• Spanish government focuses on retail to end tourism bipolarity (Soraya Saenz de Santamaria, Deputy PM)
• Alicante is 5^th most popular shopping tourism destination in Spain (New Era of Retail Travel)
• Alicante second homes available from just €175k (Taylor Wimpey España)

Spain has enjoyed a record-breaking summer, with some 54.4 million foreign visits in the first nine months of 2015, up 3.8% on the year before, according to the Industry, Energy and Tourism Ministry. But now that the summer season is at an end and the holidaymakers are back at work in their home countries, has Spain accepted that the rush of visitors is over for another year?

Far from it! Instead, Spain is increasingly being seen as the ideal European country in which to enjoy a spot of shopping tourism. The value of Christmas shopping in luring customers from overseas has certainly not been lost on the Iberian country, as Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria explains,

“We have to open the riches of tourism to other sectors of the economy to end the bipolarity and seasonal nature posed by alternatives such as the sun and beach.”

The capital, Madrid, is already a well established international shopping destination. According to Xinhua news agency, it is the fifth most popular city in Europe in terms of spending by non-European visitors (after London, Paris, Barcelona and Istanbul). Yet Spain is now keen to promote shopping tourism across the country.

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, comments,

“Spain is a great destination for shopping, whether it’s in the run-up to Christmas or at any other time of year. In the south of the country, Alicante is a particularly attractive destination when it comes to high-end clothes and luxury items like watches and jewellery. There’s a wide variety of choice, from huge shopping malls to tiny boutique stores.”

Alicante is Spain’s fifth most popular city for shopping tourism at present, according to the ‘New Era of Retail Travel’ report presented at the recent shopping tourism conference in Madrid. The report has also projected that shopping tourism revenue in Spain could increase to as much as €5 billion in the next four years. With government attention focused so strongly on it, those who own holiday homes close to key shopping tourism cities can certainly look forward to even greater variety of choice over the years to come.

Many buyers of Taylor Wimpey España’s holiday homes along the Costa Blanca indulge in retail therapy as part of their regular visits to Spain. Those buying at La Recoleta III, at Punta Prima, Torrevieja, for example, realise that it is the ideal base for enjoying the best that Alicante has to offer. The high spec homes are available from just €175,000 for two bedrooms and each property comes with a generously sized terrace, for enjoying the fantastic climate year-round. The uniquely designed penthouses also feature solariums and outstanding views.

La Vila Paradis at Vilajoyosa is another great choice for those looking to explore the area, being just 20 minutes from central Alicante. The two and three bedroom apartments enjoy beautiful views over the beach and sea and the ground floor units feature private gardens. Like all of Taylor Wimpey España’s developments, La Vila Paradis benefits from a communal pool and pretty, shared gardens. Prices start at €248,000.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

• 7% of UK citizens own a second home, compared to 20.4% in Spain and 32.8% in Greece (RE/MAX)
• Second home ownership inversely proportional to a country’s wealth in Europe (RE/MAX)
• Free furniture pack for all Costa Blanca homes at La Recoleta III (Taylor Wimpey España)

There is an interesting paradox in levels of second home ownership across Europe. Greek citizens are six times more likely to own a second home than Germans. The Spanish, Portuguese and Italians also have far higher levels of second home ownership that Europe’s wealthier nations.

According to the figures from RE/MAX Europe, just 5.4% of Germans own a second home. The figure rises to 15.2% in Italy, 17% in Portugal, 20.4% in Spain and 32.8% in Greece. Yet, in the UK, only 7% of citizens enjoy second home ownership. The data casts an interesting new light on how a ‘wealthy’ country is viewed. Is the German citizen who spends five days a week stuck in an office but has lots of shiny gadgets truly wealthier than the Greek one in his second home in the country, harvesting and preserving olives, figs and pomegranates grown on his own land?

Certainly second home ownership brings with it a host of lifestyle benefits. In Spain, those living in the city are most likely to purchase a second home, as a means of escaping the nine to five and spending quality time with loved ones, often in peaceful rural areas or by the coast.

For second home owners from countries such as the UK, better weather is often a draw and Spain is a perennially popular choice of location for such a purchase. Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, comments,

“UK buyers have a long-term love of Spain when it comes to second home ownership. The beauty of areas like the Costa Blanca, with its seemingly endless stretches of white sand and glorious sunshine, exerts a charm that gets under the skin. Buying a second home there represents a significant shift in lifestyle – it’s about enjoying more of what Europe, and life, has to offer.”

Buying a second home can also be a shrewd financial move, particularly in times of record low interest rates. When buying overseas, it’s always a good idea to purchase a home directly from a reputable developer with a strong track record. Doing so means you know what you are buying into in terms of quality, which is particularly important when purchasing a home in another country.

Buying direct from the developer can also have added benefits. At La Recoleta III from Taylor Wimpey España, just two minutes from the beach and enjoying stunning sea views, the high spec apartments offer precisely the kind of quality finish for which second home buyers are looking. Each apartment enjoys generously proportioned outdoor areas (either garden or terrace, depending on the floor), high end appliances and its own secure, underground parking space.

Not only that, but apartments at La Recoleta III, which are available from €175,000 for a two bedroom home, currently also offer a free furniture pack. The limited time offer runs until 31 December 2015 (or sooner if the last remaining properties at this popular development sell out before then). It means that buyers can enjoy a stylish and tastefully furnished home, without spending a penny more than the purchase price. This is ideal for buyers who want to enjoy their Spanish second home from the outset and not spend their first holiday in it traipsing round furniture stores looking at cushions, when they could be relaxing on the terrace with a cool drink.

It all goes back to lifestyle benefits and having more time to enjoy what the world has to offer and it can certainly be seen as area where much can be learnt from the Spanish approach.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

• 22% of UK suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD Association)
• Just 10% of UK population works in natural daylight (SAD.org.uk)
• Spanish spas and sunshine provide the perfect antidote to the winter blues (Taylor Wimpey España)

The approach of winter brings with it many glorious things. The scent of roasting chestnuts, the anticipation of Christmas morning and the possibility of waking up to find the world blanketed in snow delight many people every year. But sadly winter also means short, often dreary days, itchy, chapped skin and rain. It also means an increase in levels of Seasonal Affective Disorder, which affects around 22% of the UK, according to the Seasonal Affective Disorder Association.

In the past, the UK’s population largely worked outdoors, so shorter days during the winter months did not have such a dramatic impact on the emotional health of the country. According to SAD.org.uk, 75% of the UK’S population worked outside 200 years ago; less than 10% do today.

Thankfully, the perfect antidote to winter exists in the concept of the Spanish spa break. Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, explains,

“So many of our buyers see their second home in the Spanish sunshine as an escape during the winter months. It’s a bolthole that means they can leave the rain behind and head for the sunshine. It also provides the ultimate way to relax and de-stress and we’ve found that our Miraval resort is particularly popular in that respect.”

Miraval is a collection of two and three bedroom apartments enjoying panoramic views over the sea and the nearby golf courses. Nestled between the Sierra de Mijas natural park and the Mediterranean Sea, the resort could not ask for a more tranquil setting, providing the perfect antidote to the cruel British winter. Miraval has just 60 properties in total, with prettily designed communal gardens and a generously sized outdoor pool. Properties are available from £282,000.

Not only do the stunning, contemporary apartments with their large outdoor spaces offer the perfect way to beat the winter blues in the Spanish sunshine, but they also enjoy easy access to the luxurious spa at La Cala Resort.

“A spa break is a wonderful way to relax at any time of year,” continues Taylor Wimpey España’s Marc Pritchard, “But it can be particularly therapeutic during the winter months when a lack of daylight can lead to increased feelings of stress and lethargy. Exercise can do the same – and at Miraval owners also have access to the three excellent courses at La Cala Golf Resort. They are spoiled for choice so far as relaxation options are concerned!”

La Cala Spa includes an indoor-to-outdoor hydrotherapy pool, a healing thermal suite, the ‘igloo’ ice room, a Turkish-style hammam, a herbal steam room and much more, providing clients with the ultimate in relaxation therapies and experiences. Wellness rituals, couple treatment rooms and dry flotation are just a few of the treats in store for those opting for a Spanish spa break in order to combat the effects of winter in the UK.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

• €9 million restoration of Caminito del Rey allowed ‘world’s most dangerous walkway’ to reopen this year
• Walkway classed as one of best new attractions for 2015 (Lonely Planet)
• Taylor Wimpey España highlights the rich variety of the Costa del Sol

Conjure up an image of the Costa del Sol and sunshine, sand and sangria no doubt leap to mind. Yet behind the idyllic beaches, bustling towns and tantalising local cuisine lies an altogether more dangerous feature: the Caminito del Rey.

The Caminito del Rey has served to highlight the year-round appeal of the region, which has so much more to it than one might imagine based on the postcards. In fact, a plethora of out-of-season attractions mean that the Costa del Sol is enduringly popular with second home owners looking to use their properties at intervals throughout the year.

Once known as the world’s most dangerous walkway, the Caminito del Rey snakes along the cliff-face of the stunning El Chorro Canyon, hundreds of feet above the deep green Guadalhorce River. The trail attracts adrenaline junkies from across the globe; rock climbers at once fear and revere the walkway’s tenuous grip on the cliff-face and its fabled state of disrepair.

Such was the poor condition of the walkway that partial closures were in place for over a decade. At certain points, climbers had to balance on a single iron beam, as the entire floor of the walkway had crumbled into the ravine below. Repairs were costly and difficult due to the elevation of the path, including the need for helicopters and specialist alpinists.

Yet in June 2011, despite (at that time) Spain’s faltering economic circumstances, the governments of Andalusia and Málaga agreed that preserving this part of history was worth the €9 million price tag. The extensive project took several years to complete, but the Caminito del Rey was successfully reopened earlier this year and has already been showcased by Lonely Planet as one of the best new attractions for 2015.

The dizzying path, which is just one metre wide, was originally built to enable workers at the hydroelectric power plants at Chorro Falls and Gaitanejo Falls to cross between the two. When King Alfonso XIII walked the pathway in 1921, it gained its current name, which means ‘the King’s little pathway.’

Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, was one of those eagerly awaiting the Caminito del Rey’s reopening. He comments,

“There’s so much more to the Costa del Sol than one at first realises. It’s not just about sunshine and beaches – though of course it has both of those in abundance! There are also plenty of fascinating cultural and historical attractions here. So many in fact that visitors are often taken aback by how much there is to do. Several of our second home owners have seen exploring more of the area’s attractions as one of their key reasons for buying in the Costa del Sol.”

La Floresta Sur, in Elviria, close to Marbella, is an ideal base for getting to know the Costa del Sol. The spacious, open plan apartments are available from just €192,000 for two bedrooms, with owners able to enjoy the two large communal swimming pools and pretty, landscaped grounds. Large terraces with sweeping views are perfect for appreciating the area’s gorgeous scenery, from the scented forest of oaks and pines to the dazzling shimmer of the sea.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

• Spaniards are healthier and live longer than the rest of Europe (WHO)
• Summer season visitor numbers up 6% (Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism)
• Costa del Sol buyers looking to stay in Spain for longer (Taylor Wimpey España)

According to the latest World Health Organisation findings, the Spanish have the best health and life expectancy of any country in Europe. Plentiful sunshine and fresh air, a Mediterranean diet and fabulous local wine (the Spanish consume 11.2 litres of alcohol per person per year, against a world average of 6.2 litres) are all likely contributors to the robust longevity of the Iberian nation.

These factors, plus golden sandy beaches and bustling, contemporary cities, are some of the reasons that Spain is enduringly popular with visitors. Tourist numbers increased by 6% over summer 2015 and are expected to hit 68 million in total for the year, according to José Manuel Soria, Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism.

The Minister has highlighted tourism’s importance to the Spanish economic recovery. In the last 12 months, the sector has contributed 11% to GDP and 12% to employment. It has also offset Spain’s trade deficit by an impressive 256%.

Spain’s property market is also faring well. According to Q2 2015 figures from the official registrars, the number of house sales in Spain is up 13.91% on the previous year, with 104,530 transactions recorded during the quarter. Ministry of Development figures show that foreign buyers accounted for 18.41% of transactions, while Spanish land registry figures show that buyers from the UK made up 19.8% of those foreign buyers – more than any other nationality.

With the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca two of the most popular areas for foreigners buying homes in Spain, Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of leading Spanish homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España, comments,

“As well as seeing record foreign visitor numbers this summer, Spain has also seen a huge amount of interest from overseas property buyers looking for a dream home in the sunshine. Taylor Wimpey España has had a bumper summer, with UK buyers in particular keen to purchase property here. Many of them are looking for more than just a couple of weeks’ use of their second home during the summer months. We’re seeing buyers who are keen to stay for extended periods – often weeks or months at a time – and many who plan to make the move to Spain fulltime.”

Eef Meijer and Lydia Kosijungan, from the Netherlands, are one such couple. Eef and Lydia purchased a Taylor Wimpey España home in Marbella as a second home using the profit from selling their house in Holland. They plan to use the apartment for one to two weeks each month and then move there fulltime in two years.

Proximity to the beach and to fantastic golf courses were two of the key reasons that the couple bought on the Costa del Sol, as they are for many British buyers. Two of the best developments on the market currently for beach and golf access are La Floresta Sur and Miraval.

La Floresta Sur enjoys stunning sea and mountain views, with the spacious apartments nestled in a tranquil location close to Elvira Beach. The development is close enough to Marbella to benefit from the shops, restaurants and nightlife, but enough removed to offer a haven of peace and quiet to those who own properties there. Prices start at €192,000 for a Mediterranean style two bedroom apartment with external private parking and use of two generously sized communal swimming pools and landscaped gardens.

Miraval is the perfect second home location for golf lovers, being sited at the respected La Cala Golf Resort near Mijas. Views stretch over the fairways to the deep blue sea, just 10 minutes from the development. Prices are from €279,000 for a two bedroom apartment, which includes a wonderful shared pool and lush grounds.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.

• Spain accounts for 1/3 of top travel destinations searched for by UK holidaymakers (TravelSupermarket)
• Homebuilder Taylor Wimpey España enjoys surge in British buyers during September
• 5% of holidaymakers made friends on their last holiday (Holiday Hypermarket)

Whether for a cheap summer holiday with the kids or a long-term second home investment on a prestigious resort, Spain has long been a favourite with visitors from the UK. The Iberian country’s particular blend of sunshine, beaches, tapas and low prices, all within a short flight from a plethora of UK airports, makes it a firm favourite with UK holidaymakers each year.

This summer, figures from TravelSupermarket saw Spanish locations account for a third of the top ten destinations searched for by UK holidaymakers. And according to Taylor Wimpey España buyers as well as holidaymakers from the UK are still firmly committed to Spain and to the Costa del Sol. The leading Spanish homebuilder, which has developments on Mallorca, the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol, has just reported excellent sales figures for September, including an impressive 38% year to date increase in British buyers.

Marc Pritchard, Taylor Wimpey España’s Sales and Marketing Director, comments,

“Holidaymakers from the UK have a long-standing love of Spain and in particular the Costa del Sol. The excellent climate, plentiful beaches and warm sea temperatures make it a wonderful place for a family holiday. Many of our buyers have been coming to Spain for decades – often their parents brought them here when they were children and now that they have children of their own they feel the time is right to put down some roots in Spain by buying a second home here.”

Along the Costa del Sol, buyers have some fabulous developments to choose from. At Elvira, near Marbella, La Floresta Sur offers spacious apartments in a peaceful setting with charming sea and mountain views. As well as access to the nearby Elvira Beach and the site’s two large communal pools, owners can enjoy free access to the facilities of El Soto Golf Club, making La Floresta Sur the ideal holiday home location for keen golfers as well as those looking to relax on the beach. The striking surroundings have been declared a natural biosphere reserve by UNESCO. Prices start at €192,000.

Further along the coast, at La Cala Golf Resort near Mijas is the charming Miraval development. The two and three bedroom, two bathroom apartments are just 10 minutes from some of the Costa del Sol’s finest beaches, with prices starting from €279,000. The apartments enjoy lush communal gardens, with a lovely shared pool and views of the scenic golf course and the sparkling sea. As with all Taylor Wimpey España properties, the apartments are finished to a high standard throughout, offering buyers a luxurious home away from home under the Spanish sunshine.

With a large expat community, the Costa del Sol offers a sense of welcome to many Brits looking to holiday or indeed to buy a property in that part of Spain. According to the Holiday Hypermarket 2015 Holiday Friendship Survey, 82.5% of holidaymakers reported making friends on their last holiday, 66.2% of them with other British tourists. With so many Brits basking in the sunshine of the Costa del Sol just waiting to make friends, as well as the warmth of the Spanish locals, it is easy to see why the relaxed and welcoming atmosphere of the Costa del Sol continues to capture the hearts and minds of UK tourists every year.

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit www.taylorwimpeyspain.com. Those residing outside of the UK should call 0034 971 70 69 72.