Long term lets (over 1 month) Short-breaks (4 days or less) Corporate bookings
Changeover day:
Flexible
Access:
Car advised Nearest amenities: 0.2 km
Notes:
May take pets - please enquire Suitable for children No smoking at this property Self-catering
Late deal: 2 Jul 2008 to 25 Jul 2008. £325 per week.
Early bargain: 6 Oct 2008 to 30 Oct 2008 Price: £295 per week.
Home description
Close to the village centre in a quiet courtyard, the property is part of a converted barn which has been carefully restored. With views from the kitchen and balcony over the picturesque courtyard and in the distance to the magnificent Sierra de Cadi mountain range in Spain, the property is in a very scenic area which offers wonderful walking and cycling, mountain lakes, swimming, thermal spas, ancient villages and romanesque churches.
The apartment, which sleeps up to six, is spacious and very well-equipped with a brand new kitchen, a living room with double sofa-bed, a sunny, west-facing balcony, one double bedroom, a further twin-bedded room and two bathrooms with showers and a separate WC. The whole apartment was recently redecorated. All rooms have excellent storage/fitted wardrobes.
There is an excellent bakery around the corner and in less than 5 minutes walk you are at the centre of the village with its old church and many facilities including a post office, bar, restaurant, tourist office, general stores, mini supermarket, baker, newsagent, chemist, hairdresser and even a cinema!
Sierra de Cadi, which can be seen from the apartment, October 2007
View of 1st floor apartment which attracts the sun for most of the day
New, fully-equipped Kitchen/Dining Room
Spacious and sunny Living Room
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/30164
The Languedoc-Roussillon / Pyrenees-Orientales region
The Languedoc-Roussillon is one of the most popular yet unspoilt regions of France. With a wonderful climate and colourful history, it has a beautiful coast as well as lakes and mountains, ancient Cathar castles and churches and monasteries. It is an important wine-growing area.
With around 300 days of sunshine a year, very low pollution levels and an extraordinary luminous quality to the air, this area can be enjoyed at any time of the year for outdoor sporting activities, relaxation or historic and cultural visits on both sides of the border.
In WInter there is excellent skiing at varying levels of difficulty in the area, including eight ski resorts on the French side of the Catalan Pyrenees alone, comprising 174 miles of piste accessible on one lift pass within easy driving distance of Osseja. Further resorts are also readily accessible on the Spanish side of the border, including extensive downhill ski-ing at Masella and La Molina and cross-country ski-ing at Lles. Font Romeu and Pyrenees 2000 are linked and, with an exceptionally sunny outlook, provide 34 miles of skiing at all levels of ability.
Osseja area
At 1250 metres above sea level, Osseja is a lively all year round village near the Spanish border and an excellent centre for many outdoor activites especially walking.
Osseja itself is a working village full of character and with a nearby forest - it is renowned for its healthy climate particularly for anyone with respiratory problems. Several extensive natural mountain reserves are within driving distance. In Summer there is a large open-air swimming pool in the nearby village of Err (10 minutes' drive) and there are also all-year round thermal baths at Llo (15 minutes' drive).
Osseja has a train station from which the "little yellow train" winds its way across the Cerdagne plateau and down through the Tet valley as far as the medieval fortress town of Villefranche de Conflent.
There are many excellent restaurants serving healthy and tasty Catalan dishes on both sides of the border including the renowned "Restaurant du Lac" in Osseja itself.
It is just 3km south east of Puigcerda in Spain, the largest town in the area set on a hill which has many good small shops, bars, cafes, restaurants and its own lake.
The Puigmal, which at 2913 metres is the highest summit in the Eastern Pyrenees, is nearby. Excellent walking and cycling routes abound. Numerous other summits, lakes and mountain ranges are also accessible including the Carlit massif and its lakes, the majestic Sierra de Cadi ridge, the wild and isolated Madres where wolves have been sighted and the mountain train from Ribes to Nuria in Spain from which many excursions are possible.
Further afield for walking are the natural reserves of Mantet and Nyer, the mythical Canigou massif and the peaks of Andorra.
Ancient towns, villages and churches can also be visited, including the fortress town of Mont Louis, the ancient Belloc chapel on top of a hill near Dorres and, further afield, ancient monasteries such as the working Benedictine monastery of St Martin de Canigou near Vernet-les-Bains.
Around half an hour's drive, near Les Angles, there is a large wildlife park where it is possible to walk and observe many animals in a near natural habitat.
For longer excursions by car Andorra and Montserrat are reachable in a day along with several of the Cathar castles. Barcelona and the coast are longer options but still quite feasible in a day.
There are numerous Summer festivals in the region including three local Summer classical music festivals and normally a different Spanish village would have its own feast day and celebration each week which can include dramatic processions of fire and firework displays.
There is a large, heated open air swimming pool in the nearby village of Err, open from mid June to mid September, and a natural thermal spa in the village of Llo (10 and 15 minutes' drive respectively).
The area has a strong Spanish influence and became French in the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659. Catalan is widely spoken as well as French. In the mountains or their foothills, wildlife and flora abound, including mountain deer, wolves, pine martens, marmots, wild boar, bearded vultures and golden eagles.
How to get there
*Ryanair fly from London Stansted and Birmingham to Perpignan, 90 minutes ' car journey to the property. Flybe also fly from Southampton to Perpignan and BMI baby fly to Perpignan from Manchester. *Ryanair fly from Stansted, East Midlands, Liverpool, Dublin, Cork and Shannon to Carcasonne, around two hours drive *At either airport, it is easy to hire a car and both journeys are very scenic. *Ryanair have daily flights to Gerona airport, two and a quarter hours' drive away. You can fly to Gerona from London Stansted, London Luton, Birmingham, East Midlands, Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool, Blackpool, Newquay, Durham, Doncaster and Bristol. Car hire is normally cheaper in Spain. *Easyjet and other airlines fly from London and regional airports to Toulouse and Barcelona, both 2 hours' drive away. BA and Iberia fly to Barcelona from London Heathrow and Gatwick. From Spring 2008, BA are operating flights to Barcelona from London City Airport. The Barcelona route is the easiest drive with a toll dual carriageway most of the way leading to a toll tunnel through the Pyrenees, the "tunel de Cadi". *Access is also possible by train with a daily night train from Paris to La Tour de Carol, around 8 km from the property, which connects with the little yellow train. One can also reach the area by a train which leaves six times daily from Barcelona to Puigcerda, 3km away, a 3 hour journey. *Cheap car hire is available through Hertz (www.hertz.co.uk) and Holiday Autos (www.holidayautos.co.uk).
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Perpignan: 95 km
Railway:
Osseja
Activities near Osseja
Sports: Ski resort location Horse Riding Golf within 30 mins drive Fishing
Great for: Walking holidays Rural / countryside retreats Beach or lakeside relaxation A winter sun break Cycling holidays
Sofabeds (1), Single beds (2), Double beds (1), Dining seating for 8, Lounge seating for 8, Sleeps maximum of 6
Other:
Linen and towels provided.
Outdoors:
Balcony / Terrace, Bicycles available
Access:
Parking space
Further details indoors: * Spacious and fully-equipped apartment set in a quiet and peaceful courtyard yet near the village centre with many amenities * Views from balcony/kitchen to the Sierra de Cadi mountain range * Very sunny kicthen/dining room and living room * Parking space by the property * Two bedrooms/two bathrooms * New kitchen with all mod cons * The whole apartment is newly decorated * All rooms have excellent storage/fitted wardrobes * Flat screen TV (French/Spanish/Catalan channels), DVD, stereo system * Close to Spanish border (less than 500 metres!) * Open air swimming pool in Summer and all year round thermal spa in neighbouring villages * Bicycle available in flat (others may be hired locally) * Covered terrace for storage * Hairdryer
Further details outdoors: Local facilities include excellent skiing and snowboarding from December to April, numerous walking routes to mountain ridges, summits and lakes, many cycling routes, on and off road, golf, paragliding, hot air ballooning, horseriding, fishing, historic and cultural visits, ancient churches and mountain villages with breath-taking views, three Summer music festivals and the little yellow mountain train ideal for exploring the area without the need for a car.
Further details
Full information on local facilities available on arrival. Fully inclusive rates i.e. bed-linen, towels, heating, lighting, water and reasonable cleaning at end of stay is included.
Conditions
25% payable by cheque or bank transfer to reserve dates Balance payable one month before arrival Arrival after 15.00 hrs, departure by 10.00 hrs (unless otherwise arranged with owner) Fully refundable damage deposit of 300 euros to be paid in cash to local agent on collection of keys to be refunded on day of departure subject only to satisfactory property inspection. Discounts for stays of two weeks or more.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: British £
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
November and December
7 Dec 07
20 Dec 07
250£ 250
4040
4040
4 Nights
Christmas and New Year
20 Dec 07
8 Jan 08
450£ 450
0-
0-
1 Week
January
8 Jan 08
1 Feb 08
350£ 350
5555
5555
4 Nights
February
1 Feb 08
1 Mar 08
410£ 410
0-
0-
1 Week
First half of March
1 Mar 08
15 Mar 08
350£ 350
5555
5555
4 Nights
Holy Week and Easter
15 Mar 08
29 Mar 08
450£ 450
0-
0-
1 Week
April
29 Mar 08
1 May 08
350£ 350
5555
5555
4 Nights
May
1 May 08
1 Jun 08
360£ 360
6060
6060
4 Nights
June
1 Jun 08
1 Jul 08
375£ 375
6060
6060
4 Nights
July and August
1 Jul 08
1 Sep 08
395£ 395
0-
0-
1 Week
September
1 Sep 08
1 Oct 08
375£ 375
5555
5555
4 Nights
October
1 Oct 08
1 Nov 08
350£ 350
5555
5555
4 Nights
November and December
1 Nov 08
24 Dec 08
275£ 275
4040
4040
4 Nights
121
The owner's weekend rates apply to: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion. Rates include provision of bed linen and towels. Guests are asked to leave the apartment in the state they find it in at the end of their stay.
Guestbook
"Thank you so much for the wine which was waiting for us on our arrival, we felt right at home straight away! We had an absolutely amazing weekend, and are looking forward to our next visit to Osseja.
We found your information absolutely spot on, and had two glorious days, one up the route forestiere with a heavenly walk on the ridge...and another round Dorres...
You have thought of absolutely everything, the apartment was wonderfully equipped, and the bed extremely comfortable and (very rare) the pillows perfect...
Many, many thanks." BW, Barcelona, 9th July 2007
"First of all, the apartment was wonderful, and I must say that the price is very good....The information in the apartment in the blue cover is worth its weight in gold...
The region is really spectacular. Not only is it beautiful, but there is a lot to do in a range of 100 km. We went to Canet Plage (Perpignan) twice. There are great caves in Villefranche, Spain is only a few kilometres away...
We also went on the "route Forestière" from Osseja. There is a great spot with a river and small waterfalls. The kids liked it very much.
In the same area is the road to Valcebollère, also a very beautiful and silent place. I'm very interested in science so we went to see the "four-solaire" in "Mont Louis", it's very nice.
The people in Osseja are very "child-friendly". The woman in the bakery, the neighbours downstairs and next door..." JV, Belgium, 24th July 2007
"We had a great time in Osseja...You have been a great help all the way and you come highly recommended...We found the flat to be very spacious, very comfortable and well equipped. We hope to use your service again in the future." ZA, London, 10th August 2007
"Firstly...a big thank you for the opportunity to stay in Osseja. It was a very special time for the family to spend a week together in such different and special surroundings.
The flat made for a very comfortable base from which to explore the area. We ran out of time to do all the things we had in mind. Each day we went off with our picnic and managed some walking as well as exploring something or somewhere new- like the Parc Animalier!
We drove to pick up the yellow train to Villefranche which was interesting to visit. We managed to get into the open carriage for our dramatic return journey.The weather was perfect....
The neighbours were very friendly and the cats were interesting. The kitchen is very well equipped and the beds are very comfortable..." AC, London, 30th August 2007
"We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at your place. The apartment was lovely and your notes on things to do and see were excellent. I hope to return." PL, Kent, 22nd September 2007
"We loved your apartment and the bottle of wine to welcome us was very thoughtful. The apartment and Osseja were so peaceful and the surrounding area is very interesting. We would have done much more walking but the weather (at the end of August) was too hot for this. We loved the thermal pool at Llo and had some wonderful drives around the area. We did the forest drive behind Osseja up to the top as recommended by you and loved the wild horses! It would have been good to spend a few more days there.
The apartment is very comfortable and has everything you need. Your agent Isabelle was extremely helpful and your neighbours friendly. We would recommend the apartment to anyone who wishes to explore the area. Many thanks and kind regards." PS, Scotland, 4th October 2007
"We have had a great time and found your flat very comfortable...We have explored this lovely neighbourhood and cooked some nice meals with local produce in your very efficient cooker." C&C I, Hungerford, 11th October 2007
"I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the Pyrenees! Osseja is a charming little village and your flat is in the perfect spot close to the mountains and with a bakery just round the corner. The flat is very comfortable, warm and cosy...There are breathtaking views while hiking in the Pyrenees - my favourite peak is the Puigmal. When we reached the summit we were above the clouds! I recommend it to everyone who likes nature, hiking, cycling or simply relaxing in peaceful surroundings." EB, London 20th October 2007
"Many thanks for hiring your apartment out! We've enjoyed our time here in Osseja. The wine was lovely and we have been very comfortable here." I and J B, Norwich 22nd November 2007
"Thank you very much for the use of your apartment. We had a lovely time. Your apartment is very well equipped, everything we needed was there. The location too was ideal, we managed to ski most days and found plenty of different resorts. We woud recommend the area for the number and variety of ski resorts. Thanks again for your help and kindness" Jackie and John MacKay, Scotland, 11th January 2008
Availability notes
To see availability please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/30164
Click to view availability for this property.
Late deal: 2 Jul 2008 to 25 Jul 2008. £325 per week. Early bargain: 6 Oct 2008 to 30 Oct 2008 Price: £295 per week.
Contact owner
To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/30164
Contact details for home 30164
Please mention Holiday Lettings
Name:
Philip Groves
Mobile:
+44 (0)7736060254
Be aware of time-zones
Languages:
Contact Notes: Phone - evening or e-mail/sms
Advertiser joined: 20 Jun 2007 This property added: 20 Jun 2007
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