If you would like to live in a luxury house by the sea, learn more about VAPF Group’s properties. These include new and exclusive developments in Cumbre del Sol – one of the most sought-after destinations in the north of the Costa Blanca, in Spain. These luxury homes are ideal for a relaxed lifestyle by the sea, with all the privacy you’re looking for.

For VAPF Group’s 55th anniversary, we are turning the spotlight onto some of the most important members of our team. Today, we’re starting with Mónica Ribes, someone who has worked with us and shared an enthusiasm for VAPF Group for over 40 years.

At VAPF Group, we believe that all children and young people should grow up in a family environment in which they feel protected, and SOS Children’s Villages provides this environment for those who, for different reasons, do not have it.

Xavier Pastor is a standout example when it comes to interior design in Alicante and has worked all over Spain. He has been collaborating with VAPF on different projects for over 10 years, customising properties and turning spaces into tailor-made homes for each client.

If you want to live in a stylish home by the sea in unique natural surroundings, you’ll love our luxury villas with spacious terraces, chill-out areas, infinity pools... in Cumbre del Sol -one of the most sought-after locations in the Northern part of the Costa Blanca.

Cumbre del Sol is an idyllic place to live for many reasons, and high-quality gastronomy is definitely one of them.

On the 24th February, the first Grupo VAPF Agencies Convention was held as an opportunity to thank all those people who help us, both in Spain and on an international level, to offer our clients a home they will fall in love with.

If you want to live in Alicante, one of the best locations is undoubtedly Cumbre del Sol. This residential complex is located at a mid-point between two of the biggest cities in the Community of Valencia: Alicante and Valencia.

Cumbre del Sol is a piece of paradise in the heart of the Costa Blanca, a residential complex which offers those who live here a dream lifestyle and incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea.

One of the biggest events in Spain’s cycling calendar is the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana, whose third stage is taking place in Poble Nou de Benitatxell. Today, the 26 teams taking part in the race will cover 23 kilometres in a team time trial from the town close to Cumbre del Sol, to Calpe. In just a short time, the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana has managed to earn itself a prestigious reputation among the most important teams on the international stage. Reborn two years ago, the race started up again in 2016 after its last edition in 2008. Proof of the event’s prestige is seen through the level of participation: 11 teams which belong to the World Tour category – the highest division in professional cycling. Some of the winning cyclists in the most important day tests, such as Michal Kwiatkowski (winner in Milan – San Remo), Greg Van Avermaet (winner in Paris – Roubaix and current Olympic champion), Alejandro Valverde and Wout Poels (both winners in Lieja – Bastoña – Lieja), are attending this race as a vital part of their preparation ahead of this season’s most important months. They will all be racing around the streets in Poble Nou de Benitatxell, close to Cumbre del Sol, this afternoon. Thanks to the exceptional climate enjoyed here even in the months of December and January, numerous professional cycling teams choose the region of Alicante – and specifically the towns of Calpe, Denia, and Poble Nou de Benitatxell – for their pre-season stages. As a result, it’s not unusual to travel up to Cumbre del Sol during these months and run into the current Giro d'Italia champion team training in the area. As a region which is often frequented by professional cyclists and bicycle tourists, Cumbre del Sol was included as Stage 9 of the Vuelta a España in 2015. This unprecedented outcome ended in the victory of Dutch Tom Dumoulin, current Giro D’Italia champion, who beat cyclists such as Chris Froome, Nairo Quintana, and Purito Rodríguez. The organisation for the Vuelta a España was satisfied with the results of the edition, and didn’t hesitate to repeat Stage 9 in Cumbre del Sol. Last year, Chris Froome pedalled to victory after his second-place finish in 2015. A few weeks later, the British cyclist would claim the red jersey of the Vuelta a España champion. If you love cycling, at Cumbre del Sol you will  have a privileged location where you can hone your skills in the sport. For more information about our houses, fill in our contact form. We would love to hear from you!

For any resident of Cumbre del Sol, the location, climate, and luxury properties are undeniable attractions. However, for families, the most important factor is the knowledge that our children are provided for and can benefit from the very best education available to them. We talked to headmaster Richard Wijeratne from the Lady Elizabeth School, Cumbre del Sol, about the key to success at a school which is ranked as one of the best international schools in Spain, and the developments in store for this year. A private British school for pupils from Early Years to Sixth Form, the Lady Elizabeth School is situated in the beautiful Cumbre del Sol on the Costa Blanca. Much like the area itself, the school is a truly international environment with pupils of 28 different nationalities. While English is the main language of instruction, the school’s international identity is reinforced with compulsory Spanish language until the age of 16, and other languages as main and extracurricular subjects. While the school is attended by day pupils who live in the local area, its dedication to the boarding programme also allows pupils, from the age of 13, to attend from all over Europe. Having recently been extended with the completion of a new Year 5 and 6 Department building, which was opened by Nick Rugg, the Director of ISP Schools in Europe, in a ceremony attended by both parents and pupils, the school is undergoing exciting changes in 2018: “The parents loved it, the children loved it, the staff love it, and we are looking forward to moving into the building at the beginning of February.” Further developments await the school in September 2018, when the Secondary School facilities will be moved to join the Primary School in Cumbre del Sol. [caption id="attachment_11578" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Grupo VAPF at the opening ceremony of the New Primary School Extension[/caption] When it comes to the success and the reputation of the Lady Elizabeth School, the headmaster explains that this is down to the school prioritising the focus on learning at all levels and making sure that the children fully understand the concept of learning: “We want the children to understand the learning process so that they improve more quickly and they are more satisfied in the whole process of learning. So that is the key, as in the Lady Elizabeth School right now, if you ask any child, or if you ask any parent, or if you ask any teacher what is the key to the Lady Elizabeth School they will simply say one word and that is “learning”. Learning in the classroom, learning on the sports field, learning in the theatre, learning in the swimming pool, learning to be good people, learning to understand other cultures, learning to work with adults, learning to work with friends. This is a simple concept, and it works extremely well.” The headmaster goes on to explain that one of the undeniable strengths of the school is the specialist teachers, as well as the wide choice of subjects and external examinations, which means that “all pupils are able to take advantage of their own individual strengths, they do not have to follow the same programme as everybody else. They can choose to do different subjects that they enjoy, and if they enjoy them, then they will work better in them.” For example, when it comes to GCSEs, the pupils choose their minimum of 9 subjects from a total of 18, which include core subjects such as Science, Maths, and Languages, as well as option subjects such as Media Studies and Music. The British Curriculum followed by pupils is complemented by study of the Spanish Section, and in both areas of study, the school achieves outstanding results in comparison to schools both in the locality, and on a national level.  The headmaster comments that “the key to this is we celebrate the success with the children, when we talked about learning being the main focus, learning is key but enjoyment of that is the next point”. At the Lady Elizabeth School, studying this British National Curriculum and gaining A Level qualifications, which are recognised worldwide, allows pupils to pursue further studies anywhere in the world. Proof of the outstanding work of the school is shown through the results achieved by pupils both throughout and at the end of their time at the school. For example, the headmaster notes that over the last 18 years, not one pupil has not achieved their first-choice university in Spain, and comments that many of the Lady Elizabeth School pupils also go on to study in the United States as well as at Cambridge and other Russell Group Universities in the United Kingdom. “The whole programme that is offered here is one of considered success. We are very, very supportive of the pupils and as a result the pupils actually have enormous ambition for themselves.” As well as supporting pupils who choose to go to university, the school focuses on helping the pupils integrate into the world of work. The Careers Department allows pupils to speak to careers officers about their concerns and interests; there is a Careers Fair in which numerous professionals from all fields talk to the pupils about their career path and experiences; and in the compulsory Work Experience programme, 15-year-old pupils must spend a week working at a company. Finally, as well as their studies, the school places the utmost emphasis on helping the children to learn and acquire important values throughout their time at the school: “there is a values system that we concentrate on each month, so we will have ten different values that the whole school will focus on. For example, in January the value may be cooperation, in February it may be loyalty, in March it may be dedication, so what we are doing is we are talking to our pupils and teaching them to understand the importance of good values, of becoming great citizens, of becoming confident  young people, so that they can move into society when they leave the school, and when they are in the school, with great responsibility and maturity, which allows them to look back at the school and say that school was great, they really looked after me.” https://www.facebook.com/TheLadyElizabethSchool/videos/838665192982384/

Calling Cumbre del Sol home means much more than living in a location with a great climate; it also means enjoying the many advantages that houses and apartments with sea views have to offer, 365 days a year. One of these many benefits is the influence that living in a property with sea views can have on our physical and mental health. For example, a study carried out by Michigan State University, U.S., and the University of Canterbury and the University of Otago, New Zealand, showed that exposure to blue space is associated with lowered stress levels. Additionally, living close to the sea may help to reduce blood pressure and, thanks to the iodine found in the sea breeze, which helps to decongest nasal cavities, it may also improve respiratory problems. [caption id="attachment_11515" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Blue Infinity[/caption] However, as well as the benefits for our health, living in an apartment or house which offers sea views could also prove valuable for our state of mind and wellbeing. After all, there are few more effective ways to begin the day with a positive outlook than by contemplating the horizon stretching out in front of you, or taking some time to appreciate the peace and quiet of the area. The sea and its views are also a wonderful source of inspiration, so if you love creative activities, it is sure to become your greatest ally. [caption id="attachment_11521" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Villa La Nao[/caption] At Cumbre del Sol, on the Costa Blanca, every property is designed to offer large windows as well as wide, open spaces so that you can enjoy these stunning sea views from both inside and outside the house. Whether you prefer to rise early or enjoy warm evenings as the sun goes down, the outdoor space such as the large, communal areas at the Blue Infinity apartments, and terrace at properties like Villa La Torre, provide you with the perfect place to enjoy the sea views and sea air. Simply sit back, relax, and feel the warm sea breeze on your skin. If you would like to know more about any of our properties with sea views on the Costa Blanca in Spain, simply fill in our contact form: https://vapf.eu/2niuXSy, and we’ll be happy to get in touch with you.

Luxury properties, apartments, and villas in Cumbre del Sol to enjoy the Mediterranean climate, the sun, and the spectacular views of the ocean from the Costa Blanca.

If you are going to spend this summer at the Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol, there are two interesting events you can’t miss: Sunday 20 August: Marina Alta Classic Car Club Rally Monthly rally which will end this time at the Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol with a dinner at La Cumbre Restaurant. From 19:00 to 21:00 h., more than 30 classic cars will gather at the parking lot of the restaurant for public display. If you like classic cars you cannot pass up the opportunity of spotting a good deal of classic machines. Sunday 27 August: “La Vuelta” Spanish Cycling Tour The Tour of Spain returns to Cumbre del Sol and we will have the opportunity to enjoy watching in first person all the best cyclists on the international scene. Once again, the organization of the Tour of Spain has chosen Cumbre del Sol as the finish line of the stage that runs along the Costa Blanca. The organizers refer to Cumbre del Sol as an idyllic setting, under the Puig Llorença massif and in front of the best views of the Costa Blanca North’s Mediterranean Sea. Keep tuned for more information and schedules about these and other events.