News and views for the area ‘South of Granada’ including Lecrin, Alpujarra, Costa Tropical, etc.
San Antón in La Alpujarra: fire, snow, animals…
Part II in our “fascinating!” series on how to attend a major Spanish fiesta while missing the attractions…. a speciality …
Solo Christmas in La Alpujarra: tips and tricks
Calamity Jo, the Christmas Grinch, gives her top tips on how to enjoy solo Christmas without causing offence… CHRISTMAS in …
14 fabulous moments from first rural drag event in Órgiva – ‘It’s a Drag’
ÓRGIVA, the ‘capital’ of the rural Alpujarra, witnessed what was possibly its first Drag Night (aside from participants in some …
How to avoid timewasters when selling property in Granada Spain
Mathew Wood of Hola Properties, headquartered in Lanjarón, gives vital advice on spotting fake buyers for your property in Granada …
Vino Costa: a staple from La Alpujarra that might be healthier than other wines
VINO COSTA, aka ‘costavin’, is a traditional wine from La Alpujarra, where it has been produced for generations. It is …
The enigmantic Alpujarran village that celebrates Halloween a week late – Soportújar
MOST ‘pueblos’ across Spain celebrate Halloween on 31 October, leading to many conflicting events. Staying ahead of the game, the …
5 reasons to avoid selling property in Spain with no plan
Mathew Wood, real estate expert from Hola Properties, based in Lanjarón, reveals why rejecting professional tactics when selling your property …
A trip to impressive Trevélez, La Alpujarra, during its town fiesta
Calamity Jo visits the highest village in La Alpujarra during its fiesta weekend…. and sees the nearby campsite, a neon …
Medicinal THC vapes: elevate your wellbeing without tobacco
As interest in CBD’s relaxing properties continues to grow, THC is also gaining attention for its potential health benefits — …
Road to nowhere: AI hallucinating tourist destinations
Jo Chipchase has personally experienced mis-directions in Spain, causing calamity – and that was before the advent of AI. Now, …
Restaurante Jaima Los Llanos Halal – near Soportújar, La Alpujarra
RESTAURANTE Jaima Los Llanos located near Soportújar on the A-132 towards Pampaneira, in the Alpujarra of Granada, is enlivening the …
Costa Tropical property market report – October 2025
Mathew Wood of Hola Properties, based in Lanjarón, discusses the need for local clarity, not social media noise on the …
Órgiva Feria 2025 – the annual spectacle for San Miguel
Calamity Jo had a great time at the Órgiva Feria, despite missing most of the attractions. She is now asking …
‘Carrera de cintas de caballos’ – the feria horse event explained
Jo Chipchase reviews the practise of running your horse below a rope, and grabbing ribbons with a stick… otherwise known …
Planeta Bass Festival – boom-bastic success near Granada
Calamity Jo relates her festival experience – the good, the bad, the nosey, and the “rookie” mistakes she made (despite …
PLUR not blur: Granada throwback parties with vinyl DJs
Jo Chipchase, in ‘fiestera mode’, explains why the Granada party scene has stuck to its core values from the 90s …
Rules Viaduct: a headache for motorists South of Granada
SOME motorists in La Alpujarra remember the old slog to Málaga – traversing the ancient, winding coastal road and all …
Summer ‘furnace’ is finally over – enjoy September in La Alpujarra
Jo Chipchase (aka “Calamity Jo”) has had an “average” summer this year She can’t wait for September in La Alpujarra, …
Órgiva’s “loco” chilli eating contest ends summer with a bang and whimper
THE ALPUJARRAN town of Órgiva, on Saturday 30 August, hosted the 11th run of it’s ‘loco’ and ‘picante’ annual event …
Will EU energy rules make your property unsellable by 2030?
Mathew Wood from Hola Properties, headquartered in Lanjarón, explains what incoming EU energy rules mean for buyers and sellers… IT’S …
Planeta Bass Festival takes over Granada’s Los Beremejales 19-20 Sept
The two-day “inaugural run” of the new Planeta Bass Festival will bring a range of bass music to Camping Los …
Dog Days: how to survive August in Spain
THE “dog days” of August in Spain (associated with the ‘Dog Star’, Sirius) are upon us – with soaring temperatures …
Wildfire watch: forest fires affect La Alpujarra (and Tarifa)
WITH PARTS of Spain under yellow AEMET weather warnings for high temperatures, and people (and ‘campos’) parching in the August …
Granada and Costa Tropical Property market update August 2025
Mathew Wood of Hola Properties – headquartered in Lanjaron – gives the lowdown on what’s happening in the Granada and …
Summer balls: Canal Sur airs the game of pelota in Cáñar
THE MUNICIPAL plaza of the charming ‘Villa de Cáñar’ – yesterday attracted a film crew from Andaucia’s public broadcaster, Canal …
Spain’s Costa Tropical property market report – July 2025
Our resident real estate expert – Mathew of Hola Properties, headquarterd in Lanjarón – on the latest Costa Tropical property …
Did the earth move, darling? Alpujarra residents barely notice recent earthquake while in bed
JUST WHEN old guys in village bar would be enjoying their first ‘sol y sombra’, at 7:13 a.m. on Sunday, …
Shakes on a plane: is there a media agenda re air disasters?
IF there’s anything the British tabloids enjoy when they don’t have a Royal scandal or a celebrity downfall to report, …
Holiday rentals in Spain: what new government rules mean for owners
Mathew Wood of Hola Properties – headquartered in Lanjarón – explains why it is vital for property owners to comply …
Calamity Jo’s summer Spanish fiesta survival kit
NOW that we no longer have to live through the Glastonbury Weekend – from over 2,000 miles away, in Andalucia …
Costa Tropical property market report – June 2025
Mathew Wood of Hola Properties – headquartered in Lanjaron – gives the latest update about the increasingly attractive Costa Tropical …
Concerns over summer ‘urgencias’ heathcare in La Alpujarra
THE long-awaited “Hospital for La Alpujarra” – a project requiring input by the Junta de Andalucia – seems to be …
Review: Highs and Lows of San Juan in Lanjarón 2025
By Jo Chipchase – ex Lanjarón resident, 50-plus ‘fiestera’, and horse rider…. MY FAMILY lived in Lanjarón for over a decade, …
Review of Corpus Granada 2025
THE CORPUS CHRISTI festivities are over 500 years old…. and that’s how old some revellers of Granada proabaly feel after …
Emission impossible – why the Granada ZBE (LEZ) is doomed to fail
WE’VE BEEN here before, haven’t we? For example, two previous examples of “doomed to fail” Spanish law implementations spring to …
Camping Órgiva – family-friendly oasis in La Alpujarra 2025
IF YOU’RE looking to relax in a beautiful Alpujarran campsite with reasonable prices, a fresh swimming pool (the first to …
ICO scheme mortgages in Spain: a seller opportunity in 2025
Mathew Wood of Hola Properties – heaquarterd in Lanjarón – explains the benefits of ICO scheme mortgages, backed by the …
In rural Spain, are gender roles like ‘Alpha Males’?
Jo Chipchase draws on personal observation to explore gender roles in rural Spain… WHEN British women move to rural Spain, …
Avoid unwanted Ryanair cabin bag fines this summer
RECENTLY, passengers flying from to or from Málaga Airport are reporting problems with the new Ryanair cabin bag sizers, which …
Spain horoscope for Gemini New Moon
Astrologer, Kim La Rue, explains the impact of the Gemini New Moon on your alternative Spain horoscope… THE GEMINI New …
The perennial problem of lost dogs in La Alpujarra
Jo Chipchase explores the problem of lost dogs (or stolen) that recurs annually, with no obvious solution, upsetting many owners …
Tourist licences in Andalusia are not transferring when a property changes ownership
Mathew Wood of Hola Properties – heaquartered in Lanjarón – explains the situation with tourist licenses in our area… THE …
Property market in Granada & Costa Tropical – update for May 2025
Mathew Wood of Hola Properties, headquartered in Lanjarón, reveals the latest about the property market in Granada region….. As we …
Alternative Spain horoscopes for Scorpio Full Moon
Resident astrologer, Kim La Rue, explains Sun and Rising Sign Spain Horoscopes using Whole Sign Houses THE potent Scorpio Full …
IN PICS: Rustic Festival in Lanjarón – second edition, 9-11 May, 2025
THE RUSTIC FESTIVAL in Lanjarón took place over the weekend of 9 to 11 March. Now in its second year, …
Granada’s rough diamond gets a polish… but is Órgiva being gentrified?
Jason Heppenstall – original founder of The Olive Press, back in 2006 – revisits Órgiva and reports on its major …
IN PICS: Cruces de Mayo in La Alpujarra 2-4 May
SPRING always sees colourful religious spectacles in Spain. After ‘Cristo’ and the week of Semana Santa, (April), there’s more! The …
Spain’s blackout of electricity and communications – what can we learn from it?
MY INTRODUCTION to the major blackout affecting Spain, Portugal, and parts of France was a low-key one. It was the …
IN PICS: the abstract nature photography – focusing on flora – of Letyza Luna, from Granada
Letyza Luna, photographer and fine artist from Granada, produces a range of fresh and vibrant abstract nature photography works, edited …
Selling your cortijo in Órgiva or La Alpujarra? How to avoid scaring buyers with simple steps…
Mathew Wood from Hola Properties – headquartered in Lanjarón – gives his top tips on preparing your rural ‘cortijo’ for …
