News Update

An Almeria development

Almanzora Group has completed holiday homes ready for occupation in the Harbour Lights waterfront development in Villaricos, one of the most sought-after locations on the Almeria coast in south-east Spain.

Villaricos is a traditional fishing village located on the coast between the Almanzora River and the Sierra Almagrera. It was once a Phoenician port and, in the nineteenth century, a silver mining boom town.

Today its two harbours are busy with fishing boats and, following new developments to accommodate an expanding local population, Villaricos has around 19 restaurants, cafés and bars. Most are Spanish and the village has retained its very Spanish character.

“Current market conditions mean that prices are at their lowest for six years with the price of a two-bedroom apartment at Harbour Lights at €147,500, a discount of almost one-third (30 per cent) off the list price,” says the firm’s sales and marketing manager Bridget Rosser. “Would-be owners who buy now will be put on a fast-track to completion to ensure that they are able to enjoy using their new holiday home this summer.”

Traditional small Spanish town

Currently available at Harbour Lights, the waterfront development overlooking the Esperanza harbour and a five-minute walk from the sandy Villaricos beach – are two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments and townhouses.

Designed in a style which reflects many aspects of traditional small Spanish town and village architecture, they are built in private and secure gated communities, around courtyards and a swimming pool, as well as around formal Spanish plazas, with orange trees, water features and quiet seating areas.

Villaricos is easy to reach thanks to three international airports. There are flights from the UK to Almeria Airport, around 40 minutes away from Harbour Lights by road, Alicante Airport (less than two hours away) and Murcia Airport (80 minutes by car). Airlines currently flying to the region include Ryanair, easyJet, Monarch, Jet2, Jetair Fly and Thomas Cook.

For more information call The Almanzora Group on 01242 680299 or visit the website:www.almanzora.com

Foreign Currency Direct

New research from Foreign Currency Direct reveals that one in four British workers feel compelled to work abroad. With 23 per cent of British workers contemplating a move overseas in the next two years, the incentives driving British workers to follow their foreign worker counterparts in search of new employment overseas have been revealed.

The research by specialist foreign currency broker, Foreign Currency Direct, reveals that Britain’s workforce has an overriding positive perception of working overseas, with more than one in four British workers feeling compelled to work abroad by the prospect of cheaper costs of living (59%), a better work life balance (58%) and the opportunity to embrace a new culture (55%). The only significant barrier to a career move abroad is the fear of being isolated from friends and family in the UK (61%).

Peter S Ellis, CEO, Foreign Currency Direct

Of the 1,283 British workers questioned, 24 per cent felt extremely positive about a career move overseas, giving an overseas career move a score of between eight and 10, on a scale of one to 10. Seven of Britons’ top 10 considerations for a career move abroad were positive.

Positive impact

Sparking concern of a “brain drain” of Britain’s brightest young talent, workers aged 18 to 30 are the most likely to see the positive impact a career overseas could have on their lifestyle, more than one in four (27%) are feeling extremely positive about a job overseas, compared with just 17 per cent of 51 to 60 year olds.  People in this age group identified twice as many positives than negatives to a job abroad (four compared with two), with a better work life balance being their number one motive (61%).

Tax Relief Drives People to Look Elsewhere

Coinciding with the Government announcement that tax will be raised to 50 per cent for high earners, the research reveals that one in three (31%) UK workers would move abroad because of the tax incentives available on foreign shores. Looking for the best way to maximise their pension payments, this figure increases to 39 per cent amongst the over 60s.

Londoners Look Abroad

While they are among the most likely to worry about leaving friends and family (62%), those living in London are, overall, the most optimistic about a career move abroad. Two in three Londoners (66%) identified their main motive to move abroad to be cheaper costs of living.

Foreign Currency Direct is a leading foreign exchange provider and the first choice for thousands of businesses and individuals to save money when transferring funds.

For more information about Foreign Currency Direct call: 0800 328 5884 or look at the company’s website: http://www.currencies.co.uk/

Storing your possessions when you downsize

One of the hardest things about downsizing is what on earth do you do with those things that won’t fit into your new home? Sell them? No, you probably won’t want to face that as well as everything else. How about storing them? That’s worth investigating. You could call storage experts Ready Steady Store on 0800 321 3211 or go online at www.readysteadystore.co.uk.

Self storage is a very cost-effective and simple method of dealing with the issue of downsizing.  Firstly, find a professional self storage company local to you; check its security credentials such as 24-hour surveillance, access via PIN code and individually-alarmed units;  talk to the store staff about the size of unit that will suit your requirements – you’ll be suprised how much you can fit into a 50 or 100 square foot room;  and obtain a transparent price – not one that looks cheaper at the outset, but may contain lots of hidden extras and surprises long the way.

The other great thing about self storage is that you can move items into storage that you can’t bear to part with immediately, and then keep revisiting your unit so you can gradually throw unwanted items away.  It makes the whole process much less painful and far more enjoyable.

Accurate information from World Travel Guide

If you’re thinking of buying a home abroad, you’ll need two things. The first fact is that you’re going to have to travel and this means having accurate information to avoid delays and mishaps. The second item you’ll want is accurate information about your chosen destination, and this includes background to the individual country and if, for example, you’re aiming to own a home in a city, it’s important to have an up-to-date and detailed guide at your fingertips.

World Travel Guide hosts a comprehensive web site dedicated to global travel. The information includes weather forecasts, a world clock, a World Events Guide and much more. In addition, there are country, city, beach, cruise and airport guides and many other travel essentials.

For more information, go on-line at www.worldtravelguide.net

Eurostar Single Fares From Just £35

A new fare range offers greater flexibility to travellers and wider fare simplification and sees the end of ‘stay away’ conditions. Eurostar, the provider of carbon neutral, high-speed rail journeys between the UK and the Continent, has today introduced single fares to all its destinations. The new fares start from the wholly inclusive price of £35 for London to Paris/Brussels, and can be purchased without any airline-style extra charges.

Take Eurostar from London to the snow

As part of a commitment to greater transparency, Eurostar is helping travellers find better deals, by simplifying its fare structure. Travellers can expect more flexibility with the removal of ‘stay away’ conditions such as Saturday Night Away, One Night Away, Midweek Day Return and Weekend Day Return.

A different route

Nick Mercer, Eurostar’s Commercial Director, commented: “We want to help travellers who are planning a tour of Europe or who need the flexibility to return by a different route, by making low priced single fares available. “We hope this greater range of fare options will allow travellers to make even more use of Europe’s high-speed rail network and exploit the environmental advantages of train over plane for seamless rail journeys.”

As part of the changes and in a move that more accurately reflects the product offering, Leisure Select fares have increased. The new lead-in fare for Leisure Select return travel from London – Paris/Brussels is £175 return. Passengers travelling Leisure Select benefit from more spacious seats, roomier carriages, a three-course meal with wine*, complimentary newspapers and magazines, and excellent ‘at seat’ service.

Eurostar continues to offer its widely available lead-in return fare of £59 which has gone unchanged for over six years.

*wine is not offered on morning outbound services.

1. Eurostar high-speed passenger service links the UK and mainland Europe, providing carbon neutral journeys between St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International, Paris,

Disneyland Resort Paris is for all the family

Brussels,Lille, Calais, Disneyland Resort Paris, Avignon and the French Alps.

2. Eurostar ticket holders can make connecting rail journeys to either Kent station for free from anywhere on the Southeastern trains network. They will also be able to connect with Southeastern’s high-speed domestic services, which are due to begin later this year

3. Eurostar single fares start from just £35 and return fares from only £59. Travellers can also buy connecting fares to the Continent from 150 towns and cities across the UK. Return ticket prices range from £65 and include Brighton from only £71 and Edinburgh from only £92. To book tickets or for more information, visit www.eurostar.com or call 08705 186 186.