May 17, 2023 | Activities/Services
Once again this year the quality of the Costa Blanca North is evident, on this occasion the quality of its beaches, coves and marinas.
The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) through Adeac (Association for Environmental and Consumer Education) internationally recognises the high quality of the water of a beach or cove, but also values and rewards the accessibility, the sanitary measures it is equipped with, and the actions carried out to promote environmental education, without forgetting cleanliness and safety.
Here are the beaches, coves and marinas awarded with the blue flag 2023:
Altea: Cap Blanc, La Roda, L’Espigó and Altea Nautic club
Calpe: Cantal Roig, La Fossa, L’Arenal Bol and the Real Club Nautic of Calpe
Benissa: Cala Baladrar, Cala Fustera and Les Bassetes Sailing Club
Teulada-Moraira: El Portet, L’Ampolla, Platgetes and Moraira Nautic Club
El Poble Nou in Benitachell: Cala del Moraig
Xàbia: Granadella, La Grava and the Jávea Nautic Club
Denia: Les Bovetes, Les Marines, Marineta Casiana, Molins, Punta del Rasset, Marina Denia and the Real Club Nautic of Denia.
20 beaches and coves and 7 marinas within a radius of 30 kilometres with blue flag 2023, one more reason to choose Costa Blanca North, to come and discover a unique paradise, enjoy a holiday, and why not, to create a new home. If, like us, you have fallen in love with the Costa Blanca North, we invite you to visit www.vapf.com, a unique home to live in a unique location.
May 5, 2023 | Activities/Services, Cumbre del Sol
In Poble Nou de Benitatxell we find wonderful and unknown places, natural paradises of immense beauty, such as the Riu del Moraig or Riu Blanc, an underwater river of fresh and salt water unique in the world made up of numerous sinkholes and galleries.
Few people have ventured into this unknown cavity in the very bowels of the earth. However, since last month and thanks to the Moraig Exploration Group (GEM), formed by divers Eliseo Belzunce, Carles Ramoneda, Joel Borrazas, Guaica Armisén, Jonathan Alcántara, Vicente Gil, Belén Andrés, José María Cortés, Josi Olave, Sasha Karnilovich, Óscar Dolcet, Emanuel Ávila, Albert Pete and other expert geologists, oceanographers, marine biologists, etc. who collaborate in their studies, we know a little more about this gift of nature.
Since 2013, this group of cavers from all over Spain has taken on the challenge of diving into its depths, and has managed to go where no one has gone before. Others tried before to complete the studies carried out by José María Cortés or the German Bernhard Pack, who died in 1992 during a dive in the Moraig. They reached a distance of 1,125 metres in this complex grotto and, later, a group of English researchers reached 1,350 metres.
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Image courtesy of. Poble Nou de Benitatxell Town Council
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Image courtesy of. Poble Nou de Benitatxell Town Council
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Image courtesy of. Poble Nou de Benitatxell Town Council
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Image courtesy of. Poble Nou de Benitatxell Town Council
But the GEM has managed to double that figure and reach a distance of 2,500 metres and a depth of 100 metres. And not only that. Although the furthest end is 2,500 metres, in total, if you add up the distances of all the secondary galleries, the cave now has 6,000 metres of known development, while the last map developed by Bernhard Pack was about 2,500 metres, says Eliseo Belzunce, one of the group’s divers.
The professionalism of the explorers and the technical advances, which are many compared to what they were in the 1990s, have contributed to this progress. The Moraig Exploration Group has equipment that allows it to stay underwater much longer and does not emit bubbles, much more powerful lighting and faster tugboats with more autonomy. “It all adds up and means that things that seemed unthinkable before can now be done more easily”.
That’s for sure. The risk is always there. “You are out of your environment and any small mistake can cause an accident. However, we are a team with a lot of training, preparation and technique, and the problems we can have underwater are foreseeable problems”.
The last time they were in the cave was last January 2023. “We went because it hadn’t rained since the end of November and we thought the visibility conditions were going to be very good”. Surprisingly, it wasn’t, so they went about equally important tasks, such as passing the scooter to get the map out of a secondary gallery.
Now, after all the exploration work, they hope to soon be able to publish a map with the latest advances made to date. “We are taking volumes out of the cave and taking data on bearings, distances, depths, etc. to be able to produce it. And it will be the most complete and developed map of this sea cave. The one of the places never explored in the Riu del Moraig.
We will continue to keep you informed of the progress and discoveries of the Moraig Exploration Group (GEM).
Press release: Ayto Poble Nou de Benitatxell
Apr 13, 2023 | Benitachell, Cumbre del Sol
If you are one of the lucky residents of Cumbre del Sol, you are bound to have heard of Benitachell, the municipality where our exclusive development is located. However, if you would like to discover all its services and learn more about its history and there’s a lot more to that than you might think, keep reading and we’ll give you all the details.
Firstly, we look back at the history of the municipality which has a fascinating past given the different cultures of those who inhabited its villages and farmsteads. Islamic culture is one example, having given the place its name, as well as naming other districts such as Moraig, the beach at the foot of our mountain that is one of the most treasured spots in the Mediterranean. Although if we’re talking place names, did you know that the official name is El Poble Nou de Benitatxell? That’s because it was the last village to be repopulated by Christians in this part of La Marina.
Dicover the charms of Benitachell
Now that you know a little more about this lovely little town, how about taking wander with us around its historic centre? We start at the Jaime Llobell oratory or chapel of prayer. Entrance to the hermitage leads into an interior patio where you can admire the simple baroque style with its neoclassical touches. A weekly mass is held in the hermitage on Saturday evenings. Back in the open again, just 5 minutes away, after crossing the calle de la Pau and calle Mayor, you come to the Town Hall, with its rough-hewn stone façade, a material that is used widely in the area. Continue on to the church square, where you will come to the town’s most prized monument located at its highest point, namely the church of Saint Mary Magdalen. Don’t be put off by its rather austere exterior, inside it is richly decorated mainly in white and gold. And finally, you have to visit El Portalet, the gateway leading to the back of the church square and behind it you will find the lookout point or mirador with views of Montgó natural park, Cabo de Sant Antioni and the bay of Jávea. Don’t forget to round off your walk with a good meal, and on the Town Hall web site you’ll find all the restaurants in the area, why not try one?
A village with every service and plenty of things to do
Benitachell has all the services that you need within reach, such as schools, post office. Police station, pharmacy, health centre etc. Not only that, but the municipality is committed to the environment and has a green point for Cumbre del Sol residents, located right beside the shopping centre, which encourages recycling, and so that residents can dispose of their waste easily including gardening waste.
However, leisure and entertainment also play a part in this story. Would you like to practise your steps or learn to play an instrument? Sign up to the Municipal School of Music and Dance, although if you are more of a reading type, you can lose yourself among books and stories in the Municipal Library. Not only that, but the Town Hall is always planning new activities and it just so happens that we are right in the middle of the Mitjafava Fest, with a series of events which will be continuing until 23 April, such as the longest broad bean and the bean with most gallons. You can check out the festival programme here. Another interesting activity for making the most of Benitachell is Maria Monfort’s Paisatges de la meua terra Exhibition which you can find at the Municipal Market until 15 May.
Now that you have all the information you need to get the most from Benitachell, remember to look out for our upcoming blog posts to keep abreast of everything that’s going on in Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol.
Apr 4, 2023 | Activities/Services, Cumbre del Sol, Other towns
The Costa Blanca Norte is a paradise on earth. Not just because of its incredible climate but also for its many different landscapes and scenarios. Grab your mobile phone or camera, make sure you have plenty of battery, and get ready to take some stunning photos!
The Red Wall in Calpe
If you are a fan of Instagram you will be well aware that the above photo pictures the Muralla Roja or Red Wall. This construction is located in the Manzanera development and was designed and built by Ricardo Bofill. Moreover, this just happens to be the 50th anniversary of its construction. It was inspired by African adobe towers and it is striking for its characteristic range of colours and its straight lines. The building has been declared a cultural heritage site. The stairs actually inspired those that feature in the famous Squid Game series. And given its rather peculiar beauty it has been used as the scenario for numerous commercial videos for brands such as Zara. It is certainly one of the coolest places on the Costa Blanca Norte!
Cala Barraca in Jávea
This rocky cove is also known as Portitxol as it looks out onto the island of that name, which is some 300 metres across. You can get to the island by canoe or Jet Ski. You could also swim there but be careful if it is windy. This little beach is also striking for its white fishermen’s huts and the well-known blue door. One interesting activity in this area is scuba diving. And other sports include canoeing. Make the most of the dawn light for a truly memorable photo!
Forat de Bernia in Benissa
If you have ever been looking for photos of the beaches in Costa Blanca Norte, you will certainly have come across a picture of this place. It is actually an aperture in the rocks that affords a fantastic view of the bay of Altea. To get there first you must walk along a little hiking trail. It is an easy enough, however as the path can be a bit stony it is best to wear appropriate footwear. It is also gets quite busy along the trail so if you want a photo without lots of people, make sure you set out early.
Altea old town centre
Altea is a charming little town ideal for taking a stroll with your camera. The narrow streets of the old town are a well-known scenario. In fact, the place is often referred to as the “Balcony of the Mediterranean”. It has several iconic spots such as the Glorieta del Maño lookout point. Although if you are looking for something a little bit different, just go for a wander around. However, be ready to climb a few steep hills… The old town centre of Altea is so lovely that a snapshot of just about anywhere here would be worth uploading to your Instagram feed.
Cala Granadella in Jávea
The Cala de la Granadella is close by Cumbre del Sol. This little cove is famous for the blue colour of its waters that ranges from turquoise to emerald green. It is such a lovely beach that it tends to be very popular with visitors. To protect the place, sometimes daily visitor numbers are restricted. As a result we suggest you visit this beach out of season. Make the most of the proximity of your home to take some fantastic photos! It is the perfect scenario for snapshots of nature or water sports such as snorkelling.
The summit of Peñón de Ifach in Calpe
This peak or Peñón as it is known locally is one of the most iconic spots on the Mediterranean coast. And especially appreciated in the Costa Blanca Norte. The limestone peak rises to 332 metres. It has been declared a Nature Reserve and as it receives so many visitors, it is necessary to apply for permission to visit. The reason is that visits are restricted to a daily quota of 300 people. Therefore, if you are thinking about taking some photos for your social networks, bear that in mind. It is a truly iconic place with enormous charm. You won’t want to leave without taking a great photo!
Mar 28, 2023 | Activities/Services, Local events
With the onset of good weather, it’s time to get out of the house, breathe in the fresh air and feel the spirit of nature and the light that bring life to Cumbre del Sol. There are endless things to do around your home, however our blog always has something new to offer from end to end of the Costa Blanca Norte.
Benissa is one of the least-known places in the Marina Alta. This gap in awareness of its existence is actually commensurate with its beauty. It has one of the oldest town centres in the area, as well as lovely countryside, beaches and monuments with an endless list of things to do, both in the town and its surrounding area. One of its most picturesque (and unknown) attractions is surely its cave paintings. We tell you about them in this article, where to find them, and how to visit them.
The charm of the unknown
There is nothing like discovering something new somewhere just a few kilometres from your home, and that is exactly the case with these cave paintings. You can reach the place on foot along a hiking trail, just 5 kilometres from Benissa, or if you prefer, you can also get there by car. It is close to the rural district of Pinos at a place called Abrigo de Pinos (Shelter of the Pines but also known locally as “Barranc de la Tía Isabel”).
The shelter is an overhang of chalky rock some 200 metres long which has several caves, in one of which you will find the paintings. They were discovered in 1970, and in 1985 they were officially declared as Cultural Heritage and, subsequently a World Heritage Site. The set of paintings is protected by a metal grill placed on the rock wall so that the paintings can be viewed without getting too close, thus they are protected from deterioration or any other problems. There are four explanatory panels alongside them so that you can situate them in time and understand the figures, as many are camouflaged by the rock. Even so, the one known as “Eva Pinera” has become an iconic figure. Standing with arms akimbo, experts have dated this painting as 6,000 to 8,000 years old. At just 50 centimetres away from this figure, it is possible to discern a zoomorphic representation typical of the Levante which has been partially lost. There is also another portrayal of four figures that appear to be holding hands.
Unmissable Benissa
If having viewed the paintings you are thinking of what else you can do, we suggest that you visit Benissa if you don’t know it yet. In the Marina Alta, and only a short distance from the road leading to places like Calpe, Moraira, Altea, Teulada or Benidorm, the town is easy to reach and an essential stop-off in the Costa Blanca Norte.
One of the reasons that you will love this place is its cuisine. Strongly influenced by the sea and the mountains, it is varied and made with care. The star dish here is “putxero de polp”, or octopus casserole, originally a fishermen’s dish. This stew is made with pulses (beans) potatoes, vegetables and rice.
Benissa is a must-see if you want to discover somewhere in the Marina Alta that is less well-known, but certainly no less charming. Some months ago we published a post on plans for things to do in Benissa and you can read about it here. We suggest that you look out for our upcoming blog posts so that you don’t miss out on anything going on around Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol.
Mar 15, 2023 | Activities/Services, Events, Otros pueblos
Cherry blossom time is one of the year’s great events. Every springtime the cherry blossom in the Vall de la Gallinera, in the Marina Alta, rewards us with this spectacle. It is a phenomenon that usually occurs mid-March to early April depending on the weather.
The Costa Blanca Norte in general and Cumbre del Sol in particular is one of the loveliest places in Spain, known for its beaches and coves, but also for its interior. This area inland is one of the best places to see the cherry trees in bloom. It is a spectacle that has been acknowledged by the Comunitat Valenciana Tourist Office and also travel magazines such as Condé Nast Traveler. This district is up there with the best known parts of Spain, such as Alfarnate, in Málaga, the Valle del Jerte, in Cáceres, El Hornillo in Ávila and the Valle de las Caderechas in Burgos as one of the best places to view one of nature’s spectacles.
Historically known as a cherry producing area, La Vall de Gallinera is a village of 570 inhabitants that lies in a valley. The river Gallinera runs through it and it is ringed by the mountains of the Sierra del Almirante, the Sierra de la Albureca and the Sierra Foradada.
Benirrama, Benialí, Benissivà, Benitaia, La Carroja, Alpatró, Llombai and Benissili make up the area where you enjoy a unique sight in the Comunitat Valenciana region along the “8 Villages Trail”. This is the ideal way to discover the area as you pass by the natural springs, water troughs, charming little streets, the surrounding countryside and of course cherries. We tell you the best way to go about it!
Discover inland Costa Blanca Norte
The “8 Villages Trail” is a route that you take at any time of the year, as we have mentioned it is particularly recommended in March, to coincide with the cherry blossom that carpets the slopes of Vall de Gallinera with a blanket of white.
The trail is 14 kilometres long, although you can walk just parts of it as you wish. The route is signposted and runs mainly through tarmac farm tracks, with only slight inclines (with the odd exception) and so it is ideal for children on one of those sunny Sundays that are perfect for a family outing.
However, this is not a circular route, so the entire return trip is 28 kilometres which might be a bit much if you simply want to enjoy the countryside. So instead we recommend one of the following options:
- If you travel with 2 cars, you could leave one at the start, and park another one at the end of the trail, and that way you can walk the whole 14 km just one way.
- Simply walk a part of the route. In that case you could start out from one of the villages along the way. It would probably be best to choose one of the central villages which have the most services and facilities if you are planning to stop and eat, Benialí, where La Vall town council is located, is a good choice.
One of the main attractions along the route are the innumerable springs that bubble up fresh and clear from the mountain peaks of the Serra Foradà, on the southern side of the valley and from the Serra de l’Almirall, which encloses the valley to the north.
The trail is indicated at all times. In each village you will find panels containing information, as well as signposts at regular intervals along the way.
In short, this is a route for everyone, because you can walk the trail (and see the springs, public laundry places and enjoy the countryside in this beautiful valley) or by car and enjoy exploring all the villages.
The area is well kept with a lot of history and architectural, artistic and natural heritage. A spectacular landscape with its high mountains and a lively environment. We cannot think of a better plan close by, as spring approaches, than to have a wander around these eight villages with the cherry blossom as an added extra.
