Walking: This area is a walkers paradise where walks are available for people of all levels of fitness and expertise.

You can start with a short level walk just to take in the beautiful scenery or a 30 km march through the mountains for those persons that are fit enough to cope with this.

The terrain around here can be rough in places so a good pair of proper hiking boots should be worn for those contemplating this type of fun.

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Walking: If you really like exploring and are interested in how people used to live in "old Spain" there a several old uninhabited "cave houses" (one is pictured on the left) near here. One is only about ten minutes walk away and the others are about half an hours walk from Villa Tranquilo. Each has several rooms inside and you can still see where the people used to cook and sleep. We have often seen an animal or two inside using it for shelter including bats on several occasions.

For any of the walks you undertake for only a small cost we are happy to supply packed lunches with drinks (48 hours notice please).

Bird watching: We have many birds here all year round as well as many migrating species that visit. With great excitement we have spotted several colourful Hoopoe birds in and around our garden and as we are situated right in the countryside who knows what might fly by!

This is a bird-spotters paradise with many rare and colourful birds to be seen from the Pink Flamingos on the salt flats near Santa Pola to Eagles and the colourful Hoopoe birds in the mountains just up the track from here.

Even as you drive along the canal near us you will often see an unfamiliar bird fishing that looks like a Heron but in fact it is an Egret.

A visit to the salt marshes between us and the sea should produce some interesting rewards including of course, the famous PInk Flamingos. Try Costa Blanca Bird Club where you may find some interesting information on bird watching around the Costa Blanca.

I am certainly no expert on birds but some of the wildlife that has been seen around here includes Bonellis's Eagles, Peregrine, Eagle Owls, and the colourful Hoopoe birds.

Here are just a couple of the watching areas near here:

The Salt Lakes (Lagoon) at La Mata - A nature reserve with information centre. There are a large population of birds and almost a hundred species have been recorded, including in particular the flamingo, the black-necked grebe, the black-winged stilt and the avocet. Around the La Mata Lagoon there are well-marked walks or cycle paths, observation towers and relaxation areas. La Mata is North of Torrevieja on the N332.

Guardamar Pine Dunes (Dunas) and Port area are the ideal places for Hoopoe, Egret, Bee Eater, Woodchat and Shrike to name but a few.

Hoopoe Bird

Flamingos at the Salt Lakes

Black-winged Stilt

SCUBA Diving: Scuba diving is available from Torrevieja, Santa Pola, Alicante, La Marina and most of the coastal resorts.

Training can be given but trips are also arranged for those who already have a qualification.

The water is clear most of the year and can clear up to 30m. Sea temperatures are usually around 29C during August/September but in mid winter the temperature may drop as low as 13C. (That's for the dry suit brigade)

Cycling: If you have a cycle available there are plenty of places to explore: from tiny "out of the way" villages through to fantastic mountain ranges.

Cycling teams can often been seen locally doing their preparation training for competitions. (Subject to future demand we are considering offering cycle hire too for the benefit of our guests only).

Painting: This area must be a Scenic painters paradise as the views in any direction are spectacular.

If you like Marine studies, you could do no better than to take the short trip into Santa Pola as the harbour and colourful fishing boats there are an absolute delight.

If you prefer painting landscapes then you can paint the views from the villa or walk or drive only a little way and you are spoilt for choice.