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Winter tips

Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2022 1:36pm
11 replies283 views5 members subscribed
LinPlant

Posts: 23

7 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 18 Jun 2022

We are staying in the La Mata area for the first time this year, from November to February.  We are looking for tips about what to do when we are there, as appreciate a lot of things will be closed.

What we would like to do most days is sea swimming (we do this year round in Ireland), so just looking for where is safe, is it tidal, maybe a local group that does year round swimming.

Is it worth bringing our own bikes, or is there anywhere that does long term rentals (3 months). 

Recommendations for a good gym or sports club (not golf or tennis), open to other suggestions. 

Tips for good places to walk the dog and a good English speaking vet. 

Spanish lessons and any other activities that locals do.

Anything else we should consider or do. 

We want to really experience what it’s like to live in the area, not just holiday. 

Any advice at all would be appreciated. Thanks in advance 😁

MeathMaria

Posted: Mon Aug 1, 2022 10:05am

MeathMaria

Very helpful member

Posts: 599

580 helpful points

Location: Alicante City

Joined: 9 Jun 2019

Posted: Mon Aug 1, 2022 10:05am

LinPlant wrote on Sun Jul 31, 2022 1:36pm:

We are staying in the La Mata area for the first time this year, from November to February.  We are looking for tips about what to do when we are there, as appreciate a lot of things will be closed.

What we would like to do most days is sea swimming (we do this year round in Ireland), so just looking for where is safe, is it tidal, maybe a local group that does year round swimming.

...

...

Is it worth bringing our own bikes, or is there anywhere that does long term rentals (3 months). 

Recommendations for a good gym or sports club (not golf or tennis), open to other suggestions. 

Tips for good places to walk the dog and a good English speaking vet. 

Spanish lessons and any other activities that locals do.

Anything else we should consider or do. 

We want to really experience what it’s like to live in the area, not just holiday. 

Any advice at all would be appreciated. Thanks in advance 😁

Good morning

You will be in Spain during the months that will have early dark evenings  but generally blue skies and sunshine during daylight.  

I would say bringing your bikes is a good idea if you regularly use them at home,   its only the cost factor to consider.

Its perfect weather to explore your chosen area and to take bus or train trips to other interesting parts of Spain.

Seville,  Valencia,   Cartagena  and of course Alicante city come to mind as great places to explore.   In addition to commuter buses, there may also be private bus trips from Torrevieja area,  Rosa Tours and Davids Coaches are both mentioned on this forum.    You can get trains from Alicante city.

Just remember to pack your winter clothes and walking shoes.  You will see people wear fur coats and winter boots during some of the weeks you plan to be in Spain.   I'm not joking.  :)  Winds can feel cold.   

Houses and apartments get very cold at night and most do not have central heating like at home.   Also some days its warmer outdoors than inside.    So make enquiries as to what heat will be in your accommodation?    

Good luck planning for your adventure in Spain 

Maria 

LinPlant

Posted: Mon Aug 1, 2022 12:05pm

LinPlant

Original Poster

Posts: 23

7 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 18 Jun 2022

Posted: Mon Aug 1, 2022 12:05pm

MeathMaria wrote on Mon Aug 1, 2022 10:05am:

Good morning

You will be in Spain during the months that will have early dark evenings  but generally blue skies and sunshine during daylight.  

I would say bringing your bikes is a good idea if you regularly use them at home,   its only the cost factor to consider.

Its perfect weather to explore your chosen area and to take bus or train trips to other interesting parts of Spain.

Seville,  Valencia,   Cartagena  and of course Alicante city come to mind as great places to explore.   In addition to commuter buses, there may also be private bus trips from Torrevieja area,  Rosa Tours and Davids Coaches are both mentioned on this forum.    You can get trains from Alicante city.

Just remember to pack your winter clothes and walking shoes.  You will see people wear fur coats and winter boots during some of the weeks you plan to be in Spain.   I'm not joking.  :)  Winds can feel cold.   

Houses and apartments get very cold at night and most do not have central heating like at home.   Also some days its warmer outdoors than inside.    So make enquiries as to what heat will be in your accommodation?    

Good luck planning for your adventure in Spain 

Maria 

Thank you Maria, I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

We have been to Spain in winter and have seen the fur coats and puffa jackets, we will pack a few extra layers.

The house we have rented has heating, I don’t expect to need to use it much, as prefer a cool room and to wear a bit more, but realise t he houses are probably not insulated as they are here either.

The quality of light during the days is so much better than here and hopefully we can get out and enjoy plenty of dry, bright days  

This is our first time to this particular area, quite as late or early in the year. We are testing the water about whether we would enjoy it enough to move.

Thanks for the public transport tips too, I’ll check those out for sure. 

MeathMaria

Posted: Mon Aug 1, 2022 11:11pm

MeathMaria

Very helpful member

Posts: 599

580 helpful points

Location: Alicante City

Joined: 9 Jun 2019

Posted: Mon Aug 1, 2022 11:11pm

LinPlant wrote on Mon Aug 1, 2022 12:05pm:

Thank you Maria, I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

We have been to Spain in winter and have seen the fur coats and puffa jackets, we will pack a few extra layers.

The house we have rented has heating, I don’t expect to need to use it much, as prefer a cool room and to wear a bit more, but realise t he houses are probably not insulated as they are here either.

The quality of light during the days is so much better than here and hopefully we can get out and enjoy plenty of dry, bright days  

This is our first time to this particular area, quite as late or early in the year. We are testing the water about whether we would enjoy it enough to move.

Thanks for the public transport tips too, I’ll check those out for sure. 

It's a great idea to test the area during the winter months.   

We've been there in December and January and really enjoyed the beautiful blue skies and lovely dry weather.   

The La Mata area has been recommended several times on this forum so it seems a very good choice.  

Wishing you all the best for your trip.

Maria x 

GrahamLynn

Posted: Tue Aug 2, 2022 1:25am

GrahamLynn

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 2497

2357 helpful points

Location: El Raso

Joined: 9 Jul 2017

Posted: Tue Aug 2, 2022 1:25am

LinPlant wrote on Mon Aug 1, 2022 12:05pm:

Thank you Maria, I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

We have been to Spain in winter and have seen the fur coats and puffa jackets, we will pack a few extra layers.

The house we have rented has heating, I don’t expect to need to use it much, as prefer a cool room and to wear a bit more, but realise t he houses are probably not insulated as they are here either.

The quality of light during the days is so much better than here and hopefully we can get out and enjoy plenty of dry, bright days  

This is our first time to this particular area, quite as late or early in the year. We are testing the water about whether we would enjoy it enough to move.

Thanks for the public transport tips too, I’ll check those out for sure. 

House temperature without heating in winter is around 10C  and can drop lower during the night. . Outdoor temperatures can get to 20+ , but generally that’s only between 10 am and 4 pm, You have to get out and about in the winter just to keep warm. Make sure you bring lots of woolies and don’t forget your slippers, the tiled floors are freezing! 

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elinspain

Posted: Tue Aug 2, 2022 8:39am

elinspain

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 3222

4099 helpful points

Location: La Mata

Joined: 4 May 2018

Posted: Tue Aug 2, 2022 8:39am

Hello LinPlant

 I can answer some of your questions as I have lived in the  La Mata area for many years.

  If you cross the N332  motorway (via an underpass) you can walk yourselves + dog in the natural park-- as long as the dog is on a lead because of the nesting wildlife/birds  etc. There are bird look out shelters close to the lake so take your binoculars, also a very good information office if you can find it open. It is staffed by volunteers and they do do struggle for staff & park rangers especially sine Covid.

across the road,,,,,https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1079007-d8779553-Reviews-Parque_Natural_de_las_Lagunas_de_La_Mata_y_Torrevieja-L

 There is a good, mainly English speaking  veterinary clinic in Guardamar just up the road from La Mata,,,it is called Veterpet.

 There is a  bike rental shop called Forest Bikes in La Mata opposite the Correos so easy to find , 2 mins from the town square, on Calle de la Purificacion. I would call them in advance as they may not open everyday in the winter months as it is so much quieter in La Mata. There is no gym but google gyms in Torrevieja & you will find several.

Buses  from there--in & out of Torrevieja ( x 2) One is every 30mins & the other goes a different route  & is every hour ( both  slightly less regular at weekends).

I have never seen anyone swimming  locally beyond November & only hardy souls then,   dont know whether there are any groups in Torrevieja.

 This place might interest you for many sports   https://torreviejasportscity.com/en/

It is about 10 mins drive away but also accessible by another bus I could help you with.

 You are welcome to P.M me if I can help with anything else or answer anymore questions

 Cheers

Elinspain

LinPlant

Posted: Tue Aug 2, 2022 11:08am

LinPlant

Original Poster

Posts: 23

7 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 18 Jun 2022

Posted: Tue Aug 2, 2022 11:08am

elinspain wrote on Tue Aug 2, 2022 8:39am:

Hello LinPlant

 I can answer some of your questions as I have lived in the  La Mata area for many years.

  If you cross the N332  motorway (via an underpass) you can walk yourselves + dog in the natural park-- as long as the dog is on a lead because of the nesting wildlife/birds  etc. There are bird look out shelters close to the lake so take your binoculars, also a very good information office if you can find it open. It is staffed by volunteers and they do do struggle for staff & park rangers especially sine Covid.

across the road,,,,,https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1079007-d8779553-Reviews-Parque_Natural_de_las_Lagunas_de_La_Mata_y_Torrevieja-L

 There is a good, mainly English speaking  veterinary clinic in Guardamar just up the road from La Mata,,,it is called Veterpet.

 There is a  bike rental shop called Forest Bikes in La Mata opposite the Correos so easy to find , 2 mins from the town square, on Calle de la Purificacion. I would call them in advance as they may not open everyday in the winter months as it is so much quieter in La Mata. There is no gym but google gyms in Torrevieja & you will find several.

Buses  from there--in & out of Torrevieja ( x 2) One is every 30mins & the other goes a different route  & is every hour ( both  slightly less regular at weekends).

I have never seen anyone swimming  locally beyond November & only hardy souls then,   dont know whether there are any groups in Torrevieja.

 This place might interest you for many sports   https://torreviejasportscity.com/en/

It is about 10 mins drive away but also accessible by another bus I could help you with.

 You are welcome to P.M me if I can help with anything else or answer anymore questions

 Cheers

Elinspain

Thanks a million for the information ElinSpain, that’s a great help, my husband loves an excuse to get his binoculars out 😃 and I appreciate your offer to PM, I may well do that at some point. 

It’s great you see some hardy souls swim after November, as we would fall into that category and swim (well get in for a few minutes at least) with ice on the ground here year round. I can’t imagine it’s any colder than the Irish Sea. I don’t mind not having a group, just knowing where people do swim, that’s considered a safe spot locally. So that’s helpful. 

Plenty time to find that out. 

I was actually looking at Sports City yesterday, it looks great and like something we would hopefully use. 

LinPlant

Posted: Tue Aug 2, 2022 11:59am

LinPlant

Original Poster

Posts: 23

7 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 18 Jun 2022

Posted: Tue Aug 2, 2022 11:59am

GrahamLynn wrote on Tue Aug 2, 2022 1:25am:

House temperature without heating in winter is around 10C  and can drop lower during the night. . Outdoor temperatures can get to 20+ , but generally that’s only between 10 am and 4 pm, You have to get out and about in the winter just to keep warm. Make sure you bring lots of woolies and d...

...on’t forget your slippers, the tiled floors are freezing! 

I suppose houses that are built to keep heat out in summer, probably don’t get much in the way of solar gains in the winter either. Good reason to get out of the house every day. Thanks for replying, appreciate every bit of advice. 🙏🏽

Keith 3

Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 12:10pm

Posts: 63

21 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 3 Mar 2020

Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 12:10pm

Hi, just to add to all the excellent advice given, la mata beach is beautiful and as far as I know very safe to swim. I've seen quite a few surfers during the winter months.

Regards, Keith 

LinPlant

Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 2:07pm

LinPlant

Original Poster

Posts: 23

7 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 18 Jun 2022

Posted: Mon Aug 8, 2022 2:07pm

Keith 3 wrote on Mon Aug 8, 2022 12:10pm:

Hi, just to add to all the excellent advice given, la mata beach is beautiful and as far as I know very safe to swim. I've seen quite a few surfers during the winter months.

Regards, Keith 

Thanks Keith. That’s good to know. ☺️

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