THE AYORA VALLEY

The green, peaceful and unspolit valley of Ayora is situated inland near the town of Almansa. The town of Ayora is convenient to both Alicante and Valencia airports, both being a 75 minutes' drive on good roads, most of which are dual carriageways. There is a daily bus service to Valencia plus nearby train services to Alicante, Valencia and Madrid.
 
The historical town of Almansa is situated 20 minutes' drive from Ayora and lies in the far eastern corner of Castilla La Mancha, less than an hour's drive north of Alicante, or southwest of Valencia. It shares many attributes of the Ayora Valley though it is a large, modern town with a population of around 25,000 and is situated at approximately 700 mts. (2300 feet) above sea level. A new general hospital has recently opened and local amenities include schools, a selection of supermarkets and restaurants, top-notch sports facilities and a nearby golf course.

Property prices here tend to be significantly lower than in the coastal regions, but the advantages don't stop there; whether you are used to the hustle and bustle of life on 'las Costas' or considering  your first Spanish propery purchase, a visit to this valley can be a real eye-opener. If you decide to come and see for yourself, we can make accommodation arrangements for you.

The town of Ayora has a population of some 5,500 inhabitamts and is situated at approximately 550mts (1800 feet) above sea level, The total population of the valley, which extends some 20 kms from Ayora to the village of Cofrentes, is around 10,000 and is made up of small, close-knit communities.

The long summers are very warm, suitable for relaxing by the pool, or just simply enjoying the traditional Spanish siesta. The Mediterranean is near enough to enjoy a day by the sea, with the advantage of the less humid inland night air on return. Spring and autumn are ideal for all kinds of outdoor activities, such as fishing, cycling, hiking, bird watching..........to mention but a few. There are numerous local fiestas, including the famous Honey Festival when the town of Ayora opens its arms to visitors from all over Spain. Being a Mediterranean-continental climate, occasional cold spells in winter can even bring a day or two's snow, which the local children greet with glee as a kind of rarity. Conversely, a sunny day in mid-January will invite to go for a lightly-clad stroll in the country, convinced that Spring is coming early again this year.

There is a modern 24 hour health facility, schools, a weekly street market, a permanent fresh food market, shops, large supermarket, good restaurants and even an internet cafe.  Local produce consists mainly of honey, olives, almonds and cherries.  Ayora is situated on the borders of the famous wine growing areas of La Mancha, and with its unique landscapes and green dales, an easy-going pace of life and a moderate cost of living "El Valle" has much to offer the inland property seeker.

Although the valley comes within the Community of Valencia where Valenciana is fairly widely spoken, the everyday language of the local people is Castilian Spanish. The small but expanding community of ex-pats enjoy a friendly relationship with the local Spanish inhabitants.  Free Spanish lessons are available within the town.