Costa Women Blogs

Representing a year-on-year increase of 1.2% for the first quarter 2014, Andalucía’s Institute of Statistics & Cartography recorded 3,874,628 tourists to the region, with this summer expected to continue the upward trajectory set by the third quarter 2013 peak of 8,415,000 visitors, up 5.3% on the same period 2012. Typically, holidays account for 88.8% of visits, 8% visit family and friends, and 3.2% for other reasons. Málaga remains Andalucía’s most visited province (36%), followed by Cádiz (18%), Granada (11.3%) and Almería (10.5%). Sharing the limelight, these positive results are reflected in the UK with London’s latest tourist figures for 2013 by the National Institute of Statistics. According to a press release from Blue Room Marketing & Communications in Madrid, London’s crowd-pulling Big Ben in the Palace of Westminster drew a record-breaking 16.8 million international visitors – up 9% on 2012 with spending up a record €13.6 billon, €1.2 billon more than in 2012.   “The mix of culture, art, music and sport,” attributed by London mayor Boris Johnson, are key reasons behind the fantastic figures – qualities in abundance in Andalucía and Amsterdam. Basking in the warm afterglow of crowning Europe’s youngest monarch, King Willem-Alexander – rallying Dutch citizens in every corner of the globe last spring – Amsterdam is enjoying 2% higher tourist numbers than anywhere else in The Netherlands. The re-opening of Amsterdam’s major museums in 2013 helped attract more than 11 million overnight stays in the city’s hotels, a 7% increase on 2012 (Amsterdam Bureau of Statistics, February 2014). The outlook is equally bright as the summer season gets underway, tunefully accompanied by ‘I Am Amsterdam: The Musical’ by Marbella Marbella Adelante! Director, Dario Poli and fellow Songwriter, David Mairs. Promoting one of Europe’s hippest cities and one I’ve visited on nine occasions, Dario’s just given me a private viewing of the demo video ahead of the musical’s simultaneous launch in Marbella. Featuring soulful lyrics, a catchy upbeat dance riff, and capturing the Dutch capital’s colourful spectrum of life and culture, my 10th visit is clearly on the horizon. Dario will soon reveal all! Meanwhile my blog ‘European tourism quality strengthens consumer confidence’ is posted on Marbella’s Andalucía Lab with Álvaro Rodrigo’s ‘Tourism: A Great Invention!’, describing the sector’s many changes (múltiples cambios) in Spanish, http://www.andalucialab.org/blog/planificacion-turistica/ Dario%20Amsterdam.jpg

Let you know there is a fashion show at LIMONAR 40 DAY 16 OF MAY TO GET FUND FOR …with the best Modisto de Malaga and Jewels and we are in Larios Fashion pasarela Hi just check my blog for many different information of Moda Food Gourmet activity in Malaga and mor http://cocinacomeycalla.blogspot.com.es/ We also organise WEDDINGS and Events in all Costa del Sol and is a nice blog http://losdeseosrealizadoseventosyprotocolo.blogspot.com.es/ have a pretty pretty lovely day to all girls MLUISAL63@GMAIL.COM

On the grounds that ‘ignorance of the law is no excuse’, all drivers in Spain are advised immediately to familiarise themselves with the detail of the new traffic laws which are coming into effect on 9 May 2014 (Ley 6/2014 modificando la Ley sobre Tráfico, Circulación de Vehículos a Motor y Seguridad Vial 339/1990); a mere 21 pages! Among the new provisions are the following: 1. Speeding fines apply for exceeding the limit by just 1kph! On some motorways, the speed limit is being increased from 120kph to 130kph, but in many towns, the speed limit is being reduced from 30kph to 20kph.2. If the Guardia Civil observe a motoring offence and note the vehicle registration number, this provides sufficient evidence to prosecute- no need for them to stop vehicles.3. A minimum fine of 1,000 Euros will be payable by drivers caught driving whilst double the drink drive limit or above; or in all cases for reoffending drink drivers; and drivers under the influence of drugs.4. The Guardia Civil can seize any vehicle carrying children without legally compliant child seats.5. The very specific rules as to where children must sit in the vehicle (according to age/ height) must be observed, otherwise drivers face heavy fines.6. Cyclists under 16 years of age must wear helmets.7. Drivers have much higher duties to ensure the safety of cyclists of all ages.8. Speed camera/ radar detectors are prohibited.9. An EU Directive is to be implemented so that driving offences committed in one EU country are reported to the EU country of registration of the vehicle in question.10. Much stricter rules are being implemented for the Spanish registration of foreign registered vehicles kept in Spain. The above is by no means exhaustive. As can be seen, the new rules are far reaching. Knowledge of the details and observation of the requirements in practice is of fundamental importance. It is clear from the increased powers to prosecute and fine drivers, that the Spanish Authorities ‘mean business’ with these important legal changes. Please SHARE this with your friends and contacts who drive in Spain, to help them to be lawful (and to avoid fines!). Article via Legal4Spain  Original article here http://legal4spain.com/new-spanish-traffic-laws-come-in-to-effect-on-9-may-2014/

Hello, Costa Women. I have some very exciting news – I’m going to be on ‘The One Show’ on Monday 5 May, 8.00pm Spanish time. It’s all because of this blog post: http://j.mp/SguTB9 It was picked up by a BBC researcher who was bringing a camera crew to Spain, and I was asked to appear on the programme. It just goes to show that you never know who will come across what you write. This is the second time one of my blog posts has been picked up by the BBC. Last year a post about the Winter Fuel Allowance got me an invite to the Jeremy Vine Show on Radio 2! They filmed me in the local market, and I had a great time, and so did the market traders, who thought it was great that their fantastic fruit and veg would be starring on British tv! So, if you’re not doing anything special on Monday evening, maybe you’d like to take a look at my current affairs debut!

If you enjoy travelling around Spain as much as I do you may be interested in this giveaway. On my Piccavey.com blog this week I have a competition to win a Charming Small Hotel Guides: Spain The paperback glossy book will be posted to the lucky winner on 19th May. The guide includes charming small hotels which have been selected carefully. http://www.piccavey.com/small-hotels-spain/ Enjoy the long MayDay weekend! Molly

Hi,  I would like to introduce you ta a great product – I have been using is on my dog Fenda and have noticed a difference between my two dogs. Pet Protector really does work as it prevents the nasty little beasties from attaching themselves to our pets when they are out and about.  There is a scalar wave that is built up around your pet which repels the pests. I have been using it on Fenda for a while and noticed that she is not scratching nor carrying in bugs in her fur.  On the other hand on checking the other dog which does not have pet protector we always find a tick or two which has attached itself during the walk.  Which is irritating for poor old Dylan. I would recommend you have a look at this product and see if you would be wanting it for your pet. I can get the discs for you.  For me, the cost of 55€ for a 4 year parasite free – non toxic way to keep pets clear is a great price. Because I shall be caring for 4 dogs I decided to go with this method of protection rather than spend hundreds of Euros per year looking after their pest products at 35€ a month for 4 dogs. Makes much more  financial sense too that 220€ per four years is an easy comparison, against 1680. for the medication over the four year period.  That is for the four dogs over four years. Also thebusiness opportunity makes sense too, because people are more concerned today than ever before about what they are doing to themselves as well as the environment and pets – so for me the option to share a great product – it is a single product which sells itself.