Latest news with #CostaDeLaLuz
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
I moved to Spain to build a new life for myself - here's the biggest challenge I faced
A Brit who moved to Spain and built a new life for himself revealed the biggest challenge he experienced. Lee Thornley, 43, left his job as a barrister and relocated overseas in 2008 with the intention to learn Spanish. There are reportedly some 350,000 British people officially registered as living in Spain, with many attracted by the alluring weather and good food. 'I just thought, I want to change things, and I didn't have any kids and didn't have any mortgages, so I was like I'm just going to go to Spain and learn Spanish,' he told MailOnline Travel. Lee fell in love with the area that his language school was based in, Costa de la Luz, and the benefits he was experiencing from moving countries. 'I felt healthier, I felt happier,' he explained, revealing how he thought at the time that he 'never wanted to go back to London '. The Brit met his now ex-wife, who he shares two children with, and bought land in the area. They built a hotel that became luxury rural hideaway, Casa la Siesta. However, Lee's Spanish journey hasn't always been easy. He admitted one of the biggest challenges he faced was learning the language. 'Language – I think that's probably the biggest challenge you have,' Lee explained. 'You know, your ability to communicate, so getting a good grasp of the Spanish language was probably the first challenge to overcome.' It took Lee 12 months to become completely fluent. 'When you're very much immersed in it, and you have to, then you just do. There's no option. You just have to figure it out,' he said. Another challenge Lee faced was tackling the hotel project, which was a much larger task than he had worked on before. He added: '... I'd done housing projects, but on a much smaller scale, like a regular two bedroom house in York, or we did a house project in Spain as well. 'We had, we had some experience, but nothing like what the scale of the project ended up being. 'So, it was more kind of naivety that, in a positive way, meant that I was confident to go ahead and have a go at it. 'But for sure, once I started on building a much bigger project like that, you realise you've got a lot to learn pretty quickly.' From building the hotel, Lee developed a passion for interior design and went on to found his own tile business. Lee now splits his time between Yorkshire and Spain. He moved back to the UK with his family a few years after his first child was born. 'So when we had our first daughter, we lived out there full time until she was three,' he said. Being away from family and the children not having 'access to their grandparents and them being part of their growing up' was important to both Lee and his wife. 'So it was more family reasons I think, wanting the kids to kind of grow up around a wider family network,' he explained. However, the businessman intends to return to Spain full time in the future. 'Once the kids go off to uni, we'll definitely move back to Spain,' Lee said. As for his tips for those wanting to make the move and start a new life in Spain, Lee emphasises the importance of getting stuck into the local culture. 'It's just really important to kind of integrate yourself as much as possible before you necessarily go in with two feet,' he explained. Getting to know the local people and being seen 'as part of the community' is vital for settling down there. 'I think we did a good job at living out there, learning Spanish, contributing to local economy, making friends, and then after that, actually making that decision as to whether or not to stay,' Lee added. 'I think sometimes I hear people saying "well, we're going to leave our home in the UK because it's worth X and buy something cheaper in Spain, and our life's going to be better". 'And it doesn't always work out, and I don't really think it's a surprise you need to kind of do your do your kind of time on the ground and really understand it before you make that big decision as to whether or not you actually want to live there.'
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Yahoo
Sneaker Wave Sweeps Beachgoers into Rocks in Spain (Video)
A handful of beachgoers in Spain, simply minding their own business, were caught up in a literal whirlwind when a rogue wave smashed along the shore, sending people flailing across the sand and into some nearby rocks. Eight were injured, one fairly seriously. The wave struck Costa de la Luz, a beach town in the Andalusia region of Spain, and it was generated by a 60,000-ton cargo ship passing by. Paging Ben Gravy…paging Ben Gravy…your next novelty wave notch on your belt is currently calling. Jokes aside, the situation sounded pretty serious for those involved. Here's the video: One woman, a 28-year-old who simply goes by Rocio, was hospitalized from the freak incident. She broke her leg, and is awaiting surgery in the hospital. Here's her account of what happened, via a local Spanish TV: 'I was coming out of the water with a paddle board when the wave hit me from the left and knocked me to the ground. I couldn't see anything and got trapped under the board. I only found out what had happened and that a ship was to blame when I got to hospital. 'I've got to have an operation on my foot and I've got a long period of rehabilitation ahead of me. It's the last thing I wanted at the start of the summer.'Apparently, an investigation is underway into the situation. Was the cargo ship in the wrong area? Was it going too fast? That sort of stuff. Recently, not too far away in Portugal, beachgoers experienced another strange incident – a rare tsunami-like looming ominously over the horizon, then consuming the beach, and sending the swimmers and sunbathers into a state of panic. Like a horror movie. As for the Spanish episode, some are calling it a 'mini-tsunami.' Valid?Sneaker Wave Sweeps Beachgoers into Rocks in Spain (Video) first appeared on Surfer on Jul 6, 2025
The Sun
04-07-2025
- The Sun
Moment ‘mini-tsunami' sweeps SIDEWAYS across tourist beach injuring 8 injured as freak wave drags sunbathers over rocks
THIS is the shocking moment a "mini-tsunami" swept sideways across a tourist beach - leaving eight people injured. Freak waves dragged bathers towards rocks as they took a dip in the sea in the Costa de la Luz in Spain. 6 6 6 6 A 60,000-ton cargo ship has been blamed for stirring the water and causing the freak waves to rip through the Spanish beach - but sideways. Footage showed dark-coloured water speeding towards the beach before hitting a large rock in the water and rebounding back onto the sand. A woman sunbathing on the beach could be overheard yelling: 'The rock, the rock,' as she scrambled to escape the wave. Many people were hurt after they were smashed against rocks to the left. The bizarre water waves, dubbed "mini-tsunami" by the beachgoers, left sunshades scattered over the sand. A huge cargo ship - thought to be the one that caused the freak waves - was seen in the background. One witness said afterwards on social media: 'It passed very close to the shore and caused a strong wave that swept several people away. 'People were literally thrown to the ground.' Another blamed the cargo ship, saying: "It was a huge ship and then it caught the expansive wave like a tsunami, which absorbs the water and then expels it very forcefully.' Watch terrifying moment massive freak waves batter Peru sweeping away boats & swamping seaside towns One of the bathers hurt had to be hospitalised. The woman, identified only as 28-year-old Rocio, said from her hospital bed: 'I've got a broken foot and I'm waiting to be operated on. 'I was coming out of the water with a paddleboard when the wave hit me from the left and knocked me to the ground. 'I couldn't see anything and got trapped under the board. I only found out what had happened and that a ship was to blame when I got to hospital.' She told a Spanish TV station: 'I've got to have an operation on my foot and I've got a long period of rehabilitation ahead of me. 'It's the last thing I wanted at the start of the summer.' An investigation into the incident has been launched, with local authorities trying to find whether the cargo ship had breached rules and came too close to the beach. The local harbour master's office said overnight, a new speed limit in the area for this type of vessel had been set at 11.5 knots to avoid another "mini-tsunami". Last year, massive freak waves swept away boats and swamped seaside towns in Peru. Footage captured the monster swells battering the coast of the South American country on the Pacific Ocean. 6 6
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Daily Mail
The pretty town dubbed 'Bali of Europe' - with flights from £30 and £2.50 cocktails
With its beaches lined with palm trees, crystal-clear water and cheap prices, it's no surprise that Bali is a dream holiday destination for many. But the cost of long-haul flights means that a holiday in the Indonesian paradise can come at a hefty price. Luckily, there's a cheaper alternative that's much closer to the UK. According to travel influencer Travel with Rafa, Tarifa in southern Spain offers a similar vibe to the Indonesian island. In a video posted to YouTube, Rafaela says: 'It feels like a tropical paradise in the middle of the Mediterranean. It feels like the Bali of Europe!' Tarifa sits just nine miles across the shore from Morocco so it's no surprise that temperatures average 25 degrees in August. The town is located on Spain's Costa de la Luz or Coast of Light, so beaches are its top attractions. Tarifa's best-rated beach is Playa de Bolonia, which one reviewer describes as 'spectacular'. Writing on Tripadvisor, 'Inaki Rubi' says: 'Huge, clean, spectacular. The sunset blows your mind.' Playa de los Lances is the town's next best-rated beach and has been praised for its 'crystal clear water'. A reviewer writes on Tripadvisor: 'Super nice beach with very fine and great opportunities to take a break. You can watch the kite surfers walking. Great lifestyle.' And while you can sunbathe on Tarifa's beaches, the town's Atlantic waves attract surfers, kite surfers and wind surfers. Beginners can sign up at one of Tarifa's multilingual kitesurfing schools to learn the ropes while experienced kitesurfers can check out the waves at Playa de Valdevaqueros. After hitting the waves, Brits can visit one of the town's many beach bars which serve cocktails for just €3/£2.50 at happy hour. When it comes to eating out, seafood is the main event on many restaurant menus with swordfish a popular choice. If you fancy ticking another continent off your bucket list, the ferry to Tangier in Morocco takes around one hour. How to get to Tarifa Britons can reach Tarifa by flying directly to Gibraltar. EasyJet offers flights from Manchester and London while BA flies from London. The flight takes just under three hours from London and tourists will then have a one-hour drive to Tarifa once in Gibraltar. The town is also easily reached from Malaga Airport, which is generally cheaper to fly to from the UK. Direct flights to Malaga are available from Nottingham, London, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle and more, with offers available for just £30. Once in Malaga, it will take tourists just over two hours to reach Tarifa. If Tarifa doesn't appeal, why not take a look at the Italian city that's been named one of the world's best places to visit in 2025? Genoa has one of the world's largest medieval town centres. Within its depths, tourists will discover a labyrinth of caruggi (alleyways) packed with historic monuments.
The Sun
09-06-2025
- The Sun
Tiny ‘Bali of Europe' town right by Africa has beautiful beaches and £20 flights from the UK
A BEACH town in the south of Spain has been compared to Bali thanks to its beautiful beaches and laid-back vibes. Tarifa is the most southerly town in mainland Europe, being less than nine miles from Africa. 6 6 It is often named the kite-surfing capital of Europe thanks to its strong winds making it a popular sport there. Travel influencer Scar l ett compared the vibe to being "Santa Cruz in California". However, it is also often called the Bali of Europe thanks to its huge sandy beaches. Another influencer, Travel with Rafa, sad: "It feels like a tropical paradise in the middle of the Mediterranean. It feels like the Bali of Europe!" Playa de Bologna beach is one of the popular beaches where you can also go hiking as well. Otherwise there is also Playa de Los Lances which is where you will spot most of the kitesurfers and windsurfers. Or the Bali-like beach is Playa de Valdevaqueros, which is home to the surfer-style Tumbao Beach Bar. Tourists also head to Waikiki beach bar, with Bali-like thatched umbrellas, or Aloha Bar for €3 cocktails. Near this is also the Baelo Claudia, a 2,000 year old Roman town now ruins. If you want to explore the Old Town, it is home to beautiful tapas bars, nightclubs and local shops. Exploring the Beautiful Costa de la Luz This is where the nightlife is as well, with many of the streets filled with both tourists and locals. But while it is very Spanish in its atmosphere, it is also easy to see Moroccan influences as well with Moorish architecture. Puera de Jerez is the ancient entrance of the walled town, and where you can also visit the 800-year-old Castle of Tarifa. On a long walkway is also Isla de Tarifa which has some of the best views of the town as well. 6 6 While there are a number of hotels and B&Bs to choose from there are also a number of campsites and caravan sites. For example, there is Via Villagio Tarifa, which has glamping pods right on the beach or Dunas Tarifa with palm tree cabanas and safari lodges. Tarifa is also easy to get to, being around an hour from Gibraltar by car. Or, if in Morocco, it is around one hour by ferry from Tangier which you can fly to from the UK for £20 with Ryanair. Here is why you should visit the city of Tangier as well, which named a top holiday spot by Vogue last year. Not only are new luxury hotels popping up, but it has even been used to film Jason Bourne, Mission Impossible and James Bond. What is a holiday in Tarifa like? Here's what one writer thought after visiting. Old town Tarifa after 11pm turns in to what, in Britain, we might class as a street party. There is a courtyard with bars all around it and seating in the middle which is so lively it almost has festival vibes. Poniente's lazy start to the day looks even better when you learn that the clubs don't even open until 2am so you'll be needing that lie-in. So if you go to Tarifa and find kitesurfing really isn't for you then you won't be short of things to do. They say if you can kite in Tarifa, you can kite anywhere. In the mean time, here is another Spanish island off the coast of Africa. And a £5.1billion underwater tunnel could connect Spain and Morocco. 6
