Caractéristiques
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Appartement
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2 chambres
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4 couchages
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1 salle de bain
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60 m² de superficie
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6 m² de terrasse
Divers
NEWLY DECORATED APARTMENT
Torrevieja is situated midway between the airports of Alicante and Murcia. My ground floor duplex is located in a well maintained complex facing a natural pink salt lake.
Torrevieja is surrounded by two large natural saltwater lagoons. It is said to be good for sufferers of arthritis, asthma and rheumatism and the area is regarded by the World Health Organisation as having the healthiest climate in Europe.
Torrevieja with its beaches carrying the European Blue Flag has many local attractions including an aqua park (open summer months only), bowling alley, cinema, casino and sports complex. There are also many fine golf courses nearby including Villamartin and Las Ramblas. For bowling fans, there is a club a few minutes drive away from the apartment which is open to non-members on Sundays and Tuesdays with equipment for hire at a small charge.
There are many daily markets in the neighbouring towns, but Torrevieja has one of the largest in Spain, and takes over a large area on a Friday morning. If you enjoy local markets, this one cannot be missed. There is also a large one on Sunday mornings in a neighbouring town which is called "the English market" locally.
A cycle/pedestrian/joggers path passes close to the property which will take you to the sea front or in the other direction, to the other salt lake which is a natural habitat for several migratory birds. A birdwatchers paradise, it is located in a conservation area.
Within a half hours stroll (minutes by car) the seafront can be reached with its numerous sandy beaches and cafes. There is also a new marina, a pier and a fair with an avenue of small market stores nearby which are open throughout the evening.
If you decide you do not want to hire a car, a local bus stop is behind the property and a bus passes every forty minutes (Spanish time!) making a circular journey to the sea front and other amenities for approximately €1,20. We have also enjoyed coach excursions with a local English company which can be found in the local paper.
My apartment is ideally situated in a quiet cul-de-sac opening on to the largest of the saltwater lakes but only minutes by car from the many sandy Blue Flag beaches and coves along the coast . The salt lake gradually turns pink during the day and is easily accessed from the complex. It is very popular in the summer months for those who enjoy the reputed therapeutic powers of taking a mudbath or simply floating around in its warm salt waters. The idea is to cover certain parts of the body with its dark mud and allow it to dry in the sun, before washing it off in the lake.
My property is secluded and ideally located with no passing traffic. As it is ground floor there is a terraced area which can be used for lounging. At the end of the access road (no cars to be parked on the access road, please, although there is plenty of parking in the surrounding roads) there is a well-maintained private communal swimming pool. The access system has been updated and entry is by way of a disc unique to each property. (If lost, a payment of €15 is required for a replacement). The swimming pool is heated by solar heaters which extends the normal season considerably. The whole pool area has been tiled which has widened the sunbathing area with several sunbeds available without charge. Please bring your own beach towels.
There is also an ever-expanding hypermarket complex a 15 minutes stroll away with Carrefour, Aldi, Lidl, MacDonalds and the new Haberneras shopping centre with its numerous shops. Within 10 mins walk are several little bars and cafes including ubiquitous Chinese restaurants. In my experience they are all very reasonably priced compared to the UK. The Chinese in particular have daily two course menus from €5,50 including wine and a liqueur.
The apartment consists of a living room, kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms with one double and two single beds. The whole apartment is decorated white with terracotta brown tiles. There are fans for the hot days and air conditioning which alternates for the cooler days for heating. Please use the air conditioning/heating economically.
The washing machine and microwave oven are located on the enclosed patio at the back.
A TV which has recently been installed with Spanish digital freeview (some programmes are available in English when the original language was English, and there is a DVD player with a USB port. I have some DVDs available for use but as they may not be to everyones taste, please bring with you any of your own favourites to watch. I also have paperbacks available.
Approaching the apartment there are three small steps up to the verandah and front door but otherwise everything is on one floor. The front patio and terrace area is tiled and ideal for lounging. In view of its situation there is no baking sun early in the morning but the sun stays on the patio from mid morning through the evening most of the year making it a lovely location to eat out on and enjoy the spectacular sunsets across the lake. There is a table and chairs for use on the patio and a light-weight sun lounger with two smaller matching chairs to take to the pool or beach.
The apartment is located between Alicante and Murcia airports. My personal preference is San Javier Murcia airport as it is very small and there is no delay in collecting baggage. However Alicante airport now has a bus which goes direct to Torrevieja bus station every two hours. The connection to the apartment is by the local bus. Both Alicante and Murcia airports are reached by many low-cost airlines from regional airports and Torrevieja is located half way between the two. However, it does seem the earlier you book the low-cost airlines, the cheaper they are!
A CAR IS NOT ESSENTIAL. Local shops and cafes, hypermarket shops, salt lake, beaches and other amenities are all within easy reach by walking, or local bus. A collection service from either Alicante or Murcia airports is available - for current rates, please enquire at time of booking.
Cars however can be hired from either Alicante or Murcia airports or in Torrevieja.
A non-refundable deposit of £50 on booking secures the week of your choice with the balance payable eight weeks before arrival please. A charge on arrival of 45 euros is payable to the keyholder for the initial clean and laundry charge, which includes the supply of towels and bed linen. Rental is from mid-day any day until mid-day the same day the following week, unless otherwise agreed. A shorter rental can be agreed with a minimum of three nights, but in addition there will be the standard €45 cleaning and laundry charge payable to keyholder.
Remarks from a hirer in August 2006:
Just a quick note to say that we really enjoyed our few days in your apartment,it was lovely,we came away wishing we could have stayed longer,we had dinner twice at the best value for money restaurant Rayals just round the corner. Please feel free to add my comments to your website,there were so many things we packed into our weekend,the apartment was spotless my husband and daughter made use of the bikes ( which was a laugh ) and we used the bus service into torrevieja costing 1 euro each.
A truely brilliant weekend.
Liz Henderson
January/February 2010
HAVING JUST LEFT THIS BEAUTIFUL APARTMENT AND STUNNING VIEWS OF THE SALT LAKE BEHIND TO RETURN TO THE SNOW IN SCOTLAND MADE US WISH THAT WE COULD HAVE STAYED MUCH LONGER. THE APARTMENT FELT LIKE A HOME FROM HOME EXCEPT IT WAS WITH THE MR AND MRS McLAREN HAVE MADE UP A FOLDER THAT IS FULL OF ALL AMENITIES IN AND AROUND TO