Property and local area description
The Villa
Hill Top is a luxury 3 bedroom villa, south facing, with a large corner plot in a secluded development close to the Spanish town of Bigastro. There are views of a natural conservation area (La Pedrera) which embrace panoramic vistas from the two municipal swimming pools where casual alfresco facilities and tapas can be found together with recreation areas with restaurants and live entertainment at weekends.
Hill Top is fully equipped with everything you might need during your stay including a vegetable/fish/rice steamer, café tier, deep fat fryer, tumble drier, dish washer to name but a few. It has 3 bedrooms 1 double and 2 twin rooms, all with hair dryers and large fitted mirrored wardrobes. The villa has full central air conditioning and heating with thermostats in each room, the cost of which is included in the rental.
For your added security and peace of mind, a fully integrated telephone entry system is provided this compliments an easy to use intruder alarm system. Off road parking is available within the property and additional parking outside.
All towels (including beach towels) and bed linen are provided. A travel cot is provided with a high chair and stair gates together with various toys (including a small dinghy and rubber ring) and a large paddling pool. There are no hidden charges.
Being on a corner plot there is ample space to spread out, relax and enjoy the warm evenings whilst having a late supper and the obligatory glass of wine as well as a late breakfast. A gas barbeque is also provided and many an enjoyable alfresco evening has been spent on the patio.
A complimentary welcome pack of water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juice, bread, butter, jam, eggs and cheese will be provided. A luxury pack including wine and beer is available on request.
We recommend that you hire a car to experience everything the area has to offer and the best place to collect it is on arrival at the airport.
We ask that if you were to break or damage anything in the villa that you let the key holder know and replace or pay for the damage. Any evidence of smoking will incur a forfeit of your deposit.
Optional Extras
• The cleaning of the Villa is included in the price, but you can request additional cleans during your stay if required. These are charged at €50 per.
• Airport pickup (up to 4 people) is charged at £40 per car
• A luxury welcome pack is charged at £20 and consists of: water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juice, bread, butter, jam, eggs, cheese and pastries, bottle of red wine, bottle of white wine and beers beer.
Details
Hill Top is fully equipped to make the most of the climate both indoors and outside and furnished to the highest possible standard.
The living room has 2 comfortable sofas, 2 occasional tables with lamps, satellite TV & radio and a DVD player (which plays both DVDs and CDs). There is a small selection of DVDs, CDs, books, local maps and magazines for your use.
The dining area comprises a glass dining table seating 8 people comfortably and illuminated display cabinet containing glassware and ornaments.
The kitchen has granite worktops and stainless steel appliances: electric oven, grill, gas hob, extractor fan, larder fridge, dishwasher, microwave, toaster and kettle. There is also a plentiful supply of essential items e.g. glassware, crockery, pots, pans, cutlery etc. (including a bottle opener). The gas boiler in the kitchen cupboard provides an endless supply of hot water
The utility room, apart from providing storage facilities is equipped with a tumble drier and freezer and a selection of cleaning materials.
The ground floor bedroom has twin beds and a bedside cabinet/chest of drawers and bed side light. The fitted wardrobe has ample hanging space provided by large double mirrored doors.
The ground floor bathroom is equipped with a shower cubicle, WC and a vanity unit complete with lights and shaving socket.
The master bedroom, on the first floor, has a double bed, bedside cabinets and lamps with a table and chair ideal for make up. The fitted wardrobes, again with ample hanging space and shelves have sliding mirrored doors.
The second bedroom on the first floor has similar wardrobes, 2 beds configured as twins fitted wardrobes with a bedside cabinet and lamps.
Ample bedding is provided to enable the single beds to be re-configured into a large double bed. Electric blanket and 2 double eiderdowns are provided to keep you warm in the cooler months.
The spacious upstairs bathroom is fully tiled with bath and shower facilities, WC and a vanity unit with fitted lights and shaver point.
The solarium is fitted with a shower to cool you down on those hot days, a parasol, sun beds, occasional table and chairs. There are views from the solarium of the Pedrera and mountains.
Local Area and Further Afield
Local Area
The sleepy market town of Bigastro is typically Spanish with narrow streets, bars, coffee shops (recommended) and restaurants and comes alive on market day (Thursday) but if you miss this there are many markets around the local area and at least one every day. It also boasts three supermarkets, a comprehensive library, Town Hall and is only 10 minutes walk away.
Hill Top is perfectly located to explore the mountains, villages, olive, orange and lemon groves in the surrounding areas and secluded blue flag beaches of the Costa Blanca, not forgetting of course the recent exclusive haute couture shops that punctuate the lively seaside resort and marina of Torrevieja. The Spanish just love children and provide numerous facilities, some of which can be found on the Torrevieja sea front, such as face painting, hair braiding and a large fun-fare. You wont be short of things to do and places to visit in this area. Torrevieja is an ancient sea port steeped in history and you can still see many reminders of its colourful past.
The Costa Blanca is dotted with numerous theme parks, water parks, a number of zoos and safari parks which provide entertainment for the children. Within 30 minutes of the villa can be found ten pin bowling and horse riding facilities, go karts, shopping centres and much more.
The mild climate of the Costa Blanca provides in excess of 300 days of sunshine each year and an average yearly temperature of 18°C - 20°C enabling you extend the day and enjoy the numerous outdoor activities available throughout the year.
Further Afield
A day trip to Benidorm is worth while. It is full of lovely eating places and comes alive at night. The amazing Terremitica theme park, if you enjoy a little more activity will leave you totally inspired.
The city of Murcia 40 minutes from the villa, is divided by the Segura River and is renowned for its beautiful Baroque Cathedral, Almudi Palace and the castle of Monteagudo. Orihuela, Elche, Alicante and Cartegena all have completely different characteristics and interests to keep you fully occupied. Most months of the year the local villages host various Fiestas where the streets are transformed by music, banners, local food, drink and not forgetting (for you pyrotechnics), fireworks.
Golf Sport and Other Activities
It is only 15-30 minutes drive to 4 international golf courses:
Royal Campoamor Golf Club is an 18 hole, par 72 course.
Villamartin Golf Club is an 18 hole, par 72 course (www.golfvillamartin.com)
Las Ramblas Golf Club is an 18 hole, par 72 course (www.golframblas.com)
La Finca Golf Club is an 18 hole par 72 course (www.golflafinca.com)
Water Sports are available at the port in Torrevieja and the surrounding coastal area, including sailing, surfing, scuba-diving, windsurfing, water-skiing and snorkelling.
Fishing is available within 5 minutes drive of the villa at the Embalse De Pedrera. You can expect to catch reasonable carp and the occasional trout. The Amadorio Dam and the Guadalests Dam also provide good freshwater fishing. They hold barbel, black bass, rainbow trout and the biggest carp. Rainbow trout were introduced in 1977 and are protected. To catch them you will need a licence with a trout supplement.
Horse riding is available at the El Refugio Horse Riding Centre situated at La Mata Salt Lakes to the north of Torrevieja.
Both walking and mountain bike trails are available within 5 minutes of the Villa at the camping area (La Pedrera).
You won’t be short of things to do and places to visit in this area . Orihuela was home to the famous Spanish poet Miguel Hernandez. There are especially two monuments to see The Cathedral and the Palace of Rubalcalva. A short drive away is the city of Murcia. The city is divided by the Segura River and is known for its beautiful Baroque Cathedral, Almudi Palace and the castle of Monteagudo ( where the Arab influence can be well appreciated ), a fortress from the 11th c., the Market de Veronicas, the Malecon Garden, the University of Murcia and the Museum Ramon Gaya are all other attractions in Murcia. Other great towns and cities to visit include Elche, Alicante and Cartegena.
For the evenings, there is an abundance of bars, & restaurants to cater for all budgets and tastes. A short walk away is the traditional Spanish restaurants and bars of Bigastro while the more expensive tourist restaurants can also be found within 15 minutes drive.
Recommendations can be found at the villa of some of our favourite restaurants where a variety of international menus can be enjoyed.
Fiestas
These are held locally most months of the year when the locals party in the streets in true Spanish-style. Below is just a selection of the carnivals and fiestas:
Jan Feast of the Three Wise Men
Feb Its carnival time
Apr The Holy Week processions
May The May Fair
Jun The feast of San Juan
Jul Feast of the Virgin del Carmen and the election of Torreviejas "Queen of Salt".
Aug "Habaneras" A music festival when Torrevieja swings for a week to the soulful rhythms of Latin America.
Markets
Can be experienced every day of the week.
Monday Orihuela, Santa Pola, San Pedro del Pinatar
Tuesday Alicante, Orihuela
Wednesday Guardamar, La Mata, San Miguel de Salinas
Thursday Bigastro, San Javier, Rojales, Alicante
Friday Torrevieja, Pilar de la Horadada
Saturday Almoradi, Playa Flamenca, Santa Pola,
Sunday El Campo de Guardamar, El Zoco Benijofar Los Montesinos