Feb 27, 2023 | Activities/Services
Sports tourism and specifically, professional cycling has become an important activity in the Costa Blanca, especially in recent years. Witness to this fact are the twelve international cycling teams that have chosen the Costa Blanca Norte as the location for their sports training, added to which there are two local teams, one in Gandía and another in Benicassim.
The area’s outdoor sports culture, the temperatures (which are pleasant all year round with a scant 22 days rainfall out of 365 days) and the steep and hilly landscape make it the perfect place for cyclists. That’s why teams sponsored by Movistar, Astana or Bahrain, to name just a few, prepare and train for their sport in the municipal districts of Costa Blanca Norte.
What makes it so special?
As we mentioned, the climate is one of the Costa Blanca Norte’s great advantages. Finding somewhere with so many hours of sunshine and ideal temperatures for outdoor sports all year round is no easy task, yet here you have it all.
We should also mention the different types of cycling surface. From roads to mountains, it is possible to adapt the routes according to the cyclist’s profile and proficiency.
Given this veritable deluge of cyclists in the area, the region has considerably improved its sports facilities, with new bike parks for mountain bikes, as well as a new and extensive range of hotels and catering to meet the needs of both professional teams and cycling enthusiasts who visit the Costa Blanca. Not only that, but the environment is completely safe. Many coastal areas are not equipped with the requisite infrastructure, above all in terms of roads safe for cycling. However, the Comunidad Valenciana and various other locations on the Costa Blanca in general, particularly in the northern part, have been working for years to create a safe system which is always in adequate conditions for practising this sport.
Historic competition scenario
This relation goes back a long way. Many sporting competitions have developed or passed through the Costa Blanca Norte. For example, the Costa Blanca Bike Race 2023 opens the mountain bike season in Spain, and it is planned as the first stop of the year for the best of the world XCM cyclists. Furthermore, Cumbre del Sol, was the goal of the 9th stage of La Vuelta a España in the 2015 and 2017 races, as well as being considered in 2019 as one of the so called “most exciting climbs”.
The Comunidad Valenciana Cycle Race has passed through the municipalities of the Costa Blanca Norte on several occasions and 2023 is no exception. In particular, on 2 February the second stage of the competition passed through Cumbre del Sol. The race began in Novelda and ended in the area of Alto de Pinos in Cumbre del Sol (Benissa).
If you are a sports enthusiast, and in particular, a fan of cycling, you will already know that Cumbre del Sol is the perfect place for this pastime, albeit your own cycling or for enjoying the various competitions that take place in the Costa Blanca Norte. We suggest you keep an eye on our blog posts to keep abreast of activities and events near your home.
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.
Jul 6, 2022 | Activities/Services, Events, Other towns
The province of Alicante is also known as Alifornia, especially during the summer months, a verbal pun combining Alicante and California, because the fact is the holiday vibe, the endless stretches of sandy beaches and the culture and nightlife have made Alicante and its coastal towns more than a match for the American Golden State.
Now that summer is here and the sun and the blue of the Mediterranean set the scene with a landscape bound to make anyone smile, we propose a series of plans and activities of all kinds to get the very best out of this little piece of California in Europe (or maybe California is the American Alicante? Calicante perhaps?)
Alicante – History and leisure
Just an hour’s drive by car from Cumbre del Sol, in the heart of Alicante city, you can visit the Castle of Santa Bárbara. This historic fortress makes the most of the summer months and until 4 September 2022 it has extended its opening hours from 10 am to 11 pm and alongside the extra hours a huge range of leisure and entertainment activities are available. From 15 to 17 July you can visit an area that offers gastronomy, decoration and a great atmosphere with pirate and medieval themed exhibitions. Musicians and actors will be performing all over the place and there will be a market with craft stalls, along with games and children’s entertainment. There are many more activities that you can check out by clicking on this link.
Music and Mediterranean sea: a great combo
Music in the open air, an area with restaurants, cocktail bars and beach clubs… Sounds good right? Well then this summer you need to take a trip down to the port of Alicante, which will be hosting the StageConfetti y Fiera event. Rulo y la Contrabanda, Shuarma, The Levitans and Mon Laferte, are just some of the first acts who have signed up to perform on stage in the new venue at the Port of Alicante.
And for true music buffs, you couldn’t do better than take a look at the agenda of Área 12. It’s the perfect place in Alicante to take in a concert and then go for a drink at the Mahou Beer Garden. Leiva, Beret e Izal, and many more artistes will be performing there this summer. Other interesting possibilities are the music events Low Festival and Boombastic. You’re spoilt for choice. Take your pick!
Something a bit more chilled?
As we mentioned at the start of this post, the Alifornian spirit pervades not only the provincial capital but it is also thriving in Costa Blanca Norte. Live and enjoy the Summer any way you want. Who wouldn’t like something a little more relaxing from time to time. If you don’t feel like spending a day on the amazing beaches and sandy coves that line the coast, why not enjoy some theatre at Auditori de Altea or a guided walk through one of Benissa’s charming areas.
Musical, cultural, historical, and natural activities … the leisure and entertainment on offer this summer within a few kilometres of Cumbre del Sol is both extensive and varied. Choose your favourite events and activities and get ready to enjoy the rest of the summer in Alifornia, and don’t forget to keep an eye on our upcoming blog entries.
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.
Dec 20, 2021 | Events
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The Christmas spirit is in full swing, and that magical atmosphere is creeping into every corner of Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol. And as we wouldn’t have it any other way, la Costa Blanca offers many Christmas activities. We’ll tell you about them all in this blog post.
Concerts
We can’t say it’s Christmas until we’ve heard carols or Mariah Carey. Music is very important for this time of year, and the province of Alicante has excellent options to put you in that Christmassy mood.
In Alicante, Wednesday 22 December, the Banda Sinfónica Municipal will hold their Christmas Concert in the Auditorio de Música de Alicante at 8pm.
Activities
Poble Nou de Benitatxell
In Poble Nou de Benitatxell, in the heart of la Costa Blanca, a very exciting Christmas is coming. On Christmas eve, Santa Claus and his elves will be visiting the town to greet all the neighbours and put on a big parade.
The week after, Monday 27, magic will be all around Poble Nou de Benitatxell coming from the Magician Dalux and his “Magic Christmas” show. The day after, the children will have a blast! The town has organised a Christmas fair with bouncy castles, face painting, and other games. And before the year ends, you can also enjoy some Christmas carols, theatre plays and other plans that you can see here. Without forgetting, of course, the Ringing of the Bells for kids at midday on the 31st! A must-go!
And we also can’t forget about the Three Wise Men parade on 5 January, where the royal Wise Men from the east will be making their way through the town, waving to the locals.
Jávea
There will also be a midday Ringing of the Bell for kids in Jávea to ring in the new year, and they have an extensive programme of activities for Christmas. From 24 December to 5 January, there will be a games library, workshops, artisanal products and different activities.
Moreover, Jávea is going sporty for this festive time of year. In the programme Nadal Jove y Esportiu, different sports clubs are offering demonstrations and children’s workshops. But also, the Grinch will make an appearance in an escape room and you can visit his house at Palau d’Esports.
Teulada-Moraira
Christmas is also very important in Teulada-Moraira. The esplanade of the castle will be turned into an ice rink during this time. Have you ever skated on ice? Now’s your chance!
Furthermore, just like other towns in la Costa Blanca, the 5 January is a key date in the calendar. The Wise Men will come on floats just before the big day. An ideal time to see them up close and ask for last minute gifts.
Nadal a l’Arniches
The teatro Arniches has prepared a programme with big shows for 26 to 29 December. On Tuesday, 28 December, the show ‘Protocolo Polo’ will take place, a story about caring for the environment and personal growth. On Wednesday, 29 December, the show ‘La Gata Japonesa’ (the Japanese Cat) will be on. Another unmissable show!
Here you can see the entire programme and buy tickets.
The Christmas Bus
In the city of Alicante, this year, the Christmas bus is back, free of charge. You can hop on from 23 December until 6 January, from 9:00 to 22:30. If you’re wondering where the bus will stop, it won’t disappoint: from la Rambla to the Portal de Elche, going to Plaza de España (Panteón de Quijano), Plaza de Luceros, Reyes Católicos and the avenues of doctor Gadea and Frederico Soto.
Whether you go to one of these events or all of them, we hope you have a Merry Christmas at Cumbre del Sol. If you want to be up to date on everything that is happening in la Costa Blanca, visit our blog for more!
