Join Christmas Woof 2023 and help Akira, the animal shelter!

Join Christmas Woof 2023 and help Akira, the animal shelter!

Dear residents of the Cumbre del Sol Residential Estate and nearby towns!

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes one of the most anticipated activities in our neighbourhood: the Christmas Woof. This event, which has now become a tradition, not only kicks off the Christmas festivities, but also gives us an opportunity to come together as a community and extend a helping hand to those who need it most.

Christmas Woof 2023 is much more than a fancy dress competition for our beloved pets; it is a day of fun and solidarity in which we invite all neighbours to join us on Saturday 2 December to enjoy an event full of joy and, at the same time, to collaborate with the animal protection organisation Akira.

The Pet Christmas Costume competition takes place from 12:30h, our pets will be the main players with their Christmas costumes. Come and register your furry friend! To register for the competition, simply send an email to cumbredelsol@vapf.com.

Prizes for the Most Original Costumes: The three most original costumes will be rewarded with exciting dog product packs, so get ready to amaze us with your pets’ creativity!

Charity Raffle: Take part in our charity raffle in support to Akira, with the chance to win a fabulous Christmas Hamper worth €150. The price of each raffle ticket is just €5*. From the 15th of November, you can buy your raffle tickets at the VAPF Group offices, at the Como en Casa Restaurant and at AKIRA’s premises.

A Tasty Lunch: After all the excitement, we invite you to join us at Como en Casa Restaurant to enjoy a delicious special menu for only 15€. Book your table with Mari Paz (0034 639771035) or Juanjo (0034 606604625) and enjoy live music while sharing unforgettable moments with your neighbours and friends.

Support Akira

Akira does commendable work in our area, providing shelter and food for abandoned dogs living on the streets while they search for a new home for them. At Christmas Woof 2023, we have the opportunity to come together as a community and support their valuable work. Your participation and support makes a difference in the lives of these animals in need.

Date: Saturday, 2nd December 2023

Time: 12:00h

Place: Como en Casa Restaurant, Cumbre del Sol (next to the tennis and paddle tennis courts)

On behalf of the entire Christmas Woof organising team, we would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. And, of course, we wish you a Merry Christmas Woof!

We hope to see you there and count with you in this kind cause!

*Note: The cost of the raffle tickets is €5 each, not included in the restaurant’s special menu.

Warm regards from the Christmas Woof 2023 team.

 

Enjoy the cherry blossom in the Marina Alta

Enjoy the cherry blossom in the Marina Alta

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.

 

marina alta cerezos

 

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.

 

Cova de les Morretes: A seaside museum

Cova de les Morretes: A seaside museum

It might not be the best known attraction of the Costa Blanca Norte, but the interior of many of the region’s mountains harbour a network of caves (some of which are open to visitors while others remain inaccessible) that enrich the landscape, and when you venture inside some of them you may well come across vestiges of the past life of this place.

The latest exciting news about the world of caves concerns Cova de les Morretes in Benitachell. Following some important 20th century finds involving treasure, work on restoring the cave has now been completed and if you are walking the Ruta dels Penya-Segats trail, you will come across it in an exclusive location that boasts some of the finest views of the Costa Blanca Norte. A museum no less, that looks out to sea.

These caves once served as a refuge for locals who struggled to make a living from fishing and by working the adjacent terraces. In order to supplement their meagre income, they also dabbled in a bit of smuggling, most likely tobacco.

Having completely restored the walls, roof and some of the interior elements, while at all times keeping the essence of the place and its original materials, the idea of this Cultural Heritage site is to “museumise” the cave so that it can be visited both physically and virtually, making it accessible to anyone interested in paying a visit. So now you have something more interesting to do on your Sunday hiking trail near Cumbre del Sol!

 

Costa Blanca Norte: cave area

If a visit to the Cova de les Morretes has whetted your appetite, you’re in luck. As we mentioned, the Costa Blanca Norte harbours a multitude of caves to visit or view on your country walk. We tell you about some of them below.

 

cuevas en alicante

 

Rull Cave

This cave is in Vall de Ebo. It was discovered by José Vicente Mengual, known as Tío Rull, in 1919. In the 60s it was restored and made available for visits, and remained open to tourism until 1970. Later it was inherited by his heirs who sold it to the Public Authority in in 1995 and it was again opened to tourists, once the installations had been refurbished. Today it is open to the public and you can also take advantage of a guided visit as well.

 

Las Calaveras Cave

This cave which was discovered in the 16th century is in Benidoleig and is 70 metres above sea level. Its takes its name from the fossilised remains of hyenas, horses, bears, bulls hippopotamus and rhinoceros that were found in the cave interior, which are now housed in Alcoy museum.

 

Adsubia Cave

Also known as the cave of Canalobres (not to be confused with the Caves of Canelobre) you will find this cave in Adsubia. It is a perfect example of a little corner of the subterranean world that conceals a wealth of valuable natural treasures that are guaranteed to make your visit an amazing experience.

 

Canelobre Caves

These caves are found in Busot and they are probably the best known of this whole list. They consist of a space extending over more than 80,000 m², accessed through a 45 metre tunnel, in which water and rock have combined over centuries to create impressive stalactites, stalagmites and columns. One interesting fact in this regard is that the roof of the cave is one of the highest vaults in the whole of Spain, measuring 70 metres high. Not only that, due to its magnificent acoustics, it has been used on numerous occasions for music concerts.

 

As always, the Costa Blanca Norte can surprise you when you are least expecting it. In this blog post we have told you about the caves that can be found in the mountain areas, however, in an upcoming post we plan to tell you all about the wealth of marine caves that lie under the Mediterranean waters. Keep an eye open for our future blog posts!

Enjoy Christmas in the Costa Blanca Norte

Enjoy Christmas in the Costa Blanca Norte

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.

An activity-filled summer on the Costa Blanca Norte

An activity-filled summer on the Costa Blanca Norte

Summer is for having the best time ever and for getting the most out of this season. And if you are lucky enough to live on the Costa Blanca, you couldn’t be in a better place. By now there are not many new beaches you haven’t swum on, you have discovered all the little coves on your list and … maybe some of you fancy something just a little bit different. Well, there are a whole host of plans and activities with a difference that you can enjoy on the Costa Blanca Norte and, best of all, they are all really close to Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol!

 

Benissa, el Poble Nou de Benitatxell and Teulada-Moraira: sport and culture in equal measure

Starting with the two places closest to Cumbre del Sol, in Benissa and el Poble Nou de Benitatxell there are all kinds of activities and summer fiestas on the Costa Blanca. For sporty types, North Costa Blanca Padel Club is organising two tournaments this summer from 28 to 31 July and from 26 to 28 August. Be sure to sign up and have a great time practising sport in the open air.

In the same municipal district, el Poble Nou de Benitatxell will be holding its famous “Agost a la Fresca” until 28 August. This includes a full agenda of activities with cinema, literature, talks, family activities, music, dance….. and all just a few kilometres from your home in Cumbre del Sol.

By August, Benissa is reaching the final stage of its Local neighbourhood and Rural district fiestas. An extensive list of activities of all kinds, for every taste and for enjoying one of the loveliest towns of the Costa Blanca. You can check out all the activities by clicking this link.  The town has also been celebrating its Viu L’Estiu (Viva the summer) activities since June, and these will continue until the end of September. We suggest you take a look at the programme and drop by or join in some of the events.
As well as these activities, we recommend one of the guided visits as a top activity. These are held in the district and they take you from the historic town centre to the hermitage of Santa Ana and to the now renowned Ecology Trail. The talks are given in several languages and afterwards you’ll find that you have totally fallen in love with Benissa.

And that’s not all going on around here, in Teulada-Moraira you can try what is surely one of the most original activities on the Costa Blanca. These are the theatrical guided visits. It’s a great way of discovering the place, and an opportunity to visit and enjoy the shopping night, the grand music gala and the moscatell fiesta.

 

Tradition and fiesta in Altea

We couldn’t leave out the dome of the Costa Blanca in this article. All of life is there in Altea, it is the Mediterranean in its purest form, it is all about wanting to return again and again. There are some incredibly varied, enjoyable, cultural and festive activities on offer. Almost every day there is something to do or to discover. From guided tours around key parts of the town to the famous Craft Fair (from July to September) in the Church Square and the celebrated concerts with Música Aboquetanit (7 July – 25 August),  You will be reminded that Altea is the home and source of inspiration for thousands of artists of every kind. One of the high points of all these activities are the popular fiestas of  San Roc and San Lorenzo, with the latter featuring the impressive Castell de l’Olla which lights up the whole bay of Altea.

fuegos artificiales altea

Dénia: where variety is the spice

Dénia is another of those places where summer is really for LIVING LIFE to the full. The town council has organised several activities during the high season for residents and visitors alike aside from enjoying the fabulous and magical beaches of the Costa Blanca.

As is customary, the municipal district is promoting a healthy lifestyle with its Sport on the beach initiative. Up until 31 August, you can practise tai chi, pilates, keep fit, aerobics, kyusho dimak and zumbalee at Marineta Cassiana and Punta del Raset. Not only that, but the town is known for its live music as it is host to the Dénia Jazz Festival, which is held every August.  This year will be its seventh edition and the 2022 bill of events certainly matches the circumstances.
As you can see, culture is a deep seated aspect of the character of this town. As such, another date for taking your friends and family out on a summer’s evening is to Les Bassetes park.  Under the umbrella of Culture in Les Bassetes, the park hosts musical events and film screenings. And while we’re talking about film… don’t forget the series of feature films screened throughout the month of August at the Vora Mar cinema in Punta del Raset!

However, the main summer events in Dénia are the Moros y Cristianos fiestas, which are held in the first half of August. A perfect way of soaking up the town’s history and tradition concentrated in this event.

Fiestas, activities, culture, history… and all really close to Cumbre del Sol! In summer, the Costa Blanca has a whole lot more to offer than you may think. Make sure you take a look at our future blog  posts so that you can keep abreast of everything going on in the most magical coastal region of Spain.

Charity gala at Cumbre del Sol in aid of Save The Children

Charity gala at Cumbre del Sol in aid of Save The Children

On 30 June we held our first charity gala at Cumbre del Sol in aid of the NGO Save The Children. The dinner was held at Restaurante la Cumbre, where a great time was had by all with music, entertainment and a chance for our neighbours and friends to meet up.

VAPF is a company that takes its social commitments seriously at both local and international levels, and as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, it includes activities involving financial support to organisations such as UNICEF, Fundación Vicente Ferrer, Aldeas Infantiles, among others. Therefore this provided an ideal opportunity, in addition to having a good time, to hold an event that would benefit (including charity raffle) Save The Children.

A memorable evening

The event was held at 8 pm at Restaurante La Cumbre and was attended by over 80 people. Guests were welcomed with a cocktail to one of the most special nights of the year at Cumbre del Sol while neighbours and friends were either reunited or introduced to each other in a warm and welcoming relaxed atmosphere.

Shortly after, with appetites whetted, the guests were seated to enjoy the menu prepared by the restaurant. Exquisite local products prepared with care and love were enjoyed by all the diners..

charity gala

As diners enjoyed their dessert, tickets were sold for the charity raffle in aid of Save The Children. Gifts had been donated by local businesses and service providers at Cumbre del Sol including: Supermercados Pepe La Sal, Centro Clínico Dr. Thomas Dubrocki, Dreamsea Mediterranean, North Costa Blanca Paddle Club, Naútica Mengual, Restaurante La Cumbre, Montgó Verd, Hípica Cañada del Sol, Cumbre del Sol Preowned and Farmacia Cumbre del Sol.

Following the raffle and presentation of the prizes, the evening continued with a live music performance, and dancing, all adding to the fun atmosphere of the evening.

Results?

As well as having a great night out, the charity raffle made over 700 euros which will go directly to Save The Children. Thanks to their work of defending and ensuring the rights of children, this NGO manages to help over 133 million children in more than 118 countries throughout the world.

With this blog post we would like to thank everyone who attended the fiesta for their support and solidarity with Save The Children, and for demonstrating that there are many ways of collaborating with good causes. Why not take a look at VAPF’s Corporate Social Responsibility and we hope to see you at the next event: the Belgian fiesta on 21 July!