First published: November 28, 2024 12:30 PM Lloret de Mar plans to include an item in its 2025 budget to hire inspectors to find illegal tourist apartments. The councilor for Promotion of Lloret de Mar, Frederic Guich, pointed out to the Catalan News Agency that carrying out such actions is the responsibility of the Catalan government, but the local council will undertake the tasks due to lack of action. "Since they do not appoint inspectors, we will have to appoint them ourselves," the councilor said. Guich said that Lloret de Mar has around 700 homes that have a tourist use license but that do not use it. Meanwhile, the council estimates that there could be up to 1,000 apartments that do not have a license to operate as a tourist flat, but does so illegally. In spite of their efforts, the council says they don't believe they will catch all of the illegal tourist apartments, and therefore ask for involvement from the Catalan government in the fight against these businesses. Frederic Guich criticized this type of establishment as a major grievance on the city's tourist economy. He says that these businesses don't pay the relevant taxes, such as the garbage tax where tourist apartments pay more than primary residences, and they even benefit from taxes that regulated businesses pay, such as investments made on public infrastructure with the tourist tax.  Apart from all this, Guich believes that the lack of regulations allows them to offer much lower prices that "distort" the offer of other regulated establishments. Such cheaper prices makes them more attractive to "an unwanted public" in Lloret de Mar, and he believes this "damages the image" of those who have put in efforts to focus their businesses on quality tourism. Get the day's biggest stories right to your phone A reporter and photographers visited Timur Kulibayev’s sprawling Mediterranean coast estate as part of the “Caspian Cabals” project and discovered plush villas Gianluca and I carefully wend our way down a narrow forest path that leads to Cala Morisca a small idyllic cove on the coast in the municipality of Lloret de Mar but multiple signs warn we’re entering private property protected by guard dogs and video surveillance Red and white security tape dangles across the path Behind it: a compound of posh residential buildings surrounded by a sprawling well-manicured lawn that stretches to the edge of a cliff the sprawling estate of Kazakh billionaire Timur Kulibayev Multiple surveillance cameras and a few loudspeakers point in our direction a photojournalist from Spanish newspaper El País public access to the path is permitted under a July 2023 court ruling the result of years of litigation between the owners and the Lloret de Mar town council The estate is about 100 acres — about 80 American football fields —  and consists of a wooded area and residential areas of 116,455 square feet built up No wonder Can Juncadella is a favored summer holiday destination for the Kulibayev family He obtained major interests in Kazakh energy held in a sophisticated web of bank accounts a tangled network of companies and trusts registered in more than 20 countries Caspian Cabals exposed how Western oil company money has empowered anti-democratic actors in Kazakhstan bolstered Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime and enriched regional elites Kulibayev was one of the members of the Kazakh elite who directly benefitted from Western oil company money Our investigation also revealed the degree to which Kulibayev has been investing in Spain since 2004 He now owns no less than eight properties in the country plus an aesthetic medical clinic and six companies managed through a complex corporate structure composed of hundreds of entities Our findings were made through a review of company but also thanks to three days of reporting during our trip to Catalonia We arrive in Lloret de Mar by car from Barcelona The first destination is Lloret de Mar’s north end the Kulibayev family has spent part of the summer coinciding with the birthday of Kulibayev’s wife the couple leads the list of the richest Kazakhs But their property in Lloret de Mar is special the family spent more than two months there last summer according to a citizen of this town familiar with Kulibayev’s life in Spain but who asked not be named for this article the estate belonged to Catalonia’s wealthy Juncadella family it housed a school to train executive secretaries for Japanese multinationals Can (Catalan for “house of”) Juncadella has formally belonged to Flinder Data SL a Singapore holding company wholly owned by Kulibayev The property includes a 40,000-square-foot white two-story mansion There is also a guesthouse with at least 13 bedroom suites and various sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts The estate is carefully hidden behind vegetation to protect the owners’ privacy Only aerial and satellite imagery reveal the extraordinary beauty of the site The presence of a family of such enormous wealth is noticeable in the constant movement of bodyguards and luxury cars in the summer according to locals who preferred to remain anonymous Kulibayev’s extensive security apparatus has created tensions in the community particularly over the use of the path that Gianluca and I walked down In a formal request for information to the Spanish government two members of Parliament in September said that some community members tried to make legitimate use of the path but found themselves “continually encountering the impediment of the passage by the private security of the estate.” The two lawmakers said this also led to “situations of great tension threats or the display of weapons of different calibers with the intention of dissuasion by these private agents.” They added that local residents who use the path presented evidence including “photographs and videos where these attitudes can be observed the Spanish government referred the questions to the Catalan regional government but noted that the owners of the property had properly registered contracts for “the provision of surveillance services with weapons” with Spain’s National Register of Private Security since 2013 A member of the Catalan Parliament filed a similar formal question to the government about the legality of the security measures in November A response from the Catalan government is pending a law firm representing Kulibayev said: “It is denied that our client’s security team (or any of his other representatives) act in any way which is menacing In the approximately 10 years that this team has been working for our client there have been no complaints against the company or its workers from any third parties.” In response to questions from ICIJ about the parliamentary requests and the use of weapons by the estate’s security guards Kulibayev’s representative said that they couldn’t “comment on such security matters.” The property was semi-abandoned before Kulibayev purchased it and the neighbors of Lloret de Mar used the estate for their enjoyment I used to go mushroom picking with my grandfather because the best mushrooms in the area are found on the estate,” one local resident told us A number of locals mentioned grievances with their super-rich neighbors especially related to Kulibayeva’s birthday parties According to documents obtained by ICIJ as part of Caspian Cabals on Dinara Kulibayeva’s 43rd birthday in 2010 the family spent hundreds of thousands of dollars — including nearly $650,000 for a 30-foot tall water curtain laser and gyroscopic jets and other “water effects,” along with fireworks that would become infamous in the collective memory of Lloret de Mar Local media reported that Lloret’s residents complained that an elaborate fireworks display at the summertime party created a potential fire hazard in a protected area Records show the owners of Can Juncadella obtained an exceptional official permit with an agreed-upon list of permitted fireworks But a subsequent report by local forest rangers said the display ultimately included fireworks that “did not appear in the list that had been drawn up.” “Our client is not aware of any allegation concerning non-compliance with fire safety rules at the Can Juncadella property in 2010,” a law firm representing Kulibayev told ICIJ The representatives added: “No investigation has been initiated and no sanction has been imposed.” Upon Kulibayeva’s next birthday in 2011 an agreement reviewed by ICIJ shows her husband paid $1.5 million for an hour-long private show on the property “with a small band and dancers” by Christina Aguilera the producer for Aguilera who signed the 2011 agreement said: “I really don’t have information I can add to this.” Aguilera’s current producer didn’t respond to a request for comment We heard talk of neighbors’ complaints about those parties throughout our reporting — at the seaport After talking to some residents in Lloret de Mar Gianluca and I drive nearly an hour north to the town of Castell-Platja d’Aro featuring a luxury residential area overlooking calm Mediterranean waters Many of the properties in S’Agaró are owned by Russians ICIJ revealed that Kulibayev purchased two S’Agaró villas through the Spanish company Diada Investment & Real Estate SL which in turn is a subsidiary of the Kazakh firm Verus Praedium International LLP owned by Kulibayev That company also holds two other properties in Mont-Roig del Camp in the province of Tarragona “Villa Greta,” an 11.2-acre estate featuring 26,000 square feet of buildings We also pass by a villa that Kulibayev’s father has owned in S’Agaró since 2018 through a Spanish-registered company The elder Kulibayev was a Soviet-era Communist Party boss in the province Guryev (now Atyrau) between 1985 and 1990 and minister of construction and housing in the independent Kazakhstan during the 1990s I drive back from Barcelona to Lloret de Mar contemplating a landscape of stunning natural beauty the Mediterranean always to the east out the passenger’s side window to the restaurants and to the seaport to talk to more people The area around the port and the beach (where Kulibayev swims more than a kilometer a day) is a rich source of information The family has left only a few days before tells of the controversy surrounding the public access to the pathway that crosses Kulibayev’s Can Juncadella property The mayor explains that a July 2023 ruling obliges holding company Flinder Data SL to reopen the pathway for public use Lloret de Mar town council and Kulibayev’s lawyers are discussing a new layout for the pathway that would safeguard the Kulibayev’s security and privacy “I am trying to get them to pay for it and to make a new path that is satisfactory for all parties If the owners finally decide not to pay for a new road then we will force them to comply with the final court ruling of July 2023 and open the entire original path for the enjoyment of the public,” said Lamelas “I have set a deadline of December this year to reach an agreement with them.” Kulibayev’s legal representatives told ICIJ that the judgment “does recognise the existence of a public coastal pathway however it does not specify its exact course.” They confirmed the oligarch’s representatives in Spain and the municipal corporation are “working together to give effect to the ruling and facilitate compliance with it.” told ICIJ that he has met Kulibayev on the beach a few times where he swims SOS Costa Brava is a federation of 26 environmental organizations whose aim is “to collectively fight against a new wave of urban and infrastructure projects threatening to permanently erase the essence of the Costa Brava” (the northeastern Mediterranean coast of Spain) Palaudelmas and his organization are battling to ensure that the court ruling is fully enforced and that the original path is reopened He thinks that court rulings are there to be complied with and the city council must enforce them “It is a blatant case; this speaks volumes about the democratic quality of a country What is at stake is the democracy of a country,” he said Half an hour by car north of Lloret de Mar lies Camiral Golf and Wellness boasting “one of the top 10 golf courses in Europe and the #1 golf course in Spain,” according to its website This club is set in an idyllic landscape between the Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees which includes a hotel from which people freely came and went at least in one reporter’s eyes: the cars the security and the five-star Hotel Camiral we are set to visually confirm another discovery ICIJ came across in land and company records Flinder Data SL bought two plots at the resort on which sits a villa of avant-garde design Kulibayev and his family usually go to play golf there when they are in Spain The property is designed for maximum privacy one can barely see the façade as it was built on a terraced plot and the apparently most visible part faces a pine forest located in front of one of the golf course greens all in Barcelona: an aesthetic medicine clinic known as “la zona alta de Barcelona.” The port area is packed with people, yachts and superyachts of those attending the 37th America’s Cup sailing competition taking place during our visit I head towards the district of Sarrià-Sant Gervasi to meet another El País photographer at a former religious school now converted into Hospital Regenerative Medicine Solutions Restoration of the interior and exterior of the four-story building is almost complete The façade of the main entrance shines in golden tones next to an outdoor courtyard flanked by shrubs and trees the company Regenerative Medicine Solutions SL bought the property This Spanish company is indirectly owned by Kulibayev who holds 85% of the shares through Steppe Capital Ten minutes by car from the clinic and up towards the mountains that flank Barcelona to the west we find a modern villa extending over a manicured tree-lined property of 1.2 acres At its feet is the city of Barcelona; on the horizon and ICIJ verified that it is nearly concluded According to the website of the architecture firm developing this luxury residence The villa is owned by Kulibayev’s company Recoletos Management SLU a security company that is part of a network of companies held through Kulibayev’s Steppe Capital group Argentine soccer star Diego Armando Maradona lived on the same street Colombian singer Shakira and Spanish former soccer player Gerard Piqué lived together in the same neighborhood The second El País photographer and I try to find good angles to take pictures of the house but the property is designed with walls and vegetation to provide as much privacy as possible Neither at street level nor from the top of the hill can we get good angles we can’t help thinking that we are enjoying a privileged view of the whole city of Barcelona and the Mediterranean that laps it the law firm representing the Kazakh businessman wrote: “Mr Kulibayev and his family have acquired properties near to each other in Spain with additional property for staff working at the residences and for staff that travel with the extended family the properties are used from time to time by extended family and staff The family have been privately holidaying in Spain for many years.” The TimesThe Costa Brava is one of Spain’s best spots for a beach holiday with more than 120 miles of coastline and secluded coves backed by pines Resorts vary from quietly luxurious Cadaques and the all-out entertainment hub of Lloret de Mar to more serene and sleepy spots like Platja de Pals There’s no shortage of options in all locations so wherever you want to be you’ll find something to suit Here’s our pick of the best hotels across the Costa Brava Become a subscriber and along with unlimited digital access to The Times and The Sunday Times you can enjoy a collection of travel offers and competitions curated by our trusted travel partners Surrounded by the peaceful landscapes of the Solius valley family-friendly retreat is set in an ancient Catalan farmhouse the best of them featuring grassy gardens that tuck you — and while the pool is surrounded by Bali beds that invite a snooze The kids will be busy enough — there’s a playroom with a ball pit and there are also bikes to hire and a padel court often based on fresh fish from nearby Palamos The European Tour often calls at Camiral and the Stadium Course here has hosted the Spanish Open three times It’s a tough round — though the Tour Course is kinder — so make time to recover in the wellness centre afterwards perhaps with a session in the oxygen chamber (said to calm the mind) or a more traditional massage Rooms here are elegant but you won’t spend much time in yours; there’s tennis Pilates and yoga as well as — naturally — mini golf £ | SPA | POOL | Best for beachfront location Roses has one of the most enticing stretches of golden sand on the Costa Brava and Hotel Montecarlo makes the best of it Every bedroom here comes with a sea view from its terrace and the spa is an Instagram favourite — its hydrotherapy pools stare straight out at Santa Margarita beach with nothing but a smooth glass wall between you and the view There’s a cracking vista from the bar terrace too and there are free bikes to borrow for exploring further afield Set just back from the Catalan coast and surrounded by Mediterranean pine forest this glamping resort goes easy on the camping instead offering canvas rooms that come with a private bathroom in an adjacent wooden hut plus lodges with kitchens and sea view terraces Kids will love the play area with its bouncy castle while tours and masterclasses run the gamut from cocktail-making to tree-planting — after dark there are even astronomy tours via the mobile planetarium while evenings start with sunset drinks at the Sky Bar before a hyperlocal dinner at Brasa i Flama restaurant (think paella and organic veggies from the resort’s own garden) Spain’s state-owned Paradores hog some of the best locations and the Parador de Aiguablava is no exception standing in glorious isolation on the unspoiled Punta D’es Muts and facing out to sea while the fresh modern bedrooms have large balconies and even the sauna offers a sea view An enticing line-up of small coves and sandy beaches runs along the coast nearby but in summer you might just stay right here eating lobster rice on the terrace at Restaurante Mar i Vent and watching the yachts bobbing in the bay below Lady Gaga: when a hotel’s former-guest list features names such as these you can bet it’s something pretty special Hostal de la Gavina’s illustrious history of welcoming the rich and famous tells you everything you need to know — this is the Costa Brava’s premier address and you can expect faultless service and plenty of grandeur two clay tennis courts and a beach just below the hotel for water sports while the breakfast buffet is one of those generous affairs that comes with cava £ | SPA | POOL | Best for a lively location Want the bells and whistles of a proper Spanish beach resort Lloret de Mar is the top choice in these parts with everything from blue-flag beaches and decent scuba diving to the liveliest nightlife on the Costa Brava a fun base with bright rooms decked out in sunshine yellow while the kids’ splash park is arranged around a classic camper van The resort’s main beach is just a ten-minute stroll away and there are several nightclubs within easy staggering distance • Best affordable villas in Spain• Best beaches in Spain Book this laid-back hotel in the resort of Santa Susanna and get ready to suss out the best spot by the outdoor pool area Rooms can sleep up to four and some have private swimming pools while the hotel’s four restaurants include the Bamboo Pool Club on the rooftop and the extensive El Mercat buffet There’s a sense of true escape at this country house hotel and it begins as you drive up the private gravel road to reach the 17th-century stone farmhouse (it takes around ten minutes) and you could spend day after day by the outdoor pool lazing in the whirlpool overlooking the grounds and playing tennis or billiards a dune-backed strand overlooking the Medes islands offshore — it’s just a 15-minute drive You’re sure to spend plenty of time in the kidney-shaped rooftop pool of this bright and breezy coastal hotel though it’s an easy stroll to the beach as well You’re surrounded by the thrum of fun-loving Lloret de Mar and the bedrooms here feel designed for retreat featuring cool white decor and small balconies At day’s end head up to the rooftop once more for a drink at the bar complete with panoramic views across the resort and down to the sea Among Palafrugell’s medieval alleyways a short hop back from the Mediterranean coast this 17th-century former apothecary is now a chic bed and breakfast tempting couples to hole up and stay a while before heading up to the roof terrace to soak up the sun — and the scent of the hotel’s herb and flower garden Downstairs you can laze in the Roman-style caldarium (like a giant bath) while evenings are best spent in the library over board games and a glass of wine from the honesty bar The Emporda region is known for its fabulous wines You’ll need a proper dinner to soak it all up and the hotel can certainly provide; book a table at Michelin-starred Castell Peralada for a tasting menu inspired by the local area or settle in to L’Olivera for upscale dishes that make the best of Emporda’s produce surrounded by olive trees and with views to the Pyrenees; on the 18-hole golf course; or in the spa £ | SPA | POOL | Best for a grown-up beach break Just back from the blue-flag beach of Malgrat de Mar and within easy striking distance of the resort’s seafront bars and restaurants this adult-only hotel has a laid-back feel despite its size while the alfresco pool area has in-water loungers and is shaded by lofty palms Throw in an extensive breakfast buffet and a spa offering massage treatments and it all adds up to an easy Every foodie worth their salt knows of the buzz around El Celler de Can Roca holder of three Michelin stars and the trickiest tables in Girona to get hold of Stay instead at the restaurant’s boutique hotel offering 15 hip suites dressed with high-quality natural materials A fine dining-style breakfast is served up here along with cocktails at sunset and intimate set-menu dinners • Best family-friendly villas in Spain• Best all-inclusive hotels in Spain Sign up to the Times Travel newsletter for weekly inspiration, advice and deals here will feature on the soundtrack of the iconic soccer video game series This marks the first time a Polish artist has been included in the soundtrack of the globally renowned EA Sports game Being part of the soundtrack for one of the best-selling soccer game franchises is a significant achievement will join international stars like Billie Eilish with Lloret de Mar being the only Polish song on the list Artists from 27 countries were invited to contribute to the playlist marking the first time a Polish artist has been featured The song’s lyrics are in English and Spanish and the production was handled by British producer Joe Stanley and the trio Pedro The music video was filmed in Spain by the duo Andiamo and features appearances by Wojciech and Marina Szczęsny I went on a family vacation to Lloret de Mar a small beach town about an hour north of Barcelona It’s a place that’s been popular among Dutch tourists for a long time because it’s always been a cheap destination Growing up, we never went abroad because we didn’t have the money. And when my family finally saved up enough to drive to Spain My father drove 20 hours straight to get there And when we finally arrived at our vacation rental It had everything I dreamed of because I saw it in movies Those vacation destinations are truly built for teenagers And that’s when my dream to live in Spain was made I remember a story one of my marketing professors shared He was talking about luxury car brands in one class He said that when a 45-year-old executive buys a Mercedes car it doesn’t mean that he was persuaded to buy the car at the dealership The buyer also wasn’t persuaded to buy a Mercedes when he started looking for a new car to buy If your washing machine is no longer working properly or you feel like it’s time to get a new one you do some research online and end up buying the one with the best price and reviews But when a 45-year-old executive buys a Mercedes Marketing takes time A young person develops a desire and sometimes waits years or decades to finally buy the product Everyone knows the I LOVE NYC logo because it’s so obvious Here are some marketing campaigns for cities or locations: Every country has its own marketing around cities It was an awesome experience because I never spent that much time alone with him It was nicely warm for that time of the year My mother and brother came over a few days later to spend a week My brother also had the desire to move to Spain at some point I loved the entire experience of living in Spain But I did break up with my old dream of living in Spain I no longer looked at the palm trees or the ocean When I went back to The Netherlands in February for my brother’s birthday, I found myself no longer getting annoyed by the cold weather. My mindset has changed. Life is not about the weather or where you live It’s about what you do and who you have around you Don’t take this story as an excuse to not move somewhere you dream of I had an amazing experience and met my girlfriend But after six months of living in Spain, I knew it was time to move back to The Netherlands. I’m not an adventurous type I don’t want to accept a lower standard of living than what I’m used to the idea of moving to Spain would always remain in my mind I’m still going to visit Spain in the future and always will I’m writing this article on the plane from Barcelona to Amsterdam.  The difference is that I know that I’m going home Hi, I'm Darius Foroux, the author of eight books, including The Stoic Path to Wealth. I write for people who continuously want to become wiser and wealthier. On my blog, you can read about topics like investing, productivity, habits, Stoicism, and more.↳ Join my free newsletter Elizabeth Keegan, the director of the Lloret tourist board in Spain, has been awarded a BEM in His Majesty The King’s 2025 New Year Honours List for services to British nationals in Girona. Over 15 years, Ms. Keegan has consistently gone above and beyond to support the British resident community and visiting British tourists in the town of Lloret de Mar (Costa Brava), making a real difference to vulnerable residents, those in difficult circumstances and their families. The British Ambassador to Spain, Sir Alex Ellis, said: “From supporting elderly British residents during the pandemic to ensuring that UK nationals in Lloret de Mar understood the implications of the UK’s exit from the European Union, Elizabeth has selflessly dedicated her time to fostering a sense of belonging within the local British community. Her generous work continues to make a difference in the lives of those she touches and is truly worthy of this recognition.” The King’s New Year Honours List 2025 includes three other recipients with links to Spain: A Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) award to Charlie Wilson, Treasurer, The British Benevolent Fund, Spain. For services to vulnerable British nationals in Spain. A Commander of the British Empire (CBE) award to Maria Almudena Sevilla Sanz, Professor, Economic and Social Policy, London School of Economics. For services to Economics and to Women in Economics. A Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) award to Joel Castellvi-Kellhofer, Entrepreneur, Advocate and Innovator. For services to the Deaf Community. Comentar es una ventaja exclusiva para registrados Registered office Málaga, Avda. Dr. Marañón, 48. has banned smoking on beaches and coves ahead of the summer season This will be a "step forward" to have a "healthier" town Lloret de Mar will become the first municipality in Costa Brava to sanction those who smoke on beaches, a move similar to that seen in Barcelona Six civil protection agents will patrol the beaches to ensure no one is smoking and to notice those with a lighted cigarette the city council is working on a campaign to inform people about the change using different languages and announcing that smoking on the beach is not allowed Fines will only be issued if police consider there is a repeated offense "This is not a way to earn more," as the plan is to move towards a "more sustainable and environmentally respectful town," Lamelas said after last year's test in two different areas Lloret has also recovered its beaches after March's Nelson storm which had a huge impact on the city's sunbathing areas Authorities expect beaches to be full in summer and city hotels are at almost full capacity with establishments at 95% capacity on average until September Their expectations are "excellent," Elisabeth Keegan as many owners do not have 100% occupation rates as they want to have a better quality service and there has not been a huge early booking but we will be able to have a good August in terms of bookings," she said Keegan also praised the different seasons in Lloret and the fact that October occupation rates are "very good." One of the key elements is the Girona-Costa Brava airport, which has seen an increase in the number of passengers. "We are just 30 kilometers away from the airport. This is fantastic for Lloret," Keegan said. Don’t Miss a Single Sparkling Moment! Sign up for The Court Jeweller Newsletter The Court Jeweller Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World 07.19.2024 by // Leave a Comment Let’s catch up a little bit with a royal jewelry moment from the Spanish royal family The Borbóns were in Lloret de Mar on July 10 for the annual Princess of Girona Awards and there were some lovely accessories on display at the awards ceremony King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain were joined by their daughters the Princess of Asturias and Infanta Sofia for the Princess of Girona Awards on July 10 The Prince/Princess of Girona title is one traditionally held by the heir to the Spanish throne dating from the days when it was the title for the heir to the Crown of Aragon Infanta Leonor has held the Girona princely title for the last decade and she helped to present the prizes during this year’s awards ceremony Winners were honored for their work in several fields both the Queen and the Princess wore significant earrings with their ensembles Queen Letizia went for both a dress and jewelry from Carolina Herrera These are the brand’s Falling Jasmine Earrings which have been in Letizia’s jewelry box for some time the real stars of the show were the dazzling earrings worn by Princess Leonor with her navy blue Self Portrait dress The long earrings feature diamonds and pear-shaped gemstone drops with a vibrant shade of royal blue The earrings were previously worn by Queen Letizia she pairs them with a navy blue dress for a concert celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Spanish Constitution in 2018 Some have speculated that the earrings may have also been previously worn by Queen Sofia Here’s another look at the earrings on Leonor she also has a second piercing with a tiny diamond stud Categories // Spain Enter your name and email address below to subscribe to our weekly newsletter Sign up for my new subscriber-supported community, Hidden Gems, delivered directly to you each Saturday! Copyright © 2025 THE COURT JEWELLER LLC Three young men from Venlo got hurt over the weekend when they fell from the balcony of their holiday home in Lloret de Mar, Spain. Two sustained serious injuries and are still in the hospital, the Limburg broadcaster L1 reported. The victims were part of a group of twelve Venlo boys aged 18 and 19 who rented a holiday home near Lloret de Mar for a week. They arrived on Saturday evening. That night, they wanted to take a photo on the balcony. Five boys leaned against the balustrade, which broke off and sent three of them falling about three meters to the first floor. Emergency services rushed the teenagers to a nearby hospital by ambulance. One suffered a contusion on his head and was admitted to the intensive care unit. A person involved told L1 that he was in critical but stable condition. He also sustained fractures in his face and needed stitches on his knee. The second teenager suffered a broken kneecap and two fractures to his spine, which will require him to wear a back brace for the coming weeks. Doctors are currently examining whether he can be flown horizontally to a Dutch hospital to continue his treatment closer to home. The third teenager sustained more minor injuries. He was discharged from the hospital on Monday. Lloret de Mar is a popular summer vacation destination for Dutch young people. According to the broadcaster, the rest of the group found another vacation home and will stay there until the end of their planned trip. © 2012-2025, NL Times, All rights reserved. First published: September 2, 2024 09:40 AM Controversy has arisen after it was learned that the seaside town of Tossa de Mar, north of Catalonia and in the Costa Brava, will receive 200 migrants from the Canary Islands on Monday. The municipality has around 6,200 inhabitants, and the arrival of the asylum seekers has caused some outrage on social media. They are all 18 years old or over. As radio station SER Catalunya first reported and later confirmed by the Catalan News Agency (ACN), they will stay at a hotel in the municipality. The mayor of Tossa de Mar says the number of asylum seekers is "excessive" and has also criticized the decision as it coincides with "the peak of the tourism season." "This same decision in October would not have caused the problems that will cause now," Martí Pujals, mayor of Tossa de Mar, told ACN. Pujals remembered that Blanes, a nearby municipality, received around 200 asylum seekers last year, with "eight times more inhabitants than Tossa." "If they brought 200 asylum seekers to Blanes, they should bring around 40 to Tossa to have some proportionality," he added. One of the main complaints has also been the timing of the arrival. The Spanish government delegate in Catalonia, Carlos Prieto, called and told local authorities about the situation. Officials expect asylum seekers to stay in Tossa de Mar for around one month while they complete the paperwork. Authorities will need to study the situation each individual faces and will decide if they are sent to families in other European countries, if they will be based in Spain, and what kind of asylum they receive. The arrival of asylum seekers at Tossa de Mar from rescues in the Spanish Canary Islands has prompted a division of opinions on social media and the streets of the municipality. Some residents say asylum seekers "have their right to live as everyone else," Lola said. However, Conxita believes it is an "anomaly," as the extra cost should not be paid by the Spanish government, and she believes the money should be used for other needs. The mayor has already said that the arrival of these migrants will not result in extra expenses for the city council. Online some users say the situation has already happened in other Costa Brava municipalities in the past, such as Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Lloret de Mar, or Palamós. Towns that have already "suffered from depersonalization and assimilation," Marçal, an X user, wrote. Less opinionated is Guillem Pursals, who shares the same point of view as the town's mayor, as "it does not make any sense to see so many people, being migrants or not, staying in that small place," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Meanwhile, Andres García, another X user, said that they "are using Tossa de Mar resources so an entity can handle the humanitarian aid for migrants and, once again, a pro-independence Junts mayor brings in a far-right speech," he wrote. Catalan pro-independence party Junts accused the Spanish government of hiding the distribution criteria for migrants in Spain. The party has sent a list of questions to the executive demanding an explanation of the protocols used and to detail which towns across the country have been designated to welcome migrants, month by month, since the beginning of the legislature. According to Junts, Catalonia "is and has been in solidarity," but the Spanish government "abuses this solidarity" without providing "the tools and resources necessary to welcome and care for migrants." The party also pointed out that "Catalonia was the only territory that did not vote in favor of this territorial distribution. They add that "coexistence in Catalonia cannot continue to be oversaturated," because "without the necessary resources the system does not work." Meanwhile, the far-right Vox party has called for the "immediate" deportation of the 200 migrants. In a statement, Vox explained that they will demand that the Spanish government's representative in Catalonia and the mayor of the town appear in the Catalan parliament to address the situation. The party says that the arrival of the asylum seekers will have a "serious impact" on the population of 6,000 inhabitants. "House of the Dragon" season two returns to Westeros for the war between the Greens and Blacks including "Nine Voyages," based on the adventures of Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) and an animated "Golden Empire" series.  HBO also renewed "House of the Dragon" for season three shortly before the season two premiere so it doesn't look like the network is planning to leave Westeros behind anytime soon.  And fans can visit some of the real filming locations that help make the world of Westeros feel truly unique High Tide is the home of Lord Corlys Velaryon and his wife King Viserys and his royal court visited the dramatic setting in season one The origin of St. Michael's Mount blends history and mythology the rocky island was first mentioned all the way back in 495AD There are reportedly tales about how seafarers were drawn to it by mermaids.  the mount is only accessible via an ancient causeway at low tide and stands today as part of the seaside town of Marazion a popular destination for beachgoers and those keen to discover its rich history.  This was where the Velaryon army and Daemon Targaryen held their war camp According to House Beautiful filming for a scene depicting House Velaryon camps took place in Kynance Cove If you plan to visit to enjoy the cove's beaches in the summer, you won't be running into any Westerosi soldiers but rather plenty of beachgoers — it's a popular seaside spot, according to the National Trust The surrounding sea is turquoise blue, and the sand is white, so it's no wonder the website advises anyone visiting to arrive early so as to avoid any disappointment in finding parking This was the scene where Craghas Drahar was shown nailing prisoners to contraptions that would make them drown when the tide came in crabs feasted on the still-alive soldiers' flesh It's difficult to think that what looks like an idyllic English beach has been turned into the Stepstones — an inhospitable collection of islands — in "House of the Dragon." As reported by the Radio Times the fictional islands known as the Stepstones are found between the Narrow Sea While conditions on the islands aren't livable the group of islands still play an important role as they are right in the middle of a trade route between Westeros and the Free Cities This was one of the courtyards that Princess Rhaenyra's carriage crossed The setting included what looks like a large dragon statue made from "dragonglass" (AKA obsidian) While shots of King's Landing in most seasons of "Game of Thrones" were filmed in Dubrovnik, Croatia, "House of the Dragon" used Cáceres But those who saw the opening shots of episode one of "House of the Dragon" will know that the red-tiled rooftops and winding medieval roads perfectly reimagine King's Landing much like it was depicted in the original show.  In reality, the old town of Cáceres it was ruled by "powerful rival factions" between the 14th and 16th centuries and was the site of battles between the Moors and Christians when King Viserys was offered the young Laena as a future wife In the second episode of "House of the Dragon" season one and other members of the Small Council try to persuade King Viserys Targaryen to marry his second cousin There is a scene later in the episode where Viserys and Laena are shown somewhat awkwardly getting to know each other while on a walk through beautiful manicured gardens with views of the sea surrounding Kings Landing.  Filming took place in the Gardens of Santa Clotilde in Lloret de Mar, Spain the botanic gardens — available to visit for 6 euros or around $5.97 — overlook the Balearic Sea Daemon and Laena had taken up residence across the Narrow Sea The castle they were living in belonged to a lord who hired them to fight with their dragons Filming of Pentos took place in a rather picturesque town in Granada, home to a well-preserved Italian Renaissance castle with roots dating back to 1509 It's also a national monument now under private ownership but anyone can put in a request to visit.  When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more. First published: February 14, 2023 05:35 PM It's a long way from Kyiv to the Costa Brava, over 2,000 km in fact, but for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war in their home country, the tourist hotspot on the Mediterranean has become a home away from home.  Lloret de Mar, which styles itself as the capital of the Costa Brava, has registered 1,532 Ukrainian refugees since Russia's invasion began almost one year ago.  The seaside town is now home to 2,379 Ukrainian nationals, making it one of the largest Ukrainian communities in Catalonia, with 424 Ukrainian children attending school in the town.  And while the numbers of refugees arriving were greatest in the first months of the war, the council says that there are still around 40 Ukrainians coming to Lloret every month.  Anastasia Tkacmova lived in Ukraine one year ago, running a family business in Odesa, with several properties and cars to her name.   The outbreak of war, however, forced her to leave everything behind and look for a place to "start from scratch."  After traveling through various cities across Europe, Anastasia arrived in Lloret de Mar, where some friends were living.  They took her and her family in and helped them find an apartment and a job, neither of which was easy: landlords would not rent to them as they feared they would become squatters, while work was hard to come by in low season.  She eventually did get a job and an apartment, where she now lives with her parents and children, and has only words of thanks for the local council and the Catalan and Spanish authorities.  But Anastasia does want to return to Ukraine as soon as she can. "I want to rebuild my country again," she says.  70km north along the Costa Brava coast from Lloret de Mar lies the small town of L'Estartit. There the Hotel Flamingo has been accommodating Ukrainian refugees for almost a year.  The first arrivals came in March and there are currently 120 living there, spread over 60 of the hotel's 90 rooms.  Since last summer, the hotel has also offered work some of those staying, eight in total, a number that represents more than half of the staff working there.  Hotel owner Miquel Basieras says it has been "great, because it's not easy to find staff."   "They want to work, they have a good attitude and they work hard," he adds.  Anna Vykhovanets used to run a clothing store in Ukraine and is one of the refugees now working in the hotel. "I'm not working in the area I used to, but for my mind it's better to work, not sit and think about all the bad things in the world."  Another of the Ukrainian staff members, Tatiana Hulevets, says "many Ukrainians are talented and intelligent" but "the language is a barrier when it comes to finding work."   In Ukraine, she worked in a hospital as an assistant director, doing accounting. Now, she's working as a waitress.  It's not a job she wants to be doing, but she says she's glad she found it because "it's very difficult to live only on the money from the Red Cross program; there are other expenses than just food and accommodation."  Her colleague and compatriot Olean Kol is also happy to be working. "I feel like I’m alive, I feel I have a future, I can give more to my children," she says.  Sign up here for your daily business digest direct to your inbox Sign Up Discover our talented editorial team and the principles that drive them is a dream destination for a summer holiday Whether you’re planning to relax on the sun-soaked shores or explore the historic towns packing the right items can make your trip enjoyable and stress-free Here’s a comprehensive checklist to ensure you have everything you need for a perfect getaway including tips for visiting popular destinations like Tamariu By packing thoughtfully and preparing for various activities, you can ensure a stress-free and enjoyable summer holiday in Costa Brava. Enjoy the sun, sand, and rich culture of this Mediterranean paradise!  Drought conditions in Spain have put Costa Brava under pressure to conserve water ahead of the summer tourism season One hotel in Lloret de Mar has demonstrated that even small-scale solutions can be pursued to great effect this iconic Costa Brava property will reopen in 2024 under the Meliá Hotels & Resorts brand Meliá Hotels International has signed a new hotel in Lloret de Mar bringing the company to one of Spain's most outstanding holiday destinations – the Costa Brava a renowned property in the coastal town in Girona will be renovated and adapted to the Meliá Hotels & Resorts brand thanks to the agreement between the hotel and the property's asset manager The future Meliá Lloret de Mar is expected to open in the second quarter of 2024 just in time to kick off the peak holiday season adapting to each traveller's needs and comfort Guests will be able to enjoy quality gastronomy in an all-day dining restaurant and an à la carte restaurant offering a wide variety of drinks and snacks and an exclusive vibe Guests checking into the new Meliá Lloret de Mar will also be able to enjoy impressive public areas and exceptional outdoor facilities Guests can choose between two outdoor swimming pools or catch some rays on the sun deck or in the large green gardens In line with Meliá Hotels & Resorts' focus on wellbeing the hotel will also feature a wellness area with a fully equipped gym and a spa Business travellers and those organising events will also be able to enjoy Meliá Lloret de Mar's different meeting and events facilities including spacious rooms and outdoor event hosting options in the hotel gardens Because of its location in a prominent coastal destination its proximity to Barcelona and its outstanding facilities the property will have a great potential for the MICE segment Vice President and CEO of Meliá Hotels International "Meliá is a company with Mediterranean roots and we will therefore continue to promote Spanish holiday destinations and the repositioning of iconic hotels offering first-class experiences with renewed concepts that add value to the area and continue to improve our tourist destinations."​  Click here to join your colleagues and stay up to date on the latest hotel news and trends Copyright © Hotel News Resource & Nevistas | All rights reserved ShareSaveCommentLifestyleTravelIs This Secluded Hotel The Best-Kept Secret In Spain’s Costa Brava?ByIsabelle Kliger While much of the turquoise-cove-dotted Costa Brava tends to attract a well-heeled crowd Tell a local you are staying at a luxury hotel here and they will probably raise an eyebrow or two since the downtown beachfront area is a heaving mess of budget high rises and tourists sunburned to within an inch of their lives Lloret de Mar has sadly transformed into the Spanish resort town most likely to make headlines for its drunken brawls and accidents related to the highly questionable late-night sport of trying (and sometimes failing) to jump from one balcony to another View of the cove of Sa Boadella in Lloret de Mar you may be wondering why anyone would recommend traveling to this particular destination and it’s such a well-guarded secret that most locals don’t even know about it Many of the 75 rooms at Hotel Santa Marta have large terraces and unobstructed sea views Hotel Santa Marta is set on 17 acres of forest with direct access to Santa Cristina beach the building was converted into a hotel in 1956 along with unobstructed views of the Mediterranean the beach fills with sunseekers—many of whom travel from Barcelona—but when the moon lights up the night sky and the only sound is that of the waves crashing on the beach below it is hard to imagine that the urban thrills of the Catalan capital are just an hour away There is also a large swimming pool and a spa offering a range of treatments including hot stone massage Thai massage and facials by Spanish spa brand Alqvimia The view of Santa Cristina beach from Hotel Santa Marta The only way to access the hotel is by car although the town of Blanes—conveniently located on the train line from Barcelona—is only a ten-minute taxi ride away Santa Marta typically opens in April and closes in November although the dates may vary depending on the year This year there will be a total of 5 different Opening Ceremonies Due to the current situation caused by the pandemic the organization has opted for this option seeking a better optimization of the room by venues and categories Access to the Opening Ceremonies will be guaranteed for all players and teams will have free access to Figueres and Palamós The rest of the inaugurations will depend on the availability at the stands This will be the MICFootball’s 2022 inaugurations Copyright © 2025 MICFOOTBALL | Aviso legal y Política de privacidad Do you have some question? We are here to help you! Sorry, this product is unavailable. Please choose a different combination. The tourism sector in Catalonia is preparing for the summer season as the region faces the worst drought in its history.  hotel owners have banded together to purchase a mobile desalination plant to fill swimming pools and ensure drinking water is available during the summer season.  campsites and apartment owners who will benefit from it will cost €1.5 million and will be operational in May.  The plant will have a capacity of 50 cubic meters of water per hour and will be located on one side of Platja Gran beach It will not draw water directly from the sea has assured that he will do "everything possible" to approve the project but warned that they first have to "receive the proposal" and "analyze if it can be done legally" Lloret de Mar is the second municipality in Catalonia with the most hotel beds and welcomes more than one million tourists every year.  Catalonia is experiencing the worst drought in its history, and most of the region was declared to be in a state of emergency on February 1 due to the ongoing situation Tourism is a cornerstone of the Catalan economy contributing 12% of GDP and employing nearly 13% of the workforce and the sector is concerned about the effects the drought will have this summer.    Catalan hotels are beginning to implement several water conservation measures, such as installing reservoirs to regulate water pressure, changing faucets to minimize consumption, and converting swimming pools from freshwater to saltwater.  A mysterious mansion on the Catalan coast with an apparent Kazakhstani connection is spurring an environmental controversy Local authorities are conducting a probe to determine whether graft was involved in the granting of permits to build the estate in an ecologically protected area The villa in question is still under construction shapes up to be one of the more opulent pleasure domes on Spain’s Mediterranean coast it will have a whopping 3,000 square meters of space three saunas and a vast garage for luxury cars a town with one of the finest beaches on the Costa Brava While the basic outlines of the villa are now plainly visible namely who owns it and how he/she obtained the waivers to build it as if hidden inside a nesting doll of opacity An article published in the leading Spanish daily El Pais described Can Juncadella as being owned by “a Kazakhstani tycoon.” Meanwhile a report published in a Catalonian newspaper linked the property to “a powerful family from the highest political circles of Kazakhstan.” Perhaps most tantalizingly associates Can Juncadella with “the president and chief of state of Kazakhstan.” When queried by EurasiaNet.org responded in an email that the property was privately owned and “doesn’t have any connection to an official representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan.” Determining who owns Can Juncadella is one of the aims of a complaint filed in late 2012 by a local environmental group called SOS Lloret The group seeks to hold the owners culpable for what activists assert is illegal behavior The complaint contends that Can Juncadella is located in an environmentally protected zone that was established in 2000; as such the villa’s construction should be considered illegal and all work on the property should be halted Rampant and loosely regulated development along Spain’s Mediterranean coast has stripped the area of woodlands and other environmentally sensitive areas it also has placed great stress on relatively scarce water resources SOS Lloret and other local groups are fighting to save the few patches of coastline that still retain their natural features as well as promote sustainable development The coast “has suffered from over-development in the past 50 years,” an SOS Lloret representative wrote in an email response to questions posed by EurasiaNet.org who wrote from an email account belonging to SOS Lloret “Protecting what is left of more or less intact coastal landscape should be of paramount importance for the touristic village [Lloret],” the activist continued the construction of a huge mansion is causing significant damage.” It’s been over a year since SOS Lloret representatives filed their complaint authorities are investigating whether possible criminal activity occurred in connection with the acquisition of building permits by a company involved in the project a limited liability entity registered in the Catalonian city of Girona that according to a report published by the Catalonian-language El Punt Avui daily was “formed by businessmen from Kazakhstan.” According to the SOS Lloret complaint local planning officials approved Can Juncadella’s building plans back in 2010 despite the existence of three reports prepared by governmental agencies that advised against construction due to environmental factors Several former local officials involved in the decision-making process have come under judicial scrutiny Investigators are trying to determine whether bribery paved the way for Can Juncadella’s construction While SOS Lloret hasn’t been able to uncover hard evidence of graft the group’s representative stressed to EurasiaNet.org that “corruption is a huge problem in Spain.” “We’ll have to wait for the results” of the judicial investigation “At this stage it is probably hard to know: something between months and years,” the activist said Georgii Nikolaenko is a Eurasianet editorial associate Sign up for Eurasianet's free weekly newsletter. Support Eurasianet: Help keep our journalism open to all Costa Brava is preparing to welcome hundreds of teams from all over the world to take part in the MIC and discover some of the best coastal places of Catalonia through football Our tournament is attended by thousands of players who enjoy sport and the climate offered by the counties of Girona at a very special time of the year MICFootball 2024 will have the same accommodation areas as last year’s edition will host at least one category of the tournament: Lloret de Mar (U19 U16 and F19); Platja d’Aro (U14 and U12B); Palamós (U12B); L’Estartit (U12A) and Roses (U13 and U15) both the amateur teams and the biggest clubs in the world (Real Madrid among others) will stay in the different Catalan towns for a week We will have the collaboration of a total amount of 20 hotels where the teams will rest to face an unforgettable MIC is also an opportunity for thousands of people from different nationalities who travel with the aim of enjoying a unique life experience in an unbeatable environment the boyfriend of Lisa Coggins who drowned along with her friend Tracey Aston praised his ‘beautiful and hardworking’ girlfriend The boyfriend of one of the two British women who reportedly drowned in the seaby the Spanish resort of Lloret de Mar has paid tribute to a “beautiful named in reports as Birmingham residents Lisa Coggins and Tracey Aston died after going for a swim in the early hours of Thursday morning Postmortems on the bodies are expected to take place on Friday Aston and three friends were holidaying together in Lloret de Mar one of the most popular holiday resorts on the Costa Brava They are understood to have been posing for photos on the beach when two of them went into the water One of the women got into trouble in the rough waters and a third friend went to rescue her and their bodies were discovered seven hours later in waters near the resort The third friend is understood to have made it back to shore whom he described as a “hardworking girl – just beautiful” He told the Birmingham Mail that Coggins was with her sisters and friend at the time We do not know how the news will be broken to them,” he said Aston’s husband Aaron said he was “devastated” Locals said a security guard at a beachfront bar saw the women as they posed for pictures and warned them not to go in the sea A man who works with the security guard at the bar said: “He saw them in the sea taking photos and then called the cops Of course he is very shaken up by what he has seen.” A nearby restaurant worker described the waves as four metres high “They came all the way to the beach bars,” he said “A night watchman at one of the bars spoke to the girls “One of the girls returned but one did not Her friend went in to try to save her and she did not come back.” Spanish search and rescue service official Salvamento Maritímo said Coggins and Aston were reported missing at 4.15am on Thursday were found shortly after noon local time and had been taken to the neighbouring town of Blanes said they were among a group of five women from Birmingham on holiday in the area He said: “They went to the beach in the night and the sea was in very bad condition and it was dangerous to go into the sea in those conditions.” A spokesperson for the town hall in Lloret de Mar told Spanish website the Local that a group of five women had been warned not to go into the sea by a security guard at a beach bar Ana Riera told the website: “It seems one of the original swimmers was able to get to shore but the other was struggling so a friend went to her rescue and they both got swept out to sea.” A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We can confirm the death of two British nationals who had been reported missing in Lloret de Mar on October 1 “We are providing support to the families and those who were travelling with the individuals at this difficult time.” WhatCulture is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). ©Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. ACN First published: January 10, 2014 07:28 PM Within a few decades, the town of Lloret de Mar (75 kilometers north of Barcelona) has become one of the most popular holiday resorts on the Costa Brava and the Mediterranean Sea. Lloret de Mar’s main white sand beach, as well as its famous nightlife, attracts numerous visitors each year. In 2013, Lloret de Mar welcomed 1,017,206 visitors. Around 215,440 of these tourists were from Spain, 203,457 from France, 123,963 from Germany, 107,590 from Russia, 84,829 from the United Kingdom, and many others from different nationalities. During the month of November, 7,023 hotel rooms remained open corresponding to 21 establishments. They have welcomed 35,507 tourists.   Creating new low and mid season events for a better rounded tourist season The second municipality in Catalonia in terms of occupancy rates Usually, visitors spend an average of 5 days in Lloret de Mar. The City Council stressed that, in terms of occupancy rates, Lloret de Mar was the first tourist destination in the Province of Girona, the second in Catalonia, just behind Barcelona, and the fifth in Spain. Mission Statement: to assist the integration of foreign residents living in Spain and this is never more accurate than when you establish yourself as a foreign resident in a new country Being able to quickly familiarise yourself with the culture and customs can help ease the transition during a challenging time This is why Euro Weekly News makes it our mission to provide you with a free news resource in English that covers both regional and national Spanish news – anything that we feel you will benefit from knowing as you integrate into your new community and live your best life in Spain you can forget about translating articles from Spanish into awkward English that probably don’t make much sense Let us be your convenient and essential guide to all things that will likely affect you as a foreign resident living in Spain As reported this Friday, June 24, by the Civil Protection department of the Generalitat in Catalonia two people lost their lives in the sea off the coast of the resort of Lloret de Mar The 112 emergency number received a call at 1:47pm alerting the operator that two bodies had been spotted floating in the water.  According to initial reports, their bodies were located some 50 metres from the coast, and a Lloret Civil Protection boat pulled them out of the water and took them to Cala Canyelles members of the Medical Emergency System confirmed the death of the two people A land unit of the Emergency Medical System (SEM), from the Mossos d’Esquadra, the Local Police of Lloret, and the Guardia Civil were all mobilised to investigate the incident The two deceased are a middle-aged man and a woman of Spanish nationality there are now four people who have lost their lives on Catalan beaches since summer began Green flags had been displayed all day on Friday on the beaches of Lloret de Mar due to rough seas ___________________________________________________________ Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Do remember to come back and check The Euro Weekly News website for all your up-to-date local and international news stories and remember, you can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain by delivering news with a social conscience we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP) Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall) All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE Download our media pack in either English or Spanish Get in touch with Chloe Mayer by emailing c.mayer@newsweek.com either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content Mystery surrounds the death of a Russian gas oligarch and his family inside their Spanish mansion Investigators are reportedly trying to figure out whether the incident was a domestic murder-suicide or an organized hit Their bodies were discovered just one day after another Russian gas boss was found dead in similar circumstances alongside his family in Moscow Spanish news website El Punt Avui reported the bodies of Sergey Protosenya his wife and his daughter were found at around 4 p.m April 19 at their home in the seaside resort of Lloret de Mar in Spain's Catalonia region The incident comes amid similar reports from Moscow of another executive linked to a gas company who also allegedly killed his wife and daughter before committing suicide Former Kremlin official and Gazprombank vice-president Vladislav Avayev was found dead in his luxury Moscow apartment by his 26-year-old daughter on Monday Protosenya's estimated fortune was $440 million He had reportedly trained as an engineer and economist and became the chief financial officer of the oil company Tarkosaleneftegaz and chief accountant at oil giant Novatek Novatek-Tarkosaleneftegaz was founded in 1994 and operates oil and gas fields named Sergey Protosenya as the deputy chairman after a shake-up of the management board He is not listed on the page detailing the company's current board members Investigators from Catalonia's Mossos d'Esquadra police force are now examining the scene They are likely to be trawling through footage that may have been captured by security cameras that were dotted around the property while news reports suggested a bloodied ax and knife had been found and sent off for forensic testing Unconfirmed reports from El Punt Avui suggested some inconsistencies had been discovered with the news site saying the two women were stabbed as they slept Blood-stained socks had apparently been used as makeshift gloves to prevent fingerprints on the ax and knife Police have yet to reveal any details from their investigation but confirmed they are still considering murder-suicide as a possible explanation A spokeswoman from the Mossos d'Esquadra police force told Newsweek: "In relation to the investigation that the Mossos d'Esquadra have opened for the death of three people in a home in Lloret de Mar we inform you that the case is under summary secrecy and that the investigation remains open The information we can tell you is [that]… researchers keep all hypotheses open and it is not ruled out that this is a femicide We can't provide more information about this case The Mossos d'Esquadra are working to clarify it." a minute's silence was held in front of a government building in Lloret de Mar to condemn the "scourge" of sexist violence within two days is likely to raise questions Detectives will have to examine the evidence to figure out whether the incidents were the tragic result of domestic violence or whether the scenes had been staged Russian oligarchs have been in the news recently having been hit with sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to target oligarchs too during a rant about Westernized billionaires in March He warned: "I do not judge those with villas in Miami or the French Riviera Or [those] who can't get by without oysters or foie gras or so-called 'gender freedoms'…The problem is they mentally exist there He went on to call for a "self-purification" of the nation and an "exodus" of private jets appeared to flee Russia in the wake of his comments It is not known whether Protosenya had been directly affected by any sanctions Protosenya and his family apparently enjoyed a lavish lifestyle at their Spanish home, and his Facebook posts showed him enjoying fine wines and chatting with friends at the nearby golf club After Newsweek spoke with a Novatek spokeswoman on Thursday, the gas giant emailed a statement praising Protosenya as a "wonderful family man" and seemed to dismiss media speculation about his death as "not related to reality." Some viewed the statement as casting doubt on the murder-suicide theory The statement read in full: "In connection with reports of the tragic death of former member of the Company's Management Board Novatek expresses its sincere condolences to all those affected by this tragic situation Sergey Protosenya [Protosenya] worked in the Novatek Group from 1997 to 2015 and has proven himself to be a wonderful person and a wonderful family man a strong professional who has made a great contribution to the formation and development of the company there have been speculations on this topic in the media but we are convinced that these speculations are not related to reality We hope that the law enforcement agencies of Spain will conduct a thorough and objective investigation and sort out what happened." EDT: This article has been updated with a statement from the Mossos d'Esquadra Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground Newsletters in your inbox See all Search involving helicopters and divers spots bodies near Spanish resort of Lloret de Mar after pair fail to make it back to shore Two British women have been found dead after being swept away during a late-night swim in stormy seas at one of the most popular resorts on the Costa Brava. The two tourists, who have yet to be named, were reported missing shortly after 4am in the coastal town of Lloret de Mar. The 33- and 36-year-old were part of a group of five women tourists from Birmingham who were together on the beach in the early hours of Thursday, Spanish police said, when two of them decided to risk the rough seas and go for a swim. Several boats and helicopters were deployed to search for the women, said a spokeswoman for Spain’s maritime rescue services who were responsible for the sea and air search that involved police, Guardia Civil and local authorities. Teams of specialised divers were also brought in to help. The search was complicated by raging storms in the area, said the spokeswoman, preventing an immediate rescue attempt. “There is a strong storm in the area, with powerful waves and currents.” Due to the strong pull of the currents, rescuers later extended the search area by four miles to the south, she added. The bodies were spotted in the sea by a helicopter about eight hours after the search began, a few miles south of the Playa Grande beach where they disappeared. Both were taken to the nearby town of Blanes, said maritime rescue services. Spain’s Mediterranean coastline has been battered by heavy storms in recent days and authorities said they had issued instructions to stay off beaches, warning of waves as high as 20 feet in the area. The group had initially come to the beach near the local landmark Doña Marinera (Sailor’s wife) to take photos, but two of them decided to enter the water. Felip Carbonell, the head of the local Civil Protection agency told Spanish media that an employee of a nearby beach bar warned the women not to swim and later helped call police when two of them failed to make it back to shore. One of those who initially entered the water managed to make it out, but the second swimmer was dragged in deeper by the waves. Another member of the group, who initially decided to heed the warning and stay on the shore, entered the water to help rescue her friend but was swept away by the strong current. Catalan police said the women were all staying at the same hotel. Police had spoken to them, taking their statements and providing them with counselling. The Foreign Office said: “We can confirm the death of two British nationals who had been reported missing in Lloret de Mar on 1 October. We are providing support to the families and those who were travelling with the individuals at this difficult time.” Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. 'Binge tourism' reaches a new low when police fire rubber bullets to restore peace Alasdair Fotheringham reports from the Benidorm plaza dubbed 'British square' I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Certainly, at 1am on a Saturday night in Benidorm this month, in the plaza dubbed "British square" on local nightclub flyers, the atmosphere is anything but settled. The first thing you notice is you can't hear a word of Spanish, let alone see it among the swathes of adverts and signs in English for pints, pies, Yorkshire puds, football, fishfingers and beans. Nor is the tourism industry in great shape. The Benidorm coast's biggest English-speaking newspaper, Costa Blanca News, pointed out last week that although tourist numbers are up, Benidorm hotels are worried because spending is down by as much as 40 per cent. "These last two years have slowed down a lot," Tracy confirms, "we get more Spanish in, and they only have maybe a couple of halves of lager over an hour and a half. They don't spend as much as the British." Such is the demand among northern Europeans for cheap booze-fuelled holidays, though – as little as €200 all-in for a week – that the region of Alicante has lost half a dozen of its most emblematic five-star hotels in the last three years. Others have downgraded to three or four stars. "There are Happy Hours that go on for the whole of the morning now," MLC confirms. "From 10 or 11am right the way through to 1 or 2pm." In Barcelona, the third most popular European destination for British stag parties, they banned Happy Hours two years a go. But in Benidorm and other resorts such as Lloret de Mar, the price war has reached ridiculous extremes. In Bendiorm last week you could buy two vodka cubatas – Spanish long drinks usually containing three or four British measures – for €4, or a pint of bitter for €1 "until the first goal scored in the League game". But as the Spanish are discovering, such offers are a two-edged weapon. Cheaper booze means more business, but it also means more reckless aggression and senseless bravado, as the rubber bullets of Lloret de Mar and the broken bodies of the "balconers" have shown this summer. And until that particular alcohol-powered conundrum is resolved, they are trends that may prove very hard to stop. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies the party may soon be over","description":"'Binge tourism' reaches a new low when police fire rubber bullets to restore peace The TimesA popular Spanish resort is taking a rapper to court over an “offensive” song that describes it as a hotbed of corruption alleging that the lyrics damage the town’s image The municipal council of Lloret de Mar on the Costa Brava in the northeastern Catalonia region has started legal proceedings against Samuel SLZR because his song links the town to “vandalism It has asked for the online video to be taken down Samuel SLZR’s song states the resort is “the perfect place to steal”NOT KNOWNThe song goes on to depict the consumption of drugs by tourists Registered in England No. 894646. Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF. These are three of the main tourist hotspots on the Catalan shore This year's local elections could mark a new chapter for the three municipalities regarding their main source of revenue there are more than 29,000 available beds for visitors and tourists spend more than five million nights in the city more than half of visitors between June and August last year came from overseas meaning that they would like to welcome visitors throughout the year and not only during the summer season candidates propose different ways to achieve this such as increasing the number of congresses and fairs held in the town as pro-independence Esquerra Republicana and Tots per Lloret suggest with a strong cultural agenda throughout the whole year and not only during the summer But Lloret's future will also be determined by how voters take to a new-look set of candidates Jaume Dulset (pro-independence PDeCat) left his post after almost eight years as mayor no clear winner is in sight: there are 11 different candidates and the vast majority of the frontrunners are running for the first time Lloret de Mar's plan to attract more tourists during the year is a goal shared with the municipalities of Salou and Sitges while Sitges is well known for the international community residing there Lloret de Mar and Salou have a reputation for rowdy tourists that come to the towns In Salou, many of these visitors go to the largest amusement park in Catalonia, PortAventura. The theme park welcomes over five million visitors annually the Hard Rock casino project still stands in its early stages The Catalan government has halted the project's construction because of environmental criteria as the climate action ministry issued an unfavorable report on the massive casino complex consider the recreational tourist center to be "very important." The project also affects Salou and the current mayor and Sumem per Salou - PSC mayoral candidate has announced a plan to boost off-season tourism looking for new markets or even different tourist activities such as enticing visitors to come for sports Sumem per Salou and the Socialists ran separate candidacies they formed a coalition government and decided to run together in this year's elections Granados was part of the extinct liberal Convergència i Unió party and then part of the pro-independence Junts Tourism does not only affect Salou and Lloret de Mar The well-renowned Catalan LGBTQ+ destination also has a big battle to regulate tourism and the return of visitors after the last years were marked by the Covid-19 pandemic While the main plans from the incumbent Esquerra Republicana mayor, Aurora Carbonell, have not yet been unveiled, one of the other parties running for the mayorship, Fets per Sitges! plans to reduce the budget allocated to the sector to assign it to residents' essential needs may not get to implement her plans for the future the ERC's top candidate won by 312 votes against Junts per Catalunya ERC had to reach a coalition deal with the Socialists for the last three years leaving Junts as the leader of the opposition meaning that several deals will be needed for the next mayor to be chosen The seaside town is also known for its parties and festivals. The main one is the large Carnival celebrations with thousands of people enjoying the parades and residents even prepare the festivities a year in advance In October, the municipality dresses up for several days to welcome some of the most renowned actors and directors for the Sitges Fantasy and Terror Film Festival some horror fans act like zombies to take part in the Zombie Walk v1.1.0. Copyright © 2025. Powered by EBANTIC. All rights reserved. Mother-of-two Lisa Coggins and her friend Tracey Aston were with three friends and had been posing for pictures on the beach at Lloret de Mar when tragedy struck The devastated boyfriend of one of the British women swept out to sea while on holiday in Spain said he does not know how to break the tragic news to her two children. Mother-of-two Lisa Coggins and her friend Tracey Aston have been named in reports as the two women who died in the Mediterranean as it was hit by four-metre large waves. They were with three friends and had been posing for pictures on the beach at Lloret de Mar - a popular resort on the Costa Brava where they had been enjoying a girls' holiday - when tragedy struck in the early hours of 1 October. Post-mortem investigations into how the pair died are expected to begin on 2 October, with members of Mrs Aston's grieving family said to have flown out to Barcelona to bring her back. According to a friend of Mrs Aston's, the group had only gone to the water's edge to pose for a photograph - not to swim. Meanwhile, speaking from his home in Birmingham, Ms Coggins's boyfriend Mario Sassano, 36, told the Birmingham Mail she was with her sisters and her friend when tragedy struck. He said: “She had two children. We do not know how the news will be broken to them.” He paid tribute to his girlfriend, describing her as a “hard-working girl - just beautiful”. Josep Lluis-Llirinos, the elected chief of police at Lloret de Mar, told the Press Association the women, who were all from Birmingham, ignored warnings not to go in the sea, which had a red flag because of the rough conditions. They partially stripped and were taking photos and attempting to swim when two of them were swept over by a large wave at around 4.15am on 1 October. One made it back to shore and another dived in to try to rescue her other friend, but they both died in the turbulent waters. He said: “A man who worked at a beach bar told them 'please don't go in the water, the water is very dangerous. Please don't swim and leave the beach because the waves are very big'. “When the two girls approached the water they took some clothes off and they were trying to swim or maybe paddle. “They kept getting closer and closer to the water. “One of the women got very, very close to the water and the second one did the same. Then came a very, very big wave. “The wave knocked them over. One of the girls was eaten by the wave.” He said one of the women toppled by the wave made it back to shore, and her friend dived in to try to rescue the other, but they were both swept out to sea. The security guard at the beach bar called the police and emergency services were on the scene within minutes. Search and rescue boats and helicopters were scrambled to find the women, but they were swept away by the sea within seconds. The chief of police said: “There was a strong current. It was a question of seconds and they were washed away. “We knew every moment they were out there it was more difficult to find them alive.” He said whether the women had been drinking before the tragedy was a matter of investigation. Their three friends were given psychological care by the authorities. And he warned that holidaymakers should be very careful of the sea, especially in rough conditions. He said: “The red flags were out. It was unthinkable that anybody could go out and swim in those very, very bad conditions. “It was a sad day for the town. Our condolences go out to the families.” A friend of Mrs Aston's family said the group had gone into the sea not to swim, but to take a photo, when one of them got into difficulty. The woman, who declined to be named, said: “The family are in Barcelona right now. “Everybody says she was out there swimming - she wasn't. “They were standing in there trying to take a photo and the waves took them out. “The family want to be left alone right now. “Some of them have gone over to bring back her body.” Salvamento Maritimo, the Spanish search and rescue team, said the bodies of the women, believed to be aged 33 and 36, had been taken to the neighbouring town of Blanes, 40 miles north of Barcelona. in an effort to manoeuvre the damn thing up a steep hill in a Catalan vineyard tumbling over the handlebars of a supposedly idiot-proof machine having survived choking on a pretzel."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"My anxiety is not groundless during a practice run before our 6km Segway tour of the family-owned Giró Ribot winery a fellow traveller slipped off his own upright scooter — though he may have been distracted by the cigarette he was smoking at the time."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Halfway through the tour we stop at a picnic table laid out with Giró Ribot cava"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":200})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"As I lean forward on my Segway tumbling over the"},"children":[]}]}]},"dropcapsDisabled":false,"expirableFlags":[],"keywords":{"type":"json","json":["putting","on","a","brava","face","in","catalonia"]},"leadAsset":{"type":"id","generated":false,"id":"Image:0f925ef8-20ea-4253-8bbf-9258f71ee52d","typename":"Image"},"relatedArticleSlice":null,"sharingEnabled":true,"savingEnabled":true,"standfirst":"Battling with Segways An ignominious e","slug":"putting-on-a-brava-face-in-catalonia","categoryPath":"/world/ireland-world/article/putting-on-a-brava-face-in-catalonia-bh77xbg25","__typename":"Article"},"Image:0f925ef8-20ea-4253-8bbf-9258f71ee52d":{"caption":"Tossa de Mar has Catalonia’s only surviving example of a fortified coastal town","credits":"ALAMY","title":"Fishing boat on the beach with medieval town walls in the background Gabrielle Monaghan finds some scenic gems on Spain’s northeastern coastGabrielle MonaghanSunday August 13 2017 The Sunday TimesTossa de Mar has Catalonia’s only surviving example of a fortified coastal townALAMYGabrielle MonaghanSunday August 13 2017 The Sunday TimesAs I lean forward on my Segway a fellow traveller slipped off his own upright scooter — though he may have been distracted by the cigarette he was smoking at the time we stop at a picnic table laid out with Giró Ribot cava Sergey Protosenya was found hanging in an apartment in Lloret de Mar, a seaside town in Catalonia, Spain, Spanish TV channel Telecinco reported His wife and daughter were also found dead with stab wounds in the same apartment Murder-suicide is the primary working theory of the Mossos D'Esquadra the Catalan police body investigating the deaths a spokesperson from Lloret De Mar's town hall told Insider The Mossos did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment In a Thursday statement appeared to suggest that the idea that its former employee could be responsible for the deaths bears "no relation to reality." established himself as an outstanding person and a wonderful family man a strong professional who made a considerable contribution to the formation and development of the Company," it said speculations have emerged in the media about this topic but we are convinced that these speculations bear no relation to reality." Novatek referred Insider to this statement without further comment when asked whether it was referring to the idea that Protosenya could be responsible for the deaths.  When approached by Insider with the town hall's confirmation that the police were considering the murder-suicide theory which would put the matter outside of media speculation the Novatek spokesperson said this was a question for the Mossos The Mossos said in a Tuesday statement that it was alerted to the deaths of three people in Lloret De Mar on Tuesday A Mossos spokesperson referred to this statement when Insider asked for comment on Protosenya El Punta Vui also reported on Thursday that murder-suicide was the police's primary theory for the deaths Protosenya served on Novatek's management board between 1997 and 2015 He was retired at the time of his death, and had amassed a fortune of around $440 million, La Vanguardia reported Catalan police are currently combing the Protosenya family's phone records and security footage from the home The discovery of the Protosenya family's deaths came a day after another Russian oligarch with connections to the energy industry was found dead along with his wife and child in his Moscow apartment There is no evidence of a connection between the cases whose similarities have nonetheless sparked intense international interest.  Mark McKinty previously received funding from AHRC Queen's University Belfast provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation UK View all partners Iberian coasts and islands have long been popular destinations for partying holidaymakers prepare to descend on Spain over the summer months in search of sun a flurry of recent headlines suggest that quite what that tourist experience looks like is set to change significantly This article is part of Quarter Life a series about issues affecting those of us in our twenties and thirties From the challenges of beginning a career and taking care of our mental health adopting a pet or just making friends as an adult The articles in this series explore the questions and bring answers as we navigate this turbulent period of life Should I still go on holiday if I have COVID? Why you should travel solo this summer Amsterdam is laying down a model for what tourism should look like after COVID This year, Spanish tourist officials have launched the #SlowTravelSpain campaign to promote a more sustainable and considerate form of visiting the country Anyone planning a holiday should be considering the customs and rules of their destination and the way their visit may affect local people’s lives Spain was a pioneer among European countries in fostering mass tourism. In the first decades of the 20th century, early attempts to promote the country to foreign audiences via a variety of travel and tourism posters were followed by full-blown campaigns to visit Spain It also resulted in a 43% rise in tourist numbers in 1960. And those numbers have kept rising almost annually ever since Research shows how Spain was particularly badly affected by the 2008 global economic crisis. The number of tourists flocking to its beaches nonetheless rose by 42.6% between 2012 and 2017 If you’re planning a visit to Spain this year think about what part you might play in making the unique Spanish tourism experience different had been suspected of suffocating her children at the resort of Lloret de Mar on Tuesday – the same day her partner Martin Smith was extradited to Britain to face charges of child sex abuse and in documents released after the hearing the judge said she had pleaded guilty to killing both children "Mrs Smith spontaneously declared that she had killed her two children," the document read fled the UK in 2007 after he was accused of child sex offences They are believed to have gone first to Costa Brava and then to Barcelona where she retrained as an English language teacher Her husband was arrested in Spain on May 8 and was extradited to the UK on Tuesday He appeared in court in Carlisle on Wednesday charged with 13 child sex offences said to have been committed in the Cumbria area between 1995 and 2005 Craig Mallon died from a single punch on a street in Lloret de Mar, Spain, in 2012. Craig Mallon, from Coatbridge, died after a single punch to the head in the Lloret de Mar resort around 6am on Saturday, May 19, 2012. He was returning with friends from a night out on his brother’s stag weekend in the Costa Brava town when he was fatally struck outside Rockefellers Bar, in the street. The 26-year-old’s father, Ian Mallon, remains aggravated by the lack of progress made by the authorities in Spain, who have not arrested anyone over his death 12 years later. This is despite the unearthing of CCTV footage seven years following the incident. In a video shared on the social media group Craig Mallon Appeal, he said: “Do you or anyone you know have any information that can help our family get justice and answers? “Can you imagine what it is like to lose a loved one in such terrible circumstances? “Our families grief is aggravated by the fact that people out there have information about what happened. “People have information that they might not think is relevant and there are people who know who killed Craig. “My son’s killer is still out there living a normal life after 12 years. “They may now have a family of their own.” An English-speaking woman who telephoned the Spanish emergency services at 6.26am on the morning of the incident described “a tall man” and others being involved in a fight. Craig’s family say the woman who made the call to the emergency services to report the incident has vital information has never been spoken to. Despite being over ten years ago, Craig’s family are making appeals for anyone with information about this call to come forward. Mr Mallon’s employers Laing O’Rourke hired former detective superintendent David Swindle, who led the investigation which brought the serial killer Peter Tobin to justice, to look into the case. The investigator identified four French men entering the local police office on CCTV at around 6.40am, just over half an hour after the killing. STV News is now on WhatsAppGet all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Follow STV News on WhatsAppScan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country '+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text+' "+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title+" "+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text+" It has been confirmed that the World Sports Tourism Congress is rescheduled for 25-26 November 2021 Organised by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Catalan Tourist Board (Agència Catalana de Turisme) In a statement on its website the UNWTO said: “Sports tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in tourism More and more tourists are interested in sport activities during their trips whether sports are the main objective of travel or not Sport events of various kinds and sizes attract tourists as participants or spectators and destinations try to add local flavours to them to distinguish themselves and provide authentic local experiences Sports events can be a catalyst for tourism development if successfully leveraged in terms of destination branding infrastructure development and other economic and social benefits “Within the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development this congress seeks to explore the relationship between sports tourism and sustainable and inclusive development and how sports tourism can serve as a tool for tourism dispersal the congress will challenge all participants to further explore these topics and discuss innovation and current and future trends in the sector as well as successful governance and private sector strategies.” were once part of the WRC's primary narrative Photography by Girardo & Co. archive & M-Sport Words by There is a lot of debate going on right now about the future of the World Rally Championship headed by David Richards and Robert Reid and with significant pressure being applied by the FIA President is feverishly working on a plan for what the future of rallying should look like it looks like the hybrid machines might at least survive until the end of 2026 but some kind of change beyond that appears inevitable While the thinking behind the technical regulations introduced for 2022 was the reality is that the concept just hasn’t worked Part of the magic of rallying for me was that it was always accessible and offered talented amateurs the chance to go up against the very best in the world It was also a place where you could see the most unlikely cars in direct competition One of the big issues with the Rally1 regulations is that not only have they failed to attract any new manufacturers those precious privateers are now even more alienated than they were during the 2017-2021 World Rally Car era The FIA has announced a sticking plaster in the shape of allowing Rally1 machinery to be used without the hybrid system in 2024 but while it may facilitate a couple of well-healed privateers entering the odd rally the obvious path to facilitating the return of privateers is to base the championship around the Rally2 regulations I believe it should be possible to allay their concerns if the right budgetary constraints are put in place to supplement the existing cost cap – especially if we can find a way to incorporate a hybrid element in the future I would encourage Messrs Reid and Richards to seriously consider the idea because I would argue that there is nothing more exciting than seeing a committed crew putting a lower-category car in places it has no right to be Perhaps the most obvious example of this is the Formula 2 kit cars of the late 1990s Philippe Bugalski drove a Citroën Xsara Kit Car to victory at Rally Spain and then again just a fortnight later at the Tour de Corse but it was thrilling to see a second-tier car humbling the latest World Rally Cars Go back further and the WRC archives are littered with similar David versus Goliath encounters: from Lancia beating the might of Audi in 1983 with the rear-wheel-drive 037 to Bernard Béguin winning the 1987 Tour de Corse in a BMW M3 against Yves Loubet in the all-conquering Lancia Delta HF 4WD Even the humble Renault 11 enjoyed a moment in the spotlight with Jean Ragnotti finishing third at that same 1987 edition of the Tour de Corse in a car with front-wheel drive and a tiny 1.4-litre turbocharged engine Such achievements are the stuff of rallying folklore We do still see the occasional example of course has shown almost obscene pace in a Ford Fiesta Rally3 at times while Hiroki Arai put a Peugeot 208 Rally4 in the top 10 at this year’s Rally Japan Wouldn’t it be nice to see it happen more often though Putting the top drivers in Rally2 cars and exposing them to potential humiliation by surface specialists or local heroes who know every inch of the road is a step in the right direction but making rallying more accessible and exciting doesn’t have to just be about giving privateers access to top-level cars How about allowing a slightly larger turbo restrictor for Rally3 cars so that someone like Jon Armstrong can put the cat among the pigeons in the same mold as the Citroën Xsara mentioned earlier why not allow a kit of parts to be homologated to upgrade a Rally4 car Imagine a Peugeot 208 or Ford Fiesta with bulging wheel arches and flames shooting out of an obnoxious side exit exhaust as it popped and banged its way to asphalt glory There is no doubt that the past two generations of top-category cars have delivered some fantastic moments and the FIA and WRC have done a great job of creating close competition within each class is that there just aren’t enough cars in some of those classes Rather than relying on manufacturers to fill the vacant spaces within each class maybe the current period of turmoil is the perfect opportunity to open things up and allow them to demonstrate the strengths of different technologies or design philosophies Regardless of what replaces Rally1 in 2027 it is vital to find a way to bring privateers back to the top class let’s also find a way to allow people in the lower categories a chance at glory Let’s inspire the next generation of rally fans with tales of the little guy taking the fight to the big boys and scoring victory against all the odds Those stories are at the heart of what makes this sport so special Sign up today and be the first to know about special offers