How one British family swapped grey skies for golden beaches and the removal company that made it all possible
When Emma and Daniel Hughes decided to pack up their home in Manchester and move to Spain, they had no plan, no Spanish skills, and no clue how to get there, just a dream of sunshine, slower days, and more time with their two young daughters.
Within a week, they were gone.
Now living just outside Valencia with their daughters Poppy (6), Isla (4), and golden retriever Toby, the couple says they owe their mad but magical move to Gentlevan Removals, the family-run UK company that, quite literally, loaded up their lives and made their Mediterranean dream come true.
“We’d been thinking about moving for years,” says Emma, 34. “Then one rainy Monday, we just said, ‘Let’s do it.’ I booked one-way flights that night, and we were out by the weekend. The only people who didn’t panic were Gentlevan.”
A Race Against the Clock
With just seven days between decision and departure, the Hughes family found themselves frantically selling furniture, cancelling utilities, and saying tearful goodbyes — all while trying to find someone to move their most precious belongings across the continent.
“Every big removal company either laughed or quoted us four weeks,” says Daniel, a graphic designer working remotely from a beachside co-working space. “Gentlevan said, ‘Let’s see what we can do.’ And they did everything.”
The Gentlevan team packed up their entire home, arranged the ferry crossing, managed the customs paperwork, and delivered the family’s belongings to Spain before the Hugheses found a rental.
“They kept everything in storage for us and then dropped it off the day we got our keys,” Emma explains. “They even labelled the kids’ toy boxes so they could unpack them first. It made all the difference.”
Not Your Average Removal Company
While the Hughes story may sound extreme, it’s not uncommon. Gentlevan Removals says they’re seeing a growing number of fast movers, families and individuals fed up with the stress of life in the UK, eager to trade grey skies for blue ones.
Unlike big van fleets, Gentlevan thrives on the emotional side of moving. The team provides a bespoke, door-to-door service with flexible timelines, multilingual support, and calm advice throughout the entire process.
“We don’t just move stuff,” says a Gentlevan spokesperson. “We move people’s hopes, memories, and futures. And we know how much it means to get it right.”
The Great British Getaway
According to the Office for National Statistics, more than 400,000 Brits now call Spain home, with thousands more joining them yearly. Whether it’s Brexit bureaucracy, the rising cost of living, or just a love of tapas, the pull of Spain remains irresistible.
From retirees heading to the Costa del Sol to young families seeking sunshine and space, Gentlevan Removals has become one of the most trusted names in the UK to Spain removals.
They offer:
- Full or part load removals
- Secure wrapping and packing
- Customs and ferry arrangements
- Long or short-term storage
- Dedicated vans for sentimental or fragile items
While many clients plan their moves months, others, like the Hughes family,, don’t.
“I wouldn’t recommend doing it in a week,” Emma laughs. “But if you’re going to, make sure you’ve got Gentlevan on speed dial.”
A New Life Begins
Now settled in a sunlit apartment 10 minutes from the beach, the Hughes girls are already speaking Spanish at school, and Toby the retriever has taken to siestas like a local.
Daniel says he’s working fewer hours and feeling more inspired, while Emma has started a blog about their journey that’s already gained thousands of followers.
“It’s the best decision we’ve ever made,” she says. “And we couldn’t have done it without Gentlevan. They didn’t just move our things, they moved our lives.”
Ready for Your Own Escape?
If you’ve ever dreamed of packing up and starting over somewhere warm and welcoming, Gentlevan Removals is here to help whether you’ve got six months or six days to make it happen.
Their expert team will guide you through the process, handle the logistics, and give you the peace of mind to focus on the excitement ahead.
Visit www.gentlevanremovals.co.uk to find out how easy it can be to turn your Spanish dream into a reality.
