INNTRAVELLER. Autumn 2013 edition. The personal touch.................

Pat and I are delighted to have been selected by Inntravel to feature in the latest edition of the "Inntraveller" magazine ( Autumn 2013) as part of their holiday in Alicante's Rugged Mountains.
Here it is:-

A warm welcome...

Our "hosts with the most"

"We're renowned for our hotels of character, and-very often- it's the people who own and manage them who make them a 'cut above'. Whether it's a 4 star lakeside haven amid the Austrian Alps or a simple chambres d'hotes in rural France. Its the personal touch that counts...

Alicante's 'dream team'

Brian and Pat Fagg, who have lived in the small village of Quatretondeta in Alicante's Rugged Mountains for the past 21 years, are a case in point. While Pat employs her cookery skills to sublime effect in the dining room (her special 7-course Taste of Spain menu left one visitor claiming that "each course was worthy of a Michelin star"), it is Brian who has come to know these limestone peaks and verdant hills like the back of his hand. In fact, he has documented over 100 walks in the area, and still claims not to have ventured into the outer reaches of the sierras! As he says : Our guests are amazed at how wonderful and quiet the scenery they walk through is,despite being only one hour from the airport; and what an incredibly diverse range of flora and fauna can be found in these truly breathtaking mountains."

Also featured is this article were Jill and Julio Pires of the Algarve, Portugal ;and Canan and Suleyman from Lycia, Turkey.

Contact Inntravel for a copy of this magazine and to visit there enormous range of holidays at www.inntravel.co.uk.

Details of the Inntravel in Alicante's Rugged Mountains can be found here.

For holidays based in Quatretondeta with Pat,Brian and their son Tom, check out the holidays at Mountain Walks

Mountain Walks guided and independent walking and biking holidays. is a family business and  is registered in Spain . 

Summer's day excursion

 to the peak of the Sierra Serrella.

Thursday 22nd August 2013 and we took off for the peak of the Sierra Serrella with a dual purpose, to visit our friend Miguel who is on fire watch duty and to collect some of the giant pine cones you find near the peak. The latter make superb firelighters for the log burner in the winter months.

We arrived at the fire watch hut at 2pm which really was a case of Mad Dogs and Englishmen out in the midday sun. It was 32ºC when we left Quatretondeta but after a  730 metre climb to the peak the temperature was registering 26ºC with a gentle 3 knot breeze.

 

Miguel explained the records he has to keep; of temperatures, wind speed and direction , humidity and rain fall. It was quite a shock to discover that it had been 40 days since the last rainfall. A veritable tinderbox yet still surprisingly green. A testament to the wonders of the limestone terrains' ability to hold and store water.

The view from the Serrella peak 1359 m to Pla de la Casa 1379m.

The views, as always, are breathtaking from here and it is no wonder it is such a favourite with our Mountain WALKS walking parties. The above is a view towards the distant peak of Sierra Bernia which seems to have a perpetual topping of cloud.





After leaving the peak we then took a rare visit down the valley to the tourist honeypot of Guadalest. Although it was busy thankfully there were no tour buses there from the Benidorm hotels. This tends to put you off from what is a very attractive spot. A very late and excellent value lunch in what appeared to be the only bar in town with a Spanish menu on show. Everywhere seemed to have only English or Russian on display.

Keep up to date with daily events at MountainWALKS from the MountainWalks FaceBook page

We're looking forward to being back on the Sierra Serrella in the Autumn. Pat and Brian, Quatretondeta.

New web site for the mountain village of Quatretondeta.

The Quatretondeta web site in both English and Spanish has been launched to give information on the village and its history and to update visitors on events and accommodation within the village.
Visit Quatretondeta.com for more information.

Mountain Walks - Guest Reviews

MountainWALKS village cottages in Quatretondeta.

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These are comments left by in our visitors book.
More recent reviews are available on our web site and on the responsibletravel.com web site

You can also find over 60 independent reviews left by guests on the responsibletravel.com web site.

Go to the responsibletravel.com reviews
(PLEASE NOTE, as this is an independent site there is no return link to our site.
To return to mountainwalks please use the previous page button on your browser)

mountainwalks.com. Quatretondeta . Holidays based in our cottages Casa L'Ametler( Almond Tree cottage) Casa Dianica & Ca L'Oriol, Quatretondeta, Alicante, Spain.

October 2011 - Bob and Angela Jenner (INNTRAVEL)

...."we had a fantastic short stay with yourselves, it was full of welcome, ready assistance and joy whether out walking (and the vultures were a splendid sight in their own right), enjoying the peace and quiet of Quatretondeta and our Casa or the splendid feasts that you modestly call meals".

18th May 2011 - Kathy and Ian Smith ( mountainWALKS - guided walking holiday)

Our second visit to Quatretondeta has not disappointed. Excellent walking, superb food and drink, and good company in the evening. What more could you want from a holiday. Thanks Brian, Pat and Tom

5th April 2011 - Michael and Liz Sudlow, John and Agnes Watson ( INNTRAVEL)

We have been here such a short time, 2 nights in a wonderful cottage with NO CHURCH BELLS, and our final walk in these magnificent mountains. We can only agree with everybody else has said about the food,( we are seriously replete tonight) and the hospitality from Pat and Brian. Thank you both very much.

24th January 2011 - John Croxen (INNTRAVEL)

The cottage was a delight and the food provided was really good. Altogether a good end to my 9 day holiday in Spain. I would have wished for slightly higher temperatures but nonetheless had some good walks. Thank you Brian and Pat for your tremedous hospitality and kindness.

22nd January 2011 - C Borrow ( Mountainwalks - guided walking holiday)

Thanks for a peaceful relaxing week of walking. Food,wine and converstation made feel very welcome. Thanks Pat and Brian

12th January 2011 - Jared and Po Yan , USA ( INNTRAVEL)

Had a lovely time, the best of the holiday! Wish we could spend more time, but we'll have to come back again! Next time - to "Africa".

5th January 2011 - Sue and Chris Pratt (INNTRAVEL)

A wonderful and enchanting end to what has been a brilliant walking holiday. Thank you Brian and Pat for making us so welcome and for the excellent converstaions, wine and food.

26th November 2010 - Frances Read

A return visit after 10 years-will try not to leave it so long next time. Excellent walks, interesting villages, superb scenery and leisurely dinners with Pat's marvellous meals.

12th November 2010 - Robert and Elizabeth Lewis (INNTRAVEL)Great walks + great food = great holiday. We'll be back!!

4th November 2010 - Margaret and David Stamford (INNTRAVEL)

A lovely end to our walking holiday. The trip to the winery was excellent, and rounded off really well with the meal at night. Thank you

30th October 2010 - Trisha Hanlon ( mountainWALKS - guided walking holiday)

My stay at Quatretondeta has been a new and unique experience to me - thank you for making my first walking holiday so memorable.

30th October 2010 - Janet Brennan, ( mountainWALKS guided walking holiday)

Thank you so much for a wonderful holiday. The food was excellent, weather was marvellous and the company genial. The walks were both exhilarating and breathtakingly beautiful and always "just" at an end just a mile further on.. Good luk with the future guys and perhaps we'll meet again.

23rd October 2010 - Rachel and Keith, Exeter ( mountainWALKS - guided walking holiday)

We very much enjoyed our week of wonderful hospitality, walks and relaxation. Thank you for the outstanding meals and local knowledge. Jem shepherded us up and down dale (and mountain) with skill and good humour. ......

9th October 2010 - GM, Wicklow - ( mountainWALKS - guided walking holiday)

Pat and Brian

Thank you so much for a fantastic weeks holiday. The hiking was superb. I thought I was coming for a rest but Jem had different ideas. Thanks to his experience and manner I really switched off and enjoyed the magic of my surroundings. Thanks also Pat for the totally delicious food - it was the icing on the cake at the end of each day. You have a lovely place here and I wish you all the very best with it. Till next time,

20th September 2010 - Peter and Liz Dawson (INNTRAVEL)

An extremely enjoyable last 2 days of our week in the Alicante mountains. The walk up the Serrella and back down to the village was magnificent - great views, spectacular rock formations, soaring eagles ( we think) and a view of "Africa"! All this was matched by your warm hospitality and absolutely delicious food, which is what made our stay so memorable. Only sorry we cannot stay for longer, but we hope to return soon.

28th June 2010 - Mike and Nick Pointon

Pat and Brian

Thank you both for a most enjoyable holiday. The "cottage" is fantastic. Walking in the mountains is pure joy, the sound of silence is magic. Fine wines, Excellent food and the company of your good selves. What more could we ask for.

22nd to 28th May 2010 - John and Sue Darshill

`............ pretty damm good, serious it was marvellous, great walks, great food and great banter.

21st April 2010 - J &J + S & A

Last day - for too soon!!! Due to volcanic eruption in Iceland we hoped our flights would be delayed to no avail- looks like we shall leave as scheduled. So sorry to leave the wonderful scenery, unrivalled views and friendly people. Cottage just as we remembered - so comfortable and welcoming. Hopefully we will return soon.

7th March 2010 - Sue and Malcolm Fordyce

We had no idea what a fantastic walking area this is. We certainly hope to come back. Thank you for looking after so well. The meals have been superb.

2^nd to 16^th May – J Ambrose, Barnard Castle

Pat – you ruined all my plans to walk some weight off these past 2 weeks – your evening meals were delicious!

Tom – thanks for replenishing the fridge with lots of breakfast and lunch choices.

Inma – Gracious, for keeping the cottage so clean and tidy – a great welcome at the end of a tiring day.

Jem- what a professional and competent guide- your walks were always interesting and enjoyable.

Brian – what can I say – “ the host with the most”!

2^nd to 9^th May – A Gorter - Netherlands ( via France)

Thank you all, Brian,Pat, Tom ,Jem and Inma for this lovely week. Everything was perfect: great meals , splendid walks, a full fridge, nice room. What else could I have wished for. I felt very welcome and found you all very thoughtful and caring and very professional.

I hope I will be back.

18th to 25th April - L Ventry , Scotland

Hi Pat, Brian and Jem,
Arrived home safely all according to plan, quite a nice warm day here. Starting to feel a little tired with the 1 hour time change.
Diet starts tomorrow!! Jem should not feel at all concerned about missing us- beyond the call of duty to get up by 7.30 unless essential
had a great week, surpassing my expectations. You are wonderful hosts, so friendly, which made me feel very comfortable- I think the others felt the same, I know Patti definitely did.
I am quite comfortable with the newsletter photo- too small to be recognised, but would love to see some more. I didn't take many but will download them from my camera later and se if any are worth passing on.
Good luck with the rest of the season.

9^th to 16^th April - J & A Cooke, UK

Due to your resourcefulness, Brian & Pat, yet a new form of unforgettable holiday around Quatretondeta. We really hope to come back – for orchids, birds, food and especially people.

5^th April – D & G Chapman , UK

What more could you want – sitting on top of the world – sipping cold wine admiring the view in the evening sun after a long walk. Our stay here was too short – a wonderful welcome and delicious food.

7^th to 14^th March – C&R Hartree , UK

Excellent cuisine, excellent walking, sunshine and cool breezes everyday. Thank you very much for a very restorative holiday

28^th February to 7^th March – C O’Leary, UK

A wonderful holiday. Thanks to Brian,Pat , Tom and Inma for amazing walks through rain, hail, wind , thunderstorms and the best veggie food I have tasted.

28^th February to 7^th March – B & M Riggs , NY, USA

Some of the above and we also loved all the beautiful flowers, whispering pines and song birds. Thanks to all for making our stay so enjoyable!

25^th February - T & J Kerr, UK

A wonderful end to a really lovely holiday. Will enjoy recommending this spot to anyone willing to walks and able to enjoy the food!

18^th February – L&D Mackinnon , Harpenden, UK

Fabulous food, fabulous walks and fabulous company. Many thanks.

15^th February – M Clare ( Newcastle) & I&L Sutcliffe( London)

Left snow bound Britain – greeted by wonderful sunshine and beautiful Almond blossom here. Food wonderful - as usual! Thanks for a lovely stay.

Return to the mountainwalks.com web site

Walks and Flowers of the Alicante mountains

The area of Limestone Mountains at the south of the Valencia Province and north of the Alicante Province has one the richest variety of flora to be found in Europe.





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As well as the richness provided by the rugged limestone terrain there is a confluence of 3 climate influences; Mediterranean, Continental and Alpine.

Rich flora is to found all year round, but March to early June provide the greatest riches and variety. Walking holidays organised by Mountain Walks at this time of the year always give particular attention to the rich flora and the highest concentration of endemic species to found on the Iberian peninsular as well as Europe as a whole.

We were fortunate to have a keen botanist on our guided walking holiday that took place week commencing 2^nd May 2009. Ans Gorter from the Netherlands has been kind enough to supply us with an exhaustive list of the plants she identified during here week in the mountains of Alicante. Photographs were taken by Ans or by the guide for the week, Jem Wilcox.

Look at for our flora walking weeks during 2010. Up to date information is available from our web site www.mountainwalks.com

Plants - Quatretondeta 2^nd-9^th May 2009

If not specified, the variety is unknown to me.

If no English name, I didn’t find one.

Aceras anthropophorum (male orchis)

Adonis annua (pheasant’s eye)

Allium roseum (rosy garlic)

Anagallis arvensis (scarlet pimpernel)

Anagallis foemina (blue pimpernel)

Anchusa azurea (large blue alkanet)

Antirrhinum majus (snapdragon)

Anthyllis tetraphylla (bladder vetch)

Aphyllanthes monspeliensis (aphyllanthes)

Asphodelus aestivus (common asphodel)

Biscutella laevigata (buckler mustard)

Bituminaria bituminosa (pitch trefoil)

Borago officinalis (borage)

Cardaria draba (hoary cress)

Carpobrotus edulis (Hottentot fig)

Catananche caerulea (Cupidone)

Centaurea pullata (Southern knapweed or biennial cornflower)

Centaurea scabiosa (greater knapweed)

Centhrantus ruber (red valerian)

Chamaerops humilis (dwarf fan palm)

Chrysanthemum coronarium (crown daisy)

Cistus monspeliensis (narrow-leaved cistus)

Cistus salvifolius (sage-leaved cistus)

Convulvulus althaeoides (mallow-leaved bindweed)

Coris monspeliensis (coris)

Cymbalaria muralis (ivy-leaved toadflax)

Cynoglossum creticum (blue hound’s tongue)

Cynoglossum cheirifolium (‘cherry-coloured’ hound’s tongue)

Cytinus hypocistus ( cytinus hypocistus)

Cytinus ruber

Diplotaxis erucoides (white rocket)

Ditrichia viscosa (aromatic indula or sticky indula)

Dorycnium hirsutum

Echium plantagineum (purple bugloss or viper’s bugloss)

Erinacea anthyllis (hedgehog broom)

Erodium ciconium

Erodium malacoides (mallow-leaved or soft stork’s bill)

Euphorbia characias (large mediterranean spurge or perennial spurge)

Ferula communis (giant fennel)

Foenicumum vulgare (fennel)

Fritillaria hispanica (fritillary or snake’s head)

Fumaria capreolata (white ramping fumitory)

Fumaria officinalis (common fumitory)

Geranium robertianum (herb Robert)

Geranium sylvaticum

Glaucium corniculatum (red horned poppy)

Globularia vulgare (common globularia)

Helianthemum appenninum (common white rockrose)

Helianthemum lavandifolium (‘lavender-leaved yellow rockrose’)

Helichrysum stoechas (everlasting curry plant)

Hyoscyamus albus (white henbane)

Iberis (candytuft)

Lagurus ovatus (hare’s tail)

Lathyrus annuus (annual yellow vetchling)

Lathyrus cicera (red vetchling)

Lavatera arborea (tree mallow)

Lavatera cretica (small or smaller tree mallow)

Lavatera maritima (sea mallow)

Leuzea conifera (pine-cone bindweed)

Linaria supina (prostrate toadflax)

Linum narbonense (beautifull flax or large beuatifull flax)

Lithodora fruticosa (shrubby Gromwell or limestone Gromwell)

Lobularia maritima (sweet Alison)

Malva sylvestris (common mallow)

Medicago orbicularis (large disk medick)

Melilotus indica (small-flowered melilot)

Moricandia arvensis (violet or wild cabbage)

Muscari neglectum (commo, grape hyacinth)

Nigella damascena (love in a mist)

Onobrychis viciifolia (sainfoin)

Ononis fruticosa (….. rest-harrow)

Ononis natrix (large yellow rest-harrow)

Ophrys lutea (yellow bee-orchid)

Ophrys scolopax (woodcock orchid)

Ornithogalum umbellatum (star of Bethlehem)

Orobanche minor (common broomrape)

Oxalis articulata (pink oxalis)

Pallenis spinosa

Papaver dubium (long-headed poppy)

Papaver hybridum (rough poppy)

Papaver rhoeas (common poppy)

Paronycia capitata (paronochia)

Phagnalon rupestre

Phlomis lychnitis (yellow phlomis)

Pisum sativum (wild pea)

Plantago arenaria (branched plantain)

Reseda alba (white mignonette)

Reseda lutea (wild mignonette)

Reseda phyteuma (corn mignonette)

Rubia peregrina (wild madder)

Salvia verbenacea (wild clary)

Santolina chamaecyparissus (lavender cotton or cotton lavender)

Scabiosa stellata (..scabious)

Scandix pecten veneris (shepherd’s needle)

Scorpiurus muricatus

Scrophularia canina

Silene colorata

Silene vulgaris (bladder campion)

Sylibum marianum (milk thistle)

Teucrium pseudochamaepitys (ground pine gamander)

Thapsia garganica (giant thapsia)

Tragopogon porrifolius (salsify)

Trifolium stellatum (star clover)

Tulipa sylvestris ssp australis (wild tulip)

Umbilicus rupestris (navelwort)

Urospermum dalechampii (urospermum)

Verbascum (mullein)

Vicia dasycarpa (vetch)

Vicia onobrychioides (false sainfoin)

Thanks Ans for your hard work and all your homework after dinner each evening.
Walking holidays that take in the flora in the region take place 11th, 18th and 25th May 2013.

Return to the m o u n t a i n W A L K S home page for details.

Summer in Quatretondeta

During the summer months of July and August
the Quatretondeta swimming pool opens.

It is large 25 metre pool located above the village and only 150 meters from the centre.There are superb views of the mountains and over the village roof tops. It is a great location to swim, relax and take the sun.

There is a life guard on duty during opening hours.

The pool, rebuilt in 2010, is largely under used but very well maintained. There is a small daily charge for using the pool.

Along side the pool is a bar which serves drinks, tapas and meals. This bar stays open into the evening after the pool closes and is a great place to mingle with village life particularly at weekends.

Details of accommodation in Quatretondeta can be found at
ALMOND TREE COTTAGE (CASA L'AMETLER) or CASA DIANICA

Other holidays in Quatretondeta can be found on the Mountain Walks web site.
Read about Quatretondeta.