Beautiful Spanish Villa - Sotogrande Area

It is 4 bedroom standalone Villa built in a traditional style with open plan contemporary interior. It has a stunning view of the coastline from Marbella to Gibraltar from every room. The property is on two levels and has been totally renovated and redecorated by Diamond Construction S.L. and its architect - one of the best on the coast – Gustavo Moser.

Villa is located in La Paloma Resort, above the beaches of Casares, Manilva & Sotogrande. La Paloma is sought after place to live. It is a prestigious residential area, very peaceful and quite. It is situated short distance from Duquesa port with a good selection of spanish & international restaurants, bars and shops.

Features include:

1.      Landscaped gardens

2.      180 sq mts New Decking

3.      Pool with diving board

4.      Build in Barbecue &  Jacuzzi

5.     Rooftop terrace

6.       Contemporary German kitchen

7.       Solid fuel fire

8.        Separate laundry room

9.        Storage area

10.     Double car port

11.     Automatic gates

Even those very difficult to impress have been impressed !

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Traditional Spanish architecture vs. Contemporary style

Spain is known as a country which has lately become an international centre for design, innovation and excellence. With the creation of the European Union the architectural expansion has started. The investment of large amounts of money in development projects created a market for young architects to improve their skills. 

Today Spanish architecture cannot be defined by a certain style, instead we can say that the architecture in Spain can be defined by quality and beauty, the traditional one for sure and lately, contemporary architecture.

Traditional Spanish houses are known for their heavy ornamentation inspired by Spanish and Moorish architectural traditions, with carved and shaped columns, wrought iron details at the windows and doors and tiled floors, sometimes in elaborate patterns. These diverse influences sometimes lead them to be called Spanish Eclectic houses. Spanish floor plans are designed for entertaining, both indoors and out, with great gathering rooms and extensive verandas. All of these houses are unique and well-constructed with lots of character and charm.

Even though a lot of people love traditional style, in today’s real estate market, one of the most desirable styles is the contemporary one. It is sought out by many potential buyers, including those who want to live in custom built houses. Contemporary designs are not defined by a single shape or style. One reliable clue, however, is the presence of large, tall panes of glass. Homes in this style are usually strongly geometric, bold and tend to work best on spectacular large sites. Other key features of these houses are: simple forms, large windows, “structure on show” and an industrial look.

Traditional and contemporary architecture however mix well together. It works well but only when it’s done properly and with a slight hand of restraint. There are numerous examples of successful meshing of these two styles together into one cohesive design. Obviously, it is best to attempt this only under the supervised watch of a skilled design architect. You can add traditional elements into a modern design (and vice versa) and get the best of both design worlds.

Contemporary style Villa

www.lapalomavillas.com

Traditional spanish style villa of Antonio Banderas

fusion of both styles

www.lapalomavillas.com

Spanish Feria

Every year each city in Spain holds a fair or "feria", as known in their local tongue, which is usually a week long celebration that takes place in city squares or fairgrounds and is a big part of the social and religious calendar. Many of them are specific to different towns and regions and offer a huge variety in local specialities, trades, and cultural quirks. Ferias in Spain are usually the local saint's day of a city, however there are other types of fairs that dedicate the celebration to a harvest, the deliverance from the Moors, or simply a safe return from a trip out to sea. Nearly any excuse will do to break out in song, dance and festivity.

Spanish fiestas symbolise the very essence of Spain and the Spanish people. They're colourful, vibrant, usually extremely noisy, often chaotic and always great fun. Ferias usually include a parade, outdoor parties with food, drink and dancing, music concerts, rides for older and younger children, fireworks and dance performances. The ferias in Spain are always attended by locals and entertainers who are impeccably dressed in traditional Spanish costumes.

The biggest festivals of international fame are:

• the bullrunning of Pamplona,
• the fireworks of Las Fallas in Valencia,
• the mock battles of Moros y Cristianos,
• Semana Santa in all of Andalucia,
• and the massive Feria de Abril in Seville. 

1. The bigger towns and cities often organise a series of bullfights in the local 'plaza de toros' at fiesta time while smaller villages without a bull ring opt for bull running in the streets. One of Spain's most famous (and most dangerous) fiestas is the San Fermin festival in Pamplona which brings thousands of daredevils from all over the world to run with the bulls through the cobbled streets of the old town.

2. Fire, fireworks and fire crackers feature strongly in many festivals and there's no hotter fiesta than the famous Fallas fiesta in Valencia. This is one of the biggest and most spectacular street festivals in Europe – one of those extraordinary and unique events that everyone should experience at least once in a lifetime. Fallas means 'fires' in the local Valencian language and on the night of March 19th each year the whole city appears to be ablaze when more than 350 beautifully made statues are burnt to the ground.

3. Other famous fiestas include the mad, messy Tomatina which takes place in the village of Buñol, about 30 miles east of Valencia. It's the world's biggest tomato fight involving tens of thousands of people being pelted with several truck loads of tomatoes.

4. And if you think that's a bit weird, wait till you hear about the 'Burial of the Sardine' held in Madrid and various other locations each year. It takes place on Ash Wednesday, at the beginning of Lent, and involves revellers in fancy dress costumes attending the funeral of a sardine! The sardine in question may be a real one in a coffin though sometimes a plastic or cardboard effigy is used. 

5. One of Spain's most impressive fiestas is the April fair of Seville (Feria de Abril) when the achingly romantic capital of Andalucia is transformed into a fairytale world of tented pavilions, costumed equestrian riders and flamboyant flamenco dancing. 

6. Semana Santa is one of the most important festivals on the Spanish calendar. Semana Santa is the Spanish name for Easter. I’ts mainly a series of processions of elaborate floats bearing jewelled statues of Mary and Jesus, penitents wearing pointed hoods, and brass bands. The biggest Semana Santa spectacle is hold in Seville.

7. La Fiesta de Moros y Cristianos is a celebration of the victory over the Moors in the 13th century. The festival itself dates back to the 16th century, and includes street parades of costumed soldiers and battle re-enactments. It is held in many cities at various times of the year, with some of the largest street parades taking place in Alicante, Alcoy, and Villajoyosa.

It’s hard to beat the experience of arriving in some small Spanish village, expecting no more than a bed for the night, to discover the streets decked out with flags and streamers, a band playing in the plaza and the entire population out celebrating the local fiesta. Everywhere in Spain, from the tiniest hamlet to the great cities, devotes at least a couple of days a year to their festivals. 

Sources:

www.andalucia.com/festival/home.htm - list of all festivals

www.marbellafamilyfun.com

www.spanish-living.com

www.spainguides.com

www.spain.info.

A few inspirations to make your dream home.

Imagine you just won the lottery and you can suddenly afford a massive house with an enormous back yard for your entire family. We have made a short list of the finest features you could add to your dream house. Take a look and share with us what is the one you cannot live without.

1.  Underground wine cellar

2.     Gym

3.     Home cinema

4.   Infinity pool

5.     Indoor slide

6.     A bowling alley with electronic scoreboard

7.     Shooting range in a basement

8.     Helipad

9.     Meditation cave and spa

10. Indoor fire pit

Any more ideas?

more at: www.telegraph.co.uk and  www.diamondcontructionspain.com

Holidays with a swing

If golf is your sport, then Spain is the place for you. Every year thousands of people choose this country to play this sport. Spain is one of Europe’s premier golfing destinations and also one of the first European countries to successfully market the “package golf holiday” making life so very pleasant and easy for foreign visitors. Wherever you travel in Spain you are bound to find a world-class golf nearby, along with opportunities to visit historic cities and villages, enjoy beautiful weather, dramatic landscapes, wonderful gastronomy, and the country’s warm, welcoming people.

The majority of golf courses are situated between Málaga and Algeciras on the Costa del Sol. You can play courses designed by Robert Trent Jones, like the famous 1997 Ryder Cup venue, Valderrama, as well as courses designed by Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazzio, Steve, and Jose Maria Olazabal – great courses, designed by great golfers.

The key reasons for playing golf in Spain are:

Excellent climate

In Spain you'll find sun and warm temperatures all year round, not just in summer. These excellent weather conditions, good visibility, gentle winds and pleasant overall climate are ideal for golf, and guarantee a good long season.

Courses to suit all tastes

Spain has a wide range of golf courses available to suit all tastes and all levels of play. There are courses in major cities, as well as in mountain areas and right on the coast. They are hugely varied and cater to all kinds of requirements: in just a small area you'll find courses offering very different features, meaning you have an array of options. According to the Royal Spanish Golf Federation there are 500 courses in Spain. They are of the highest possible quality and still a little cheaper than other prime golf destinations.

Golf lessons in Spain

Almost every golf course in Spain has a golf academy where a professional tutor can help improve your game and style. Lessons can be booked in advance or upon arrival. Golf packages can include rounds of golf making it inexpensive. Golf courses in Spain strive to provide a proffessional golfer to give lessons.

Good transport connections

Travel to and within Spain is easy thanks to excellent transport infrastructure. There are many golf courses just a few kilometres from major international airports. Thanks to good access, you can get from one course to another quickly and conveniently and put your golfing skills to the test.

Much more than just golf

Leisure and Sports

Places of interest

Quality accommodation

Whatever you want from your golf holiday in Spain, you are sure to find it. You can make your own holiday package or book through a golf holiday organiser who will take care of everything for you. Many golf courses have hotels within the grounds meaning that you never have to leave the complex. These hotels have facilities for non-golfers too. These include spas, health centres and other sports such as tennis and swimming pools.

Spain is a paradise of clubs, holes and greens...and there's so much more.
Come and discover all the golfing opportunities on offer you can find in this beautiful country.

Sources: 
www.travelinespecials.com
www.alldayinternetspain.com
www.worldgolf.com
www.spain.info
www.idealspain.com

One of the most stunning villas on Costa del Sol

Stunning contemporary 5 Bed Villa in the exclusive and tranquil residential area of La Paloma, offering exquisite panoramic views of the Mediterranean seas, overlooking Africa & Gibraltar, just a few minutes walk to the beach. Close to Estepona, Manilva & Sotogrande. This Villa has the latest technology and has been designed using the finest materials, some of its features are: a cinema, gym, sauna, bodega, infinity pool, elevator, solar power. It has a separate nanny/guest apartment. Ticks all the boxes.

Features include:

•  under floor heating throughout,
•  infinity pool,
•  intelligent system,
•  elevator,
•  domatic sound system,
•  gymnasium,
•  a fabulous bar and entertainment area.  

Even those very difficult to impress have been impressed !

    To find out more visit www.lapalomavillas.com