Retiring to Spain

More than half of the UK’s ageing workforce plans to retire abroad, taking the pressure off the state system here and piling it on healthcare resources in the rest of Europe.

Less than half (43%) of Brits see the UK as a preferable retirement location, with many instead planning to pack their bags and spend their retirement in sunnier climes. In fact, the Brits are the least likely to retire at home, ahead of the Germans (46%) and the Irish (49%), according to a survey of over 7,500 European workers from Aon Consulting.
In contrast, Spain (87%) and France (81%) topped the popularity tables when it came to workers intending to retire in their home country, followed by the Danes (74%).

Spain is the retirement destination of choice for British workers, with almost one in four (23%) UK employees who wish to retire abroad identifying Spain as their preferred country. In second place came the US (21%), while the similarly warm climates of Australasia, France and Italy filled the next three places in the survey.
An influx of retiree immigrants to any one country could exacerbate the already ticking time bomb of an ageing population in Europe, forcing countries like Spain and France to rethink social policies and budgets to deal with extra pressures on healthcare resources.
This research is part of the Aon Consulting European Employee Benefits Benchmark, a survey of more than 7,500 workers from across Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland and the UK, 10 of the leading economies in Europe. The benchmark focuses on the views of workers across Europe on topics such as retirement, employee benefits and other pension-related issues.

Oliver Rowlands, head of retirement, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Aon Consulting, commented: “Cheap air travel and the communication tools available over the internet means that retiring overseas doesn’t necessarily mean being completely absent from your family’s life, making the prospect of emigration to other countries on an previously unseen scale a real possibility.
“Not surprisingly, most people want to spend their retirement predominantly in countries with good weather and good social and government benefits, and ideally close enough so that they can get home quickly if they need to.

“There are financial implications that people thinking about retiring overseas need to consider. Cost of living may be higher in the country of choice, and so people planning on retiring abroad need to factor that into their savings plan. There can also be tax implications both at home and in a new country of residence, so it is certainly worth investigating that in advance so there are no nasty surprises later on. And finally healthcare benefits can vary widely for expatriates and this will be a major concern for retirees as they grow older.”

The best Spanish chefs at Marbella’s Food & Sun Festival

The best Spanish chefs will meet in the second edition of the “Food & Sun Festival”, which will be hosted by the Gran Melia Don Pepe hotel in Marbella (Malaga), from the 22nd to 24th August.



After the “success” harvested last year, this event aims to establish itself as a “highly relevant” event in the agenda of the city as well as “a benchmark” of culinary competitions.
In addition to gathering more than 400 professionals including chefs, sommeliers, waiters and winemakers, the meeting will feature a lineup of renowned culinary artists. Spanish renowned chefs attending the festival will include Dani García, José Andrés and Andrea Tumbarello.



The event, organized by the city of Marbella, will make it possible to continue betting on the Andalusian city “as a tourist destination and a culinary benchmark of quality “in the living tradition and the avant-garde cuisine.
This year’s novelty will be that the cuisine and golf will come together to bring together different sections of the public at the event ‘Wine & Green’ which is to be held on the 23rd August.



This event shows off the variety of gastronomic culture and tradition of Marbella. Marbella has many Michelin stars and has over 800 professional kitchens as well as many prestigious academies. The Marbella Sun and Food Festival is helping to promote tourism through this gastronomic endeavour.

There are three events taking place:

Live Cooking: On Sunday 22 August the chef’s Dani Garcia, Jose Andres and Andrea Tumbarello will be giving professional cooking demonstrations.  They will be covering popular Spanish dishes.  This will take place at Hotel Melia Don Pepe.



Wine and Green: On Monday 23^rd August an exclusive event will take place, fine dining and golf, where you can also enjoy another of the great attractions of Marbella, golf courses.  A tasting of sparkling white wines will take place with a cocktail offered by the three Michelin star restaurants in Marbella Calima, El Lago and Skina.



Espetos Competition: (Espetos are sardines cooked on a stick on a charcoal barbeque on a chiringuito) this takes place on Tuesday 24^th August. This event is about espetos a tradition dish of which includes whole aspect of its cooking.. Six espeteros areas will be available for competitors and they will be judged by a jury of professional espeteros and retired professionals with high reputations.

Rock in Marbella

For the majority of residents and visitors to the glorious Costa del Sol, warm summer days take care of themselves. However, most of us will agree that evening entertainment is somewhat lacking with the Marbella nightlife defined by mostly tried and tested options.

Alexandra Burke, Jamie “Afro” Archer, Diversity and The Scarletz come to Marbella to perform at RockinMarbella on 20th August 2010

It seems like an age has passed since there was a truly family orientated event that would entertain people of all ages, from the young to the young at heart, and also an event which didn’t break the bank! It has also been far too long since we enjoyed a contemporary band or group playing or performing in Marbella on the Costa del Sol, well, your wait is over…….

Rock In Marbella is a consortium of ex-pat businessmen who are resident here on the coast and who share your frustration. With roots in this community, all they’ve been after is a wholesome event to take the family to.

A Night To Remember will be such an event and will fulfil the gap. An event unrivalled on the Costa del Sol for many years. Held at the Puerto Banus Bullring on the 20th August 2010, the event will run as a ‘mini festival’ – 4 live acts, DJs, Celebrity Compere, 12 different food and drink concessions, merchandising outlets, memorabilia and for the more discerning VIP guests there will be a separate ‘tented village’ enjoying pre and after show parties till dawn, fine dining, meet the bands, an unplugged show, chill out zones…

A Night To Remember – Marbella has secured a stunning line up for you!

The X Factor Concert will bring Alexandra Burke, Jamie “Afro” Archer, Diversity and The Scarletz. This concert aims as well to the Super VIPs. The X Factor concert offers Champagne Reception at the Laurent Perrier Champagne Bars, Canapés by gastronomic genius and Michelin Star Chef  Dani Garcia from Lamoraga, lounged seating staged by Secreto del Sur and Private After Show Party at Pangea Night Club for a price of 400 Euro.

For VIP tickets call the VIP Team under 669 208 417 or emailvip@rockinmarbella.com. Normal tickets are priced at 50 Euro up to 100 Euro if you want do be on the dance floor.

Tickets are available from ticketmaster.es and El Corte Ingles.

New Picasso’s to arrive in Malaga

Many art aficionados and Picasso fans have been delighted to hear of the new acquisitions procured by Malaga’s Picasso Museo de Picasso.




After a flagrant Summer’ spending some 72 pieces have been picked up by the museum. Among them are 22 drawings and 46 paintings, spanning the whole of the artists illustrious and lucid career.
Also exciting the galley owners is the acquisition of four of the artist’s sketchbooks, which offer wonderful insights in to the artist development, his experiments with style and the formation of techniques.



This new collection has set the museum back a total of 2.75 million Euros and builds on an already staggering collection, now totalling at 233 pieces.
Now the museum offers an even more well rounded experience of Picasso’s work than ever before. The visitor is now invited to Picasso’s work as if its own world, you can experience a very big range of his vast range of style, glimmering through many periods of the prolific painter’s career.
Museum curator Jose Lobero believes that these new acquisitions and the impending reorganisation of the museum should really help visitors be able to appreciate the work of the Master painter. He remarked “Each spectator can become their own interpreter, and be the author of what they see.”
Some of the work has already been exhibited at the museum, but the museum’s metamorphosis really begins in October when 43 works acquired from the Almine and Bernand Ruiz Picasso Foundation will be introduced.



Recently visitors to the museum have been wowed by the exhibition of works from Czech painter, Frantisek Kupka, whose exhibition attracted 46,000 visitors, and was  described by some as life changing.
This influx in spending and acquisition at the Picasso Museum accompanies a 2.9 million facelift to Malaga’s city centre, as the Junta de Andalusia councillor for Tourism, Luciano Alonso, has outlined plans for a six month refurbishment of many of the streets surrounding the Picasso Museum.



The appearance of the area around the Museum is set to vastly improve, to make it more attractive to tourists. There are also plans for new unique street art that will have a budget of up to one million Euros. So far the streets set to be repaired are San Agustin, Cister, Duque de la Victoria and Molina Larios, yet there are plans to extend this regeneration further throughout the town.
Tourism is a vital industry in the Costa Del Sol, bringing millions of visitors a year who part with billions of Euros, and Malaga seems keen to invest in and maintain that market. This year has been a particularly good year for Spanish tourism as it has seen a rise in British holidaymakers, who have been returning to the region of Spain as an old favourite.

With the recession currently tightening the purse strings of many tourist, and an ever increasing vacation rental market, owners of Costa Del Sol villas, have found 2010 a particularly rich year.

The Museo Picasso Málaga was created in response to Pablo Picasso’s own desire for his work to be present in the city where he was born, on 25th October, 1881. The Museum was created thanks to the shared wishes of Christine and Bernard Ruiz-Picasso, the artist’s daughter-in-law and grandson, whose donations constitute the core of the MPM Collection, and to the efforts of the Autonomous Government of Andalusia, which coordinated the major project to set up a museum devoted to the artist whose styles and techniques changed the course of modern art.

The initial idea for the Museum arose in 1953, as a result of the contact between Pablo Picasso and Juan Temboury Álvarez, who was the Provincial Delegate for Fine Arts in Malaga. However, the project fell through shortly afterwards.

Christine Ruiz-Picasso, the widow of the artist’s eldest son, Paul Ruiz-Picasso, resumed contact with Malaga in 1992, on the occasion of the exhibition Picasso Clásico (Classic Picasso), and again in 1994, with the exhibition Picasso, primera mirada, (Picasso, the first glimpse). In 1996, she rekindled the 1953 project, which finally came into being, 50 years later, on 27th October, 2003, when the Museum was officially opened by Their Majesties King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía of Spain.

The 233 works in the MPM collection cover Picasso’s revolutionary innovations, as well as the wide range of styles, materials and techniques he mastered. From his earliest academic studies, to his personal take on the Classics; from the overlapping perspectives of Cubism, to his experiments in ceramics, and from his re-workings of the Old Masters, to his late paintings in the 1970s

The attraction of Marbella welcomes the attraction of Obama

Marbella, in the heart of the Costa del Sol, is one of the most popular, best known and most glamorous locations in Spain. Its reputation for attractions, weather and celebration tempts people from across the world, including celebrities such as Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith, Joan Collins and Sean Connery. This year however the glamour has inched up a notch with a presidential seal of approval.



Michelle Obama has arrived in Marbella for what the White House has described as a four-day “private, mother-daughter trip with long time family friends”. That’s no surprise to the increasing number of Britons who are choosing to holiday or live in this attractive and sunny part of the world. Indeed, recent figures released from Málaga Airport show it has experienced a 2.2% increase in passenger numbers between June 2009 and June 2010. In addition, figures from primelocation.com reveal that internet searches by Britons for Spanish property have increased over the same period by a whopping 151%. In fact, Spain accounts for a third of all searches.
Why is it then that interest for this small corner of Spain never wanes? Cities like Marbella have numerous attractions enticing all nationalities; this stretch of coast boasts several Blue Flag beaches, there are beautiful parks and designated national parks for the great outdoors experience along with plenty of bars, restaurants, theatres, cinemas and clubs for evenings out.



The thriving nightlife in the city attracts many thousands of visitors every year. Marbella town is a fantastic place to experience traditional Spanish festivities especially important religious celebrations such as Easter, Christmas and New Year. Plus there are many events and festivals throughout the year celebrating food, music, film, fishing and more, including summer bull fights and horse and carriage rides. Whether Michelle Obama and her daughter decide to experience this lively side to Marbella is yet to be seen but what certainly remains true is that Michelle Obama vacationing here adds even more chic and glamour to the fashionable resort.
The impact of the economic problems of 2008 affected Spain nationwide; however, with the nature of Marbella’s high profile, this region’s economic climate has been documented more than most with particular attention to the property market. Agents and developers have suffered in the down turn with some devastating effects. However, for some developers there has been a resurgence in demand for second homes over the last twelve months which they have attributed to the more realistic pricing developers have adopted to maintain property interest. One of these developers, Taylor Wimpey de España, is seeing huge sales success having sold a quarter of the homes in its La Floresta de la Mairena residential complex in the last four months.



As a result of the increased buoyancy of the market they have decided to invest in a new development in Marbella (Benahavis) close to Puerto Banus. Taylor Wimpey de España has launched Los Robles II, which is just two kilometres from the luxury hotel where Michelle Obama is currently staying. This new real estate project at the Los Arqueros Golf Resort & Country Club will begin construction this summer.
Since 1997 the company has sold more than 1,200 homes in the area and currently has reserves of land for 650 new homes. Despite the more than fifty years of experience in Spain, the global economic circumstances presented a new challenge to the business, explains Victor Sagué, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey de España,



“Times were difficult but the sales results we saw with La Floresta was a pleasant surprise. We discovered that the secret is actually just about decent, sensible pricing which reflects the circumstances and realities people are facing.”
The business has fared well despite the economic downturn, with over 95% of its stock of buildings in the Costa del Sol sold.
“When there is a major crisis of confidence among buyers as has been the case recently, the strength of the brand plays in increasingly key role. The more uncertain the times, the more security people want and that is particularly true when it comes to such a significant purchase of a property,” says Sagué.
Los Robles de Los Arqueros II, Benhavis, Costa del Sol



Los Robles de los Arqueros (Phase 2) is a new Taylor Wimpey development situated in one of the best areas of Marbella, the prestigious Los Arqueros golf course. The residential complex has stunning sea and golf views, wide streets, beautiful gardens and the look of a Mediterranean village. It consists of only eight apartment blocks, all just three storeys high and crowned with spectacular penthouses that have a magnificent terrace and pergola.
Apartments come with 2 or 3 large bedrooms with 2 bathrooms and luxury finishes. The complex features a lift, swimming pool for children and adults, community gardens, underground parking, storage and 24 hour security.It is surrounded by a prestigious golf course with 18 +9 holes. The homes have large terraces with spectacular views over the golf course and sea. Completion of the project is scheduled for the 1st quarter of 2012.



Los Robles de los Arqueros is located in a prestigious area of the Costa del Sol, close to Marbella, the famous port of Puerto Banús, San Pedro de Alcántara and the beautiful landscape of the Ronda hills.

These properties are available now from €232,000,
Contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information.

Costa Blanca

Costa Blanca takes up the stretch of Mediterranean coast that corresponds to the province of Alicante, a great example of what is known as Mediterranean landscape.




The traveller can choose any part of this coastline, from the liveliest, most cosmopolitan stretch to areas that still maintain a rural feel. Wherever you decide to go, try to visit the neighbouring regions where you can discover the beautiful Mediterranean landscape.
The horizons of the Costa Blanca feature many different types of attractions ranging from the valleys, where the memory of its Moorish past is kept alive in its terraced vegetable gardens, to the palm trees. The climate is also variable. The temperature is generally mild – the annual average being slightly higher than 17ºC – with little rainfall, and in the northern mountains in the area, the rainfall is logically higher than that registered in the lowland surrounding Elche and Orihuela. The combination of almond tree fields, vineyards, orchards and magnificent palm trees creates a type of vegetation that is unique in Europe.




They became a symbol of the global housing market crash, unsold, half-built, lining the Mediterranean like skeletal relics of a bygone, more prosperous age.
But villas and apartments on the Spanish Costas are suddenly hot property again as Britain’s second-home buyers rediscover the attractions of life in southern Spain.
Fresh from a chilly, dismal winter, drawn by falling prices and apparently undaunted by the low sterling-euro exchange rate, a new generation of would-be buyers has descended on Spain, according to the Spanish division of Taylor Wimpey.



Typical holiday home buyers are no longer “stereotype retirees”, the UK’s biggest house builder said. Instead, executives with families who spend an average of 60 days a year in Spain have emerged as the dominant British buyers in a region that enjoyed huge popularity during the credit-fueled boom years.
Perhaps in search of a bargain, Rightmove Overseas, the website, said that the number of searches had risen by 60 per cent compared with March last year. Portugal was its most popular search among buyers of holiday homes, it said.
Primelocation.com reported a rise in searches for international property of 72 per cent between February 2009 and 2010, with France recording the biggest annual rise of 113 per cent. Spain remained the most popular country, accounting for 32 per cent of all searches, compared with 29 per cent for France.




Due to this increase in British property buyers and a slight strengthening of sterling against the euro, leading UK building company Taylor Wimpey is due to begin construction of a number of small property developments in various parts of the Alicante province. The company aim to use some of their prime sites it previously acquired before the economic downturn to build developments of up to 30 properties in areas such as Btera, Calpe, Monforte de Cid and Rojales.



Spanish sales director, Victor Sagu, said “sales have been steady over the last year with 200 properties sold”. Taylor Wimpey hopes the current trend continues so they can keep building. Sagu added “the company had reduced its prices by between some 20 to 35 percent and this has meant that a detached property with a garden valued at 180,000 euros, which was originally planned for sale to British buyers, has now become affordable and have been purchased by young Spanish buyers as their main residence”.



In a bid not to overstretch during this tentative period of recovery in Spain’s beleaguered property market, Taylor Wimpey will not embark on a massive building programme but will instead opt for small developments of up to 30 quality properties. According to  Sagu the company will build properties in the medium to high luxury level and they will be promoted on the British, German, Dutch and Danish property markets.

Costa del Sol

Costa del Sol takes up about 300 kilometres of the Mediterranean littoral that corresponds to the province of Malaga.




Protected from the northern winds by a mountain chain that in some parts comes down to meet the sea, this sheltered coast is shaped by a succession of extensive beaches, coves almost hidden between cliffs, marinas and anchorage for fishing.
The mild climate, infrequency of rainfall and the sea breeze make for semitropical vegetation in which palm and cypress trees, bougainvillaea, oleander and hibiscus are common. The proximity of such different landscapes -the mountain, the valleys blanketed in vegetable gardens and the sea- is, without a doubt, one of the greatest attractions of this coastline which combine all the appeal of the Mediterranean landscape and culture.



Residential areas, marinas, golf clubs, entertainment centres, nightclubs and many more tourist attractions have been built around and now coexist within the peaceful ambience of country villages, which have astonishingly conserved their traditional town centres. Summer beach holidays and all the appeal that this can offer along this stretch of the Mediterranean is not, however, the only attractions offered by the Costa del Sol: you will have the chance to uncover the most genuine, authentic features of the Andalusian culture very close by.




In addition to the folkloric displays in the tourist centres, you can also experience the lively and popular celebrations. The fiestas, Easter parades, song contests and the bull runs without a doubt claim first place on the list of recommendations for travellers who want to see beyond what first meets the eye. Tasting country wines in the intimate cellars of yore and having some traditional fried fish (cooked to perfection by the local folk) are some of the temptations that will seduce all visitors, specially those that prefer the wonders of local gastronomy over the ever-present international fare.



Taylor Wimpey España recently launched its new luxury development on the Costa del Sol in a move that signals the return of happier times in the premium Spanish property market. La Floresta de la Mairena, set in a stunning location in the hills above the town, is the first new development to break ground in Marbella for over three years and reflects Taylor Wimpey’s growing confidence in the demand for premium property throughout Spain. The development represents an €8.5million investment for Taylor Wimpey España and has been triggered by the company’s success in selling over 80% of its stock in the Costa del Sol in 2009.



The very special appeal of La Floresta de la Mairena lies in its location and specifically in the views that the location affords. Situated in the La Mairena hills above Marbella and surrounded by a strikingly beautiful oak forest, the view from La Floresta provides one of the most striking panoramas in the Mediterranean. To further add to appeal, most of the land surrounding the development has been designated a natural biosphere reserve by UNESCO ensuring that the stunning views will remain permanently unobstructed.
Victor Sague, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey Espana is confident of significant interest in La Floresta from the UK market:
“The last six months has shown us that as demand for the best properties in the best locations continues to rise whilst the existing stock of such properties gets smaller and smaller, prices will inevitably continue to rise. We sold 52 units in Marbella last year and today there are almost no premium homes available in the town. Anyone who visits La Floresta and experiences the ambience and the breathtaking views cannot fail to see that this will be one of the most sought after locations in the whole of the Costa del Sol. Marbella continues to hold a very special attraction to the British holidaymaker and with La Floresta being only seven kilometres from the town centre and the beaches and offering golf on the doorstep – I am confident we have the perfect package.”



The launch of La Floresta is the developer’s first under its new moniker of Taylor Wimpey España after spending the last fifty years trading as Taylor Woodrow de España. Headquartered in Palma de Mallorca, with offices in Barcelona, Alicante and Marbella and a staff of nearly 100, over the past fifty years Taylor Wimpey España has sold over 3,000 homes throughout the Balearic Islands, Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol.