not your typical Casa Rural
Refugio Marnes is not your typical Casa Rural you can find anywhere in Spain. We distinguish ourselves by: a broader look at the innovative features of our Casa Rural a fresh look on design the contribution we make to our immediate surroundings: “act local / buy local”We willingly became part of a society and firmly believe we should make our contribution to be a knowledge platform when it comes to innovations in: alternative energy systems water (re-)use, recycling (tourist) transportation natural resources find new uses for old...
Read MoreSheep and goat firefighters
Historically, the mountains and valleys here in “la Comunidad Valenciana” are being grazed by large herds of mainly sheep and goats. These farm animals were part of a whole agrarian society that existed for centuries as everywhere in Europe. With the rise of tourism and the accompanying massive building boom, this industry has become marginal. Only occasionally you’ll see a shepherd with his sombrero, his dog and a varying number of sheep, goats and even donkeys. These herds were of course a source of income to their owner, but also had a very important side effect....
Read MoreSunny Solar Power
Anyone knows in Spain “it’s always sunny”. Against all logic, however, Germany has a head start in terms of the amount of solar energy produced. Spain, however, is starting to understand that the sun is an inexhaustible source of income. Not only the sun is the great ball of fire to provide the tourist with a nice tan, but it is an endless source of energy. An energy source without CO2 emissions (on earth) and increasingly seen as the solution to global energy issues. A few years ago, a visionary from General Motors predicted that what happened with information via the...
Read MoreTerraced Landscape in Danger
“La Comunidad Valenciana” has a number of unique characteristics. Benidorm has the best-oiled machinery of mass tourism in Europe. The healthiest climate (World Health Organization) in Europe. A unique language Valenciano, spoken in a very limited area (ie only in this “comunidad”) and: bancales. In English “terraces”. On all slopes, hills, mountains and valleys, you find them. Stacked stone walls functioning as soil-retainers. This way, once the Phoenicians, the Moors and later the Spaniards made this difficult and poor soil suitable for small-scale...
Read MoreWater management on Holidays
Spain has growing shortage of fresh water. Precipitation falls in winter, usually followed by a long, dry summer. Tourism and agriculture and horticulture, however, require enormous amounts of water throughout the year. Water reservoirs are running dry and water management is high on the political agenda and has already caused conflicts between the regional governments. For it’s waterneeds Refugio Marnes is dependent on rainwater we collect. This is stored underground in the old cistern that dates from the time that the Moors ruled in Spain. When the cisterns are empty, we must buy...
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