New Marina Contract In Corralejo, Fuerteventura Awarded

The contract for the extention and improvement to Corralejo harbour has been awarded and is expected to take two years to complete. The project will improve and extend the ferry piers, increase the number of moorings for pleasure craft and provide better boat yard facilities.

As well as the existing marina berths the new marina will provide 650 berths for yachts which will be sheltered behind a huge curved breakwater. The contract has been awarded to Viatrio Ingenieros SL and will cost nearly €343 million .

Corralejo harbour on the north coast of Fuerteventura is one of the busiest in the Canaries with close to a million passengers a year using the short ferry link to Lanzarote and the project will ensure that increasing passenger demand can be met. The harbour Playa Blanca in Lanzarote will also be extended and improved to allow easier access for the ferries whose entrance at the moment can only be described as tight.

The two projects will strengthen the ties between Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. Politicians on both islands have wanted for a long time to form a new "Canarian power" as strong as the link between Gran Canaria and Tenerife and these two project will move that dream forward.

The marina project will also provide a new esplande and integrate the area with the surrounding frontline properties and businesses. The marina project is sure to create an interest in property in close to the new harbour scheme.

Ferry Operator contacts Fred Olsen and Naviera Armas

For more information on Canarian Marinas visit www.worldmarineguide.com

More Visitors to Canary Islands

The number of tourists visiting Spain this January has increased compared to last year new statistics show. For the first time in 18 months tourist numbers rose by 1.1% to 2.54 million, not a huge rise but certainly good news especially for the Canary Islands which accounts for over 795,000 of visits making the Islands the most popular destination in Spain. In fact although the mainland has experienced small declines in both British and German numbers, some of the Islands have seen some increases, particularly in the numbers visiting from the mainland itself. While all inclusive hotels are as popular as ever the increase of second home owners especially in Fuerteventura – a developing property market – now offers visitors more private, homely accommodation and the possibility of booking directly with owners instead of tour operators.

An increase in the number of cheaper flights from Europe as well as the favoured weather during the winter months are prime reasons for the healthier statistics as Northern Europeans have escaped the freak cold conditions at home by flying a few hours further South. On average day time temperatures this time of year for Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria are above 20 degrees. New flights also bring new markets with noticeable numbers of Scandinavian visitors to Fuerteventura this winter.

For more information on local weather conditions and flights you can visit the ‘more’ section at www.goldacre-estates.com or search online for properties for sale in Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste, El Cotillo, Gran Tarajal and the villages of Fuerteventura.

It’s Carnival Time in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

In many Roman Catholic countries the weeks leading up to Lent become Carnival time. It is a time when locals forget about the stresses and strains of everyday life and how much their real Estate is worth or not and dress up in often outrageous costumes to go out onto the streets and party well into the night.

Fuerteventura, second largest Island in the Canary Islands, Spain is no exception to this and the Carnival season starts in mid-February in the capital Puerto del Rosario, moving on to other towns and villages around Fuerteventura and the other Islands of Tenerife , Lanzarote and Gran canaria.

The main event in each location is the grand parade with many floats representing local businesses, marching bands, and of course the Carnival Queen – or queens, as you will often see not one, but two or even three queens – an adult, a junior and possibly a drag queen.

The majority of locals – men, women and children – join in with the festivities wearing fancy dress costumes made especially for the occasion. Men become women for the evening and all are a sight to behold, with tourists who know of the tradition also taking part.

So what is happening and where? Below are details of the events in the main towns but there will also be activities in the smaller towns and villages:

Puerto del Rosario

• The first, smaller parade takes place on 17th February at 8 pm. The parade represents “the birth of the sardine”, the sardine being the symbol of Carnival in the Canary Islands.
• On Saturday 27th February is the grand parade. This is traditionally the largest and most spectacular parade on the island, starting at around 5pm.
• On 6th March is the final parade “the burial of the sardine” when a huge papier mache model of the sardine is burned (cremated).

Caleta de Fuste

• In Caleta this year the grand parade takes place on February 20th. The theme for 2010 is the 1960’s so you can expect to see once again the fashions of this exciting era.

Corralejo

• The grand parade this year starts at around 5pm on Saturday 13th March. The theme of the carnival is The Jungle and there is a wealth of material for sale in every imaginable animal print in fabric shops in the old town. No doubt there will be many Tarzans, Janes (probably predominantly male) and “animals” galore on the streets of Corralejo.

Holland Park Village Overlooking the Coast in Canary Islands

Holland Park or Parque hollandes is a small residential village overlooking the Eastern coastline of Fuerteventura and the little fishing cove of El Jablito. This quiet village actually has its own commercial centre with a variety of local and foreign themed bars and restaurants as well as a large supermarket. The position of the village allows easy access to Corralejo and the capital Puerto Rosario and the sandy beach in Jablito is in walking distance. For sale and recently reduced is this detached villa with 4 bedrooms, private parking and its own private swimming pool. This is a truely exceptional opportunity at a remarkable price and would make either a comfortable residential home or offer a solid return on capital if rented out.
For more information contact info@goldacre-estates or call us on 0034 928 535044.

New Yacht Marina Is To Be Constructed In Corralejo, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

A new yacht marina is to be constructed in Corralejo, Fuerteventura which will provide 650 private moorings in an adventurous expansion plan of the present harbour. The project, which will be funded by the Canarian Government, is in the early stages of planning but it is hoped that it will go out to tender early next year.

Corralejo harbour is one of the busiest in the Canaries with over a million passengers a year using the ferry link to Lanzarote and the project will ensure that increasing passenger demand can be met.

The scheme will create two new commercial jetties and a multi purpose water sports building as well as the marina. Once the construction work begins it is expected to take around two years to complete.

This is good news for home owners and investors as marinas are sort after locations for property purchasers and the construction of the new marina will mean that homes in the immediate area will be at a premium.

Villa For sale Corralejo, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands Property.

A large villa in Fuerteventura and a great opportunity to purchase property in the Canary Islands

Close to the centre of Corralejo

This property has the advantage of being a corner plot and enjoying a larger garden which cones with a large private swimming pool. The property is furnished to a high standard and has a roof terrace with views over the town to the sea.

Corralejo, Fuerteventura To Get New Wind Farm For Desalination Plant

Work on the wind farm in Corralejo on Fuerteventura to power the towns desalination plant has begun and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. When the turbines enter into service it is expected that they will generate twice as much power as the desalination plant will need.
The Water Supply company, (CAFF), for Fuerteventura, (one of the Canary Islands,) is in charge of the project, which will cost an estimated 2 million Euros.
CAAF and president of the Cabildo de Fuerteventura, Mario Cabrera said "This wind farm will generate profits that help optimize production costs and maintain the policy assumed by CAAF and the council not to increase water rates. The Corralejo desalination plant will have two next-generation wind turbines installed by the company Drace, each with capacity to produce 850 kilowatts per hour.
This is good news for the islands enviroment, fuel cost and ties in with the islands new Bio-sphere status.

Corralejo Motor Show, Fuerteventura.

This year the Fiesta del Carmen in Corralejo, Fuerteventura which is a celebration of the patron saint of the sea has a wide variety of entertainment and will include the Hollywood Motor Show on Saturday and Sunday (18th and 19th). The show will feature trick driving, Stunts and the BIG FOOT car. Both evenings fun start at 9pm and tickets will cost 10 euros for children and 15 Euros for adults. The show will be held at the Recinto Ferial junto al Instituto.

http://fiestas.net/la-oliva/carmen-2009-corralejo/

Fiesta Del Carmen, Corralejo, Fuerteventura

The Fiesta del Carmen has arrived again and from the 9th to the 19th of July a wide variety of entertainment will be laid on for the locals and tourists alike. The fiesta is the celebration of Senora del Carmen who is the patron saint of the sea and sailors. The most important day is the 16th July, which is a bank holiday, when the statue of Senora del Carmen is brought ashore on Town Beach

Throughout the 11 day period there will be organised events such as football matches, volleyball games, swimming events and childrens parties with games and entertainers. On Saturday the 11th the fiesta Queen will be elected.

Free concerts have also been organised which include a rock concert and and an urban hip hop night.

For all the information on the the dates and times visit http://fiestas.net/la-oliva/carmen-2009-corralejo/

CHRISTMAS COMES TO CORRALEJO

The Christmas lights are now on at the El Campanario Shopping Centre and they are beautiful. You can see the lights from far away as they reach right to the top of the bell tower which is the highest point in Corralejo. (El Campanario is Spanish for bell tower). The top of the tower now has an angel at each corner.

Spanish Christmas carols will be sung by children from all over the island on each Saturday leading up to Christmas.

El Campanario is a replica of a typical Canarian village where visitors can browse through open-air Canarian streets whilst shopping in the up-market shops which include mens and ladies clothes shops, sports shops, opticians, cosmetics and leather shops. There is also a large supermarket and, for drivers, an underground car park.

On the first and third Sunday of each month a Canarian market is set up in the square, where you can buy objects of art, flowers, local fruit and vegetables and many other items.

If you don’t like shopping it is still a good place to go as you can sit at a table in the plaza enjoying a drink while watching the world go by.
If you want to take in the views of Corralejo, Lobos and Lanzarote you can ascend to the top of the bell tower where the view is amazing. This new shopping centre is definitely a place not to be missed, especially at this time of year.