YOUR HOSTS Carol and Luis Gonzalez: My wife Carol, from Devon in UK and myself Luis, having lived in Almeria in the South of Spain since 1980, decided to escape the hot dry and crowded summer conditions of the south by building a house and some rural self catering apartments in the greener and cooler lands of Asturias where I was born. Our apartments at 'La Valdesa' ( see reference 7707 of this same web site) were so successful that our farming neighbours soon became interested in developing some of their farming land and barns, under our guidance, into high quality comfortable rural country accommodation, mainly directed to English guests. Two of these neighbours, Angel and his wife Conchita have developed EL GÜERTU apartments, opposite their own house, on a site which for years was Angel´s grandparents vegetable garden .Angel and Conchita are a jovial couple who make their guest most welcome in their extremely clean and comfortable apartments.
MORE ABOUT ASTURIAS: Our guests say that our love for Asturias is contagious, in deed, our un-biased opinion is that Asturias is truly one of the most unspoiled regions in Spain, described as a ' Nature Paradise' located between the Atlantic Ocean and the 'Picos de Europa' majestic mountain range, the highest in Europe in relation to their short distance to the sea. A landscape combination of sea, mountains, and golden sand beaches unique anywhere in Europe.
Asturias combines the emerald green pastures of Ireland. the rugged Cornish coast line, the rural feel of Tuscany and Southern French Pyrenees rolled into one. The climate is temperate with pleasant mild temperatures influenced by the Gulf Stream current where tropical plants such as bouganvilleas, date palm trees and citrus fruits grow successfully.
ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNICATIONS: Asturias is about the open air. Popular activities include country walks, mountain hiking, climbing, cycling, canoeing, sea and river fishing, landscape painting, swimming, windsurfing or bird watching in the estuary. Excursions and car drives will leave a lasting impression. The larger cities of Gijon and the Cathedral City of Oviedo, both steeped in History with interesting museums, cultural visits and sophisticated shops are only a short drive away. For the gourmet, local cuisine is one of the most prestigious and best value in Spain where almost invariably a meal for one, for as little as 9€, is enough for two hungry people!.
Communications with Asturias have never been so good with direct budget flights from UK to Bilbao ,Santander or Valladolid , an 18 hour Ferry crossing , Plymouth to Santander, and the A-8 motorway from the French border just 4 hours drive away.
Golf:
Golfing is well catered for in Asturias with at least six 18 hole courses 15 to 45 minutes drive from El Güertu. The local 9 hole course is only 10 minutes drive away. Summer temperatures rarely in excess of 25º centigrade add up to the perfect environment for the practice of golfing in Asturias with the added bonus of uncrowded course and low green fees, all in beautiful natural settings.
Other Activities:
canoeing , bird watching.
