Dec 7, 2021 | Activities/Services
Christmas is right around the corner! Days with family gatherings, festive cheer, food and traditions are ahead of us. Whether you just recently moved to Cumbre del Sol or have been living there for years, we’re sure that you’ll love hearing about the main Christmas traditions in the province of Alicante. New and exciting festive plans await you!
The province of Alicante – an area with deep-rooted Christmas customs
El Betlem de Tirisiti in Alcoy
The famous Betlem de Tirisiti is a puppet show that’s been going on since 1885. In it, a colourful group of characters recreate themes of Spanish culture and Christmas scenes such as the birth of Jesus or the arrival of the Three Wise Men, and there is also time for the Moors and Christians. This is the best of Alcoy’s culture! The curious fact about this performance is to be found in its name. The main character speaks with a reed in their mouth, meaning that the name “Tereseta” sounds like “Tirisiti” when they call for this titular character. And in case you didn’t know, the Tirisiti Nativity Scene was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest by the Generalitat Valenciana.
You like what you hear? From the 23 December to 5 January, you can go see this spectacle at the Teatre Principal in the town. Entry tickets can be bought here from 15 December.
Els Enfarinats de Ibi
If you want a more exciting plan, you can’t miss the Els Enfinarats Festival in Ibi. This fun mock coup d’etat takes place outside the church in Ibi. Two groups launch eggs and flour at each other in a fun battle until one side wins the political power of the town. In this battle, there is something else that cannot go amiss – firecrackers! A great spectacle to see if you don’t mind being covered head to toe in flour.
Eating grapes on New Year’s Eve is an Alicante tradition
The act of eating 12 grapes for luck on New Year’s Eve is a tradition that goes back over a century ago. But did you know that it has its roots in Alicante? In 1909, a surplus in Vinalopó grapes led to vine growers in Alicante advocating the idea that eating 12 grapes with the 12 bells would bring luck and prosperity for the new year. The custom quickly became popular and now is common throughout all households in Spain on New Year’s Eve.
What dishes are served in homes in Alicante on Christmas?
In our list, we couldn’t forget to add the most typical christmas recipes of Alicante. The most popular dish for Christmas day in homes in Alicante is the traditional caldo con pelotas (soup with meatballs). Perfect to warm yourself up! This recipe is made from chicken, ham bone, turnips, parsnips, celery, and carrots.
After this tasty savoury dish, it’s now time for something sweet, and in Alicante, the main star is turron de Jijona. This delicious nougat is made from ground almonds and honey. If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll love the Jijona Nougat Route where you can visit factories, shops and cultural spots to get to know more about how this sweet is made and its history. The sweetest trail you’ll find!
To end this article, all that’s left to do is wish you happy holidays. May these traditions fill your home with Christmas cheer! If you want more ideas about what to do during this holiday period in Costa Blanca, keep up to date with our blog.
Nov 26, 2021 | Activities/Services
Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol is considered to be one of the top places to live, and now, even more so thanks to Pure Wellness. In this new place in Adelfas shopping centre, selfcare is the end goal here. Keep reading and find out about all the options this establishment offers!
Pure Wellness, a pleasure for the senses at Cumbre del Sol
Whether you need a rest after a hard day or you just want to find a place to eat nearby at the weekend, Pure Wellness is your best option. Spa, restaurant and a personal trainer, it’s your self-care space without having to leave Cumbre del Sol!
Take care of your mind in the Pure Wellness Spa
Sometimes, after a stressful workday, the only thing our mind and body needs is to disconnect to recharge. During these days, all you’ll have to do is go to the Adelfas shopping centre. There, the Pure Wellness team will tell you about the best options for relaxing and resting. Within their spa treatments, you’ll find relaxing massages, with excellent options like hot stone massages or wood therapy. Just reading about it sounds calming, no?
Practice your strength and endurance with a personal trainer
With Christmas and New Year’s nearing, it’s a great time to start exercising. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to hone in on your sporty skills, you can do so at Pure Wellness in Cumbre del Sol. Kara, their personal trainer will help you achieve all your exercise and nutritional goals. Pure Wellness will bring out the best version of you!
Delight your taste buds at the Pure Wellness restaurant
And if all the other service we talked about weren’t enough, Pure Wellness also has a restaurant! After a hard work out session or a relaxing massage, who doesn’t want to eat healthy, delicious food with a view of la Costa Blanca? Salads, sandwiches, smoothies… there are dishes for all tastes!
But why just tell you about it? Go in person and try it out! From Tuesday to Suday you can visit Pure Wellness from 11:00am to 9:00pm. And the best thing is that you don’t even have to leave Cumbre del Sol! Want to hear about more interesting news like this? Visit our blog and follow our Facebook and Instagram profiles. The most up-to-date information on la Costa Blanca in just one click.
Nov 22, 2021 | Activities/Services
You deserve to experience true exclusivity. Luxury tourism is going through a boom right now in areas like the Costa Blanca. People want to experience the best that the region has to offer. So, sit back and relax, in this article we’ll tell you about the luxury experiences you can enjoy near your home in Cumbre del Sol.
Luxury shopping near Cumbre del Sol
If you want to find a piece of clothing you can’t find anywhere else, visit Panocha. This clothes shop in Alicante works with international brands like Balmain and Versace Jeans Couture. You’ll find designer brands for all tastes here. From more classic styles from brands like Soeur or Ben Sherman, to more eclectic tastes like Moschino and Kenzo. With winter around the corner, perhaps it’s a good time to treat yourself an get a new coat.
And if that’s not enough, you can always go around the ‘Gold Mile’ in Alicante. It’s the street in the city with the most shops and goes all the way from Calvo Sotelo to Maisonnave avenue up to the Estrella roundabout. Here you’ll find all types of brands: Bimba y Lola, Sephora, Zara, Max Mara, Massimo Dutti and many more. You can also visit boutiques that have unique pieces you won’t find anywhere else.
‘The Gold Mile’ lives up to its name as it’s the perfect place to buy some jewellery. We recommend visiting Pere Quera, a jewellers that works with Rolex, as well as the establishment Amaya Joyeros. And if you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, you always have the option to go to El Corte Inglés, and you’re in luck, because there’s one at each end of Maisonnave avenue. It’s the perfect place to do your Christmas shopping. They have everything! From Chanel perfume to a Carolina Herrera bag to a Ralph Lauren polo. Even if you want to have a drink or a snack during your shopping spree, the establishment has a patisserie where you can recharge your batteries with a delicious, sweet treat.
Relaxing luxury experiences near Cumbre del Sol
After walking through the shops and streets of Alicante all day, your feet will need a break. Why not take that break at the most exclusive spa in Costa Blanca and experience total relaxation? Asia Gardens & Thai Spa is one of the most exclusive hotels in the area. Enjoy an escapade away to this hidden hotel and be transported to Southeast Asia. However, the only true destination is relaxation and you’ll come back to Cumbre del Sol feeling good as new.
The Costa Blanca has many options to choose from. Hospes Amérigo is another spa, but this time with a more Mediterranean flare. It was previously a Dominican convent. This essence still comes through in the elegant design and style of the building. Moreover, from the rooftop pool, you can enjoy spectacular views of the Santa Barbara castle.
To finish off this post, if you really want to have an experience like no other in the province of Alicante, go to the restaurant Quique Dacosta, an establishment with 3 Michelin stars in Denia. The chef, Quique Dacosta has been causing sensations for years thanks to his original style that brings people from all over the world. The experience is sure to leave you wanting more!
As you can see, the Costa Blanca has dozens of options where luxury comes first. We hope they live up to your expectations! To discover more plans and activities in and around the province of Alicante, follow or blog or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Nov 17, 2021 | Activities/Services
Costa Blanca has a lot to offer – sun, sand, warm weather and also impressive castles from the middle ages. If you love history and spending time outside, then the Frontier of Fear Castle Route (Ruta de los Castillos de la Frontera del Miedo in Spanish) is the perfect plan for you.
Discover the Frontier of Fear
This route that meanders through Costa Blanca is the best way to see the area, as well as learning about its culture and history. The name ‘Frontier of Fear’ fits it like a glove, as its a route full of defensive towers, forts, walls, churches and a long history of wars and conflicts in the coastal region. In this article, we’ll tell you about three essential stops you must make on this route. You’re sure to love it, as each place is more beautiful than the last!
The three enclaves in Villajoyosa
This route is already starting on a good foot in the charming municipality of Villajoyosa. Here, you can visit the Torre del Xarco. This fort is sat atop a hill with incredible views of the Mediterranean sea with its turquoise blue waters.
The municipality of Villajoyosa boasts two other places of interest: la Torre de Aquiló and las Murallas de Villajoyosa, the latter can be found in the city of Villajoyosa itself. Moreover, the city of Villajoyosa has a lot to offer too – spectacular beaches and a maritime walk bursting with colour and life. These plans make Villajoyosa an ideal way to spend the day with family and learn about its history.
A castle and a tower right in the middle of Benidorm
Even mor impressive than the Torre del Xarco is the Castillo de Benidorm. Between two beaches, and right in the middle of Benidorm’s old town, this castle will take you back in time. A 14th century castle that served as a defence against pirates and Berbers. Today, it’s surrounded by the silhouettes of modern skyscrapers that are characteristic of the city. Watching the sunset here from the Mediterranean balcony is an experience like no other.
And if the castle isn’t enough, you can also have some fun at one of the waterparks in Benidorm, or go on a day trip to the Roman village in Alfaz del Pi, an impressive construction of thermal baths and necropolises from 4th century A.D.
Calpe, the heart of the route
A must-do in Calpe is climbing up the Peñón de Ifach, where at the top simply can’t get better. Did you know that there is a village from the middle ages just below this remarkable rock? La Pobla medieval de Ifach, the medieval town of Ifach is one of the few medieval villages to sill be intact in the Comunidad Valenciana. In the shadow of the Peñón de Ifach lies the remains of this Christian town that was erected at the end of the 13th century and abandoned in the 15th century due to conflicts between the Castillians and the Aragonese. Now you know, you can always learn something new!
At each site you visit, there’s a new opportunity to appreciate nature, to enjoy the food, beaches and the unique experiences that each part of la Costa Blanca offers. What do you think? All you need now is a good pair of shoes, a camera and some sunscreen to make the most of the Fronteir of Fear! If you want more ideas for activities you can do in Costa Blanca, follow our blog and our Facebook and Instagram profiles so you don’t miss out.
Oct 30, 2021 | Activities/Services
You need only go on a simple walk through the picturesque landscapes of Alicante to realise that it has huge cultural and historical value. And not just in its small towns, but also in the city of Alicante, you’ll see that it’s home to the very imposing castle ‘Castillo de Santa Barbara’. In this article, you’ll get to know some of the natural and cultural gems tucked away in Alicante province. More specifically, gems considered to be UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Ready for this virtual tour?
Alicante, a province with 3 World Heritage Sites
Most of the time, we live in regions and towns that have a lot of cultural value that we’re not fully aware of. This means we look to go be a tourist elsewhere and try out different activities outside of our home, without realising that we can find this barely even a few kilometres away. To stop this from happening to you, here’s a list of World Heritage sites in and around Alicante.
El Palmeral
El Palmeral de Elche is one of the 200 natural sites that UNESCO declared as World Heritage in the year 2000. And no wonder! This site has over 200,000 palm trees. This impressive number means that it’s the biggest palm grove in Europe.
However, apart from its size, what’s so special about the Palm grove of Elche? One of the reasons why it’s a unique site is due to its agricultural role. It is a living example of Arab agricultural techniques on the European continent.
You have to go back to the 8th century AD to discover the origin of this emblem of the city of Elche. And today, more than 1,200 years later, it is still a must-see stop on your visit to the province of Alicante.
El Misteri d’Elx
There’s no doubt that Elche is a city stands out for its natural value, but it has cultural value too. The traditional Misteri d’Elx is one of the World Heritage Sites of the province of Alicante. Just in May 2021 it was 20 years since this theatrical performance was declared Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. This declaration came just six months after the city’s palm grove was recognised by UNESCO.
Due to lack of documentation, the exact origins of el Misiteri d’Elx are estimated to have been around 13th and 14th century. Generation after generation, this medieval play has been passed down to our time and turned into a symbol of the city and also the Comunidad de Valencia. The 14-15 August are important dates marked in the calendars of Elche’s residents, as the performance coincides with the holiday of the Assumption of the Virgin. It can be a good opportunity for you to visit the city!
El Museo de Pusol
And finally, the third World Heritage Site in the province of Alicante is also in Elche. The Museum Escolar de Pusol, declared World Heritage in 2009. This building contains 100,000 pieces of enormous historical value, as they depict life in the city over the span of its history.
City of Alicante, candidate for World Heritage
If these three sites weren’t enough, the city of Alicante is applying to UNESCO to be a World Heritage site. This idea has been in the works since 2016 and is within reach thanks to its castles like Santa Barbara and la Huerta towers, the Tibi marsh and the fortress on the Nueva Tabarca island. So, have you visited any of these emblematic places?
Now that you know all about the World Heritage sites in Alicante, it’s time to go out and enjoy them! Plan an escapade to Elche and get to know this gem of a city, less than an hour and a half away from Cumbre del Sol. Don’t forget to bring your camera or phone as these are places that are worth capturing!
Oct 26, 2021 | Activities/Services
Costa Blanca is a mixture of sea, mountain and flavours. Its cuisine has a star ingredient, but that’s not the only one. Rice in the Mediterranean is known the world over as well as its traditional recipes being tried, tested and admired by the best chefs.
Denia, only a half hour away from Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol, is the heart of Alicante in terms of food. And the proof is in the pudding when you look at all the restaurants you can choose from. Five of them have carved out a place for themselves in the Michelin Guide. Visiting one of them is much more than an experience for your tastebuds – it’s a dance for all your senses. As we want you to enjoy everything Costa Blanca has to offer, you should visit one of these restaurants in Denia that will leave you speechless. Read on to find out more!
Quique Dacosta: The best restaurant in Denia
If any chef has put Valencian cuisine on the map, it’s Quique Dacosta. Although he’s from Extremadura, his food is bursting with Mediterranean and coastal flavours. Have you heard of him? Of his six restaurants, one, Quique Dacosta, is in Denia. It’s one of the 11 restaurants in Spain with 3 Michelin stars – pure exclusivity!
The first attraction to the Quique Dacosta restaurant is its location in Denia, just in front of the Las Marinas beach. But what really gets your attention is, of course, the dishes. This season, the chef has launched his “Menu Belleza”. A menu made from his most iconic dishes and other new ones too, all centred around creativity. You have to visit to see which plates will take your breath away and leaving you wanting more.
Other Michelin Star restaurants in Denia
However, apart from this exclusive restaurant in Denia, there are 4 other restaurants with Michelin stars. El Baret de Miquel is one of them. The Michelin Guide highlights its value for money by awarding it a Bib-Gourmand, the distinction with which it awards restaurants in this category. Its dishes are based on everyday ingredients and local produce with a Mediterranean flavour. Something that combines perfectly with a casual and curious decoration. An excellent choice, without a doubt!
If we’re talking about the interior design of El Baret de Miquel, we can’t leave out another restaurant in the Michelin guide: Aticcook. Apart from having a Michelin star, this restaurant in Denia is the fifth best luxury restaurant in Spain this year according to the Travelers’ Choice 2021 Awards on Tripadvisor. It’s found in a large attic, giving way to a view of the skyline of the whole city. As for the food, dishes are distinctly avant-garde with well-defined flavours.
If you like grills and the smell of salt, Peix & Brases is the restaurant for you. In front of the port, you have two options. On the ground floor is a more informal and quick dining experience in the gastrobar, with fusion dishes. On the first floor, the space boasts a lovely rooftop terrace. Their catchphrase “Without tradition, there can be no vanguard” says everything there is to say about their food: A Mediterranean and modern avant-garde flavours.
Rice being the main star product of Costa Blanca, what better place to try it than where it came from. The rice dishes on offer at El Raset will win you over – arròs a banda, valencian paella, seafood paella… it’s all so mouthwatering!
As for you, have we convinced you that there’s no better place to taste Costa Blanca than in Denia? Don’t be slow to book! Good food is in high demand.
