Steve's World Blog » valencia

A Stroll Around Alicante

needahand — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 13:33:36 +0000

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.

Benicassim Tickets 2011 Festival

needahand — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 12:22:39 +0000

Tickets are now available for the 2011 FIB Heineken Benicassim Music Festival, which is scheduled for the 14^th-16^th 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. Benicassim Map.

BOOK YOUR BENICASSIM TICKETS HERE.

Teruel Aragon Alpino Hotel

needahand — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 12:04:57 +0000

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.

Esmeralda Hotel and Spa Calpe

needahand — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:28:54 +0000

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.

Hotel Cap Negret Altea

needahand — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:43:29 +0000

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.

Port Denia Hotel Costa Blanca

needahand — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 10:19:49 +0000

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.

Port Denia Hotel Spain

needahand — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 16:35:05 +0000

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

Orpesa Valencia

needahand — Sun, 16 May 2010 10:44:55 +0000

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 16^th 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. Orpesa Map.

Vilafames Valencia Spain

needahand — Fri, 14 May 2010 09:16:09 +0000

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 15^th 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 (17^th century), or the Ermita de San Ramon (18^th 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.

Vilafames Map.

Onda Spain

needahand — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 09:33:15 +0000

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.

Morella Valencia

needahand — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 13:49:34 +0000

One of the most distinctive towns in the Valencia region of eastern Spain, Morella is a medieval walled town, overlooked by a 13^th 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.

Peniscola Castle Costa del Azahar

needahand — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 09:38:33 +0000

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 20^th 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.

View today’s weather in Peniscola: Weather in Peniscola.

Benicassim Costa del Azahar

needahand — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:02:23 +0000

A popular coastal resort on the Costa del Azahar, Valencia, Spain, Benicassim is also the location of the annual “International Festival of Rock Music” which is held during July/August each year, attracting thousands of visitors to the town from far and wide. Some bands have already been confirmed for the 2010 festival which this year takes place on 15^th-18^th July, and these include The Prodigy, The Specials, Ian Brown, Dizzee Rascal, PiL and Kasabian. Benicassim is situated in the province of Castellon between Orpesa and Castellon de la Plana, and is a busy holiday resort in the summer months, it has some excellent sandy beaches and a good choice of amenities. Benicassim has a history going back to Roman times and beyond (possibly Iron Age), its ruined castle was built in the 10th century by the occupying Moors, it became one of El Cid’s connquests during the late 11th century, and was overun by Jaime I in the 13th century. Benicassim can be accessed from the A-7 motorway.

Vinaros Costa del Azahar

needahand — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:42:17 +0000

An ancient fishing port in the Castellon province of eastern Spain, Vinaros was originally just a small hamlet founded by the Moors near to the coast. Developed as a port after the Christian reconquest, Vinaros survived largely through fishing and later vine growing. Its municipality includes some 12 kilometres of Costa del Azahar coastline, beginning at the River Senia and ending at Aiguadoliva, it includes numerous small coves and some excellent beaches, which are of course attractive to modern day tourists, who now provide an alternative income for the town. Renowned for its seafood and in particular its king prawns, Vinaros is a great place to try out some traditional Valencian dishes, in an attractive setting. Vinaros enjoys some wondeful weather, especially during the months May to October. Along the main promenade visitors will find plenty of bars, restaurants and hotels, further afield there are lots of attractive walks to enjoy, a visit to the harbour, is of course a must and here you can watch the fishermen arrive with their daily catch. Vinaros Map.

Sagunt Costa del Azahar

needahand — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:41:21 +0000

An important ancient city in the Comunitat de Valencia, Spain, Sagunt (Sagunto) is located in the fertile region of Camp de Morvedre. Built on a raised hill site approximately 25 kilometres north of the city of Valencia, Sagunt was founded as a fortified settlement by the ancient Iberians (early Spanish peoples) in the fifth century BC, some of the original settlement remains, notably limestone slabs from the Temple of Diana. The year 219 BC is the most notable for Sagunt, as it was then that Hannibal and his Carthaginian troops put the town under a siege which lasted some months and ended with the town being severely damaged and its people put to death. This directly led to the Second Punic War between Rome and Carthage, leading to the defeat of the Carthaginians and the occupation of Spain by the Romans. Sagunt is located on the Costa del Azahar and can be reached via the A-7 motorway or from the A-23. Map of Sagunt.

Busot Spain

needahand — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 07:45:38 +0000

A small village situated near to El Campello and Alicante on the Costa Blanca, Spain, Busot has a population of just over 3,000 and is a traditional Spanish village with an old world charm. Its biggest event of the year is its Moros y Cristianos festival which takes place on the weekend after Easter, the entire village is included in the celebrations. Most visitors to Busot will pass only on their way to the well known local attraction – the Cuevas del Canelobre, a system of caves which occur half way up a mountain rather than underground, as you would expect. The Cuevas del Canelobre, feature a huge main cavern with stalagmites and stalagtites which have been formed over millions of years and take on various shapes including one like a candelabra (canelobre). Busot is well signposted from El Campello, finding the caves from Busot is a little more tricky.

Cullera Valencia

needahand — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:58:38 +0000

A popular coastal resort and town on the Costa del Azahar coastline of eastern Spain, Cullera is situated just south of Valencia, and south east of Sueca, close to the L’Albufera Natural park. Cullera has a history going back to the Arab occupation, and its 13^th century fortress dated from this time. The fortress of Cullera stands on a mountain above the town as a reminder of Cullera’s historic past, when there was constant conflict between Moors and Christians. Cullera today is a popular holiday resort with numerous wonderful sandy beaches, a fabulous water park and some interesting places to visit. Cullera Map.

Travel on the Costa Brava Spain

needahand — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:12:54 +0000

Boasting some of the most attractive coastline in the whole of the Spain, the Costa Brava region is located in the extreme north-east of the country within the region of Catalonia. The Costa Brava borders France to the north, Aragon to the west and Valencia to the south and was one of the first regions of Spain to attract mass tourism as cheaper package holidays and flights took off during the 1960’s, from then on Costa Brava travel was a popular option for those seeking a bit of guaranteed sunshine and a holiday abroad. Obviously the excellent summer time climate was one of the biggest draws for the region but the many beautiful Costa Brava beach resorts and the fine beaches which service them was an additional attraction. Amongst the best known resorts there are some real gems, and many have an interesting history along with their appeal as pure holiday resorts. Places such as Roses, Blanes and Estartit are among the best known while inland towns such as Girona, Figueres and Begur also have much to offer. Those wishing to get the most from a visit to the region should purchase a decent Costa Brava guide book, which will advice of the best and most interesting places to visit. Costa Brava Map.

Castellon de la Plana Valencia

needahand — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:34:41 +0000

Capital city of the Castellon province of the Comunitat de Valencia, Castellon de la Plana has a population of around 170,000 and a history stretching back to the Moorish occupation of Spain, when the Arab castle of Fadrell was built to defend the town from the Christian reconquest. The castle did not do the trick for the Moors and the town was recaptured in around 1251, and the town moved from its mountain location to its present position close to the coast. During the Middle Ages, Castellon de la Plana was protected by fortified walls, moats and defensive towers, most of which was demolished during the 19^th century, as the town grew and expanded. It became a university city in 1991, with the founding of the Jaume I University. Castellon de la Plana is a busy industrial town, with a significant port area – El Grau de Castellon, it also has a number of fine beaches to the north of the harbour and attracts an increasing number of holidaymakers, as the surrounding Costa del Azahar becomes ever more popular. Map of Castellon de la Plana.

Costa del Azahar Resorts – Alcossebre

needahand — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:12:47 +0000

One of the tranquil coastal resorts of the Costa del Azahar, Spain, Alcossebre lies to the south of the Sierra de Irta Natural Park, a protected area of seafront and hinterland in the Comunitat de Valencia. A great place for a peaceful holiday, or for trekking along this beautiful stretch of coast, Alcossebre is a also a good spot for a beach holiday, with plenty of uncrowded, sandy beaches, and relatively safe bathing waters. Alcossebre and its neighbouring Les Fonts have around 5 ‘Blue Flag’ beaches in all, so you should certainly find one to suit. Culture lovers can head for the nearby town of Alcala de Xivert, with its 13^th century Moorish castle, it has a long and interesting history. Sports lovers are also well catered for in Alcossebre, as there are golf facilities nearby, and of course water sports are readily available, hikers and cyclists will be in their element with a wide choice of attractive routes on offer. As for the climate, it is mostly sunny and dry, with well over 300 sunny days each year, Alcossebre weather can generally be expected to be pleasant, whenever you visit. Easily reached from the A-7 motorway, which runs close to the town, Alcossebre is also only 90 kilometres from Valencia airport. Alcossebre Map.