Spain

Whether you're touring through Europe for the summer, looking to invest in real estate or just planning a week-long getaway, travel to Spain is a must for the adventure seeker, the wine sipper, and the art connoisseur alike. From centuries-old festivals like the running of the bulls in Pamplona, to 24-hour sun and fun on the Mediterranean island of Ibiza; from the art and architecture of the Moors and Romans, to Picasso and Joan Miro, travelers can see it all when they visit Spain. For the intrepid adventure seeker, to the laid back vacationer, the tourism Spain offers is one of a kind.

According to official tourism Spain data, 45 million tourists visit Spain each. So while the restaurants and cafes may be rustic affairs tucked away on cobble-stone streets, travel to Spain and travel within Spain is easy and affordable.

From most major cities in Europe and the eastern coast of the United States, daily non-stop flights to Madrid and Barcelona are available year round. In Spain the state run train system, Renfe, and an extensive bus system put even the smallest of villages within reach.

Spain's second largest city, Barcelona, remains relatively balmy year round and is the perfect place to take in the architecture of Antoni Gaudi's unfinished masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia, or stroll through the psychedelic Parc Guel overlooking the city.

But if you decide to travel to Spain for the beaches you're in luck, because from the Costa del Sol in the south, to the surfing areas around the town of San Sebastian in the north, Spain is circled with beautiful beaches.

If it's art and architecture that you crave, the best places to visit in Spain are Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Granada. Art buffs will love Madrid for its most famous Museum, the Museo del Prado. The Prado houses masterworks by Goya, Velasquez and El Greco and is a must on any traveler's itinerary.

But modern Spain is much more than bullfights and flamenco dancing. For those that crave the nightlife, the best of Spain sight seeing is in The Balearic Islands. This archipelago of four major islands includes the trendiest of European resort destinations, Ibiza.

So whether it's masterpieces of art, white sand beaches, bullfights, flamenco dancing, or just sipping a nice Spanish wine at a sidewalk café, the best places to visit in Spain are within your reach.

The real estate market in Spain has always been a favorite for property investors seeking a holiday home or simply a solid capital growth investment. Some parts of the market have slowed recently, although many others are showing renewed buoyancy and increasing house prices.

More British investors purchase property in Spain than anywhere else. This is mainly due to it's close proximity, great weather and cheaper prices. With around 2.8 million legal foreign residents in Spain, not to speak of ever-increasing tourism figures, it is small wonder that Spain has become a top destination for foreign property investment.

An interesting and very compelling fact for property investors is that the Spanish Ministry of Tourism predicts that more than 1 million foreigners will purchase a home on the Spanish coast in the next six years, and more than 3 million by the year 2025.

Property investors continue to benefit from the increasing number of low cost airline package deals available, with occupancy rates in some areas at an all time high.

Spain has a rich cultural heritage, outstanding natural attractions, fantastic climate and many great beaches. This, combined with the fact that it is simply an excellent place to invest makes it a must for any well diversified portfolio.

There are many ways for investors to enter Spain's property market. One of the most popular ways is via off plan developments. These are often located near beachside communities or golf courses, and provide not only an great opportunity for achieve a good rental return, but also a place to holiday themselves during the year.

There has been a lot of property development on the Spanish coast in the past few years. It is important to choose a property that is going to be able to achieve good occupancy rates, and that offers facilities and services that make it the preferred choice over other accommodation in the area. Often you get what you pay for, and Spanish property is no different.

Purchasing off the plan with the view to 'flipping' the property prior to completion has been a widely used strategy in recent times. This is not always the best option, and often results in the investor missing out on greater returns in the years following. For this reason it’s best that investors take a medium to long term view on their investments, and choose their properties with care.

Many resorts aim to attract both high and low season rentals, which can help maximize your returns and increase the overall value of your investment.