Mar 9, 2022 | Activities/Services, Other towns
Its white architecture, cobbled streets in the old town, mere kilometres away from beaches with crystal clear water, and just like any paradisiacal island, hides hidden coves. The tranquillity of its winter, the liveliness of its summer… Whatever it is, the town of Altea has that something that grabs you, that makes it a unique place to lose yourself in and, if you feel like it, to find yourself.
Here’s a series of must-see places to discover Altea on your first visit to this town on the Costa Blanca North. If you have already been here or you live here, take notes, maybe there’s something you’ve been missing out on.
Walk round Altea’s old town
One of the things that, under no circumstances, you cannot miss if you want to discover Altea’s beauty with your own eyes. Put on comfortable shoes and go uphill, because getting there by car is quite complicated due to the fact that most streets here are pedestrianised.
However, it’s worth it (extremely so). Go for a stroll through these labyrinthine streets while admiring the beauty of every corner. The Church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo crowns the city and is a must-see in this area.
The Cronistas Lookout Point
A few metres from the Church of Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, and in the highest part of the old town, is the Mirador de Cronistas, from where you have the best panoramic views of Altea, the sea and the mountains.
Lose yourself in the Garden of the senses
Altea is known for its beaches, but in this municipality on the Costa Blanca there is also space for more tropical areas. The Garden of the Senses is perfect for getting in touch with nature through its more than 3,000 square metres of plants from all over the world.
Serra Gelada Natural Park
Another way to discover Altea especially for hiking aficionados. Just a few kilometres from the town is this natural park that overlooks the sea, with incredible landscapes to enjoy while walking along one of the park’s different routes.
We suggest a couple of options for different levels. On the one hand, La Ruta del Faro de l’Albir, completely accessible and with views of the Bay of Altea, the Serra de Bèrnia and the Serra Gelada itself. A perfect route to do with children or if you are just starting out hiking.
Another option that is more intense is the Travesía de la Serra Gelada, a linear route through the entire mountain range. It is about 8.5 kilometres long and lasts about 4 and a half hours, linking the Albir Information Point with the Benidorm Cross. It can be done in both directions, or you can do the route there and back. But, before you venture out, bear in mind that it is a demanding route due to ups and downs, don’t choose a very hot day and make sure you hydrate yourself well.
Marina Greenwich Port
The marina of the city curiously coincides with the Greenwich Meridian 000º 00′ 00″. Just for that coincidence alone, it is worth coming here. It is also an ideal place to relax on the many terraces and restaurants near the harbour and enjoy the whole bay
Barra Grande and Racó del Corb Coves
As you would expect, being in the north of Costa Blanca, we have to talk about coves. The beaches of Altea are quite well known and you won’t have much trouble finding the most popular ones. We recommend two options that are not so well known, but more amazing than the ones you will find in the first Google results.
Both are located north of the town and both are difficult to access as you have to go down a steep slope, but once you get there, you will see that the effort is rewarded.
Tip for both: wear booties for diving or similar footwear when swimming and, of course, snorkelling gear for diving into the crystal-clear waters.
As you have seen in this article, Altea is a town to discover that hides beauty in every corner. With these plans, what are you waiting for? Go and organise a getaway to this jewel in the north of Costa Blanca.
Feb 23, 2022 | Activities/Services, Cumbre del Sol
Leading a healthy lifestyle at Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol is so easy ever since Pure Wellness opened their doors in the Adelfas shopping centre. This place offers all kinds of services to do with self-care, beauty, and physical and mental health. Still not heard about it? We’ll give you the tour. Come with us!
Pure Wellness is the perfect place for both keeping in shape and letting your hair down. Spa, gym, massages, beauty treatments, yoga… the range of services is varied. When it comes to training, there’s different exercises you can do. One of the newest ones is bungee. You’re probably asking yourself what it is. Coming from Thailand, bungee is a new technique based on suspension exercises where your hands and feet are held with anchors. It’s a cardiovascular exercise that’s highly intense, but without direct impact on your joints. If you want something a bit more challenging, you can try crossfit.
But if you prefer something a bit more relaxing, yoga is the way to go. Vinyasa yoga or Ying & Yang yoga – you decide. Don’t worry if you don’t have a lor of experience, there are classes for all levels. Yoga is fantastic for keeping balance in body and mind. You ready to try it?
We all deserve a treat every once in a while on the beauty front. So, what does Pure Wellness offer us? All types of treatments for men and women, many of them to do with skin care. Laser or wax hair removal, brow and eyelash treatments, manicures and pedicures, advanced treatments for skin with cutting-edge technology and non-invasive treatments to contour your figure, various massages… when you leave Pure Wellness you’ll feel and look like a whole new person.
And after a bit of exercise, what better way to refuel than in their restaurant. In it, they offer healthy meals with nutritious, organic products of high-quality. They offer a large variety: smoothies, sandwiches, salads, and all types of dishes. The best is that you can enjoy amazing views of the Mediterranean sea whilst eating a delicious meal. Is there anything more relaxing than that?
Basically, Pure Wellness is a fantastic space within Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol to take care of yourself, keep in shape and have a pleasant, relaxing experience. You can visit Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00am to 21:00. To be up to date with all their activities and events, it’s best to follow them on their Facebook and Instagram.
Feb 16, 2022 | Activities/Services, Events
Do you like getting to know a place’s culture? Even though the Costa Blanca has a splendid climate, you may want to venture a bit beyond just the beach and the pool. Around Cumbre de Sol, there’s so many cultural activities for all tastes. Whether it be spending time with friends or family, the area offers plenty possibilities. Come with us and read about the best plan over the next couple weeks. Let’s start!
A few kilometres away from Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol, Teulada Moraira is a place full of charm and fun plans of all types. The band El Diluvi and their eclectic mix of folk, cumbia and reggae presents their new disc “Present” on 5 March in the city’s auditorium. A few days after, Loles León Will take to the same stage to play in a musical based on his life “Una Noche con Ella”. Teulada Moraira also has several ethnography and history museums to discover the region’s past and its customs.
Benissa also has a calendar full of cultural plans and activities. For the next few days there are cultural exhibitions, cinema and children’s activities on offer. “Especias” (Spices) is an interesting journey of the region’s history and gastronomy through the world of condiments that enrich local cultural dishes. It starts 11 March in the University’s headquarters in the city. The museums and monuments of Benissa make for an even more spectacular weekend plan.
For those who want to explore new places, a good plan is to go on a guided visit through Calpe and go up the impressive Peñón de Ifach. And there’s lots of culture there too! In the town council’s exhibition room is a fantastic pictorial exhibition “el mar, la mar…” by César Val from the 4 to 30 March. And to finish your stay in Calpe, how about going back in time to remember days gone by? This is what the exhibition Lucía Ferrer “Aquellos maravillosos años” shows in the antiques museum.
The main theatre in Alicante is one of the most important cultural centres in the lively province’s capital. Throughout the month of March, there is a lot on offer. “The festival of magic” in Alicante will take place, operas from Nabucco and Aida de Verdi, classical Russian ballet and different events for young children will also be a part of the programme.
Without leaving Alicante, ADDA (Auditorium of the province of Alicante) is a paradise for classical music lovers. During the next few weeks, its stage will welcome young talent of all types. Jazz, opera, zarzuela, and even classical guitar from Fabio Zanon, amongst other events.
If engines are more your thing, then you can’t miss the Historical Vehicles Museum in Valle de Guadalest. It has an impressive collection of over 140 motorcycles and microcars from the 1920s to the 70s, right in the middle of nature.
As you can see, near Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol, you have a wide range of possibilities for everyone to enjoy culture. The most difficult thing now is deciding where to start. You’ll figure it out of course!
Feb 8, 2022 | Activities/Services
The list of services on offer at Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol keeps on growing. We’ve already told you about the shopping centre Adelfas, the international school The Lady Elizabeth School, the restaurants and sports areas. But now, get ready for a new essential service – a new health centre with a wide range of health care.
In the Adelfas area, the clinic Medical Centre Oxygen Heart is led by Dr. Tomasz Dobrucki, doctorate in health sciences and cardiology with extensive professional experience. Along with him is Mariola Kulik, who’s in charge of oxygen therapy. The opening of this new centre will lessen the number of visits to other clinics now that residents can be treated within the area.
What’s on offer? Take a look.
In terms of therapeutic activity:
- Cardiological consultations, general medicine, sports medicine.
- Treatment for cardiological diseases, arrhythmias, arterial hypertension, post covid complications.
- Hyperbaric chamber support for the treatment of many diseases.
Increasing patient’s physical capacity, especially for athletes in the hyperbaric chamber.
And in diagnostic activity:
- Electrocardiogram, HOLTER ABPM (blood pressure monitoring), HOLTER ECG with Schiller programme to diagnose arrhythmias, HOLTER saturation to diagnose sleep apnoea.
You’re probably asking what a hyperbaric chamber is. It’s one of the clinic’s strong points. Its aim is to bring oxygen to our tissues, whether they be central or peripheral. Circulation is improved massively, and it helps treat different ailments due to oxygenation. Oxygen aids the recovery of damaged tissues, resulting in a significant improvement in oedema, inflammation, and healing of all types of injuries. It also prevents and treats infections and complements neurological rehabilitation.
The hyperbaric chamber is especially recommended for treating chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, in which cases it reduces medication and improves quality of life. As mentioned beforehand, it also significantly improves an athlete’s physical abilities and overall performance.
As we can see, all residents affected by heart problems have a new point of help to treat their conditions and meet their needs much closer to their residence.
Finally, the Oxygen Heart Medical Center also offers therapeutic massages. You can enjoy classic full body, back and neck, leg and hand massages. They also offer relaxing massages that last 45 minutes.
Its opening hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 09.00 to 14.00h and from 16.00 to 19.00h and on Wednesday and Friday from 16.00 to 19.00h. You can make an appointment calling the following number: +34 665 629 268. They also attend to emergencies 24 hours a day. And best of all, you don’t even need to leave Cumbre del Sol! Do you want to find out about other interesting news like this? Visit our blog and follow our Facebook and Instagram. The latest information about the Costa Blanca in just one click.
Jan 19, 2022 | Activities/Services
Everyone knows that the most popular new year’s resolution is to do more exercise. A resolution that translates to a huge number of gym memberships and a huge number of cancelling and leaving said membership the next month.
At VAPF, we support living a healthy lifestyle, and lucky us that our surroundings support exercise too! Especially when it comes to outdoor sports. That’s why for this 2022, we propose that your new year’s resolutions include exercise, but with a twist: that you exercise in and around Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol.
And what better way to work out than to cycle! It has many benefits: you can go long distances, do it with family whilst enjoying the countryside – both sea and mountain – and, of course, you’re working out every part of your body!
The Montgó Route
As we’ve said in other blog posts, the area surrounding Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol stands out for its beauty and versatility. With the sea being featured on pratically every postcard in the towns and cities of Costa Blanca, the mountain is another reason to go. One such place is the Montgo Natural Park in Denia. Its expanse and its over 700 metres in height turn it intothe lungs of the Alicante province.
Apart from its hiking routes, there are also cycling routes in the Montgo natural park. There are two easy paths that can be done in a day that are also circular, starting and finishing in Denia. The first starts in Camí de la Colònia and ends in Cova del Gamell. The second goes through Denia to La Xara to Jesús Pobre to Javea to Javea Port.
Both lead you around the countryside where you can get to know the place on all fronts: its agriculture, geography and its flora and fauna as well.
The Blooming Almond Trees Route
Just a half hour car ride away from Benitatxell is Alcalalí. In February, the valley there is covered in flowering almond trees. In this month, almond trees bloom and turn the landscape into something spectacular.
There are several routes with varying degrees of difficulty. But that’s no excuse! Whether you’re a beginner or a pro at cycling, the blooming almond trees of Alcalalí await you. The easiest one is around 10 kilometres long on a paved path with some slopes. The route starts and ends in the Street Calle Ermita in the town.
The blue route is a bit more complicated, it starts at the same place in Alcalalí but, in this case, the routs is over 19 kilometres long. Including paths that wind through the forst, this route lets you experience the beauty of the landscape from within it.
Lastly, the red route is for people that have more experience. It’s almost 30 kilometres long and goes up to 433 metres in height. This is the most difficult one, but it’s sure to be an unforgettable path.
Talking about these routes really gets your legs itching to start pedalling, no? Write this down as your resolution on your list and don’t forget to equip yourself with everything you need to enjoy Costa Blanca from your bike.
Dec 13, 2021 | Activities/Services
Is there a way where you can explore virgin coves, discover myth and history and at the same time learn about the region’s flora and fauna? Visiting the islands of Alicante allows you to do all this in one go. These islands are a treasure chest full of surprises. In this article, we’ll tell you about four islands in Costa Blanca.
Isla de Tabarca
Tabarca island is the only island on this list with a local population. The easiest way to get there is from the Santa Pola Port on a catamaran. Arriving at the port, you’ll discover beautiful crystal clear waters that are so inviting you’ll want to take a dip. In this marine reserve, you can swim and dive, watching the fish in their natural habitat. A day of snorkelling and laying on the beach is a day sure to awaken your appetite, but don’t worry because on this island you can go to one of its restaurants and enjoy a delicious rice dish.
Isla de Benidorm
The island of Benidorm does have a local population, but of a different kind – sea birds land here to fish and to rest. If you love bird watching, on this rock you’ll be able to see all types of species from peregrine falcons, pallid swifts and the Sardinian warbler, amongst many other species.
But the surprises about this island don’t stop there. There are many different legends and fables about how this triangular hunk of rock came to be in the sea. One story goes that the giant, Roldan, carved a piece of rock out of the Puig Campana mountain so that the last rays of light could pass through and shine on his lover for longer, who was cursed to die after sundown. That is why the island of Benidorm is also known as Roldan’s rock. This island Is the best place to be for those who want to have some fantastic views of the Benidorm skyline.
Would you like to visit? You can easily access the island from the port of Benidorm and the Rincón de Loix. Boats leave every hour starting from 10am.
Isla de Portitxol
The island of Portitxol is just in front of the famous Barraca beach in Jávea. On this island, you’ll be able to find archaeological remains from when the romans used it as a port. Here’s a fun plan: go on a small hike around the island trying to find foundations of roman columns, Phoenician ceramics and marble pavements. Don’t let its size fool you! This small island hides great treasures waiting to be found.
Isla del Descubridor
The name of this island (Explorer’s Island, in English), according to popular belief, is said to be named after a local sailor that was part of Christopher Columbus’s crew. Whether it’s true or not, what is sure is that this island is the perfect place for those who love scuba diving. This is your chance to swim with the animals that inhabit the sea floor that’s full of surprises! From a wall that’s full of anemones and colourful sponges to a small cave called the “Dolphin’s cave”. In it, you’ll the remains of a dolphin resting in the water there. And the best yet is that it’s all close to Cumbre del Sol.
If you go on a day trip to one of these islands, here’s some advice. I f you want to make the most out of what these islands have to offer, it’s best to go in autumn and winter. And don’t be afraid of the weather, the climate in Costa Blanca is pleasant all year round! So, you can visit these islands peacefully and enjoy the natural world away from the throngs of people. Our recommendation is to prepare a picnic to take with you so you can spend the whole day exploring the island you choose.
Sounds interesting, doesn’t it? If you want more recommendations for what to do in Costa Blanca, keep up to date with our blog and don’t miss out!
