One of the popular coastal resorts in the region of Benidorm on the Costa Blanca, Spain, Albir was in ancient times a small fortified village known as L’Alfas de Polop, the name being taken from the Arabic ‘sown land’. It grew as an agricultural town, productive in olives, almonds and grapes, irrigation methods developed by the Moors made it a productive area, it also had a small mining industry. Refortified after the Christian reconquest, in order to defend it from attacks by Berber pirates, Albir (also known as Alfaz del Pi) continued as an agricultural town right into the 20th century, when a developing tourist industry changed the complexion of the town. Albir has a number of attractions including its fine beach Albir Playa, which has blue flag status for cleanliness, every July Albir holds a film festival which attracts thousands of visitors to the town. The town has also become a popular area for relocation and many holiday homes have been purchased in the area by non-spanish residents, some settling in the area, of the 17,000 inhabitants some 9,000 are of foreign nationality, the largest percentage being Norwegian. Sheltered by the Sierra Helada the town, beach and promenade enjoy a wonderful climate, perfect for holidays all year round. Albir Map.
August 13, 2009
Gran Canaria Towns – Arguineguin
Known since Guanche times, when it was called “quiet water”, the Gran Canaria town of Arguineguin in the Canary Islands, is a peaceful town on a stretch of otherwise busy coast. A typical fishing village it has a harbour and a fine beach, and is developing as a holiday resort slowly but surely, with a number of hotels and holiday homes. Arguineguin is especially well loved for its seafood restaurants, which serve up high quality fish dishes made from fresh ingredients caught that day, it is also renowned for its Tuesday market the biggest on the island.
Gran Canaria Towns – Aguimes
One of the lesser known inland towns of Gran Canaria in the Spanish Canary Islands, Aguimes has a population of twenty two thousand and its skyline is dominated by the huge towers of its magnificent church the Iglesia de San Sebastion, a fine example of Neo-Classical architecture, constructed in the eighteenth century. Easy to reach from the coastal resorts of Maspalomas and Playa del Ingles, Aguimes is also close to Gran Canaria airport.
Review of Aguilas Costa Calida
Situated at the southern extreme of the Costa Calida coastline, the town of Aguilas is an attractive little town boasting some twenty eight kilometres of coastline. Laying within the region of Murcia, Aguilas has a long history and was originally settled by Greeks, who sailed along these coasts setting up trading posts. Worth visiting in Aguilas is the 18th century castle, the 16th century watch tower, the Dovecote and the Railway Monument, an old train, constructed in Scotland. Aguilas is situated about 103 kilometres from Murcia and has a population of around 32,000. Aguilas Map.
July 31, 2009
Frigiliana Costa del Sol
Frigiliana Costa del Sol Andalucia – Just 6 kilometres inland from the resort of Nerja on the Costa del Sol, Andalucia, Spain, the pretty pueblo blanco (“white village”) of Frigiliana is a pleasant place to visit if you are in the area. Sitting high on a mountain ridge on the lower slopes of the Sierra de Tejeda, Frigiliana enjoys panoramic views of the nearby coastline and also the valley of the River Higueron. It’s attractive white-walled house line quaint narrow, winding, cobbled streets, with the occasional gift or handicraft shop to remind visitors that this is the 21st century. Historically Frigiliana was the scene of a bloody siege and battle in the sixteenth century when during the rebellion of Alpujarras, Moriscos taking refuge in Frigiliana Castle were defeated and expelled, many throwing themselves from the castle walls rather than be captured by the victorious Christian forces. Frigiliana is located on the MA-5105 north of Nerja.
Read more about Frigiliana here: http://www.needahandspanishproperties.com/frigiliana.html
July 29, 2009
Travel on the Costa Dorada Spain
Less developed and generally less well known than the Costa Brava to the north, the Costa Dorada region of Spain takes in some 216 kilometres of coast and hinterland and boasts some wonderful sandy beaches and popular resorts. The Costa Dorada is not all about the seaside resorts, there are also some interesting inland cities and areas to explore and Costa Dorada travel should take in some of these places as well. Some of the interesting and historic cities include Tarragona, Reus, Falset, Valls and Xerta, there are around 40 cities in all in the region, pick out some of the more interesting for your visit. For instance in Xerta you can see the spectacular Moorish Weir which is over 1,000 years old, in Benifallit you can visit the fascinating caves, Tarragona, a beautiful old Roman city has an ancient city wall and also a Roman aqueduct and amphitheatre, further inland you can visit the picturesque River Ebro Valley or maybe go fishing in the river, it is famous for its huge catfish. Back to the coast and many choose the resort of Salou for their beach style holidays, this is not everyones taste, but it suits thousands each year. What is the best time to visit? Well this depends on what type of holiday you are seeking, in the summer time Costa Dorada weather can be very hot, although on the coast, sea breezes make it altogether more bearable, it is wetter and cooler in the winter months but mostly mild with temperatures ranging from 7-10 degrees Centigrade. If you wish to make the most of your trip and visit some of the fascinating places on offer you will need to check out the best Costa Dorada car hire deals, as having your own transport is essential for getting the best out of your holiday. For a holiday suiting a wide variety of tastes visit the Costa Dorada in Spain sometime soon.
Learn more about the Costa Doradada here: http://www.needahandspanishproperties.com/costa-dorada.html
July 28, 2009
Review of Portinatx Ibiza
Hidden away at the northern end of Ibiza in the Balearic Islands, Spain, the small resort town of Portinatx is a purpose built tourist destination which is quieter than many of the lively Ibiza resorts. Perfect for a peaceful family holiday, Portinatx has four super beaches and plenty of facilities, it is a wonderful location for water sports and in particular snorkelling and scuba diving, for those who prefer to stay dry there is a glass-bottomed boat so that you can view the marine life from a more comfortable position. The rugged coastline of this area of Ibiza is great for hiking, cycling and walking and panoramic views of the town and coastline can be enjoyed by those willing to burn a few calories. One of the best walks is a 10 km hike from Portinatx to Punta de Xarraca, but this is tough, so don’t try it unless you are prepared for a tough hike over rocky terrain. To the east you will find the village of Sant Vicent Sa Cala and its coastal limb Sa Cala, worth a visit if you have an hour or two to spare. Portinatx itself has plenty of self-catering accommodation and has some decent hotels, one of the best being the Hotel Presidente Portinatx a 4 Star hotel in a wonderful setting. The resort enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate with Portintax weather being suitable for both summer holidays and winter breaks. Portinatx is a compact resort which can be reached from Ibiza Town via the C-733.
Read about Portinatx Ibiza here: http://www.needahandspanishproperties.com/portinatx.html
Majorca – Interesting and Historic Sights
The holiday island of Majorca in the Balearic Islands is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain. The large majority of holidaymakers head for the well known beach resorts and may be missing out on some interesting and lesser known attractions that would add to the enjoyment of their visit. The best prehistoric site on Majorca is located 5 kilometres inland from Cala Pi, this Talaiotic site known as Capocorb Vell takes the form of an ancient village, some 3,000 years old. South of Algaida is Puig de Randa, site of an ancient monastery founded by Ramón Llull a famous resident of Majorca, it was founded in the 13th century. Off the south coast of Majorca about 18 km off Colonia Sant Jordi, you can visit Cabrera Island, now a protected Natural Park, it boasts the famous “Blue Grotto” cavern and some rare species of flora and fauna. Close to Colonia Sant Jordi on the Majorcan mainland is a small town known as Ses Salines, significant since Roman times for the production of salt, which was extracted from local marshes. East of the capital Palma de Mallorca, is the hub of the Majorcan shoe making industry, Llucmajor, which was also the scene of a bloody battle between two Spanish kings, resulting in the death of Jaime III and the end of the Kingdom of Majorca. This is the end of a short journey to just some of Majorca’s interesting places to visit, so if you are looking for something a little more than lazing on the beach, lapping up the fabulous Majorca weather, then the places listed above may be just right for you.
The Spanish Town of Yecla
The town of Yecla lies on the borders of the provinces of Murcia, Alicante and Albacete amidst mountainous countryside, in south-eastern Spain. The town and municipality with its population of around 30,000 is actually within the Comunidad de Murcia and is a modern industrial town but with a long and interesting history, much of the old town still remains. While there is evidence that there may have been settlements in and around Yecla as long ago as the Upper Palaeolithic Era (30,000 BC) the main human activity appears to have begun during the Bronze Age, probably around the 2nd to 3rd Centuries BC. These early settlers were followed by the ancient Iberians and a little later by the Romans who introduced grape growing and wine production to the area and established the first civilised society. Little else is known of the history of the town until the Arab occupation when a defensive fortress was built (probably during the 11th Century) and the town took on its name ‘Yakka’. The Arabs remained until the Christian re-conquest in the 13th Century when Alfonso the Wise took control of the town in 1243, after which it came under the control of the Marquisate of Villena. The population of the town grew steadily up until the mid-fifteenth Century, when there appears to have been increased urban development in the town and something of a population explosion during the 16th Century. This was followed by a period of decline during the 17th Century when constant wars, epidemics and emigration led to a decline in both the economy and population of the town. Recovery began in the 18th Century and continued in the 19th Century when grape growing and wine production were further developed by French wine merchants following an outbreak of Phylloxera in France. Besides grape growing Yecla is well known for the production of furniture and this has become important for the economy of the town, where you will find numerous factories and furniture outlets. There are some interesting places to visit in Yecla and a good place to start would be the Plaza Mayor where you will find the Town Hall and Tower Prison (Torre de la Cárcel – 16th-18th C), the Palacio de los Alarcos (16th Century), the Clock Tower (17th Century) and the Guildhall (19th Century). Other places to visit include the ruined 11th Century castle, the Arciprestal Basilica (built between 1775 and 1868), the Francisan Church of San Francisco from the 16th Century and the Church of the Assumption also from the 16th Century, there are also a number of museums and other churches to see. Yecla celebrates a number of fiestas and festivals including the San Blas in February, the Romeria de San Marcos in April, the Fiesta de los Judas in May and the Feria de Septiembre in September coinciding with the Feast of St. Martin. Yecla holds its weekly market on Wednesdays and also hold a large Furniture Fair in September. Yecla is located on the N-344 west of Villena.
Learn even more about Yecla here: http://www.needahandspanishproperties.com/yecla.html