Keen cyclists Debbie and Graham from Portsmouth first got together nearly thirty years ago and now want to find their very own holiday home in Spain. With family and friends lining up for weekend visits, they’ve chosen the town of Oliva to the south of Spain’s Valencia region. Stepping in to help, is Sara Damergi, who after a rigorous search has come up with 5 great options for their £80,000 budget - but will any be perfect?
About the area
Oliva is pretty easy to get to, with Valencia’s airport around an hour’s drive to the north and Alicante’s a similar distance south. It is a town split in two: the older side, home to a majority of expats, is filled with winding streets and pretty squares, while the newer end is packed with all the modern conveniences you could need.
Outside of Oliva, as well as some deserted beaches and peaceful nature reserves, are a handful of spots well worth exploring, like Gandia, popular with Spanish weekenders, or Villalonga and Pego, both a little further from the coast and with a more laid back and traditional vibe.