1. Living And Working Abroad : British Family Moves To Spain As
Well As Opens An Adventure Travel Company
I connected with Mel and Marie recently , from one webmaster to another , through working on our
mutual websites. I discovered that the couple had just recently moved to the country from Britain and
set up an adventure travel company that after one only year in business is already doing pretty much.
Many of you know already that the country is one of my favourite nations , so I absolutely had to find
out how these northern Europeans made the actual transition into the warm south of Andalucia and
how there were adjusting personally, socially and with their new business in this brand new lifestyle.
Here's what they had to say:
1. Please tell us a little about your background. Where are you through , what is your work
background ?
Mel: I'm through Bedworth, Warwickshire, britain. Formerly a coal miner and cop.
Marie: I'm through Maghera, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, as well as am a health
professional.
Prior to moving to Spain, all of us lived in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. We have three children; Stuart
(nineteen ), Niall (15) as well as Stephanie (14).
2. How did generate the idea of opening an adventure holiday company vacation ?
Marie: For all of his adult life, Mel has been a keen trail athlete , cyclist and cross-country skier; the
children as well as myself are also lovers of the great outdoors. As a family we had holidayed all over
Europe, including a number of cycling breaks or cracks in Spain. Having experienced the local
climate, the actual stunning scenery and the apparently limitless tracks and incredibly quiet highways
, moving to the country to establish our own activity holiday business seemed the perfect choice.
3. How did you decide on your location? What type of property did you choose as well as why?
Please talk to us about the property purchasing process vacation.
Andalucia is the most stunning part of Spain. All of us wanted to avoid the mayhem of the coast, but
didn't want to be a lot more than an hour away from Malaga airport, in order to reduce the traveling
time with regard to guests. It was then just a question associated with drawing a collection on a map
as well as visiting available properties within that circle.
We did a lot of browsing on the internet, then made appointments along with estate agents to view
the actual properties that seemed right. We eventually chose this property because of the stunning
sights , the excellent road entry and because, with only a little work, we were able to convert an
outbuilding into a self-contained visitor apartment.
The buying process was relatively simple for us. We given power of lawyer to a local lawyer , who
then dealt with everything on our behalf. All we'd to do was move over the money anytime it was
required. The only real aspect of the process that people would caution people about is the strategies
of some of the auctions. Not all of the properties listed on websites were actually for sale and some of
those that were available were only available in a much higher price compared to advertised or were
not at all like their descriptions !

2. 4. Did you have to do any renovations to the property you bought? if that's the case , what was it
prefer to deal with Spanish companies and construction workers ?
We had to transform a building along with 2 very basic areas and 2 shed kind rooms into the visitor
accommodation. However, we were able to do a large amount of the work ourselves and only
employed builders for that more skilled duties. We have learned that you will find good and bad
builders between the Spanish and the uk builders working in your area , but only a properly registered
firm works with any sort of guarantee. And that is an important thing to consider.
5. Please talk to us about Rio-Frio, the adventure holiday company that you founded. When did you
start it ?
We founded Rio Frio Holidays in the summertime of 2004, using the intention of offering activity
holidays and vacation accommodation specifically tailored to the requirements of our guests, whether
they tend to be individual travellers, households or groups.
6. What does your company offer ? How is it different from other adventure vacation operations?
What type of people vacation with your company?
We offer holiday accommodation , activity holidays as well as training camps with regard to families,
single vacationers , corporate groups as well as groups of sports people. Mel is the primary
guide/coordinator for walking , mountain biking, road cycling and operating ; other activities, such as
canoeing, rock climbing, abseiling as well as archery and provided by local Spanish businesses.
We have had appointments from keen cyclists and runners, as well as families wanting the multi-
activity break the ones who wanted to just relax in the garden between visits to Granada, Seville and
other sightseeing highlights.
7. What was it like opening a business vacation ? What processes do you have to go through?
Our first step was to employ a good accountant ("Gestoria") who took all of us through the process of
signing up with the Spanish authorities as self-employed as well as helped us using the bureaucracy
of signing up the business with the nearby tourist authorities. He or she also handles our regular tax
returns as well as ensures that we adhere to all of the relevant tax and other legislation.
8. Please tell us the way the first year has gone for you with your new business. What has been your
biggest challenge associated with operating a business inside a new country? what have been your
greatest rewards of working this business?
The very first year has been wonderful ! We have had only positive feedback through all of our guests
as well as their comments, to their friends and in our online guestbook, happen to be our best form of
advertising.
The biggest challenge continues to be identifying where to spend our marketing spending budget. We
are constantly getting calls from sales reps trying to sell all of us advertising space and it is very
difficult to tell which guides are likely to have the greatest impact. We are nevertheless learning!
The greatest reward is the thanks of the guests as well as knowing that we have helped someone to
have a great holiday or helped to put them on the right track to achieving their health or workout
goals.
9. How great was your knowledge associated with Spanish when you relocated there? How offers it

3. improved since then ?
We barely spoke a word of spanish between us - and even less Andaluz (the local dialect!) however ,
after many hours of effort , we are all well in route to learning the actual language now.
10. Please tell us about your interaction using the locals. How much contact do you have with
residents ? What about the cultural adjustment process, adjusting to Spanish culture, originating from
England for yourselves and your children?
The children went straight into the local Spanish supplementary school. Unfortunately, the actual
recent influx associated with British children leaves the school struggling to cope.
Outside of school, things are much better. Our spanish neighbours and buddies are terrific; there is a
real sense of community within our village and, through Mel's membership of the local cycling club ,
we have developed a broad network of spanish friends.
Until you relax and accept that the Spanish - especially the bureaucrats - do not work to work
deadlines in the same way that the uk do, life vacation can be quite stressful for that average Brit.
However , there is little about the way of life that doesn't emerge favourably in comparison with uk
culture.
11. What advice would give you someone who would like to move to Spain and begin a business
there?
Do it! And please feel free to drop us the line if you have any kind of specific questions.
Thanks, Mel and jessica , for sharing with us how you achieved your dream of living in the actual
South of the country and good luck with your business. It's great to hear that you simply were able to
fit in in your new environment therefore quickly and have handled such a smooth changeover. It's
true, sometimes you just gotta get it done....
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