La Palma villa accommodation, Canary Islands
How La Palma villa accommodation, Canary Islands makes a difference
Environment
The island of La Palma is a nature lover's paradise. The whole island is a protected biosphere. Our property was once an avocado plantation and though we have cultivated three of the terraces with local shrubs, flowers and fruit trees we have left three other terraces below to nature. The flowers here support a wide range of insects and birds. The local lizard is abundant on our property and particulaly impressive are the large local dragonflies.
The island has a policy of recycling waste and rubbish is collected from the villa each week. There are a number of local glass recycling collection points and we take waste glass to these. The liquid waste from the property is recycled using a traditional system of flitering it through the volcanic rocks on which the property is built after collection in a special tank. The garden is watered with' green water' piped to the property from the mountains above where it is collected. This is separate from the domestic water supply.
We encourage guests to use the log-burning stove on cool winter evenings rather than the gas central heating syetem. This stove heats the dining room and blows warm air into the lounge and balcony sitting room.
Our villa was renovated using local labour and local materials. In particular we used local wood and plaster and stone from the local quarries. We have retained many of the traditional features of a canarian house, including impressive interior wooden roofing, wood floors, window seats and balconies.
We encourage guests to use a local car hire firm rather than a multinational and to visit the outstanding natural sights of the island.
Community
The villa is set near a local village down a country lane. Guests can expect to enjoy a peaceful holiday among the local population, using local shops, bars and restaurants. In the villa we have a list and description of local restaurants and details of local shops. We provide information about local customs and traditions and the nature and purpose of local festivals. We encourage guests to visit the local festivities, particularly at Christmas and the dressing of local village crosses.
The gardening and cleaning services are provided by local people who we have known personally for many years. We have a local pool cleaner, a gardener and a family who clean for us.
The island is being subject to development and change, not all for the good. We are aware of local issues and will discuss them with local people.
Most people who visit our villa see it as alternative to holidaying in a busy tourist centre. They appreciate the opportunity to visit an unspoilt area and sample local crafts, traditions and foods. The information and advice we provide is geared to promoting this approach. The local craft market and advice on local produce are particularly promoted.
The island is renowned for its walking routes and opprtunities. We encourage guests to explore local routes with a selection of books and maps available in the villa. These in particular explain the meaning of the many sign posts on the island. We recommend a particular local guide for the more adventurous walkers.
Guests are made fully aware of the facilities and opportunities of the local area and such things as opening times, the impact of local fiestas, and Sunday closing. The island is subject to storms and guests are made aware of the nature of these and the possibility of power cuts.
La Palma villa accommodation, Canary Islands
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