Alicante Escape to the Continent

Here I am surrounded by some truly magnificent specimens of palm trees,

which might lead you to conclude that I am in the tropics.

But am I? Find out where in the world I am

in just a moment.

After a difficult few years,

today's buyers from Doncaster are determined to live life to the full.

-Sit up here with a glass of wine and watch the sunset.

-Yeah.

Throwing caution to the wind,

they are planning to move to the Continent, where we'll be

giving them an idea of what property they could get for their budget.

-It's very eclectic.

-Yeah.

-THEY LAUGH

If you're going to be skinny-dipping in this pool, no-one,

-but nobody, will see you.

-That's right.

Yes, we don't want to offend any neighbours, do we?

And we'll be testing whether they've got what it takes to integrate

into local life.

SHE SPEAKS IN SPANISH

Uh...not sure.

THEY LAUGH

Welcome to Escape To The Continent,

where today we are in the south-east of Spain,

in the region of Alicante.

And this is the largest palm grove in the whole of Europe.

The Palmeral de Elche, which is in the city of Elche

and boasts 200,000 palm trees.

Built back in the tenth century by the city's Arab residents,

it featured a complicated system of irrigation,

and gives the whole area a distinctly North African feel.

It's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site,

and is definitely a must-see in this beautiful part of the country.

A two and a half hour flight from the UK,

the province of Alicante is in southeast Spain.

Its Mediterranean coastline is known as the Costa Blanca,

which has a long history as a popular destination

for British holiday-makers.

With its sandy beaches, tree-lined promenades

and bountiful sunshine, it's easy to see the appeal,

and while it might have a reputation

for the hordes of tourists which descend on the area

in summer, it benefits from regular, well-priced flights.

The city of Alicante is the province's administrative capital,

noted for its attractive harbour,

overlooked by the imposing castle of Santa Barbara,

one of the largest medieval fortresses in Europe.

Many civilisations, including the Romans and Moors,

have at some time called this city home.

The walled historic quarter has a network of narrow streets

and features impressive architecture,

such as the Gothic church of Santa Maria,

built on top of an old Arab mosque,

and the baroque facade of the town hall.

In the hills to the north is Alcoy, the "City of Bridges",

the most famous of which is the iconic Viaduct of Canalejas.

Elsewhere, much of the province is dry and mountainous,

interspersed with intensively cultivated valleys.

The region is known for its olive oil and wines.

Despite this cultural richness and the beautiful coastlines,

the Alicante region is actually 13% cheaper than property prices

across the whole of Spain.

And if you go inland, away from the very popular resorts,

then prices drop even more.

Here you can pick up a detached house for £70,000.

And to put that into context, that's four times cheaper

than the equivalent detached property back home.

So is it just good property prices

that are luring our buyers here today?

Let's meet them and find out.

Today's house-hunters are Ian and Simon,

who live on the outskirts of Doncaster in a former RAF house.

They've been together for 17 years,

after meeting in the most unpromising of locations.

Well, we met, actually, when I was in car sales.

Simon ran a petrol station, and I was one of his customers.

-You used to sign my chitty, and off you went.

-Absolutely.

Simon is a keen cook,

and this sociable pair like nothing more than playing host.

-We have had themed parties in the past, haven't we...

-Yeah.

..which were very entertaining.

THEY LAUGH

But then the good times came to an abrupt end.

My sort of life has been a little bit on hold

for the last five years or so...

with getting cancer.

Went through all the treatment,

and later on I got the post-trauma depression.

Simon's now made a recovery,

but the ordeal's led the pair to take stock.

We decided, while I was over in Spain.

We've always been saying, "What if, wouldn't it be nice to?"

And we said, "Let's do it."

Lured by the prospect of sunshine and a fresh start,

they are selling up, and the search is on for a new home in Spain.

We want to be near Alicante.

Inland rather than on the coast.

I'm quite looking forward to a bit of land.

To actually start doing some landscaping myself.

I've got the bug, with our garden being landscaped,

and I've got ideas whirling around in my head.

We'd like, actually, to look and find a nice, very Spanish town.

-Yes, yes, something a bit more local.

-Yeah.

-We don't want a place full of Brits, do we?

-HE LAUGHS

But, with Simon retired,

they need to factor in Ian's work as a management trainer.

Actually, I still do need to work.

But I want to branch out on my own

and do a training business that allows me

to train either people back in the UK,

or get people from the UK to come out to us over in Spain.

That's my sort of reason for going out there

-and wanting to set up a business.

-It's a big step.

But one they're both determined to make.

We've had a rough five years.

And it is now time to change and have a better lifestyle

and enjoy our twilight years.

Speak for yourself.

HE LAUGHS

We are focusing our search in the Hondon Valley,

which begins 15 miles inland, near the town of Aspe,

and stretches westwards into Murcia.

It's a fertile area teeming with vineyards, almonds and olive groves.

And is growing in popularity,

with expats lured by the peaceful location and affordable prices.

Simon and Ian are keen on this area, but what else is on their list?

-Welcome to Spain, gentlemen.

-Hello.

-Thank you.

I can understand why you might want to move here. I have to say,

the weather is distinctly better than it was when I left the UK.

-Yes, that's a big bonus.

-Is that the number one reason?

Well, it's the main reason and I love the outdoors.

This is a super important move because you're actually...

-You've sold the house.

-BOTH:

-Yes.

-Yes, we sold it last week.

-We are homeless.

LAUGHTER

Homeless, but I hear you've also got a Spanish account already,

you've got your Spanish ID all lined up.

Oh, yes, we're definitely moving here.

-No pressure on us, then.

-No pressure, no, no.

Good. And are you going to learn Spanish?

-I hope so, yes.

-And Ian, have you got a few words?

I've got a smattering. I like to call it tourist Spanish.

-I can order beers, that's about it.

-It's a big move, but...

Cos I'm interested because you've gone through

-a horrible time with your cancer and the depression.

-Yeah.

And this is a new page, but I know that you're also going to be

-jetting back and forth to England.

-Yeah, that's the plan.

So, the work that I do is training

so I could easily go back and work, but that's because I need to.

So, how are you going to fare on your own here in Spain?

It'll be nothing different to what I've already had back in England.

At least here I'll have the sunshine, the pool and,

if there's gardening to be done,

I can start my own landscaping in the plot of land.

You've talked about gardening and you want some space outside -

is it just for you or do you have long-term plans?

If it works out right, I would like to do a little bed and breakfast.

We'd rather it wasn't in the main building itself,

so we're looking at maybe some lodges or log cabins or prefab buildings,

something like that.

-So, stage one is a home for you guys?

-Absolutely.

-Yes.

Stage two would be extending out for guests.

In terms of the property, what are you looking for?

What's the spec of the house?

Well, ideally, we would want three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

We have a lot of family and friends back in the UK

and they're more than welcome to join us whenever they want.

It'd be easier if we have the room to put them up.

And, location, have you thought about where you want to live?

We want to be within about half an hour trek of the airport.

Prefer a bit more rural, something that's not necessarily overlooked.

Want a pool and large veranda,

cos it's all about the outdoor living here.

And, in terms of style,

are you looking for something traditional or...?

We quite like the traditional Spanish but it needs to be modernised inside.

We don't want a project,

we don't want something that we have to do a lot of work to.

-And remind me of your budget in pounds?

-160,000.

-Is there any wiggle room?

-THEY INHALE SHARPLY

-Not much.

-Not a lot. We want to try and keep it within that if we can.

We have four lovely properties lined up.

THEY TALK OVER EACH OTHER

Well, I hope one of them's going to be the one for you.

-But let's get into the coche and we'll go and visit.

-Perfect.

-OK.

With a budget in the region of £160,000, Simon and Ian

are looking for a three-bedroom house with two bathrooms.

Outside, they'd like a pool and land.

And, ideally, want to be within half an hour of the airport as Ian

will need to travel for his business.

Getting all their wants within budget will be tricky but,

as it's common in Spain to be able to negotiate

as much as 10% on price,

we'll be revealing properties just above their budget, too.

The four houses we've selected should deliver on those

longed-for outdoor spaces, but will Simon and Ian

be able to put a price on them at the end of each tour?

Along the way, we'll also be challenging them

to immerse themselves in Spanish life.

We'll end with a mystery house where we'll be asking our pair

to take a step back in time to embrace a Flintstones fantasy.

Our first property is in Macisvenda,

at the western end of the Hondon Valley,

just over the border from Alicante into neighbouring Murcia.

It's a modest-sized village with a cluster of basic shops

and cafes but it's the peaceful hilltop setting

and wide vistas which are the draw here.

It's further west than they would choose, ideally, but I'm hoping

the scenery and the size of the property

will be enough to sway them.

-You get a better view of the property from this side.

-Yeah.

-Yes.

Yes, we can see. It's lovely.

Hillside and there's actually a bit of greenery there as well.

Yes, I might need to put some tall plants in there

to hide the shed and warehouse at the back.

What do you think of the location?

-Well, I love the backdrop there.

-Yeah.

-Stunning views.

But I'm just a bit concerned how private it is

-with the neighbours here.

-Yeah, that's quite close.

This is another English couple and it's a second home for them,

-so they're not always there.

-Oh, OK.

-Fair enough.

-It could work out, yeah.

-What about the property itself?

Is this the sort of thing that you were looking for?

Yeah, it looks quite nice from the outside.

I like that finish on the property,

-cos that's very low-maintenance. That helps.

-Yes, that's true, yeah.

I mean, if you don't like the colour, you're stuck with it,

but no, it's a nice colour, anyway.

So it's... From the outside, it looks very promising.

-Let's have a look inside the conservatory.

-Perfect.

The house is just nine years old and was built by the current owners,

who went on to extend the footprint.

-Come inside.

-OK.

This is a conservatory that the present owners added.

It was originally a terrace,

-but they kind of put a roof on.

-Nicely done.

Yeah, it is, actually. I like the roof.

The wooden beams are really quite a nice feature, actually.

It's an interesting space.

I mean, I like the way it wraps around the house.

This corner, that's quite a nice feature.

Of course, you're familiar that almost all Spanish properties

are just tiled, they don't have carpets?

Yes, that's not a problem for us.

So this is, I imagine,

the sort of space that you would probably use in the winter.

It gets a bit warm in the summer. You have all these open windows.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-Go out onto the pool, terrace.

The large conservatory is a useful space,

which enjoys far-reaching views.

For the chillier months of the year,

it leads on to a comfortable sitting room complete with a log burner.

Around the corner is the kitchen.

-Simon, this is your realm.

-Yes.

Yes, this is my bit. Yes, the kitchen.

Yes, yes, very nice, actually.

I know you're not a big fan of the open-plan,

-but is this sort of hatch acceptable?

-It's a nice compromise.

Yeah, I think if it was completely open-plan, that wouldn't work for us.

But the nice thing is you've got the hatch so you can still

have that association if you're in here doing stuff with the dinner,

with guests through there, so you are not away from them entirely,

-and in a completely different room. That's quite a nice feature.

-Yeah.

And I think they're in a position

where they can't see all the dirty pots and pans.

-That's true.

-That's why you need a separate kitchen. Now I understand.

Well, the bedrooms are very nice, too. Let's look at the main one.

So far we've got a definite thumbs up and,

heading down the hallway, there's a family bathroom and three bedrooms,

all of a good size.

This is the master here.

Not a massive room, but it's got a lot of storage

-and it has got an en-suite.

-Nice.

-Lots of wardrobe space, which is handy for us two.

-Absolutely.

I don't think I've ever seen quite so much built-in storage.

-A lot of wardrobes.

-You haven't seen our house then, have you?

The one back in the UK.

-We have all three bedrooms full of wardrobes, full of clothes.

-Really?

This is the type of house we could actually move in and

live here for a couple of years

without having to do anything at all, which is handy.

Well, outside, I know, is very important.

So, let's go and talk about outside.

-You can have a look round here later.

-OK.

Let's look at the garden.

As outside space is a priority for Simon and Ian,

I'm really hoping they're going to like what's in store

as this property sits on a decent-sized plot of land

with a spacious patio and pool.

-It's a very handsome pool.

-Very nice.

-It's very well maintained.

-Exactly. Immaculate.

-Yes. This is one of the main things. This, and that.

-Yes.

I mean, I love the Roman steps into the pool.

I'd say that's a nice feature.

If it's a bit cool, you can edge your way in.

-And it's quite a nice size, actually.

-It is, yes.

We have seen some with smaller pools than this.

But then you've got all this behind,

which is kind of an open invitation to do something with it.

-They have it done very, very low-maintenance.

-Yes.

No weeds or anything.

The only thing I'm concerned about really, I suppose, is the distance.

Because it did seem quite a long way coming out.

That is the downside of this property,

is that we're actually a little bit out of your comfort zone

in times of travel, because it is about 50 minutes to the airport.

-Right.

-So that would be a big consideration.

-Yeah.

So what do you think it's on the market for in English pounds?

I'd say probably £150,000.

I was going to say that!

-So, higher or lower?

-I will go higher. £155,000.

Well, actually, this is just above your budget, actually.

It's on at £165,000.

But the owners are keen to move and you're cash buyers

so it could be that you could negotiate it into your budget.

-Maybe a cheeky offer, then?

-Cash buyers.

So you go wandering and I'll probably be by the pool.

We will do. OK, then.

For a touch over their £160,000 budget,

this three-bedroom Murcian bungalow has separate living

and dining rooms, as well as a large conservatory.

Outside there's a patio and pool,

and it comes with just under an acre of land.

But it is a 50-minute drive from the airport.

What I like about this house is it's very well done,

nice flow through the house, you know, it's decent-sized rooms.

I quite like the way it was laid out, it has got a nice flow to it.

I think, space-wise, it has got some good areas.

It's quite a nice, big outlook. Yes, decent space.

It's quite large, actually.

Yeah, and the outside, out here, is very nice.

I think the distance might be a deal-breaker,

-but let's see where the other ones are.

-All done?

-Yes.

-Seen everything you want to see?

-Absolutely.

-Yes indeed, yes.

Unfortunately, we can't we can't use the pool

-because that's not done.

-Oh!

But we've got one more thing to do

-before the day is out, so follow me.

-OK.

-OK.

We're heading back towards the coast to the city of Elche.

As well as the site of the famous palm plantation,

Elche is likely to be the closest city

to Simon and Ian's proposed new home.

So it's a good place for them

to soak up some Spanish culture during their stay.

-Ta-da!

-OK.

-Very nice.

-Interesting.

-This is not for sale.

-Right, OK.

-But this is where you're going to stay.

-Oh, fab.

Oh, that's all right then, yes.

-So here are the keys, look after yourselves.

-Will do.

-And I will see you manana.

-Manana!

-Adios.

-Adios.

-Right, OK.

-This is quite nice, isn't it?

-Yeah.

Oh, this is nice.

-Oh, God, look at the size of this bathroom.

-Oh, my God.

-I think we're going to enjoy the next few nights here.

-Yeah.

The guys seem to be settling in fine

and after getting their bags unpacked, they head outside.

-It's that time of the night.

-Fantastic.

Outdoor living is what they want from Spain

and this is just the place to do it.

So with the food on the barbie, thoughts turn to the future.

I'm really looking to just be able to just chill out, relax,

just be much more laid-back about things.

Yeah, you know, this is my lifestyle and

if it can hopefully make you chill out a bit, you'll be all right.

-Cheers to that.

-Cheers to that. Yeah.

We're in Spain,

where we're helping Simon and Ian from Doncaster

as they plan a new life on the Continent.

For £160,000, they're hoping to find a three-bedroom house

in a rural location

and I suspect yesterday's house didn't quite hit the spot.

Another beautiful day here in Alicante under the palm trees

and I'm going to find out how the boys did

in their modest little rental property,

and also find out what their thoughts

about the house yesterday was.

My thought, really, is that we kind of got the house right,

they loved the finish, but they weren't mad on the location.

Maybe a bit too far from the airport

and the surrounding area not quite up to scratch. Hello!

-Morning. Buenos dias.

-Hello.

-Good morning. Yes, buenos dias as well.

Did you sleep well, in your little modest apartment?

The house was lovely.

There was a little bit of an industrial unit

-going off next to me.

-What?

-Ian was snoring.

-Oh. So we have got two more houses today.

-Yes!

-Are you excited?

-Absolutely, yes, yes, yes.

I was just saying that I thought maybe the location

wasn't quite right yesterday.

I mean, the property was really, really nice,

just in the wrong location, I think. That was the only thing with it.

Well, we've got two slightly different properties

-so it'll be interesting to see what you think.

-Cool.

-Lead the way.

-Vamonos.

The first of today's properties is in Hondon de los Frailes,

near the middle of the Hondon Valley.

Once a traditional farming village, in recent years the population here

has been bolstered by expats from across Europe,

who now make up half its residents.

Frailes enjoys a laid-back atmosphere,

the cafes on this pedestrianised street

a focal point for socialising.

Our property is in a secluded spot on the village outskirts.

-Come on in.

-Wow.

-Another property.

-Yes.

-Another possible home for Simon and Ian.

-Fantastic.

-Yes.

This looks really nice.

This has got more appeal to me than the other house that we saw.

I like all the outdoor sort of large veranda space,

so there's plenty of outdoor living.

After what you said yesterday, we're thinking privacy.

Yes, definitely.

If you're going to be skinny-dipping in this pool

no-one, but nobody will see.

That's right, yes, we don't want to offend any neighbours, do we?

We're also in, I think, a much prettier bit of Spain.

-You can actually walk into the village here.

-It's a nice location.

We're close to the airport here. 35 minutes.

Yeah, that makes a lot more sense.

Well, let's have a look inside the house. It's a nice layout.

It's a positive start, but will inside match up?

-Come into this corner. You get a better view...

-Right.

-..of the whole complex.

-Yes.

-So quite an open plan kitchen.

-The kitchen's not looking massive.

-It's not huge.

-It's a little bit smaller than the property yesterday inside.

-Yes.

-It's not offensively open-plan.

-Yes.

-"Offensively open-plan."

I mean, the living room is a decent size.

We can get our furniture in here.

You've got underfloor heating

-underneath all these tiles throughout.

-Nice.

And behind you, this is actually one of the bedrooms.

I know you don't like bedrooms off the living space,

but that could be a great office.

Yeah, I think that would work for me,

particularly for working from home and setting up the business.

I think that would be where I'd look to set up an office.

And then you've got this nice sort of formal dining room with

a very high ceiling.

-I actually like that, it's a nice feature.

-Very nice. Yeah, yeah.

Yes, this could get used. We have a nice dining table to bring, so...

-Yes, that would work.

-Don't know if it would fit. We would need to check.

That's all right, we'd have a bit in the living room.

They would be sat through there, through the arch?

They'd have to climb over.

-The bedrooms are on the cool side of the house.

-All right. OK.

Next door to the dining room is a small sitting room,

which could provide scope to extend the kitchen.

Meanwhile, heading through the house, there's a family bathroom

and another two bedrooms.

This is the north side of the house, so cooler.

Quite a large space, this one. Yeah, very nice.

-You have an en-suite, a walk-in wardrobe.

-Marvellous.

It has got a lot of good features to it and, like you say,

the whole indoor / outdoor living, I think would work here.

This has got more potential for us to make it our own.

-Well, it depends on the money, of course.

-But of course, yes.

So let's go up onto the...

there's a rather nice roof terrace on top, so I'll show you that.

We'll buy it straight away.

Overall, this villa doesn't come with much land,

which could be a drawback for these two,

but the size of the courtyard might make up for it,

along with the roof terrace.

Here is the view.

Fantastic views.

Yes, sit up here with a glass of wine and watch the sunset.

This is obviously a much smaller yard at the back,

-all gravelled.

-Yes.

-That's the limit of your land.

-Yes.

The agent was saying there's the possibility of buying this plot.

-Right.

-Now, of course, as soon as an English person expresses

an interest in buying a little bit of land, it goes up in price.

-I'd suggest that's probably a bit further down the line.

-Oh, yes.

But he thought, you know, you could get it for about 5,000 euros.

-It could work. Yes. Yes.

-Definitely.

The key issue, of course, is the price.

So how much do you think this is on the market for in English pounds?

-I think I will go first this time.

-OK.

-£140,000.

And I was going to say what I said yesterday, about £150,000.

Well, actually, this is, I'm afraid, once again, over your budget.

-It's on at £172,000.

-OK.

But we did talk to the vendors and they were keen to negotiate

-and I think they probably could bring it down to your price.

-Yes.

Why don't you go down and explore, because we have rushed round,

-and I will see you at the front.

-OK.

-Right you are.

This villa offers three bedrooms and separate living and dining rooms.

Outside, there's a fabulous courtyard and pool,

and it all sits in a secluded rural location

35 minutes from the airport.

On the downside, it lacks the land they had asked for

and it's priced at £12,000 over Ian and Simon's budget.

But as the sellers are open to negotiation,

-a lower offer could secure it.

-It was very uplifting.

It was a very nice area, all the lovely verandas around,

lots of nice shade. Great for the outdoor living.

What I like about the pool area is that privacy,

that does make it feel really nicely enclosed.

This is the bit we could probably make

into the extension of the kitchen.

I'd have to make the kitchen bigger

and there is potential inside there to knock a wall out.

Yeah, but it could work for us.

Although it's not definite that we want to do a B&B,

I think I'd probably think the lack of any potential for us

to do anything outside of the current property line would be

a bit of a problem for us.

All done.

-Nice and hot outside.

-Absolutely.

-There's no such thing as too hot.

Well, a last glimpse of the pool, because I think this is

-a nice property, shame about the price.

-Yes.

Yeah, I'd say that's the tag line for this one.

Well, we have others in store, so follow me.

When they move to the Continent,

Simon and Ian want to immerse themselves properly

in Spanish life, but they've got some work to do

in building up their language skills and confidence.

To help with this, we've brought them to Alicante City,

where we have arranged for them

to meet another expat who has already made the move.

Sarah Berenguer is an interior designer

who runs her own business in the city.

-Hola.

-Hi.

-This is Simon and Ian.

-Lovely to meet you.

-You're going to be explaining a lot about living in Alicante.

-Yes.

How long have you been here?

I've been here for ten years now and I'm completely integrated

into the Spanish lifestyle, culture, speak the language, everything.

You are the perfect person for us.

Because these guys, lovely as they are,

-they're slightly hopeless at speaking Spanish.

-Oh, dear.

-But they do want to integrate, don't you?

-Yes.

-Yes.

Yeah, we want to be integrated into the Spanish culture, much like yourself.

I know you suggested it would be quite nice for us to have a meal together.

You're going to get the ingredients, it's going to be very fresh.

So I thought it would be quite good if you guys

check out this amazing market.

Sarah is your guide. You can learn a bit of Spanish.

Shopping in the market is something Ian and Simon

should try to get the hang of.

Let's go and see what we can find.

While the cost of living in Spain is generally lower than in the UK,

food isn't as cheap as it used to be.

Visiting the market is a great way to keep costs down

as prices here can still be less than half those back home.

And there's an excellent range of fresh local produce.

Today's lunch will be a Spanish classic, paella.

-We need some prawns, then?

-Yes.

-I think we better try at least ordering some, maybe.

-Very brave. OK.

-So how would you say "prawns"?

-You would say "gambas".

You will usually have about two prawns per person for...

just to decorate the top of the rice.

So we're doing this for four, so we'll just have the eight.

-So what is "eight"?

-Ocho.

-Ocho. Hola, buenos.

-Buenos dias.

- Ocho gambas, por favor. - Si.

-Very good.

-Ooh, look at you!

-Trying it out, get in there.

THEY SPEAKS SPANISH

- Muchas gracias. - Gracias.

-- Hasta luego! - Adios.

-Adios!

Ian's got off to a flying start.

Simon, however, is taking a little longer to find his feet.

-How would we say "peppers", then?

-Pimientos.

-Pimientos.

And you need the red ones, so "pimientos rojos".

-Pimiento... rojos?

-Rojos.

-Rojos?

-Yes.

THEY SPEAK SPANISH

-Do know what that is? 65 cents.

-I saw the...

-The display.

THEY SPEAK SPANISH

Shopping done, and they've come to a local restaurant run by one

of Sarah's friends, who has offered to cook up their ingredients.

-Gracias.

-Lovely.

-Oh, wow!

-Wow!

As well as getting a taste of the cuisine,

this is a chance for Simon and Ian

to find out more about the realities of a move here.

The business I want to set up is a training business,

so I will probably be doing some flying back to the UK,

but I'll want to do some training over here so,

anything that you probably could advise me on that front?

Um, I'd recommend getting some help

like an accountant or an assessor just to help you

-through the paperwork in the beginning at least.

-That makes sense.

And if it's somebody who can speak English as well,

just to be able to translate, so you understand everything,

I think it's well worth it.

So how important is it to be able to speak Spanish to set up a company?

I think fairly important.

A lot of the functioning in Spain is who you know.

I think if you can make friends as quickly as possible,

that would be good.

And try and integrate yourself as well with the local people.

So what is the best way to learn the language, then, Sarah?

In at the deep end,

so try and communicate with as many people as possible

in your daily life.

Even watching the TV is really good.

-Even if it's just the news.

-Oh, right.

-So it's informative as well.

-Yes.

Also, you probably want a language tutor, that would be a good idea.

For the last five years I did have cancer - gone, all in remission,

but what is the health service like here? Is there one?

Yes, it's an excellent service as well. Comparable to the UK.

You can get a GP appointment whenever you like,

pick up the phone, go in and you can get an appointment the next day

if you need to see somebody.

And as long as you're a taxpayer or you're resident here,

-then there should be no problems.

-Good.

-That's quite reassuring then, isn't it?

-It is, yes.

We're obviously looking forward to more of a relaxed Spanish lifestyle.

Is that the sort of thing that you have experienced yourself?

-There's a lot of socialising going on in Spain.

-That's good.

But if you want a nice, relaxed lifestyle,

the quality of life is excellent over here.

So it all sounds really positive and like you've had a great experience.

But surely there must be some drawbacks then, about all this.

Well, with the recent economic crisis, unemployment has risen

quite a lot, so if anybody was coming over here to look for a job,

then they'd have to think again,

or maybe try and start their own business up.

If you like the culture and you can learn the language,

I think you'll be fine.

Their meeting with Sarah hasn't dented our duo's enthusiasm,

but there's plenty they'll have to factor in

if this move is going to go to plan.

In recent years, Spain has been beset with property scandals,

with many expats falling foul of unscrupulous developers

and local regulations.

So it's especially important for you to do your research and get advice.

Also, the tax on property sales in Spain is high,

especially in Alicante,

where you can pay 10% on top of the purchase price.

If you want to start a business,

speaking Spanish is definitely a bonus.

The other option is to target other expats or tourists.

Beware that the paperwork can be time-consuming

and taxes are again high.

Expats can register for state health care

if they're working or on a UK state pension.

But that means early retirees are excluded,

so health insurance needs to be thought about.

Back in the Hondon Valley,

our property search is inching closer to the airport.

Five miles further east of Hondon de los Frailes,

is its sister village, Hondon de las Nieves.

The larger of the two, las Nieves still enjoys a quiet pace of life,

but it does have a better selection of shops and restaurants

as well as three bodegas, wine cellars which sell local produce.

Our property lies in a glorious spot

outside the village with wide-open views.

-Whoo! Wow, this looks good.

-I love the backdrop.

I'm looking forward to showing you this, because this, I think,

-could be the one.

-This is... this is good.

So we're right in the Hondon Valley here.

We've got the back of one of the ridges that separate us from the coast.

-Yes.

-And then here you've got the front,

-as it were, the sun-struck side.

-Yes.

-Unlike the other one, this has lots of land.

-Right, yes.

-Yes, I can sort of see that.

-What are the trees?

A grove of almond trees there, we've got pomegranates and pears

and apples and nectarines and peaches and olive trees

and then some more fruit trees at the back.

-You'll be able to set up your own little stall at the front.

-Where do we sign?

-Ahh.

-So this is what you were dreaming of?

-This is my dream, yes.

-He wants a little smallholding.

-Yes, well this is it.

-I've got you.

You're even closer to the airport, so less than 30 minutes.

Yes. That works for me.

I'm hearing the sound of lots of happy...

-Yes, very happy at the moment, yes.

-Shall we continue our tour?

Lead the way.

With a two-and-a-half acre plot filled with orchards,

this is a perfect place for Simon to while away his days

while Ian is hard at work.

The house itself is just eight years old

and I'm hoping it will also push the right buttons with these two.

-Step inside.

-Oh, yes.

-Oh, nice size.

-Yes, well, it's still matching up to the outside, so...

-Really?

-Yes.

So it's a big space, you've got central heating,

obviously all the mod cons. It's only nine years old.

There's a gas fire there, but that's quite unusual.

You could take that out and put in a log burner if you want.

-So the chimney is still actually a full working chimney.

-Sure, yeah.

I think I'd like to have a log burner or something.

That would be more our taste than the gas fire, but again,

it's minor details that can be fixed at a later stage.

-Yes.

-I mean, some of the decoration needs changed,

but that's only going to be expected anyway.

Actually, the vendors are moving back

-and they're offering the whole contents.

-OK, right.

-Car boot at the end of the drive, then.

-As well as the fruit stall.

As well as the fruit stall, yes.

So far, so good, but one thing this house doesn't have is a dining room.

-Yeah, so the dining table is part of the kitchen.

-Right, yeah.

This is obviously an acid test for you particularly, Simon.

Yes, it's a bit compact.

Through there you've got a utility space.

It actually goes... And you've got a big window there.

-Oh, right, yeah.

-So it would be easy to take that wall out.

Yes, I think I'd have to take that wall out

and just make the kitchen look and feel bigger.

Yeah, the style, I'd quite happily keep. That's not an issue.

But it's... where do I work?

Yeah, so that would be a definite

for me to knock that wall out, through.

The combined kitchen diner doesn't seem to have been a deal-breaker.

Next it's the sleeping quarters

where there's a decent-sized family bathroom, and three double bedrooms.

-And this is the master bedroom.

-Right.

-A view over the pool.

-Very nice.

-And an en-suite,

so you've got an en-suite through there.

Oh, we'll have to have a look at that in the moment. Yes, very good.

-So far this is the best one.

-Very good.

And in terms of the rooms, would you use one as an office

and have just one as a guest room?

We'd need to probably do that to start off with.

I mean, I may end up getting maybe an outbuilding

and do a little shed kind of thing in the garden.

It all depends how popular we're going to be, doesn't it, really?

-Yes, yes.

-So there will be a shed straightaway.

-Right.

Well, there's a lot of scope for putting stuff out in this garden.

-So let's go and explore it.

-Yes, let's do.

Off to the side, at the front of the house,

there's a swimming pool set within an elegant sun terrace,

which enjoys striking views of the surrounding orchards and mountains.

For the outdoor living Simon is after, this would be hard to beat.

-It's a good view of the pool terrace.

-Lovely.

-Still see the mountain views.

-You can, yes.

Fountain, pool, sun-loungers.

-In this nice sort of enclosed courtyard.

-Yes.

-Really nice.

It's very appealing, yes.

On a big plot like this, you can build on a certain percentage,

so you can build 200 square metres. The house is about 160,

so you can legally build another 40 square metres somewhere else.

-Oh, that's good. That's handy. If there's any more to show us, don't bother.

-Oh, wow.

We do, we have the mystery house.

-You can never rule out the mystery house.

-True, never rule out the mystery house.

And besides, you don't know how much this costs.

-Well, there's that, yes.

-You keep jumping in both feet, don't you?

I'm giddy. I'm excited.

How much do you think this property is going to cost you?

I think it's over budget, cos it's a large plot,

so I'm going to say £175,000.

£165,000.

You are both right in the sense that it's over budget

but I'm afraid that, sadly,

Ian, you're closer.

It's over budget and actually it's on just a shade over £177,000.

But again, we have talked to the vendor and again,

they're very keen to move. And they have said a deal would be possible.

Right. Hmm. Pity. We need to think about it, don't we?

-Yes.

-Let's head back in and have a little bit of an explore.

-Thank you.

At £177,000, this three-bedroom villa comes fully furnished,

with a swimming pool and more than two and a half acres of land.

It enjoys a beautiful rural setting, half an hour from the airport,

and could be developed further for a B&B.

Although the brochure price is over their budget of £160,000,

Ian and Simon are cash buyers and the owners are again open to offers.

It might be a stretch, but is it worth it?

I just can't get over these views. They're absolutely stunning.

They are, yes. This house looks like... worth a million dollars.

It's a great location. Loads of potential.

-I mean, the plot is massive. Decent-sized plot.

-It is.

And all these fruit and nut trees...

It's really, really nice and it's all well planted.

It's just a vision of joy.

Decent size. Could have my office in here, I suppose.

I think I could actually see myself living here, yeah.

I have to say, this, this is a very convincing view.

I'd pay good money to see this every day. Amazing.

I was just admiring your view. It's not your view yet.

-It could be, if the money is right.

-Indeed. Yeah.

So I don't want you wearing it out.

It would be a great thing to have every morning.

But don't fear, because we do have the mystery house yet.

-Oh, yes, the mystery mystery. Yes.

-But let's have a little rest.

-OK.

Well, at least I'm going to have a rest.

The guys on the other hand, have other ideas.

They've headed into the nearby village to visit Bodegas Cerda.

Founded back in 1885,

it's one of the Hondon Valley's best-known wineries.

And a great place to sample some of the local vinos.

-Do we want a glass of red wine?

-Yes, yeah, a glass of wine, yes.

-Do you want to try?

-Vino tinto?

No, we don't want the house, do we?

No.

Not sure.

Ian and Simon's basic Spanish has seen them through,

but if they're going to be living here full-time,

-they know they'll have to up their game.

-To us.

So how do you think you're going to cope when I'm not around,

with that smattering of Spanish that you've got?

-It's going to be a struggle and it will be scary at first.

-Yeah.

But the more I immerse myself into it,

I'm sure I'll be able to pick it up,

the language, you know, hopefully quick enough.

I think the phrase I have to learn first is,

"Not very much Spanish yet."

It is scary, you know,

there's no denying it, but this is our choice,

we wanted to be here, I've got to do it.

Well, they both need some practice

and there's no time like the present,

especially as they need to get home.

15 minutes.

LAUGHTER

God. Well, get me a car, love.

Don't worry, we'll get a car very quickly.

Oh, well done, you.

It's our last day in Alicante, where we're helping Simon

and Ian from Yorkshire to begin a new chapter in Spain.

I wonder what they've got lined up for us today, then.

With a budget of £160,000 to spend,

they're looking for a three-bedroom house with plenty of outdoor space.

During their visit, they've been staying in a rented villa

and immersing themselves in Spanish life.

We've got one more property to show them and it's the mystery house.

It's our last day showing properties to Simon

and Ian here in south-east Spain in this beautiful weather,

and I have to say we're going to be hard pressed to beat

the reaction they had to the house yesterday afternoon.

But we do have the mystery house and it always throws up surprises,

particularly this one, because it's quite unusual.

Still, if it's good enough for a famous TV cartoon family,

it could be good enough for Simon and Ian.

Our mystery house is in the village of La Romana,

a few miles north of Hondon in the neighbouring valley.

Nestled in the foothills, La Romana is popular with walkers

and mountain bikers, but otherwise it retains the feel of

a sleepy Spanish village where life gently rolls by.

One curiosity here, though,

is the presence of homes which are literally built

into the landscape, a clue for our mystery house.

So mind your heads.

-Here is the mystery house.

-It's a little...quirky.

It's quirky. Yes.

-This is a quirky property because this is a cave house.

-Oh, right.

-Oh, right, OK.

-Very common in Spain, particularly in the south of Spain.

Troglodytes you'd be if you lived here.

I'm not sure I'm happy about that.

What we see here is a kind of add-on.

An amazing couple, a British couple who have lived here for 11 years,

and they've built everything here themselves.

-It was a complete wreck, and the cave was full of animals.

-Right.

So they've sort of built all of this superstructure on top

of the cave and I think there's something sweet about it.

It's very eclectic. I suppose that's a good way of saying it.

It's a bit Steptoe's yard for me for the moment.

-It could be a bit of a diamond in the rough, so...

-Let's explore.

If outside is a bit too higgledy-piggledy for Simon,

I'm wondering what he'll make of the interior.

Come inside. Right.

Now, this is not the cave yet,

this is still the kind of add-on at the front.

So this is the sort of kitchen / dining room.

It flows up into here so that's where the kitchen and stove is,

so you've got the main cooking area

and then to the right there's some storage up on high,

sort of mezzanine storage.

And then there's a bathroom through to the left. It's a sort of...

it's quite a convoluted house, because it sort of goes in circles.

-Is it your cup of tea?

-I don't know yet.

Are you being diplomatic or you just genuinely don't know?

I don't know. I just...

-I'm a bit lost for words, I can't say anything at the moment.

-Fine.

Well, let's go in here - this is the actual cave now

so we're heading into the cave.

The cave part of the house has real character and a cosy charm

but with low ceilings and no doors or windows at all,

will it be more than these two can handle? We are in the cave.

Most definitely.

And when they bought it all those years ago,

-this was just a foot deep in kind of goat and sheep poo.

-Oh, marvellous.

It's... you've got to be a bit careful.

We clear it just about, don't we?

This is actually the smallest... This is the little snug area,

so you've got a wood burner at the back

and then these two little bedrooms, guest bedrooms.

It's really just a taster to give you the kind of feeling

of the cave because now we're going to go upstairs to the master.

-OK.

-Right, then.

Also on the ground floor is the main sitting room,

again part of the original cave house.

Upstairs is the master bedroom.

We've come up above the superstructure outside the cave.

This is the latest addition that they've put on. The master suite.

-A decent size.

-Yeah, it's actually quite a nice space.

So you've got the pitched beams,

and as with everywhere in this house,

there are lots of little storage cupboards,

so that's a sort of airing cupboard built around the chimney stack.

Oh, right.

And then down here you've got a brand-new en-suite.

I'll let you explore in your own time, but what are your feelings?

I must admit I don't think I could live here. Not 24/7.

I would love to live here...

come here for a holiday, as an experience.

Yeah, I think that's the sort of feeling I would have with this place.

-Is it the cave?

-Erm, no.

No, I don't think that's too much of an issue.

But overall, I think everything put together probably just makes it

not quite right for me.

Well, let's go back into the garden

and we can talk about price. Mind your head.

At the front of the house, there's a courtyard area with a swimming pool and a built-in barbecue.

While out the back there's another garden on a higher level.

There's also a handy triple car port.

-Let's settle by the pool.

-Yes.

It's a plunge pool, really.

So it's definitely...

it takes a massive amount of vision to do all of this.

The mystery house is always a bit of a gamble.

I'm not sure it's really paid off.

No, I think you've bet on red and it's come up black.

I know it might not be the house for you,

but what do you think it's on the market for?

I think... I'd say this one is under budget, at £155,000.

-He's always stealing your guess.

-Again, again.

We've lived together too long. I'll do £150,000.

Well, in this case, you're both wrong,

-because it's actually on the market for £130,000.

-Right.

-A lot of property for that money.

-It's a lot of cave.

-A lot of cave, yes.

-Why don't you go and explore

and I'll see you later, OK?

Coming in way under their £160,000 budget,

the cave house has three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Outside is a pool and garden spread over two levels

and for Ian's work it's just over half an hour from the airport.

But while its authentic features

and topsy-turvy charm might appeal to some,

I think, even at this price, the cave's left Ian and Simon cold.

This house is the mystery house

and it's not a mystery why it's the mystery house.

I mean, this space has got a lot of potential.

-I mean, obviously, it's got its own entrance up there.

-Yeah.

I didn't like the size of the pool, it was more of a plunge pool

and I do like to have a swim.

-I think I'm struggling to see myself living here.

-Yeah.

I liked the flow of the house, it does feel really homely.

-Yep, definitely a full kitchen.

-Yes.

But to get from one room to another room,

bending up and down through little doorways,

I find I would soon get tiresome of.

Quirky is great, but this is just stepping the boundary

into really, really quirky.

Right, so you're not going to be the new Flintstones.

-No, not for me.

-Probably not.

-Or Los Flintstones, as they say here.

-No.

-Well, that's all the houses we have on offer.

So let's go and find you somewhere to kind of mull them over.

While the Alicante countryside is renowned for producing olive oil

and wine, the city of Elche has a reputation

for a different kind of product.

It's home to a footwear industry which sprang up

in the 19th century and is now known worldwide.

Half of all Spain's shoemakers are based here.

And there are as many as 1,000 factories

producing all manner of footwear.

I have come to one of them to meet Gloria Sanchez.

-Hola, Gloria!

-Hello.

I'm hoping to find out about a traditional shoe design

which is still made here today, the espadrille.

Gloria, I remember when I was a teenager I wore espadrilles.

-They were very fashionable.

-Oh, really?

-Yes.

I kind of thought they might have been French, but they're Spanish, are they?

Yes, they are. They started in the 19th century.

The farmers, they were using hemp plant.

-So instead of using leather, they used a plant?

-Yes, exactly.

Who were they made for? Were they fashion shoes or were they...

Oh, they were for farmers, for military as well.

Right, so soldiers wore them as well.

So what makes an espadrille an espadrille?

-It has to have a jute sole.

-Jute. So that's this stuff here?

-Yes.

And the top bit is canvas, is it?

Canvas, natural cotton, and now, with fashion, it's changing into

some leather uppers, but traditionally it's cotton.

Is it the same traditional method?

Yes, it has not been changed in the last century.

The industry originally developed here

because hemp was being grown by local farmers keen to diversify.

Today, another natural fibre, jute, is used instead.

Rope woven from the plant is lightly coated in glue

before the soles are fashioned by hand - something I'm keen to try.

So where do I start?

HE SPEAKS SPANISH

I see, so it sticks together. That is the sole, that's the shoe.

-Oh, it is quite tricky.

-Yeah, always there.

What happens if you want a bigger shoe?

Oh, then, you have just to move this. Here are the sizes.

Oh, I see. Oh, that's clever. So now I'm making a size 41.

And then you cut it. Like this?

-Brilliant.

-Ta-da!

My first espadrille.

And then what happens next?

It's compressed and then a rubber sole on it.

-Oh, so they're rubberised?

-Yes.

So how many soles can they make in a day?

With these, they're doing around 200 pairs per day.

And what are the qualities of jute particularly, why use this material?

100% natural, it absorbs the sweating.

-Ah, so good for sweaty feet.

-Yes. And no smell.

I tell you, what is not to love about the espadrille?

-It's a wonder shoe.

-It's a wonder shoe.

SHE SPEAKS SPANISH

This factory specialises in making just the soles.

The second part of the process is carried out at home

by women who juggle their work with looking after their children.

So to see the finished product,

Gloria's taking me to meet one of them.

THEY SPEAK SPANISH

So is that typical, that ladies like Mercedes will do everything by hand?

It's still really traditional to make this kind of espadrille,

all stitched by hand.

We would call that piecework.

So they send out a load of soles to the house.

So, it's a handmade traditional art and I was wondering,

how many shoes can you do in a day?

THEY SPEAK SPANISH

One pair takes around half an hour.

I remember when I was a teenager, espadrilles were very popular

and then they went out of fashion

and then they came back into fashion.

Yeah, I think at this moment we're going back to fashion.

It's again fashion but has never stopped. It's a classic item.

So, I have to ask now, can I have a pair?

SHE SPEAKS SPANISH

But I have very big feet.

THEY SPEAK SPANISH

46, yes.

THEY SPEAK SPANISH

-You are going to be lucky today.

-They're so fashionable.

-Oh, nice!

-Now, is this next year's fashion?

-Yes.

-Very good.

-It's for next summer.

-I'm going to be ahead of the curve.

-Good, they're perfect. And they go with my trousers.

-Yes.

Thank you so much. Muchas gracias.

After three days of property hunting in Spain,

it's the evening before Ian and Simon are due to head home.

They've come to the city of Alicante for a stroll

on the beach to collect their thoughts.

So, is this going to be the lifestyle

that we've got all the time now, really?

Well, yeah, if you think about it, you know,

once every two weeks, we used to get this once a year.

And now I can have it most of the year.

I know you're just such a different person

when you're over here.

You know, you enjoy the warmth, you enjoy the sun,

-I think it's just great for your...

-For my wellbeing.

For your whole wellbeing, yeah.

Yeah, yeah, I know, I'm really looking forward to it.

I know we've got, obviously, concerns about how our family will miss us

-and in fairness, we'll miss them too.

-Of course we will.

But, you know, who's not going to want to come out here and visit us, really?

-Everybody will be wanting to come and visit.

-Yeah, true.

I mean, show them this.

On the morning of their departure, Ian and Simon are packing up,

but have they come to any decision about any of the houses we've shown them?

Right. It's the moment of reckoning here in Alicante.

The boys are all sold up, packed up and ready to move,

but have we found them the right house?

My money's on the big house with the orchard,

but after some thinking, do they still agree? Let's go and find out.

-Look at you two by the pool.

-Well, where else would we be?

Very lovely. Nice.

-So, guys, we got to the end of the week intact.

-Yes, finally.

-Yes.

And I'm really keen to know what the next step is.

I mean, I thought you liked the big house with the orchard best,

-but have you changed your mind?

-No.

-It's definitely that one.

The orchard house gives us pretty much everything that we wanted.

Simon actually welled up, didn't you? You had a tear in your eye.

-I certainly did, yes.

-What was it that affected you?

I think that was the property that we'd been looking for,

that was like the dream, you know,

when you sort of envision living out in Spain

and you see your property,

and it was a driveway lined with palms and I'd moved in.

I have to say it was very beautiful sitting on that veranda,

looking out over the mountains.

Yeah, the mountains at the back of the house were stunning

and then you turn round and you've got another mountain view.

Fantastic.

So, let's talk nuts and bolts,

because that was right at the top of your budget.

-In fact, over your budget.

-Yeah.

So with negotiation, you might be able to get it

within your budget. That doesn't leave you much money to play with.

No, but we have been talking about this last night

and can we live with that property

for the next, say, two years, as it is,

until we've got some money behind us again to make it more liveable for us?

The big expense for me, really, is to have a...

to double the size of the kitchen, if possible

and that's the only major thing.

I think taking out those walls would be a good step,

-but that's relatively cheap.

-Yes.

-Yes.

-So, what happens next?

If you are interested in the orchard house, which I hope you are,

what happens? Are you going to go and view,

are you going to put an offer in?

-Yeah, I think we need a second viewing.

-Yeah.

And just look over the finer details and, yeah, all being well,

if we can get it for the right price,

and see if we can barter them down.

Now, there was a bigger picture, obviously -

you moving over here is a big event for both of you.

I know that you kind of enjoyed going round the market.

Yes, it was a real confidence booster.

Actually, to order... I know it was only a red pepper,

but it was, "I can do this."

So yes, I'm ready and raring to go.

-If you want a red pepper, I'm the man.

-I was really proud of him.

-He did so well.

-Well, it has been great showing you around, it's been great fun.

-And also lovely that you've had cash in your pockets and are so ready to buy.

-Absolutely.

So do keep us in the loop and let us know as soon as you put that offer in.

-Will do.

-Will do.

Quick as a flash, our trip to Alicante is over

and we're going to have to leave the splendours of south-east Spain

but not, I think,

without having done some sterling work for Simon and Ian.

I was particularly happy that Simon, after a tough few years,

managed to challenge some of his fears

about coming here without much Spanish,

and also that we found them that lovely orchard house.

So, fingers crossed that all goes through and I hope that you join us

next time for more Escape To The Continent.

Simon and Ian did make an offer on the orchard house,

but, unfortunately, the sellers couldn't lower their price

as far as the couple needed in order to fund the renovations they wanted to make.

However, they have now moved to Spain

and have placed an offer on another house in the Hondon Valley.