We went to Las Fuentas 3 years ago. We are going again this year. Hooray! Hope it's still the same as last time, but notice there is a lot more apartments to rent (in Brit mags).

Off to Las Fuentes on 8th May for 9 days - really looking forward to it. Flying to Barcelona with BA so we have a fairly long drive - apparently it is an easy drive though.

I think that more and more Brits are buying there - probably because at the moment it is cheaper and also not as built up as other Costas.

I can't find a web cam that is working there at the moment - any suggestions of sites??

Pippa

Pipa, try one of these sites. I couldnt get the webcams to work, but they did have some good info and pictures

http://www.alcossebre.org/&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dalcossebre%26hl%3Den" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" class="break-word">http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.alcossebre.org/&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dalcossebre%26hl%3Den

http://www.alcossebre.co.uk/

Pippa,

You are quite right, the drive is very easy especially if you use the A7 toll road. Should take you about 1.5 hours from Barca, we normally fly into Reus but the Ryanair prices this year were ridiculous, hence the flight to Valencia. You should have a great time, visit the Es Fontes beach, the one where natural springs come out literally from the beach, it was quite concerning when we first saw them, we thought it was quick sand and some of them are quite deep but they are not really dangerous.The other thing there is a cracking little beach bar that sells food, drinks, rents pedalos and beds at very reasonable prices. Have a great time and roll on 25th May when we are going out!!

Not sure what speed you travel at but the AA & RAC reckon it is 240 km and will take between 2 1/2 - 3 hours!

You do have to be a little careful as I think they can track your speed at the toll booths.

Pippa

Hi Pippa, Never done the Barca run, I've just gone off what the owner of the appt says he can do it in. It's 149 miles point to point. To be honest, the toll road encourages quick driving and I normally do the Reus run in just over an hour which puts my speed at arond 80 - 90 mph which I suppose is too quick!!! Thanks for the tip about the toll booths because quite feasibly they could do the average speed check between booths if they use number plate recognition. However, I can honestly say hand on heart I have never seen a police car, traffic or other on the toll road in all the times I have been on it. Perhap's I've just been lucky!! lol.

I'm going to take the train down to Benicarlo and taxi from there. We drove last time. Was an easy run but parking in Las Fuentes was a pain (in August), but our appt was rightin the centre!

Hope that little bar on the beach is still there, they do do terrific food (and beer) and good for early evenings as well.

Can someone tell me, is worth Peniscola visiting ?

Also, what is Alcossebre really like? We only got as far as the outskirts (the first bit you get to from Les Fuentes) all looked a bit tatty. But after seeing pictures on the internet; it looks quite nice.

Not booked yet, but should we consider Alcossebre instead of Las Fuentes?

seagull,

Peniscola is well worth a visit, especially to see the castle and the fanatstic beach. It's a proper Spanish seaside resort with some lovely bars and restaurants.

Regarding Alcossebre, once you are in the town it's ok and has some good beaches as you drive up the coast road to Cap y Corp. As said previously, 2 restaurants that we frequent regularly are El Patio Pizza (you need to book at weekends) and Tasca Chimo (for superb tapas). It is though to all intents a town and not what I would call a resort however you get to see the "proper" Spain which is what we as a family like. At night, many Spanish families come out onto the prom for a stroll and it is lovely to see. Being so close together, we like the quiteness of Las Fuentes by day and the Spanish feel to Alcossebre in the evenings. Try either of the towns and you won't go wrong. Have a great holiday whilst there is still some of the "real" Spain left.

Barnio

Barnio,

Can you tell me if there is a large supermarket anywhere in the Alcossebre area. When we were there before we used the various local Spa's etc. but they don't quite have the choice of a larger supermarket - and do tend to be a little more expensive.

I will be meeting the owner of the apartment we are using when he brings the keys to us - he lives about 40 minutes away from us and visits our village as part of his work!! I will ask him also about a largish supermarket.

Many thanks,
Pippa

Hi Pippa,

We do the same just for the convenience and also use the local shops in Alcossebre town such as grocers, bakers, butcher etc. I believe there is Hypermarket at Benicarlo, a shortish car journey away. Never been myself but the owner of the appt uses it all the time.

Thanks for that - something for us to go on anyway.

Pippa

Well !!! I really am on holiday countdown mode - HOWEVER, here I am, sat in my office, air con on, 23 degrees outside and bar b queing tonight. Have just spoke to a friend out there and the weather is very very poor. Frequent rain and not so warm. Pippa, I truly hope that it picks up for you and please would you send us a report on your return. Have a great holiday and also for future reference, tell us what the Barcelona Airport and drive experience is like. Many thanks.

Just thought I'd do a weather check on the net, the news is better, 6 - 10 day forecast looks fab with temps next week into the 80's. I CAN'T WAIT !!!!!!!!!

Thanks Barnio - I certainly hope that the long range weather forecast is correct! I would hate to leave this glorious sunshine next Tuesday for a wet Spain!

I will certainly post a review on what the drive is like from Barcelona.

We have the keys to the apartment - just need to start the packing - trouble is I am spending too much time sitting in my garden.

Pippa

Not sure if you will see this before we go on Tuesday morning but just wondered if there is a launderette in the area? There isn't a washing machine in the apartment and if the weather turns out to be as hot as it looks on the forecast we might need it!! I don't usually worry about hand washing as things dry very quickly on a balcony anyway but if there was a launderette nearby then I might use it once or twice.

Thanks,
Pippa

Hi Pippa, I was too late, however hope you found the launderette and am looking forward to your report on your return - 9 days to go for me !!!

We are home (last night)!

Had a fantastic 9 days for weather - the first few days were in the high 80's and then cooled down a fraction to a more comfortable level! We had one misty day due to heat hase and sea mist but the sun came out eventually.

Barcelona is a lovely airport - huge and is expanding even more. The AA were right in their prediction of almost 3 hours to Alcossebre - an easy drive but a long one - and costs 23 euros in tolls each way. We were very tired when we arrived as we had left home at 3.30am with a 2 hour drive to Gatwick then a 2 hour flight and a 3 hour drive in Spain! We can't praise Hertz car rental highly enough - we had booked a very small Peugeot 1007 but they offered us an upgrade for 20 euros for the whole 10 days - we got a lovely Ford Focus!! Both collecting the car and dropping off were very simple, quick and most importantly right out side the terminal. We flew BA and they were extremely good - great to be able to check in online.

Now the apartment, it was in the Fuentesol complex which is directly behing the Las Fuentes Hotel. The complex is quite large but there was hardly anyone there whilst we were there. From our apartment we had lovely views of the mountains and evening sun. There is a road both front and back of the complex which can get quite busy at certain times of the day. The complex has lovely gardens and a huge pool - no sun loungers allowed though so you have to sit on the lawn. It is only a couple of minutes walk to the beach. The apartment we had was 'looked after' by a local management company - this was also the same company that looked after the previous apartment we had in Alcossebre - we had the same initial problems in that things were not all that clean! The supermarket at the front of the complex stocked most of what you need - lovely fresh bread every morning. Did not need a laundrette as the apartment had a huge balcony which was great for drying clothes!

Would we return - probably not - there are other areas of Spain that we have yet to visit. If we did then we would probably choose the very far end of Alcossebre - beyond Romana beach - there are some lovely complexes there that are front line to the sea. Also we feel the beaches there are the best - a new board walk has been built over the protected sand dunes. There are a lot of new apartments being built along that end but I would say that most will be finished in a couple of years or so.

Think that's it - ask if you want any more info!!

Pippa

Just logged on and are glad you had a good time. I go this Friday and can't wait BUT I have found a Web Cam site that has a camera on the roof of The Eurohostal and todays weather is awful - wet and windy - just like a winters day here. Long range for next week does look better though. Roll on Friday - Tapas bar here I come. Will send a report on my return also.

We do hope you have a good time and that the weather picks up for you especially as it is supposed to be good here for the next few days.

We are now looking forward to our next holiday in September to Devon and Cornwall!!

Pippa