Jan 23, 2023 | Activities/Services, Cumbre del Sol, Other towns
During the summer there are plenty of plans and things to do in the area and it is normal for the loveliest spots to be full of people, and so it is harder to enjoy them 100%. Due to its enviable climate, the Costa Blanca Norte is one of those destinations that can be rediscovered and also enjoyed during the colder months. In this blog post we suggest some activities and places close by Cumbre del Sol that will make you love the low season in one of the most charming and delightful areas of the Spanish Levant.
The Javea look out trail
There are 15 cliff tops, 15 scenarios, 15 different ways of looking at the sea. From Cap de Sant Antoni to Castell de la Granadella, you can take a trail that will captivate all your senses. You can enjoy views of Montgó, ancient 16th century windmills, look out points, islets, not to mention the local flora and fauna. You will find the complete list so you can map out your itinerary by clicking on this link.
Discover the “other side” of Altea
With its famous dome, its historic town centre, the seafront promenade, the Yacht Club, the beaches… Altea offers everything you can imagine so why not look at this amazing place from another perspective? A great plan for one of those sunny Saturday or Sunday winter mornings would be sailing around the bay of Altea. Not only that, there are a number of sailing schools in the town where you can learn all about this wonderful world.
Trails in Serra Gelada
Although we’d need a whole article to give you an in depth view, in this post we focus on an enjoyable route that begins in el Albir, which is at the end of the “Camí Vell del far”. This trail is two and a half kilometres long and takes you past ochre mines and little beaches culminating in a look out point with incredible views.
Climbing the Peñón de Ifach
This outing is a classic at any time, although it is better enjoyed when the temperature is lower and there are fewer people around. Two and a half hours is the time it takes to be rewarded once you’ve climbed the 332 metres: the most comprehensive views of Calpe and its bays, and on a clear day you can even see Ibiza. But don’t forget to wear the appropriate footwear!
Checking out the Michelin Stars in la Marina Alta
La Marina Alta is also a culinary benchmark in the Spanish Levant. In November 2022 the 7 restaurants awarded the highest accolade for gastronomy in Spain managed to renew their 10 stars which were awarded to the following restaurants:
Audrey’s de Calp, 1 Michelin Star.
Beat de Calp, 1 Michelin Star.
Quique Dacosta de Dénia, 3 Michelin Stars.
Peix & Brases de Dénia, 1 Michelin Star
Casa Pepa de Ondara, 1 Michelin Star.
BonAmb Restaurante de Xàbia, 2 Michelin Stars.
Tula Restaurante de Xàbia, 1 Michelin Star.
Other plans in and around the Costa Blanca Norte
Discover the caves of Canelobre
An extremely attractive option, just a few kilometres away from Alicante, is a trip to the caves of Canelobre. A huge variety of stalactites, stalagmites, and columns created by the waters around Busot. What’s more, in the interior you’ll find one of the highest vaults in Spain and a stalagmite that is over 100,000 years old.
Guadalest: inland is lovely too
El Castell de Guadalest is a remote village, nestling in the mountains in the shelter of the Xortà, Aitana and Serella mountain ranges, that has retained the Mediterranean essence with its whitewashed houses and their stone paved floors. This is an unmissable destination if you want to discover inland Costa Blanca.
Now that you know about some of the possibilities just a few kilometres from Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol, there’s no reason to stay home this weekend. For more plans and activities with destinations close to home, stay in touch and look out for our future blog posts.
Jan 12, 2023 | Activities/Services, Cumbre del Sol, Something special
La Marina Alta is so much more than a stroll by the seaside and warm temperatures, it is also the perfect place for enjoying delicious cuisine in the local restaurants, with menus that list the best rice dishes, seafood, and fish, not to mention other appealing specialities. As proof of this gastronomic wealth, 10 Michelin stars have been awarded to 7 Costa Blanca restaurants. Come with us on a culinary tour, where we tell you all about these restaurants, with their star dishes, and how to enjoy this great adventure for discerning palates, just a few minutes from your home in Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol.
Quique Dacosta Restaurant – 3 Stars
We have to start with the three starred Restaurant Quique Dacosta in Denia. Can a taste actually be beautiful? Beyond the aesthetics of the dish, the award winning chef has revolutionised kitchens with his gastronomic venture. That is, he endeavours to cook beauty, with the aim of promoting feelings and emotions in diners with every mouthful that they taste. As to the menu, the restaurant offers scant information, instead preferring to keep up the sense of intrigue until the end, in fact, they describe how the dishes are created based on the most iconic products and “other unknown” ones. Are you ready for the experience? To read more about the concept, and to make a booking , check out this link. However, given that the restaurant is in high demand, you will probably have to add your name to the waiting list.
Bon Amb – 2 Stars
Another place that is an essential visit is Bon Amb in Jávea. This restaurant, which has earned two Michelin stars, serves dishes based on a particular fishing practice namely, l’encesa, the ancient skill of fishing from the cliffs of the la Marina Alta. The menu follows the route of the encesers, and is divided into three different menus, each representing the path from the fields and market gardens to the Mediterranean sea: Cabàs, Canyís and Ham; all of which are accompanied by their aperitifs and desserts and with 8, 10 and 12 courses respectively. The restaurant is currently closed for holidays and will reopen on 9 February 2023.
Casa Pepa – 1 Michelin Star
In the meantime, you can book a table at Casa Pepa in Ondara, the Michelin starred restaurant that recently joined forces with the Bon Amb family, aiming to continue the legacy of Pepa Romans, who was able to recreate the essence of local gastronomic tradition in an innovative manner and bring it to the dining table. If you want to try some of the most iconic and delicious local dishes, you can book a table here.
Peix & Brases – 1 Star
For another unmissable experience, check out Peix & Brases in Denia. Awarded a Michelin star, this restaurant is clear regarding its aims, namely, without tradition there is no vanguard, which is why it looks to the future with its dishes, yet retains all that we have learned from the past. With its Essence and Tasting menus, you can enjoy a variety of dishes, typical of la Marina Alta cuisine, from a different yet absolutely delicious perspective. Not only that, but at Peix & Brases, you will find a completely different concept known as Mediterrasian, a more laid back part of the restaurant, as its name implies, which provides fusion dishes combining our culture with oriental cuisine. Mediterranean philosophy and Asiatic influence of the purest kind. For bookings, visit this link.
Tula – 1 Star
Continuing our recommendations, Tula in Jávea offers what they call real seasonal cuisine with Mediterranean ingredients, selected and prepared with the warmth and care of traditional home cooked food. Their menu is a celebration of the Mediterranean sea, and a treat for seafood lovers. To enjoy the experience of this Michelin starred restaurant, you can book here.
Audreys’s by Rafa Soler – 1 Star
Beat – 1 Star
Finally, Calpe also boasts a Michelin star, in fact it has 2, both of which are run by the AR hotel group. Let’s start with Audreys’s by Rafa Soler, which aims primarily to surprise the palate of its diners, while retaining the culinary memory that is the legacy of Valencian cuisine, yet with the most elegant style. You can book your table here, so don’t miss out on this experience. Another starred restaurant is Beat, which, with its techniques and preparation, displays sophistication that places local produce at centre stage. Its three menus,: Inspiration, Taste and Nature will delight the palate, book your table at reservas@ar-hoteles.com or call 900 103 798.
Now that you know all about the best restaurants close to Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol, there’s no excuse not to start the year with a proper festive meal. And remember, we are always here with our blog posts to let you know what’s going on in the Costa Blanca Norte.
Dec 23, 2022 | Activities/Services, Club Amigos del Sol, Cumbre del Sol, Events, Fiestas, Otros pueblos, Something special
Although Mariah Carey announces it every 1 November, it isn’t until December that officially we can start talking about lights, turrón, or Christmas carols. The most magical time of the year is here, so make the most of the warm weather on the Costa Blanca Norte to get out and about and get into the Christmas spirit. Stay around and we’ll tell you all about the good things happening just a few minutes from your home in Cumbre del Sol, where you can make the most of the authentic Christmas atmosphere.
Altea: more special than ever at Christmas
Altea is much more than a place to enjoy or the lights or to do a bit of Christmas shopping, it is also the perfect place to enjoy some fun activities. Have fun on agility tracks, games or gymkhanas in the Town Square, and the Christmas concert with the SFA Choir in the church at 7.15 pm on Saturday. Not only that, but every morning on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th December is a special time for children as Father Christmas will be waiting for them in the Town Hall Square to hear about the presents they’d like. Have you written him your Christmas wish list yet?
Father Christmas and the Lion King in Benitachell
These dates are also good for enjoying the Street parade with Father Christmas on 24th December in Benitachell accompanied by music from the Colla la Llebetjà Poble Nou de Benitatxell Orcherstra. Later, children can have their photos taken with Santa Claus in calle del Mercat and they can leave their wish lists with his helpers, the elves. This year there is also a really fun event for anyone who loves Disney when on Monday 2nd January in the marquee in the Plaça de Les Pesqueres there will be a performance of the Lion King at 7.30 pm; can you think of a better way for an evening out with the family?
Christmas in every corner of the Costa Blanca Norte
Jávea has also prepared some very special holiday events for residents and visitors alike. On 26th December, the second day of the Christmas holiday, the Craft and Artisans’ Market will be held on the seafront promenade Xàbia Port, the perfect plan for rounding off the Christmas weekend. Not only that, but the Yacht Club and its rowing section will be there from 9 am as part of its activities. If you want to join in you will need to register with Nadal Jove Esportiu, on 28th and 29th December in the plaza de la Constitución.
Continuing with sporting events, 22nd December is the date chosen by Calpe to celebrate the San Silvestre Fun Run; don’t forget to wear fancy dress, as there will be 3 individual and 3 group prizes. And if you don’t have plans yet for New Year’s Eve, put Calpe in your diary: the town hall has prepared a fabulous party for the whole family from 5 to 8 pm, and if you want to carry on, don’t worry the night is still young: at 11.30 there will be another celebration to take leave of the outgoing year which is going to be a lot of fun.
Finally, last but certainly not least, all the municipalities have programmed their own Three Kings Parades on 5th January in the afternoon, a true spectacle of magic and excitement which all the little ones will love. Visit the website of your favourite town hall to find out times and the route that the procession will take and don’t forget to check out our upcoming blog posts to find out everything that will be going on near Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol.
Dec 19, 2022 | Activities/Services, Cumbre del Sol, Events, Something special
December brings the official start of the Christmas season. The streets are festooned with Christmas lights, the shop windows brighter and more alluring than ever, the supermarkets well stocked with turrón, marzipan and other Christmas treats. And of course, the Christmas markets, filling the streets and squares of Marina Alta’s villages with festive magic.
The blue and white of the villages of Costa Blanca Norte are enhanced during these festivities with the warm and welcoming atmosphere of Christmas. In this blog post we tell you about some of the Christmas markets that you can find in the villages around Cumbre del Sol where you can source some really original gifts.
Teulada Moraira Market
This traditional market is held in the Avenida Santa Catalina and Plaza de la Constitución in Teulada.
It is one of the Costa Blanca Norte’s classic markets. The area is full of Christmas figures as part of the market, along with fun photocalls, a children’s play area and stalls where you can buy everything you need for Christmas, including gifts of course. Not only that, but the market offers numerous and varied activities with jugglers, puppets and concerts, and you can find all the information you need about them here.
Jávea Christmas Charity Market and Fair
It is always important to remember those less fortunate than ourselves, and this is especially true at Christmas. The Xàbia Association of Belenistas (Christmas Cribs and Nativity Scenes) and some private individuals have got together to organise the 2nd Christmas Market in the historic town centre. The market will be selling decorations and Christmas products, and the Christmas Crib makers of the town will be selling their figurines for the crib and they will also be mounting a Nativity Scene. Proceeds from the products sold will be given to Cáritas in Xàbia.
Calpe Fira de Nadal
After a 2 year break Calpe will once again be holding its Christmas Fair in the streets of the old town. This will be the 8th edition of this event and this year the main attraction will be the street entertainment and shows. There will be travelling shows, children’s workshops (tattoos, face painting, key rings, and blowing bubbles) conjuring tricks, and theatre. There will also be a wooden merry go round in the town square, traditional games and a moveable wooden hut featuring Father Christmas. And like all craft markets, there will be 35 stalls featuring businesses, hotel and catering establishments and several local associations selling all kinds of Christmas sweets and delicacies.
Benitachell Christmas Market
From 16 December you can visit the Mercat de Nadal de Benitatxell. This market has a wide range of stalls where you can find all kinds of Christmas products and sweets, jewellery, accessories, clothes, etc. There will also be a gymkhana, theatre, and activities for children.
Even if you only visit one of them, we hope that you have a really Happy Christmas at Cumbre del Sol. If you want to keep abreast of everything that’s going on in the Costa Blanca Norte, make sure you read our blog posts so that you don’t miss out!
Dec 16, 2022 | Activities/Services, Cumbre del Sol, Events, Something special
One of the basic pillars of VAPF is to make an active contribution to improving the world we live in. Throughout the year, we collaborate with different associations, groups and NGOs to try and reduce the environmental impact of our activities and projects. As 2022 draws to a close, we thought it would be a good idea to end the year by helping one particular pet that makes millions of homes happy all over the world, namely dogs.
Akira Dog Sanctuary and VAPF Pet CostumeContest
There is nothing new about this collaboration. VAPF has worked with AKIRA Benissa Dog Sanctuary on several occasions, providing the funds needed for the work of maintaining the shelter. In short, above all we want to help to ensure that the dogs are protected and safe throughout their stay at the shelter. This year it was decided to hold a Pet Costume Contest for pets on 17 December with Christmas as the theme. The best outfits will be awarded prizes and a Christmas hamper will also be raffled. The profits will go 100% directly to the sanctuary.
A very special shelter
The Akira dog sanctuary is set in the woods. The shelter has night time kennels and areas for daytime play and caters for up to 60 dogs. The roofed entrance patio houses facilities for volunteers and dog walkers. The patio on the upper floor boasts a veterinary clinic, an isolation zone for recent arrivals and separate fenced off areas for puppies which can house two different litters of puppies at a time.
In addition, there are three specially marked dog walking trails around the shelter that lead into the surrounding countryside. They vary from a short 20 minute walk, to a longer and more picturesque route which takes 40 minutes.
Other ways of collaborating with Akira
Almost all the costs of operating our shelter and caring for the dogs in our charge are paid for with voluntary donations, sponsorship and fund raising activities. So if you are unable to attend the event on 17 of this month, there are some other ways that you can help the shelter:
- Buying on Amazon: Akira will receive 5% of the price of any article you buy on Amazon when you click on their web site
- Akira Shop: you can find the shop at Avenido de Portet 19, Moraira and it is open from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm. There is also a book stall at Moraira Market on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Fridays of every month, along with a stall at the local Antiques and Collectors’ Fairs. The shop also acts as a ticket office for fund raising events, issues membership forms and deals with general enquiries.
- Fashion show: twice a year we hold a fashion show to showcase quality items, often designer brands at extremely reasonable prices.
- Donations: veterinary bills, buying food and medicines for dogs that arrive in poor health and need special care, also for puppies and dogs with special needs. Every donation, however small, makes a difference.
- Become a volunteer: The AKIRA team has many volunteers; even so they are always looking for more helpers.
And, most importantly: do not buy a dog, adopt one instead. As you can see, as well as the Pet Costume contest on 17 December there are lots more ways to help, so that initiatives like the sanctuary can survive and prosper. Look out for our upcoming blog posts to keep up with everything going on close to home at Cumbre del Sol.
Nov 29, 2022 | Activities/Services, Cumbre del Sol, Events, Something special
The Costa Blanca is an ideal destination for fans of sport: from professionals to aficionados and those who come just to enjoy sporting events as spectators.
Its mountains, beaches, the excellent road network and the extensive range of facilities make this part of the Spanish Levant a unique destination for practising sport at any time of the year.
The Marina Alta District League
Once again this year, the Marina Alta District League will be holding its traditional competitions with 14 sporting events, athletics, badminton, basketball, mountain biking, chess, five a side football, rhythmic gymnastics, karate, multi-sports, swimming, padel, Valencian handball, tennis and volley ball.
In this new edition, the towns of Benissa, Calpe, Denia, Benitachell, El Verger, Els Poblets, Gata de Gorgos, Jesús Pobre, La Rectoría, Vall de Laguar, La Xara, Murla, Ondara, Orba, Pedreguer, Pego, Teulada-Moraira, Xàbia and Xaló will be taking part. All these competitions and activities are run by the Marina Alta District League, which was founded in 1994 so that all the towns in the area could enjoy ongoing competitions.
The Xarxa Esportiva is the body that coordinates all these activities (you can see their events calendar here) and it undertakes to promote sport in all the local towns and districts in the area, announcing to the general public and to local organisations the volume and quality of the activities organised by the Marina Alta sports network for young people.
There is no question that the added value of an organisation that promotes sport and sporting events is a bonus if you are seeking somewhere new to live. By making room for sport in their lives, young people will have a huge range of sporting activities to choose from, together with other things to do, leading a healthy life with a host of outdoor pastimes on the Costa Blanca Norte practically all year round. .
And that’s not all
If there is one thing that the Costa Blanca Norte is known for, it’s the climate and temperatures that mean that you can play sport every day of the year while you enjoy the spectacular countryside and discover a few small corners of paradise.
Cycling
Cycling is the king of open air sports. The Costa Blanca Norte is blessed with numerous cycling routes through fantastic countryside that will delight cycling buffs, and you can discover them in this article.
Swimming
Because the beach is not just for summer. Autumn and springtime (and winter as well for those who are especially brave) are great for enjoying the Mediterranean when it is so much quieter than during the summer season. A few lengths first thing in the morning will set you up for the day, brimming with energy. Do you know the best beaches and coves on the Costa Blanca Norte? If not, take note of the ones we mention in this article.
Hiking and trails
Are you interested in panoramic views? If so, what could be better than seeking out some of the countryside routes and trails in the area. In summer, the mountains often take a back seat when the sea is the focus for nearly everyone, but out of season this area gets the attention it deserves and everyone can enjoy days out in nature. Take a look at this post that we published a while back, and we mention a few places as a taster here:
Sierra Helada. With cliffs rising to 300 metres, and some exceptional plant life. There are itineraries for every taste and an 8 kilometre trail for you to follow.
Sierra de Bernia. The views of the Alicante coast from the sierra de Bernia mountains are spectacular, especially after crossing El Forat, a path excavated in the rock.
Peñón de Ifach. This is Calpe’s landmark, rising up majestically over the sea. It is a protected nature reserve and easy to get to, and although the second part of the route is a little bit more difficult, when you see the views you’ll know that it was worth it.
After seeing all the activities available to you, doesn’t it make you want to get moving? Discover another side of the Costa Blanca Norte through sport and don’t forget to look out for our upcoming blog posts to find out everything going on in and around Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol.
