Located between Alicante and Santa Pola on the Costa Blanca, Spain, the new development and resort of Gran Alacant is ideally situated for holidays and holiday homes. If you are thinking of resettling in the area then Gran Alacant may be just the place for you. Overlooking the azure blue Mediterranean Sea it is located beside the sand dunes of Santa Pola and Los Arenales del Sol and is just 4 km from the airport at Alicante. Great as a base for touring the Costa Blanca, as it located centrally and you can soon be in the mountainous area to the north where you can visit such picturesque places as Guadalest and the Fuentes de Algar waterfall, or head south for the flat plains of the Vega Baja and some interesting towns such as Torrevieja and Orihuela.
September 7, 2009
Guadalest Costa Blanca
Guadalest Castle
One of the most visited locations on the Costa Blanca, Castell de Guadalest is an amazing place with a long history. Overlooked by its 12th century castle, built by the Moors in an inaccessible location atop a steep mountain, Guadalest is a picture postcard village with a resident population of just a couple of hundred. The upper town and castle can only be reached by entering a 15 metre long tunnel, carved from solid rock, and the streets below and above are lined with tiny souvenir shops selling mementos and local products. From the village square at the top there is a spectacular view of the Embalse de Guadalest reservoir, way below in the valley. The castle of Guadalest gave refuge to the Moors in their struggle for control of the area when besieged by the reconquering Christians, and held out here long after much of Spain had fallen, a picture of the castle can be seen above, showing how inaccessible this place is.
Catral Spain
One of the many Vega Baja villages of the Alicante province of Spain, Catral is spread over a wide area with numerous detached villas on large plots of land, suggesting that maybe this is a new place. Far from it however as the village existed way back in Moorish times when it was known as Al-Quatrullat. The surrounding area became important for agriculture during the 18th century when the nearby marshes were drained for this purpose, Catral thus became more prosperous and it gained its independence from Orihuela in 1741. Life in Catral these days revolves around the village square, where you will find the ubiquitous church and of course the Town Hall (Ayuntamiento), from here a maze of quaint streets wind into shopping then residencial areas. One of the biggest days of the year in Catral takes place on June 24th, when the village celebrates its patron saint San Juan, an event which attracts visitors from far and wide as well as local residents of the village.
View a property for sale in Catral here: Catral Property
See a villa for sale in Catral here: Catral Villa
Get a location map here: Map of Catral.
September 6, 2009
Gandia Spain
The northernmost town on the Costa Blanca or the southernmost on the Costa del Azahar (depending on your allegiance) is the industrial town of Gandia, I am calling it a town but it is generally regarded as a city. With a population of around 77,000, Gandia sits on the River Serpis about 65 kilometres south of Valencia, and has two separate areas – the town and the beach. Not so well known to International tourists, the wonderful sandy beaches of Gandia have long been popular with the Spanish who flock there in their thousands each year. The town itself does not have much appeal as a holiday destination, being more of a working town, but it does have an interesting history and a number of fascinating places to visit, the best known being the Palau Ducal former home of the Borja family. Gandia was originally settled by Iberians and later by Romans and Moors and was later a university town, becoming an important cultural and commercial centre in the 15th and 16th centuries. One of Gandia’s famous residents was Ausiàs March born in 1397 and considered by many the finest Valencian poet. The port of Gandia was founded in 1886, the railway line to Alcoy in 1893. These days Gandia is a bustling, modern city surrounded by orange groves and still sporting a considerable fishing fleet. Gandia Map.
Fortuna Murcia Spain
Located in the province of Murcia in south-eastern Spain, the spa town of Fortuna is one of Spain’s natural wonders, boasting an abundance of hot springs that were originally developed by the Romans over 2,000 years ago. The small town of Fortuna has a population of just over 6,000 and is around 18 kilometres from the city of Murcia, about 45 kilometres from the coastlines of the Costa Calida and the Costa Blanca. The history of the town goes back to the times of the Iberians, when settlements were founded in such places as Castillejo, Capres and Cortao de las Peñas. Later the Romans appreciated the abundance of water in an area prone to drought, and quickly built a spa there, as they did in similar locations all over Europe. After the collapse of the Roman Empire the Moors took over in Fortuna, and their influence is still visible in the town by way of the Moorish Castle (Castillico de los Moros). The spa’s today take advantage of the thermal waters bubbling up at 126 degrees F and people come from miles around to enjoy the healing properties of the waters, renowned for the treatment of rheumatic arthritis, osteoporosis and asthma. Fortuna is located north of the city of Murcia near to the town of Abanilla. Fortuna Map.
September 5, 2009
Elche Spain
Renowned for its huge palm tree forest, the city of Elche in the province of Alicante, Spain, is the 3rd largest city in the Comunidad de Valencia. Well woth a visit if you are in the Costa Blanca area, Elche has a history going back to the times of the ancient Iberians, who built a city called Helike. The palm trees were introduced by the Phoenicians and over 200,000 specimens surround and invade the city. Elche is also famous for its shoe industry, the largest in Spain, don’t buy your shoes anywhere else, get them during a trip to Elche. The region enjoys a superb climate and is attractive to both holidaymakers and those wishing to relocate, with a good selection of Elche property being available. The beaches of Santa Pola and La Marina are nearby, with the usual range of facilities on hand. Elche Map.