Spain is an expression thatportrays relaxation, repose and satisfaction.
For some, it is a place to spend a 2-week break. But, for others, it is the place where a new life will be built.
The trend of the last decade has seen thousands and thousands of people moving to Spain. After a few days of relaxation, holiday-makers take the plunge and choose never to leave again.
Jim and Mary did just that. After returning to the gloom of grey London from a weekend break in Granada, this young couple took no longer than a week to decide to pack in their belongings in England and start afresh in Spain. Their idea was to buy an old villa, rebuild it and open it for vacationers.
Little time was spent considering the success of the plan. And although their dream was not innovative, they believed they would succeed. So, they put their Islington house up for rent. They then mortgaged their house and took out a loan to secure their new start in Spain.
Their first 3 months in Spain were spent searching for the perfect house. Their dream was to purchase an old farm or villa and adapt it to a quaint pousada that would offer a relaxing escape for their visitors.
Finally, they set their minds on a villa dating back 300 years, set in the warm, quiet hills of Granada. The grand 4-floor villa was set in a property with enough space for a small swimming pool and garden. It was also set in a quaint area known for its relaxing paths, ideal for early morning strolls or horse rides.
The old villa itself oozed charm from every wall. The majestic central staircase at the entrance depicted a grand history. The echos heard in the large empty rooms resonated the grand balls it had hosted so many, many years before. In fact, stories of the history of the old villa oozed from every wall, every crack. The roof was destroyed years before, which decayed most of the walls and old wood floor. But some of the classic old wallpaper could still be found tearing away from the walls. The old iron fireplace was another detail which left the couple breathless, as did the ornate, high ceilings of the bottom floor.
In silence, Jim and Mary were overcome by emotion. The villa was everything they dreamed of. Putting the villa in working order would either make or break them, they realised, but so high were their emotions that the challenge was accepted immediately.
The villa was in a dreadful state, but their minds were set. From Granada, they travelled to Madrid, the capital city, in search of the right people to help put the classic villa back to all its glamour. The language barrier limited them at first, but the undying bright backdrop makes Spaniards jolly, relaxed people, eager to delight their visitors.
Between finding people to help them and deciding on the right ones for the job, Jim and Mary spent hours in local libraries in search of inspiration to decorate their old villa. Wallpaper, drapes, furniture, floor tiles, roof, plants, cutlery…finding the right balance between classic Spanish décor that would appeal to the modern-day visitor was a juggle, but probably the most inspiring part of the project. The couple dived into the marvels of 19th Century Spanish life, in the hope of discovering all they could about the villa’s original look. Who would have lived in such a grand villa?
After a year of construction and planning, Jim and Mary were finally ready to open the doors of their ancient villa to new clients. Advertising through international tourist offices and travel agents soon brought their first visitors to the doorstep of the villa and, to date, the villa captured the hearts of all who stayed. Some would visit for only a few days, basking in the quiet, relaxing ambiance of the place if only for a few days. But other, like them, would decide never to leave again.
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