Chilled Spanish soup for steaming hot days

23/5/2022

One of Spain’s classic summer dishes, Gazpacho is a cold, chilled soup, perfect for when the temperatures rise. Prepared in advance and served chilled, Gazpacho is packed with fresh tomatoes, garlic and lashings and lashings of olive oil. It is believed that Gazpacho was brought to Spain by the Moors, whose presence in Andalucía, the region which is famous for its Gazpacho, lasted until the Discovery of America in 1492 – a year of great change in Spain. Andalucía is still the traditional home of Gazpacho and this dish is a particular favourite in Seville and Cordoba. There are many variations on Gazpacho with more modern ingredients added as an alternative to the traditional recipe, or even fruit based Gazpachos which use melon as a principal ingredient for the ultimate in cool, summery, fruity taste sensations. The riper the ingredients used in Gazpacho, the better. Gazpacho is a mix of stale bread, tomatoes, peppers, water, olive oil, salt and black pepper. If you’d like to try making a Gazpacho to enjoy on the terrace or balcony of your ImmoVario home in Spain, here is our recipe, adapted from the BBC’s recipe. Ingredients 1 chopped onion 2 chopped garlic cloves 1 chopped, deseeded red pepper 4 very ripe tomatoes 1 slice of white bread, without the crusts, in small pieces, ideally one or two days old 500ml passata 300ml of vegetable stock 5 tablespoon of olive oil, plus extra for adding once prepared 4 tablespoon of wine vinegar Salt and pepper to season Preparation method Mix the chopped onion, pepper, tomatoes, garlic and bread in a food processor and blend until finely chopped but not smooth. Place the blended ingredients in a large bowl and add the 5 tablespoons of olive oil, passata, stock and wine vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well then place in the fridge for at least two hours, or overnight if possible so the ingredients develop an even richer flavour. To serve, pour into individual glasses and add a little olive oil. Serve with bread. If you like a glass of wine with your soup, a wine that can be sipped easily is normally recommended. A wine from Spain, such as Albariño, an unoaked Rioja, a Rueda or a fino Sherry go particularly well and will be readily available in a local shop. Sources: Theguardian.com Foodandwine.com Bbcgoodfood.com Matchingfoodandwine.com Would you like to enjoy more tastes of Spain and have your own dream home over there? Click at this link: property for sale in Spain

Top Reasons to buy a home in the Granada Area

31/1/2022

At the bottom of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, between Darro and Genil rivers, is a sparkling city, which boasts of its impressive Als-Andalus heritage. On this sight you will also come across renaissance archaeological gems as well as modern facilities, ideal for the 21st century. The Granada area is one of the main attractions in Eastern Andalusia due to its unique Moorish essence. This was the last city to face the conquest of Catholic Monarchs in 1492. With captivating artwork and gastronomy all over, you will find a great place to visit whenever you are out to explore and learn new things. Granada is rich in history and culture, something that makes it one of the most worthwhile places to visit in Spain. The Albacin, which is among Spain’s UNESCO-listed Heritage Sites, is a historic quarter that was occupied by the Arabs. With picturesque lanes and whitewashed homes, the Moorish atmospheric character is conveyed. The region was once fortified with defensive walls, which can be viewed perfectly from Cuestas de la Alhacaba a short distance from the Puerta de Elvira, which was put up in the 9th century. You can also pay a visit to the Gypsy Quarter, which is a fascinating place you should include in your list of places to visit while in Spain. The presence of the Gypsy in Granada dates back to 1532, with dwellers settling in Sacramonte caves, which is also a spectacular place to visit. You will enjoy the artistic beauty presented in the Gypsy homes, which were built with creativity and strength to endure all forces. In the Upper region of Calmino del Sacramonte, you will find some of the best kept caves, where you will learn about the ancient communities of Granada. Sacramonte has among the best views in Granada, and visitors have been able to appreciate the beauty of the region. This has earned the areas within the Gypsy Quarter a lot in terms of development, which has been effected to answer the rising need to create comfortable places for visitors. You can also meet great guides, who will educate you about the culture of Granada. Also while in Gypsy Quarter, don’t forget to visit the Benedictine Abbey of Sacrasmonte, which was built between the 17th and 18th centuries. You can get guided tours to Abbey between 11am to 1pm and 4pm to 6pm. On this site, there are several caves, which showcase precious relics. If you are a lover of religious events, you can attend the Conquest Day, which happens on January 2nd. The event is celebrated to commemorate the Catholic Monarchs conquest of Granada in 1491, and this is a live event you will feel part of. The Granada area is also known as the "Costa Tropical". ImmoVario offers nice property for sale in the Costa Tropical. Have a look at our offer to enjoy the rich amount of options in this wonderfull region.

Setenil de la Bodegas - a different pueblo blanco

14/6/2021

The pueblos blancos of Andalucia provide an opportunity for any budding photographer to really get to grips with their camera. Hilltop locations, whitewashed houses, ruined castles and local cafés serving chilled beer on a hot Andalucian day spring immediately to mind. You have probably already visited the most famous one in Ronda, in the Malaga province, but if you look further afield, there are some stunning villages with less tourists in the province of Cadiz. The names of the pueblos blancos in Cadiz normally offer us an insight into the history of the town, often built to defend the territories of the Muslims and Christians during periods of battle in Spanish history. For example, those bearing the word frontera were border towns. Recognised amongst the pueblos as the only one of its kind, Setenil de las Bodegas is also one of the most charming. Located above the River Trejo to the north west of Ronda, Setenil de las Bodegas takes its name from the wineries (bodegas) which used to be found in the village. Established by the Christians in the 15th century, the town's economy and population grew from the production and sale of olives, almonds and vineyards. This lasted until the mid-nineteenth century when the the vines were wiped out by Phylloxera which damaged vineyards across Europe. Unlike other pueblos blancos, the houses here are built into the rocks and caves, with olive groves and almond trees to be found on the rock rooves of the houses. The natural formation of these rocks and caves combined with the houses creates an undulating effect throughout the town with something new to be found where even the tiniest of streets meet another one. Setenil de las Bodegas is the perfect destination for those who love food. Setenil de las Bodegas has an outstanding reputation for fine chorizo, sausage, pork, cakes and pastries and fruit and vegetables are sourced from local villages. Cuevas del Sol street and the neighbouring Cuevas de la Sombra street are where you'll find the biggest selection of local bars for fantastic food for when your stomach starts rumbling. Once you’ve enjoyed the locally produced meats, cake and fruit, why not work off the calories with a stroll to the ruined Moorish castle for even better views of the town or by visiting the church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación. Just a short drive from our holiday homes for sale on the Costa de la Luz, Setenil de las Bodegas is a lovely day out no matter what time of year it is. Sources Andalucia.com Cadizturismo.com picture: Cadiz Tourism

Olive oil – the essential elixir of Mediterranean life

29/1/2021

Do you want to spent (more) time in Spain to enjoy this healthy way of living? We offer you a large selection of property for sale in Spain........al to life in Spain as wine, sunshine and family. The largest producer of olive oil in the world, Spain has been recognised year after year for the quantity and quality of this elixir of the good life. Over 300,000 tonnes of Spanish olive oil are exported every year, meaning that if you're drizzling it on your salads, mixing it with handmade pizza dough or enjoying it with cheese and wine in your own country, then you're in very good culinary company. Of course, the ideal location to partake in olive oil at meal times is from your very own home in Spain. A cornerstone of the healthy Mediterranean diet, olive oil, particularly Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Virgin Olive Oil, are recognised by chefs, doctors and researchers for their benefits as part of a daily diet. For the purest in olive oil choose Extra Virgin Olive Oil which is perfect for drizzling on salads and cooking with. Go one step further and look after your skin and hair with products containing olive oil, also readily available near your Spanish home. Nourishing, natural and used for centuries, olive oil moisturisers and shampoos moisturise on the outside, building on the nutritional benefits of the olive oil you enjoy on or in your food. Olive oil can be bought in Spain directly from local producers – both large and small. The majority of olive oil produced in Spain comes from the Jaén province in Andalucia where the temperatures reach the required highs to grow healthy, tasty olives. Take a journey through this part of Spain to see olive trees planted as far as the eyes can see. As well as this commercial growth, many people have olive trees planted near their own vines, or you can also buy from boutique producers and of course, in the supermarkets. Pair your Spanish olive oil with tomatoes, toasted bread and garlic for the famous Spanish 'pan com tomate' breakfast or enjoy it with more tomatoes, chorizo and a glass of local wine at lunch time. Do you want to spent (more) time in Spain to enjoy this healthy way of living? We offer you a large selection of property for sale in Spain on ImmoVario. You can use our ImmoVario searchservice to be kept informed about new offers that might satisfy your wishes! Sources: Oliveoilfromspain.com Bestoliveoils.com Oliveoiltimes.com

Almeria - excellent property investment opportunity

24/11/2020

Spain's Costa de Almeria represents a great find for both the investor and homeowner alike. With home prices at snap-me-up-now prices and a city steeped in history, head there now to find your dream home in the south of Spain. An extensive list of low-cost airline routes link Almeria to the rest of Europe. Located just 9km from the centre of Almeria, the airport is well placed for anyone wanting to get to the centre of town or further afield. Like most of Andalucía, Almeria basks in the glory of the Mediterranean sun with peak sunshine hours and temperatures in July and August. Almeria's climate is temperate all year round with lows of just 13 degrees in January. With little rainfall throughout the year, Almeria is the ideal destination for anyone wanting to escape to the sun, even just booking a few days before. If it's history you're after, Almeria's tiny streets and Moorish history set the scene for a place to explore at your leisure. The Alcazaba is the second largest Muslim fortress in Andalucia behind the Alhambra in Granada, another city that should definitely be on your agenda if you're looking to research the area's fascinating history and if that's not quite enough for one day, the shops and tea houses of Andalucía, easily found in Almeria, are such a gem that they'll win convert even the most adamant of coffee drinkers... Beachlovers are guaranteed to find a beach that meets their every need. One of Almeria's most famous beaches is Vera Playa, a naturist beach. In addition to Vera Playa there's a whole host of beaches reminiscent of those in the Caribbean on the Almerian coast. From Playa San Miguel to La Cañada and Playa Retamar, sandy white beaches and tranquil clear blue seas are a welcome break from the daily heat of a a costa that's bathed in the Mediterranean sun all year round. Added to this, there's one other advantage, budget conscious buyers need apply! Slightly further inland from the coast we have a selection of excellent properties at outstanding value prices, making your Spanish dream home an opportunity that is simply not to be missed. Contact the agents directly by using the contact form of each listing and discuss with them your home away from home requirements. Click on the link: Houses for sale Costa de Alemeria or Apartments for sale Costa de Alemeria to see the extensive selection of affordable property currently on offer. Sources: holiday-weather.com andalucia.com choose-almeria.com

Houses for sale Costa Brava: near local vineyards

22/8/2020

Spanish houses for sale on the Costa Brava have a truly enviable location. With wonderful sunshine, Girona and Barcelona close by, what more could you ask for? Well, picture the scene, it's early evening, you're enjoying a wonderful meal made with ingredients from the local market or you've decided to head to a local restaurant near your home. What is the one thing that you will almost always order to accompany your meal? A good, local wine, that's what! A locally made wine is designed to accompany the food from the area, but it's often hard to decide what to drink, especially when you don't know the grape varities. Our mini-guide will help you choose the best wine for your taste and food choices. Catalunya is one of Spain's most famous wine producing areas - Catalunya. Catalunya produces wines under the D.O Catalunya denomination which is made up of ten D.Os (Denominació d'Origen) within their own right with one of the most famous wines proving to be very popular right now. That wine is Cava, produced under the D.O Cava denomination. It is a sparkling wine, available as both a white and rosé wine and most people agree that it is ideal for celebrations, a toast or as an entrée. Produced in the same way as champagne, it has similar characteristics to champagne but it is often slightly drier and has less of a toasty edge to it. DO Catalunya produces a plethora of still wines. Red wines produced in the DO Catalunya area are made from local, indigenous grapes such as cabernet franc, various forms of Garnatxa (including negra, roxa and peluda) samsó and monastre as well as more internationally recognised grapes such as merlot and cabernet sauvignon. White wines produced in the region are likely to be made from local grapes such as albarinho, garnatxa blanca, macabeu, malvasia and moscatell as well as chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and viognier. Wines may be a single variety or a blend of two grapes or more. A house located in the Costa Brava is ideally situated for visits to local wineries, and even those which are slightly further afield. With excellent access by car as well as via local transport, many wineries offer tours which can be booked in advance, or you can often turn up on the day. Also, don't forget that your local winery probably also has a cellar shop, so you can take advantage of their latest products and taste a wider range than in the supermarket. Looking for a house in this lovely area? Please have a look on our website immoVario.com to find a nice overview of houses for sale in the Costa Brava Sources: Winesfromspainuk.com Do-catalunya.com

A straightforward process - buying a house in Spain

30/4/2020

Buying a house in Spain is not as complicated an experience as some would have you believe. With the right broker behind you, the house buying process is relatively straightforward and manageable within realistic timescales. It is important to remember that if you make an offer on a house in Spain, even when it is accepted it is not a deal that is set in stone until certain processes have been followed. Until an initial contract is signed by both the vendor and the buyer, both parties can pull out of the sale. Once the initial contract is signed and a 10% deposit paid by the buyer the contract cannot be cancelled by the seller unless they pay 20% of the agreed final sale value. You should always ensure that the person selling the house is indeed the legal owner. This can be checked via your broker who will do the necessary steps for you, as opposed to a conveyancing solicitor in the UK, for example. The initial contract includes details of the person(s) selling the house, your details, addresses, agreed payment dates and the house details. Once you have this, unless you already live in Spain, you will need to get a tax number, similar to a National Insurance number in the UK, a so called Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) which enables you to legally purchase a house in Spain. Acquiring this number and the card which shows it can take anywhere between one to six weeks, so it is best to start the process as soon as you have agreed the purchase and signed the initial contract. You also need to have a Spanish bank account which will need to have the funds available to purchase the house on the agreed final date of sale. The final purchase amount owed will need to be made via a banker's draft from your Spanish bank account so you need to ensure you have cleared funds at least 48 hours before you meet at the notary's office to sign the contract. On the contract exchange day you and the seller will exchange contracts in person at a notary's office chosen by you, the buyer. The notary ensures once again on the date that the house is officially sold that there is no mortgage or debt linked to the house anymore (which you would otherwise take on). Our brokers can recommend notaries who perform legal work at a good level. In addition to the cost of your new home in Spain, typical costs, depending on where you purchase and the final sale value of your new home, are normally around 11.5% for a house that is already built. Speak to our brokers for more information to buy a house in Spain and advice as to the best option for you and your new home in the sun. 

Empuriabrava: Haven for Boating Enthusiasts

20/2/2020

Situated in the heart of the Spanish Costa Brava, Empuriabrava is a large purpose-built coastal resort which forms part of the municipal district of Castelló d'Empúries in the province of Girona. With around 5,000 moorings, Empuriabrava is one of the largest and most impressive residential marinas in the world. It has an extensive network of navigable canals which give unrestricted access to the sea, an enormous sandy beach and a good choice of shops, restaurants and bars. For the boating enthusiast, this truly is paradise. Indeed, it is also an ideal location for all water sport devotees as well as being able to accommodate those who enjoy other outdoor activities such as cycling, golf and horse riding. For the skydiving aficionado, a visit to Skydive Empuriabrava (i) is a must. Established in the 1980's, it has gained the reputation of being one of the leading skydiving centres in the world and it is one of the major training venues for many skydiving teams. The magnificent houses and apartments in Empuriabrava epitomise luxurious living, many of which have their own private mooring and an outdoor swimming pool. These impressive buildings, together with the spectacular moored boats and yachts, are best viewed from the water. Sightseeing tours are available, or you can rent a small boat and explore the waterways yourself. Because it has been in existence for just over 40 years, the town is devoid of historical monuments and buildings. Nevertheless, Empuriabrava's ideal location allows its many visitors easy access to numerous nearby towns and villages with an abundance of sites of historical interest including the Gothic Basilica of Santa Maria and the interesting Museu Cúria-Presó in the neighbouring Castelló d'Empúries. Figueres, the birthplace of Salvador Dali, houses the Teatre-Museu Gala Salvador Dalí and the 18th century military fortress Sant Ferran Castle. The beautiful town of Roses, just a 9km drive, is home to many historical sites: the 16th century Trinity Castle, the Citadel and Bufalaranya Castle. If you are interested in ancient history, the Ruins of Empúries, just half an hour's drive from Empuriabrava, is definitely the place to visit. Whether you wish to reside permanently in Empuriabrava, purchase a second home, or you are a visitor looking for short-term or holiday accommodation, comprehensive details of all properties available for purchase and rental, together with a selection of land for sale, can be found on our website ImmoVario.com. Further reading: Castelló d'Empúries:- Basilica of Santa Maria in Castelló d'Empúries Museu Cúria-Presó (Curia-Prison Museum) Roses:- Roses Tourism Citadel of Roses Bufalaranya Castle Figueres :- Teatre-Museu Gala Salvador Dalí Sant Ferran Castle Ruins of Empúries References and acknowledgements: (i) Skydive Empuriabrava

The charms of Ibiza Town

21/1/2020

Ibiza often conjures up images of non-stop partying, sunset beach sessions and hedonistic clubs, but those who choose a house in this sun-kissed white isle know that there is much more to the island than first meets the eye. Its calmer side is yours to discover. Ibiza Town has a raft of places to go and is easily accessible from across the island. It is divided into three sections; Dalt Vila, the New Town and the Marina. Dalt Vila Dalt Vila, as it is known in Catalan, is the older part of town. Founded over 2,500 years ago by the Phoenicians, there are still traces of the cultures who have lived there since, from Phoenician to Carthaginian, Moorish, Roman and of course, Spanish. Plaza de la Constitución, the entrance to the Dalt Vila, has a food and plant market which has been held daily in Mercat Vell since 1873. You can stop for a coffee afterwards in the many cafés which line the market. The Ibizan Contemporary Art Museum (Museu d’Art Contemporani d’Eivissa) is found here and is free to enter. We recommend a visit to the Bastion Santa Lucia for great views of the harbour and Bastion Sant Joan for views of Formentera island. New Town The New Town is flatter and as the name suggests, is where the more modern town centre can be found. It's here that you will find international shops and more upmarket bars and restaurants. One of the main squares is Vara de Rey, where houses built at the start of the 20th century can be found. The Plaza del Parque, also found here, is perfect to while away some time in the sun or to enjoy a chilled drink with the locals. It was pedestrianised in 2017 making it an even more pleasant experience than in the past! The Marina The celebrity spotting part of the town, Ibiza Town's two marinas, Marina Botafoch and Ibiza Nueva, are awash with beautiful yachts and the rich and famous, especially in summer when they moor up here to enjoy the sunshine and party lifestyle of the town. If you want to enjoy a spot of beach time in this part of town, Talamanca beach, a short walk from Marina Botafoch is the place to be. It's refreshingly quiet here and you can head back to Ibiza town by ferry from the beach resort's marina. Contact our partners on Ibiza via our easy to complete form to ask them for more information about properties for sale in Ibiza. Sources Telegraph.co.uk Ibiza-spotlight.com