1: NEW PROPERTIES

220.000 € - A75R377 - 2 bed traditional townhouse - Gata de Gorgos

Situated away from the hustle + bustle of the busy market town yet within walking distance of shops, bars and restaurants. Gata Railway station has trains to Alicante and the coastal town of Denia (where there are frequent ferries to Majorca, Minorca + Ibiza). This deceptively large Spanish townhouse has been tastefully renovated to a very high standard with beautiful light and airy rooms with many nooks + crannies and original beamed + arched ceilings. Comprising of a double front door into a spacious, welcoming entrance hall 3.5x1.75m with a tiled floor, one step up into the joint sitting/living room: wood burning stove, bench seating + an alcove/study under open stone stairs; arched doorway to the dining room 4.5x2m where a picture window has lovely views to the rear, private, walled garden 8x6m, tiered with sleepers, gravel + flower borders. Stable-type door to rear garden. Shower room 3.5x1.5m. Stairs to master bedroom 4.75x3.75m sloping beamed ceiling, feature bare stone wall, door to private balcony with views to the garden and an opportunity to dine under the stars, en suite bathroom. Bedroom 2: 4x3.5m with original crannies.

259.000 € - A56R1516 - 2 bed villa - Large pool - Els Poblets - Denia

Lovely detached villa located in a quiet area, just 300m to the beach, and 1 km to the village of Els Poblets and all amenities. Built in 1978 and totally renovated in 2006, the property is as new, with 2 bedrooms, living-dining area, separate kitchen, 2 shower rooms, 2 storage areas and a lovely glazed in terrace, which overlooks the large pool (11x4), exterior shower h/c and sun terraces. Features include aircon h/c, UK satellite system, fitted wardrobes, security grills and mosquito screens. There is an easy maintenance garden, carport and room for 2 cars. Offered furnished, this is a super buy !

263.500 € - A75R460 - 3 bed villa - 100m from beach - Javea

A spacious 3 double bed villa with 2 full bathrooms within a 100m walk of the Cala Blanca beaches and a short walk of a fabulous fun sized communal pool with showers, toilets & a large club house with table tennis etc. A bus stop at 30m to Javea's sandy Arenal beach (1km), restaurants shops etc., onwards to Javea Port & the historic Old Town. The pretty 2 storey semi detached villa comprises a front garden, laid to lawn with mature privet hedges, trees & iron entrance gates, naya with 2 Tosca stone arches & beamed ceiling, entrance hall 3.25x2.75m beamed ceiling, living/dining room 7x3.5m beamed ceiling, Tosca stone fire place, t.v. point window with reja looking out to the garden; bedroom 1: 3.75x2.75 built in wardrobes, window, reja, & shutters, door into en suite bathroom 2.75x1.25 comprising bath tub with shower, toilet, sink, bidet, window; empty kitchen 2.75x2.25m, larder, window looking onto open utility area 2.75x1.75m; stairs to landing 3x1.25m wooden banisters, beamed ceiling arched window; bedroom 2: 4x3m fitted wardrobes, door onto uncovered terrace 4x3m; bedroom 3: 3.5x3m fitted wardrobe; full bathroom 2: 2.75x2m.

285.000 € - A5R471366 - 3 bed villa - Communal pool - Benitachell

Wonderful fully furnished (to a high standard) modern Detached Villa comprising 3 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en-suite), lounge/diner and American style fully equipped kitchen. The location is very peaceful (yet very close to local amenites) and the living area leads out to a lovely shaded patio. There is also a good sized terrace area with sun all day. The property also benefits from a wonderful communal pool (only shared by 4 houses), ceiling fans, window shutters, storage space, gas CH, double glazing and much more. Community Pool. Fully Furnished. Covered Terrace. Double Glazing. Gas Central Heating. Private Terrace. Storage. Near amenities. 15 minutes to Beach.

300.000 € - A5R351514 - 3 bed villa 1km from beach - Calpe

Nice 3 bedroom detached villa situated in a peaceful area of Calpe. All on one level & benefiting from all day sun this would make a lovely holiday or permanent home. 3 double bedrooms, bathroom & en suite shower room, fully fitted kitchen, spacious living area with lounge & open fire & separate glazed dining room. Wooden beams. H/C air con in lounge. Electric heaters. 130m2 build approx with possibility to extend. 750m2 flat plot with parking area for 4-5 cars, carport, 8x4 pool, ample terracing, outside shower, BBQ & mature trees. Roof terrace with sea views. Walking distance to amenities. Mostly furnished. Air conditioning. Barbeque. Heating. Living room with fireplace. One Level. Satellite TV. Private pool. Near amenities. 1 Km to Beach.

585.000 € - HP0967R - 3 bed finca + 2 room casita - Benitachell

Wonderful finca, in prime location. Tranquil country surroundings yet within walking distance of Benitachell Village. A large drive approaches the property, lined by 20 palm trees & 30 fruit trees. The finca retains many original features & accommodation comprises large open-plan lounge leading to huge naya, garden & pool. Spacious master bedroom, with en-suite. Family bathroom & two double guest bedrooms – all with fitted wardrobes. Externally, there are stunning views to the sea & Penon de Ifach, lovely swimming pool & terrace area & separate casita, which consists of two large rooms, with fitted kitchen, living area & possible bedroom (currently used as store-room). This could be a completely separate apartment. This unique property that must be seen also benefits from under floor central heating, double glazing. Outside shower. Stunning views to the sea and Penon de Ifach. Mature gardens with 20 palm trees, 30 fruit trees and an algarroba tree which is 500 years’ old.

886.250 € - HP0968R - 5 bed villa - El Portet - Moraira

Very spacious Spanish style villa within a quiet residential area near to the beach and the local shops, with Moraira itself being only a 2 minute drive away. The entrance vestibule gives way through its arches to the combined lounge & dining areas, with access to the open naya & the pool terraces, whilst a hallway gives access to the kitchen & to the 5 bedrooms, 2 of which have direct access to the pool & terraces. 2 bathrooms & the shower room. The property also benefits from 2 separate garages, a car port & off street parking for 3 or 4 more vehicles. Walled garden. Intercom entry system. Electric central heating. Double glazing. Air conditioning pre installation. Beamed ceilings. Pool. Outside lighting. Easy maintenance gardens. Distance - Beach & local shops walking distance. Moraira 2 minutes by car.

980.000 € - HP0966R - 4 bed villa with views of the Marina - Moraira

Outstanding split level villa in a "Turn-key Condition" in a sought after area of Moraira, in peaceful surroundings with Marina & sea views. Within walking distance to shops & amenities. Accommodation over two floors comprises on the ground floor a large lounge, dining room with full glazed walls. Kitchen, 2 double bedrooms, bathroom & a cloakroom. Terrace to the side & an open naya with glass balustrade, overlooking the Marina & the sea. The apartment downstairs comprises a lounge/dining room, 2 bedrooms, bathroom. Terrace to the side, an open naya. Garage with storeroom. Externally there is an easy maintenance illuminated & irrigated garden with a lovely kidney shaped pool. In addition the property benefits from air conditioning. Under-floor heating. PVC windows. Fully fitted German Kitchen. Ceiling fans. Garage. Extra parking spaces in drive. Distance  - Moraira shops 5 minutes- El Portet 5 minutes.

1.128.750 €-A75R437- Beautiful 4 bed villa - Lovely sea views - Javea

An extremely beautiful villa with a spacious living area of 385m2 (excluding terraces) with simply splendid panoramic views from every angle. Tastefully decorated and furnished throughout with many individual features. Fenced, private plot 2034m2,electric gates, video entry system. Heated 12x4 pool with cover. Jacuzzi for 6 people; extensive storage area; BBQ. The villa comprises an entrance hall, spacious dining room 5x9.5m with very large arched Tosca windows with breath-taking views; arched Tosca serving hatch into well fitted kitchen 4x4.25m, separate larder; living room 8.5x5.75m large picture window with fantastic views; Tosca stone fireplace; patio doors onto a large terrace; bedroom 1: 4.5x4m; en suite shower room 4.25x2.5m; guest toilet 4x2m; master bedroom 4x4m & dressing area 2.5x2.5m, en suite shower room 2.75x1.75m; terrace 4x16m. Stairs to lower level: sitting room 6.25x3m; bedroom no. 3 4.25x3.5m; shower room 3.25x2.25m; bedroom no. 4 5x3m; utility room 3.5x3m; office 6.25x4m; storage room 4x4.5m. Very large lower terrace 21x6m (previously a tennis court). Car port for 2 cars. Private gardens.

Licence & permissions:

A regional fishing license, or rod licence, (permiso/licencia de pesca) is required to fish in any waters, both inland rivers, estuaries or lakes and sea waters in Spain. Licences can be obtained from fishing shops and, in what seems an odd peculiarity, some Caja Rural and Caja Mar Banks or, failing these places, the local office of the Ministry of the Environment (Minsterio de Medio Ambiente). We are advised that the cost of the licence is very low. For those holding an existing foreign licence, it is possible to make an application online (in Spanish) from Tele Licencia.

For those that do not have an existing foreign licence, an exam (in Spanish) must be taken. Information is available from the local Ministerio de Medio Ambiante. Calle San Nicolas No 2 planta 4. Alicante. Tel: 965 148 111. Fax: 965 148 108. In addition, trout fishing usually requires an extra daily membership permit to a local fishing club. Failure to obtain the necessary permits and licences, can result in large fines and confiscation of fishing equipment.

If all this seems a bit much, we understand that it is possible to hire professional tour operators to obtain the required permits and licences. 

Fishing Waters

Free (libros): These waters do not require a special permit

Restricted (cotos): These are waters that do require a permit

Fisheries (intensivos): Permits for these waters are often available in local shops.

Fishing Season

Seems to vary and is based on the particular species of fish to the location and many, not only have limits on the numbers of licences which can be issued on the day, but also the quantity and size of the fish that may be caught. The season for non-mountain trout runs from the first Sunday in March to 15 August.

The Spanish Fishing and Casting Association website (Federación Española de Pesca y Casting) has details on many fishing places and local regulations (in Spanish). Another source is local tourist offices and town halls that may have information about local fishing areas and provide fishing maps (mapa de pesca fluvial).

Beach fishing and fishing from the rocks is possible, however we are advised catches are better when fished from a boat.

One useful contact is Peter J  Walkden, the owner of Costa Blanca Fishing. He has lived and fished on the Costa Blanca for five years and is the author of the renowned “The Guide to 30 Freshwater Fishing Venues on the Costa Blanca”. Peter’s knowledge of these vast lakes in Spain is priceless, so big are some of these lakes they are known as inland seas. He has been writing fishing articles for the English newspapers and magazines in the area for a number of years.
Peter is also regularly asked to speak at local fishing club meetings. His website is http://www.costablancafishing.co.uk/ Freshwater fishing trips as well as deep-sea fishing trips can be arranged. Peter’s book “The guide to 30 Freshwater Fishing Venues on the Costa Blanca” can be obtained from his website and selected retail outlets on the Costa Blanca. Special web price. €12.95 (€17.95 inc P&P) To order your copy please email to costablancafishing@yahoo.co.uk

The rivers on the Costa Blanca contain many species, including carp, zander, pike and black bass. There are two reservoirs, the Amadorio near Benidorm and the Guadalest which is inland from Altea. Both of which are said to be good fresh-water fishing spots.

In the sea are sea bream, bass, and grey mullet, which are found just off the coast, while further out, mackerel and tuna which can be fished in the autumn and winter.

For the more adventurous, there is under-water fishing, the licence for which has to be obtained and is issued by the local authorities. Fishers may use a snorkel tube, mask and mechanical harpoon gun but underwater fishing with scuba equipment is forbidden.

Fishing Media on the Costa Blanca

The Coastrider with a sea and freshwater fishing feature in the Sports section.

Costa Blanca Leader with Fishing with Crabtree and includes articles about course, fly and sea fishing.

Round Town News with a column called “Go Fishing” covering sea and course fishing.

Costa Blanca News with news and fishing match results.

We recently received an email from a concerned person regarding reports in the English press about health care in Spain, stating that a British National would not in future be able to access the National Health system in the Province of Valencia. We can confirm that this is TOTALLY INCORRECT. The true situation is as follows.

For those currently living in Spain under retirement age - Any person who is holding a valid health card on the 6^th June 2008, will have cover until the 31^st December 2008. Any person who renewed their card just before the new law, will have a cover for a year, providing that they are not entitled to an E106, E121 or cannot be included as a dependant.

For new residents under retirement age - As of 1^st January 2009 a new system will be introduced so that new applicants, or those wishing to renew their health card, will be able to pay a monthly payment, thus allowing them access to the health system. The bonus of this is that pre-existing conditions will NOT BE  discriminated against. At the time of writing we do not know what this amount will be.

For those in employment – Contracted workers will be on the system through paying their social stamp

Pensioners - Any person receiving a state pension in their home Country will NOT BE affected by the new law and will be entitled to state health care as per the existing arrangements.

Any person, of any age, can also take out private health insurance.