Huge choice in sunny Almeria

The term 'undiscovered' has become a bit of a cliche, but the Spanish region of Almeria is about as close to unspoiled as it gets on the costas.

Located in the south-east of the country, at the eastern edge of Andalusia, the region has only begun to develop its tourism industry in the last decade or so.

This means it has been able to learn from the mistakes of other, over-developed areas, with no development higher than three storeys permitted.

The Almanzora region of Almeria enjoys a desert-like microclimate, unique in Europe, due to its location within a horseshoe of mountain ranges surrounding the Almanzora valley, opening on to a 30km wide bay.

The region has the warmest winter weather on the continent, with an annual average of more than nine hours of daily sunshine and maximum daily temperatures of between 16¼C and 30¼C throughout the year. Annual rainfall is less than 200mm.

All of these factors are helping Simply Overseas, Shrewsbury's specialist overseas property agency, to lure buyers to the region.

The firm offers a very wide range of highly desirable properties from modest apartments right the way up to massive luxurious villas and is selling properties under-construction, off-plan and already completed including among others, on the Desert Springs Resort, which offers a golf and leisure lifestyle; Villaricos, a traditional fishing village and Playa Marques, a beachfront development.

The Desert Springs resort makes the most of its unusual setting. The 72 par 18-hole USGA Indiana golf course was inspired by the desert courses of Arizona and California and is set in a landscape of cactus, rock and flowering desert.

Desert Spring's resident chief naturalist, Joel Lod, has catalogued 359 species of wild plants and 305 species of animal life, including birds, in and around the resort.

Construction of the first buildings started in 1999 and the long-term plans include another 18-hole golf course, two hotels, restaurants and shops, as well as more than 2,000 homes, ranging from apartments, townhouses and cottages to villas and country houses.

So far, more than 300 have been completed and sold, and work is underway on the next phases of the development.

Designs are based on authentic local colonial architectural styles. The method of development is to construct away from the completed heart of the resort, using external haul roads, leaving the occupied areas and golf course free from disturbance to owners.

Less than 15 per cent of the land earmarked for development will be occupied by buildings. Prices start from a little over 200,000 Euros for a two-bedroom colonial apartment, with other options including colonial style town houses, "cluster" villas sharing lovely communal pools and spacious detached villas where prices can be almost as much as you care to go!

You could even have Sir Ian Botham as a neighbour! Not only is he an owner but he now holds an annual golf tournament there for his favoured charity, Leukemia Research!

Developments at the nearby fishing village of Villaricos offer buyers more affordable options and an authentic experience of Spanish life. New village development has accommodated an expanding local population, and Villaricos now has about 19 restaurants, cafes and bars.

There are two main beaches, fronting the village to the north is a pebble beach with exceptionally clear water, while to the south is a long wide sandy beach with a bar where you can watch the waves come in while eating the day's catch.

More than 250 apartments and townhouses have already been built on several plots within the village.

Harbour Lights IV is the latest phase of the waterfront development and comprises 48 two-three-bedroom apartments and townhouses, starting at 150,000 euros and going up to 350,000 euros.

The homes are built in private and secure gated communities, around courtyards with swimming pools, and formal Spanish plazas. There are rooftop solariums with sea views, as well as underground parking.

Floor areas of the apartments range from 56 sq m to 138 sq m.

La Sirena is a development of apartments built to the same quality as the other homes, but without all the frills. Available at prices to suit first-time buyers (from 150,000 euros), the apartments range from 57 sq m to 70 sq m, excluding terraces. Each has a roof terrace and basement parking.

Playa Marques, five minutes from Villaricos, has houses and cottages located right on El Playazo, a 7km long sandy beach.

Currently for sale are 24 individual beach houses and 24 beach cottages, which are the first phase of a planned 200 homes, ranging from 350,000 euros to 1,450,000 euros.

The Almanzora region is serviced by three international airports. Almeria International Airport is around 40 minutes by road. Other international airports are at Murcia, 60 minutes by car on the recently opened toll motorway and Alicante, which is less than two hours by road.

Frequent and very economic scheduled and charter flights take around two-and-a-half hours from Birmingham.

If you would like to find out more about this lovely region of Spain and something of the wide range of properties available, visit the special "Open Day" and Seminar Presentation that Simply Overseas is holding at its premises at 13 Castle Gates Shrewsbury on Saturday May 10 from 10.30 am.

In conjunction with the developers of Desert Springs, it is also organising a special, subsidised, VIP accompanied inspection tour to the area on June 9.

For details about either of these contact Christopher Morris or Andrew Davies at Simply Overseas on (01743) 343634 or email sales@simplyoverseas.com