This restaurant is a family run concern and is in Calle Salamanca, Jalon.

It used to be a wine bodega, is 200 years old and is very tastefully renovated and during the summer you can dine on the terrace under the grape vines.

The menu of the house is €14.95 and there is also an a la carte menu. The menu includes home made chicken liver and port pate, honey roasted goats cheese on a bed or red peppers or homemade soup. Main courses include duck breast served in a cranberry orange and ginger sauce, beef and Guinness casserole, fillet salmon on a bed of spinach, topped with smoked salmon and lobster sauce. Vegetarian dishes are also available and the chef will cater for dietary requirements if requested when booking. There is a good selection of home made desserts.

The restaurant is open from Wednesday to Sunday evenings from 7.0 p.m. till late, also Sunday lunch from 12.0 to 3.0 p.m.

To make a booking telephone 96 648 0430 or 628 538 323

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For anyone interested in gardening on the Costa Blanca this is a fantastic club.

Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at the Casa Cultura, Teulada and commences at 2.30 p.m. The autumn programme is as follows:

Date
Competition

1st October Cactus & Succulents
stems climbing plants stems different variegated foliage.

5th November
Pacific Coast Irises
Stems different berries Different autumn flowers.

3rd December
Plant protection
Natural table decoration with one candle

7th January
Christmas quiz Photo competition

My favourite corner of the garden. 1.

Single plant or flower. 2.

Water in the garden. 3.

There is no joining fee but at each meeting there is a charge of €4

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There is now a scheduled bus service between Benidorm and Alicante. This leaves at the ALSA Station in the Avenida Europa, Benidorm. Book your tickets at the ALSA Station. The bus departs from Benidorm at 8.0 a.m. 12.0 a.m., 4.0 p.m. and 8.0 p.m. every day. The bus departs from Alicante Airport at 9.0 a.m., 12 .0 a.m., 1.0 p.m., 3.0 p.m., 4.0 p.m.,. 5.0 p.m. 7.0.p.m. and 9.0 p.m. every day.

The fare is €7.0 single and €14.0 return.

It is advisable to double check all times by telephone on 902 423 22 42.

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This market is probably one of the largest on the Costa Blanca and is held on Tuesday mornings.

There is a splendid variety of items ranging from shoes, bags, hats, curtain materials, beach and other cushions, jewellery, hams and cheeses, cameras, sun-glasses, toys, etc.

There is also a separate vegetable and plant market.

The main market is situated at the back of the town away from the sea.

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For a pleasant evening with dinner and entertainment the El Andaluz has lots to offer.

This restaurant is situated next door to the large pottery shop on the new roundabout just past the Paichi Garden Centre as you take the road to Benitachell.

Most Saturdays there is a flamenco show, on Thursday evenings there is a singer/entertainer and on Friday evenings there is a male vocalist. The programme can change so it is worth telephoning, 96 649 0151.

The menu is quite reasonably priced.

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On 29th June, there is a Candlelight picnic with music at the Manor House, Benidoleig.

Dress up and take along a picnic in the private and exclusive gardens of Casa Santonja in Beniarbeig for a fantastic evening of entertainment.

You will receive a champagne cocktail welcome and then invited to enjoy your candlelight picnic to an overture by concert pianist and Musical Director, Anthony Castro, followed by exclusive appearances of Graham Bickley and Mary Carewe, who will perform a complete programme of musical entertainment ranging from London and Broadway musicals to concert hall classics.

Gastes open at 5.30 p.m. and the concert commences at 7.30 p.m. Table seating and advance reservations only, bar facilities with waiter service. Ample parking.

Tickets: Adults €45, children under 14 years €30.

Book on line www.littleblackdressevents.eu/box-office.html or tel. Marcella 605843917 or Heidi 610298190

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Every year during the last week of June the fiesta of San Juan takes place in several villages, including Benissa, Els Poblets, Javea, Oliva, Torrevieva and the largest one is in Alicante.

This begins on Friday, 20th June in Alicante, with large giant processions in the town hall square, followed by loud gunpowder display in the Plaza de los Luceros. At midtnight there is the setting up of the statues and official opening of the fiesta with firework display.

Saturday, 21st June sees the judging of the giants, followed by more gunpowder displays and offering of flowers.

Sunday, 22nd June there are more parades and processions, and in the evening an open air disco in Barracas and Racos districts, commencing at 23.00 hours.

Monday, 23rd June, more processions and at 21.00 hours there is a folklore dance parade, followed by open air disco.

Tuesday, 24th June, similar to above and at 18.30 hours there is bull –running followed by burning of the statues and a firework display to end the fiesta.

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There will be open air dances and street theatre in the old fishermen's quarters on the 28th and 29th June.

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Abanilla is a very old village with friendly people and on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays there is a traditional flamenco held in a Gipsy Cave-

Entrance with meal is €32, admission 8.0 p.m., entrance only is €15, including a jug of sangria. admission 8.45 p.m. The show starts at 9.30 p.m. and ends at 11.30 p.m.

The owner of the cave speaks several languages and will give a brief talk about the history of flamenco.

This is the real Spain and real flamenco.

Directions, Take the A 7 motorway towards Murcia, exit Orihuela-Benferri. Take Beniferri up to Abanilla. In Abanilla you will see a statue of Jesus Christ on a mountain, in that mountain you will find La Tona gypsy cave.

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There are sports courses in Javea for children.

On Tuesdays at the Graull School in Javea, there is skating and on Saturdays there are sports courses at Arenal Beach.

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There are two bodegas which offer traditional home made meals, walks around the vineyards, wine tasting and harvesting.

The first one is Bodegas Castano in Ctra.- Fuentealamo, 3, Yecla, Murcia, tel. 96 879 11 15 and the second one is Bodegas Sierra Salinas at Paraje del Puerto s/n, Villena, Alicante, tel. 96 980 12 71.

The day starts with a walk around the vineyards, then a tour at the winery, attended by an expert. During the visit there will be opportunity to taste award winning wines as well as having a traditional home made meal, accompanied by a good variety of wines. .

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The libreria Europa Bookshop, Calle/Oscar, Espla 2, Calpe hold free one hour conversation on Tuesdays, 17.30 – 18.30 hours.

The shop is situated on the left hand side just past Galeries Aitana in the Gabriel Miro, going up the hill..

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Every year there is an International Festival in Javea and this year, 2008, it begins on Thursday, 12th July. There will be 27 countries and associations showing their diverse culture and cuisine.

The festival lasts for three days and takes place on Avenida Agusta.

There will be a main stage to enjoy theatre groups, jazz bands, ethnic music and other music. The event is free of charge.

Thursday, 12th June:

19.00 Musicians from the French city of Albi in typical costumes. 19.30 Greeting in each language by participating countries. 20.15 Acrobatic Pizza. 20.15 Entertainment by Ronald McDonald. 21.30 Entertainment by students from Valerie Jean Stage School 22.30 Parade by the Moors and Christians of Javea 23.00 Rock band Dark Hose.

Friday, 13th June.

Parade by French Musicians 20.00 Acrobatic Pizza 20.30 Performance by dance group En Danza 21.300 Dance of Fire from Brazil 22.30 Hungarian group music 23.30 Music from Uruguay 00.00 Classic rock.

Saturday, 14th June

Workshops for all children from 5 to 12 years. From 12.00 until 14.00 and 16.00 to 18.00 18.30 Parade by French musicianss 19.30 Acrobatic Pizza Performances by pupils of Javea schools 20.30 Jazz with Hot Dogs 21.30 Parade of Moors and Christians of Javea 23.30 Performance by Enric Peidro and the Cuitat Bib Band

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There will be a new foreign office for expatriates due to open this summer in Altea

This is hoping to cut queues at the Alicante and Valencia offices and is at present under construction in Calle San Isidro Labrador.

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This market is on Friday mornings and is situated in the large main car park by the new Town Hall.

There are a variety of vegetable stalls, flower and plant stalls, egg stall, cheese and ham stall, all along the side furthest away from the sea.

Then there are stalls selling shoes, handbags, curtain materials, bedding, table cloths, jewellery, clothes, children·s clothes, a second hand book stall, pottery and a stall selling small pieces of furniture.

You can also have a coffee or snack at the bottom end of the market, with tables and chairs.

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This is an easy walk lasting about one and a half hours starting and finishing in Lliber and circles the hill, Montaneta just behind the village.

Lliber is a typical Spanish village and is just off the main tourist route on the road from Jalon to Senija and Gata de Gorgos. The village has an ancient church, with stations of the cross and friendly bars.

To begin start in the Plaza M ajor and walk east to find Calle St Juan which leads to Calle Virgin and becomes a concrete road as it climbs steadily across the southern slopes of Montaneta. Pass between villas and some old fincas and at the top of this road, just before you reach the motor road to Gata, and turn to the left to descend gently along the northern flank of the hill back towards the Jalon.

The track dips and then rises right before resuming its westerly course under the slopes of Montaneta. Ignore the path down to the river and continue round the Montaneta. You will see Montgo in the distance. Continue along the path which will bring you back to Lliber.

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This restaurant changed hands a few months ago and is possibly one of the best value restaurants in the area.

There is a menu del dia, served lunch times for €12 including VAT and in the evening for €15. This is three courses and a drink and the cooking is superb. There is a good selection of very well cooked fresh vegetables plus the presentation of the food is excellent.

There is also an a la carte menu called taste of the world. Three courses cost €24.95 including VAT or two courses cost €19.95

On Wednesday evenings there is music from 9.30 p.m.

The restaurant is situated at the end of the dual carriageway in Teulada, furthest from Moraira and lays back on the left hand side.

Telephone 96 574 12 14.

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A new exercise area on the Levante Beach in Benidorm is available every Tuesday. The special exercise equipment is aimed mainly for the elderly, to allow them to carry out gymnastic exercises in the open air and is part of a 12 million euro project that will eventually see similar equipment installed in other coastal resorts.

There are six pieces of exercise equipment in Benidorm which will allow people to strengthen their upper and lower bodies, stomach and back.

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This market is held on Saturday mornings and is roughly a mile long. There are many interesting stalls, selling pottery, second hand goods, clothes, jewellery, scarves, handbags, underwear, many antique stalls, etc.

There is a car park behind the Mas y Mas car park at a small charge.

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A delightful evening can be spent in one of the restaurants at the fish port in Calpe.

These restaurants are all along one side of the road opposite the Fish Auction house and specialise mainly in fish dishes, although other dishes are available.

Each restaurant has a fantastic display of fresh fish dishes, giving you an idea of what to choose. There are displays containing all fish, for example, lobster, oysters, sardines, sole, salmon, etc. or you can choose a three course menu del dia with a bottle of wine between two people for only €8.60 plus VAT.

Each restaurant vies for your custom, offering you a glass of sangria and a tit-bit to entice you to choose their restaurant.

It is normally not necessary to book, just go along and have a browse before trying one of them.

The other plus is that you are right by the beach and on a summer evening this is very enjoyable

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This market is open on Sunday mornings and is situated just off the N332 on the left hand side driving north. It is about l mile long and there are stalls selling second hand and new goods.

Examples are bric-a-brac, plants, books, clothes, sun glasses, linen, shoes, leather goods, jewellery, hats, gifts, sun glasses etc. There is a coffee and drinks stall with tables and chairs.

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This club is open to everyone and is a very enthusiastic club with many activities.

It is situated in the new premises in Benitachell, at Edificio Moli no. 2 on the corner of Carrer Les Escole and Cami de L·Abiar.

To join the club the fee is €25 per year, payable 1st September but anyone wishing to join at other times pays a pro-rata joining fee.

Club mornings are Fridays and there is a bar, a library of books and films and lunches are available.

On Saturday, 7th June there is a quiz night and these are held frequently.

Tuesday evenings is a whist evening and Thursdays is a crib evening.

There will be tuition for card games on Mondays, time to be announced.

On 11th June there is a summer fayre, a tombola stall and a bring and buy stall. Lunch and drinks will be available.

On 14th June there is a social evening.

There are also many other activities.

If you wish to have a look around and chat to existing members please call any Friday between 11.30 a.m. and 2.0 p.m.

For further information please telephone 96 649 08 40

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For anyone who needs English products this supermarket sells a huge amount of items.

It is situated on the N332 on the right hand side, driving towards Benissa, just before the main roundabout.

They have a numerous amount of frozen cabinets with ready made meals, meat from the U.K., plus there is a large selection of dry goods, vegetables, and other items.

Some of the prices are in pounds.

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For anyone living in the Costa Blanca, a week away in the mountains is a delightful change.

Two such properties are the Casas Rurales in Benimeli, Alicante. The first one, “El Sequer” is a charming self-catering holiday cottage for four persons, nestled amongst orange groves on the outskirts of the small village of Benimeli, a small typical Spanish village between the Segaria mountains and the Jalon valley.

It is only 10 kilometres from the beaches between Denia and Oliva and 6 kilometres from the A-7 motorway exit and half way between Valencia and Alicante. It is the perfect starting point for visiting other inland areas, and the rest of the Valencian Community.

El Sequer is a farmhouse, beautifully restored and has two double bedrooms, one with full bathroom with whirlpool bath, spacious and cosy living-dining area with fireplace. Fully equipped kitchen, outside porch with panoramic valley and mountain views. Secluded garden with private swimming pool, barbeque area and fruit orchard.

The second property “Xaymaca” is a 19thC Spanish house, beautifully restored for self catering for four to eight people, also located in Benimeli. It has four double bedrooms, each with en-suite bathroom, two spacious living rooms with wood burning stoves, one dining room for 8 people, fully equipped, rustic style kitchen. There is an open courtyard with fountain and plants for alfresco meals, garden with large private swimming pool, covered porch, barbeque, fruit orchard, mountain views.

For further details, telephone 96 642 40 56 or 626 200017 .

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This is an English restaurant, serving excellent food. It is situated on Cabo San Antonio 7, Moraira which is on the left hand side driving from the Ampolla beach on the coast road and just before the Da Vinci Restaurant.

The food is well cooked and very generous, either two, three or four courses and very reasonably priced, from approximately €12 Euros with a bottle of wine for two.

Telephone 96 574 8522.

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This market is held on Saturday mornings and is one of the most extensive on the Costa Blanca.

If you take the coast road from Moraira, drive to Calpe, past the garage on the right hand side and continue up the hill towards Alicante for about another two hundred yards.

You can park in the Eroski car park on the right hand side and walk up the hill for about 150 metres and you are then at the beginning of the market.

Alternatively, you can park in Mercadona which is just past the garage on the left hand side and you are in the middle of the market.

At the beginning of the market there are an abundance of fruit and vegetable stalls with just about every variety of fruit and vegetable you can think of.

There is one stall which specialises in mushrooms and when in season there are as many as six or seven different species. Also there are two flower stalls and their displays are an absolute delight. Everything is very reasonably priced.

Continuing down the market there are stalls selling handbags, shoes, jewellery, clothes for children and adults, curtain materials, table cloths, beach cushions, tapes and C.D.s, toys, cheeses and hams, eggs, and bric a brac.

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There will be a dinner and dance on Friday, 20th June at the Canor Banqueting Suite, Teulada.

This is organised by APASA (Javea Dog Pound) and everyone is welcome. Tickets are €35 each and will include welcome drinks, canapes, wine beer, water and three course dinner followed by dancing to Double Impact, vocal duo.

There will be an auction and the Directors of Ice Magic International Ltd. At the Plaza Central Shopping Mall in Calpe have donated a prize for a party for up to 12 people at the Calpe rink, to include skating and buffet refreshments with a pair of Italian designer ice skates thrown in. The winners will also be given a skate tuition by top international ice hockey coach.

For reservations call Maggie on 96 574 4449

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Aqua Natura, Benidorm's water park has a new attraction for visitors.

Sea lions give a spectacular show at 1.0 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. when spectators will learn all about their habitat, special characteristics and their way of life.

There are eight sea lions and visitors will be offered the chance to swim with the creatures before and after the shows.

Also anyone buying a ticket for the adjoining Terra Natura animal park will be given free entrance into Aqua Natura throughout the months of May and June.

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This restaurant is fantastic value for money. It is situated at the extreme southern end of Javea Arenal beach right by the water's edge and there are plenty of tables in the open air, plus three large rooms inside.

It can be a little noisy inside but the menus are good and cheap. Three course meals, including a bottle of wine each person (you can take wine away if you do not drink it) start at around € 7 or € 8 per head and there are many choices, including fried fish, lamb, curry, pies, etc. also starters include avocado, soup, salads, pates and many more. Desserts are very varied also.

Tables can reserved indoors if preferred.

Telephone 96 577 1488. There are two rooms reserved for non-smokers.

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For a delightful day out to the mountains, nothing could be better than a visit to the restaurant L'Antiga Escola in Tollos. This restaurant is on top of a hill just past Castell de Castells. To reach Castell de Castells drive through Benissa going north and take the right fork signposted Jalon, continue through Jalon on to Alcalali and you will see Castell de Castells signposted just past the village.

There is lamb with mountain herbs on the menu, also Thai curry , starters include grilled mushrooms with Serrano ham. All the desserts are home made. The restaurant is owned by the chef, hence excellent personal attention.

To make reservations telephone 96 551 838. Open Wednesdays to Sundays.

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If you are in the area of Cartagena it would be a good idea to time this visit with a visit to hear one of the many renowned flamenco singers who will be performing every Saturday from 7th June to 30th August.

These concerts will be held at the Plaza de la Comandancia de Marina in front of the harbour. Entrance to all concerts is free.

There will be famous singers from Almeria, Cordoba, Granada, Malaga, Madrid, Badajoz and La Union.

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This has to be one of the most delightful Spanish restaurants on the Costa Blanca.

It is situated on the road which runs parallel to Javea Beach, opposite the Tennis Club, on the same side of the road as Humpty Dumpty. Meals are three course, including a glass of wine and range rom €10 to €18 approximately. For the €10 choice the main course is Grilled Sole and is always delicious.

Others include chicken, salmon, duck, lamb and the starters are also extremely good, avocado, melon with serrano ham, baked asparagus and ham with a cheese topping, soup and a huge salad. The staff are extremely friendly.

To reserve a table telephone 96 579 0035

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The Spanish property market has been experiencing difficult times over the past couple of years and many Estate agents have gone out of business and many more are set to follow. The exchange rates for sterling are at an all time low against the euro and predicted to get worse. Some are saying one for one over the next twelve months. At that time the UK will probably join the euro if it's not already been orchestrated!

The doom and gloom of the British economy is having a negative effect on everything, especially the spanish property market that was once booming. There are still people buying property in Spain but the trend seems to be people leaving the UK and selling up to seek a new life. It's understandable, especially with the recent events with the new PM Gordon Brown and his crew.

Some of the property prices here are reflecting a bad situation and those who need to sell are reducing there prices accordingly. There are a few good deals to be had if you know what you are doing. It's certainly the time to buy and have recently seen an influx of private investors swooping up some of the worthwhile deals to be had. Some are not worth having if it's a fast profit you want!

Finding the right property is a very time consuming task and most people simply do not have the time , let alone the expertise , in finding the best deals and a property worth investing in.

There are areas in Spain that should be avoided mainly due to the mass developments that have been allowed along the coast, many of which continue to cause financial problems for the investors and more recently the short sighted developers who built them!

To shop smart, you really need an expert property finder that is well versed in such a task and can fast track you to the best deals worth seeing.

Here is a general property link

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A beautiful day out can be enjoyed in the mountains just 30 kilometres from Denia. Take the road to Pego, off the N 332, and from there continue towards Val d'Ebo, a beautiful winding road, passing the ravines of la Canya and l'Infern.

On arrival at the village you can visit the marvelous cave “Cova del Rull”, with its spectacular stalactites, stalagmites and rocks.

Visiting hours: April – September, fron 10.20 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. November – 14th January from 11.00 a.m. to 5.00.p.m. 16th February – March and October from 11.00 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.

Entry tickets will be sold until 40 minutes before the daily closure. The cave will be closed on December 25th and January 1st and from 15th January to 15th February.

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An interesting day out is a visit to the Turron Museum at Jijona. This can be enjoyed in conjunction with taking friends or relatives back to the airport at Alicante or just as a day out.

Just north of Alicante on the A7 take the N340 which will take you to Jijona, approximately 24 kilometres from Alicante. The museum is in Carretera Jijona-Busot, km 1 and is open from 10.0 a.m. to 1.0.p.m. and from 4.0 p.m. to 7.0 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 1.0 p.m. and 5.0 p.m. to 7.0 p.m. Sundays and Festival days.

The museum is a private institution showing the technology related to the making of turron and marzipan. This was a very important activity during the XXth century but its roots date back to the Middle Ages.

The museum has three floors, the top floor displays the raw materials used, the middle floor shows the processes of making the turron and the lower floor the commercialization of the product.

Visits are carried out in the company of a guide. Brochures are available in several languages.

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There are various guided tours in Denia, free of charge at certain times of the year.

One is a walk through Denia and the Castle. This tour lasts for two hours and can be reserved before departure, telephone 96 642 23 67. Entrance to the castle is €1.55 for adults, 75 centimos for children.

Another walk is through the Parc Natural del Montgo, leaving from the entrance of the market of Yorrecremada at 9.0 a.m., reservations can be made for a maximum of 20 places, telephone 96 642 32 05 or 679 196 461.

There is also a tour of the Fallas on the 17th and 18th March only, maximum 30 places, telephone 96 642 23 67.

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Stroll by the water's edge!

This walk is a delightful flat stroll along the coast in Denia. A very pleasant way to travel to Denia is by train which travels from Benidorm, stopping at Altea, Calpe, Benissa, Teulada, Gata and La Xara.

When you arrive at Denia, walk towards the coast, just a hundred yards or so and turn right, walking south until you arrive at the fork, the right hand fork continues towards Javea. Take the left hand fork and turn left at any of the lanes on the left which will take you to the sea.

Here you can continue walking along the water's edge for about a mile and there are a couple of restaurants and bars along the way. The whole return walk from the station is approximately four miles.

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Every year there is an International Festival held in Javea and this year it is from the 12th to the 14th June. There are representatives from Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and others, also Holland, France, Ireland, Germany, Morocco and Canada.

The festival began 13 years ago in order to promote the integration of the many nationalities that live in this area. Now 27 countries participate.
There will be theatre groups, jazz bands, ethnic music, rock music and many others.

On Saturday there will also be activities for children, with workshops and games.

On Thursday night there will be a spectacular procession of the Moors and Christians, followed by popular rock/pop band Dark Horse.

On Friday there will be EnDanza, music from Hungary and Uruguay, followed by singer Niko Costello and on Saturday the finale will be jazz and the Ciutat Big Band.

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For anyone visiting or living in the area between Denia and Calpe there are very many varied types of entertainment and below are listed just a few:

Castle Theatre, Denia.

This theatre group perform many plays at the Castle Theatre but on 31st May they are performing at the Town Hall Theatre in Rafol de Almunia. There will be two one-act plays, the first called Golf War Widows, - 3 golf widows at the 19th hole, discussing their lives. The second play is called Outrageous Pleasure, a comedy about a Shakespeare play in the Park. Tickets are €10 and are available from the Booking Office at Rafol Town Hall or call Christine on 626 201 636. The Castle Theatre Group are looking for new members.

The Javea Players

This group perform regularly in Gata, but on Monday, 9th June until Saturday, 14th June they are performing two comedies at La Micheta, next to the Ifach Golf Club, off the Moraira to Calpe road. There will also be a barbecue with wine and the inclusive price is €16.50. The two plays are called Darling You Were Wonderful and What·s For Pudding. To make reservations call 96 649 1276.

The World of Music, Calpe

On Friday, 6th June at the Casa de Cultura in Calpe there is a musical show featuring different styles, ranging from Musical Theatre to Rock and Pop and from the quiet villages of Cornwall to the carnivals of Latin America, also students from Marcia·s Dance Centre in Calpe. Tickets are €12 and are available from The Kamala Centre (Tennis Club, Calpe), The Book and Card Shop in Calpe, The Bodega, calle Las Americas, Orba, Kelly·s, La Xara and Bar 23, Jalon or call 96 558 1483.

International Moraira Music Festival

This will take place on the stage by the castle in Moraira on Sunday, 8th June at 18.45 hours. The festival will be part of the Moraira Moors and Christians Fiesta Celebrations.

The bars and restaurants that surround the castle have outside terraces with reserved seating or bring your own seat. Should it rain the concert could be delayed or cancelled.

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The fiesta of the Moors and Christians is one of the most spectacular throughout the whole of Spain and is celebrated at different times in different towns and villages.

The Moors ruled Spain for seven hundred years from the 8th to the 15th century and the fiesta celebrates the re-conquest of Spain by the Christians.

The fiesta is celebrated in Moraira in June and this year it will be held on the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th June. On the first day there are processions along the streets with bands and orchestras and fancy dress. On Friday, a mock battle is staged when the Christians reconquer the town and this is held on the Ampolla beach with the Moors and Christians in magnificent costumes. There is much shooting and fighting and is well worth seeing.

On Saturday there will be processions in the streets with flower displays and fancy dress.

On Sunday, the final day there is the most fantastic and spectacular procession in the evening, beginning around 19.00 hours and lasting for two to three hours. Seats are provided in the streets for which a nominal charge is made.

The costumes are out of this world and cost many thousands of euros. Usually there are horsemen, sometimes camels, gym displays and floats and many other attractions. When the procession is ended there is a magnificent firework display ovder the beach.

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Entertainment for all the family. There is a beautiful castle at Alfaz which gives spectacular medieval shows with jousting and many attractions, including dinner. One child goes free with each family.

The castle is situated off the N332 on the left hand side driving towards Benidorm.

For further information and reservations telephone 902 99 54 26

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For a delightful walk of 9 kilometres this one takes some beating. Drive to Benissa and at the end of the village on the N 332 in the direction of Calpe you will see on the right hand side a fork road signposted Jalon. Take this road and when you reach the T junction cross straight over towards Pinos.

This road is a little winding and there are spectacular views of the Calpe rock. When you reach the village of Pinos drive past the restaurant on the right hand side and cross the bridge. You can park here.

There is a right hand fork, take this road and it is a gentle ascent for approximately 3 kilometres. You pass the Iris gardens on the left after about one and a half kilometres and continue through the pleasant valley of Marnes.

At the top of the valley, you will see some farm houses called Partida del Cao. Follow the track on the right hand side for about two hundred yards and when you see the red painted sign on the left take the narrow track which climbs to the top between two peaks.

At the top there is a plateau which is a lovely spot for a picnic. Here there are splendid views of Calpe rock and the sea. From here cross to the other side and turn right with the mountain on your left and follow the track for about 2 kilometres. You will see splendid views on your right looking down to where you have walked.

After the 2 kilometres take a sharp right, almost a U bend and continue on this track which will bring you back to the same road you came on.

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There is an adventure park in Orba, next to the garage, which has many attractions.

There is a high rope pathway, archery, facial fancy dress, paint ball, shooting, and many other attractions. The entrance fee is €30 and for more information telephone 96 558 4451.

To reach Orba from Moraira, drive to Teulada and on to the N 332, through Benissa and just north of Benissa take the right fork signposted Jalon, continue through Jalon and Alkalali and You will see the Orba signpost.

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The fiesta of Corpus Christi is held on the 25th May in the square of the Town Hall in Teulada.

There will be a procession with traditional dancers in the Historical Centre of Teulada, commencing at 19.30 hours and from 18.00 hours there will be foliage and flowers in the streets.

This is organised by the Church of Santa Catalina.

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There is a library in the new town hall, the Espai La Senieta building, and it does have some English books.

It is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10.0 – 13.00 hours and on Mondays and Fridays from 16.30 – 19.30 hours. It is closed on fiesta days. Their telephone number is 96 649 0976.

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There is a company which organises excursions by land rover to all sorts of interesting venues.

The land rover is totally equipped and insured and there are many routes, some with the option to spend a night in a casa rural. There is a guide, lunch, drinks, photos and video of the day and the trips visit mountain villages, lakes and many interesting places.

For more information telephone 600 759 041

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To walk to the tower above El Portet drive to the car park at El Portet and walk down towards the beach. Just before you reach the beach there is a turning on the left hand side, take this road and follow the S.L. (local pathway signs).

These local walks are shown with S.L. and do not exceed 10 kilometres. They have two stripes, one white and one green and indicate both the location and the direction of pathways.

Where the path divides in two continue towards “Cova de la Sendra”. Here there is a steep slope, do not leave this path as it is a protected area for flora. There is a variety of shrubs and plants, rosemary, heather, esparto grass etc. all of which must be respected.

At the end of this steep slope we reach a flat area where the pathway divides in two, to the left it descends towards the “Cova de la Sendra”, a steep slope. To the right the path continues on a plain towards the “Torre Vigia” (look out tower).

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The island of Tabarca is the largest inhabited island in the Valencian Community. There is a daily service in May, leaving Alicante at 11.0 a.m. and returning from Tabarca at 17.00. The return fare is €17. During the summer months there are more services. Details can be obtained from Empresa Kontiki on 96 521 6396 or if you wish to leave from Santa Pola the you can telephone Cruceros Baeza Parodi on 608 330 422.

The island is 11 miles south east of Alicante and only three miles from the cape in Santa Pola. It is 1,800 metres long and 400 meters wide. It is a beautiful place for a weekend or a day trip. The trip takes 60 minutes from Alicante and only 30 minutes from Santa Pola.

The island dates back to the XVIII century. In 1741 the king of Tunisia invaded the island and took as his prisoners the people living there, who happened to be Genoese, but later became the prisoners of the Sultan of Argelia. In 1768, Carlos III, king of Spain paid a fee and freed them. They stayed on to make the island a military lookout, especially from the pirates who used the island to attack the Costa Blanca.

In the centre of the island is a beautiful hotel which used to be the Governors house. The area was declared a Protected Historic Artistic monument in 1964. In 1986 the island was declared a Protected Marine Reserve, covering over 1,400 hectares. There are all sorts of water activities allowed within this area. Fishing can be done with the correct permits. Scuba diving and collecting of flora or fauna is prohibited, as also are motor boats.

The island is one of the best places to sample various fish dishes.

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Ice World Spain has now opened an ice rink at the La Noria (water wheel) shopping centre on Avenida de Europa.

There are special prices for parties, groups, birthdays, etc. It is also planning future ice hockey events for children and lessons for indivuals and groups. The cost of a two hour session, including skate hire is 7.50 euros per person.

There is also a terrace serving drinks and snacks and there are parking facilities below the ice rink.

For bookings telephone 615 361 178.

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Modern Jive classes for beginners is beginning on Tuesday, 13th May at the Bar Mediterraneo, Teulada and the opening night is free.

The classes will be held every Tuesday, from 8.0 p.m. for a two hour lesson and practice and the cost after 13th May will be €5.

Absolute beginners are welcome and partners are not necessary but are welcome.

The Bar Mediterraneo is on the dual carriageway near the bottom on the left hand side driving from Moraira.

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There is the most fantastic water adventure playground in Benidorm called Aqualandia.

From Moraira take the A7 motorway in the direction of Alicante and exit at the junction marked Levante Beach.

Follow the signs and when you reach Benidorm Palace on the right hand side you will see the sign to Aqualandia on the left.

This opens at Easter. If you visit the Tourist Office in Moraira you can pick up a leaflet which offers discounts of €5 for adults or €3 for a child.

There are 3 shows, sea lions, dolphins and parrots. There are penguins, and other animals, there is the opportunity to swim with sea lions and a fantastic big bang water shute.

Another attraction which is new this year is the biggest jacuzzi in Europe. There is also a beautiful pool with waterfall, and a series of slides, plus a funny jungle.

There are also cafes and restaurants.

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This is a short walk following the cliff path and is extremely picturesque. To begin the walk, drive towards Cumbre de Sol. Leaving Moraira and driving towards Benitachell can reach this.

Drive to the crossroads in Benitachell, turn right in the direction of Javea and about 100 yards down on the right hand side there is a right fork which will take you to Cumbre de Sol. Just before you reach the beach at Cumbre de Sol there is a sign on the right hand side pointing to Cala de Moraig.

Just a little further on you can park your car and walk back to the path. There is a sign with information about the route.

Just follow the footpath, which wends its way along to the bay with the sea on your left. The way down to the beach is a little steep so take care.

Along the path there are signs S.L. These signs indicate that the walks do not exceed 10 kilometers and have two stripes, one white and one green, which indicate the location and direction of pathways.

The object is to recover the routes, which run through the heart of nature, following old paths, which, in the past, were the communication between places and towns.

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Along the coast of the Costa Blanca there are various boat trips

From 21st March onwards Return fares:

Denia 9.15 a.m. 14.15 Denia/Javea €15.00 Javea 10.0 a.m. 17.00 Denia/Calpe €20 Calpe 11.l5 a.m. 18.15 Denia/Altea €15 Altea 12.00 a.m. 19.00 Javea/Altea €20 Calpe 12.30 19.30 Calpe/Altea €12 Javea 13.30 20.00 Denia 14.00 21.00 Children 4 – 10 years 50%

Catamaran trips.

Denia Javea Calpe Altea Return fares: 9.15 10.0 11.15 12.00 Denia/Altea €30
16.15 17.00 18.15 19.00 Denia/Calpe €25 Denia/Javea €15 Altea Calpe Javea Denia Javea/Calpe €20
12.00 12.45 13.45 14.15 Javea/Altea €25 19.00 19.45 20.45 21.15 Calpe/Altea €12

                                                                                      Children  4 – 14   40% reduction

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There is a new Safari Park opened in Valencia which is probably as near to Africa as you can get without going there. It begins at the river bed at Campanar where there is a new white bridge across the lake and there are boats shaped like swans which families can enjoy. Across the bridge the area looks like an African Safari and there are paths leading to different animal enclosures.

In the first area there are zebras, rhinos and ostriches living as if in the wild and the whole area is full of large rocks, red dust on the ground and masses of foliage including acacia trees.

The Bioparc is as open as possible with animals walking round the visitors. The area is very safe as there are deep moats to stop the animals charging and escaping.

The bird enclosure is full of African birds, including the guinea ford and hamerkop.

There are giraffes, flamingos, lions, hippos, water hogs and in the caves are tortoises, scorpions and lots more.

There are also picnic areas, cafes with thatched roofs and here you are at the water·s edge.

The Biopar is open Mondays to Fridays from 10.00 – 17.30 and weekends from 10.00 – 18.30. The telephone number is 902 250 340

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A huge new shopping centre has just opened in Ondara. Ondara is about 35 minutes drive from Moraira, on the N332 going north or you can travel on the AP 7 leaving at the junction signposted Ondara.

There are two floors of shops and eight cinemas on the third floor (totalling l,600 seats) plus parking for 2,000 cars. There are many clothing and accessory shops, including all the well known names such as C & A, Benetton, Massimo Dutti, Punt Roma, Zara. Kid·s Club, Mango, etc. Specialised stores include Base Sport, Bookworld, Joyeria Montenegro, The Phone House and many others. House and decoration shops - Ale-Hop, Amadeus, Bricohouse, Casa, Detalles, Master Cadena, Noctalia, and Zara Home. The complex also houses many restaurants, including La Creperia, Mister Kebab, and Pizzerias. There is also a Bowling Alley and Eroski Hypermarket.

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For any resident on the Costa Blanca the U3A Organisation is well worth joining.

This organisation arranges just about everything of interest, for example, there are computer classes, painting classes, art classes, outings, holidays and many more.

At present there are U3A clubs in Denia, Javea, Calpe, Oliva and Val de Pop and now one is planned for Moraira.

There is a meeting at 11.0 a.m. on Monday, 5th June at the Moraira Social Club to discuss opening in Moraira.

For more details you can telephone Mike Frost on 96 646 0962.

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A very enjoyable day out can be had on a visit to Benidorm. Drive north on the A7 autoroute until you see signs to Levante Beach. Turn off here and join the N332 going south and keep on this road.

If the weather is inclement, it is a good idea to start your visit by driving to La Marina shopping centre which is signposted on the right hand side of the N332.

The shopping complex is covered in and there are many shops there, including Zara, Punta Roma, Casa and many others. Also there are some very good tapas bars and cafes.

From here you can visit La Cala, a delightful bay, full of delightful Spanish bars and cafes and a safe and sandy beach. To reach this leave the shopping centre and follow the signs to Benidorm until you reach the crossroads and cross straight over here to reach La Cala bay.

The old town of Benidorm is a fascinating area of narrow streets, full of shops, tapas bars and cafes.

Along the beaches of Benidorm are covered libraries where you can read magazines and newspapers in all languages.

Also there is a tourist tram which goes along Benidorm from one end to the other.

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This Zoo is a wonderful day out for the family.

Take the A7 Motorway in the direction of Alicante and exit at junction 65. It is closed on Mondays.

The Zoo consists of 320.000 square metres divided into 4 theme areas where you will find animals in their natural habitat without visual barriers. There are colourful shows from Central America and Asia, also educational activities. There are restaurants and shops with souvenirs and handcrafts.

For the adventurous there is a 400 metre long zip wire. Another attraction is the high pole with acrobats.

In July on Fridays and Saturdays and in August on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays there is a dinner and show and night safari adventure. It is advisable to book. The telephone number is 902 500 414.

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Teulada town hall has organised new routes for hiking groups.

There are three planned at present, the first is 15th March to the Serra de Crevillent, 14 kilometres of medium difficulty. The second is 26th April and is a guided hike round Volta al Puig Campana, Finestrat with a distance of 12 kilometres and is of medium-high difficulty. The third walk is on 24th May at the Cami dels Geladors, Ibi, under 14 kilometres and is of medium difficulty.

Anyone who is interest should telephone 965740158 or 966490976 between 09.00 and 15.00 to subscribe. Hikers should bring food and water and wear comfortable clothing and footwear.

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The Aquatic Park of Mundomar is now open and you can enjoy a fantastic day in this exotic place.

There are several shows throughout the day, including sea lions, dolphins and parrots.

Also there are penguins, water slides and many other attractions.

If you visit the Tourist Office in any of the Costa Blanca towns you can receive a voucher offering discounts of €5.0 for adults and €3.0 for children.

To find Mundomar take the N332 south, turn off at the signpost to Levante Beach and you will see Mundomar signposted.

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There is a most delightful short walk by the sea shore in Calpe. This is only about two kilometres there and back but is well worth doing.

Begin at the Yacht Club which is situated just below the Ifach Rock. To reach this from Moraira drive along the coast road towards Calpe and when you arrive at the lake on the right hand side take the last exit of the roundabout towards the fish port.

There are plenty of free parking places around the port. Walk towards the direction of the rock and you will arrive at the Yacht Club. Continue walking and you will enter the ecological area.

This follows the rocks along the coast and has plenty of flowers and shrubs along the way. There is even a drinking tap if you are thirsty.

If there are rock climbers about when you go there are quite fantastic views of their prowess.

To round off your visit, there are some delightful fish restaurants all along the port.

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There are some beautiful cactus gardens situated at Callosa d'en Sarria. From Moraira take the A7 towards Alicante and you will see the signpost to Callosa. The journey takes about 30 minutes.

The gardens are open from 10.0 a.m. until approximately 7.0 p.m. Cactus d·Algar opened in 2001 and is approximately 1,000 metres from the well-known waterfall in Algar. It is set in 50,000 square metres of land divided into areas with over 500 species of cactus and succulent plants.

There is a car park, bar, shop and playground. As there are no barriers so you can enjoy a very relaxing walk.

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If you live or are staying in the Costa Blanca, a visit to the caves at Benidoleig is well worth the trip.

From Moraira you can either drive to Benissa, continue north and just outside Benissa take the right hand fork to Jalon and Alkalali, then on towards Orba and you will see the signpost to Benidoleig or you can take the N 332 north to Ondara and turn left towards Benidoleig.

The caves are open all year and the natural cave is 300 yards long with many domes reaching to 60 ft. The stalacmite and stalactites are quite awsome. There are many human and animal bones, dating back to more than 50,000 years.

The telephone number of the caves is 96 640 4235.

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The fiesta of Las Fallas is one of Valencias most famous. This fiesta began hundreds of years ago with carpenters who worked by candle light in the dark winter nights. In the 18th century the carpenters would make figures and dress them, paint their faces and, to celebrate St. Joseph·s day , 19th March, burn them, and have bon fires. By the 18th century the figures had begun to imitate local people and the villagers built platforms where they placed the figures. As the people became more inventive the figures were made into scenes, and made fun of local famous people.

The town of Valencia is where most of the fallas are shown, and today there are over 300 of them dotted around the whole town. The fiesta begins at the beginning of March with a firework display and there is a display every day around 2.0 p.m. On the 17th and 18th March there are flower displays from 4.0 p.m. onwards and thousands of Valencians take part in the procession carrying flowers There are firework displays on the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th at 1.0 a.m. in the old riverbed in Valencia. On the 19th March, the last day of the fiesta, all the fallas are burnt, starting at l0.0 p.m. with the children·s fallas and the last one is burnt in the town hall square at 01.00 a.m. Throughout this fiesta there are many processions, concerts, and balloon games.

It is possible to go on a coach tour for the day to see the fallas, these are advertised in local papers or the Tourist Office would have information.

The nearest and less tiring way to see the fallas is a visit to Denia. Here again, these are dotted all around the town, and there are similar processions and fireworks. Details can be obtained from the Tourist Office in Denia. There is a large car park at the top of the town, near the Mercadona roundabout and it is advisable to park here and walk as the town gets very crowded and parking can be a problem.

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Moraira is a beautiful town with no high rise hotels. In the centre of the town there is a most attractive avenue leading to the main beach of Ampolla.

This has a water feature along its length with plane trees overhead which give much needed shade during the summer. A natural pond has also been formed near the beach to encourage wild life and there are gardens and paths with plenty of seats.

At the northern end of Moraira is the beach of El Portet studded with exclusive properties! above which is the Cap d·Or watchtower.

The beach is very safe for children and there are two bars/cafes which serve delightful snacks, salads, fish and you can order a Spanish paella, all can be eaten at the very edge of the beach with spectacular views of the Ifach Rock at Calpe. There is also a restaurant.

In the main part of Moraira there are plenty of shops, bars and restaurants to suit all tastes. The main beach, Ampolla, dominated by the beautifully preserved tower, is also very safe for children and during the summer season the beach has at least one life guard. The tower houses a museum with interesting aspects of the sea and pirates.

There is a market in Moraira on Fridays with many vegetable stalls, clothes and gift stalls. There is also a market in Teulada on Wednesdays-.

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There is a Spanish restaurant which cooks dishes typical of the Valencian region, one of which is paella cooked on a wood fire (to order), also rice with bogavant, fideau, grilled meats, fresh fish and very good home made desserts.

This restaurant is called Viva Espana and is situated off the N332 on the left hand side just before you arrive at Oliva in the direction of Valencia. It takes about 45 minutes drive from Moraira.

On Saturday nights and Sunday lunch the restaurant is transformed into a huge party room; there is an elevated stage and a spectacular display of Spanish Ballet with traditional Flamenco dancing at its best.

During July and August this floor show is also performed on Friday evenings.

There are special prices for group bookings up to a capacity of 300 people, also you can get quotes for weddings, communions, parties, business groups and family reunions.

Their telephone number is 96 2850018.

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A trip to the Algar Waterfalls is a very enjoyable day . The area is a famous beauty spot and an easy drive from Moraira, taking the N.332 to Altea, turning off to Callosa d·en Sarria and continue to the Waterfalls which are signposted.

Alternatively you can drive on the AP 7, turning off at the signpost to Callosa d·en Sarria.

During the visit, walk to the riverside and see the various pools and waterfalls. You can walk along the paths which commence by the riverside.

There is also an Environment Musuem (aromatherapy, in vitro fertilization of plants, exhibition of aromatic herbs, essences, etc.) Also visit the Avenue of the Aromatic Plants and the Water Musuem.

There is a First Aid Post, W.C., camping site with W.C. and showers. You can use the barbecue and cut firewood is included. Free parking near the camping area. For any further information telephone the Tourist Information office on 96 588 01 53

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There are two ways to arrive in Altea on the Costa Blanca. You can either drive there;

From Moraira drive to Teulada to the N332, turn left and continue through Benissa, Calpe and then to Altea, about 40 minutes total driving. Or you can take the train from Teulada.

It is very easy to park at the stastion which is at the end of the dual carriageway on the right hand side. The first train leaves at 7.13 a.m., then 9.l3 a.m., ll.l3 a.m. and the last train at 20.l3. Returning from Altea, the first train leaves at 7.21 a.m., then 9.21 a.m., ll.21 a.m. and the last train at 20.21.

There is a very extensive market which lies at the back of the town. This is open Tuesday mornings.

Altea has an abundance of good shops and boutiques, most of which are situated in the road behind the N332, also cafes and restaurants.

If you are feeling energetic the climb of approximately 250 steps to the top of the town is well worth a visit. Here you will find a beautiful blue domed church, set in a square full of cafes and bars with a very continental atmosphere where you can have a drink or a meal. Also on the way up to the church there are several bars and restaurants.

The promenade is very well laid out and is also worth walking along. You can reach Albir along the front, past the yacht centre. Also there are Altea properties for sale. Info supplied by Moraira tourist info.

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The Medieval Tower in Alcalali is well worth a visit. To arrive in Alcalali from Moraira, drive through Teulada to the N332, turn left and drive through the town of Benissa. At the end of the town take the right fork, signposted Jalon, drive through Jalon and in about two miles you will arrive in Alcalali.

There is a good parking space at the crossroads to Parcent and Murla. Walk through the town until you reach the square where the church is situated and opposite the church is the tower. This is open every Thursday between 10.0 .m. and 12.0 mid-day, other days by arrangement. The cost to enter is €1.50.

The tower has a very interesting history. It was constructed in 1600 to protect the village from the frequent attacks by pirates and bandits. In 1992 the Town Hall of Alcalali acquired the Tower and completely restored it, the top floor being completely in glass with the most magnificent views of the Vall de Pop, the Coll de Rates, the villages of Parcent, Jalon and Lliber and the mountain Pop de Murla, where, incidentally the last battle in 1609 against the Moors and the Christians took place.

There is a commentary in various languages with pictures on a lap top. The museum is also very interesting with numerous artefacts, weapons, etc, There are various bars and cafes in the village, also a restaurant, called Marcel, which is on the right hand side when you leave the town and return towards Jalon. Here you can have a menu del dia with three courses and a drink, all for €8.00

There are many attractions along the the Costa Blanca and you can find links to other sources of information here.

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Terra Mitica is an adventure park on the northern Costa Blanca, full of interest to both adults and children.

How to get there: You can travel by train on the F:G:V: line that runs from Denia to Alicante. From Moraira drive to Teulada train station, where you can park your car.

Alternatively by car, Take the N.332 Or the A-7 motorway, towards Benidorm and the turn off for Terra Mitica is signposted.

The adventure park opens on the 14th March this year. The cost is €34 per adult for a full day or €21 in the afternoon and €25.50 for children or €16 in the afternoon.

Items of interest. Flight of the Phoenix, a thrilling freefall from a height of 545 meters. Magnus Colossus, the largest wooden roller coaster on the Mediterranean. Waterfalls of the Nile. This is a fantastic ride in a boat. Rapids of the Argos, another fantastic journey fraught with the dangers of the sea.

Restaurants: Greek, Italian and Spanish, all excellent, plus others.

There are many other attractions, including a Minotaurs Labyrinth, rides for children, souvenir shops, street entertainment, firework displays during the summer, spectacular shows, etc.

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The Montgo mountain lies in the northern Costa Blanca. On the north side you have Denia and Javea on the south.

The Montgo is an important nature park that offers a range of interesting varieties of Mediterranean flora.

In the 19th century, the peak of the Montgo mountain served as a reference point for calculating the Paris meridian.

If you look at the mountain from the Javea side you can see an indentation which looks like the eye of an elephant.

To commence your walk to the top you can start at the path which is just outside the village of Jesus Pobre on the road towards Javea on the left hand side.

The walk takes approximately three and a half hours each way and the path is mainly a rough track of stones.
The last part of the walk to reach the summit is a bit of a scramble but the view at the top is worth the effort. On a clear day you can see the island of Ibiza.

The mountain is elongated, rich in vegetation and rises sharply from the sea to guard the coast from a height of 753 metres.
This peak surveys the entire Marina Alta district. In the spring there are hundreds of different wild flowers en route. Remember to take plenty of water with you.

Posted in: Javea news, Moraira news, and Walking on the Costa Blanca
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January to March in the Northern Costa Blanca is a most beautiful time of year. The almond blossoms are in full bloom and flora and fauna starts to spring back to life.

But what’s this - Candyfloss in pine trees? These spherical nests are home to the processionary caterpillar. Hanging, precariously from the lower, sun-bathed branches of indigenous pine trees, these nests hide an irritating secret!

Around the beginning of March the fully developed yellowish/brown caterpillar emerges from its nest to make the journey down the tree trunk, eating the pine needles in its track. It’s a curious sight as the grubs “follow the leader” in a long procession – hence the name – to a warm patch of soil. Here they burrow and pupate to complete their metamorphosis into adult life as a fairly inconspicuous moth. Now to reveal the hidden secret!

The tiny hairs on the caterpillar carry a toxin that is highly irritating to both humans and animals so beware the temptation to stop these little fellas in their tracks. Best keep an eye on domestic cats and dogs, also. Look out for any signs of distress such as vomiting or difficulty breathing and if you suspect your beloved pet may have come into contact with the caterpillars then a swift visit to the local vets is in order.

They’ll soon be able to remedy the situation. Hopefully, you won’t see too many of the nests as local councils are pretty good at ridding the culprits in the early stages. However, if you do I’d give them a wide berth and just admire them from a safe distance!

Posted in: Costa Blanca Gardening, Javea news, and Moraira news
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A very good day can be enjoyed by catching the train to Denia. Drive from Moraira to Teulada where it is very easy to park your car free of charge. The first train to depart is at 8.20 a.m. and the last one is 21.20. From Denia the first train to Teulada leaves at 6.50 a.m. and the last train at 19.50. A complete time table is available from the Tourist Office in Moraira.

The train stops very near the harbour where, incidentally, ships leave for the Balearic Islands. The harbour is very attractive with several open air cafes and restaurants all overlooking the fishing boats.

The main street of Denia, the Marques del Campo, is a delightful tree lined avenue, with many shops, boutiques and cafes. Also, walking up the street from the sea there is a covered indoor market tucked away on the right hand side.

There is also a castle on top of the hill, well worth visiting.

At the extreme top of the town there is a large market on Mondays and a car boot market on Fridays. This is situated on the other side of the roundabout from the large Mercadona.

Posted in: Javea news and Moraira news
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To buy, or not to buy? – that is the question.

Especially when some of the UK media are reporting that property in Spain is overpriced by 30%, that thousands of properties are empty, prices are falling, developers are going bust, and Spanish building company stocks are plummeting. Add to this the really scary stories of developers taking homeowners´ land, demolition of illegal buildings, and town hall corruption, and it´s enough to put you off the idea of owning a home in Spain completely!

Of course we all know that there’s “no smoke without fire” and there are obviously issues for concern, but we also know that the media excel at scaremongering – good news doesn´t make headlines. Perhaps some feedback from this Correspondent in Spain may dispel some of the misconceptions and generalizations.

These tales of doom and gloom apply only to very specific areas of Spain and if you do the research, there are still some very worthwhile investments to be made. Hang on tight to your dreams - Spain still offers all the attractions which drew you to it in the first place, not least the wonderful climate and some beautiful places to live.

Today’s poor exchange rates are obviously concerning prospective buyers relative to what they can buy for their £sterling. When we bought our home in Spain, the exchange rate was in the mid 1.80´s. The pound has gradually weakened over the past 5 years, to around the 1.30´s now. City analysts predict a further decline over the next few months, with the pound settling between 1.20 – 1.30 for some time and unlikely to rise above 1.30 again. Then, who knows, maybe the UK could join the euro?

We have no option other than to get used to it, but the weaker pound has clearly not discouraged us Brits from traveling, shopping and holidaying in the euro zone. Nor has it put us off moving abroad - according to UK government figures, a record 250,000 British nationals emigrated last year, with Spain and France in the top 4 destinations. It simply means you don’t get as much for your money as you might have a few years ago, unless you work hard to find it.

Right now may not really be the best time to sell, but it could certainly be the best time to buy, provided you do your research carefully.

We have been living and working in Spain for many years now and have seen the property boom and then the inevitable tail-off – not dissimilar to what seems to happen in the UK every few years. Being in the resale Spanish property business ourselves, we have to make sense of what is happening now in the Spanish property market to enable us to plan ahead and secure our future. We keep abreast of what´s being reported in the UK, but we have the benefit of first-hand experience and local knowledge to help us keep things in proportion.

When we first began researching where to live in Spain, we made numerous trips to all the Costa’s over a 4-year period, and almost gave up! We witnessed, nearly 10 years ago, the mass of new developments and housing estates being constructed in the sun. It was cheap, and awful. We knew then, and it wasn’t rocket science, that the bubble would one day burst as far as those areas were concerned.

The lack of infrastructure, poor locations and the whole mass housing estate boom was certainly not our Spanish dream and not surprisingly, it has become a terrible nightmare for some of the unsuspecting property purchasers of that time.

I can remember some of the property exhibitions and Reps on stands trying to reel us in with inspection tours and subsidised trips, geared for selling a vast number of properties. It was like lambs to the slaughter and we are glad that we never succumbed to it. That massive scale of new development and over-supply is responsible for much of today´s bad press and falling share prices of the larger construction companies.

We were fortunate that we had the time to thoroughly research our ideas and not get caught up in the whirlwind created by ravernous property conglomerates. Seeing so much development really put us off, and after nearly giving up on our Spanish dream, we found Moraira and Javea on the northern part of the Costa Blanca.

Moraira and Javea were already well established and had many beautiful, individually designed villas, but no high-rise and no housing estates. Developed areas were interspersed with lots of unspoilt pinewoods, vineyards and olive and almond groves. Looking inland, there were beautiful rolling landscapes and mountains, and coming from the Peak District National Park, it felt more like home!

We soon realized, though, that these exclusive and desirable locations had a much higher price tag than what was on offer elsewhere. This did not deter us, we decided to invest in location and compromise a little on the property. We are so glad we did!

The quest we embarked upon for our own “place in the sun” eventually became our business, offering property finding services to others looking for suitable property. We realised that most people don’t really have the time, contacts or expertise to seek out property in the best location and at the best price. They would rather work with us than alone, and we are here with our fingers on the pulse! See some of the testimonials.

We have seen a significant increase in a new breed of client over the past couple of years. People are shopping smarter these days, and 98% of clients are very active on the internet. But they soon realise that all is no