
The Lucas Fox regional directors describe their perfect day in their region
My Barcelona
My perfect day in Barcelona starts with me putting on my running shoes. My route takes me down through Arc de Triomf, through Ciutadella Park and onto the beach. I never stop feeling lucky that I can run from my apartment right in the centre of one of the coolest cities on the earth and be on a fantastic Mediterranean beach in just 15 minutes! Over the last few years Barcelona has adopted lots more international customs and one of these is brunch. Barcelona brunch is coffee / breakfast / lunch / cocktails and generally lasts into the early afternoon whether you spend it with newspapers, family or friends. My favourite brunch place is Picnic where they have a great mix of Spanish, US and Latin American kitchen. My perfect afternoon would be spent on the beach or in the park, hanging out with friends and family. I recently moved back into Barcelona downtown and I still think that El Borne is the best place to go out at night. My perfect evening would be a late dinner with friends in a small local restaurant followed by Gin and Tonics on a terrace. We would talk and laugh into the small hours making the most of Barcelona’s warm summer evenings.
— Alex Vaughan, Lucas Fox Founding Partner
My Maresme
My perfect day in Maresme starts with an early morning jog down on the beachfront at Caldes d’Estrac, past the beautiful colonial style houses on the famous Paseo de los Ingleses. Breakfast would be a coffee and croissant in one of the many picturesque town squares in any number of Maresme villages. Premià de Dalt, Alella and Cabrils are particular personal favourites. A quick nine holes of golf in Vallromanes or Sant Andreu de Llavaneres would follow before a relaxing lunch at the Petit Moll beach restaurant in Vilassar de Mar, sitting amongst the local fishing boats whilst enjoying a chilled glass of Alta Alella wine and a plate of freshly cooked ‘chipirones’. After lunch, a quick dip in the sea would be followed by a 5 minute drive up to the Serralada Natural Park and a gentle stroll through the hills, taking in the panoramic views of the Maresme Coast and the Barcelona city skyline. The day ends where it began, with a few sundowners and tapas in one of the many ‘chiringuitos’ (beach bars) lining the long sandy beaches of El Masnou and Ocata whilst watching the sun slowly disappear over Barcelona.
— Rafael Rosendo, Director Lucas Fox Maresme
My Marbella
In my perfect world I would wake up in my designer villa in the hills of La Zagaleta, home to Europe’s most exclusive residences. The view from my bedroom window looks out across the valley and the private golf course, and is framed by the Mediterranean with the Rock of Gibraltar in the distance and the coast of Africa on the horizon. After a trek on horseback in the hills of Benahavís, I drive the stunning journey down to Marbella Old Town for lunch. In only 10 minutes I arrive at Marbella’s famous Golden Mile to meet friends at the Orange Tree restaurant in the Plaza de los Naranjos. After lunch, we browse local boutiques, stroll down through the park with its fountains and Picasso statues to the Paseo Marítimo. Here, we stop for an ice cream in one of the parlours overlooking the beach. After a siesta, I meet friends for cocktails and dinner in Puerto Banús and a long night of partying at either Puente Romano’s Café del Mar or La Sala Beach Bar. Marbella is a town of contrasts, one minute you are immersed in stunning nature and the next, you have Michelin starred restaurants, the most fashionable boutiques and extravagant beach clubs and nightclubs. Marbella really does have it all!
— Stephen Lahiri, Partner Lucas Fox Marbella
My Madrid
My perfect Saturday begins with a vigorous jog down La Castellana, past Cibeles, Plaza Independencia and around the beautiful Retiro Park. The trail that runs around the edge of the park totals 7km in length and is always full of energetic Madrileños, so you can’t help but feel like you’re in a race! Breakfast would be on a terrace in Plaza de Chueca. Towards noon, the city starts to come alive and it is the moment to head out to another terrace for a pre-lunch aperativo. Plaza Mayor is the perfect place to ‘people watch’, take in some sun and enjoy a cold beer. Lunch would be at the Taste Gallery, a superb tapas restaurant just opposite the San Miguel market. Satisfying the need for a bit of culture, I’d opt for a post lunch stroll around the Prado museum. The evening would consist of a cheeky glass of wine at Válgame Dios, a show and then dinner at La Mucca in Plaza Santa Ana. Walking through the bustling streets of lit-up monumental buildings, beautiful façades and fountains, one never gets tired. To finish off the night, there is no better place than having a G & T at The Roof at Hotel Me and dance under the moonlight until the early hours of the morning.
— Rod Jamieson, Director Lucas Fox Madrid
My Valencia
My perfect weekend would start with a work out at the Turia River Gardens, the city’s former riverbed stretching more than 9km across the city. After an active morning, I’d opt for Valencia’s signature dish – a ‘paella’ – with family and friends at one of the many restaurants on the Malvarrosa or Patacona beach promenades. After a much-needed siesta, I’d get ready for a typical Valencian night out in the fashionable neighbourhood of Ruzafa, a vibrant gastronomic hub. I’d have a drink at one of its many al fresco terraces and maybe go to an impromptu show at one of the local theatres. On Sunday I would go for a bike ride along the Via del Saler, have breakfast at the beautiful Pinedo village beach and lunch at El Palmar, which is located within the beautiful Natural Park of Albufera. Last but not least, in the evening I would visit the charming village of Alboraya for a ‘horchata’, a traditional Spanish drink made of ground almonds, rice and barley. Delicious!
— Estefania Roig, Director Lucas Fox Valencia
My Ibiza
My ten out of ten Sunday on Ibiza would be to wake up early and go for a challenging mountain bike ride through the beautiful valleys and mountains in the north of the island, watching the sunrise as I fight the steep hills. After that, I’d eat a hearty healthy breakfast at Marina Botafoch, whilst taking in the beautiful views of Ibiza Old Town. In the afternoon, depending on the wind, I would kite surf in one of Ibiza’s amazing bays and if there is no wind I would SUP (Stand Up Paddle) along the coastline to discover some of the island’s hidden caves and beaches. The grand finale takes place at a secret spot close to Cala d’Hort to watch the island’s breathtaking sunset over the magical Es Vedrà rock. On my way back home I would stop for a well-deserved beer at one of the local bars in the charming village of San José.
— Maxim Rettich, Partner Lucas Fox Ibiza
My Sitges
My perfect day starts at Terramar beach and then a stroll towards the town centre, stopping for brunch at the terrace at beachside café Pic Nic. If the sun gets too strong, I would switch for the north facing, chill out zone for an early cocktail before a walk through the village. I’d then take a leisurely walk along the promenade, do some window shopping in Calle Bonaire and then carry on towards the church and meander among the winding streets of the Old Town where I would either choose to have a beer at the lively El Cable bar or opt for a cheeky glass of Cava in one of the many wine bars. With a buzzing head, I’d continue my stroll and opt for dinner at the sophisticated Argentinian restaurant Buenos Aires Grill at Playa San Sebastián, with its unrivalled views over the beach. My final stop would be at the Club Náutico for an ice-cold Gin and Tonic overlooking the beach with its spectacular views over the water.
— Rachel Haslam, Director Lucas Fox Sitges
My Costa Brava
Let’s assume that it is late May. The season isn’t yet in full flow, yet the sea is warm, the landscape in full colour and everything open for business. The day would start with a mug of tea sitting on my seafront terrace in Aiguablava, watching the sun rise slowly over the Mediterranean. After a gentle bike ride along the peaceful country lanes and through some of the beautiful stone built medieval villages of the Baix Empordà, I make my way to Llafranc, where, after enjoying a fresh coffee and croissant on the promenade, I board a boat at the sailing club and gently potter around the coast towards Aigua Xelida. I then take a gentle 20 minute coastal walk to the charming coastal village of Calella de Palafrugell. Lunch is a Catalan rice dish, accompanied by some grilled Palamós prawns and washed down by a few glasses of local Rosé. After a beach siesta and a quick swim, I make my way to Begur for a wander around the ancient pedestrianised streets and up to the castle from where I soak in the dramatic late afternoon views. After a sundowner in the Aiguaclara Hotel, it’s back to Aiguablava and an early evening swim in my (hypothetical) infinity pool before the day comes to a perfect end with a relaxed moonlit dinner at Sa Rascassa, a heavenly beachside restaurant in Aiguafreda.
— Tom Maidment, Partner Lucas Fox Costa Brava
My Seville
My ideal day in my adopted home of Seville would start of with a leisurely walk to the Casablanca Bar on Puerto de Jerez to have breakfast, consisting of coffee, freshly squeezed orange juice, ‘tostado’ with olive oil and fresh tomatoes whilst ‘people watching’ and listening to the early strains of flamenco music. Then I would take a stroll down Avenida de la Constitución past the wonderful Cathedral to Calle Adriano to browse in some of the city’s beatuiful artisan shops including my favourite boutique and hat shop, El Arsenal. I’d then head across the Guadalquivir River via the Triana Bridge and into Triana’s covered market to do some shopping at the city’s best fresh vegetable stalls. I’d then return via the colourful Calle Betis which runs along the river and stop at Bar José Luis on Plaza de Cuba for a glass of vino and a ‘tapa’ or two. Absolute heaven!
— Charlotte Rodriguez, Partner Lucas Fox Country Estates