Do you do most your of your shopping in Portugal or in Spain?

Benidorm is busy all year round.If you prefer somewhere quieter but within that area you could go to Alfaz,Albir or Altea.An added bonus is that there is a good bus service & the tram (runs from Alicante right up the coast to Denia) which allows you to get around without needing a car.

Lanzarote is lovely all year round.

Sadly the tram won't get to Denia from Alicante as for the past 3+ years there have been major works taking place at a snails pace!

Does any one know when the tram service is back?WE miss the tram it is a great cheap way to get around and leave the car i hope it's back soon the work rate is slow i think it is 3 years now?

I was at the Denia tram station today, there are buses that run from there to calpe and then connect to the tram itself. I read in the "Euro Weekly" paper that no date is yet set for the resumption of service as there is a debate about the use of the Quisi Viaduct and a proposed new bridge, not to mention a debate about what should happen to the old bridge. Do best not hold your breath!

However the station has never looked better, lovely and clean. The cafeteria was full. Pity about the lack of a tram.

My wife has told me she had read a big artical in the paper on the tram,which said they have also run out of money and the earliest it will be up and running is 2021

Hi we retired 3 years ago and winter in Spain with our dogs in Oliva, approx. 45 minutes south of Valencia. It's not a tourist resort so doesn't close down and there is a very active U3A group run by expats which has lots going to help keep active and connected. I'm sure that there are plenty of other great places as well but we found Oliva and like it, would also recommend Gandia, Denia, Calpe. As somebody has already mentioned don't book a place for the whole duration and move around if you find somewhere nicer

When i came in from work last night it was only 8 degrees, the wind was howling, and inside the house was like a freezer.

Dont forget that theres no central heating here.

I think im going to put some econoheaters on timers to warm the house up, and forget the extra electric bills.

We found the same travelling to Portugal - we always try to find the closest "low cost" station before the border, fuel is alot more expensive there. Do you not use Continete? It seems very similar to Carrefour / bigger Supersol stores.

We found your reply to Julie very interesting, as we’re in exactly the same position as her and looking to spend January, February and March 2021 abroad. It’s not necessarily hot weather we’re after - it’s more about a blue sky rather than the constant grey which we have in the uk - and it being warm enough to play golf.

Would you please suggest ways in which we could go about renting accommodation which will accept a dog?

Many thanks!

Choose the area and google local letting agencies. Even sites like Idealista, or Habitaclia offers the choice of holiday rentals. Otherwise you also have Booking, Tripadvisor etc. where you can already click pets allowed.

I agree with this assessment. Many people visit a "resort" in the summer, and romanticise themselves living there in retirement. But, not only do "resorts" become rather ghost towns in the off season, but you'll likely find that the "busyness" of a "resort" full of "tourists" in summer is not a particularly desirable environment to live in. Not only do you get less your money, but it gets on your nerves after a while. You can't wait for them to go home.

​​​​​​Ju st a few km inland, nothing changes from summer to winter, except the weather. All the same restaurants, shops, salons, and everything you need are still there, doing the same thing they did yesterday. As a lifestyle, you'll appreciate that. Trust me.