Last week saw the beginning of Lent which in the Catholic calendar is a time for abstinence (40 days and 40 nights to be precise) and a prelude to Easter, the most celebrated festival in Spain. Traditionally, it was forbidden to eat meat so fish became the staple diet of many Spaniards. If you are wondering why Spanish children are dressed up as sardines or sea bass during this time of year, now you know…
Easter or Semana Santa, as it is known in Spain is a fairly solemn affair. Semana Santa dates back to the 16th century when the Church decided that the best way to present the story of the Passion of Christ in a way that the layperson would understand was a series of processions through the streets, depicting scenes from the fall and rise again of Christ. During the whole of Holy Week, street processions are organized in most Spanish towns & cities each evening, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. Statues of saints are carried on floats and in some processions, marchers wear clothes similar to those of the klu klux klan. In fact they are meant to depict the people from Nazareth. Easter week processions end with Easter Sunday, a time for indulgence and festivities and a stark contrast to the preceeding week..
Spain has seen a good start to 2012 as far as the tourism industry is concerned. According to the Survey of Tourist Movements, Spain received a total of 2.77 million international visitors in January of this year, which represents a 4.6% increase over the same month of 2011. 2011 turned out to be the best year for Spanish tourism in the last three years and the fourth best in history. In Catalunya alone, 23.5 million people visited the region, up 5.7% on 2010.
Monica Nahas from the Lucas Fox Barcelona Office is expecting another very busy year,
“There doesn’t seem to be a crisis in this sector. Instead of hotels, people are finding it more economical to book a house or a big apartment. We are struggling to find properties available for July and August!”
Tourist numbers were also up in Ibiza in 2011 and Alix Bond from the Lucas Fox Ibiza office expects a similar trend this year
“Once again Ibiza is set to be top of the hotlist of fashionable destinations this summer and yet again Ibiza’s rental market seems as strong as ever with many early bookings and plenty of interest in the high end luxury villas.”
Easter falls early this year (Easter Friday is March 30th), and if you want to catch some of the Easter processions and celebrations, or maybe you are thinking about a summer break, Lucas Fox has a range of luxury short-term rental properties in Barcelona, Ibiza, and the Costa Brava.
There is availability during Semana Santa at the following properties:
Costa Brava:
Luxury 6-bedroom villa close to the medieval town of Begur. Spectacular views and walking distance to the beach
6000€ per week
Stunning modern luxury 5-bedroom villa to rent in the exclusive bay of Aiguablava, Begur, with superb sea views, large plot and Spa
6000€ per week
Ibiza:
Superb designer villa for summer rental in San Agustin. Sleeps 10
5800€ per week
Charming 4-bedroom modern hillside villa in Cala Vadella close to San José
6000€ per week
Spacious 5-bedroom villa in the hills of San Agustín with spectacular views
6000€ per week
Barcelona & Sitges:
Fabulous 5-bedroom villa in Vilanova close to Sitges. Indoor and outdoor pool and gym
5500€ per week
Luxury 5-bedroom villa in Sitges with pool. 2km from beach
2380€ per week (Semana Santa)
Mallorca:
Beautiful 4-bedroom property in exclusive residential area, 15 minutes from Palma. Pool and sea views
1800€ per week (Semana Santa)
Here are a selection of some of our most eye-catching properties for summer rental:
Ibiza:
Stunning contemporary 4-bedroom villa to rent in Santa Gertrudis. Located in a quiet woodland area, 15 minutes from Ibiza Town
Price on request
Costa Brava:
Luxury 5-bedroom property to rent in the exclusive bay of Aiguablava near Begur on the Costa Brava. Stunning sea views. Walking distance to beach. Sleeps 10
From 6000€ per week
Barcelona:
Luxury, exclusive holiday apartment for rent on Paseo de Gracia. Includes free use of the Spa on top of the building
Price on request
Mallorca:
Large country house in North Mallorca with fully renovated historic farmhouse in North Mallorca
Price on request