El Buen Ocio holiday rental

11/06/2026

When people think of Spain they often either think of built up coastal areas or the main cities. Spain is SO much more. This is the Spain we love ❤️

11/06/2026

The 'Whats On' guide in English for June from Oliva Turismo.

https://www.olivaturismo.com/oliva/uploaded/AGENDA_JUNIO_2024/Agenda_junio_2026_Ingles.pdf

11/06/2026

The patio at El Buen Ocio is a wonderful place for relaxing and socialising with family and friends. Each year it is getting better as the plants grow, increase in number and we add extra little details.
Many of our guests tell us that they have enjoyed using the traditional barbeque or cooking paella over a wood fire.

Our last guests, were the delightful Cathy and Eriberto from Florida who were back for their third visit. Like many of our guests, they have become good friends. Whilst they were here, they and their lovely family from Argentina invited us to join them for our first ever Argentinian style parillada and this is the main meat course cooking. It was delicious. Somehow I doubt that there are many vegetarians in Argentina....

Thank you/gracias Cathy, Eriberto, Alejandro & Silvana and family.

(We had such a lovely time I forgot to ask permission to share photos of the family, but Eriberto's fan was right - it was HOT that afternoon 🥵🤣)

07/06/2026

If you are staying at El Buen Ocio holiday rental with friends or family but do not feel like cooking - why not order a paella to eat at home from one of the local restaurants - this wonderful paella was from The Genesis Restaurant.

15/05/2026

If you love walking and being in nature, but don't fancy walking up mountains, this is fantastic walk to do. You follow the route of an old railway line so it is mainly flat and the scenery is just stunning.

You can just go part way or walk all the way from Villalonga to L'Orxa, or of course L'Orxa to Villalonga. Just remember to bring a torch for the railway tunnels. 😉

Translation of the description:
Follow the river's course, pass through tunnels, and hike amidst mountains and nature. The Serpis Greenway in L'Orxa is one of those routes on the Costa Blanca that invites you to disconnect and enjoy the scenery step by step.

🚂 An old railway line transformed into a perfect trail for walking or cycling, with the Serpis River accompanying you through lush vegetation and tranquil corners. 💚
📍 Start: Old L'Orxa Station
〰️ Linear Route: Out and back along the same path
📏 3.5 km to the Assud de l'Infern (Hell's Weir)
📏 5.5 km to the Fàbrica de la Llum (Light Factory)
📏 13 km to Villalonga

06/05/2026

Our latest guests, 3 friends who came from Valencia for a long weekend, have just left this review on Booking .com. Plus they left the house clean and tidy, and even cleaned the barbeque! Thank you Juan and friends. It makes all our hard work worth it.🥰

29/04/2026

When you first come to Spain wine prices here are a big shock. Not only can you find lots of perfectly drinkable bottles for less than 2€ in the supermarket, but a glass of wine in a restaurant is often cheaper than a glass of water or a fizzy drink! This article explains why:

We moved from California and the Philippines to Spain. Then we realized wine can be cheaper than water. Naturally, we had questions.

Back in California, decent wine had a clear price floor. Around $10 if you wanted something drinkable. More, if you cared even a little. Anything genuinely good started closer to $20 and climbed quickly. That was just how things worked.

In the Philippines, wine felt like a luxury item. Imported, pricey, and often underwhelming. You’d save it for occasions, and even then, it could disappoint. Price and quality didn’t exactly line up.

Then we arrived in Spain.

The first time we saw it, we assumed something was wrong. A full bottle of table wine at a restaurant for €15. Not a glass, a whole bottle. A Rioja at the supermarket for €2.50. A decent Cava for under €5. At a bar, wine was €3 a glass. Water almost the same.

We checked the math. Then we checked it again.

At some point, curiosity took over. Because when something feels too good to be true, there’s usually a reason behind it.

Spain, it turns out, has more vineyard land than any country in the world. About 966,000 hectares. That kind of scale changes everything. When supply is this abundant, prices naturally drop. Simple economics, just applied at a massive level.

The geography helps. Much of Spain sits on a high plateau with big temperature swings between day and night, which grapes love. Rain is limited, so vines work harder, producing more concentrated flavors. It’s not ideal for many crops, but it’s perfect for wine. The Romans figured that out two thousand years ago, and not much has changed since.

It’s also cheaper to make wine here. Land costs far less than in places like Napa or Burgundy. Labor is still relatively affordable. And most Spanish wines don’t carry the same marketing or prestige markup you see in famous regions elsewhere.

Spain does have strict quality systems. There are over 70 protected designations that regulate how wine is made and where it comes from. But unlike some French regions, these systems don’t limit production as aggressively. More producers means more competition, which keeps prices grounded.

Then there’s the supermarket factor. Chains like Mercadona, Lidl, and Aldi are incredibly efficient. Their private-label wines come from established regions and are sold at prices that reflect actual production costs, not branding. You can pick up a properly aged Rioja Crianza for the price of a coffee.

But the biggest difference isn’t economic. It’s cultural.

In Spain, wine isn’t treated like a luxury. It’s part of everyday life. It sits on the table alongside bread and olive oil. It’s something you drink with lunch or dinner, not something you save for special occasions.

That mindset changes how it’s priced.

So when a bar charges €1 for a glass of wine, it’s not a gimmick. It’s just normal. Wine is expected. Accessible. Built into the rhythm of daily meals.

And that’s why the water comparison isn’t as strange as it sounds. Bottled water has fixed production and transport costs. Wine has those too, plus the cost of making it. But in Spain, those costs are low enough, and expectations are grounded enough, that wine often ends up cheaper.

Where we came from, this would be unthinkable. California wine is expensive because everything around it is expensive, and it’s marketed that way. In the Philippines, wine is imported, taxed, and positioned as a premium product.

In Spain, wine is simply what the land produces. It has been for centuries. People grow it, drink it, and treat it as part of everyday life.

So a €2.50 bottle of Tempranillo isn’t a steal. It’s just the real price.

We moved across the world and found wine cheaper than water. The explanation comes down to geography, scale, history, and culture all working together.

Actually, we’re not complaining 😂

So now we’re curious. What’s the best wine you’ve had in Spain? And did you feel a little surprised by how little you paid?

Type VIAJE in the comments and we’ll send you our favorite resources for exploring Spain, finding great wine, and actually understanding what’s in your glass.

20/04/2026

A perfect start to Alan's week..... a competitive 1.5 hr game of padel this morning, followed by a dip in the sea and a relaxing picnic on the beach in glorious weather. 😎 Total expenditure so far 4.50€. l It's a hard life.

14/03/2026

Among other things, Fallas in Valencia, means huge, beautiful falla statues, parades, bands, traditional dress, excitement, noise and daytime fireworks, otherwise known as Mascletás.🎆🧨 Crazy but so much fun!

02/03/2026

Some suggestions for drinks to try whilst in Spain.

One you should definitely try if you go to Valencia is Agua de Valencia. The oranges here taste SO much sweeter than those in UK and the alcohol sneaks up on you gently. 🍊🍊🍊🍹

Let’s clear something up.

Spain isn’t just tapas. It’s not just paella. And it’s definitely not whatever neon sangria someone tried to sell you abroad.
Spain lives in the glass.

Yes, you can technically find “Spanish wine” anywhere now. But certain drinks? They don’t travel well. They don’t translate. They only make sense here — in the heat, in the noise, in the rhythm of a Spanish afternoon stretching into night.

These aren’t just beverages. They’re regional rituals.
So if you’re dreaming of moving, visiting, or quietly plotting your Iberian reinvention — here’s your real drink itinerary.

The Most Famous Drinks You Can Only Find in Spain 🇪🇸🍷

1. Tinto de Verano – The Real Summer Staple

Tourists order sangria. Locals order Tinto de Verano.

It’s beautifully uncomplicated: red wine + lemon soda + ice. No floating fruit salad. No dramatic garnishes.

You’ll see it everywhere once the heat hits — especially in Andalusia. It’s light, refreshing, affordable. It tastes like golden-hour conversations that drift without urgency.

Who’ll love it? Minimalists. Sunset chasers. Anyone who wants “easy” without sacrificing charm.

2. Kalimotxo – The Rebel Mix

Red wine and Coca-Cola.

Pause. I know.

Born in the Basque Country, Kalimotxo sounds chaotic. It shouldn’t work. But it does — smooth, slightly sweet, oddly balanced.

It’s festival fuel. Student-night royalty. Unpretentious by design.
You’ll love it if you believe the best nights start messy and end legendary.

3. Sidra – The Dramatic Pour

In Asturias, cider isn’t poured. It’s launched.

Sidra is held high above the head and streamed into a tilted glass, aerating mid-air. You drink it instantly. No sipping. No waiting.

It’s tart. Dry. Wild.

You will spill some your first time. That’s part of the initiation.
Who’s it for? People who like ritual. People who romanticize rain, cliffs, and slightly dramatic experiences.

4. Queimada – The Mystical One

From Galicia comes Queimada — aguardiente, sugar, lemon peel, coffee beans… set on fire while a spell is recited.

Yes, literally on fire.

It’s smoky, strong, theatrical. You don’t order it casually. It appears during gatherings that feel ancient, even if they’re not.
Perfect for: The spiritually curious. The “tell me the folklore” crowd.

5. Cava – Spain’s Sparkling Confidence

Produced primarily in Catalonia, Cava is Spain’s answer to celebration.

Crisp. Elegant. Surprisingly affordable for the quality.

It’s poured at weddings, birthdays, casual lunches, Tuesday afternoons that decided to feel festive. It doesn’t wait for a special occasion — it becomes one.

You’ll love it if you think ordinary days deserve sparkle.

6. Horchata de Chufa – The Sweet Valencian Ritual

In the Valencian Community, horchata isn’t optional in summer.
Made from tiger nuts (chufa), served ice-cold, creamy and nutty with soft sweetness. Pair it with a farton pastry and suddenly August heat feels survivable.

It’s nostalgic. Gentle. Comforting.

Ideal for: Sweet-toothed romantics and afternoon wanderers.

7. Rebujito – Feria Fuel

Sherry mixed with lemon soda, poured over ice.

In southern ferias — especially in Seville — Rebujito is everywhere. Light, citrusy, dangerously easy.

One becomes three. Three becomes “how is it midnight already?”

You’ll love it if dancing in daylight sounds reasonable.

8. Licor 43 – The Golden Nostalgia

Born in Cartagena, Licor 43 blends vanilla, citrus, and a guarded mix of spices — supposedly 43 ingredients.

Served over ice. With milk. In cocktails. It’s smooth, slightly indulgent, faintly nostalgic.

For many Spaniards, it tastes like family celebrations… or nights that escalated gently.

Best for: Those who like sweetness layered with depth.

9. Clara – The Heatwave Hack

Beer + lemon soda.

That’s it.

In 35°C heat, this isn’t a choice — it’s survival. Order a cerveza in summer and you’ll often be asked: regular or clara?

That small question says everything about Spain’s climate logic.

Perfect for: Practical people who still want joy in their glass.

10. Agua de Valencia – The Dangerous Delight

From Valencia — and yes, it absolutely earns the suspense.

At first glance, it sounds harmless. Fresh orange juice. Cava. A splash of vodka. A little gin. Citrus and bubbles — what could possibly go wrong?

Everything. In the best way.

Agua de Valencia is bright, effervescent, almost playful on the first sip. It tastes like sunshine filtered through crystal. But don’t let that glow fool you. Beneath the sweetness? Strength. The quiet kind that sneaks up mid-laugh.

It’s served in generous jugs, designed for sharing. And sharing means refilling. And refilling means suddenly the table is louder, stories are bigger, and dinner has stretched into something that feels suspiciously like a celebration.

There’s something poetic about drinking it in Valencia itself — where oranges practically blaze against blue skies and the air smells faintly citrus in spring. The drink makes sense there. It belongs there.

Honestly? Agua de Valencia might be Spain in liquid form.

Festive. Bold. Slightly unpredictable.
And just strong enough to remind you not to underestimate it.

Why These Drinks Matter

Here’s the thing.
Each drink belongs somewhere.
Hot south? Citrus and dilution. Green north? Tart cider and ritual. Celebration-heavy regions? Sparkling always within reach.
Spain doesn’t just give you alcohol. It gives you context — climate, culture, conversation. A reason.

And honestly? That’s what people fall in love with. Not just the flavor. The feeling of being exactly where that drink makes sense.

If Spain is on your horizon — whether for a trip, a move, or a full life reset — don’t just chase tapas.

Chase the glass that tells the story.

Planning a trip? Moving soon? Or just curious about what's going on in Spain?

👇👇👇 Type GAMEPLAN in the comments and we’ll send you our FREE resources on moving to Spain, including:
• 🇪🇸 The Spain Starter Kit
• 📞 A free consultation call with our friends at Bureaucracy Spain
• 🗓 Mini-courses (timeline + checklist)
• 🏙 The Spain City Guide

Type “VIAJE” in the comments, and we’ll send you our FREE resources for traveling around Spain. 🍷✨