Yzabelle Bostyn

Here you can find all my published writing. Check out the 'About Me' section to learn more about me and the 'Contact Me' to contact me directly. 

The Olive Press •

EXCLUSIVE: Author of viral video showing Brits ‘behaving like animals’ en route to Ibiza recounts ‘horror flight’ - Olive Press News Spain

A WOMAN who was ‘terrified’ on a flight from London to Ibiza has shared details of her ‘horror flight’ with the Olive Press. Ibiza local Erika Barrachina, 49, has recalled her ‘horrific’ flight from London to Ibiza last Sunday.  Her journey caught headlines after a video of Brits screaming, shouting and hitting the seats went viral on TikTok. But according to Barrachina, the video ‘doesn’t show the worst of it’ as it was taken at the end of the flight. READ MORE: WATCH: Spanish tourist fil...
The Olive Press •

‘I spent three incredible days in Bilbao - here are my top sight-seeing tips’ - Olive Press News Spain

BILBAO is the Basque Country’s biggest city and with much to explore, we have prepared a guide for the ultimate visit. Culture filled cities, stunning coastlines and world-renowned cuisine, the Basque Country is a vibrant and varied region.  Its biggest city, Bilbao, makes for the perfect long weekend, with a great mix of museums, green spaces, beaches, historic neighbourhoods and strong cultural heritage. On a recent visit to Bilbao, I spent three days in the area and was delighted each d...
The Olive Press •

Locals in Mijas urbanisation continue their fight against noise pollution - Olive Press News Spain

MIJAS locals continue to fight noise pollution from the AP-7 motorway, 11 months after their petition reached 3,000 signatures. Residents of the La Sierrezuela Urbanization, Mijas launched the petition last year against the ‘constant source of annoyance and discomfort.’  It quickly reached 3,000 signatures and has since risen to over 3,500.  They are calling on local entities such as Mijas Town Hall and the Ministry of Transport to combat noise pollution in the local community by introduci...
The Olive Press •

Expat property tycoons 'overwhelmed' to have Estepona street named after them - Olive Press News Spain

A BENAVISTA street has been named after pioneering expat business tycoons Alan and Carol James.The sign was unveiled on April 30 by Estepona mayor Jose Maria Garcia Urbano for the James’ investment in the Costa del Sol. Over the past 56 years, they have built over 5,000 homes from Torrox to Sotogrande, alongside shopping centres, golf courses and bowls clubs.  They have founded 17 companies under Experience Group, each dedicated to a different aspect of expat life on the coast. Although Car...
The Olive Press •

Discover Ibiza’s hidden coves with this coastline walk - Olive Press News Spain

WHILE brushed off by many as a ‘party island’, beneath the veneer of strobe lights and beer, Ibiza hides a treasure trove of stunning coves, laidback chiringuitos and cliffside walks. The best way to explore the island’s natural beauty, a walk along the coast allows you to discover several coves in one day. This 2-3 hour route from Cala Salada to San Antonio allows you to take in the stunning coastline while taking a dip in the azure blue sea at every stop.  Start by travelling to the gorg...
The Olive Press •

Ibiza’s ’soft launch’ teases a wild party season ahead – and we were there for the preview! - Olive Press News Spain

SPAIN’S party island is set for one of its greatest seasons yet, with the world’s largest club opening its doors and some of the biggest residencies in its history kicking off at the end of this month.But for many revellers the fun has already started, with many clubs and bars opening their doors in April- way before ‘official’ opening parties.  So, if you like a bargain, milder weather and quieter venues, heading to Ibiza in April or early May might just be your best bet. Iconic venues li...
The Olive Press •

Are you an expat or an immigrant in Spain? The Olive Press canvassed the debate on this hot topic - Olive Press News Spain

WE took the expat vs immigrant (or resident) debate to the streets of Spain with a vox pop around San Pedro de Alcantara. While some despised the word immigrant, staunchly referring to themselves as expats, others didn’t mind the term as long as they got to live in Spain. Ali Alzayani, 44, half Bahraini/English, businessman, San Pedro Alcantara:  “Expat sounds like you made a choice, immigrant sounds like you had to move. It’s unfair but it’s how the world sees it.“You can start as an expa...
The Olive Press •

Experts warn Doñana rainfall may not be enough to sustain the park through ever rising temperatures.  - Olive Press News Spain

DOÑANA National Park experts have warned recent rainfall may not be enough to stave off drought come summertime. Juanjo Carmona, WWF coordinator at Doñana, says it is ‘too early’ to celebrate the dramatic rainfall seen this month as the park ‘could still dry out’ in summer. He says the March downpours are indicative of a new trend, where instead of rain falling progressively in the winter months, huge deluges inundate the park in spring.  “We used to see 80 litres of water in November and 9...
The Olive Press •

Expats who've lost thousands demand tighter regulation of Spain's funeral plan sector after collapse of Iberian  - Olive Press News Spain

BRITS are calling for tougher regulations after losing a small fortune to a dodgy funeral plan company in Spain. An Olive Press investigation suggests the number of clients left with worthless contracts after the collapse of Iberian Funeral Plans could run into the thousands. And with each policy costing over €3,000 (and sometimes as much as €7,250) the money missing is well into the millions of euros. The disappearance of Iberian – as reported on our front page last issue – has left the e...
The Olive Press •

The ultimate guide to eating vegan in Malaga, Spain - Olive Press News Spain

WITHOUT a doubt the vegan mecca of the Costa del Sol, where should you visit in Malaga city? Our extensive guide covers dozens of the best locales dotted throughout the old town and beyond. One not to miss is La Vegana, a small tapas restaurant dedicated to reinventing traditional Andalucian dishes.  If you are jealous of holidaymakers enjoying their espetos on the beach, you’ll love the restaurant’s range of vegan ‘seafood’ including pil pil prawns, cuttlefish, squid rings and lemon garni...
The Olive Press •

This is the ultimate road trip from southern Spain to Portugal's Algarve - Olive Press News Spain

Looking for an Easter escape? This road trip from the Costa del Sol along the Algarve is the perfect weekend getaway.Just a few hours drive from Malaga’s coastline, Portugal’s Algarve region is a gem at any time of year but it shines especially bright in Spring, when sun drenched beaches have not yet been inundated with summer tourists. While the trip is manageable in one sitting (as we did), you could stop along the way in the Spanish spots of Sevilla and Huelva to make the most of your jour...
The Olive Press •

IN PICS: Las Fallas sculptures reveal scathing criticism of Valencian officials following deadly flooding - Olive Press News Spain

VALENCIANS have used the traditional Fallas festival to voice their outrage after hundreds were killed in tragic flooding last October.The region’s iconic festival celebrates the arrival of spring by burning satirical models in the streets.  This year’s Ninot Exhibition, which showcases the smaller figures that compose larger fallas scenes, revealed a swathe of designs criticising the handling of disastrous DANA storms last year.  Held at the Museo de las Ciencias, the scenes often referenc...
The Olive Press •

EXCLUSIVE: Brit fury in Spain after major funeral planner vanishes - hundreds of end-of-life plans at risk while crematoriums refuse to hand over ashes - Olive Press News Spain

BRITISH expats are demanding answers following the ‘disgraceful’ disappearing act of a major funeral planning company in Spain. Iberian Funeral Plans vanished overnight on March 3 allegedly following the death of its own founder Stephen Nelson.  The dramatic collapse has likely left hundreds, if not thousands, of clients with their funeral plans null and void. Expats are now vowing to uncover the truth behind the emerging scandal, amid fears the large sums they coughed up for end-of-life a...
The Olive Press •

Exclusive: Brits blast campervans for 'polluting' Spain's Costa del Sol and 'spoiling their views' - as 'vanlifers' blame a 'few bad apples' - Olive Press News Spain

EXCLUSIVE By Yzzy Bostyn WHEN Cor Vandenhoek moved to Torrox Costa nine years ago, he invested in one of the most expensive properties on the market under the promise that nothing would ever obscure his view to the sea. It was a vow that was sadly to be broken.  Just seven years later, the abandoned lot in front of the Dutchman’s upmarket Punta del Faro Urbanisation is ‘inundated’ with over around 60 new homes.Not the sort of bricks and mortar properties that you might expect an expat homeo...
The Olive Press •

'It's not rocket science' says UK based ecologist on drying of Spanish rivers - Olive Press News Spain

The solutions to Spain’s drying-out rivers are not ‘crazy rocket science’A LEADING ecologist has set out to save Spain’s dwindling river systems from the twin threat of climate change and excessive demands on water consumption. Julia Martin Ortega, a professor of ecological economics at the University of Leeds, has warned that rising temperatures are causing ‘intense river dryness’ across parts of the country.  But the academic says her solutions to this ‘intense dryness’ are not ‘crazy ro...
The Olive Press •

Exclusive: Spain forks out €2million to house migrants at plush Costa del Sol hotel - Olive Press News Spain

THE SPANISH government will spend almost €2 million housing migrants in a four-star Costa del Sol hotel until April, the Olive Press can reveal. The Hotel Oh Nice Caledonia, in Bel Air, is reportedly being paid €60 per person per night, according to a source in nearby Benahavis.  This amounts to €21,000 per night or €1.9 million over three months when the hotel is normally closed for the winter season. In comparison, one night at the hotel for paying guests costs €65 minimum, though no boo...
The Olive Press •

Exclusive: Tensions flare in Malaga as locals blame murder of US priest on tourists who 'attract thieves' - while new 'guiris go home' graffiti emerges  - Olive Press News Spain

By Yzabelle Bostyn and Tom Ewart Smith in MalagaMALAGA locals have blamed tourism and immigration for the brutal murder of an American priest.  The body of Father Richard Gross, 80, was found in a holiday apartment on January 20 after neighbours alerted the police to ‘agonising screams’ that ‘sounded like someone being killed’. Gross was staying in the bottom flat of a Holidays2Malaga property at 4 Calle de Viento, the Olive Press can reveal. Locals are blaming ‘mass tourism’ and immigrati...
The Olive Press •

British artist creates 'Angel of Ibiza' sculpture - Olive Press News Spain

A BRITISH artist and fashion designer has created a sculpture to spread ‘hope’, ‘inspiration’ and ‘positivity’ in Ibiza. Known as the ‘undisputed king of expensive bling’ Christopher Shellis has sold shoes for a hefty €200,000 to the likes of Beyonce and the Sultan of Brunei. But now, he has turned his design expertise to creating a public art installation for the Spanish island.  The ‘Angel of Ibiza’ sculpture is the product of five years of ‘incredibly complicated and intense’ work design...
The Olive Press •

British artist pens graphic novel inspired grandparents’ role in the Spanish Civil War - Olive Press News Spain

THROUGHOUT the 1930s, facism appeared to be taking over Europe and the Second World War loomed on the horizon. So when a far right coup threatened Spain’s democracy, many Brits went to fight.  “They fought in Spain so facism didn’t reach England,” artist and author Crispin Green told the Olive Press.  “If they did nothing, they thought Hitler would be marching his paratroopers over Hampstead Heath in no time.”The Londoner has recently published a graphic novel, Meeting Trouble Half Way, in...
The Olive Press •

‘Illegal’ campers spark fury by dumping human waste onto Costa del Sol beach - as police ‘do nothing’ - Olive Press News Spain

A FRUSTRATED expat has spoken out after ‘illegal’ campers were spotted throwing rubbish and human waste onto a Torrox beach. Doug Fairchild, 78 from Australia claims around 70 campervans are illegally parked in a public car park near the lighthouse.  He alleges Torrox council are doing ‘nothing’ to stop the growing ‘health risk’, exacerbated by the presence of feral cats. “Many of the caravans do not have toilets and use the nearby flora, as do the vans when they empty their wastage,” he t...
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