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Rent with option to buy is a new concept in Spain, you could call it try before you buy. It is a contractual agreement between a tenant and a property owner, where the tenant can at any time, exercise his / her right to buy the property after residing in it during a certain time. This could normally be up to 5 years or just a few month. As soon as the tenant feels comfortable and decides to buy the property, a percentage of the rent already paid, sometimes plus part of the capital gains tax, will be deducted from the sales price.

The big advantage for the tenant is that the rent you pay is no longer “dead money” and therefor lost. The rent you pay today will help you to be able to buy your home tomorrow as it is already paying off the mortgage before you even have it. You can move into your new home without having to make a large down payment and you can try the home first. You will be able to live and enjoy your property whilst saving money to buy it. Read more »

This coming summer residents and tourists will be able to benefit from more frequent trains on the Cercanias 1 line between Malaga and Fuengirola, as they will soon run every 20 minutes instead of every half an hour. This is due to the completion of the second track, a project that has always been the long-term goal of Renfe due to the social and financial profitability of the Costa del Sol line.

This new change will allow the 30 departures every day to be increased by 30 percent, although the exact numbers of trains and the earliest and latest departure times are yet to be confirmed.

The recent alterations to the timetables are truly remarkable, considering there have not been any changes to the train frequency since the C1 opened in 1975. This single fact means the adjustment is, in the eyes of many, long overdue and will effectively accomplish the greatest improvement to the service in 36 years.

The current total journey time between Malaga and Fuengirola is 48 minutes. Source claim that this time could possibly be reduced due to the modifications, but only marginally.

In Marbella, the “Valores” charity will be holding a Carnival Fair with dance and entertainment for all ages, international cuisine, arts and crafts and a tombola with fantastic prizes. “Valores” is charity which aids disabled youngsters. The Fair is being held on February 20^th from 11am to 8pm at Los Monteros Hotel, near the Hospital Costa del Sol. For more information call 622532230.

A photographic exihibition by Alberto Schommer will be held until March 11^th in the Centro Cultural de San Pedro. This photographer is well known for his work over the past three decades charting the history of Spain and his most recent works reflect his growing knowledge of the nuances and complexities of Flamenco.

An interesting exhibition titled “La Curiosidad Salvó al Gato” (Curiosity saved the cat) is open now until 20^th February at the Sala Espacio Tres, next to CAC Malaga in Calle Alemania. It is the amalgamated work of four artists: Ricardo Alario, Massimo Pompeo, Julie Bourgeois and Esperanza Romero who say their work is aimed at “surprising and trapping their viewers into new artistic currents with quality art work”. Their nationalities are Spanish, Italian, Canadian and Spanish respectively.

The Malaga Philharmonic Orchestra celebrates its 20^th anniversary on February 18^th and 19^th with concerts for violin and orchestra, Andrea Sestakova will be playing violin. The concert will start at 8.30 p.m on Friday and 8 p.m on Saturday, tickets range from 7€ to 21€. For more information go to www.teatrocervantes.com

Skyscanner’s Global Travel Awards have named Spain as the most family friendly country which is also best for night-life, making it the destination with the best of both worlds.

With cities like Madrid and Barcelona renowned worldwide for their after hours entertainment, as well as many family orientated resorts along the coast, the country remains the most popular holiday destination for British tourists.

The opinions of more than 600 travellers were collected by the flights comparison site Skyscanner which made some surprising revelations. Read more »

In the 1970s dutch Xaviera Hollander rose to fame as the author of “The Happy Hooker“, after she worked as a call girl and madam. But now she’s an innkeeper of sorts. She owns a bed and breakfast in Amsterdam and is also the owner of Villa Caprice, a magnificent villa in the hills of sunny Marbella close to the Golden Mile, the beach and all amenities. Her house is located in a secluded area where guests can even “frolic around in the nude if they wish”. The villa offers 6 bedrooms to people who want some fun and sun. Villa Caprice has a garden with a lovely lawn, swimming pool with fountains and a sun terrace with 8 loungers. There is a large living room, well-equipped kitchen, a bar and terraces for outside dining. The villa’s bedrooms include several suites with king-sized beds as well as multiple rooms with twin beds for kids. Prices for the villa start at 1.800 Euro per week and go up to 2.400 Euro per week in summer