Jun 8, 2022 | Activities/Services, Cumbre del Sol, Other towns, Otros pueblos, Something special
The Costa Blanca is a favourite tourist destination. It is just like an open air museum filled with history, culture and festivities. Aside from its fabulous beaches, there are many places of interest that are worth a visit, and the splendour and cultural heritage of its villages invite you to explore and discover them further.
Romanesque churches, historic neighbourhoods with their Arab architecture, or castles from a bygone age. Fiestas, monuments and tradition which will take you back to remote times as you explore the cultural heritage of the villages in this area. Discover some magical places just a step away from the Mediterranean seashore!
Festivals and fun on the Costa Blanca
There’s a festive spirit in the streets of the Costa Blanca’s towns and villages all year round. Participation in these celebrations is always a popular activity. You have probably heard of the night of San Juan or the Moros y Cristianos fiesta. However, first things first, what do you actually know about their origins?
Moros y Cristianos
Altea, Denia, Calpe, Villajoyosa or Alcoy are well known for their popular celebrations of the Moros y Cristianos festivities held in honour of the patron saints of these Costa Blanca towns.
As the oldest residents will tell you, faithful to their religious beliefs, thanks to these patron saints, the Christians were able to overcome the Muslims in battle. This historic celebration spans a period of 3 to 5 days and is held in a number of cities and at different times of the year. The highlight of this fiesta is the Desembarco – the disembarkment – which commemorates the arrival of the Moorish troops on the coast and their battle on the beach with the Christian forces determined to reconquer the land. It’s an impressive spectacle!
Altea is synonymous with festivity. Almost every month there is a fiesta in this municipal district, but it is in summer that the fiestas really come into their own.
Easter Week and Corpus Christi are the main religious events of the year. In February the streets are vibrant with colour as the residents celebrate their famous Carnaval. Meanwhile, Castell de l’Olla celebrates on the Saturday that falls closest to feast of San Lorenzo in Altea. It holds Spain’s biggest fireworks display from the sea. It also celebrates its own Moros y Cristianos fiestas.
San Juan Bonfires
When summer comes, this area of the coast attracts worldwide interest. The San Juan Bonfires begin on 19 June, and the ‘Mascletás’, the Proclamation, processions, street parades, firecrackers and bell ringing are all part of the festivities, culminating in the famous bonfire night the ‘Cremà’ (24 June).
Fireworks
The culmination of all these festivities and Bonfires is a particularly special event. The celebration takes place every year after the bonfires, held from the 25 to 29 June. Postiguet beach is host to a fireworks contest. The most stunning pyrotechnic displays can be found here on the Costa Blanca.
History and much more on the Costa Blanca
The historic quarters of many of the area’s towns are another major attraction of the Costa Blanca. Neighbourhoods that harbour amazing legends and impressive monuments.
Altea church
In the heart of Altea’s historic centre, this church dates from 1607, when it was first built. A stroll around its square and the surrounding area will take you right back to the 16th century. The church has been a mute witness to the passage of time in the town becoming an historic and cultural icon of Altea.
Bust of Cervantes
In Dénia, the most famous part of town is known as Explanada de Cervantes, where you can find a bust of the celebrated writer Don Quixote. The story goes that in 1580 when Cervantes was freed from prison he went to the port of Dénia, kissing the actual spot where this monument now stands.
The Castle Route
There are over 100 castles on the Costa Blanca. Fortresses that were the strongholds of the ancient Visigoth kings and the most important monarchs in the area. The Castle Route will draw you into a magical cultural experience. There are many such citadels along the route that runs from the mountains down to the sea.
Legends, culture and festivities that bear witness to the Costa Blanca’s wealth of mystery, entertainment and fun. Living history alongside the Mediterranean sea. How about choosing it as a place to live?
May 4, 2022 | Activities/Services, Sin categoría
Denia is living, breathing cuisine. It’s always been so. But, since 2015, the town was named by UNESCO as being a creative city of gastronomy. The variety, richness, passion, and creativity on display in the kitchens and on dinner plates is the reason why Denia was awarded this distinguished title.
Denia’s deli – The Mediterranean sea
Denia’s cuisine is mainly based on the Mediterranean. The waters that bathe it also offer luxury products. One such being the red prawn which stands out above all others. Such is the tradition and passion for red prawns that even the famous crustacean has a soundtrack created by the famous chef Quique Dacosta. Arroz a banda (rice cooked in fish broth) and dried octopus are other typical dishes of the area. A good example of the reality that the sea has always been an abundance resources.
Other stars of the show
Although Dénia is very much inspired by the sea, Valencian agriculture also plays an important role in its gastronomy. The espencat (which in Valencian means “to crumble with hands”) is a famous salad, containing red pepper, aubergine, tomato, and baked onion accompanied by cod and dressed with olive oil. Going back to the sea, we find another typical dish from Denia with the llandeta. This is a white fish stew that is very common in the Marina Alta area and, as paella is world famous, we must also mention the famous fideuá.
There’s also room for those with a sweet tooth. Pumpkin fritters are a great and healthy alternative to the traditional churros with chocolate. And coca de llanda is probably the most famous snack in the whole Costa Blanca area – a sweet sponge cake to be eaten with a good hot chocolate.
Wine culture is closely tied to the area of the Costa Blanca North. In fact, the oldest winery on the Iberian Peninsula is located in Alto de Benimaquia. Specifically, on the slopes of the Montgó.
Internationally renowned chefs and restaurants
What is the best way to enjoy Denia’s cuisine? From the dishes of renowned chefs in the best restaurants in the area. The town is a place of work and inspiration for big names in the world of cuisine. Such as Susi Díaz, Joan Roca or Andoni Luis Aduriz, among many others.
But one name automatically jumps to mind: Quique Dacosta. If there is one person who has put Valencian cuisine on the map, it’s this famous chef from Extremadura. His restaurant, Quique Dacosta, is located in Denia (opposite Las Marinas beach). And 3 Michelin stars certify the work behind this ambitious project.
However, beyond this famous restaurant, there are other restaurants very close to Cumbre del Sol. Such as Aticcook, located in the attic of the designer Pepe Cabrera’s showroom. El Raset or Peix&Braxes where the people most refined palates will enjoy the typical gastronomy of Denia.
We think you have enough reasons to drop by Denia and enjoy its local cuisine, don’t you? Keep reading our next articles to learn more about the Costa Blanca North and discover new plans to do near Cumbre del Sol.
Apr 21, 2022 | Activities/Services, Cumbre del Sol
Costa Blanca is much more than its paradisical beaches. In this article, we’ll tell you about some activities you can enjoy in nature around Cumbre del Sol. This time, the plans are on dry land: horse-riding, golf, and various spectacular hiking routes for all levels.
Horse-riding in Cumbre del Sol
Riding a horse increases your balance and improves your posture. And if that wasn’t enough, it also increases muscle tone throughout the body and is good for your mental health. And to top it all off, riding the trails of Cumbre del Sol and enjoying the natural scenery turns into a unique experience. Whether you are an experienced rider or have never seen a horse up close, the Cañada del Sol Equestrian Centre offers you everything you are looking for. Lessons, booking guided excursions in different areas and for all levels. It is also a recovery centre and has a restaurant with a daily menu for a great day out.
Golf courses with captivating views
Golfing in Costa Blanca North is one of the unique experiences of living in Cumbre del Sol. With excellent temperatures all year round, golfing conditions are optimal 365 days a year. Playing golf whilst enjoying the outdoors and good weather is a luxury that only a few special places can boast.
A few minutes away from Cumbre del Sol, you can visit different courses and play your favourite sport. The Golf Club in Javea is a definite one to visit if you don’t want to travel too far and enjoy very well looked after courses. The Ifach Golf Club near Teulada-Moraira is a certainly impressive course. Given its location, you can enjoy amazing views of the Mediterranean and the Peñón de Ifach whilst teeing off surrounded by pine trees. Another two very interesting options for golfing around Residential Cumbre del Sol are La Sella and Golf Club Altea. La Sella (near Montgo natural park) with numerous clubs, was designed by José María Olazábal and has 27 holes. Golf Club Altea is another place to enjoy golf and has a 40 year long history.
Captivating hiking routes
Living in Cumbre del Sol means embracing nature and feeling surrounded by it. Not only for its incredible views of the sea, beaches and coves of the Mediterranean. But also for its extensive green areas and the number of natural parks in the area. One of the best known is the Granadella Natural Park. Thanks to this, the Costa Blanca coastline offers a wide range of spectacular hiking routes.
One of the best known hiking routes is probably the cliff paths. Along the coast of Benitachell there are spectacular geographic features in the form of cliffs. Some of them are even more than 100 metres above sea level. This route separates Cala del Moraig cove from Cala Llebeig cove. It is 4 kilometres long and is quite a pleasant walk due to its low-medium difficulty.
Montgo is one of the best natural parks in the area. There are many different hiking routes to do throughout. We recommend you do the classic route which runs through almost the entire park, it’s not very demanding in terms of slopes and terrain, but it will take you about 6 hours, as it covers about 16 kilometres. Within the natural park there are other interesting routes such as the Cova Tallada and Torre del Gerro.
The Abiar-Calistros route runs around the town of Benitachell and starts right in its town centre. This route focuses more on visiting key points in the town. Some of them being the Plaza de la Iglesia and the Portalet. It also takes you to the camí de la Torreta and the old system of natural wells.
Although this article was supposed to be dedicated to activities on dry land, we think we can make a small exception. We recommend the underwater route to discover the Moraig Cave. Above all, for diving lovers, it is a very interesting dive due to the special geological conditions of the place.
Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol offers a wide and varied range of plans, all falling underneath the same umbrella. Essentially, enjoying nature, the Mediterranean climate and an exclusive area such as the Costa Blanca North. We are talking about exclusivity in every sense of the word. Don’t miss our next articles to discover more activities and news.
Apr 5, 2022 | Activities/Services, Events, Fiestas, Local events, Other towns, Otros pueblos, Something special
With April comes Easter, a time that’s interesting to tourists in almost all parts of Spain and, in particular, in Costa Blanca. Here’s a series of plans and options near Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol to spend this holiday season in one of the most popular destinations throughout the year.
Easter brings an extra incentive to any resident or anyone who wants to spend a few days here, a truly luxurious offer. Watching the traditional processions with excitement, exquisite cuisine, and the famous dreamy beaches, all tied together with rich historical and cultural heritage sites.
Torrijas and Easter mona cake – easter’s sweet staple foods
When Easter arrives, it’s tradition in Costa Blanca to bake some of the famous Easter sweets. Flour, yeast, milk, egg, butter and sugar are more than enough to make the famous mona de Pascua cake. On Easter Sunday itself, tradition rules in Alicante. Families get together to have a snack and eat this dessert outside in nature (beach, mountain, countryside…). Interestingly, the mona has always been considered a loving gift from the grown-ups to the youngest members of the family.
The other star dish of Easter in Costa Blanca is torrijas. It’s surprising how something so simple can have such a spectacular flavour. Stale slices of bread soaked in red wine or milk with lemon and cinnamon, dipped in whisked egg and then fried in oil. Some people serve them coated in cinnamon and sugar and others sweeten them with syrup.
Processions in Alicante
Holy Week in Costa Blanca is, above all, a festival of religious tradition that year after year attracts many visitors due to its incredible, emotional processions. Throughout the municipalities of the area, you can enjoy activities such as the famous procession of silence on Holy Thursday and the procession of the Holy Burial, the protagonist of Good Friday, in which women who wish can accompany the Holy Sepulchre dressed in a black shawl and veil. Two processions in the city of Alicante are worth mentioning: the procession of the Holy Supper on Holy Thursday, which is one of the most famous in Spain and helps a good cause, as after the procession, the food that is placed on the table of the procession is donated to a home for the elderly. And, on the other hand, the palm trees of the Explanada are witnesses to the most popular and familiar procession of all those celebrated in the city, that of the Borriquita on Palm Sunday.
Other processions to take into account if you want to experience what Holy Week is all about are those of La Pasión in the town of Orihuela, in which more than 8,000 Nazarenes and around 1,200 musicians parade; and the procession of Los Tres Abrazos (The Three Embraces) in Crevillente.
Days out, music, markets…
There is also room for other non-religious activities to enjoy Easter in Costa Blanca. It’s a tradition in some towns such as Moraira-Teulada to play live music in the streets. In the city of Alicante, the Jornadas de Cuaresma (Lenten Days) are held to promote the hotel and catering industry throughout the province with the help of the best chefs in the area.
It’s also interesting to wander around the historic centre of any municipality in Costa Blanca, especially those of Altea, Dénia, Benitachell and Moraira, and discover their most emblematic spots, such as the medieval market that takes place in Calpe during easter, where you can buy typical Costa Blanca handicrafts.
And what about outdoor plans? Easter is the perfect time to discover natural areas such as the Benitachell cliffs route, take a stroll along the L’Andragó cove in Moraira or have an aperitif in the marina of Altea.
As you have seen, during Easter Week the towns and villages of Costa Blanca dress up and put on hundreds of events that make the Alicante coastline a splendid place to be. The perfect mix of discovering and getting to know religious traditions and enjoying a unique area on the Mediterranean coast. Don’t miss our next blog articles in which we will continue to tell you about more things to do near Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol.
Mar 29, 2022 | Activities/Services
We almost always associate the coast with summer, tourism, sun and beach, but not all plans have to be in summer! Spring is the perfect time to experience the Mediterranean climate. Proof of this are the luxury plans that are sure to make you enjoy Northern Costa Blanca, in Cumbre del Sol and its surroundings.
Gourmet Cuisine
For the most exquisite and demanding tastebuds, Northern Costa Blanca is the perfect place thanks to the fusion of the Mediterranean soul with exquisite raw materials along with the research and professionalism of the best chefs, such as Quique Dacosta, Alberto Ferruz or Nazario Cano, among others.
La oferta gastronómica es muy rica y variada, desde tapas elaboradas en diferentes establecimientos de la zona, hasta la cocina de más alto nivel, todo ello maridado con excelentes vinos elaborados.
The cuisine is rich and varied, from tapas prepared in different establishments in the area, to the highest level of cuisine, all paired with excellent wines.
There are 11 Michelin-starred restaurants in Costa Blanca.
We recommend you to visit La Cumbre Restaurant in Cumbre del Sol, a long-established restaurant that always prepares an excellent menu with local seasonal products and the recently distinguished as the best European restaurant Quique Dacosta in Dénia, both places are the real deal in the area.
Wine Tourism
Wineries, tastings in the Marina Alta, artisans, vineyards… Northern Costa Blanca, and more specifically the Marina Alta region, is one of Spain’s longest-standing winemaking regions. In fact, the province of Alicante is home to the oldest remains of wine production on the Iberian Peninsula. Northern Costa Blanca is deeply rooted in wine culture. The range of plans is so extensive that we invite you to read our article on places not to be missed if you consider yourself a true wine lover.
Spas
Enjoying spring in this area is almost a must, but even in the best moments and places, you need to take a break and breathe. What better way to do it than in thermal pools, in jacuzzis, or with a hydromassage treatment? You should always take care of yourself inside and out and the Pure Wellness centre in Cumbre del Sol is the perfect option if you want it all without going too far.
Boats, yachts… Enjoy the Mediterranean!
Taking advantage of the fact that in spring we’re not in sweltering heat, it’s a real pleasure to be able to go out for a sailboat ride and explore the coastline. Coves, paradisiacal beaches, and cliffs give way to an atmosphere of exclusivity and luxury, where a bottle of cava or champagne is always welcome while admiring the wonderful views.
The marinas of Marina Greenwich (Altea) and Dénia are the epitome of style, distinction and charm in a superb location at the foot of the bay with stunning sea views. And if you fancy cooling off and taking a dip in two of the best coves on the Costa Blanca North, take note of Cala Moraig, with a blue flag, and Cala Llebeig, both within Cumbre del Sol.
Art to get inspired
Northern Costa Blanca is, historically, an area of artists and artisans of all kinds who have decided to settle here, and the light of the Mediterranean, coupled with the bohemian atmosphere of Costa Blanca has been a source of inspiration throughout history. Unique pieces, such as handmade jewellery, sculptures, paintings… all of them priceless works that come out every year from small workshops spread all over the North of Costa Blanca.
The town of Altea is home to the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Alicante and is considered one of the artistic and cultural capitals of the Valencian Community, a home for poets, writers, painters and all kinds of artists.
There is also room for other seasonal activities: theatre, music and various art exhibitions in the numerous cultural centres such as the Palau de Altea, el Auditori Teulada-Moraira, or the Espaid’ArtContemporani Salvador Soria, among others.
The most important thing – Family
We should also mention the wide choice of family plans to enjoy with the little ones. Day trips, guided tours, nature walks, amusement and water parks… these are just a few examples of the many family activities that the Costa Blanca North has to offer.
As you can see, there’s so many cultural activities to enjoy close to Residential Resort Cumbre Del Sol. There is no shortage of reasons to choose Northern Costa Blanca to enjoy spring. Have we left anything out? Tell us about it.
Mar 15, 2022 | Activities/Services, Cumbre del Sol, Other towns, Residential Estates, Something special
We enjoy one of the best climates in the world here in Costa Blanca. Approximately 300 days of sun and mild temperatures for most of the year.
This, along with a backdrop of mountains and beaches, make the area a top choice for people. For tourists, athletes, and even professional sports teams. In fact, many professional atheletes have chosen to stay at Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol as a temporary residence for their training sessions, where they can enjoy a home here. In this area of the province, they go on routes, train, or prepare for competitions. In fact, some championships, such as the La Vuelta a España cycling race, have passed through this area. For example, the 2019 edition crossed the Alto del Puig Llorença, in Residential Resort Cumbre Del Sol.
Of course, there must be something special about this area for both professional and amateur athletes alike to have a soft spot for the place. From Alicante to Dénia, in this article we will tell you some of the reasons why the Costa Blanca is a cyclist’s paradise.
The Climate
We’ve already talked about how wonderful the climate is. But even though we enjoy this weather, and we may consider it normal, it is far from the norm. It’s not easy to find an area with so many hours of sunshine and ideal temperatures for outdoor sports all year round.
Sea and Mountain – Two Sides of The Same Coin
The blend and, sometimes, mimicry of sea and mountain along the more than 100 kilometres that run along the North of Costa Blanca offers cyclists a plethora of possibilities to adapt the routes according to their level as an athlete. As well as the characteristics of their bikes such as wheels, suspension and frame.
A Safe Environment
Safety for cyclists is a number one priority. Many coastal areas don’t have the proper infrastructure for cycling tracks. The Comunidad Valenciana and different localities within Costa Blanca (particularly in the North) have spent years working on creating a safe system that’s always up to scratch for practicing sport.
Not only do they look after the roads, which go from flat planes for beginners to more demanding climbs on stretches with hardly any traffic, but they also take care of the mountains. Mountain biking is one of the most promoted activities in North Costa Blanca due to the sea and mountains we mentioned earlier. In fact, there are two MTB centres in Vall de Pop and El Comtat.
Cyclists’ Territory
The Costa Blanca North is an area which, over the years, has become a reference point for cyclists. The hotel sector has benefited from this by knowing how to prepare its facilities to meet the needs of an athlete. In most of them you can find swimming pools and spas. These are the ideal place to rest and relax the muscles after a day’s cycling. Other hotels include gyms for training and cycling centres for repairing bicycles.
After this series of features that make North Costa Blanca an ideal destination for cyclists, doesn’t it make you want to start cycling? In this article you can see several routes around Cumbre del Sol to get you going.
