The Festival of San Juan

The Festival of San Juan
The shortest night of the year in the Northern hemisphere, June 23rd, is celebrated in almost all of Spain – the arrival of the summer solstice.
The beach of Valencia and the whole coast as far as you can see becomes a huge party zone, bonfires making the centre piece of every group gathered to celebrate this triumph of light over dark. It is believed that the bonfire can cure diseases of the skin and cleanse the body and soul and if you jump over it 3 times it can turn a bad year into a good one! At midnight everyone enters the sea to wet their feet and wash away the sins of the year gone by, what a site to look back and see the beach full of burning fires and groups eating, drinking, making music, dancing and partying. Supermarket trolleys overflowing with food, drink and wood for the party that lasts until sunrise!
A walk along the promenade brings you to the live stages (last year 3!) with lights, music and live acts, as everyone enjoys these immense outdoor discos. And of course it wouldn´t be Valencia without a firework or two to add to the spectacle that is the Festival of San Juan, something that has to be seen to be believed.

Property in Valencia

Property in Valencia

The city of Valencia is fast becoming one of the most famous cities in Western Europe, being one of few cities that have tropical shores and beaches. The city of Valencia is a heaven for tourists all year round, benefitting in the winter months, when the northern hemisphere is covered with snow. There has been a expansion over the past three decades of the city of Valencia where it has developed from a small coastal town into Spain`s third largest city. In Property in Valencia is generally not as high as the other major cities, making it more favorable for large and small businesses alike, along with one of Europe`s most modern harbours with all the latest facilities, recently revamped for the 32nd Americas Cup. Result - people flocking into this magnificent city for many different reasons, to set up business centers, establish their company`s regional offices, as well as to reside or retire here. Among all the basic necessities required for settling in a foreign city like Property in Valencia is one aspect that has been thoroughly covered. In Property in Valencia is available for both commercial use as well as residential purposes in the city or in its many surrounding towns and villages. Property in Valencia is bought in the form of residential apartments, vacation homes as well as independent homes for full time occupation. Overall, the city of Valencia carries bright prospects of development as a modern economic center. Property in Valencia is playing a major factor in the further development of this wonderful city. This has been of great advantage to both Valencia and Spain.

Formula 3 in Valencia

To be used as a test of the Street Circuit in Valencia the Spanish Championship Formula 3, the International GT Open and the Regional Championship will all be held in July before the major European Grand Prix in August.

Valencia - July 26th and 27th will see the first races on the newly laid Valencia Street Circuit before the celebration of the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe 22nd, 23rd and 24th of august 2008. The Spanish Championship of Formula 3, the International GT Open and the Regional Championship, will be raced in order to guarantee that the Valencia Street Circuit is in perfect condition to hold the Grand Prix in August.

It is expected that around 20.000 people will attend these races with the tickets on sale from the 1st of July through El Corte Ingles and Servientrada Bancaja for a price between 20€ and 60€. The races will be shown in 54 countries and competed between 25 nationalities.

The Vice President of Valencia Government has empathized that "the big sports events carried out in the Comunidad Valenciana are a dynamic element of the economy". For him, "in this moment of economic crisis the events about sports, like the Formula One, have a good effect in the city of Valencia and in the Comunidad Valenciana".
He went on to say that "the celebration of this kind of big events has a direct repercussion of 6.000 millions of Euros and generates more than 140.000 employments in our Comunidad. And one of these events that will generate wealth for the Comunidad Valenciana will be the Formula One Grand Prix of Europe which will take place in the Valencia Street Circuit".
The President of Valmor Sports, (organisers of the Valencia Street Circuit) stated "these races will be a test for the asphalt, the tracks, the accesses, all the installations and for the organization, in general. Besides, he has added that the racers of Valencia will be the first in driving in the Valencia Street Circuit".
The President of GTSports, Jesús Pareja, sees that "the Valencia Street Circuit is going to be an emblem and a reference in the motor world". He also added that "never have I known such international expectation with a race. I am convinced that the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe is going to be a success because of its originality and characteristics".

Creating Lifestyles

March 2004, 16 years in the same job, (34 years old) off sick and feeling pretty fed up with things, watching all the programmes on telly… place in the sun, house hunters in the sun etc. I said “All those lucky people moving to Spain, and it’s so cheap, why can´t we be the next? There is nothing to stop us!”

3 months later in June 2004 we had sold up in glorious Devon and bought our dream home and business in the Sun!

The house sale went through; we bought our dream property in Valencia, we used a well established Spanish estate agent with English speaking staff, so nothing could go wrong, right? But, once the sale was over and we signed on the dotted line that was it, could we get any help or advice from them after that? Not a thing!. We muddled through the first year and were very fortunate that the Spanish neighbours were very welcoming and helpful. We soon settled into our new Spanish lifestyle. Unfortunately, after a while, the partnership fell apart and, being the smaller shareholder in the property, I found myself having to look for somewhere else to live - and an income.

Very fortunately I had made a lot of friends in the village and they were all very supportive. I was invited to rent a room in a beach apartment in Valencia with Spanish friends and a local farmer mentioned that a friend, Conor Wilde, who owns the estate agency Spain and Property, was opening a new office in the neighbouring village of Monserrat and I should give him a call.

I had met Conor and his Spanish wife Susi only briefly on one other occasion, but calling him this time, it was as if we were great friends. “Come on over to the office and see us, we´ll see what we can come up with” he said. I had absolutely no experience in estate agency but knew my 16 years in hotel management and experience with computers could come in useful with office work and customer relations.

So it was that, in February 2006, I started part time at the estate agency Spain and Property. Business took off and within 3 weeks I was needed full time. I was worried about becoming an estate agent, you hear so many horror stories, and although I was desperate for work, I was not willing to compromise my honesty and beliefs for anything. It was, however, very obvious, very quickly, that Conor and Susi were professionals; they knew what they were talking about when it came to selling property in Valencia. I heard them advising clients about the difference between rustic and urban land, something I didn´t have a clue about - I had bought without anyone advising me of this. It turns out my house was “urbanisable”, which meant one day I could end up having to pay out to have proper roads and sewerage put in. They also advised about “black money”, something that my Spanish agent told me I had to pay. I now discover I had probably paid too much and the sale of the house could get very tricky with me ending up paying a fortune in taxes.

I remember an English builder telling me “Out here you just go ahead and build what you want, if they catch up with you just pay the fine!” I now know from Susi, a Valencian, that it is up to the Town Council to decide whether to fine you or make you knock it down. Why take the risk? We wouldn´t dream of building in the UK without permissions, so why do it here.

The honesty and integrity I see from Conor and Susi has earned them an excellent reputation; we have clients coming to us saying they have been let down by other agents, and even though most houses here are on the market with all agents, it is us who the owners tend to come to for help and advice. 60% of our clients, sellers and buyers, are via word of mouth and recommendations. Spain and Property also offer an after sales service, having an office base means we are here to help with the settling in process, doctors, residency, schooling, insurances, taxes etc. - again something that I could have really done with back in those early days.

2 years on I am still loving the work, I am learning all the time and it is great to pass on my experiences and new knowledge to help other people have a great life here and buy property in Valencia correctly. I am now living by the beach, I work long hours during the week but every weekend I am on holiday in Spain; I am a local in the bars where I live and lead a very Spanish lifestyle, nearly fluent in the lingo with a great circle of friends. Now that I have my money through from my share in the house I am looking to buy an apartment in Valencia and this might sound biased but I know who I will be using to look after my next purchase of property in Valencia!

Property in Valencia for sale

Villa in Montroy with 2650m2 plot and 150m2 built area: fitted kitchen with white goods, large lounge with feature fireplace and log burner, sun lounge/conservatory, separate dining room, study, 2 double bedrooms (master with en suite including a jacuzzi bath), 2 bathrooms, separate guest annex with double bedroom, lounge area and bathroom with luxury hydro massage shower, hot and cold air conditioning units in most rooms, double glazing with mosquito nets, sky satelite, solar power water heater with emersion back up, access is via 2 electric gates into the ample parking area in front of the villa, low maintenance landscaped garden with large area suitable for a orchard with a selection of fruit trees already in place all with irrigation system, several terraces including a roof terrace from which to enjoy the magnificent country views, barbecue area, 2 storage sheds, swimming pool with filter. WIFI broadband with Skype. A beautiful villa in excellent condition throughout and only 4 years old, this is an excellent opportunity only 1.5kms from the town. Being sold with most of the furniture making it ready to be moved straight into. Price: 258.700€ Check out photos here

Americas Cup in Valencia

Never having been a big fan of sailing (despite coming from a sailing town in England!) when I first heard that the 32nd Americas Cup was being held in Valencia it didn´t really hit big with me. But living just 10 minutes away from the purposely built Port Americas Cup it didn´t take me long to get hooked! The atmosphere was magic, the situation spectacular and the competition exciting. So when Alinghi reclaimed the title in what has been acclaimed as the "greatest ever" Americas Cup in history (considering the competition is the oldest and richest sporting competition) you can imagine my joy at the prospects of the 33rd Americas Cup returning to Valencia in 2009. But unfortunatley is hasn´t all been plain sailing - Read my full article here. You can also see all the latest information regarding the 33rd Americas Cup in Valencia at the official website.

Formula 1 Grand Prix Valencia 2008

The European Formula 1 Grand Prix is coming to Valencia in August 2008. I am living just 10 minutes away from the urban street circuit that is being constructed around the harbour area of Valencia. Read my full article here.
Every day I drive over the newly laid tarmac which will form part of the urban street track for the European Formula 1 in Valencia in August 2008. Watch this space for more updated information as it happens.