The Costa de la Luz is in the south-west of Spain. Many Spanish families spend their holidays here and it is rapidly becoming more popular with British and German tourists so these days many bars, restaurants and shops etc will have staff who speak some English. However, it’s a good idea to take one of the phrase books provided at the house around with you as you are definitely not in an area where everyone speaks English.

Local Bars, Restaurants, Shopping and Leisure La Loma is about a mile or two away from the centre of Novo Sancti Petri, an upmarket tourist resort which has luxurious low rise hotels and lots of open green space, a fantastic golf course and the most fabulous beaches. At the centre of Novo Sancti Petri is a wonderful leisure centre with great bars, restaurants and designer shops. In our welcome book you will find details of many of the bars and restaurants recommended by ourselves and past guests.

Many of the hotels at Novo Sancti Petri welcome non residents who may use their bar and restaurant facilites and some also allow use of their pools which is useful when the La Loma pools are closed. The Barossa Garden Palace Hotel, opposite the entrance to the Novo Centre allows free use of its indoor and outdoor pools to non residents.

La Loma also has its own brand new shopping and leisure mall, The TartessusCentre , just a couple of minutes walk from the house. One of the star attractions here is the luxurious Arabian spa baths and there are also hair and beauty salons, bars, restaurants, shops. The centre is set within landscaped gardens with fountains, palm trees, exotic plants and flowers.

Next to to the leisure centre is the Tartessus Hotel, a 4 * luxury hotel which has an internet café and a luxurious bar and restaurant and a fantastic swimming pool. We use the Tartessus pool when the La Loma pools are closed (before mid July and after mid September).

Days out The Novo Centre has tourist offices on the first floor of the Novocentre where you can book day trips, sometimes with coach transport and pickups from the Tartessus hotel just across the road. These include: Flamenco Shows http://www.elsotillo.com/ at Elsotillo every Wednesday. An extravaganza of horse shows and dancing, with meals and wine. A great evening out. El Sotillo is just 7 mins drive from La Loma.

SightseeingMany local attractions are easily reached by bus. Our local bus service in Linea 8 and the bus runs from La Loma into Novo Sancti Petri, Barossa, Los Gallos and Chiclana. From Chiclana you can get buses to Jerez, San Fernando, Cadiz etc. From Cadiz you can take the train to Seville and elsewhere.

Jerez The home of Spanish sherry. Visit sherry bodegas or tour the town on an open top bus. We have maps and guidebooks to help you plan your route. Parking can be quite difficult in Jerez so you might wish to consider taking a taxi or a bus.

Cadiz Follow the pink line tourist trail and see the monuments of Cadiz, admire the remains of a roman theatre. Climb up the top of the Tavira Tower and enjoy seeing Spanish daily life reflected in the Camera Obscura and admire the view over Cadiz town and the port of Cadiz from the top of the Tavira Tower. Tapas in Cadiz is a must-do!!!

Seville Take a horse drawn carriage ride around Seville or hop on and off the open top bus tour to make your way around Seville’s fantastic monuments.

Golf A golf course is opening at La Loma in October 2007. Novo Sancti Petri Golf Club offers a fantastic 36 hole golf course designed by Seve Ballesteros. Staff speak English, French and German. Campano Golf is about 5 mins drive away, just off the main road towards Chiclana Montenmedio Golf and Country Club offers golf and also makes a great family day out. It has extensive parkland with deer, you can take horse drawn carriage rides and use the Clubs swimming pools and restaurant facilities. Tennis Heit Tennis Acadamy at Novo Sancti Petri offers tennis coaching and games. There are paddle/tennis courts at La Loma (we provide keys) There are further courts about 8 minutes walk way near the RUI hotel. Other Sports Bikes can be hired locally. The area has extensive cycle paths on all the roads and there are pine forests all round. The roads are quiet and the coast roads have stunning views over the beaches. Watersports You can waterski, surf, hire boats, learn diving etc at the Novojet school at Sancti Petri. These can be booked via the Novojet office at Novo Sancti Petri. Some staff speak English. Go Karts The Go Kart track is located about 4 mins drive away. Karting starts at 4pm most days. A German run company, staff speak English. Kiteflying There is lots of open space in the area for kiteflying. We fly our stunt kites on open ground near the Heit Acadamy and also on Conil beach, which is lovely and wide with a calm breeze. Kitesurfing – very popular at Tarifa where there are a number of kitesurfing schools but some kitesurfing is done at Conil and Cadiz beaches, depending on the season. Bodyboarding We have several bodyboards at the house which you are welcome to borrow. You can bodyboard at any of the local beaches.