The city of Valencia - the third largest in Spain - offers an eclectic mix of the old and the new from Gothic buildings to trendy bars and hip restaurants.
Culture vultures flock to the historic old town with its Roman history, winding streets and museums whilst other tourists adore the vibrant nightlife and beaches, said to be some of the best in Spain.
Valencia has remained relatively unspoilt and have certainly not suffered the ravages that the Costas have had to endure. Whilst it is popular with tourists, is seems to attract those who are looking for more than just sun, sea and sangria. Holiday homes are a popular form of accommodation for those tourists and the rental potential of such a property should be strong, especially in peak season.
In order to enable the Department of Tourism to have better control over holiday lettings in the region and to improve the quality of service for tourists, the Valencian authorities have introduced new regulations.
Minister of Tourism Angelina Such outlined the new rules, which mean that all Spanish properties owners who rent out their holiday home or investment property or advertise it on the Internet will now need to register with the Valencian authorities.
The new rules will affect holiday home rentals on the Costa Blanca and Costa del Azahar as well as in the Valencia province.
Ms Such said, “It is fundamental to establish strict regulations to provide our tourists with holiday accommodation that is as regulated as possible.”
“The draft regulations address the worries and discontent in the tourism business with respect to the illegality of this type of accommodation,”
The new rules will also make it easier to crack down on tax evasion by owners who do not declare the rental income that they have made from their properties.
What to do in Valencia
Plaza de la Virgen in Valencia’s old town is the site of the Old Roman Forum. On the east side of the square is the Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados, while on the opposite side is the Gothic Palau de la Generalitat.
The fountain in the square is dedicated to the River Turia and there are many cafes st round the fountain in which you can enjoy a coffee.
The Valencia Cathedral is perhaps the most famous attraction in the city. Encompassing Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic architectural styles, it also has an eight sided bell tower and museum. But what generates the most interest is not the stunning building itself, but rather what it contains. The cathedral is said to be home to the Holy Grail, the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper, which has been kept in the adjoining museum since 1437.
Amongst the best beaches are The Playa de la Mavarrose, which is Valencia’s main beach and the beaches in the charming small town of Sagunto, just outside the city. Sagunto dates back to the 5th Century and its town square is home to the gothic Church of Santa Maria.
If you don’t want to get sand between your toes, visit Jardines del Real, a beautiful garden bursting with roses and sculptures.
For more information on Spanish properties and the market in general, please visit http://spain.themovechannel.com/
-ENDS-
Notes to editors:
TheMoveChannel.com is a property website that was founded in 1999 as an online resource for buying, selling and learning about property. It now receives as many as 300,000 visits per month and advertises over 50,000 properties in nearly 90 countries, which are listed by over 500 partner organisations.
For further information as well as images and interview possibilities, please contact:
Dan Johnson
Managing Director
www.themovechannel.com
0207 952 7650
