CASA BENDITA Casa Bendita is a spacious private villa with lovely views of the mountains and surrounding countryside. It is situated on its own plot of two acres of almond trees, a short walk from Parcent along a secluded country lane. It was built and furnished to be our family home, rather than a holiday home and therefore is larger and better equipped than many rental houses in the area. Many of our guests have returned year after year. There is a spacious living room with UK satellite TV, DVD, music player, free Wifi and a log fire and underfloor heating for cooler evenings in the winter. Patio doors open onto an outdoor dining area overlooking the large pool and valley beyond. The living room flows through to a farmhouse style kitchen. The kitchen is well equipped with a fridge freezer, filtration system for drinking water, dishwasher, oven and hob, microwave and washing machine. The kitchen opens onto the main patio area as well as a shaded side patio. The villa is let with 3 bedrooms. All have shower rooms en suite, air conditioning and ceiling fans. The first double bedroom has patio doors as well as a window with lovely views of the mountain which can be seen from the bed whilst you enjoy a morning cup of tea! This double bedroom has its own en-suite, a double bed and a single bed suitable for a child. Opposite the double bedroom is a twin room, with en suite and patio doors with views towards the village of Parcent. The third bedroom is a large dual aspect room with a double bed, a shower room, a small sitting area and access to a side patio. This bedroom is situated off a second hall-way and is ideal for those in the party who may like a little more space of their own, with the opportunity to make their own drinks or snacks in the small kitchenette area. A Z bed is also available for a child which could be used here or in the twin room. Outside To the rear of the house there is a split level patio area surrounding a lovely 10.5 m x 5.5 m pool (plus roman end). There are sun loungers and a number of seating/dining options for up to 8 people, parasols for shade and a 4 burner gas BBQ. There are views to the mountains and to the village of Parcent. To the side of the kitchen is a pergola which provides a shady eating area from lunchtime onwards. Please note that the pool area is not fenced and therefore the villa is not suitable for small children unless they are under constant supervision. The Jalon Valley / Vall de Pop Area Dotted with pretty Spanish villages, vines, orange groves, olive and almond trees, the Jalon Valley offers some of the best weather in the world. The area averages nearly 3,000 hours of sunshine each year. In 1986 the World Health Organisation recommended the climate of the area as one of the most equitable in the world. On average it can boast 325 sunny days each year making it an ideal all year round destination. The valley is a walker’s paradise - from a gentle stroll to hiking on foot paths around the mountains. You can walk direct from the villa or you can join one of several walking groups who offer graded walks (although not in the height of summer) as well as taking one of their fully described online walks. It is also an area which attracts many cyclists both amateur and professional, whether on or off road there are many nearby routes to choose from. The villa could form the perfect base for your activity holiday or for relaxing lazy days around the pool. There are many good restaurants and bars locally whether you want a good 'menu del dia' (3 course meal including wine/beer/soft drink and bread and allioli) from around 10 euros to Michelin starred restaurants on the coast and everything in between. There are a number of lovely sandy beaches to choose from within a 20 to 30 minute drive. All the main beaches along this coastline are Blue Flag Beaches. On the coast you can find water-sports such as scuba diving, jet skiing, kite surfing, snorkeling, kayaking and banana boats, or if you want to get away from all that there are plenty of secluded beaches to just enjoy the sun, sea and sand. By car you can visit the Water Parks at Benidorm, Mundomar and Terra Mítica theme park in approximately 45 minutes. A 20 to 30 minute drive will take you to caves of Benidoleig and the Valley of Ebo or the natural water park of the Fonts d'Algar. If you want to drag yourself away from the pool and villa then the villages and towns have many fiestas throughout the year. The area also has sites of interest from visits to local bodegas, the Saturday Rastro at Jalon, to the mountain hideaway and castle at Guadalest. Information about the area can be obtained at the Tourist Information office in Jalon. Although visitors are strongly recommended to hire a car in order to enjoy the area fully, there is also a Benniconnect bus service which runs to the villages from Alicante airport. You can walk to the villages of Parcent and Alcalalli from the villa and there is a taxi service in Parcent. Peace of mind At Casa Bendita you will be greeted when you are met nearby, taken to the property and everything explained to you. There is also a handy manual at the property including how things work, recommendations of things to do and see and local restaurants etc. Also we have local support to make it a great holiday for you, so in the unlikely event that anything goes wrong with the villa or your holiday, someone will be on hand to sort it out for you as quickly as possible Local airports and ports The closest Airports are Alicante Airport about 1 hour 15 minutes away by car, or Valencia Airport about 1 hour 30 minutes. Murcia is further away at 2 hours. The ports of Santander and Bilbao are between a 7 and 8 hours driving by car. If you are travelling by ferry we can arrange for a discount of the crossing price with Brittany Ferries as well as advice on places worth visiting on route should you decide to make an overnight stay.