Welcome to Viva La Europa! A weekly dose of European culture, news, travel and properties.

In this issue:

• 🐉 Loch and Loaded: The Monster Hunt That's Breaking the Internet!

• 💰 The Real Irish Pot o' Gold: It's an Island and €80,000!

• 🌍 What’s happening in Europe

• 🏡 Jaw dropping Spanish Elegance With Panoramic Sea Views

• 🏝️ A 250 year old castle featured on the popular tv show Grand Designs

🐉 Loch and Loaded: The Monster Hunt That's Breaking the Internet!

Hold onto your kilts, folks! Scotland's Loch Ness is about to get a whole lot busier, and no, it's not because Nessie is throwing a pool party. Amateur sleuths and monster enthusiasts from around the globe are tuning in for the most epic Loch Ness Monster hunt in 50 years!

What's the Buzz?

People from as far as Japan and New Zealand are going to be glued to their screens, watching live streams of Loch Ness. Why? To finally settle the age-old debate: Does Nessie exist or is she just Scotland's most elusive influencer?

The Deets

Paul Nixon, the big kahuna at the Loch Ness Centre, says around 100 volunteers will be on the ground, while another 100 will be playing detective from the comfort of their homes. They'll be staring at footage from four strategically placed webcams, hoping to catch a glimpse of the mythical creature. And get this, they've got thermal drones and hydrophones this time. Talk about an upgrade from the 1970s!

The Aftermath

Once the weekend shenanigans are over, all the "sightings" will be analyzed and the findings will be made public. So, will they find Nessie or just a bunch of floating logs? Only time will tell!

Thought-Provoking Questions

1. Is Nessie Real or Just a Tourist Trap?: With all this tech, if Nessie is out there, she better be ready for her close-up!

2. The Power of Technology: How much has technology changed the game in monster hunting?

3. Global Participation: What does it say about human curiosity that people from different continents are tuning in for this?

So, whether you're a believer or a skeptic, grab your binoculars and your best detective hat. It's going to be a monstrously good time! 🕵️‍♀️🔍

🌈💰 The Real Irish Pot o' Gold: It's an Island and €80,000!

Ahoy, matey! 🏴‍☠️ Ever dreamt of being a modern-day Robinson Crusoe, but with Wi-Fi and a cozy cottage? Well, Ireland's got a deal for you! Under the "Our Living Islands" policy, the Irish government is offering a whopping €80,000 to lure you into their offshore communities. Sounds like a pot o' gold at the end of the rainbow, right?

But hold your horses! 🐴 There's a wee bit of a catch. You can't just waltz in and claim your treasure. First, you've got to buy and own a property on one of these islands, and it must be a fixer-upper built before 1993 and vacant for at least two years. The gold coins—err, euros—are for renovating these dilapidated properties. Think of it as an episode of "Extreme Home Makeover: Island Edition."

And what can you do with the money, you ask? Well, you can't just splurge it on a lifetime supply of Guinness. 🍻 The cash is for practical things like insulation, structural improvements, and redecoration. So, if you're up for the challenge, applications are open now!

🌍 What’s happening in Europe

• The EU is sending five more firefighting planes and a helicopter to Greece to combat devastating wildfires in the northeast. Greece activated the EU Civil Mechanism for assistance, having already received support from Cyprus and Romania. The move comes as wildfire incidence rises in southern Europe, and Greece finds 18 bodies believed to be migrants in a burned forest.

• EU countries are increasingly reclaiming land from the mafia for social purposes. Italy pioneered this approach, reallocating confiscated land for various social projects. The movement has spread across Europe, with countries like Spain, Belgium, and Romania adopting similar measures. Assets are being used for addiction treatment centers, schools, and even restaurants that source their produce from reclaimed lands. The initiative not only utilizes otherwise unused land but also engages communities in the fight against organized crime.

• Euromonitor International's Sustainable Travel Index 2023 reveals that Sweden, Finland, and Austria are the top sustainable travel destinations in Europe. The study also found that 79% of travelers are willing to pay at least 10% more for eco-friendly travel features. The index evaluates destinations based on 56 indicators across seven pillars, including environmental, social, and economic factors. The report highlights the increasing importance of green technology and digitalization in achieving sustainable travel.

🏡 Property finds of the week

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🏝️ Stays of the week