Category Archives: Holiday Homes

La inauguración del AVE de Barcelona a Francia impulsará las ventas en el sector inmobiliario


Después de muchos años de demoras, finalmente ya ha entrado en servicio el último tramo de la línea ferroviaria de alta velocidad entre Barcelona y Francia. A partir de hoy habrá nueve trenes diarios del AVE desde Barcelona a Girona y a Figueres, dos de los cuales servirán de enlace con el TGV francés que va a París, donde también hay los trenes Eurostar, que enlazan con Londres y Bruselas. No obstante, las conexiones directas entre Barcelona y Francia no estarán en funcionamiento hasta abril, ya que durante los próximos tres meses los pasajeros con destino a Perpiñán tendrán que cambiar de tren en Figueres. La duración del trayecto del AVE de Barcelona a Girona será de 39 minutos y de Barcelona a Figueres será de 55 minutos. Habrá tarjetas con descuentos para 10 trayectos, lo que significa que el trayecto costará solo 6,91 € (Barcelona-Girona) y 8,89 € (Barcelona-Figueres), aunque será más caro para los viajeros ocasionales.

Esta infraestructura llega casi 21 años después de la primera línea de alta velocidad entre Madrid y Sevilla, de casi 3.000 kilómetros. España cuenta con la red ferroviaria más extensa en el mundo después de China. Finalmente, la península ibérica quedará conectará por tren de alta velocidad con el resto de Europa, mientras que las cuatro capitales de Cataluña -Barcelona, Girona, Lleida y Tarragona- también estarán conectadas entre sí.

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Boost for property sales as last High Speed railway stretch between Barcelona and France finally unveiled


After years of delays, the last stretch of the High Speed railway linking Barcelona and France is finally in service. There are now nine daily AVE fast-trains from Barcelona to Girona and Figueres, two of which will connect with the french TGV fast-trains to Paris, where Eurostar trains link to London and Brussels.  Direct connections between Barcelona and France will still have to wait until April, as during the next three months passengers will have to switch trains at Figueres if they want to continue to Perpignan. AVE trains from Barcelona to Girona and Figueres will have journey times of 39 minutes and 55 minutes respectively and 10-journey tickets will be issued for daily passengers which mean that the rides will cost only €6.91 and €8.89, although they will be more expensive for occasional travellers.

This infrastructure arrives almost 21 years after the first High Speed Train line between Madrid and Seville was unveiled and after nearly 3000  kilometres of railroad has been constructed. Spain now has the world’s second largest rail network after China. Spain will finally be connected by High Speed Train to the rest of Europe whilst Catalunya’s four capitals – Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona – are also linked between themselves.

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Guía de Barcelona para los amantes de la moda

Antiques & Boutiques ofrece una “guía especializada” de Barcelona que os ayudará a encontrar algunas de las joyas ocultas de la ciudad, incluyendo sus restaurantes favoritos, boutiques de moda y tiendas de muebles de época. También os puede ayudar a decorar vuestro nuevo hogar con los diseños más innovadores de Barcelona. Antiques & Boutiques colabora con Lucas Fox, en particular, con los inversores inmobiliarios que llegan a la ciudad y necesitan un poco de orientación.

Hace poco entrevistamos a sus fundadoras, Lisa y Niki, para preguntarles todo sobre su negocio…

¿Qué es Antiques & Boutiques y cuándo y por qué fue fundada?

Antiques and Boutiques es un tour personalizado y un servicio de asesoramiento de estilo que creamos hace más de 3 años. Inicialmente empezamos a hacer tours para amigos nuestros que trabajan en la industria del diseño y buscaban inspiración. La idea surgió a partir de nuestra propia experiencia de viajar a otros países y ciudades donde siempre buscábamos algo que nos inspirara, algo único de los lugares que visitamos. Por ello creamos Antiques & Boutiques, con el objetivo de ofrecer una guía de estilo personal y especializada para personas de ideas afines que visitan la ciudad. Poner en contacto a los visitantes con lo mejor de la moda de Barcelona y el mundo del diseño, con diseñadores locales, talleres y productos exclusivos personalizados de Barcelona. También es una manera de disfrutar de un día realmente encantador y una gran manera de conocer gente local y sentirte como ellos.

¿Quién hay detrás de la empresa?

Somos Lisa Richardson y Niki Robinson, dos diseñadoras de moda que nos mudamos aquí [Barcelona] hace más de 6 años después de vivir en Milán y Londres. Nos conocimos a través de amigos diseñadores mutuos y en seguida descubrimos que teníamos un montón de intereses compartidos, como el arte y el diseño, la pasión por el vintage y viajar.

En términos generales, ¿dónde situáis Barcelona en el mundo del diseño y la moda?

Barcelona se está convirtiendo rápidamente en una de las ciudades del diseño más interesantes de Europa que rivalizan con Londres y París. Tiene la mezcla perfecta del diseño de gama alta, boutiques independientes, salas de exposiciones, tiendas de concepto y talleres. Es una ciudad creativa con una fuerte herencia del arte que cada vez se potencia más. Las tiendas cada vez ofrecen más calidad en los productos bien diseñados y Barcelona se está convirtiendo en una importante plataforma para ofrecer estos productos. Cuando visitamos una ciudad queremos encontrar las cosas que son exclusivas de ese lugar y eso es lo que Barcelona ofrece.

¿En qué áreas creativas específicas creéis que la ciudad destaca?

Para nosotros Barcelona destaca en la artesanía, así como en los productos personalizados de gama alta; esto nos permite ofrecer a nuestros clientes una experiencia de compra única.

La moda vintage parece ser cada vez más popular en Barcelona, ¿a qué se debe y cuáles son las zonas, tiendas o mercados que recomendaríais a los amantes de la ropa vintage?

Barcelona cuenta con una gran cantidad de tiendas vintage por toda la ciudad, desde el Born y el Raval, hasta el Eixample y Gràcia. Se puede encontrar de todo, desde boutiques retro y sastres increíbles hasta showrooms privadas o boutiques hermosas. Una de nuestras boutiques preferidas es Magnolia Antic, una tienda muy hermosa y atmosférica que muestra la mejor colección de accesorios, objetos y artículos de gama alta para el hogar.

Para aquellos que buscan un look de diseño, ¿dónde están las zonas principales?

Las zonas principales donde se encuentran las tiendas de diseño de lujo son el Eixample y cerca de Turó Park. Se puede encontrar una gran selección de marcas internacionales de lujo en la parte superior del Paseo de Gracia y en las calles que desembocaban en ella hay varias boutiques de diseñadores locales de gama alta y boutiques especializadas.

¿Y para una moda más informal?

Podéis comprar ropa más informal en la calle del Portal del Àngel y Portaferrissa. Encontraréis todas las marcas españolas e internacionales y outlets de moda joven. También encontraréis ropa deportiva y moda urbana.

A parte de ofrecer tours de shopping personalizados por Barcelona, también asesoráis a los nuevos propietarios que acaban de llegar a la ciudad a diseñar y amueblar su nueva casa, ¿en qué consiste?

Ofrecemos un servicio de asesoramiento y diseño de interiores para ayudarles a encontrar su estilo y seleccionar fantásticas piezas para su hogar. Esto va dirigido a personas que tienen sus propias ideas de diseño y que deseen participar en el proceso de decoración.

Empezamos con una consulta inicial en el domicilio del cliente y después le programamos citas para darle a conocer las mejores tiendas de diseño de interiores según su gusto. Tenemos un amplio directorio de las mejores tiendas de diseño de interiores de la ciudad, así como de galerías privadas y salas de exposición.

También ofrecemos una presentación personalizada de la ciudad para las personas que se trasladan a Barcelona. Cuando acabas de llegar a la ciudad, orientarse y saber adónde tienes que ir puede ser una experiencia abrumadora, así que estamos aquí para proporcionarles un conocimiento local y hacer que la experiencia sea divertida y fácil.

Para aquellos que estén interesados en la compra de muebles antiguos, ¿qué zonas de la ciudad recomendáis?

Nuestras tiendas favoritas de antigüedades se encuentran dispersas por toda la ciudad, pero hay una buena selección en el Eixample y en el Gótico. Algunas de las tiendas tienen aparadores pequeños pero en el interior disponen de almacenes enormes, así que tienen mucho más que ofrecer a parte del escaparate. También hay fantásticas tiendas de antigüedades fuera de Barcelona y mercados mensuales de antigüedades en algunos pueblos.

¿Qué tipos de muebles antiguos se pueden encontrar en las tiendas y en los mercadillos?

Se puede encontrar cualquier cosa en los mercadillos y en las casas de subastas de Barcelona. Hay gran cantidad de anticuarios y estudios especializados en la restauración de todo tipo de muebles, desde muebles coloniales británicos, pasando por lámparas de arte nouveau o de diseño italiano de mediados de siglo.

¿Cuáles creéis que son los errores más comunes cuando la gente se embarca en un proyecto de decoración?

La poca planificación. Tener una buena idea sobre el espacio y la forma de ver el proyecto terminado es importante, así que la planificación es vital. Para nosotros, la sensación y el ambiente son muy importantes así que nos gusta crear el ambiente y el concepto como un buen punto de partida.

Ofrecemos este tipo de asesoramiento como parte de nuestro servicio.

¿Qué le aconsejarías a la gente antes de embarcarse en un proyecto de decoración?

Que investiguen, que recorten imágenes e ideas de revistas de interiores, de libros, de viajes y de exposiciones. Pinterest es también un gran recurso para inspirarse y recopilar imágenes de manera rápida y fácil. Esto os permitirá ver cómo encaja todo en conjunto y en qué dirección queréis ir. Y al mismo tiempo, que empiecen a crear una paleta de colores, siempre y cuando los prueben antes de comprometerse. Nos encanta la pintura y los papeles tapiz de Farrow and Ball, todos los colores y diseños vienen en un bote de muestra o una tira que se puede probar en casa.

La mayoría de los pisos en el casco antiguo carecen luz natural, ¿qué consejo le daríais a un propietario que quiera iluminar su casa?

Le proponemos que mantenga los suelos y las superficies de un color claro para reflejar más luz, así como decorar las paredes con espejos, por ejemplo, poner grandes espejos o una pared llena de espejos pequeños para reflejar la luz, y a la vez funcionará de elemento decorativo.

Una iluminación adecuada es esencial para los apartamentos oscuros; se puede agregar luces detrás de las plantas con tal de que la luz resalte en las paredes o bien se puede invertir en lámparas grandes. Nos encanta Biosca y Botey ya que tienen lo último en tendencias de iluminación

¿Dónde creéis que hay los inmuebles más interesantes de la ciudad? ¿Cuáles son las características que destacan?

El distrito de Sant Antoni se está convirtiendo en la nueva zona de moda de la ciudad, con sus bares cafeterías –como la Federal- que atraen a un público más joven. Nos encantan sus calles alineadas con árboles y los hermosos apartamentos modernistas de esta zona, es de fácil acceso a Montjuïc y al encantador mercado de Sant Antoni, que ahora está en proceso de renovación.

Para nosotros se trata de elegir entre los edificios modernistas del Eixample, con sus techos altos y suelos de baldosas de mosaico y los modernos apartamentos tipo loft que ahora ocupan las antiguas fábricas del Poble Nou.

En cuestiones de espacio y grandeza nos dirigiríamos hacia la parte alta de la montaña del Tibidabo donde hay las preciosas masías y palacios antiguos con majestuosas vistas a la ciudad.

Si la gente está interesada en vuestros servicios, ¿cómo pueden contactar con vosotros?

A través de nuestra web www.antiquesandboutiques.com o enviarnos un e-mail a Lisa o Niki: info@antiquesandboutiques.com ¡y nos pondremos en contacto con vosotros!

 

Fashionistas guide to Barcelona

Antiques & Boutiques offers an ‘insider’s guide’ to Barcelona, and will help you find some of the city`s hidden gems including their favourite eateries, exciting fashion boutiques and antique furniture stores. They can also help you deck out your new home with some of Barcelona`s latest designs. Antiques & Boutiques are collaborating with Lucas Fox, in particular with property investors new to the city who need a bit of orientation.

We caught up with founders Lisa & Niki recently to ask them what the business is all about….

What is Antiques & Boutiques and when & why was it set up?

Antiques and Boutiques is a bespoke tour and style consultancy service which we set up over 3 years ago now . Initially we began doing the tours for friends in the design industry looking for inspiration, from there the idea grew from our own experiences of travelling to other countries and cities we were always looking to find something inspiring and unique to the places we visited.   We created Antiques and Boutiques with the aim to offer a stylish, personal and insider guide to like-minded people visiting the city. Connecting visitors to the best of Barcelona’s fashion and design scene, introducing clients to local designers , ateliers and bespoke products unique to Barcelona. It’s also a really lovely day out and a great way to meet with and feel like a local.

Who are the people behind it?

We are Lisa Richardson and Niki Robinson, two fashion designers that moved here from Milan and London over 6 years ago. We met through mutual designer friends and soon discovered that we had a lot of shared interests, in art and design, a love of vintage  and a shared passion for travel.

In broad terms, where would you place Barcelona in the world of design and fashion?

Barcelona is fast becoming  one of the most interesting design cities in Europe rivaling London and Paris, it has the right mixture of high end design, independent boutiques, showrooms, concept stores and ateliers. It is a creative city with a strong heritage of craft that is being nurtured. Shopping trends are focusing towards quality in well designed products and Barcelona is becoming an important platform in offering this. When we visit a city we want to find things that are unique to that place and that is what Barcelona can offer.

In what specific creative areas do you think the city excels in?

For us it is that craftmanship as well as bespoke high-end products that makes Barcelona excel, this helps us offer our customers a truly unique shopping experience

Vintage fashion seems to be becoming increasingly popular in Barcelona, why do you think that is and which areas, shops or markets would you suggest lovers of vintage clothes  should head to?

Barcelona has a lot of vintage stores all around the city, from Born, to Raval , Eixample and Gracia. You can find everything from fun retro boutiques and amazing costumiers to private showrooms or beautiful lifestyle boutiques. One of our favourites is Magnolia Antic,  a very beautiful and atmospheric store showcasing a hand picked collection of high end accessories, objects and homewares.

For those looking for a more upmarket/designer look, where are the main hotspots?

The main hotspots for upmarket designer shopping are the Eixample área and around Turó park.  You can find a great selection of international luxury brands around the upper end of Passeig de Gracia and the streets  leading off it are scattered with high end local designers and specialist boutiques.

And for high street fashion?

For high Street shopping head to Portal del Angel and Carrer Portaferrissa. You’ll find all of the Spanish and international high street brands and younger fashion outlets. It’s also a good area for Street style, sportswear and urban fashion.

As well as offering personalized shopping tours of Barcelona, you can also help those new to the city design and furnish their new home, how do you go about this?

We offer a consultancy and interior styling service which helps people to source, style and select fantastic  pieces for their home. This is aimed at people who have their own design ideas and like to be involved in the decorating process.

We start with an initial consultation in the client’s home then make appointments to introduce them to the best interior design stores for their taste. We have a great directory of all the city’s best interior design and decoration stores, private galleries and showrooms.

We also offer a bespoke introduction to Barcelona, for people who are moving here. When you’re new to a city finding your way around can be a daunting experience so we are here to give you the inside local knowledge and make the experience fun and easy.

For those interested in purchasing Antique furniture, in which areas of the city should people be looking?

Our favorite Antique shops are scattered all around the city , but there are a good selection in Eixample and in the Gotico. Some of the small shops are showcases for huge almacens, so there’s a lot more on offer behind the scenes. There is also great Antique shopping outside of Barcelona and you can find monthly Antique markets in some small towns and villages.

What types of antique furniture can be found in the shops and markets?

You can find just about anything at the markets and auction houses in Barcelona and beyond. There are great antique and restoration studios specializing in everything from British Colonial furniture, to art nouveau lighting or mid century Italian Design .

What do you think the most common mistakes are when people embark on a decorating project?

Not thinking it through. Having a good idea about the space and how you see the finished project is important, so planning is vital. For us the feeling and atmosphere is very important so we like to créate mood and concept boards as a good starting point.

We offer help with this as part of our service.

What would you advise people to before  embarking on a decorating project?

Research, start collecting images and inspiration from interior magazines, books, travels, textiles and exhibitions.  Pinterest  is also  great inspiration resource for creating quick and easy mood boards. This will let you see how everything works together and what direction you want to head in.  Alongside that start creating a colour palette that works for you, and always try them out before comitting. We love Farrow and Ball for paint and wallpaper, every colour and design comes in a sample pot or strip so you can try it out at home.

Many properties in parts of the Old Town lack natural daylight, what advice would you give to a homeowner looking to brighten up their home?

We would suggest keeping floors and surfaces light to reflect any light you may have as well as accessorising the walls with mirrors, you could consider using large mirrors or a wall of picture sized mirrors to reflect light whilst making it into a feature for the wall.

The right lighting is essential for dark apartments, try  adding  back lights behind plants that will bounce off the walls and invest in some great lamps, we love Biosca and Botey  for all the latest in lighting trends.

Where do you think the most exciting up-and-coming properties are located in the city? What are the stand-out features?

The San Antoni area is becoming the new trendy area of the city, with  cool bars and cafes such as Federal  opening up it is attracting a new younger crowd. We love the tree-lined avenues and you can find beautiful Modernista apartments in this area, it is within easy access to Montjuic and charming San Antoni market which is now under renovation.

For us it is a choice between the Modernista buildings in the eixample, with their high ceilings and patterned tiled floors to re-working an old industrial space in the Poble Nou area to create an ultimate urban open-plan home.

For space and grandeur we’d head uptown towards the Tibidabo to one of the beautiful old Masias or Palaces with majestic views over the city.

If people are interested in your services how should they contact you?

You can get in touch with us via our website www.antiquesandboutiques.com or send an email to Lisa or Niki at info@antiquesandboutiques.com and we will get back to you!

 

La playa de Alcudia de Mallorca ha sido votada como una de las mejores playas de Europa

La playa de Port d’Alcúdia de Mallorca ha sido votada como la segunda playa más bonita de Europa según una encuesta realizada por TripAdvisor. La superó por muy pocos votos la playa de Ölüdeniz, en Turquía. Situada en el norte de la isla, la playa de Alcúdia se extiende más de 14 kilómetros hasta Can Picafort y es la playa más extensa de Mallorca.

En la década de 1920 los primeros turistas empezaron a visitar Alcúdia y a principios de la década de los 70 se hizo evidente que el turismo sería el futuro de Alcúdia. 15 años después, el antiguo puerto de Alcúdia se había convertido en un recurso importante para el turismo europeo. En los años 90 el boom de la construcción se calmó y se pusieron en marcha una serie de reglamentos para prevenir una construcción masiva. Actualmente la atención se centra en los visitantes que buscan relax y actividades culturales. También se ha construido un campo de golf y hay la posibilidad de practicar muchos deportes, como el ciclismo y el senderismo. El casco antiguo se ha conservado muy bien y ahora, con calles peatonales, se ha convertido en uno de los pueblos más visitados de Mallorca.

La playa es curvilínea y cuenta con arena fina y blanca y palmeras. No es muy honda por lo que es ideal para familias con niños pequeños y también es recomendable para practicar snorkeling, buceo y esquí acuático. El Paseo Marítimo está repleto de bares tradicionales que venden de todo, desde bebidas y helados hasta comidas, tales como pizzas, pastas y paellas. Algunos de los yates más lujosos de la isla se puede ver amarrados en el puerto. A diferencia de otros puertos deportivos, el puerto de Alcudia no se encuentra entre dos playas, evitando así que los barcos se acerquen a los nadadores, por lo que sus aguas son muy claras y seguras para nadar. En Alcudia también se celebra el campeonato anual de Ironman, que acoge participantes procedentes de todo el mundo.
La vida nocturna es más de tipo familiar que en otras partes de las Baleares y hay muy buen ambiente en la zona de bares y discotecas.

En resumen, Alcúdia es un hermoso municipio muy solicitado y es muy recomendable para quienes están pensando hacer una inversión inmobiliaria.

Lucas Fox tiene una amplia gama de hermosas propiedades en el norte de Mallorca. Éstas son algunos de nuestras propiedades más solicitadas…

Impresionante casa de campo en venta situada en una parcela de 15 hectáreas con vistas a la bahía de Alcudia.

Gran finca del siglo XVIII en venta Vall d’en March, en el norte de Mallorca. Interior moderno recientemente reformado.

Finca rústica costera en venta con casa principal y casa de invitados en Colònia de Sant Pere, norte de Mallorca. Parcela enorme y piscina. Cerca de algunos de los mejores campos de golf de Mallorca y de instalaciones de navegación.a>

Finca de 40 hectáreas en venta en el norte de Mallorca. Superficie construida de 1.100 m2 que incluye una casa de campo tradicional para reformar. Posibilidad de construir una segunda casa de 500 m2..

Para más información sobre cualquiera de las anteriores propiedades u otras propiedades en venta en Mallorca, por favor, póngase en contacto con la oficina de Lucas Fox en Mallorca llamando al (+34) 971 719 907 o por correo electrónico: rafa@lucasfox.com/nicole@lucasfox.com

Alcudia beach in Mallorca voted one of the best in Europe

The beach at Port d’Alcudia in Mallorca has been voted the second most beautiful beach in Europe by travellers of TripAdvisor. It was just pipped to the post as European hotspot by Oludeniz beach in Turkey. Located in the north of the island, La Playa d’Alcúdia stretches more than 14km all the way to Can Picafort, making it the longest beach in Mallorca.

In the 1920s the first tourists began to visit Alcúdia and by the early 70′s it became clear that the future of Alcúdia would be in tourism. 15 years later the old harbour of Puerto de Alcúdia had developed into a major resort for European tourism. In the 90′s the construction boom calmed down and several regulations were put in place. Now the focus is on visitors searching for both relaxation and activity. A golf course has been constructed and there are numerous biking and hiking opportunities. The Old Town has been preserved and pedestrianized and it has now become one of the most visited villages in Mallorca.

The beach itself is curved with fine, white sand with numerous palm trees. The water is fairly shallow making it ideal for families with small children and it is also wonderful for snorkeling, diving and waterskiing. The main promenade (Paseo Maritimo) is  packed with traditional ‘Balneario’ bars that sell everything from drinks & ice-creams to hearty meals such as pizzas, pastas and paellas, and some of the island’s most luxurious yachts can be seen in the Port. Unlike some ports this marina is not sandwiched between beaches so usually boats will not come close to swimmers, which leaves the waters very clear and safe for swimming. There is also an annual Ironman competition which takes place in Alcudia  with participants coming from all over the world to complete.
The nightlife is more family orientated then in some of the other Balearic resorts. The bars and clubs are lively but rarely rowdy.

All in all, Alcúdia is a beautiful sought-after resort and well worth a visit for those considering investing in property.

Lucas Fox has a range of beautiful properties in North Mallorca. Here are some of our most viewed…

Stunning country property for sale set in a 15 hectare plot with views of the bay of Alcudia.

Large 18th century finca for sale Vall d’en March in north Mallorca. Newly refurbished with modern interior.

Charming rustic coastal property for sale with main house and guest house in Colonia de San Pere, North Mallorca. Large plot and swimming pool. Close to some of Mallorca’s top golf courses and sailing facilities.

40 hectare country estate for sale in North Mallorca. Over 1100m2 constructed area including a traditional farmhouse to renovate. Possibility of building a second house of 500m2.

For information on any of the above properties or other property for sale in Mallorca please contact the Lucas Fox Mallorca office on (+34) 971 719 907 or by email rafa@lucasfox.com/nicole@lucasfox.com

The Lucas Fox guide to… Luxury dining in the Costa Brava

Catalunya has a well deserved reputation for being home to some outstanding restaurants. In fact, the region has the highest concentration of Michelin starred restaurants in the whole of Spain. Fourteen restaurants have amassed twenty Michelin stars between them, while the chef Joan Roca, of El Celler de Can Roca, has been singled out for his exceptional cullinary talent. Many of Spain’s finest modern chefs (including of course Ferran Adria) have been trained in Catalan schools and restaurants, and numerous exciting and unique dishes have been created in a Costa Brava restaurant. The region’s gastronomy, inextricably linked to the local cuisine and geography, is a powerful engine of the local economy and tourism industry. Indeed, gastronomy now represents one of the reasons tourists choose to holiday in the Costa Brava.

For any ‘foodie’, or for those holidaying in the area, there is a wealth of gastronomic delights to discover. Some typical local speciality dishes include:

Pa amb tomàquet – Bread brushed with tomato and olive oil –this is pretty much a staple at any meal.

Allioli – this garlic-and-olive-oil mayonnaise style accompaniment is found in restaurants around the world, but you must taste the real thing handmade in Catalunya.

Crema Catalana – similar to the French crème brulee and sometimes with a twist such as cinnamon or orange.

Suquet – a fish stew dish. Delicious.

Escalivada – onion, red pepper and aubergine grilled and often served with bread or paired with a meat or seafood dish.

There are countless excellent restaurants in the region.. here are some of our favourites:

El Cellar de Can Roca Can
Sunyer 48,17007, Girona
Tel: 0034 972 222 157
restaurant@cellarcanroca.com
www.cellercanroca.com

This 3 starred Michelin restaurant is a must. Run by 3 brothers who combine to create truly spectacular food. They call themselves a free-style restaurant, committed to the avant-garde, but still faithful to the memory of different generations of the family’s ancestors dedicated to feeding people.

Bo Tic
Ctra. C-66 Girona, Palamós, Km 11,5 – 17121 CORÇÀ (Girona)
Tel: 0034 972 63 08 69
restaurant@bo-tic.com
www.bo-tic.com

Since  2007 the owners of this one Michelin Starred restaurant, Albert Sastregener i Surroca and Cristina Torrent i Cos, have displayed an enviable professional know-how despite their youth, and have been shaping the idea of this interesting new gastronomic project. It is a creative, innovative and involving design cuisine project, inspired by the essence of traditional Empordanese cuisine.

Ca L’Arpa
Passeig Indústria 5, 17820, Banyoles
Tel: 0034 972 57 23 53
calarpa@calarpa.com
www.lescols.com

A modern and beautifully styled restaurant with two Michelin Stars serving up simply amazing food.

Miramar
Passeig Marítim, 7, 17490, Llançà, Girona
Tel: 0034 972 380 132
www.restaurantmiramar.com

Miramar was first opened in 1939 by the Serra Family. During many years it was a tavern. Nowadays, the fourth generation are running the show and since 1997 have been in charge of re-creating a Miramar as Gourmet Restaurant. After 75 years of history, the Miramar restaurant, now has 2 Michelin Stars, given in 2006 and 2010 to Chef Paco Perez.

Els Tinars
Ctra. de St. Feliu a Girona, km 7,2, 1724, Llagostera, GIRONA
Tel. 972 830 626
tinars@tinars.com
www.elstinars.com

Their cuisine is and always has been based on traditional Catalan cooking and the finest seasonal local produce. They take advantage of new techniques to bring traditional dishes constantly up to date.

Director of Lucas Fox Costa Brava Tom Maidment believes lovers of good Spanish cuisine will be spoilt for choice when visiting the region
““The Costa Brava, in particular the region of Empordà is blessed with fine dining, but a great meal doesn`t always have to bore a whole in your pocket.  Before tourism reached Costa Brava, incomes relied on the fishing trade, olive farming and wine, and these staples remain part of the area’s gastronomy. You can find yourself having memorable introductions to Catalan gastronomy in restaurants such as Tragamar in Canadell, Platillos Can Climent in Begur or Hostal Sa Tuna in Sa Tuna.“

Lucas Fox has numerous luxury properties close to some of Europe’s best restaurants including

Luxury, newly constructed, Costa Brava properties to buy in Aigua Blava, one of the most exclusive areas of the Costa Brava – 24-hour security, gated community, sea views, 1km from the beach

Semi-detached, golf property to buy on the prestigious PGA de Catalunya golf resort – near Girona city and the beaches of the Costa Brava

Lovely 5-bedroom Costa Brava villa to buy just a 5-minute walk from the stunning bay of Tamariu

Superb luxury Begur villa for sale in an exclusive residential estate overlooking Aiguablava with private pool and lovely sea views. Walking distance to the beach

For more information on the above properties or any other property for sale or rent on the Costa Brava, please contact Tom Maidment Tom@LucasFox.com or +34 648092334

 

What’s on in Barcelona summer 2012

If you live in or are heading to the wonderful city of Barcelona this summer, there are loads of events and activities in and around the city.

Below we have listed some of our highlights:

Check out bars and chiringuitos (beach bars) to watch Spain in action in the European Championships.  ‘La Roja’ are defending European Football Champions and manager Vicente del Bosque has picked many key Barça players in the Spanish squad such as Cesc Fàbregas, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández, Víctor Valdés, Gerard Piqué, Sergio Busquets and Pedro Rodríguez. The Spanish national team’s success is often attributed to the style of play similar to Barca’s with many short and accurate passes dubbed Tiki-taka. Until July 1st.

Música als Parcs is now in its 17th year  and offers a series of around open-air free summer concerts in many Barcelona parks and gardens from June until the end of August. The concerts are organized by the Barcelona City Council and the programme comprises of classical and jazz music.  The program was created to bring good quality music to everyone during the summer.  In 2012 there are 41 free concerts in the parks. Most concerts are 1 hour in length and start at 20:00 or 21:00. Until 23rd August.

This year sees the 10th edition of Sala Montjuic outdoor cinema in Barcelona. Three times a week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, for five weeks in the summer, you can enjoy outdoor classic original version movies on a giant screen while seated on the lawn of Montjuic castle moat. Before each screening there is usually live music. Until 8th August.

The shops are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays in Barcelona except for 8 days during the year when shops can choose to open. The dates when all shops can stay open during 2012 in Barcelona are generally connected to the first days of sales and with Christmas. But you can also catch Sunday opening on July 1st this summer. The only shopping centre that is always open on Sundays is the Maremagnum  mall in Barcelona harbour.

The Grec Festival of Barcelona is Barcelona’s largest summer annual dance, theatre and music festival with a huge programme of events in many venues in the city and culture, creativity and innovation for everyone. This year Grec wants to involve Barcelona citizens more and invites everyone to big free Grec show on Passeig de Lluis Companys in the Born area of Barcelona featuring aerial visual theatre from Antwerp, bands La Troba Kung-Fú, and Canteca de Macao among others. In total the 2012 Grec will have 68 fantastic shows, 34 of which are world premieres. Until July 31st.

and finally

The Busker’s Barcelona Festival 2012 is the 8th international festival of street music, which celebrates the cultural diversity of Barcelona through street music. For 4 days at the beginning of August buskers from around the world will perform in Barceloneta. Until 5th August.

Lucas Fox offers a huge range of holiday rental apartments in and around Barcelona. Below are a selection:

Fabulous 25th floor penthouse apartment for rent with amazing ocean and city views of Barcelona.

Luxury two bedroom apartment in the most exclusive location of Barcelona. Between Rambla de Catalunya and Passeig de Gracia.

Exclusive loft apartment for rent in the Old Town of Barcelona

Luxury apartment located in the prestigious area of Turo Park, Barcelona available for rent in JULY and AUGUST 2012

If you are interested in renting any of the above properties or are interested in a summer holiday rent in Barcelona please  contact the Lucas Fox Barcelona office Tel (+34) 933 562 989 or via email info@lucasfox.com

Ibiza Real Estate: Tally Ho!

The Baleares International Beach Polo Tournament returns to Ibiza from 13 to 18 June this year, creating a must-see event for anyone visiting Ibiza real estate at the start of the 2011 summer.

Last year’s inaugural tournament was a highlight of the summer Ibiza calendar, with the event considered on par with some of the world’s finest beach polo competitions held in Dubai, Miami and Punta del Este. The tournament is hosted in a manner more akin to a festival – with fashion shows, parties and dining events running tandem to the polo competition. This year also sees the introduction of a Ladies Beach Polo Cup.

Leading polo players from around the world will be competing, including Martin Valent from Argentina, Calao Melo from Brazil and Christian Braun from Nassau.

Ibiza properties have been in great demand this year, as Alix Bond from the Lucas Fox Ibiza office explains: “2011 has seen a continuation of the high level of interest in Ibiza holiday rentals and properties for sale. More and more people are looking at renting villas on Ibiza as an alternative to staying in hotels. This is great news for the owners of houses in Ibiza as they are seeing the rental potential and income of their properties increase year on year.”

As occurred last year, event organizers are expecting spectators ‘from the worlds of fashion, film and TV’ to be in attendance across the six days of the competition.

Despite the high demand, there are still some opportunities to book Ibiza real estate for a holiday rental during the peak months. Lucas Fox’ new partnership with The Shop also offers you the perfect opportunity to relax while having all of your travel needs looked after. With the strong visitor numbers expected over the coming months, June is an excellent time to visit, watch a bit of polo, and view Ibiza properties in relaxed, idyllic surroundings.

Tourist numbers help stabilize Ibiza real estate market

Does Spanish tourism have a flow on effect to real estate Spain? The healthy tourist numbers since the start of 2011 could be indicative of a trend that gives further confidence to the Spanish property market.

Spain is top of the list for many holidaymakers:

  • Travellers love the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the cities, towns and islands of Spain.
  • They appreciate the consistency and comfort of the weather, and find the country an easy place to arrive at or to depart from.
  • Visitors talk about the delicious foods, and how easy it is to get around either within a city like Madrid, or between places, like those hopping from a Barcelona property to a holiday spot on Ibiza real estate.

2011 has already started to look like a bumper year for Spanish tourism. The first quarter of 2011 has seen a solid increase in tourist numbers compared with the same three months in 2010. Recently-released April 2011 figures for airport passenger arrivals show the trend continuing.

This April, passenger arrivals into Spanish airports were 20% higher than for the same time last year. The increasing number of visitors to Ibiza was even more pronounced, with the 266.241 arrivals adding up to a 32.9% increase on 2010 numbers.

“All the signs are that 2011 is going to be a great season on Ibiza,” confirms Alix Bond from Lucas Fox’ Ibiza office. “Holiday rental companies and hotels are already reporting an increase on occupancy from last season with a notably higher demand for luxury villas in the Cala Jondal and Es Cubells areas.”

Tourism can play an important role in increasing the stability and opportunity of a property market. This year’s tourism could be a good news indicator for real estate Spain broadly, while the first four months of the year are buoying the scene in Ibiza. As Alix points out, tourists need accommodation, so a regular flow of holidaymakers can promote a healthy Ibiza property rental market.

“In recent years, Ibiza has focused on attracting more luxury tourism to the island and the positive news for the property market on the island is that many of these holiday makers will go on to buy property on Ibiza. There is a great buzz about Ibiza and Ibiza real estate at the moment. The high level of interest in renting and buying is definitely helping to make Ibiza property an interesting investment with great rental potential and the possibility of capital growth in coming years.”

With the summer months approaching, a strategic property investor would do well to keep one eye on the tourist numbers and one on the rental property vacancies. Weighing up the two may be one of the most useful factors in identifying the best time to buy Ibiza real estate.