February and March are very much Spring months here in Valencia, and provide excellent weather conditions for mountain biking. For the Spring 2013 season, we´re offering some superb deals at Refugio Monduver.  Having teamed up with Mountain Biking Valencia, we are offering discounted accommodation and the opportunity to design your own break.

Essentially, during the months of February and March Refugio Monduver is available to rent for €450 per week.  It sleeps a maximum of 8 people but we do not apply a minimum occupancy so it´s also available to couples and smaller groups.

This year, we´re offering this discounted rate alongside the opportunity to design a “tailor-made” mountain bike holiday.  Mountain Biking Valencia offer private guided mountain biking (including bike hire) for small groups.  They have routes to suit all abilities, from complete beginner to experienced cross-country riders.  You can read client reviews on Trip Advisor.

How does the “tailor-made” option work?

We understand that our clients may not wish to dedicate their entire holiday to mountain biking, especially as there´s so much to see and do in this area.  Therefore, our clients can use the base price of €450 for the accommodation and then arrange guided mountain bike trips for as many or as few days as they wish.

Should you wish to take advantage of the special discounted rate for accommodation, once you have decided upon how many days of biking is required, and for how many people, please send your requirements to us at refugiomonduver@gmail.com  We will check availability of accommodation and of biking guides and will respond with full price details (without obligation).

Please see our websites for further information :

RefugioMonduver.com

MountainBikingValencia.com

Email  refugiomonduver@gmail.com

Tel.  0034633117310

Costa Blanca Rock Climbing

Certainly, Mediterranean Spain tends to bathe in the luxury of over 300 clear days a year and this is a boon whether you are a walker, golfer, cyclist, sailor or, like myself, a rock climber. All of a sudden you can find that the frustrations of living in Northern Europe and battling the weather largely disappear. In fact, the endurance element (with regard to the weather) of your particular sport can be left, thankfully, well behind.

Rock climbing, of course, is a very weather dependent sport (you can only climb when rock is dry!) and it is therefore an excellent gauge of what you can do on the Costa Blanca if you are keen on outdoor sports. To that end, I tend to climb every weekend and, during the summer, one evening a week. Amazingly, I doubt that my climbing is disrupted by adverse weather more than 7 or eight times a year.

Of course, the pleasure of climbing on the Costa Blanca is enhanced by the fact that Spain (in the Mediterranean areas) tends to be warm the moment the sun is out. By this I mean that a clear sky and sun equals warmth almost irrespective of the time of year. This is unlike Northern Europe where a sunny day in the winter can still be bitterly cold.

As to climbing on the Costa Blanca, there are almost unlimited crags to climb. Better still, the majority of these are bolted and extremely well cared for thus making the sport just about as safe as it can be. This is a pleasure for the serious climber and beginner alike.

I tend to climb around the Valencia and Alicante area which is notable for its superb quality of climbing. Indeed, it has everything to offer from long pitches, traditional routes, short, tough crags and areas ideal for beginners. There are even sea cliffs to climb – enabling you to spend part of the day on the beach before taking on some challenging routes!

Fortunately, the Spanish are active climbers with many towns having a climbing club. These invariably publish details of crags and their routes on their web sites thus making it easy to access information regarding where and what to climb. Meanwhile, Rockfax have guides on climbing in Spain that are well worth obtaining.

Looking out onto the lake of Albufera de Valencia

The Valencia area produces over 100,000 tonnes of rice each year and the village of El Palmar, located on the southern shore of the lake is where the Valencians go to enjoy this most traditional of dishes.

A traditional Valencian fishing boat “Vella Latina” on the Albufera Lake.

The lake and surrounding rice fields and reed beds provide crucial habitat to a wide range of bird species.  There are over 4,000 pairs of Herons and Egrets and over 500 Glossy Ibis.  In spring, species such as Collared Pratincole, Purple Heron, Night Heron and Great Reed Warbler make their annual migration from Africa and arrive in Albufera to breed.  The park also provides wintering grounds for over 100,000 ducks.

Flamingoes in flight at Albufera de Valencia

Perhaps the best way to explore the Natural Park is by bicycle or boat.  Further information is available at Refugio Monduver.

Refugio Monduver
Named after the imposing peak that stands behind the village of La Drova, Refugio Monduver is a 4 bedroom house offering self catering accommodation in the beautiful mountains of Valencia, Costa Blanca, Spain.

It´s spacious yet rustic style appeals to those looking for a comfortable and relaxed “home from home”. Located in the mountain village of La Drova at over 375 metres above sea level, yet only 15km from the coast, it makes the perfect base for walkers, cyclists, mountain bikers, Costa Blanca climbers, bird watchers and nature lovers.

Refugio Monduver is available to rent per week or for short breaks of 3 nights.

We offer pet friendly accommodation, so animals are very welcome. The property has a fully enclosed rear garden where dogs have space to play in complete safety.

Self catering accommodation in the mountains of Valencia, Costa Blanca, Spain. Ideal base for walkers, cyclists, mountain bikers, climbers, bird watchers and nature lovers. Spacious rustic home from home. Short stays or weekly rentals. Dogs welcome.
La Drova is located between Valencia (70km South of Valencia) and Alicante in an area known as La Safor, which is renowned for its temperate climate and is designated as an area of outstanding beauty. Whilst being only 15km from the coast, La Drova is situated in the high lush valley of La Safor on the Costa Blanca Spain, between the mountain ranges of Buixcarro and Monduver, at an altitude of 375 metres above sea level. The valley has beautiful mountain views on both sides, with the peak of Monduver (841m) standing guard at the valley head. This affords a beautiful Mediterranean climate, often with a gentle summer breeze, making the hotter months much more comfortable. Winters are mild with very little rainfall, and Spring is simply delightful.