Mediaboss Marketing

VALENCIA, Spain, July 2 (UPI) -- Police have evacuated hundreds of homes in Valencia, Spain, and just to the north in Andillas as two forest fires blazed along the east coast, officials said.

The Valencia fire, which broke out Thursday, was started by workers installing solar panels at a home in the Cortes de Pallas area, ThinkSpain reported Sunday.

The fire had consumed about 123,000 acres and destroyed at least two log-cabins in Turis. Many other homes were badly damaged, Turis Mayor Pilar Lozano said. About 900 homes had been evacuated.

The fire is one of the worst in Valencia in 20 years, outmatching a 1994 blaze that destroyed more than 60,000 acres in eight days, ThinkSpain reported.

The Andillas fire in the Los Serranos district to the north of Valenica was started Sunday by a bonfire that got out of control, authorities said. About 200 homes were evacuated.

Aerial footage of the two fires shows that together, they are bigger than the nearby island of Ibiza, which is about 140,000 acres.

Here is the original post:
Fires in Spain force people from homes

By Rick Kelsey Newsbeat reporter in the Balearic Islands Spain saw the most arrests in the last year

More British tourists are getting into trouble overseas, according to Foreign Office figures.

There was a 6% rise in arrests worldwide last year, when 6,015 people were handled by British embassies.

Spain topped the list for detentions, with nearly 2,000 - up 9% on 2010 - ahead of the USA and Thailand.

The Foreign Office thinks the rise could be down to resorts popular with UK tourists developing a zero tolerance approach to drink and drugs.

"Punishments can be very severe, with tougher prison conditions than in the UK, and we cannot interfere in another country's legal system," said Foreign Office minister Jeremy Browne.

On the Balearic islands of Ibiza and Majorca there has been almost a 30% increase in arrests, with more than 500 people in total detained.

The head of the local UK Consulate, Paul Abrey, has described the rise as "dramatic".

"We see younger people coming to places like San Antonio and Magaluf who don't know the laws.

"There are also more drugs available on the street," said My Abrey.

See the rest here:
British tourist arrests up by 6%

By Travelmail

PUBLISHED: 06:47 EST, 26 June 2012 | UPDATED: 06:47 EST, 26 June 2012

Coach drivers in the Balearic Islands, who shuttle holidaymakers between the airports and their hotels, are planning a series of strikes starting on one of the busiest days of the summer season.

British tourists heading to Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera could well have their travel lpans disrupted by the walkout, which is set to begin on July 20.

The 4,000 coach drivers, who transport tourists, have picked the date to coincide with a strike by the Balearics' hotel and catering sector, for maximum impact.

Holiday disruption: Families heading to the Balearics this summer could face problems due to ongoing strikes

The drivers - who's wages were frozen in 2010 - are demanding a pay rise and overtime backdated to January 1 last year.

The walkout on July 20 will take place on one of the busiest changeover days for tourists.

Of the estimated 1.8 million Britons who are expected to holiday in the Balearics this summer, many could face long delays on arrival at airports due to a lack of transfers to their hotels.

Strikes by Spanish unions often last from one to two days and can occur three or fur times during one month.

See original here:
Strikes to hit Balearic Islands during peak summer season

By Mail Foreign Service

PUBLISHED: 19:55 EST, 25 June 2012 | UPDATED: 01:31 EST, 26 June 2012

British tourists planning a relaxing trip to the Balearics this summer face having their holidays ruined by a series of strikes.

The 4,000 coach drivers who shuttle holidaymakers between the airports and their hotels in Majorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera yesterday said they would start a series of strikes on July 20 unless they get a pay rise and overtime backdated to January 1 last year.

The drivers, whose wages were frozen in 2010, have picked the date to coincide with a strike by the Balearic Islands hotel and catering sector. July 20 is a Friday, one of the big turnaround days for tour operators.

Worrying: British tourists planning a relaxing trip to the Balearics this summer face having their holidays ruined by a series of strikes

An estimated 1.8million Britons are expected to visit the Balearics this summer. But if the strikes go ahead, many will face chaos, with long waits on arrival at airports and hotels offering only the most basic services.

When Spanish unions strike, it is usually for one or two days at a time, three or four times in a month.

The walkout, which is being organised by Spains two most powerful unions, the socialist-led General Workers Union and the largely communist Workers Commissions, has infuriated hoteliers and the islands regional government.

They were hoping a busy season would offset the misery caused by Spains economic crisis.

Read the original post:
Britons face coach summer holiday chaos on Spanish isles after drivers vote to strike over pay

Sothebys International Realty Affiliates LLC has announced its luxury real estate services are now available in Ibiza, Spain, with the opening of Ibiza Sothebys International Realty.

Tasha de Gelabert serves as the firms office director, with Jane Maffin and Amanda Marti as co-directors and Marina Mari Moschter as office manager. Ibiza Sothebys International Realty joins Mallorca Sothebys International Realty to create the group called Balearic Sothebys International Realty, with Paul Kempe as chairman.

Our expansion across Spain continues our commitment to providing the Sothebys International Realty networks exclusive services in key luxury real estate markets around the world, says Michael R. Good, chief executive officer, Sothebys International Realty Affiliates LLC. This new office strengthens our presence in Spain as we enter one of the most exciting and beautiful islands in Europe. Tasha has built a multilingual and experienced team that we are proud to welcome to our network.

Ibiza Sothebys International Realty is located at Ctra Santa Eulalia 299 in Ibiza and expands the Sothebys International Realty networks presence in mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands to 14 offices.

The Sothebys International Realty brand is known throughout the world for its commitment to excellence in every phase of the real estate business, says Maffin. The market in Ibiza remains stable and the demand is still high for well-priced, unique properties in this region, which is known for its exceptional lifestyle and outstanding natural beauty.

For more information, visit http://www.sothebysrealty.com.

Copyright 2012 RISMedia, The Leader in Real Estate Information Systems and Real Estate News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be republished without permission from RISMedia.

See the original post:
Sotheby’s International Realty Brand Enters Ibiza, Spain