Lifestyle
Moving to Spain and taking you children away from their normal environment, friends and schooling is a very daunting decision for any parent to make. When it comes to continuing education in Spain for older foreign children, there is one problem to be overcome – language!  However, in recognising that education in Spain cannot continue unless the language is spoken, most schools have effective language courses which ensure that foreign children are soon speaking Spanish.

The academic year in Spain runs from September to June. School times can vary depending on which area you are in. The more traditional areas stop between the hours of 1-3.30 for the siesta period and then return to school at 5.30pm.

There are two schooling systems in Spain state and private.  The state system is similar to the way the English system works.  At the age of 16, pupils are awarded “titulo de graduado escolar” certificate which can enable them to stay on to obtain their baccalaureate so they can enter university.

The private system follows the national curriculum that included GSCE's and ‘A' levels. After this they can go onto university with the right grades. Spanish universities accept British ‘A' levels as an entrance qualification.

Spain enjoys over 2,800 hours of sunshine a year and has an average temperature of around 19.3ºC, giving Spain an ideal microclimate for year round living. The numerous sunny days and cloudless skies make Spain the perfect place to be able to enjoy your holidays and outdoor leisure time.

 

Sports
Partly because of its climate there is no limit to the types of sporting activities available in Spain . Traditional Spanish sports such a frontenis or petanca have been taken up enthusiastically by many foreigners now living in Spain .

There are many opportunities to play sports, especially sports that can be enjoyed by couples such as golf, bowling, tennis, swimming, sailing, fishing, cycling, camping, horse-riding, rambling are all readily available with clubs offering competitions allied with a good social life after the game is over. Many retired couples find a new lease of life when they can play a common sport where new friends are found.

An unexpected pleasure is to find that snow does indeed fall in the mountain areas and Spain and Andorra have dozens of ski stations in fairly easy reach of the Costa Blanca. Possibly the best known area is the Sierra Nevada.

 

Fiestas
Fiestas are held somewhere near you every week. Every town, no matter how small, has a fiesta programmed designed for the entertainment of its citizens.

Carnival is widely celebrated in February with fanciful costumes, music and a great deal of dancing. Easter is celebrated by nightly processions which have a sacred context depicting the last hours of Jesus and these are held in many towns during Holy Week.

The May Fair has become an annual event in Torrevieja with a miniature town of tents set up with typical Sevillanas costumes, dancing and singing till the early morning.

A Midsummer's Night in June brings on the fires of Saint John the Baptist which are larger than life papier-mache figures that are often satirical in content and form the centre of attraction for a number of days before they are finally set alight in a bonfire.

The 15th of August is a national holiday that has a special significance in Elche this is time of the Medieval Mystery Play in the basilica, with words and music of a bygone era giving an account of the death of the Virgin Mary and her assumption into heaven.

 

Health
The Costa Blanca is one of the most beautiful regions of the entire Iberian Peninsula . It enjoys more than 320 sunshine days a year and an average temperature of 24°C so it's easy to see why the World Health Organisation named it as having one of the healthiest climates in the world.

With salt lagoons to either side, the town of Torrevieja is virtually a salt island. The salt concentration together with the temperature forms a microclimate recommended by medical specialists the world over for its beneficial health properties in particular for heart disease, rheumatologic and bronchial illness. An added aid is the salt mud baths where people suffering from arthritis and dermalogical disease attain excellent cures.

A report from The World Health Organisation recommends Torrevieja as having one of the healthiest climates in the world.

 

Working in Spain
If you are thinking about moving to Spain on a more permanent basis then you may want to look for employment. Employment agencies are few and far between in and around Torrevieja, so it would be best to look in the local papers such as the Costa Blanca News and send your CV to companies you are interested to work for.

Spanish employers are generally very accepting of foreign workers. The contract laws are very strict and workers are heavily protected from exploitation. Ensure that you receive from your employer an official work contract and read or translate it carefully. Temporary contracts are for 3, 6 or 9 months and after this they cannot offer you another temporary contract; it has to be permanent or not offer you one at all.

The wages are generally lower than the UK , however your cost of living in Spain will be lower and the lifestyle is better. Your employer will take care of paying your national insurance and tax, this will be deducted from your wages. Income tax in Spain is now around the same rate and scale as the UK .

 

Pets
Due to the recent introduction of the P.E.T.S (Pets Travel Scheme) it is now possible to take your pets out to Spain with you without quarantine. Please bear in mind, there are specific rules and regulations for different animals travelling within the E.U under the P.E.T.S Scheme.  To qualify for the P.E.T.S travel scheme, pets can only travel by air from Heathrow, via sea from Dover or Portsmouth or by the channel tunnel. Book your trip with on the most popular carriers such as British Airways or Iberia . There is limited availability so please be sure to book well in advance. It is not possible to enter into the P.E.T.S travel scheme unless you travel on these specific routes and you cannot re-enter the UK on private boat or plane.

There are many different veterinary practises within the Costa Blanca area offering high standards of care at reasonable prices. If you are planning to move to Spain permanently it is advisable that you register with a vet as soon as possible. You can then arrange a medical for your pet where you will be advised on any matters you need to be aware of. You will also need these contacts for your return trip to the UK . DEFRA has dictated that your pet must be inspected by an approved vet 24 hours before the return trip to check for ticks and parasites.

 

Eating Out
Like the country itself, Spanish cuisine is a rich and varied one. A combination of excellent ingredients, century old traditions and a host of new culinary professionals have helped put Spain at the top of the list in Europe when it comes to quality food and drink.

Spain is an excellent destination for those who are truly interested in good food. The Mediterranean diet, with its emphasis on fresh fruit and vegetables, exquisite seafood and extra-virgin olive oil is one of the healthiest in the world. In addition, what really makes eating out in Spain different from anywhere else is the sheer enjoyment and informality that prevails in the restaurants and bars.  Here you will find no hushed silences or pretentious surroundings, just family and friends enjoying each others' company.

Some of the more traditional Spanish dishes include tapas which are little snacks that you will sometimes receive free with your drink. Another favourite throughout the country whether you are on the coast or inland is deep fried fish. Among those you should sample are calamares (squid), lenguado(sole), boquerones (anchovies) and gambas (shrimp or prawn). Gazpacho is probably the best well known of all Spanish specialties and is a chilled soup which is like a liquid salad which had been thickened with bread dough and flavoured with olive oil, garlic and vinegar.