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The Most Popular Villages Among Foreign Property Buyers In Spain In 2023

Cities of course are still major draws for foreign property buyers in Spain, but when looking at municipalities of less than 500,000 people it’s interesting to note which ones foreigners prefer.

According to a study carried out by property giant Idealista, which analysed the visits received to its website during the months of June and July, these 10 villages are the ones that were searched for the most.

The one element that most of these have in common is that they are located on or within easy reach of the coast.

1) Benitachell, Alicante (Valencia)

Benitachell is located 80km from Alicante, northeast along the coast. The village itself is slightly inland, surrounded by mountain views, but there are several urbanisations running all the way down to the sea. It has a population of just 4,481 and is even home to a British International school. According to Idealista the average property price here is €2,965 €/m2.

Benitachell, Alicante is the most searched-for village to buy a property in Spain. Photo: Joanbanjo / Wikimedia Commons

2) Begur, Girona (Catalonia)

Located in Catalonia’s Costa Brava region, Begur is a picturesque hilltop town, which also sits slightly inland from the coast. It’s very popular with holidaymakers in summer who come to enjoy the nearby coves. You’ll have to have deep pockets if you want to live here, however, with the average cost of €3,435 /m2.

The town of Begur in Catalonia is a popular place to buy property. Photo: Myriam Thyes / Wikimedia Commons

3) Pals, Girona (Catalonia)

Located just a short hop from Begur, Pals is an old medieval village that seems to remain frozen in time. It’s quaint and charming, but also extremely popular with tourists and sometimes it may feel like you’re living in a museum. The population is just 2,528. Properties sell for an average of €2,568 / m2.

The historic picture-postcard village of Pals is a favourite with foreign buyers. Photo: MARIA ROSA FERRE / Wikimedia Commons

4) Llançà, Girona (Catalonia)

Situated in the Alt Empordà area of the Costa Brava, Llançà lies between the Cap de Creus Natural Park, above Dalí’s Cadaqués, and the French border at Portbou. It has a population of 4,914. A property here will cost you €2,121 /m2.

The village of Llançà in Catalonia is the fourth most searched-for place for property. Photo: Turismellançà

5) Arenales del Sol, Alicante (Valencia)

Just 12km south of Alicante city, Arenales del Sol is a residential zone and beach area. It offers seemingly endless stretches of sand that you can enjoy all year round. Just 5km from Alicante-Elche International Airport, it makes a great option for those who want to buy a holiday home here or travel often. A house or apartment here will set you back €2,268 /m2.

Arenales del Sol is another popular spot for foreign buyers in Alicante. Photo: Zeisterre / Wikimedia Commons

6) Frigiliana, Málaga (Andalusia)

Situated in the hills above Nerja, 57km east of Málaga, lies the picture postcard village of Frigiliana. One of Spain’s famed white villages, it’s known for its old Moorish quarter and quaint streets decorated with mosaics. Many of its properties even offer spectacular views all the way down to the coast. Properties cost an average of €2,489 /m2.

It’s not hard to see why the picturesque whitewashed village of Frigiliana made the list. Photo: niall62 / Wikimedia Commons

7) Cómpeta, Malaga (Andalusia)

Just north of Frigiliana in an area known as the Axarquía, Cómpeta is another charming white village and sits sitting at the foot of the Sierra Almijara. Almost half of its 3,814 residents are in fact foreigners, so you’ll have no problem fitting in. But if your goal is to integrate with local Spaniards, then you may want to look elsewhere. The average property price here is €1,489 /m2.

The whitewashed village of Cómpeta in the Axarquía comes in at number seven on the list. Photo: Robert Bovington / Wikimedia Commons

8) Ses Salines, Mallorca (Balearics)

Situated close to the southern tip of the island of Mallorca, Ses Salines municipality is home to around 5,200 residents. Its history is entwined with the production of salt and there are still salt flats found here today. Of course, it goes without saying that it lies within easy reach of one of the island’s most beautiful coastlines.

The village of Ses Salines is the most searched-for village among property buyers in Mallorca. Photo: Sönke Biehl / Wikimedia Commons

9) Ponga (Asturias)

The only village on the list that lies in northwestern Spain can be found in the region of Asturias. Located right on the border with Castilla y León and surrounded by high peaks, this is also one of the furthest villages on the list from the coast. Ribadesella is located approximately 53km to the north. It’s located in what is known as ‘Empty Spain’ and has just 574 residents.

Ponga in Asturias is the most popular spot for foreign property buyers in northwestern Spain. Photo: Carmenmoran / Wikimedia Commons

10) Alcossebre, Castellón (Valencia)

Situated along the Costa Azahar or Orange Blossom Coast in the northern part of Valencia, Alcossebre is a pretty seaside village with lots of colourful houses. Offering a relaxed pace of life, it has around 7,000 residents. Properties cost an average of €1,897 /m2.

The tenth most popular village for foreign property buyers in Spain is Alcossebre in the Valencia region. Photo: Columbusalbus / Wikimedia Commons


Culture

Choco: Revolutionizing The FoodTech Industry With Innovation & Sustainability | EU20

By Clint Bailey

— In the rapidly evolving world of food technology, European startup Choco has emerged as a pioneering force. With its website, Choco.com, this Berlin-based company is transforming the way food industry professionals operate by leveraging innovative digital solutions. By linking restaurants, distributors, suppliers, and producers on a single platform, Choco is streamlining the supply chain process while promoting sustainability.

Let’s explore the journey of Choco.com and its impact on the overall foodtech industry.


  1. Company: Choco Technologies GmbH
  2. Website: www.Choco.com
  3. Head Office: Berlin, Germany
  4. Year Established: 2018
  5. Founders: Choco was co-founded by Daniel Khachab, Julian Hammer, and Rogerio da Silva.
  6. Industry: Choco operates in the foodtech industry, specifically focusing on digitizing the supply chain for the food industry.
  7. Funding: Choco has secured significant funding rounds from investors, including Bessemer Venture Partners & Coatue Management.
  8. Market Presence: Choco has a strong presence in several European cities, including Berlin, Paris, London & Barcelona.
  9. Mission: Choco aims to revolutionize the food industry by leveraging technology to simplify supply chain management, promote sustainability, and reduce food waste.

Simplifying Supply Chain Management

One of the core focuses of Choco is to simplify supply chain management for food businesses. Traditionally, the procurement process in the food industry has been cumbersome and inefficient, with numerous intermediaries and manual processes. Choco’s digital platform replaces the traditional paper-based ordering system, allowing restaurants and suppliers to communicate and collaborate seamlessly.

Choco’s platform enables restaurants to place orders directly with suppliers, eliminating the need for phone calls, faxes, or emails. This not only saves time but also reduces the likelihood of errors and miscommunications.

By digitizing the ordering process, Choco improves transparency, making it easier for restaurants to compare prices, track deliveries, and manage inventory efficiently.

Streamlining Operations For Suppliers & Producers

Choco’s impact extends beyond restaurants. The platform also provides suppliers and producers with valuable tools to streamline their operations. By digitizing their product catalogs and integrating them into the Choco platform, suppliers can showcase their offerings to a wide network of potential buyers.

Suppliers benefit from increased visibility, enabling them to reach new customers and expand their market presence. Moreover, Choco’s platform helps suppliers manage their inventory, track orders, and plan deliveries effectively. These features enhance operational efficiency, reduce waste, and ultimately contribute to a more sustainable food system.

https://youtube.com/@choco233
YouTube Channel

Promoting Sustainability & Reducing Food Waste

Choco recognizes the critical importance of sustainability in the food industry. According to the United Nations, approximately one-third of the world’s food production goes to waste each year. By digitizing the supply chain and enabling more efficient ordering and inventory management, Choco actively works to combat this issue.

Air France – Deals & Destinations

Choco’s platform facilitates data-driven decision-making for restaurants, suppliers, and producers. By analyzing purchasing patterns & demand, Choco helps businesses optimize their inventory levels, reducing overstocking and minimizing food waste. Additionally, Choco supports local sourcing, enabling businesses to connect with nearby suppliers & promote sustainable, community-based practices.

Expanding Reach & Impact

Since its founding in 2018, Choco has experienced rapid growth and expansion. The startup has successfully secured significant funding rounds, allowing it to scale its operations and establish a strong presence across Europe and other global markets. Today, Choco’s platform is used by thousands of restaurants and suppliers, revolutionizing the way they operate.

Choco’s impact extends beyond operational efficiency or sustainability. By connecting restaurants, suppliers & producers on a single platform, Choco fosters collaboration & encourages the exchange of ideas. This collaborative approach strengthens the overall foodtech ecosystem and creates a supportive community of like-minded aiming to drive positive change within the industry.

Future Of FoodTech

Choco’s rise to prominence in the foodtech industry exemplifies the reach of sustainability, innovation, and community. Through its user-friendly platform, Choco simplifies supply chain management, streamlines operations for restaurants & suppliers, and actively promotes sustainable practices. By harnessing the potential of digital, Choco is disrupting the future of the food industry, making it more efficient and transparent.

As Choco continues to expand its impact and reach, its transformative influence on the foodtech sector is set to inspiring, grow other startups, and established players to embrace technology for a better and more sustainable food system.


We Can’t Thank You Enough For Your Support!


— Compiled by Clint Bailey | Team ‘Voice of EU’
— For More Info. & News Submissions: info@VoiceOfEU.com
— For Anonymous News Submissions: press@VoiceOfEU.com


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Culture

The Hat Worn By Napoleon Bonaparte Sold For $2.1 Million At The Auction

A faded felt bicorne hat worn by Napoleon Bonaparte sold for $2.1 million at an auction on of the French emperor’s belongings.

Yes, that’s $2.1 million!!

The signature broad, black hat, one of a handful still in existence that Napoleon wore when he ruled 19th-century France and waged war in Europe, was initially valued at 600,000 to 800,000 euros ($650,000-870,000). It was the centerpiece of Sunday’s auction collected by a French industrialist who died last year.

The Hat Worn By Napoleon Bonaparte Sold For $2.1 Million At The Auction

But the bidding quickly jumped higher and higher until Jean Pierre Osenat, president of the Osenat auction house, designated the winner.

‘’We are at 1.5 million (Euros) for Napoleon’s hat … for this major symbol of the Napoleonic epoch,” he said, as applause rang out in the auction hall. The buyer, whose identity was not released, must pay 28.8% in commissions according to Osenat, bringing the overall cost to 1.9 million euros ($2.1 million).

While other officers customarily wore their bicorne hats with the wings facing front to back, Napoleon wore his with the ends pointing toward his shoulders. The style, known as “en bataille,” or in battle, made it easier for his troops to spot their leader in combat.

The hat on sale was first recovered by Col. Pierre Baillon, a quartermaster under Napoleon, according to the auctioneers. The hat then passed through many hands before industrialist Jean-Louis Noisiez acquired it.

The entrepreneur spent more than a half-century assembling his collection of Napoleonic memorabilia, firearms, swords and coins before his death in 2022.

The sale came days before the release of Ridley Scott’s film Napoleon with Joaquin Phoenix, which is rekindling interest in the controversial French ruler.


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Culture

The Call for AI Regulation in Creative Industries

THE VOICE OF EU | Widespread concerns have surged among artists and creatives in various domains – country singers, authors, television showrunners, and musicians – voicing apprehension about the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on their professions.

These worries have prompted an urgent plea to the U.S. government for regulatory action to protect their livelihoods from the encroaching threat posed by AI technology.

The Artists’ Plea

A notable rise in appeals to regulate AI has emerged, drawing attention to the potential risks AI poses to creative industries.

Thousands of letters, including those from renowned personalities like Justine Bateman and Lilla Zuckerman, underscore the peril AI models represent to the traditional structure of entertainment businesses.

The alarm extends to the music industry, expressed by acclaimed songwriter Marc Beeson, highlighting AI’s potential to both enhance and jeopardize an essential facet of American artistry.

The Call for AI Regulation in Creative Industries

Copyright Infringement Concerns

The primary contention arises from the unsanctioned use of copyrighted human works as fodder to train AI systems. The concerns about AI ingesting content from the internet without permission or compensation have sparked significant distress among artists and their representative entities.

While copyright laws explicitly protect works of human authorship, the influx of AI-generated content questions the boundaries of human contribution and authorship in an AI-influenced creative process.

The Fair Use Debate

Leading technology entities like Google, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms argue that their utilization of copyrighted materials in AI training aligns with the “fair use” doctrine—a limited use of copyrighted material for transformative purposes.

They claim that AI training isn’t aimed at reproducing individual works but rather discerning patterns across a vast corpus of content, citing precedents like Google’s legal victories in the digitization of books.

The Conflict and Seeking Resolution

Despite court rulings favoring tech companies in interpreting copyright laws regarding AI, voices like Heidi Bond, a former law professor and author, critique this comparison, emphasizing that AI developers often obtain content through unauthorized means.

Shira Perlmutter, the U.S. Register of Copyrights, acknowledges the Copyright Office’s pivotal role in navigating this complex landscape and determining the legitimacy of the fair use defense in the AI context.

The Road Ahead

The outpouring of concern from creative professionals and industry stakeholders emphasizes the urgency for regulatory frameworks to safeguard creative works while acknowledging the evolving role of AI in content creation.

The Copyright Office’s meticulous review of over 9,700 public comments seeks to strike a balance between innovation and the protection of creative rights in an AI-driven era. As the discussion continues, the convergence of legal precedents and ethical considerations remains a focal point for shaping the future landscape of AI in creative industries.


Thank You For Your Support!

— By Darren Wilson, Team VoiceOfEU.com

— For more information & news submissions: info@VoiceOfEU.com

— Anonymous news submissions: press@VoiceOfEU.com


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