Spain - Malaga Escape to the Continent

Inside this imposing gorge is a hidden pathway that's 800 years old.

Find out why it was built and which country I'm in, in just a moment.

On today's show, we're helping a pair of retired globetrotters

put down roots in a new home on the Continent.

In the hunt for the property, not everything I show them

hits the spot.

-So could you imagine this being your bedroom?

-No.

But I've got other options up my sleeve which can't fail

to make an impact.

You've stunned us. We're stunned. Absolutely stunned to the ground.

Welcome to Escape To The Continent.

Today, I'm in the province of Malaga, in southern Spain,

and this is El Tajo gorge,

a natural wonder that divides the town of Ronda in two.

Now back in the 14th century, Ronda was frequently besieged

and cut off from its vital water supply.

In response, the king ordered a secret path,

365 steps long,

to be carved into the rock face of the gorge itself

so they could access water from the river far below.

Today, the only invaders are the tourists themselves

that come to admire these stunning views of the region, especially

from the magnificent 18th-century bridge that joins the town together.

The province of Malaga is located on the southern Mediterranean

coast of Spain and sits within the larger region of Andalusia.

Around 1.5 million people live here.

One third, in and around the busy city of Malaga.

This region has been fought over by Romans, Moors and Christians

for centuries, and remnants of this past can be seen

in Malaga's magnificent Renaissance cathedral,

it's Moorish palace, the Alcazaba

and the imposing Islamic fortress - the Castillo de Gibralfaro.

The wider province of Andalusia is characterised by a range

of landscapes, from breathtaking inland mountain ranges dotted

with isolated white villages known as 'pueblos blancos',

to the glamorous coastal towns, like Marbella and Puerto Banus.

Tourists have long flocked to the beaches of the Costa Del Sol

to holiday.

But with stunning national parks, historic towns and cities

and around 300 days of sunshine per year,

it's no surprise that Malaga province

has also become a popular place to make a more permanent escape.

Although there are plenty of bargains to be had in Spain,

Malaga is actually one of the most expensive provinces.

Here, the average price for a detached home is closer to that

back in the UK, at £250,000.

Now that's almost four times the price of Spain's national average.

Prices increase further in Malaga city by 10%

and if you head to Spain's most glamorous town, Marbella,

you're certain to find villas there for several million pounds.

Clearly, this is a very desirable part of the country.

So let's meet today's buyers and find out

where they want to escape to.

Malcolm and Mary's existing home is just outside Middlesbrough

in the North East of England.

They met 12 years ago and are both retired educational professionals.

I've worked for exam boards and Malcolm's been involved

in education as a head teacher and he came to watch me

for the whole day doing my job and he'd write a report on me,

and then he made contact, and then he actually came to see me again

and eventually, we just morphed into a couple.

After a very happy decade living together, Mary suddenly

became unwell, which had a profound effect on their lives.

I was poorly - part exhaustion and part also there was some

bugs in my tummy that no-one knew about at the time.

I had to take stock

and I decided that the only way I could build myself up

in my own mind was to take a break.

So we decided to start travelling and seeing a bit of the world.

They travelled across the globe from Australia and New Zealand

to India and Indonesia.

But it's when they got to Malaga

that they made an unexpected discovery.

I think we were quite surprised how beautiful it was.

We went everywhere. We used to say, "Could you live here?

"Could you live there?" And in Malaga, we were saying,

"Could you live here?" And we were saying, "Yes, it feels good."

And their two years in warm climates made a big impact too.

We have such poor weather here, generally,

it's lovely when you go abroad and you wake up in the morning

and you know it's going to be a beautiful day.

So they're selling their home in England and buying a place

in Spain, which will be their new base for further travels.

And there are definite likes and dislikes

when it comes to finding the perfect property.

We'd obviously like a nice-looking property.

We have a creamy look to the home.

It's helped to make it bright and bring in the light

and I think we'd like to replicate that again.

I wouldn't mind a bit of a garden. Potted plants would do.

Make it pretty. And we adore shapes

and, you know, turrets and roof shapes and that sort of thing.

We don't want to live with a group of English people.

We want to live in the community.

And they have a good budget to buy their new home.

-Probably about 300,000.

-Up to 300,000.

-Yes.

Malaga is the place which sparked Malcolm and Mary's decision to move.

So we're concentrating our search on the wider area of Malaga province.

I'm meeting them where it all began to establish

the finer details of their move.

Well, Malcolm and Mary, welcome to the province of Malaga.

You certainly picked a beautiful part of Spain that you want to move to.

-But tell me, it's very different from Middlesbrough.

-It is, yeah.

-Yes. It is.

-Your feet haven't stopped, have they?

You haven't touched the ground the last two and a half years

-travelling the world.

-That's right, yes.

Why is the time right to actually put down some roots here?

Cos I think we've got used to being in a lot of, you know,

bright countries and we like it.

And we're coming to the end of big travelling now and I think that

we'd like to wake up with that brightness in our eyes

in the morning.

So now you want to buy a home in Spain, your home,

what do you think the change is going to make to your lifestyle?

It will give us an opportunity to travel further in Spain,

but, of course, the other thing is it's an entirely different culture.

But you could do that on holiday, couldn't you?

Yes, but you don't, do you? Not in a fortnight.

It's a windy day today, particularly windy.

-But you like the sunsets, blue skies...

-Yes.

Still very warm, even though we're out of season.

It is. I look forward to that very much.

Do you think you're going to have to make adjustments to your life

living in another country?

Oh, we're certainly going to have to make an effort to learn Spanish.

-Well, you used to be a teacher, didn't you, Malcolm?

-I did, yes.

-So still good at picking things up very quickly?

-I would hope so.

So what are we looking for here, in Spain? Your new home.

I suppose we'd like it to be the nicest home it can be.

-Well, at least two bedrooms or three.

-Maybe three at least, I think.

-Three, because I think we'll have a lot of visitors.

-Little bit of land?

I don't expect to find a property with a lot of land,

-but it would be nice to have a garden.

-Yes.

Remind us what your budget is.

300,000.

£300,000.

So we do have some great properties lined up to show you,

which I'm very much looking forward to.

First one, I think is ready for us.

-Shall we get going?

-We shall, yes.

-We'd look forward to that.

So for a maximum budget of £300,000, our buyers are seeking

a Spanish house with curve appeal

and a minimum of three bedrooms.

They'd like character features,

a garden to satisfy Malcolm's green fingers,

and to be near a lively community which they can become part of.

We've picked four contrasting properties to tempt our buyers with

and as we travel across the scenic region,

we'll be offering Malcolm and Mary an authentic sense of

what life might feel like in this part of Spain.

The last property to view is the mystery house,

which will give Malcolm and Mary an option which they hadn't considered

for their big move.

And to act to the experience,

we're putting our buyers up in a rented house

for the duration of their stay,

to give them a taste of day-to-day life in the region.

For our first offering, we're heading to the village of Monda,

a 45-minute drive west of Malaga.

Just 15 minutes from the coast,

it's set near the stunning Sierra De Las Nieves natural park.

With its whitewashed houses, hanging baskets and winding streets,

it's a typically Spanish 'pueblo', and home to a lively community

of around 2,000 inhabitants who are known as Mondenos.

The focal point of Monda is the hilltop castle,

La Villeta Castillo,

which is built on the ruins of an Arabic fortress.

The building is now a hotel and restaurant.

Overlooking the village is our first house.

So here is our first property.

It's quite a nice-looking house.

-Isn't it?

-Yeah, yeah. It is.

I like the shape of the window up at the top.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-It's got the little lids on the chimneys.

-It's a very quirky Spanish home.

-Yes.

-Yes. It is.

-Any ideas how old it might be?

-150?

-Believe it or not, that was built in 2006.

-Crikey.

-Goodness gracious.

Yes. And how do you feel about the location?

-Well, it's a beautiful location in terms of the views.

-Yes.

Though you haven't actually asked for a pool.

Well, I have strong views about pools,

that if they're not big enough to have a really good swim,

and they're expensive and time-consuming to look after...

If I were here, I think I would make that into a garden feature.

-Yeah?

-I'd be interested to see what they've done inside.

You certainly will. It's not the norm, I can tell you.

So, swimming pool aside, it's a good response to the outside.

I'm intrigued to find out what they'll make of the interior.

So...

Very strong impression, I think, as we walked through the door.

Very much. Very much.

It's got all its own individual features, like the moon

-and the sun shape of the windows.

-Yes.

You don't often see that, do you?

No, it's quite nice looking at it like that, but it's very unusual.

And the metal staircase -

well, you wouldn't have to go up with your shoes on, would you?

-We would hear you, that's for sure.

-They'll be no heels.

Who's that trip trapping up my stairs?

-I have to say, I do like the sun and the moon.

-Do you?

-Yes.

-They look quite sweet, really.

-You like the quirkiness?

Let's take a look at the kitchen behind us.

We're carrying on the colourful theme here, really,

-aren't we, in the kitchen?

-Yeah, very colourful.

-It's making you giggle, isn't it, Malcolm?

-Yeah, it does.

You know, 1980s comes to mind, Nicki.

You've probably guessed - it was built by a Spanish family,

-for a Spanish family.

-Is that brick?

-That is your oven.

-Yeah.

And then you've got a grill underneath as well.

And it's quite a special designed oven.

I don't dislike the oven because it's quirky.

It is absolutely quirky.

Well, there are features in it that are attractive.

-The tiles and the colours are certainly off-putting.

-Yes.

Also on the ground floor is a large utility room,

two guest bedrooms and a vibrant bathroom.

But if colour is a problem, I wonder what they'll make of the

master bedroom, which is accessed by the unusual staircase.

NICKI LAUGHS

-Do you know what that reminds me of?

-Ding-dong bell, pussy in the well.

-It reminds me of an out-of-tune church bell.

-Yes.

-Doesn't it?

Us walking up there.

We're continuing the prism of colour here, aren't we?

You can soon do something about that, Nicki.

You know, if you want to, can't you?

You can turn it back into a plain room. What about wardrobes?

Oh, that's a very good point, isn't it?

You do have a dressing area next door.

Beautifully-fitted wardrobes.

Very conservative.

Beautifully done. You've got your bathroom up here.

Green - no.

-No.

-But again, you could paint over that, Mary.

-Yeah.

And then, you've also got quite an unusual open-plan area.

-It remains me of a children's play area.

-Yes. I do know what you mean.

That's nice, that's nice.

The design of this house is very, very unusual.

It certainly is, Nicki. It is.

Mm, it's a one-off.

We're going to step outside, talk about the land,

-talk about the location.

-Uh-huh.

-I'm also going to ask you to think about the price.

-Uh-huh.

-OK.

-OK.

Whilst the inside of the house might be an acquired taste,

the outside is much more conservative.

There's a very neat garden surrounding the house,

but there's more to the plot.

You've got two thirds of an acre.

-So if you look around, you can see the border down there.

-Yes.

-Yep.

You want to see the mountain range - that's Sierra De Las Nieves,

which means snow-covered mountains.

Well, the size of the plot is a bit of a problem, isn't it?

What does one do with it? Probably nothing.

You just have to leave it as it is.

-I know you've got your thoughts on this property.

-Uh-huh.

But, first of all, let's talk money.

What price would you put on this villa?

Wouldn't be worth more than 250,000.

OK.

And I would have the same value on it as well.

250,000.

Well, actually. You're both very close to the asking price.

It is...

-£269,000.

-Yep.

-Yeah.

So, now you've got all of that.

Why don't you reacquaint yourself with some of those rooms?

-Off you go.

-Yes, we will do that.

-Thank you.

For £269,000, this modern rustic house offers three bedrooms,

a double-height living room

and a flamboyant and colourful interior throughout.

There's a swimming pool,

two thirds of an acre

of agricultural land

and spectacular views

across the countryside.

Well, you can fit there and I can fit here.

SHE LAUGHS

-It's space, but it's not my kind of space.

-Yeah, but for children...

-Yeah, but we haven't got any, Malcolm.

-No, we haven't.

Well, I like its location.

It really does have a wonderful vista.

And I quite like the look of the house itself, but although I like

colour, I couldn't live in this house without changing a lot of it.

I don't like open plan, I'll be honest. I don't like metal stairs.

But looking out the window there and looking at that beautiful view,

you cannot fault, it is in a great position.

I just don't feel it's the one for us.

Malcolm and Mary have been very polite about this property.

In all honesty, I don't think it's right for them.

-OK?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-Have you seen enough?

-We've seen enough. Yes.

-You are not going to forget this house in a hurry, are you?

-No, no.

-Because it's been the most interesting visit.

-Good.

-But...

sadly, the property's not for us.

Not quite right.

Well, we thought what may be quite nice is for you to experience

what it's actually like living here.

So, how do you fancy staying on your own in a property not too far

from here to get a real flavour of what it might be like?

-I think it'd be a very good idea, yes.

-Yes?

-We'd like that.

Right, let's show you where you're going to be staying.

BOTH: Right.

Malcolm and Mary are staying in a villa locally

for the duration of the trip.

-What a lovely... Oh!

-Great view.

And they're soon out enjoying the views and garden.

-Well, what a lovely day we've had, haven't we?

-It's beautiful.

And then we find ourselves in a beautiful setting like this.

Yeah, and a gorgeous garden.

With lovely palm trees like that.

It's a chance to inspect the kinds of plants Malcolm could cultivate.

And to relax, imagining their future in Spain.

What more could you ask for?

Do you think you could live here then?

I think I could. And I may even take up golf.

Whoo-whee!

Golf?! Whoo! Am I going to be a golf widow then?

-No, you can drive the buggy.

-Am I going to be the buggy driver?

Yeah, you can drive the buggy.

All right then, I'll be the buggy driver.

I might learn a few things myself then.

I doubt whether the expats have got a cricket team, but that would be nice.

Well, you could start one, couldn't you?

A dinner of fresh local prawns

and the chance to eat out on the terrace

give Malcolm and Mary a flavour of what life here could be like.

It's a great way to round off the first day.

-Haven't we had a wonderful time?

-Yeah, we have.

-We have.

-Cheers.

-Cheers.

Although our first property didn't quite do it for Malcolm and Mary,

they certainly can see the benefits of living in a region like this.

So let's hope they like what we're going to show them today.

It's day two and we're heading 16km east to the town of

Alhaurin El Grande to locate our second property.

Set in the Sierra De Mijas mountain range,

it's a classic Andalusian whitewashed town.

Surrounded by abundant citrus and olive plantations,

the fountain of 12 spouts symbolises the local respect for water

needed to keep the land fertile.

With 25,000 inhabitants,

most amenities are available here as well as charming squares packed

with bars and restaurants where locals meet.

Our second house is a ten-minute walk from the town centre.

So, welcome...

to our second property.

Good? So what do we think of the villa itself?

-Nice design.

-Nice shape, neat.

Nice with the plants growing at the front.

Plenty of parking for all our guests.

-Believe it or not, this house is about 200 years old.

-Is it?

-Golly!

Yeah. It has been extended over the years,

so it has an unusual layout.

Malcolm, you're the gardener here, enough to keep you busy?

-It looks like it.

-There's something unusual about this garden.

I'm going to hold that till a bit later...

-Right.

-..when we explore it fully, cos I'd like to start off with the house.

-Yep.

-Are you keen to get inside?

-Absolutely.

-Yes, yes.

-Yes.

Well, the outside of this house meets with their approval

and I'm hoping the internal layout will be to their liking too.

-So the front door leads straight into the sitting room.

-Yeah.

-So you've got a large space.

-Yes.

-It's quite Spanish, isn't it?

-BOTH: It is.

But it's still plain at the same time

-and you could do an awful lot with it.

-Yes.

-I like the size.

Even though there's no kind of entrance hall,

-it's nice just to come straight into the room.

-It is, yep.

-It's like a little porthole.

-She'll think she's cruising.

-Are you a bit of a fan of a cruise?

-Yes, just a bit.

-Yes.

Just a bit, Nicki.

I don't like the windows,

and the shutters and the ironwork on the far side.

Are we getting a good impression?

-Yes.

-Are you seeing beyond the current furniture?

-The current style?

-Yes.

Good, well, this house has so much potential.

I think it's just ready for some more love.

-Let's see what you think of the next room.

-Yeah.

We then have a sitting room here.

-Oh.

-Oh.

-An additional room.

-Wow.

I like it very much.

Am I right in thinking you like a separate dining room?

-We do.

-We do.

-Very much so.

I know it's not the young peoples' style, but it's our style.

We like a lounge to be a lounge.

So this is going to work quite well then for you, isn't it?

-Yes, it would.

-Am I getting a good feel?

-We like it.

-You are getting a good feel.

-I'm going to take you through to the kitchen.

So I hope you both like the colour blue.

NICKI LAUGHS

No.

But it's a nice size, plenty of cupboards.

Yes, you could change the cupboards, couldn't you?

-Yes.

-You could soon sort that out. That wouldn't be a problem.

I don't think it would be a new kitchen.

Oh, first change of opinion between the two of you.

MARY CHUCKLES

Who normally wins the kitchen argument?

Me.

-Do you do all the cooking?

-Yes.

NICKI LAUGHS

Upstairs, there are four double bedrooms, which should

accommodate any visiting friends and family.

And in the master, there is a somewhat unusual feature.

I'm not sure what this is here.

-Now this, believe it or not...

-Bathroom.

-..is the en-suite.

-Yes.

-Funny.

-The reason they've done that is for light.

-Yes.

-Yes.

-You didn't ask for four bedrooms.

-Uh-huh.

Could you cope with having that many?

-Definitely. We're used to that space.

-We've got that many.

We like space.

And we like the shape of the house.

If the shape of the house has four bedrooms - OK.

-So the house is certainly working its magic?

-It is.

The all-important garden - as we walked up the drive,

-I said there's something a little bit unusual about it...

-Yes.

-Let's go and have a look.

-Yes.

To the side of the house is a garage with a large storage room above.

The plot extends to a third of an acre

and I think it's land green-fingered Malcolm is going to love.

Now, you might think a garden like this takes a lot of maintenance.

-Yes.

-A lot of watering.

-Yep.

-Do you two just want to have a little look up there?

-Whoa, yeah.

Now that's something you're not going to see very often.

No, it isn't.

You have your own irrigation system.

-Golly!

-It dates back hundreds, if not thousands of years

and being a resident in this valley,

-you're allowed to use this irrigation water.

-Oh.

-Oh!

-It feeds... Everything that's grown, here all comes off this water.

-Wow!

Unbelievable.

-The greenery is to die for, it's beautiful.

-Isn't it?

Neaty, neaty garden.

Let's have a further look at the garden and also,

you two have got to guess the price as well, haven't you?

-Mm, quite.

-Yes.

Malcolm, Mary, we have slightly struggled with this search for you,

on one thing...

Finding you a property without a swimming pool.

Because most people who have moved to this area are desperate for one.

It seems every house we've seen,

and probably we're going to see, has a pool.

It's a nice pool, I have to say that. I do like it.

It is a beautiful pool.

And I certainly would not be wanting to make this into a garden.

-You won't fill this one up for me?

-No.

You wouldn't want to change that garden though, would you, Malcolm?

I wouldn't. It's a really beautiful garden

and I would look forward to working within it.

So now, we've got to decide what it is on the market for?

Well, I would think it's at the top end of our available funding.

Therefore, I've got to say £300,000.

Mary?

I'd like to say about 280, but, you know,

I realise that may be off there.

-Are your fingers crossed?

-I have. I've got them crossed, yes, yes.

Now, the asking price is...

..£300,000.

So, Malcolm, you were absolutely on the money.

Why don't you go and take some time and I'll catch up with you

-when you're ready.

-OK.

-Thank you.

On the market for Malcolm and Mary's top budget of £300,000,

this authentic Spanish villa

offers four double bedrooms,

two separate living rooms,

a kitchen ripe for repainting,

a swimming pool,

beautiful, mature gardens,

all located within

walking distance of a lively town.

I'm very excited by what I've seen.

The house, you can really put your own stamp on it.

Certainly, the size is amazing.

Perhaps slightly more than we were hoping for,

but I always feel we can make good use of all space given to us

and so, we'd enjoy using that space.

The gardens are just beautiful.

And everything around is great.

I think it's got everything, hasn't it?

It's... The house itself, 200-odd years old,

and being added to in a quite interesting way.

And even the pool I would accept, because it's part

and parcel of the whole package.

In terms of the price, I think I would like to negotiate them down.

Well, I think we're leaving this house on a high, really, aren't we?

-We certainly are.

-Have you seen enough?

-I think so, yes.

Enough water features and everything else going on for you?

-Absolutely super.

-Gardens, pools, colour, vegetation...

Lovely. That's what I like to hear. Very positive.

Right, we're going to hit the road now.

As Malcolm has a keen interest in gardening, we've arranged

for them to visit the Botanic Gardens of La Concepcion

to offer some ideas and inspiration for his new Spanish plot.

Thought to be the best subtropical gardens in Europe,

it's one of Malaga's protected historical landmarks.

They're meeting the director of gardens,

Luis Medina-Montoya Hellgren.

Hello, Luis, lovely to meet you.

Hello, Mary. Nice to meet you, Mary.

Nice to meet you, welcome.

Welcome to the botanical historical garden of La Concepcion.

We have trees and species from all over the world.

Trees that you cannot see anywhere

unless you travel thousands of miles.

-How about if we go and take a look around?

-Great.

-We'd love that.

The gardens were created in 1850 when Jorge Loring

and his new wife bought the property.

They'd been on a six-month-long honeymoon visiting gardens

throughout Europe and they wanted to reproduce what

they had seen back in Malaga.

Today, the gardens cover 22 hectares

and are home to the largest collection of palm trees in Europe.

The warm climate means other trees thrive here too.

The sycamore trees, they are over 150 years old.

-And ours would be about the same age, but nowhere near as tall.

-Well...

-Which reflects the climate.

-..the climate, yes.

Unfortunately, Luis, with any property that we may buy,

I would anticipate a very small garden area.

None of these big trees. We couldn't accommodate them.

But there are other species that you can plant in your garden

that they don't take so much space.

You can plant some of the palm tree species that we have here,

they tend to grow high, but they don't occupy a lot of space.

The garden features many remarkable plants

and one of the more curious species is the drago tree,

which is 120 years old.

-As you can see, we had to help the tree a little bit.

-Yes.

-Yes.

With this bar iron.

This is a tree that it's indigenous of the Canary Islands.

It can grow and have thousands of years old.

This tree is also used in herbal medicine

as a remedy for a heart condition.

A very special thing about this tree, it's also the reason

why it's called drago, it's from the word dragon.

It's that the sap, it's red colour.

But the trees aren't simply here as an attraction.

The Botanic Gardens also carry out important conservation work

helping to preserve many species facing decline and extinction.

Such as the caralluma europaea cactus, from southeastern Spain.

And before they leave the Gardens, Malcolm and Mary can leave their

mark by planting a tree from the greenhouse

which has reached maturity.

This rare native holly has become at risk due to the over-cultivation

of land and Christmas.

There.

There you go.

Now you can put some soil.

Perfect. Congratulations.

-We hope that it's going to thrive.

-Oh, yes, you bet.

-And we'll have to come back and see it.

-Exactly.

-You have to come back and see how it grows.

-Yes, we will indeed.

-Many, many times.

-Yes.

For our next property offering,

we're travelling to the village of Guaro.

It's an attractive and immaculately-kept village

up in the hills of the Sierra De Mijas,

a 40-minute drive from the bustle of Malaga.

The first settlement here dates back to the time of the Moorish

occupation, which is reflected

in some of the architecture today.

It has a relatively small population of 2,000, but has all the shops

and amenities needed for day-to-day life.

And right on the edge of the village is our next house.

And here is our property!

-Uh-huh, I like the look of it.

-A lovely-looking house.

Now, it's quite an unusual property. It's on two levels.

-See, there's a huge terrace there...

-Yes.

-..looking out over the spectacular views.

-Yes, yes.

-So, shall we start?

-We shall.

-Yes.

Constructed in the year 2000,

this four-bedroom house has been built upside down,

with the main living quarters up on the first floor.

The front door is reached by a staircase which brings

you into the entrance hallway.

So the first room off the hallway is a kitchen.

-There's nothing we could do.

-No.

-No.

You've got the whites, you've got clean lines.

-With access to the terrace as well.

-Beautiful.

-Yes?

-And a view to die for out there.

-Look at it.

-So nothing to do in the kitchen?

-No.

-Oh, that's great start.

-Yeah, it is a great start.

It's only our first room, I'm not going to get too excited.

-Right.

-Yes.

So then next to the kitchen is a sitting room.

But it is also a dining room.

-Now, they are incorporated together.

-Yep.

How would you feel about that?

-Well, it's OK, but...

-It's not our preferred option.

-There must be other rooms...

-I'm sure there may be opportunities

-to do other things, do you think?

-Yeah.

What about the actual room itself?

-It's a good size.

-And I like the light.

-Yeah.

It feels modern and bright.

Would you need to do anything in this room?

-We'd remove the blue, but other than that, no, not necessarily.

-No.

-No.

-And what about the patio doors leading out onto the terrace?

-Yes.

-Like them.

-So you've got access from two rooms?

-Yes.

-You could also have a dining table outside.

-You could, you could.

It occurred to me while you were talking, Nicki.

I like that, Mary. Cos that means you're really looking

-and thinking how it could work for you.

-Yes, yes.

-So I'm guessing you'd like to see a little bit more?

-Yes.

Oh, we'd love to.

As most of the living space and accommodation are on this floor,

there are two double guest bedrooms

and a family bathroom before reaching the master.

So at the end of the hallway is the master bedroom.

-Right. And again, two windows.

-Yes.

And yet cool.

Might be worth considering actually taking out those huge windows, but

putting doors in there, with access out onto the garden and the pool.

-You could.

-Underneath us, you've got

a kitchen-stroke-utility room,

a huge area that they're using as a study at the moment,

-but could become a beautiful dining area.

-Uh-huh.

There's a shower room down there and another bedroom should you want it.

Well, there definitely seems to be flexibility for certainly dining.

Yes.

Down one side of the house, there's a small terrace with a patio area

and along the other side is the swimming pool.

-So here we have the obligatory but beautiful pool.

-Yes.

A sunning area all around.

Absolutely super.

But it's not the pool which is the main draw here.

The first-floor terrace is where this house

really comes into its own.

-This is stunning.

-Stunning.

That's the only word. What a view.

-So open and fresh looking.

-And then all this in front of you is yours.

So...

pomegranates, olive trees...

But behind the property, there's a little bit of land.

1.6 acres with almond trees and olive trees.

Jeepers.

Great, isn't it amazing? It's just fantastic. Fantastic.

-It certainly is a lovely property.

-It is.

Probably quite difficult to put a price on, I'm thinking.

-I think you're right.

-Um... Yeah.

So, would you like to have a stab at what this is on the market for?

Well, at least 325,000, I would think.

OK. All right.

I'd say in the same region.

Maybe a little bit more even.

Cos your top budget is...£300,000.

And I know you don't, really don't want to go over that. So...

Asking price for this wonderful house, this beautiful terrace,

all this land, is...

..£258,000.

-Goodness gracious!

-You're joking, Nicki!

-No.

-You're joking me?

-No.

Wow. Sweetie, you've stunned us. We're stunned.

-Yes.

-Absolutely stunned to the ground.

NICKI LAUGHS

Wow, it's just something else.

I am so pleased for the two of you.

Yep. I've got double fingers crossed.

And it worked!

Double fingers worked, didn't it?

-Would you like to have another look around?

-Yes, I would.

-I would, I would, please.

-See you later.

-Thank you. Tremendous.

It's so far under their budget, it's a dream come true.

They'd be mad not to buy it.

So, for a surprising £258,000 price tag,

this hillside villa offers four bedrooms, ample living space,

an extensive terrace overlooking spectacular views,

all set in 1.6 acres with trees

bearing citrus fruit, olives,

almonds, even pomegranates.

And look at this!

-Ooh!

-Wow.

And it's much bigger than a snug, it's a lounge.

-Another lounge, isn't it?

-It is.

Could be sat watching TV and look at that view.

-Isn't it amazing?

-And because there's a kitchen there...

-Yes.

It could be a separate apartment.

What more could you ask?

-Not a lot.

-No.

BOTH: You like it?

I'm stunned. I'm stunned it is within our price range.

I'm stunned that you could purchase a property like this.

I think it's wonderful house.

I would have no doubt, I could move in tomorrow.

There's nothing that needs to be done in the house.

I could imagine virtually anything you could be doing, whether it'd be

gardening, whether it'd be doing jobs,

whether it be watching the sunset.

I can see all of that. I can see the whole picture in front of me.

Its site and its situation can't be beaten.

Wonderful.

Buena vista.

Best you could wish for. Absolutely the best.

I feel I could make an offer on this property.

I recognise that clip-clop of the shoes.

How are you both?

-Fantastic.

-Fine.

-Yes?

And although we've spent the last two years travelling

and it's almost in our blood,

I'd be quite content just to stay here.

-Really?! Does it feel like home?

-It does.

-It does feel very much like home.

-Oh! That has two be the ultimate compliment.

I feel bad now, cos I'm going to have to take you away.

-Aw, do you really?

-But you can come back.

-Are we allowed?

You can definitely come back, should you wish to.

Er, yes, please. We'd like another look. Thank you.

With Malcolm and Mary contemplating such a major move,

they are sensibly keen to find out as much as they can about life here.

That's why am taking them to the town of Mijas,

which has a real mix of Spanish and expat residents,

to meet Englishman Jason Goodwin and his Irish wife, Ellie, who made

the move here many years ago and now run their own chocolate shop.

Ellie and Jason, can I introduce you to Malcolm and Mary.

-Hello, Mary.

-Nice to meet you.

-Lovely to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

-Hola.

Now, these do not only have a very successful chocolate shop

here in Mijas, you've also got first-hand experience of what

it's like to live in this region, haven't you? The province of Malaga.

So I thought, who better than perhaps to tell you a little

-bit more about it.

-Absolutely. Yeah.

So, since you've come all the way to Mijas,

why don't you come upstairs with me and make some chocolate with me?

-What do you reckon?

-Absolutely fabulous, can't wait.

-Follow me then.

-Thank you.

We're going to make Cadiz 1544.

It's actually a recreation of the first chocolate

that was made in Europe.

Christopher Columbus was the first one who encountered cacao and chocolate.

It was actually the Spanish who brought it to Europe.

Without the Spanish, I don't know whether we'd have chocolate today.

Cream is gently warmed and melted butter is added.

This authentic recipe needs one dessert spoon of allspice,

one of aniseed, a quarter dessert spoon of cloves,

some cinnamon and nutmeg.

Hazelnut butter and almond butter

are almost the last ingredients except for orange oil.

Drop, drop, drop.

You wouldn't think there were so many...

-ingredients, would you?

-It's amazing what went into this chocolate.

My question is, why did we ever stop making chocolate like this?

-You good for the chocolate, Mary?

-Absolutely.

Bring it on, OK. Here we go.

So you whisk, I'll pour.

-The colour's coming, isn't it?

-Yeah.

Do you want a rest or are you all right?

I'm all right, my dear, thank you.

-Isn't he a gentleman?

-He's an absolute gentleman.

-Through and through.

-Look at that! That's looking great!

This mixture, called a ganache, is poured evenly into a tray

and then put into the fridge to set.

After a short wait, it's cut into squares

and is now ready for the finishing coating.

And now, you can pop it on to the acetate.

Ah, very well. Very well managed.

And what you could do, Malcolm, is put some lovely toasted hazelnut

and some orange blossom.

That one's for Nicki.

Whilst the chocolate sets, Malcolm and Mary have a chance to

hear more about daily life in Spain from our hosts.

I'm sure you two have got plenty of questions.

Cos how long have you lived in this region?

Actually moved here 21 years ago now, yeah.

-So you came as a young man?

-Thank you.

We are coming as somewhat older people.

Do you think we'll have any particular problems to contend with?

I don't think so, really, no.

Because this has got to be one of the easiest places to live

in Spain because you can completely get by speaking English.

Pretty much everything you'll need, you'll find in English.

You'll find publications, you'll find plumbers, supermarkets,

legal aid, dentists, it's all there.

So you don't HAVE to learn the language,

you really don't have to, in comparison to other

parts of Spain where there's less of a foreign resident,

but if you do, obviously, it makes the experience more interesting

and more different to what you're used to at home as well, I think.

So after a period of ill-health and now retirement,

these two are desperate to have a new lifestyle here in Spain,

-but haven't ever bought a property here, have you, Mary?

-No.

Is there any advice, pitfalls

that if you're entering into this market you should be aware of?

It's a lot safer buying a resale,

-an already built house, than a new development...

-Yeah.

..because once it's got the Licencia De Primera Ocupacion,

the first occupation licence has been granted,

you're onto safe ground.

Also, to simplify your life, what you could actually consider

doing is contracting the services of a 'gestor'.

A gestor organises all your paperwork, all the local taxes,

your rates, just basically makes your life easier.

For instance, say you need to renew a car tax

and you could go to 'Trafico',

queue up there for three, four, five hours, and do it yourself.

-Of course you can. Especially if you speak fluent Spanish.

-Yes.

But...

contract the services of a gestor - they get priority,

cos they're there every day,

they don't have to wait four or five hours.

So how do we find one of these people?

-They advertise in the local papers, erm...

-You can ask about it.

Ask about it. You'll make friends down here quickly.

-That sounds fantastic.

-Yeah, rent-an-administrator!

We don't have that, do we, back in the UK?

Ellie, what's the situation with health care?

Not only people come into this area on holiday,

but if they want to live here?

Of course. Public health care is good in Spain.

Once you register as a resident of Spain,

you automatically are entitled to avail of health care services.

So you receive what's called an NIE and that's a national identity

number and, with that, you register

with your local health care provider.

So you don't have to go private if you choose not to,

-by the sounds of it.

-That's right.

Sounds good. That's good to know. Thank you.

I've got another question, please.

I know that we'd be very keen to live amongst the locals,

but we'd also like to get to know as many people and to

fit in in the community as soon and as quickly as we can.

What best advice could you give?

For instance, Fuengirola

has got a very active amateur dramatics theatre group,

so join the club.

You'll meet people from hundreds of different nationalities.

Is there dancing, for instance?

There's everything. Literally, there is everything.

If you're in Mijas, for example,

the town hall has an excellent exchange service

whereby on a set day of the week you meet up

and you'll pair with a local Spanish person who wants to learn English.

-Brilliant.

-And you teach them English and they teach you Spanish,

which is a lovely way of meeting people as well and...

-Socialising.

-Absolutely.

Where's the nearest football club?

THEY LAUGH

-I like that.

-In Malaga. It's in La Rosaleda.

That's going to be your new hobby when you move here.

You can hang out with us while he goes watching football.

MALCOLM: She'll be eating all your chocolate.

I will. I'm sorted.

-So this has been really helpful, hasn't it?

-It certainly has.

Amazingly. I learnt some facts then, this afternoon that

I had no idea of and so it's going to be very helpful to us.

-Glad to have helped!

-Definitely.

-Thank you.

And now, now we've finished the serious bit, do you think

it's time to taste the chocolate?

-Oh, absolutely.

-Yes? Do you think it's ready?

Let's go and fetch them!

-Let's see how you've done, guys.

-Uh-huh.

Here we go.

Oh, there's no complaints there.

-Well done.

-And thank you again.

-Get your house - I've got a job for you.

-There you go!

Is that a promise, Ellie? Cos if it is, I'll take you up on it.

Jason and Ellie have given Malcolm and Mary some important information.

Particularly given the backdrop of property scandals

which has made many nervous of purchasing in Spain.

If you are buying off-plan or a new build, you must make sure

the Licence Of First Occupation has been granted

before completing the purchase.

This licence, given by the local council,

provides the building with its legal status

and is only granted after the developer has fulfilled

all the relevant planning and health and safety requirements.

Without it, the property is not yet legal and cannot be lawfully sold,

so it's critical to ensure any potential property has this licence.

On any purchase there are transfer fees to be paid.

7% is the rule of thumb, but this does vary from region to region,

going up to 10% in some areas.

So it's essential you check these out first.

But, most importantly, make sure you get independent legal advice

before signing anything binding.

Our buyers are determined to integrate into the community

and are already getting stuck into one of the favourite local

pastimes here in Mijas -

dominoes.

-Hola.

-Can we join your game?

-Venga, vamos alla!

Malcolm and Mary's Spanish may be way off fluency,

but fortunately, dominoes is a game that demands few words.

-Bien.

-Is that the biggest?

-Yes.

Yeah!

And with the final day of the house-hunt tomorrow,

they're getting some rest.

-Bye-bye.

-Bye!

It's our last day in the Spanish province of Malaga and our

fun-loving buyers are up and taking in the views

from their rented property.

Do you still want to do it then?

These nice bright mornings?

I think so. Well, there's not a lot not to like, is there, really?

There isn't a lot not left to like.

The area seems to be to their liking,

but we still need to find them a home here.

And with lots to see today, we're getting back to the house-hunt.

After travelling nonstop for the past few years,

Malcolm and Mary are ready to put down some roots here in Spain

and so far, they're very taken with this region.

Yesterday, they completely fell in love with one of our houses.

It didn't need anything doing to it.

So with our mystery house today, we're going to show them

something on the other end of the scale.

The mystery house is located back in the largest of the towns

we visited, Alhaurin El Grande, which could suit

Malcolm and Mary's desire to be part of a thriving mixed community.

It's overwhelmingly Spanish, but is popular with expats

who make up around 5% of the resident population.

And this is also the closest of our towns to Malaga city itself.

Full of cultural attractions, historic landmarks and the

long beach promenade, there's plenty for our buyers to explore.

And our mystery house is just a ten-minute walk

up one of Alhaurin El Grande's surrounding hills.

So it's time for our final property, of course.

-It is our mystery house.

-Yes.

-And here it is.

-Here it is.

Right.

-A 300-year-old bakery.

-Wow.

-A bakery!

-A bakery!

-Look, right at the end.

-I can see, yeah.

-I can see it going in and coming out on a stick.

-Yeah.

So any ideas why this could be the mystery house?

Because it'll probably have been added to and it probably is

bigger inside than you think from the outside or something like that.

And it could have been used for an entirely different kind of business,

subsequently.

Well, I'm liking where you're going, actually, Malcolm,

because you would be right. We're showing you properties

that you might not have considered yourselves.

There's the potential of renting out part of this property.

The current owners do.

So if you wanted some additional income...

I did wonder if you wanted us to start a second employment phase.

NICKI LAUGHS

Well, you never know, do you? You have options. It can be one home,

-it potentially can be two.

-Could be more?

-Wow.

-Yes.

-Wowee.

-So shall we get started?

-Absolutely.

-Yes.

-Lovely.

'I'm starting our tour of this three-bedroom house at the back,

'where the rented-out part is.'

And not only is this place full of charming, historic features,

but there are some modern comforts thrown in too.

Right in front of us - the Jacuzzi.

Now, I know we've got a little bit of an issue with pools,

-we're not too keen on pools.

-And Jacuzzis.

-Do we like Jacuzzis?

-She does.

-Do you?

MARY LAUGHS

-Do you?

-With a glass of fizzy in hand.

-Can you imagine sitting in there with your glass of fizzy?

-Yes.

Looking out on this expanse.

Well, it certainly is a view.

And where we're standing, believe it or not, was the threshing area,

and the donkeys would grind down the grain here.

-Yes, the stones.

-Round the pole?

-Absolutely.

Flour, because it was a bakery. Would you like to follow me?

I would indeed.

So I've definitely piqued their interest

with the history of this place,

but what will they make of the interior layout

of such an old building?

So we're starting off with the kitchen.

I think we can all agree, it's another colourful kitchen, isn't it?

-Uh-huh.

-They do them very well in the province of Malaga.

-They go in for blue.

-They do.

Then through the kitchen leads us to

this very dramatic sitting room.

Uh-huh, it is. Yep.

Look at the height of that ceiling.

-It is. It's very tall at the back end, isn't it?

-Yeah.

So this is the rental part of the property.

-£5,000 to £6,000 a year they make on it.

-Right, OK.

But it does mean that if you're not renting it out,

you can use this space.

But I think this would be probably your main sitting room, wouldn't it?

-Yes, yes.

-Well, as the room, I quite like it.

Doesn't bowl me over, but it's OK.

I do think the chimney to the wood burner's a bit over-exaggerated

and there's the usual colour problem in the kitchen.

-It's an L-shape which, is...

-It is.

-..quite unusual.

Well, I suppose it's big enough, but I think we'd prefer a larger kitchen.

-We like big...yeah, big shape.

-Yes.

You've got low, you've got high, you've got arches.

It's just a lot of mix and that can make for a fantastic space,

but it's not really just doing it for me.

Well, we'll continue through.

To go through to the bedrooms just mind your head.

-Little bit lower here.

-Yeah.

So we've got a bedroom here and then you've got a

further bedroom behind us.

So, in a way, you can see why it works as a rental,

because you could have a family in here

and you've got the family bathroom just next door.

-Now...

-What's that, Nicki?

-This is where all the animals...

-Feeding?

Yes. You're absolutely right.

They would have been stabled here and tied up.

-If you look, there's holes on each wall in the corner.

-Yes, yes.

So this probably was where they kept them.

So could you imagine this being your bedroom?

No.

For me, it is higgledy-piggledy, unfortunately.

Well, let's head outside. There's another building I just want to

talk to you about and also the gardens too.

So, Malcolm, if you wouldn't mind leading the way. Mind your head.

All the added rooms

and reconfigurations over the years have given this house a very

peculiar layout, which I think is proving a challenge for Mary.

At the front of the property is the smaller,

non-rented owners' residence.

There's a sitting room, kitchen with separate dining area,

a double bedroom and its own terrace.

If no rental income is wanted,

the different wings could be joined together to make one dwelling.

Although this house doesn't seem to be catching their imagination,

perhaps the patios and terraces

outside will improve things whilst we get past the ah...you know what.

Of course. What can't we miss?

-Swimming pool.

-Pool.

Would we say that's a beautiful pool?

-Well, you know my views on pools.

-He doesn't like them.

-You don't mind them so much though, do you?

-No, I don't.

And if you think the land finishes there - well, actually, it doesn't.

It continues on. There's a chicken coop and also a mini orchard.

When I say mini orchard, we're sort of talking half an acre,

I would say in total. You've also got this building in front of us.

-Unusual-looking shape.

-It is.

-Modern.

-Yes.

-Modern in a way.

-Right.

-At the moment, they've divided it up as a workshop

-and also a utility room.

-Right.

So, for the final time, let's put a price on the mystery property.

I'd say...

270, tops 275.

-OK.

-I'd put it about 290,000.

You're both very good, actually. You're very close.

You're the closest. The asking price is...

£280,000.

Ah, not bad. Yeah.

And I think we'd all agree, it's a substantial property, isn't it?

-Yes, size wise. Yes.

-Yes.

Why don't you take the opportunity of having a wander on your own

and then, I'll come and find you in a little while.

-OK. Thank you, Nicki.

-Thank you.

For £20,000 under budget,

this 300 year-old former bakery offers dual accommodation

split into one main bedroom residence

and a separate two-bedroom flat

which could be rented out.

It has an extensive orchard at the back,

a quirky garden around the house,

a swimming pool and Jacuzzi,

and the bonus of a possible income

of up to £6,000 a year.

-Well, I do like this door.

-What a door!

Golly, that's old, isn't it?

Another old door. Oh! Fabulous.

-You can see how it's been built on, and added.

-And added to, yeah.

It's difficult to get the feel for it because there's two sides

to it and it's how you marry the two up together.

It's quite confusing in a way.

My first impressions of the house were -

up, down, arches, shapes, not straight lines,

and that actually can be quite endearing, that can be

beautiful and I can work with that

if I knew how I could make it work.

It was interesting to see that it's 300 years old

and that it was a bakery.

Obviously, over the years, it's been added to bit by bit, by bit,

which has given it a character,

but it's also generated a lot of internal problems, I think.

I actually could make this a beautiful home. I know I could.

I could see exactly what I could do.

But in order to do it, it'd cost me an awful lot of money

and I think it'd defeat all the things we're trying to do.

Here you are. So that's it. Our mystery tour is over.

In actual fact, that's our last property.

In the province of Malaga, we've shown you everything there is

to be seen. How are you feeling?

-It's been great. Thank you.

-Really enjoyed it.

-Fantastic. Yes.

So would you like some time on your own?

Collect your thoughts?

Cos I can't wait to hear what you're going to do next.

-Yes.

-OK. Yep.

The region of Andalusia has a distinctive look,

but it also has a distinctive sound

as it is the home of Spain's famous music and dance - flamenco.

I'm meeting a man who is helping to keep this vibrant tradition alive.

Specialist guitar maker Alberto Martin Ramos.

-Do you actually play guitar?

-No, I do not.

-You don't?

-I do not play at all.

There are two kinds of person -

the one who, after a while, improves in playing

and the other one that goes, "What's happening inside?"

THEY LAUGH

And that was me.

So, tell me, what is the difference between a classical guitar

and a flamenco guitar?

It's just the way of playing.

We'll just grab one of these. This is the flamenco one.

Because they play too many notes at the same time

and they want to be fast, they need a very low action and it also

became very popular tapping the top,

so we need a big guard here.

-Oh, yes.

-And all the rest is basically the same.

It is a beautiful-looking instrument.

I'd love to see the whole process from start to finish.

-Is that going to be possible?

-Yes.

Each material is chosen for its specific properties,

and the wood for the front of the guitar is spruce.

This wood, it's alive.

HE TAPS ON WOOD

-Yeah, it's got a tone of its own.

-Exactly. It's like a bell.

The curved sides of the guitar are made from Madagascan

rosewood which, when heated, can be bent into shape.

The neck needs the addition of a much denser wood, ebony,

but it's the wood used for the back of the flamenco guitar that

makes it stand out from its classical cousin.

This is cypress. Smell it.

-Is that what I could smell when I walked in?

-Yes.

SHE GASPS

You don't even have to get close.

-Yeah, you can really smell that.

-It's lovely. Also...

HE TAPS

You can feel in your fingers how it does vibrate.

-It does vibrate, yeah.

-Of course.

Cypress wood was adopted by flamenco players

as it was a cheaper, local wood.

But has now become the standard.

The front figure of eight is cut and a decorative,

handmade wooden rosette inlaid.

The central sound hole is then cut out.

-There it is.

-Here you are.

There's our rosette.

And this is when the guitar is going to start to sing.

Inside the sandbox are an array of wooden teeth

and the harmonic bars which create the Spanish guitar's unique sound.

'And the final stage is a French polish, which not only

'protects the guitar, but also adds to the resonance.'

It looks beautiful. It's a work of art.

Thank you. Do you want to hear some flamenco guitar playing?

I would love to hear it.

MAN SINGS FLAMENCO SONG

# Da-da-da-daaaa

# Eee! #

Ah! Esplendido!

Thank you.

We're coming to the end of our time here in the province of Malaga

where we've shown our couple four great properties.

And I'm ready to find out what they think of them.

Malcolm and Mary, you two have travelled so much.

But I am dying to ask you,

has this part of Spain lived up to your expectations?

Very much so. It's been a tremendous journey.

We have learnt some new things.

Now, over the last few days, we had the opportunity to sample what

life could be like living here.

How's that been?

-It's felt like normal home.

-Has it?

And I think that speaks for itself. It answers its own question.

So getting on to our properties themselves...

Tell me, did any of our houses hit the mark?

Yes. I think the one near Guaro.

The one with the orchards and the almond trees and the olive trees,

and the magnificent mountain scenery, that certainly did.

And the house itself, it was clean-cut and bright inside.

It wouldn't need a lot of work.

You could almost move straight in, so to do that under budget,

that was a lovely surprise.

So you love the property, but what happens next?

We won't stop. We will make more enquiries.

We'll find out the background, the detail from the law side

of things, but it obviously is still a lot of money to spend

and you don't rush into anything that quick

when it's a large amount of money.

Well, Malcolm and Mary,

it's been a pleasure showing you these wonderful properties.

And can I just say,

you're the best dressed couple I've done house tours with.

I think next time, I'm going to have to up my game, aren't I?

-Thank you so much.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

It's been a wonderful few days,

and Malcolm and Mary have really embraced this part of Spain.

When their travels have finished, I'm sure they're going to be

returning to start their new life here in this beautiful region.

So, from the province of Malaga,

adios.

If you're planning to escape to the continent

and would like our help, you can apply online at bbc.co.uk/beonashow