Flamenco guitar at a birthday dinner, a DJ at a villa party, a string duo for a wedding, a mural in the kids’ room… Spain has a lot of creative talent.

A few things to agree in advance: set times and breaks, equipment and power, a rain plan for outdoor events, and cancellation terms. Check local noise rules too. Neighbours in urbanisations do…Read More

Arriving at 1 a.m. with two kids, a dog and five suitcases is a different trip from arriving alone with hand luggage. In Spain, official taxis wait at the rank, while VTC (private hire, including app rides) must always be booked in advance. Pre-booked transfers with meet-and-greet are handy for families, visitors and rural villas.

Our guide to…Read More

A calima can leave your car orange overnight. Salt air and strong sun don’t help either. Tip: never wipe dry dust off, because it scratches like sandpaper. Rinse first.

Also good to know: many town halls don’t allow washing cars on the public street, and drought rules can limit hosing down at home, so check your local rules or use a mobile…Read More

Heat, sun, dust and leaves make Spanish pools hungry for care. The basics: skim, empty the baskets, brush, vacuum, test the water and keep an eye on filter pressure, at least weekly in summer. Most pools aren’t drained in winter. They’re cleaned, treated and covered.

If you’re in a community with a shared pool, national rules (Real Decreto…Read More

Gardening in Spain is a different game: hot, dry summers, sudden autumn downpours and, in many areas, water restrictions. Drip irrigation, mulch and tough plants like rosemary, lavender, olive, oleander and succulents make life easier.

Also watch out for pine processionary caterpillars in late winter and spring. Their hairs are dangerous for dogs…Read More