PARIS - Serena Williams proved an irresistible force once more as she powered past Maria Sharapova 6-4 6-4 to win the French Open for the second time on Saturday - 11 years after her first triumph....REUTERS

Take Me To Marbella

Having lived and grown up locally, Franciska Johansen, Angelina MacDonald and Dominique Moore are a perfect example of the cosmopolitan nature of Marbella, and in their fun, upbeat teeny-bobber song they pay tribute to the sunny shores they’ve been lucky enough to grow up on.
Produced by Franciska’s dad, who is in the music industry, and choreographed by the girls themselves with help from Angelina’s mum, a professional dancer, the catchy song and dance routine is aptly Spanish-English bilingual. Already, the Lecheritas...Read more at the Altavista Property Blog

Malaga owner Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani called for Uefa to investigate and claimed his side's dramatic Champions League defeat at Dortmund was "an injustice and racism". Read More...

You hear so much negative information about Spain that we thought we should set the record straight. We’re the last to say everything is hunky dory, but the message brought across in the press is often simplified and one-sided. As people who have lived and worked in the Marbella area for many years we know the local economy and especially the property market very well.

Michael Liggan of Altavista Property International says: “The buying process in countries such as Spain is actually very simple and transparent, with tighter laws protecting consumers than ever. So as long as you don’t lose your head and don’t do what you wouldn’t do at home either, it is a straightforward and safe way to enjoy the benefits of a home in the sun.

Read more...

David Beckham Marbella "Climacool Revolution 360 Degree" Adidas

Great video of David Beckham's latest video for Adidas, filmed in Marbella
Enjoy!
MJ Liggan

GOOD NEWS FOR COSTA DEL SOL TELLY ADDICTS

Big changes are afoot on the Costa del Sol for English speaking residents and holidaymakers who enjoy maintaining their British television viewing habits while in Spain.

Those ‘back home’ are often surprised to learn that in Spain we can view most of the same channels that they do, thanks to the wonders of SKY satellite television. Some apartments benefit from community SKY systems while others, along with most villa owners, need their own large satellite dish and digibox in order to watch their favourite British soaps, documentaries and reality TV shows.

Astra Satellite

It has been widely reported in the English language press in Spain that some of the television channels we know and love (including BBC1, 2, 3 and 4, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5) are due to be moved to a new ASTRA satellite, which will have a smaller footprint and may not be accessible from Andalucia using our current satellite dishes. And while it is virtually impossible to make any claims against the satellite and television companies (officially these channels are only available to UK domestic viewers), there is a practical solution.

Some experts are suggesting that bigger satellite dishes (around three metres) are the answer but these would be expensive and unsightly. And since many of the households affected have access to reliable and fast Internet, it seems sensible to make the most of what they already have!

Streaming television programmes via the Internet is much more straightforward and economical than it may sound! There are already a number of websites and apps you can access to watch a good selection of UK channels for free (for example, www.filmon.com) although some of those sites with a more comprehensive listing do require you to pay a monthly fee and subscribe to an ‘identity cloak’ which is a method of hiding the fact that your internet provider is actually in Spain rather than the UK. This will sound complicated to those not used to watching TV via a computer, but as with satellite television, once set up it is very easy to use and for most, will be a cheaper option than subscribing to a full SKY television connection.

Those wanting a Freeview type service will be pleased to know that some of the satellite television companies on the Costa del Sol are already offering digital streaming boxes available to purchase for around 130 euros with a subscription fee of 24 euros per month. These gadgets require an Internet connection but no identity cloak and no satellite dish. Most of them also have a catch up facility so that you can go back and watch any of your favourite programmes that you missed during the previous 14 days.

The BBC, aware of its large overseas audience, is also working hard to increase the ways that viewers abroad can watch their favourite television programmes. Their Worldwide service offers BBC Entertainment, BBC Knowledge, BBC Lifestyle, CBeebies and BBC World News to television screens across the world, Perhaps more excitingly, they have also launched and continue to improve their Global iPlayer enabling users of iPads and iPhones to access their on demand service to watch a good selection of British TV shows (for a monthly or annual fee).

Today’s televisions are super sophisticated and many are ‘smart’ or ‘internet’ sets meaning they have already been designed to connect to the Internet and stream television programmes and films. Don’t worry – you won’t be limited to watching your favourite soap on the small screen of your laptop or iPad!

Latest reports indicate that any further changes to the satellite systems and subsequent loss of channels will take place in the summer of 2013 so there is plenty of time for those in the know to investigate the best solutions for the average British television viewer on the Costa del Sol. Watch this space as more information becomes available on who to contact when you need to update your television viewing experience. (source: Altavista Property)

Walks around the Costa del Sol

The cooler temperatures but mostly sunny blue skies found on the Costa del Sol during the winter months can combine to create the ideal climate for exploring some different areas, away from the beaches, palm trees and tourist hot spots. Pack a bottle of water and some snacks, pull on your comfy walking shoes and take a hike on a recognised walking trail to see a whole different side to this area of Spain.

In Marbella
La Concha mountain stands proud above Marbella. Its iconic peak may not be the highest in the Sierra Blanca range, but it is certainly the most well known. While most may admire it from the sanctity of Puerto Banús’ bars and restaurants, those who have climbed it say it’s an experience not to be missed.

The View from La Concha

However, equally it’s not an experience to be taken lightly! One of the most challenging inland walks on the Costa del Sol, it is recommended that you climb La Concha in a group, with a leader who knows the way and is confident of the terrain and the route. It can take between four and a half and six hours and is graded “difficult” by local walking guides. A 15km circular walk, this route comprises a climb of at least 500m.
If the walk is too challenging for you and your party, it’s still worth the drive up to the starting point where you can stroll around and admire the view. From Marbella, follow the Ojen road (MA-469) until you see a sign pointing left to Refugio de Juanar. Take this road and keep going along the track until you reach the point where cars cannot access any further.

In Benahavis
There are excellent opportunities for strolling, walking or hiking around the picturesque area of Benahavis. One popular 12km circular route follows the Rio Guadalmina to the source of Benahavis village’s water supply – it’s graded easy so ideal for groups of mixed ages and abilities and usually takes around two hours.
As you arrive on the outskirts of Benahavis from the coast, turn right at the roundabout following signs to the Gran Hotel Benahavis. Once past the hotel, keep following the road until it ends at the large dam where there is normally ample parking. When you walk in this area, make sure that you stay on the western side of the river to avoid encroaching on private land.

In Manilva
West of Estepona and inland of the Port of La Duquesa, is the municipality of Manilva, home to the gorgeous Canuto de la Utrera canyon which ascends from the Manilva Rio to the Sierra de Utrera.
This walk, popular with dog walkers and more serious hikers takes in a variety of sites that you would never know existed unless you’d been forewarned. The smelliest of those is the small Roman sulphur spa which you will undoubtedly smell before you see! Popular with locals who swear that the water is beneficial to the skin, it is said to have been frequented by Julius Caesar himself! The baths can be quite busy, particularly on warmer Sundays, with those bathing or collecting the healing liquid to take home and add to their baths.
From the coast, turn right at the Lidl supermarket in Sabinillas and follow the road inland, underneath the toll road and past the hedonistic Roman Oasis restaurant (open during the Summer months only) and Venta Los Alamos. You will undoubtedly see other cars parked ahead near the Ermita de San Adolfo.
From here you can walk in many different directions but most cross the small stream to the west and then follow the trail to climb the canyon route. It’s a medium grade walk as there are some boulders to clamber over so sensible shoes are required!
For full details of these and other walks, visit the tourist offices in each town to obtain maps and find out times for guided walks. Several books have been published with step-by-step route plans which seasoned walkers may find useful.

Source: Altavista Property
+MJ Liggan
+Altavista Property International 
+Craig Cooper
+Craig Cooper