buying so we used forex specialist TransferWise to send funds to New Zealand. This meant we got a fair exchange rate – and saved ourselves thousands of pounds in charges.’

The couple are extremely happy with their decision to buy in Queenstown.

Phil says: ‘It has some excellent restaurants and sports facilities and a village-like atmosphere where everyone knows everyone.

‘We also see our three boys regularly as we encouraged them to emigrate a few years ago and they now all live in New Zealand or Australia. We FaceTime as often as we can.’

Tips:

Before you buy, find a good, local, independent, bilingual lawyer with no ties to the vendor – or to the estate agent or property developer. You must find someone who will act in your interests.
Never sign paperwork in a foreign language.
Note that lawyers perform different functions in different countries, so do not assume they will do all the necessary background checks. Get to grips with their responsibilities – and yours.

3. Mortgage mistakes

Most British banks have become less willing to lend on foreign properties since the 2008 financial crisis. So, the two main options are either remortgaging your UK home to release equity or taking out a foreign mortgage.

In some markets, a local mortgage makes more sense. In France, for example, you may get lower rates and find some mortgages geared specifically towards non-residents. But do not assume that just because you have a mortgage in the UK you will automatically qualify for one overseas.

Miranda John is international manager at mortgage broker SPF Private Clients. She says: ‘Research is key to establish whether lending locally is available and if so, on what terms, as there is a surprising difference between countries within the Eurozone in terms of mortgage interest rates.’

Tips:

When budgeting for your deposit and mortgage, be sure to set aside sufficient money to cover agents’ fees, legal costs, survey fees, property registration, moving costs and insurance. Also factor in any tax on property transactions.
Speak to a specialist overseas mortgage broker who can help you devise the best buying approach. They can also explain any tax implications.
If you are buying a property with the aim of letting it, make sure you have done all the financial sums.

If you are considering buying in Europe, you need to think about the implications of Brexit, especially on currency issues
+5

If you are considering buying in Europe, you need to think about the implications of Brexit, especially on currency issues
4. Currency calamity

At some point, you will need to transfer money into your chosen currency to pay for the property. At times of currency volatility, timing can make a difference.

Strafford-Taylor says: ‘Taking advantage of rates when they move in your favour could save you hundreds of pounds when it comes to making payments abroad or sending money to your overseas bank.’

Tips:

Do not make the mistake of going straight to your bank for currency. Try a specialist such as TransferWise, FairFX, Caxton FX, Moneycorp or Fexco, as they often offer lower charges and better exchange rates.
Look beyond any upfront fee. Nilan Peiris, from TransferWise, says: ‘While most people concentrate on the upfront fee – with many banks advertising zero per cent commission to send money abroad – the crucial issue is the exchange rate.’
Look at fixing an exchange rate in advance. That way, regardless of how the market moves, you can be certain of the price of the property. With a ‘forward contract’ you can lock in a competitive exchange rate for up to 12 months – so you will not lose out if the pound weakens.
Check out tools such as the real time currency rate tracker from TransferWise. This sends live updates to your inbox when the rate for your chosen currency is favourable.

5. Forgetting ongoing costs

Once you have purchased a property there will be ongoing costs to consider – such as annual service charges or maintenance fees. Also, ongoing local taxes.

Tips:

Research all likely future costs related to a property purchase before you sign on the dotted line.
When paying for ongoing costs, try to ensure you convert your pounds at the best possible exchange rate.

6. Underestimating how hard it is to move

Moving abroad can be more complicated than you think. Anthony Ward is boss of Ward Thomas Removals which specialises in relocating people overseas. He says: ‘Make sure you have the right visas or permits to live in the country you are moving to.

‘Note that some countries impose taxes which must be paid locally when your goods arrive – so check out all these costs before you start the moving process.

‘If your move is by road within Europe make sure the access to the house is big enough for a large truck. Do not take your best Chippendale furniture and oil paintings to hot countries – the air conditioning dries them out.’

Tips:

Make sure you use reputable destination agents.
Do your research to avoid being faced with unexpected bills as you go through the process.

7. Pension pitfalls

If you make the decision to move overseas, your state pension will continue to be paid.

Reith says: ‘If you become resident in the new country, you will only benefit from annual rises in the state pension and the triple-lock guarantee if you live in the European Economic Area, Gibraltar, Switzerland or a country with a social security agreement with the UK. If you move to a country such as Australia or New Zealand, your income will be frozen at the rate when you left the UK.’

Tips:

If the state pension is a significant part of your income, think carefully about any overseas move as you could see its value eroded.
Remember to factor in any personal pensions. Patrick Connolly, of Bath-based adviser Chase de Vere, says: ‘You can leave this money in the UK or potentially transfer it to an overseas pension scheme. But you need to be careful because pension rules vary across countries.
‘Overseas pensions can be more expensive or less flexible than your UK pension and if you do not transfer to the right type of scheme, you could face a stiff initial penalty – in some cases 40 per cent or more.’

8. Brexit

If you are considering buying in Europe, you need to think about the implications of Brexit, especially on currency issues.

Tips:

Consider putting off your purchase until the position on Brexit is clear.
If you are set on pushing ahead, keep abreast of all political developments.
If you are worried about the impact on currency values, a forex specialist can help you reduce any risks.

CASE STUDY: 'Arm yourself with knowledge and don’t rush into buying'

Keith and Hilary Coombes bought a house in Spain 11 years ago. As a result, they now split their time between Moraira near Alicante and a retirement village situated between Oxford and Swindon.

Keith, 71, says: ‘We knew there were horror stories about buying in Spain such as corrupt town officials and the selling of bogus planning permission.

‘We also saw many unfinished buildings when we were out there looking to buy. But we were not put off.’

The couple looked at lots of properties with different estate agents in various parts of Spain.
Care: The Coombes’ two-storey home near Alicante
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Care: The Coombes’ two-storey home near Alicante

Keith says: ‘This helped us build up a picture of exactly what we wanted – and the pitfalls to avoid. We ended up using a well-qualified local estate agent who ran a longstanding family business. He showed us the house we fell in love with – a three-bed, two-storey detached house. It was in need of a lot of tender loving care, but had some lovely features.’

Once their offer was accepted, Keith and Hilary paid 10 per cent of the house price to a third party. Keith says: ‘As the sellers were British who were moving back, we agreed to make all our payments in sterling.

‘We agreed a rate of exchange between us.’

They then went on to pay the full amount in front of a senior lawyer. Both the seller and vendor were present at this meeting where all the relevant documents were signed.

Keith says: ‘We are glad we pursued our dream as we have had a lot of wonderful life experiences in Spain.

‘But our advice to wannabe buyers is not to rush into it – you need to arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can.’

[glennborthwick] 19/3/2014 07:52

yep waldron on the up.

[waldron] 19/3/2014 07:45

TRUST ALL IS WELL WITH YOU GLENN

TAKE CARE

CHEERS

[glennborthwick] 18/3/2014 13:52

Fotocasa.es Rightmove spanish equivalent.

[waldron] 30/10/2013 18:51

CHEERS GLENN