Cumbre del Sol – the Perfect Place to Have a Wonderful Christmas

Cumbre del Sol – the Perfect Place to Have a Wonderful Christmas

Even if you live in la Costa Blanca and enjoy the warm climate all year round, that doesn’t mean you have to give up that magical Christmas atmosphere. There are many activities and plans in and around Cumbre del Sol to have a wonderful Christmas. We’ll go over them with you!

Christmas Plans near Cumbre del Sol

Christmas Markets in la Costa Blanca

From now up to the first week of January, there are many Christmas markets in the many towns of la Costa Blanca. Artisanal products, food, hot drinks, and even charity stalls. All this and so much more for you to see at these Christmas fairs! Will you be going?

The Christmas magic is in full swing at Cumbre del Sol. In the town of Poble Nou de Benitatxell, this Sunday, 19 December, its streets will welcome a Christmas market that’s full of activities! Focussing on the little ones of the family, there will be children’s shows and a batucada for children too. And, at 12:00 you can enjoy a concert from the band GOSPEL IT with all the family.

A town really close to Cumbre del Sol is Teulada-Moraira, where this Sunday they’ll be getting into the Christmas spirit. In this market you’ll find independent sellers and associations. Being a solidarity market, all the proceeds go to the Red Cross. So, now you know, if you want to buy typical, local, artisanal products from this festive season, this is the place for you!

In Javea, the funds raised from the products sold in the market go to Caritas. In this case, the market has been open since 18 November and will close this Saturday, 18 December. Decorations, Christmas products and even a nativity scene! There’s still time to walk through these market laden streets.

BeniNadal, a big programme with Christmas activities

In Benidorm you can have fun with the “BeniNadal” programme that started 4 December. The children in your family will love this fair with its rides and ice rink. BeniNadal will be rolled out in different places, one of the highlights being the Christmas Grotto in l’Hort de Colon. This is where children can visit Santa a few days before Christmas Eve, something that the children will also love!

Christmas Markets

And going back to the topic of Christmas markets, BeniNadal also has one too! The “porrat navideño” (Christmas fair) is a place where you can find all sorts of artisanal products. And last but not least, the finale of BeniNadal is the three wise men parade, in the evening of 5 January. Go out and enjoy the most magical night of the year in Benidorm!

Festivities in your home in Cumbre del Sol

Another option is to party in style at home this Christmas. Here are some tips on how to organise a Christmas party without leaving Cumbre del Sol! With the stress of finding the perfect gift for your loved ones, decorating your home, and cooking up some delicious meals, you’ll be thankful for this quick list of tips we’ll give you to fully enjoy the holiday season.

Before anything else, we wanted to talk about the star of the show: food. As an appetiser, you can quickly put together a cheeseboard adorned with figs, nuts, and other dried fruit. Place it in front of your guests and you’re sure to wow them with this deliciously simple recipe. For the main, salmon wrapped in prosciutto served with vegetables on the side is an excellent and healthy option. And to finish, the dessert is easy – a simple but sweet turron de Jijona, a traditional Christmas delicacy in Alicante.

When it comes to decorating, you don’t need to fill every corner of your home with Christmas ornaments, but a few details here and there will help create a cosy atmosphere. For example, a Christmas wreath on the door to greet your guests, some candles, and tablecloths with a festive design on the dining table will make all the difference.

We hope you have a lovely Christmas in Cumbre del Sol with these tips. If you want more ideas, like where to buy Christmas presents in la Costa Blanca, or if you want more ideas on activities, keep up to date with our blog and follow us on Facebook e Instagram.

Wine tourism on the Costa Blanca,  the best places for wine lovers

Wine tourism on the Costa Blanca, the best places for wine lovers

The culture of wine and wine production continues to flourish in Alicante, yet it would be nothing without its past and its foreseeable future. It is a tradition bequeathed by the ancestral legacy of wine growing, production and consumption through generations. In fact, the Benimaquia archaeological site in Alicante boasts the oldest vestiges of wine production ever found in the Iberian peninsula. They date from the 6th century BC.

Alicante wine was appreciated by illustrious figures such as Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth 1st, no less. However, the 19th century was its Golden Age. Today, the Alicante wine sector has managed to maintain this tradition and perfect and improve its wines to achieve their present, and well deserved, superior category.  This is particularly the case of the wineries in the Marina Alta area. As a result, it has become one of the main tourist attractions in the province.

Consequently, there are plenty of activities, excursions and wineries in Marina Alta for you to visit and learn more about the Alicante wine sector. Wine tourism in this province is very popular in the inland villages and towns. However, the coastal areas also have some very attractive wine producing areas, many of which are found in the Ruta del Vino de Alicante. In fact there are five important wineries in the Marina Alta region, and if you decide to take one of these wine routes, you can’t really go wrong.

Let’s begin with the north. In Jesús Pobre, a village on the outskirts of Denia, you’ll find Les Freses. This Marina Alta winery owes its name to the surrounding land near Montgó where strawberries were grown in the past. There are currently nine varieties of wine from this area. Lands like this with so much history are worth a visit, don’t you think? Les Freses offers a guided visit to its vineyards and its winery which, of course, ends with a wine tasting session. But that’s not all! This Marina Alta winery also offers a visit, accompanied by an archaeologist to l’Alt de Benimaquia, an ancient site. The visit also includes a session tasting the les Freses wines. Both visits cost 15 euros per person.

Turismo del vino en la Costa Blanca

A little further south you can make a stop at Xaló, home of the Bodegas Xaló winery. The ideal way to discover the muscat – known as moscatel in Spanish – and giró grape varieties is to take a guided tour – minimum 4 persons. For 12 euros you can enjoy a wine tasting paired with cured meats and it could well be something that you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

In Xaló itself you can visit another important winemaking centre Bodegas Riko. This winery offers the experience of an oenologist’s daily life at first hand. The tour begins in one of the vineyards, where the whole process starts. The visit then goes on to the winery itself where you tour the facilities and learn all about the wine producing sector and the professionals who grow and make the wines. To round off the visit, you will be treated to a tasting of Bodegas Riko’s finest wines and sweet mistela wines.  This visit also includes a tour of the century-old winery building.

A little further down the map, you will come to Pla de Llíber, with artisan produced wine at the  Pepe Mendoza winery. With 12 hectares of Giró and Moscatel Romano wines, it is one of the most famous wineries in Marina Alta. A pre-booked visit costing 25 euros treats you to a group tour where you will learn all about the history of the vineyards, and the secret of their wines. A secret that you will be able to discover later with a premium tasting of 6 wines paired with cheeses and traditional cured meats.

Cata de vino en la Marina Alta

Finally, we could not end without mentioning Bodega Teulada. Producers of sweet moscatel, moscatel vermouth, semi-sparkling moscatel, moscatel cava and dry white moscatel wine, the winery has 103 partners. And the fact is, as they say, the taste is unique: these are wines infused with the essence of five sea breezes.

Has that whetted your appetite as well? Our blog tour has come to an end, but in the province of Alicante in general and on the Costa Blanca in particular, the wine route continues. Discover more!

Start Your New Life by Taking a Look at the Best Areas to Live in Alicante

Start Your New Life by Taking a Look at the Best Areas to Live in Alicante

Whenever you think of Alicante province you inevitably think of its beautiful beaches, excellent climate, and delicious cuisine. Some of the good things that make this Mediterranean paradise the perfect place to start a new life. Out of 140 municipal districts in the province, we have selected some of the best places for you to build your new home. Why not come with us as we wander around Alicante and we can show you.

Altea

Nestling between the sea and the mountains, Altea is known for its beaches with their sparkling turquoise waters and the white facades of its houses. To live in Altea means to wake up to sea views and to switch off in the blissful natural setting of the Sierra de Bernia and Sierra Helada mountains. One of the most beautiful villages in the Valencian Community awaits you!

Benitatxell – Cumbre del Sol

If your plans include moving to a peaceful residential complex equipped with all the services you need, Cumbre del Sol is the perfect choice.  Located in Benitatxell, this resort has direct access to the spectacular sandy beaches of Cala Moraig, Cala de los Tiestos and Cala del Llebeig. Cumbre del Sol also organises sporting and leisure events all year round, thanks to the area’s agreeable climate.

Denia

Denia is not just somewhere to spend the summer holidays, it is also the perfect place to make your permanent home. With its pleasant climate, you can spend time outdoors, enjoying the beach and the mountains whatever the season. Not to mention the food! The area’s famous red prawns and delicious arroz a banda rice dish will please even the most demanding gourmet palates.

Moraira

Moraira is considered by many to be one of the prettiest municipalities along the Alicante coast. And with good reason! With its sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, this place is perfect if you are seeking your new life by the sea under the Costa Blanca sun. And Moraira is also a district with a lot of history just waiting to be discovered as you stroll around its medieval streets or visit its imposing castle.

Benissa

Benissa is another amazing jewel of the Costa Blanca. From its steep and narrow streets to its blissful beaches, Benissa has everything you could possibly need to make it your new home. And as a special bonus, from Bahia de es Bassetes or from your very own balcony, you can enjoy fabulous views of the Peñon de Ifach.

Still wondering about where you would like to wake up every day in Alicante? Why not take a look at our developments at Azure Altea Homes 2, Magnolias Sunset, Golf Suites La Sella o Montecala Gardens to help you decide. Contact us now and begin designing your new life.

Michelin Star Flavours Close to Cumbre del Sol

Michelin Star Flavours Close to Cumbre del Sol

Gastronomy is synonymous with joy and discovery because it represents the cultural heritage of a country. The flavours of the dishes help us understand a place and invite us to explore it in a different way. This is the passion that chefs try to convey with their recipes and dishes and all of them dream of being rewarded with the highest recognition: a place in the Michelin Guide.

This year’s ceremony took place on 14th December in Madrid and many of the award-winning restaurants are located near Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol. During the 2021 edition, this coveted recognition made a stop in Alicante, where the Baeza &Rufete restaurant received its first star, following the Tula restaurant in Jávea, which had the honour of obtaining it last year. If you continue in Jávea, you can discover another restaurant with delicious dishes prepared by chef Alberto Ferruz: Bon Amb (two stars).

Then, to the north of Cumbre del Sol, less than half an hour from your home, you will find two other award-winning restaurants. Casa Pepa (one star) awaits you in a magnificent country home in Ondara surrounded by orange trees, orchards and olive groves. An extraordinary and relaxing place where you can taste the dishes that are served. You can also tour Denia and visit the shops and beaches of the town before heading to Calamar beach, where the famous Quique Dacosta restaurant with its three Michelin stars awaits you. With over 26 years of experience, you can’t miss their dishes that mix creativity and tradition.

Your culinary experience doesn’t end here because there are also many restaurants south of Cumbre del Sol, specifically in Calpe. In this town you will find three restaurants, each with a Michelin star. They are Beat, Orobianco and Audrey’s by Rafa Soler; all three use high-quality, fresh and seasonal products to offer you an explosion of flavours. Finally, El Xato restaurant, with over 100 years of history and a cuisine rich in flavours awaits you in the centre of La Nucía.

All these extraordinary establishments are less than half an hour from your home and give you the opportunity to enjoy exceptional Mediterranean cuisine, as well as discover original and authentic dishes – a real luxury for your senses! Don’t forget to follow us on our Facebook and Instagram and check our blog regularly to find out all about life on Cumbre del Sol and the VAPF developments.

Escape To Tabarca Island

Escape To Tabarca Island

Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol, ideally located on the Spanish Costa Blanca between Valencia and Alicante, gives you the opportunity to enjoy the best beaches and endless activities with your family. A few kilometers from your home you’ll find a true paradise: Tabarca, the only inhabited island that’s a part of the Valencian community and where you mustn’t forget to bring your snorkelling equipment.

A visit to Tabarca is practically obligatory and you can discover it in just one day as a small island that’s 1,800 metres long and barely 400 meters wide. Are you wondering how to get there? The best way to get to Tabarca is from the Santa Pola port, just over 8 km away, so it will only take about 15 minutes to get there. However, if you prefer not to go so far by car, you can enjoy a longer crossing and board in Benidorm which will take an 1:15 minutes.

Once on the island, we recommend you take advantage of the morning to discover all its attractions. Head east, towards the Campo area where you can visit the Torreón de San José (an old prison), the lighthouse and a small cemetery from where you can see the islet of La Nao. This part of the island is protected, so you will be able to admire many birds, although you won’t be able to stay to sunbathe on these beaches. However, in this area you can find the best diving circuits, so we recommend that you dive in and discover the caves and native marine species.

After having explored all of this, you’ve probably worked up an appetite, and you’ll be able to choose from over 10 restaurants scattered throughout the island that serve rice and fish, the typical dish being the caldero tabarquino.

Before immersing yourself in the crystal clear waters, you can walk through the streets of the fishing village and visit the fortified wall, declared a Historic-Artistic Site and a Site of Cultural Interest in 1964, to contemplate the island and the Mediterranean. You will also find the churches of San Pedro and San Pablo, built in 1759 and 1770 (currently closed to the public for restoration work) and the New Tabarca Museum in the Almadraba building, an old warehouse used for tuna fishing.

There is no doubt that the greatest attraction of the island is its crystalline waters and dreamy coves. The whole coast offers beaches that you can get to without difficulty and choose as a starting point for your snorkeling circuit. The Cova del Llop Marí, near the town centre, is only accessible from the water and is a real haven for marine species. If Tabarca has known how to protect its seabeds, it’s because its waters are a Mediterranean Marine Reserve.

Don’t hesitate! Book your boat ticket, get your snorkeling gear ready and set sail to Tabarca for an incredible experience. The island has a couple of hotels so you can stay more than one day. And what’s more, they say that the island transforms at night and reveals its true charms.

This is just one of the many activities you can do near your home on the Costa Blanca. Be sure to check out our blog and follow our social networks for all our recommendations.