Venture out of those lovely villas in Nerja and sample some local Tapas

Tapas plays a huge part of Spanish life and is also a very social way of eating and meeting friends and family. Nerja has a great selection of Tapas bars for the locals and they welcome tourist with open arms. This is a great way to sample Spanish life, so if you are renting onr of the great apartments or villas in Nerja or the surrounding area, why not drop in and sample to local cuisine and social life.

If you want to sample tapas for the first time then why not stop in two or three bars and have a drink and couple of 'tapa', this way you will get the chance to taste as many as possible. Tapas are usually included in the price of a drink, but check if you are unsure and don't be afriad to ask.

Prices do vary, especially in the more tourist areas - Expect to pay €1 - €1.50 for your beer/wine including tapas.

Lots to do for Villa Holiday renters - What's on in and around the Paphos area

Saturday 23 May 10am - 5pm: DAY OF BEAUTY in aid of Friends' Hospice at Kamares Club, Tala, Paphos. Treatments by trained therapists: €10. Massage, facials, reflexology, Indian head massage, manicures, threading etc. Nearly new summer and Indian clothes, stalls, raffles, refreshments and Angel readings. Tel: 26622520.

Saturday 23 – Sunday 24 May 10am - 6pm: KIDZWORLD AND BABY EXPO at the International School of Paphos showcasing all goods, materials, products, clothes, party venues, and anything to do with kids and babies in Cyprus. Entrance: Adults €7, kids free. Tel: 96429659.

Saturday 23 May 8pm: MIND 2 MIND SHOW with Mike & Julie Evans performing an amazing & mesmerising show of Mind Reading, Telepathy and Illusion at the Social Club, 9 Papacosta Lionida, on Chlorakas main street near to the Big Church and opposite the Famagusta Taverna. New members welcome. Tel: 26272524.

Sunday 24 May 2pm: KARAOKE at the Social Club, 9 Papacosta Lionida, on Chlorakas Main Street near to the Big Church and opposite the Famagusta Taverna. New members welcome. Tel: 26272524

Monday 25 May - Saturday 30 May: 5TH FESTIVAL OF CYPRIOT SHORT FILMS AND DOCUMENTARIES - 31 films, documentaries, work shops, master classes and guest international celebrities such as Walter Lassaly and Harry Zambarloukos at Rialto Theatre Rialto Theatre, Heroes Square, Limassol. Free entrance. Tel: 25343900.

Tuesday 26 May: ELVIS SHOW with Mario from London plus Ged Simon at Skylight Bar, Dekelia Road, Larnaca. Tickets: €10, including first drink free. Tel: 24646640.

Thursday 28 May 8.30pm: CYPRUS STATE ORCHESTRA at the Markideon Theatre, Paphos, performing Handel: The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Vivaldi: Spring and Summer from The Four Seasons, J. Pachelbel: Canon In D Major and Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No. 5. Concerts Leader: Wolfgang Schroeder. Tickets available from 5.30pm on the night. Tel: 26932571.

Thursday 28 May 7.30pm: PAWS FASHION SHOW, Disco and B.B.Q. at Latin Parish Hall, Coral Bay Road, Paphos. Tickets: €13 including BBQ. Pauline - Tel: 99025261 or Marion – Tel: 99896317.

Thursday 28 May 7.30pm: CHARITY DINNER followed by Quiz and Raffle at Mother’s Restaurant, Kato Paphos in aid of the Cancer Support Group. Tel: 26937474 or Chairperson - Tel: 26654007.

Friday 29 May 7.30pm: ABBA DABBA DO - The sensational Abba dance party at Episkopi Village Inn, Archbishop Makariou Avenue, Episkopi. Tickets, including buffet dinner: €25 in advance. Ticket hotline – Episkopi - Tel: 25932751. Paphos – Tel: 96502423.

Saturday 30 May 7.30pm: INSPIRATIONS EXHIBITION by Anne Empson at Art Gallery Café, Kivotos 3000, Polis Chrysochous, opposite police station. Open Saturday 30 May – Saturday 13 June: Tuesday - Saturday 11am – 6pm. Sunday & Monday – closed. Tel: 99555193.

Saturday 30 May 7.30pm: SEARCHED & FOUND concert at Paphos Fort on the Harbour, starring The Searchers & The Foundations with an intermission raffle with great prizes. Light refreshments & food available. Tickets: €40 from Hearns Bookshop, Peyia - Tel: 26622441, Gina’s Place, Paphos - Tel: 26938017 and Olivers Deli, Tala – Tel: 26653024.

Saturday 30 May 6pm - 8pm: VERONICA POULTON TEXTILE DESIGNER, Exclusive fashion, bags and jewellery show at Politia café, old town, Paphos. A walk-about event by seven models. Tel: 99518352.

Leaders in Cyprus to discuss Limnitis issue - Good news for holiday villa owners?

President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat will meet on Thursday morning in the framework of direct negotiations which began last September with a view to reach a solution in Cyprus and reunify the island. UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser for Cyprus, Alexander Downer, will be attending today's meeting.

During their last meeting, on May 14th, the leaders discussed economy issues. Tomorrow, they are expected to decide on joint papers on economic matters. They also exchanged views on the opening of a crossing point, at Limnitis, on the north east, to facilitate movement to and from the island’s northern Turkish occupied areas.

In statements after the last leaders' meeting, President Christofias had said he expected an answer from the Turkish Cypriot leader concerning the opening of Limnitis crossing point, at their next meeting, tomorrow.

The government of Cyprus has pledged it is ready to open the crossing point to facilitate free movement but the Turkish Cypriot side has asked for the supply of electricity in the area of Kokkina as well as fuel in order to give its consent to the opening of the crossing point. Cyprus, which joined the EU in 2004, has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.

President Christofias and Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since September 2008 with an aim to reach a solution of the Cyprus problem and reunite the island.

Source: Financial Mirror

3 bedroom holiday villas, Valle del Este Golf Course, Almeria

3-bedroom townhouse situated opposite the 7th green on the stunning Valle del Este Golf Course, Vera Playa. Large patio for sunbathing and BBQ, desert garden, access at the rear of the house to a large communial swimming pool, childrens paddling pool and parking.

Vera is an old Spanish town founded in the 6th century, it has a beach resort of Vera Playa, where the Valle del Este Beach Club is located. The house is close to the beach resort of Mojacar Playa and old town of Mojacar set in a stunning mountain landscape.

Follow this link for further details on villa holidays in Vera Playa.

Villa with pool located in rural Almeria - Situated just 20 minutes from the beach

This 3-bedroom detached villa with own pool is situated just 1 minute walk to the pretty village with local shops, bars and restuarants. The local town of la Alfoquia is typical spanish with mountain views, private gardens and patios. Just 20 minutes to Mojacar beach
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The area is rural with local mountain views. A good base to enjoy Almeria. The main town of Albox is less than ten minutes drives with all you will need, chinese restaurants, bars etc, super market. The local village has bakery, spar shop, bars, petrol station, fish & chip shop, tapas bars, pub.

Follow this link for further details of this 3 bedroom detached villa in Almeria.

Large 3 bedroom Country Finca with pool holiday rental, Cartama, Spain

3 bedroom Country Finca with Pool, Cartama, Spain. Stunning Views, close to Alhaurin Golf. Available for holiday rental

Beautiful and modern country house with large grounds in a tranquil setting. Superb outdoor lighting for alfresco evenings to sit and relax in. Large terraces with outdoor bar and BBQ, ideal place to retire to after a day on the beach, on the golf course or simply sightseeing.

Close to amenities and local Spanish restaurants and the famous Alhaurin Golf Course designed by Seve Ballesteros. Very safe for children to explore and perfect for bike rides, and the lakes at El Chorro are not to be missed.

This is the perfect home for everyone's needs, Golfers, Family holidays and Romantic getaways

Click here for further details of this Country finca in Cartama, Spain

Holiday Home Owners Can increase Income by Advertising Properties with Villa Holiday

Villa-Holiday.co.uk, the UK's leading independent holiday rental website today warned that holiday home owners are failing to capitalise on their investment by allowing their properties to lie unoccupied for up to 70% of the year.

Villa Holiday offers people with foreign properties a better way to increase their income by capitalising on the increased demand for private self-catering accommodation. Villa Holiday requires additional properties to meet the demand of its visitors and is offering a 20% discount to allow first time advertisers to showcase their property.

New advertisers are asked to contact Villa Holiday for full details of the introductory discount and other offers that are available to private owners of holiday villas and apartments abroad.

Holiday rentals in Spain are still best value for money in the Eurozone

According to the Holiday Costs Barometer, an annual poll of the cost of holiday items by the Post Office (Travel Services), Bulgaria has come out as the least expensive place to holiday. Villas and apartments in Bulgaria are becoming increasingly popular and this new survey will help build on its recent popularity.

The most expensive places to go and buy items on holiday, which include Turkey, Croatia and Antigua are actually twice as expensive as Bulgaria. Bulgaria has some great places to visit when staying in one of many holiday villas. Bulgaria's Sunny Beach is often a choice for British holiday makers looking to rent private self catering accommodation.

Items, such as drinks and meals were up to £42 cheaper in Bulgaria than they were in Turkey Apartment rentals around the Sunny Beach area start from just £200 per week.

The Algarve in Portugal came in at number 10 in the poll which is good news as it has not been in the top 10 for over 2 years now. Still the cheapest place to buy items while renting holiday villas in Spain is along the Spanish coastal area of the Costa Blanca. France is the most expensive place to visit, closely followed by Cyprus. Villa rentals in Paphos are available from around £300 per week.

Sarah Munro, The head of travel services at the Post Office said "the eurozone has taken a bashing this year, but our survey suggests that tourist outlets in many resorts are taking dramatic steps to encourage tourists"

For further information on holiday rentals direct from the owner or other holiday rental news, visit Villa Holidays.