Steve's World Blog Information and articles on cities, towns and villages around the world.

March 25, 2012

Daya Nueva Alicante

Filed under: Costa Blanca,Facts,Spain — Tags: , , , , , , , — needahand @ 3:59 pm

Daya Nueva Alicante: Daya Nueva (in Valencian Daia Nova) is a municipality and town of Valencia, Spain. Located in the province of Alicante and the region of the Vega Baja del Segura (Low Fertile Valley of the River Segura), in the area to the left of the Segura River, east of Almoradi. The main economic activity of Daya Nueva has always been irrigated agriculture, producing citrus fruits, artichokes and potatoes. Currently the town has many shops and other businesses, and is gradually moving towards a more modern economy. Daya Nueva experiences a typical Mediterranean climate with sunny weather all year round. Daya Nueva has a population of 1,988 nearby town and villages include Daya Vieja, San Fulgencio, Almoradi, Dolores and Catral.

Learn more about the town of Daya Nueva here: http://www.needahandspanishproperties.com/daya-nueva.html

March 21, 2012

Valencia Fallas 2012

Filed under: Costa Blanca,Costa del Azahar,Events,Spain — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 8:05 am
Valencia Fallas 2012 Effigy of Elvis Presley

Valencia Fallas 2012 Effigy of Elvis Presley

Valencia Fallas 2012 – On Monday we took a coach trip to see the final evening of the Fallas celebrations in Valencia. We picked up in various places along the way ending in Gran Alacant which was the final pick-up. We then headed along the Costa Blanca coast passing the airport and going up the A31 past many of the old historic towns with castles such as Novelda, Sax, Petrer and Villena, then cutting through to the Font de la Figuera (Spring of the Fig Picker), and picking up the A35 past Moixent, Montesa, L’Alcudia de Crispins and Xativa before reaching Valencia, for us a journey of 4 hours (we got on at Cabo Roig).

While there are many different celebrations in the Fallas, the star of the show is the building of giant effigies which are burnt on the final night together with a massive firework display. Some of the effigies are huge (up to 20 metres high) and make fun of famous people mostly Spanish, though one of the best this year featured Elvis Presley with a number of other famous pop stars such as Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Freddie Mercury etc. I must say the giants are amazing an it seems a shame to burn them though they do hand out some smaller sections of the figures to local children.

There was some concern over the weather on the day as rain was expected and in the event the celebrations went on in fine weather (though a bit chilly) and it actually started to rain as we got back on the coach for the journey home (and on through the night, some 6 inches of rain in all!).

We really enjoyed the whole event and the burnings are amazing, if rather smelly and dangerous, with burning pices of polystyrene flying everywhere, the fireworks were excellent, the display of flowers was amazing.

Valencia Road Map.

Learn lots more about Valencia here: http://www.needahandspanishproperties.com/valencia.html

March 14, 2012

Montgo National Park Alicante

Filed under: Costa Blanca,Spain — Tags: , , , , , — needahand @ 2:25 pm

Montgo National Park Alicante Spain: The Montgo National Park, declared a Natural Park in 1987, covers an area of  2117.68 hectares and rises to 753 metres. The park which has witnessed the passage of man from ancient times has a high cultural and archaeological value. Noted for its more than 650 species of flora, among which are endemic as Carduncellus dianius . The Montgo National Park reaches the sea at Cape San Antonio, which at its feet is home to the Natural Reserve of the sea that bears its name, declared in 1994 by the importance of biodiversity that it contains. The Montgo National Park has some of the most spectacular scenery of the coast of Valencia.

Read more about the Montgo National Park here: http://www.needahandspanishproperties.com/montgo-national-park.html

March 4, 2011

A Stroll Around Alicante

Filed under: Costa Blanca,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , — needahand @ 1:33 pm

Located in a natural bay and sitting against the backdrop of the Monte Benacatil peak, the city of Alicante is a modern city with a chequered history leading it to where it lies today. Its strategic position has meant it has long been a major port but also a tourism centre, providing the city with much of its income. The 2nd largest city in Comunidad de Valencia, Alicante enjoys a booming economy, though this has declined somewhat due to the current financial constraints. The main shopping centre for the region Alicante attracts plenty of visitors just due to this one feature, with many of the surrounding, and popular, coastal resorts, having little in the way of retail outlets. It also has some great attractions and one of its most famous, the Santa Barbara Castle, looks proudly down on Alicante from its lofty position on Mount Benacatil. On the seafront you will find the beautiful Paseo de la Esplanada, a popular place to take an evening or weekend stroll. The Spanish just love to walk along the promenade, and Alicante is no exception, with thousands taking in the sea air, and enjoying the cooler evening weather conditions. Rows of palm trees line the promenade making this an attractive spot to sit and enjoy some lunch in one of the seafront restaurants. Easy to reach from the airport, which is just outside the city at El Altet, Alicante should be on your list of places to visit if you are heading to the Costa Blanca this year, or in fact any year. Alicante Map.

November 14, 2010

Benicassim Tickets 2011 Festival

Filed under: Costa del Azahar,Events,Spain — Tags: , , — needahand @ 12:22 pm

Tickets are now available for the 2011 FIB Heineken Benicassim Music Festival, which is scheduled for the 14th– 16th July 2011 in Benicassim. Make sure that you get your tickets booked early for this fabulous event which takes place in the coastal resort of Benicassim, on the Costa del Azahar, Valencia, Spain. The line up for the 2011 festival is yet to be announced, but as always, expect plenty of talent to be on show. Benicassim is a popular seaside resort, close to Castellon de la Plana, it has excellent sandy beaches and plenty of amenities and accommodation, though the offered tickets include 8 days camping on-site, if you prefer to rough it and take in the festival atmosphere. The currently offered £125 tickets are for ‘early bird’ Benicassim tickets only, and will not be around for long, expect to pay more once these tickets have gone.

September 24, 2010

Teruel Aragon Alpino Hotel

Filed under: hotels,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 12:04 pm
Teruel Aragon Alpino Hotel

Teruel Alpino Hotel Aragon

For your accommodation in the historic city of Teruel, why not stay at the Alpino Hotel, one of the best value establishments in this city in the Aragon region of Spain. Rooms in the Alpino Teruel offer bathroom, shower, television and internet access, hotel facilities include restaurant, bar, café, wi-fi internet access, city tours etc. Teruel is an ancient city which traces its history back to the Arab occupation of Spain, it is a mountainous region and there are some skiing resorts such as Valdelinares nearby which would be ideal if you are visiting during the winter time, this lesser known ski location will make a nice change from the usual crowded ski resorts. There are also some pretty villages nearby, a good example is Alcala de la Selva, which is a charming place to visit. Rooms in the Alpino Teruel are offered from around 25 euros per night (approx £21). Teruel is in the southern part of Aragon and is about 140 kilometres drive from Valencia on the coast.

August 10, 2010

Esmeralda Hotel and Spa Calpe

Filed under: Costa Blanca,hotels,Spain — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 3:28 pm
Esmeralda Hotel Calpe

Esmeralda Hotel Calpe

For your forthcoming trip to Calpe on the Costa Blanca, Spain, you could do little better than stay at the AR Roca Esmeralda Hotel and Spa, one of the many popular Calpe hotels on offer in this sought after coastal resort. Calpe, which is a little more laid back than nearby Benidorm is still pretty busy and has some decent facilities and fine sandy beaches to enjoy on your holiday. The facilities of Benidorm including the fabulous Terra Mitica theme park are all within a short drive of the resort. Rooms are offered in the Esmeralda Hotel Calpe from just 54 euros per night (£45) and all the usual hotel facilites will be found here including three swimming pools and two restaurants. The hotel is situated close to Levante Beach for those who prefer to sunbathe on the beach and enjoy the wonderful Calpe weather, which is mostly sunny right through the year. Calpe is within an hours drive of the closest airport at Alicante and is also within reach of Valencia airport, if you prefer this access point.

Get lots of information on the resort of Calpe here: http://www.calpe.my-costa-blanca.co.uk/

July 28, 2010

Hotel Cap Negret Altea

Filed under: Costa Blanca,hotels,Spain — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 2:43 pm

If you are planning a visit to the beautiful coastal resort of Altea on the Costa Blanca, Spain, you may be looking for a suitable hotel for your stay. You should certainly consider the beachside Negret Hotel Altea, as this is one of the most popular hotels in this fine resort. A fine 3 Star establishment the Negret Cap Hotel offers a great range of facilities and 250 rooms, all with balconies and private bathrooms. The hotel has a super outside swimming pool with spacious sun terrace for taking in the sun and enjoying the fabulous Altea weather which is mostly sunny throughout the year. Excellent meals are served up in the buffet restaurant, and outside drinks can be enjoyed in the poolside terrace bar. Altea is perfectly located for visiting the attractions of the northern Costa Blanca, especially Benidorm which is just a little south of Altea. The town is about 60 kilometres drive from the airport at Alicante and can also be reached from Valencia is this is your choice.

July 21, 2010

Port Denia Hotel Costa Blanca

Filed under: Costa Blanca,hotels,Spain — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 10:19 am
Port Denia Hotel

Port Denia Hotel Costa Blanca

If you are visiting the northern Costa Blanca coastal resort of Denia this year and are looking for a hotel for your accommodation in the town, you could do little better than to choose the Port Denia Hotel which is close to Playa Marianeta and just a short walk from Denia town centre. Ideal for a beach style holiday or just for a relaxing break in this ever popular resort the Port Denia has 280 bedrooms all with en-suite bathrooms, TV, air-con and terrace. Hotel fascilities include bar, restaurant, outdoor and indoor pools, children’s play facilities, sun terrace and internet access. Denia is one of the most northerly of the Costa Blanca resorts and is certainly one of the most popular, enjoying wonderful weather conditions and having miles of sandy beaches and coves surrounding the resort, beautiful coastline and good road access for visiting beautiful National Parks and other resorts such as Javea, Calpe, Moraira and Benidorm. In Benidorm of course you will find plenty to do with some of the finest theme parks in Europe. There are of course plenty of other hotels to choose from in Denia and these include the Adsubia, the Racona, the Giralda and the Los Angeles. Denia can be easily accessed from the N-332 or from the AP-7 motorway, it is roughly halfway between Valencia and Alicante, both have airports, giving a good choice for flights to the area. Rooms in the Port Denia Hotel start at around 76 euros.

See a guide to Denia here: http://www.denia.my-costa-blanca.co.uk/

June 17, 2010

Port Denia Hotel Spain

Filed under: Costa Blanca,Holidays,hotels,Spain — Tags: , , — needahand @ 4:35 pm
Port Denia Hotel

Port Denia Hotel Spain

The 3 star Port Denia Hotel is located in a residential area with easy access to the sea and next to the harbour, only 50 metres from Marianeta Beach. Denia town centre is located only 1 kilometre away. All hotel rooms were completely refurbished in 2005, rooms now have en-suite bathroom with hairdryer, Satellite TV, air-conditioning/heating, safety deposit box, telephone and mini-bar and broadband internet connection. Half of the rooms offer a balcony. At guests disposal an Internet corner is located in the lobby, there are indoor activities, there is an Indoor swimming pool with Spa area, Jacuzzi, showers, mini-gym and sauna. In the gardened area outside the hotel, there is a large swimming pool for adults and a smaller one for children, a solarium and children’s playground, an area of arcade games, table tennis and pool table, there is also a bowling alley. The entertainment team will be in charge of making guests stay most enjoyable with a schedule plenty of daily and nightly activities for adults and children. Denia is located on the north of the Costa Blanca between Alicante and Valencia. More Denia Hotels here: DENIA HOTELS.

BOOK PORT DENIA HOTEL

May 16, 2010

Orpesa Valencia

Filed under: Costa del Azahar,Spain — Tags: , , — needahand @ 10:44 am

One of the more peaceful resorts of the Costa del Azahar, Orpesa can be reached by taking the scenic coast road from Benicassim. The main attraction of Orpesa is its two main beaches, La Concha and Morro de Gos, though it has some historic monuments including the ruined Arabic castle and a couple of 16th century watchtowers. The nearby Prat de Cabanes-Torreblanca Natural Park, will be attractive to nature lovers and has some rare bird species in its environs. Orpesa is situated to the north of Benicassim in the Comunitat de Valencia, Spain.

May 14, 2010

Vilafames Valencia Spain

Filed under: Costa del Azahar,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 9:16 am

The ancient town of Vilafames climbs a steep hill at the northern tip of the Sierra de la Conteses, culminating in its restored Moorish castle which dominates the surrounding landscape. Located around twenty five kilometres north of the regional capital, Castellon de la Plana in the Comunidad de Valencia, Spain, Vilafames has a population of about 2,000 and a municipal area of 74 square kilometres. The old upper part of the town comprises a maze of narrow streets and alleys, lined with charming white-washed houses, looking much as it has for centuries, and is a popular tourist destination for those visiting the coastal resorts of the Costa del Azahar. Apart from the castle (Castillo) which offers a fine panorama of the area and has undergone many reparations since being conquered by Jaime I in 1233, you can visit the museum of contemporary art, located in the Palacio del Baile (originally 15th century), and displaying works by such artists as Miro, you could also visit the eighteenth century Iglesia de la Asunción church, the Ermita de San Miguel (17th century), or the Ermita de San Ramon (18th century). Vilafames is a little off the beaten track but can be accessed from the CV-15 (CV-10), nearby coastal resorts include Benicassim, Orpesa, and Marina D’Or.

April 20, 2010

Onda Spain

Filed under: Costa del Azahar,Spain — Tags: , , — needahand @ 9:33 am

One of the lesser known towns in the Valencia region of Spain, Onda is located just inland from the Costa del Azahar coastline and is approximately seventeen kilometres from Castellon de la Plana. Onda is overlooked by a ruined castle which was built by the Moors during their time in Spain. Onda is well worth a visit if only to take a look at its Natural Sciences Museum, which was founded and filled by a group of Carmelite monks and now has on show many thousands of creatures of all types and from all continents, forming an amazing and interesting exhibition. Also worth a look in Onda is the old town, which still has a medieval feel, and comprises many winding alleys and streets. Map of Onda.

April 17, 2010

Morella Valencia

Filed under: Costa del Azahar,History,Spain — Tags: , — needahand @ 1:49 pm

One of the most distinctive towns in the Valencia region of eastern Spain, Morella is a medieval walled town, overlooked by a 13th century Moorish castle. Its ancient fortified walls are intact and unbroken (save for seven entrance gates), and behind these walls lies a labyrinth of narrow alleyways and streets largely unchanged for centuries. The castle which is now in ruins, dated from the Arab occupation, although the current castle was built upon earlier Iberian and Roman fortifications. Morella has a number of interesting historical monuments and some fine museums.

March 26, 2010

Peniscola Castle Costa del Azahar

Filed under: Costa del Azahar,History,Spain — Tags: , , — needahand @ 9:38 am

The town of Peniscola, located on the Costa del Azahar, Valencia, Spain, is dominated by its charismatic castle, in fact the old part of the town is within the castle walls, where it would have been safe from pirate attacks, way back in more dangerous times. Often called the Castle of Papa Luna, Peniscola castle dates from the times of the Moors and was later conquered by Jaime I and ceded to the Knights Templar who changed and improved the fortification. The castle subsequently came under the control of the Order of Montesa, who gave it to Pope Luna (Benedict XIII) and it became his home for many years. The castle of Peniscola saw action in many conflicts including the War of Succession. The castle took on a different role in the 20th century and was the location for some of the scenes in the famous film ‘El Cid’, directed by Anthony Mann. The castle today is well preserved and worth a visit if you are in the Costa del Azahar area.

Older Posts »

Powered by WordPress