Spain 4 Bedroom Villa @ Desert Springs Golf Resort, Pool

~8 La Rosa~
Traditional style villa set in a beautiful little cluster of cottages with shared but secluded swimming pool. With magnificent views of the mountains in the far distance, and the 1st and 18th fairways leading right up to the villa's garden boundary, this villa has one of the best positions on the course.
8 La Rosa has a large terrace with a barbecue, which leads out from the living room onto the garden, and a private sun deck/balcony leading out from the master en-suite bedroom on the first floor.
Beautifully furnished, spacious and comfortable with Air-con/heating, television, dvd, audio system and Wifi, the villa has a well-equipped kitchen elegantly furnished lounge/dining room, two en-suite bathrooms plus a downstairs family bathroom.
8 La Rosa is less than 3 minutes walk from the golf club house, restaurant, tennis course, trim trail, gym, paddle court and other sports facilities including putting, driving range and world class Golf Academy.

~Beaches and nearby Places of Interest~

The beaches around this area are generally quite undeveloped, so some exploring is fun to do and it's then a matter of finding your favourite.
Our favourites are, in no particular order:
- Cala Cerrada, small, private, quiet beach great for snorkeling (30 mins drive towards Aguilas)
- Garrucha Playa, town beach, plenty of atmosphere (20 minute drive)
- Agua Amarga, perfect for a day out, and paella (50 minute drive toward Almeria)
- Mojacar Playa, for beach bars and clubs, look out for Patio 2000 (30 minute drive)

~Villaricos~

The nearest though is the beach at the village of Villaricos about 4 miles away. To get there turn right from Desert Springs and follow the signs to Palomares and then Villaricos. Basically when you get to the coast, turn left!
Villaricos is a small, unspoiled fishing village, both charming and tranquil, which maintains a typical Spanish feel. Villaricos meaning rich village, derives its name from ancient silver mines, which have their place in history, as it is from here that Hannibal paid his mercenaries when he besieged Rome.
There are two small harbours that sit at each end of the village linked by an attractive promenade. It is a favoured place for an evening stroll. There is small market every Sunday morning in the square.

Just beyond Villaricos is a rugged undeveloped coastline which can be explored using the old coastal road, and discover the many coves and beaches and relax in peace and solitude among the rock pools and sand.

~Cuevas Del Almanzora~

Cuevas del Almanzora is o­ne of the oldest towns of the province and lying in fertile valley of the Almanzora River.
In the early 19th century silver was discovered in the Sierra Almagrera Mountains. The news spread and Cuevas del Almanzora became home to many a fortune hunter. The town got it’s name from the many man-made caves in the nearby hills, o­nce inhabited by the miners.
This was the start of an age of splendour for the town. The impressive legacy of this silver rush can be seen all around from the elegant family houses of the mining barons to the grand avenues, churches and statues. Many of the grand old houses remain and it is well worth walking around the old town of Cuevas to gaze at the impressive bourgeois architecture, many are still inhabited.

~Vera~

The walled, renaissance town of Vera is o­ne of the most important commercial centres in the region. Originally called Baria, it was located by sea near Villaricos. The Arabs moved it to the hill of Espiritu Santo, but a huge earthquake destroyed it in 1518. The tale goes that Queen Isabel climbed to top of this hill, fired an arrow and ordered that Vera be built where it landed. Vera as we know it was built in the 16th Century in the urban Renaissance style and later enlarged in 18th Century.
The main square, Plaza Mayor, has several noteworthy buildings. The Church de la Encarnación (1520), flanked by 4 great towers, was built as a fort to protect against the frequent Moorish attacks.

~The Bullring (Vera)~

A more modern construction is the Plaza de Toros (Bullring) o­n the Garrucha road, built in 1879 in the Mudejar style and restored in1993. o­n the 25th September, patron saint Cleofas’ day, is the setting for bullfights.
The Water Park

~Water Park~

There is one Water Park in the area, at Parque Aquatico which is on the main road between Villaricos and Garrucha near Vera Playa. Here you can take a thrilling ride o­n o­ne of the many flumes or sit and relax by o­ne of three swimming pools. There is an excellent selection of water shoots and slides and a children’s section with a play area and their own water slides. The park is open from May until the end of September.

~Garrucha~

Garrucha is an interesting port town on the coast with a large marina and local fishing fleet. It is renowned for its fish market and fine selection of seafood restaurants along the front offering a variety of seafood freshly caught by the local fisherman, in local waters that day. 
Garrucha has fantastic long golden sandy beaches and the town beach claims to be the only blue flag town beach in Europe. 
Along the front there is an attractive promenade, dotted with cafés and bars with the shopping streets set behind and children's play areas with climbing frames and slides.  There is a large a number of modern supermarket, Ole or Mercadona on the edge of the port.
Market day is Friday morning from 9-2pm which is very busy and well worth a visit to soak up the atmosphere.

~Mojacar Playa and Mojacar Pueblo~

Mojacar Playa is a beach resort. Lively with many beach bars, such as El Patio 2000, local and international restaurants, discos, clubs, hotels and shops, it's an interesting and often useful place to visit.
The long uncrowded sandy beach is o­ne of its main attractions. The beach is 17 km long, with a large part being designated an area of natural beauty. Only 7 km have been developed and they consistently earn European Blue Flag awards for cleanliness. There is the Parque Commercial, a modern shopping precinct at the intersection of the sea front and the road to Mojacar Pueblo and the Indalo centre right at the end of the strip.
Mojacar Pueblo (village) the pretty little hilltop Moorish village is a drive up from the playa. The streets are cobbled, and narrow, with picturesque whitewashed buildings and a wonderful viewpoint from which to see the whole surrounding area. Historically it was the centre of trade for the Greeks, Phoenicians, and Romans, but the Moorish has remained. There are a few restaurants and a variety of shops and boutiques.

~Climate~

The Almanzora has Europe's only desert climate. The area boasts a year round average of a full nine hours of sunshine a day and a total rainfall of less than seven and a half inches. In winter, the average maximum daily temperature is 19°C (67"f) from October to March.
It is, without exception, the warmest and driest place to be in Europe in the winter. In summer, it is hot and dry inland but cooler down on the coast at Villaricos, whilst Desert Springs, up on the plateau above the Almanzora, is cooled by pleasant sea breezes.

~Award Winning Golf~

The Indiana course is the first desert course in Europe and has been built to full USGA specifications and quality standards to match those of the famous desert courses of Arizona and California. The course has unforgettable views and dramatic golf with volcanic rock beds and cacti for hazards. The upkeep of the course is outstanding with fairways and greens that can only be described as manicured. A great test for golfers of all standards and an unforgettable experience.
There is a stunning practice area conveniently located next to the La Fuente development. This includes a putting green, driving range and chipping area. Lessons are available from the resident professional.

For those who would like to play other golf courses, Valle del Este and Marina Golf, both full 18 hole challenging courses, are within a 20 minute drive.