SAGA WINTER SUN – A MONTH HOSTED HOLIDAY IN ESTEPONA
A sundowner on the terrace bar of the Estepona Palace – life doesn’t get much better in the middle of Winter.
A Winter sun holiday is just the tonic for so many senior travellers. A month away from the cold and rain we find in England is a “get away, from it all” experience that we and many other Saga devotees do each year.
This was our second month long Winter holiday with Saga Holidays. Four weeks for the price of three is an offer not to be missed. Many people are trying this deal and really enjoying getting away from colder weather and household bills. If a month seems too long away from home, Saga will accomodate a two week break which suits many people.
Going back to the Estepona Palace is a must for many Saga guests. The friendships that are made and rekindled on the Saga Hosted Holidays can be seen all over the hotel.
On our recent trip to the H10 Estepona Palace, there were many people who were “returnees” or had been to other hotels that Saga host for winter sun and made friends creating that friendly atmosphere which is so welcoming for “newbies”. Saga should call their holidays the Friendship Saga holidays as so many friendships are formed, year after year.
The home pick up that Saga arrange has you in the holiday mood as soon as you leave your house and the Saga service at the airports and transfers is excellent and well organised.
This five star hotel has a lot to offer from its outside and indoor pools to the Terrace Bar that catches the sun all day. The hotel is right by the sea so a dip in the Mediterranian or just a stroll along the beach is a treat. Join in the dancing class or play petanque, play shuffle board or join in the quiz or play the very popular game of paddle, a form of tennis and sqaush but very popular with many visitors.
Saga travellers meet up with other guests and whether you are a couple wishing to make friends or a solo traveller, friendships are easily made on this holiday. Single travellers are well looked after and the excellent hosts and the meet and greet drinks evenings help you make friends and meet other solo travellers.
The hotel boasts excellent food and all inclusive drinks package, plus lovely rooms that are currently being refurbished, many with a sea view. Disabled visitors are well catered for with lifts to all floors plus ramps and flat walk ways.
The Estepona Palace Hotel is an attractive, well positioned 5 star resort on the outskirts of Estepona about 5 minutes on the bus from the local stop, for a lovely 25 minutes walk along the sea front to the centre of this beautiful town. It is an all inclusive hotel, so you can put your credit cards away and enjoy the superb buffet meals and your favourite tipple. If you prefer the option of an evening out then Estepona has lost of lovely restaurants for you to try.
The town of Estepona has lots to offer the winter sun seeker. Shops, restaurants, beautiful squares to while away the day. The Orchid House is a must and is only 3 euros to enter. This contains a stunning waterfall and a huge variety of exotic plants and really is worth visiting. The Bull Ring is no longer used but does have an interesting and free museum annd hosts a car boot market on Sundays.
An abundance of shops and cafes can be found in this pretty Spanish town. Narrow cobbled streets with plant pots full of flowers are painted bright red, yellow or blue, different colours for different streets. Follow the mural art trail and see the amazing paintings dotted around the town or just relax and have a drink in one of the lovely squares and enjoy the ambiance.
The busy harbour is very well used and on Sundays the harbour area is full of people when the whole area is taken over by bargain hunters at the Sunday Market, which is held on the quay side.
The hotel is Saga hosted and your friendly, helpful representative is on hand just about every day to answer any questions you may have, organise days out or give you lots of information about the surrounding area
You can hire a car from the hotel at a cost of about 70 euros per day and visit the lovely, iconic town of Ronda. Car hire is reasonably priced and the cars are a pleasure to drive with many Spanish roads being very quiet. Ronda is well worth the drive into the mountains with its dramatic scenery and beautiful gorges.
Saga organises a complimentary trip to Gibralter every week and a trip to Marbella and Puerto Banus once a fortnight. These trips are accompanied by the Saga host and they will help with tips and advice for the best places to see on these trips. The Saga host also gave us Spa passes, one each for the four weeks of our duration, a welcome added bonus. If you wish to travel alone then use the local bus – see Glyn’s tip.
The Saga Winter holiday is very popular and really good value for money. There are lots of destinations in Spain from Denia to Calpe and Estepona plus Tenerife or the Grand Canaries, to name a few.
We are planning to go to the El Rompidou Hotel next Winter to enjoy the bird life at this attractive looking hotel. Sadly we can not stay for two months!!! Life is very good with Saga and they take great care of their customers whichever holiday you decide upon. Winter Spring Summer or Fall, Saga has it all.
Glyn’s Tip: For half price travel on the bus get a Bonos card from the bus station, put money on the card at the bus station, and when it runs out of money you can top the card up via the driver.
