Important Places of Visit in Spain

Spain is one of the countries having so much to give to tourists. Spectacular natural beauty, beautiful coves, long beach, traditional buildings, churches, castles, etc. A feather in the cap; it also has beautiful and luxurious villas to suit all sections of the visitors. Some of the most fascinating caves in Spain are mentioned here:

The Altamira Cave:

This Cave is located in the north of Spain and about 30 km to the west of Stander in the city of Santillana del Mar. The unique feature of this cave is its location. The cave is located on the ceiling. Wide space is provided for entrance measuring about 18 X 9 meters. About 30 meters from the entrance is the main hall. It also has many rooms, passages, etc. Another fascinating fact about this Cave is that all the accommodation in it is 'S' shaped. Archeological experts are of the opinion that this Cave has about 15000 years of history dating to the Magdalena period. Most beautiful paintings of animals like wild boar, horse, bison, etc. are on the wall.

The painter has used the unevenness of the walls to give a real effect to the paintings. Eight Anthropomorphic pictures have also been engraved in the Cave. The painting is so fresh that experts, only after extensive scientific studies accepted that these are old paintings presumably belonging to the Magdalena period. For the convenience of the tourist, the cave is now provided with electric power lighting. The cave is such a great treasure that now entry is restricted to 160 visitors per week. This is because of the experts' opinion that CO2 breathed out by the visitors in the Cave may damage the paintings. As an alternative, a replica of the cave was created which was recently inaugurated.

Caves of Drach:

This is located in the city of Mallorca, Spain. The cave measures a total length of more than one mile. Walking through the Cave, the tourist will be fascinated by the impressive rock and limestone formations. At many places the rock formations touch the ceiling. The Cave is divided into 12 segments and there are other chambers as well. The cave was explored in 1896. At the farther end of the Cave, a huge underground lake exists. To fascinate the tourists, musicians give a live concert on a boat sailing across the lake. A place has been provided inside the Cave where tourists can relax for a while. Conducted tours are held and the cave can be reached by bus also.

Winter Sun Villa in Gran Canaria - the perfect post-season

Winter sun villa rentals in Gran Canaria are an excellent choice for a late season getaway as the climate makes this island an ideal all year round vacation destination. If you are fed up with the weather back home and long for a seaside holiday why not book winter getaway vacation rentals on Gran Canaria. This island is a 'dream come true' for beach lovers, with plenty of wonderful sandy beaches on which to relax and sunbathe. As well as sunshine and plentiful beaches the island has a magnificent mountainous interior which was formed by ancient volcanic activity. This island really is a fantastic place to book your winter sun accommodation. If cash is tight why not save some money and book your winter sun self catering accommodation direct from the private owners?

Some of the most popular resorts on the island to book winter sun villa rentals are Playa del Ingles, Maspalomas and Puerto Rico.

Playa del Ingles

If you book your winter getaway vacation rentals in Playa del Ingles you will discover that it is one of the biggest holiday complexes in Spain. Playa del Ingles was created in the 1960's and is full of high-rise hotels, shopping malls and fast-food restaurants. It is the ideal place to book your winter holiday hire whether you are holidaying alone, as a family, with a group of friends or as a couple. Plenty of winter sun accommodation is available including many privately let Bungalows and villas in quiet street, if you prefer to stay away from the busy city center. For those who are self-catering book is a wide choice of supermarkets, restaurants, bars and shops.

Maspalomas

Maspalomas to find about 20 minutes by car or bus from Puerto Rico, on the southeast coast of Gran Canaria. Maspalomas is the oldest and one of the largest tourist resorts and is a great place tobook your winter sun villa rentals. Maspalomas has plenty of holidaymaker amenities as well as an excellent winter climate. Maspalomas is generally considered to be more upmarket than Playa del Ingles with a slightly better class of winter sun accommodation. The famous Dunas de Maspalomas (sand dunes) provide endless miles of sand, and for the more energetic there are excellent sports and water sports facilities. If you book self-catering winter getaway vacation rentals there are hundreds of bars and restaurants to suit every taste. To keep the kids amused there are also some great theme parks to visit such as Holiday World where you can enjoy all the fun of the fair or Aqualand, a water theme park, which is perfect for children and adults alike. If you are a golf enthusiast and have booked your winter sun villa rentals in Maspalomas, why not try a round at the local Campo de Golf Course.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is situated in the sunny south of Gran Canaria and is one of the most well-liked family resorts to book winter sun villa rentals. During the summer season it is very busy, but in the winter there is an altogether more laid-back ambience. Puerto Rica has a small sandy beach and is an ideal place to sunbathe. If you are feeling lively and want to take part in some water-sports you can choose from jet-skiing, sailing, diving, big-game fishing and windsurfing. Other attractions available away from the beach include golf, a Water Park and shopping.

So what are you waiting for? Go online and find some websites which list fantastic winter sun villa rentals in Gran Canaria to book direct with the private owners. Then book your flights, organize your travel insurance, buy some sunscreen, dig out your sunglasses and off you go! Leave the winter gloom at home behind and enjoy some much needed fun in the sun.

The Sun Shines Lovely in the Canary Islands

Spain and its popular islands

Spain, the Iberian country, is famous all over the European continent for its amazing coasts and islands. The Canary Islands are visited by millions of tourists annually as it seems that the water and the sands are very clean here and the sun shines brilliantly. Costa Teguise is a resort that can be found here. Earlier it used to be a more exclusive vacation resort but nowadays it has become a common holiday destination that guarantees you the best memories.

Pick one of the four beaches

On the southern coast of Lanzarote, especially on Costa Teguise, four amazing beaches wait for you. Playa las Cucharas is the largest one and also the most beautiful one; having these two advantages, it is also very crowded, especially in the summer season. Tourists come from all over Europe to enjoy the sun here. The other three Playa Bastian, Playa Jablillo and Playa Los Charcos should be chosen if you wish to spend more intimate time with the people accompanying you. A lot smaller than Playa las Cucharas, these are famous for their very white sand and turquoise water.

Have fun in a water park after a golf game

The only water park in Lanzarote is near Costa Teguise. The little ones will love it. If you have travelled without children, no problem. There are many fun attractions for mature people too. If you do not feel like wasting your energy in such a place, you can play some golf. Costa Teguise Golf course is just a few miles away from the water park; the panorama is gorgeous and the grass is the greenest in the entire world.

Night life in the Canary Islands

The night life here is very happening. There are many restaurants, bars and pubs where you can meet the inhabitants, learn things about their culture and customs and try the local drinks and foods. These can be some good ways to spend your time in Costa Teguise. The local cuisine is very tasty. If you want to have a memorable dinner, go to Lagomar restaurant. It is built in real pieces of cave and is very popular among tourists.

Some historical information

Admire the special architecture in the old town of Teguise. You will find many museums and historical monuments that deserve to be admired. Looking for great panoramas? Then go and visit the Castle of Santa Barbara and the view will take your breath away. The streets and houses will delight you as well: their style and structure is unique in Spain.

Rental Holiday Home Tax Laws in the UK

UK Tax Law on Furnished holiday homes is going to change in 2011 and if you rent out holiday accommodation this is going to affect you. So, what are the changes and how do they impact?

Current 'qualifying tests' to meet the requirements of a 'Furnished Holiday Letting' (FHL) are:

* Must be available to let for 140 days of the year.
* Must be let for a minimum of 70 days a year.
* No let over 31 days in one go is included in the total.

Lets to the same person in one tax year are allowed but they must not exceed 31 days in any one single letting period.

If your property doesn't qualify as a furnished holiday letting, you will be taxed under the residential property lettings rules. At the bottom of the page are links to further reading on many points in this article.

What if your holiday villa is in the European Economic Area?

From 22 April 2009 HMRC has applied a temporary extension of the current rules to UK taxpayers with property outside of the UK but within the EEA to choose whether they wish to be taxed under:

* The furnished holiday letting rules - if the property qualifies
* The normal rules for property businesses

These arrangements will continue to apply for the 2010-11 tax year but it is this change that has caused further examination of FHL tax rules to bring into line both European and UK holiday properties.

Working out Your taxable income cottage

Your profit on the holiday home for rent, furnished's income working in the same way as for the hiring of others, unless it can be argued that "the price of capital."

Read our guidelines on share capital below or through the link at the end of the article.

For advice on how to complete a Self Assessment form our bed on the bottom of the page.

What are the tax advantages of a furnished apartment for rent?

E 'may be a tax advantage if your property qualifies as a furnished holiday letting and either of the following applies:

* You make a loss on your rental income
* You sell or 'otherwise dispose' of the property

If you make a loss:

Any loss can be offset against your other income, not just the property income, reducing your overall tax bill; however this is going to be changed in 2011 removing this tax benefit. You can also carry the loss forward and offset it against future letting profits.

Learn more about offsetting losses in the land and property help notes of the Self Assessment tax return, see the links at the bottom of this article.

What if I sell or 'otherwise dispose' of the Furnished Holiday Letting?

You may be able to take advantage of Capital Gains Tax reliefs, such as 'Business Asset Roll-Over Relief'. For example, if you reinvest the sale proceeds within three years in certain other business assets, you may be able to defer payment of Capital Gains Tax until you dispose of those new assets.

To understand the rules fully visit the links below.

How to declare income and expenses from your Furnished Holiday Letting.

You need to declare your rental income from FHL using the land and property pages of your Self Assessment tax return. If you don't receive one automatically see the links at the bottom of this article. You should also use the same property pages of your tax return to declare income from furnished holiday lettings property in the EEA.

Allowable expenses to offset your profits on a Furnished Holiday Letting.

Expenses and allowances on income from property include:

* Letting agent's fees
* Legal fees for lets of a year or less, or for renewing a lease for less than 50 years
* Accountant's fees
* Buildings and contents insurance
* Public Liability Insurance
* Interest on property loans
* Maintenance and repairs to the property (but not improvements)
* Utility bills (like gas, water, electricity)
* Rent, ground rent, service charges
* Council Tax
* Services you pay for, like cleaning or gardening
* Other direct costs of letting the property, like phone calls, stationery, advertising

If your annual income from the letting for the tax year 2009-10 is less than £68,000 (before you've taken off expenses) you include the total of your expenses on your tax back, if £ 68,000 or more, you must provide a complete breakdown.

There are different types of compensation that may be granted for your investment. Investment costs include expenditures on goods such as furniture and equipment.

If you are a qualified FHL in the UK or the European Economic Area, you can claim a "depreciation" means the cost of each piece of furniture and equipment included with the property, or you can ask for a "compensation renewal."

Asmuch capital allowance can you claim?

The allowance depends on what you buy. You can usually claim 50 per cent of the cost when you buy it - but sometimes 100 per cent for some environmentally friendly expenditure. Each year after that you can claim 25 per cent of what's left. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) changes the percentages from time to time. The allowance is deducted along with other expenses in calculating your profits. Once you make a choice for each item, you must keep to it.

So what's going to change?

These changes are due to come in for April 2011 and are open to consultation until the 22nd October 2010. To take part in the consultation you can email Jacqueline Latter at holiday-lettings-consultation(at)hmtreasury.gsi.gove.uk or visit HM Treasury here to view the consultation document in detail.

The major changes to the current holiday letting tax rules are:

* Increase the period the property is available to let from 140 to 210 days.
* Increase the actual total let period from 70 to 105 days.
* Restrict the loss relief from FHL so that it can only be offset against income form the

FHL business itself. This includes UK FHL being treated separately from EEA FHL. So a loss from a UK FHL can only be offset against a UK FHL and vice versa. The rules allowing offsetting against tax from other areas (like earned income) will be removed.

Make sure you can obtain 105 days occupancy Level to maximize your tax benefits in 2011

The rules on investment and capital gains remain. How long is an open question!

What tax records should I keep the house?

To be able to land and property pages of your self-assessment must be completed:

* A note of all the rent and get the rented property.
*
* A record of your expenses (see Self Assessment land andproperty pages help notes for what counts as business expenses)
* Sales receipts, invoices and bank statements.
* Allowable expenses
* 'Capital' costs
* All these records for six years after the tax year concerned

If you need help completing the pages, call the Self Assessment help-line on 0845 9000 444 (open 8.00 am to 8.00 pm seven days per week).

What are 'Allowable expenses'

Your records should include details of all your costs of letting or managing Your property. Allowable expenses reduce taxable income. They include some or all of these costs:

* Rental agents, accountants and attorneys fees
* Buildings and contents insurance
* Real Estate Loans Interest Rates
* Maintenance and repairs - not improvements
* Bills such as gas, water, electricity
* Rent, ground rent and maintenance fees
* Council Fee
* Advertising
* Other direct costs for the rental of property, such as calling

What are>holiday letting 'Capital' costs?

You can reduce your taxable profit by claiming different types of allowances for the cost of furniture and equipment you provide with the property.

Capital Costs include items used within the property, not used by you personally, such as Washing machines, cookers, cutlery etc.

What if I complete a Self Assessment form?

For the 2009-10 tax year, if your total income from UK property is under £68,000 a year before expenses, you can group the expenses as a single total on your tax return. If it's £68,000 or more, you'll need to show your expenses separately.

Your Tax Office can ask to see your records at any time. So hold onto the detailed information even if your income's less than £68,000.

What if I don't complete a Self Assessment form?

If you're employed and your taxable income from property is less than £2,500, your Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax code can be adjusted to collect the tax on your property income. Your Tax Office will send you form P810 to report your income each year.

However, you'll still need to keep records, to enable you to fill in form P810. Your Tax Office can also ask to see your records to check your figures.

If your income from rent is £2,500 or more you'll need to complete a tax return.

How long do I need to keep the records?

You'll need to keep your records for six years after the tax year to which they apply - whether you complete a tax return or not.

The author provides no warranty that this information is correct and any action taken upon it is entirely at the risk of the reader Further advice can be found on the following website pages:
Rental property tax
Advice on Expenses and allowances

Long Term Rentals

A long term rental in Spain enables you to realize and feel about the area you would consider to purchase. You can really get to know about that area in different seasons. If you don't find the long term rental in Spain suitable as per your needs, you can certainly quit after 6months/year as there is not any huge commitment for that, but if you purchase any property there you will need to find the customers and sell out to them.

There are some areas in Spain which are too hot during summer while some areas are much colder during winter. So you can take benefits of long term rentals as you can experience the exact feel of the place before making any decision. If it doesn't suits your requirements you can certainly leave that area and opt for the other one which is not possible in the case of purchased properties.

Finding out long term rental in Barcelona is not an easy job as people charge massive amounts for summer holiday rentals and they don't want long term tenant during their peak season.

The contracts for long term rentals in Spain are referred to as Vivienda Contracts. As these contracts are for a period of one year, it should be cheaper as compared to short term rentals. One cannot move out without paying for a penalty. A long term rental in Spain involves depositing amount for one or two months usually.

You can find out the long term rentals in Spain through local estate agents/online agents which is the best way.

Beachfront Villa Rental Spain - Costa Blanca North For a Fantastic Summer Holiday a Must Read

The Costa Blanca north is a great place to book a beachfront villa rental Spain or Spanish apartments for rent for a fantastic summer holiday. The Costa Blanca north is a slightly less developed area of Spain due to the fact that large scale tourism tends to be centred around the Costa Blanca south and the Costa del Sol. This area offers a diverse mix of long, sandy beaches, stunning mountains and lush valleys, picturesque 'white villages', modern resorts, great golf and water sports facilities, fiestas, ancient churches, not to mention wonderful food and wine. All of this just a couple of hours travel from the UK. Let's look at some of the places to book villa or apartment holiday rentals Spain on the Costa Blanca north from the owners direct Spain.

Alicante

Alicante is one of the most well-known towns along the Costa Blanca and is the starting point for thousands of tourists who visit this coast every year. Many visitors arrive at Alicante Airport and then go straight to their beachfront villa rental Spain or Spanish apartments for rent at one of the beachfront holiday resorts and never see anything of the city. If you get a chance to linger there are plenty of things to see and do. There are many historical buildings around the city, cathedrals and churches to visit and of course you can enjoy a relaxing stroll around the wonderful harbour area. Alicante also has some good beaches including Mucho Vista and Playa San Juan.

Benidorm

Until the 1960's Benidorm was a quiet fishing village, but today it is very well known in Europe and thousands of visitors flock here every year and book a beachfront villa rental Spain or apartment holiday rentals Spain. One of the reasons is that Benidorm has attractions to suit all age groups from teenagers to families with young children and Pensioners. In the summer the majority of visitors are in the 18-30 age group looking for some fun in the sun whilst the low season is appealing to older couples who want to escape the gloomy north European winter weather. The resort has three Blue Flag beaches, a good range of night-time entertainment, many bars, restaurants and discos and a theme park on the edge of town.

Denia

Denia is located about 100km from Alicante and is a cosmopolitan town with all year round sunny weather and is a lovely spot to book your beachfront villa rental Spain or Spanish apartments for rent. The town is overlooked by Mount Montgo and surrounded by the beautiful Mount Montgo Natural Park. The castle in the centre of Denia dates from the 11th Century and was originally built by the Moors during the Arab Conquest. The town has an important harbour where you can catch a ferry to the Balearic Islands such as Ibiza.

Moraira

Moraira is a small, picturesque town and due to strict planning laws is still very pretty and not over-developed. If you booked a self-catering beachfront villa rental Spain or apartment holiday rentals Spain here you will find a good selection of restaurants and bars beside the pretty yacht marina where you can sit outside and watch the world go by. The town also has its own wide, gently-shelving sandy beach with shallow waters which has been awarded the EEC Blue Flag for cleanliness and is safe for family bathing.

Booking From The Owners Direct

So if any of these fantastic resorts on the Costa Blanca north appeal to you, and you decide to book a beachfront villa rental Spain from the owners direct don't forget to arrange some travel insurance before you go. You would be amazed at how many people just take out the bare minimum insurance or even no insurance at all. If you are not sure what you need, consult a reputable insurance broker who can advise you of the policies available and recommend the right one for your particular circumstances.

The San Antonio Holiday Resort

Going on holiday

Millions of people choose Spain for their holiday destination every year because it is a very special country. In Spain, you have a little bit of everything: wonderful beaches with very delicate sand, high mountains ready for winter sports, breathtaking landscapes, amazing views, modern holiday resorts for those who want to spend their holiday in the middle of the cosmopolite Spain or very traditional ones, for those tourists who choose Spain because they are interested in the culture and the interesting past of this beautiful country. Ibiza is a very renowned island in Spain, especially for those who are looking for a lot of fun in their holiday; it is an island for the young, but this doesn't mean that if you are old, but with a young spirit, you can't choose it.

Places to visit in Ibiza

Ibiza has several attractions. San Antonio is one of its main attractions, as it is known as being the most active town on the island. The bars, the pubs and the clubs are always ready to receive their customers and if you are in love with modern music, you will always find a famous English DJ performing in one of the dance clubs in San Antonio; this means that fun is a sure thing on this island.

Attractions in San Antonio
A day in San Antonio starts with some hours spent at the beach, which is located along the bay. The sand is perfectly white and the cliffs will offer you a special and unique view, but hurry! If you want to catch a spot, you should get up early. After a relaxing sun bath, most of the tourists go in search for the right place to entertain them. The great majority of them choose to start the party of the evening with Cafe del Mar, a very popular bar in San Antonio, the bar that started the process of transforming Ibiza in the place where tourists go to party. There are other important clubs in San Antonio: Es Paradis, for example, is very popular because the famous Judge Jules DJ has shows here and people come to see him. Putting all the bars and clubs away, San Antonio also has some interesting buildings to see, even though sightseeing is not the preferred activity here; the San Antoni church, dating back in the 17th century, is one of them. You should take it into consideration if you decide to visit San Antonio. Have fun!!