Alicante holiday accommodation, Spain

Alicante holiday accommodation, Spain

How this holiday makes a difference

At our Alicante holiday accommodation we promote a sense of travel that is a real experience where local traditions and values are respected.

Although the coastline in Spain is under much pressure to accommodate modern tourist development, our valley has a centuries old heritage dating back to Moorish Spain. A quiet and peaceful retreat from modern life, our aim is preserve its natural beauty and restore much of the landscape to its former glory. Our contribution provides a sustainable and sympathetic way that can help the area adapt in this changing world. Local people are the soul of the area, their knowledge needs to be retained so we all can continue to benefit from this wonderful heritage.

Our project involves restoring large areas of stone walled terraces to their former glory. We want them again to be productively farmed as they had been for generations until recent times. During the Moorish occupation of Spain, the Moors introduced oranges, lemons, apricots, peaches, rice, and almonds to this area. They also built irrigation systems and stone wall terraces up the mountain sides. Our terraces still have olive and almond trees which have been restored back to health, but many of the walls are crumbling and the terraces are overgrown with thicket. It is a long process but slowly areas are being reclaimed so that they can become productive and we hope to replant vines to produce wine in the future. No chemicals are added to the land so the produce is organic, the olive harvest is sent to a mill in the village and we receive the cold pressed oil which is provided to guests.

The house has to manage its resources carefully. In a world that takes many things for granted such as limitless electricity and water, at our country retreat we are not connected to any mains supplies. Electricity is provided by solar panels and a back-up generator, water is recycled for the garden and waste biologically degrades and soaks away.

The local community is key to our success in supporting our business and helping servicing the needs of our clients. We employ local people, use local suppliers and provide a guide for our guests to make the most of local outlets and restaurants. By being successful in our business, we can demonstrate to the world the beauty of the area and enhance our local community with its traditions and values.

Alicante holiday accommodation, Spain