Enjoy a Literary Summer Without Leaving Cumbre del Sol

Enjoy a Literary Summer Without Leaving Cumbre del Sol

Summer is once again around the corner, and even though this year is a little different because of COVID-19, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great time from your home at Cumbre del Sol. To make our summer more enjoyable, the Poble Noe de Benitachell Town Hall has launched a “Literature Online” programme through the municipal library.

This initiative aims to bring literature into homes across the municipality in the most entertaining way possible. From Thursday, June 11th to the 13th of August, the town hall will upload literary video workshops to its YouTube channel and social media profiles. “Literature Online” will delve into two main themes: literature-inspired recipes and feminist literature.

“Literature Online” Schedule Poster

First of all, the literary-inspired recipe workshops are designed to make the summer a blast for all the kids at home. These videos will also shine a spotlight on some of the most famous literary works. Children will learn to cook alongside Harry Potter, Games of Thrones and Don Quixote of La Mancha. Get ready and don’t miss out on this literary opportunity on the following Saturdays at 11:30 am:  June 13th, July 11th and August 8th!

This programme will also feature reviews of the most important literary works that feature women as their main protagonists. These video-workshops will include the following books: We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; A Room of One’s Own by the famous British writer, Virginia Woolf; Like Water for Chocolate, an intense novel by the Mexican author, Laura Esquivel; and The Feminine Mystique by Pulitzer Prize winner, Betty Friedman. The workshops will be uploaded at 7:00 pm on Thursday, June 11th and 25th, July 16th, and August 13th. Don’t forget to write it down so you don’t miss it!

Furthermore, the fun doesn’t have to stop when the videos are over. You can also send in photos and videos of your recipes, as well as participate in debates and conversations about the books that were reviewed.

You’ll be able to immerse yourself in the greatest literary works and enjoy yourself to the fullest this summer, and all of this without having to leave home! Whether you’re on your terrace, sunbathing by the pool or lounging in your spacious dining room, you’ll be able to make the most of your two greatest passions: literature and summer on the Costa Blanca.

Outdoor Activities to Enjoy During Phase 1

Outdoor Activities to Enjoy During Phase 1

A couple of weeks ago, Benitachell was one of the first municipalities to enter phase 1 of the de-escalation process. However, there are still some doubts about what the mobility limitations are. Below, we explain the outdoor activities you can enjoy and the guidelines for doing them in the best possible way. Remember to keep a safe distance and follow hygiene measures to avoid falling sick.

Hiking

The good thing about living in the mountains is that you can enjoy many pleasant activities, such as hiking. Until recently, you could only go hiking between 6:00 to 10:00 in the morning and 20 to 23 o’clock, but now you can do it at any hour of the day. This freedom is due to the fact that Benitachell has less than 10.000 inhabitants – yet another great advantage of living in this town!

However, you should bear in mind that this activity can only be carried out once a day for a maximum of one hour and always remaining within the municipality of Benitachell.

Walks by the Beach

If you prefer to take a stroll along the beach or boardwalk, put on some comfortable shoes and start walking. Once again, you can do this activity at any time of the day, for a maximum of 60 minutes, without leaving the municipality of Benitachell.

Active Tourism and Outdoor Activities

If you love nature and the outdoors, you may be wondering if you can partake in active tourism activities such as canoeing, climbing or surfing. The answer is yes. However, you must know that a maximum of 10 people are allowed per activity at one time. In addition, you must also make an appointment with a company which specialises in the activity you wish to do.

Golf and Tennis

Another great advantage of having entered phase 1 of the de-escalation process is that you can enjoy sports that do not require physical contact, such as golf and tennis. Remember that in order to practice these sports, you must make an appointment and reserve a court before going to play. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to use the changing rooms either. You were looking forward to getting back to your normal life and now you slowly can!

These are the main activities you can do outdoors near your home at Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol. Finally, you can once again enjoy all the advantages of living in this paradise located between the sea and the mountains!

Must-See Monuments in the Marina Alta

Must-See Monuments in the Marina Alta

Those privileged enough to live along the Costa Blanca can delight in some of the best beaches, natural landscapes, and mild year-long weather that can be found in the Mediterranean.  In addition, there is no shortage of historical and culture sites waiting to be explored. Our Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol is located in the comarca of Marina Alta, a short drive away from picturesque towns brimming with stunning monuments for you to discover. Don’t miss out on our suggestions below!

Benitachell: Rediscover Your Municipality

There’s history at the very heart of Benitachell in the form of the parish church of Santa María Magdalena (Saint Mary Magdalene). Built between the years of 1710 and 1774, the church appears commonplace from the outside, but has a magnificent interior, with walls of white and ornaments of gold. It has been remodelled and expanded throughout the years to include a striking dome with blue and white tiles and ornate pendentive.

The church gives way to the second famous monument of the area, El Portalet.  As the name suggests, El Portalet is a small portal to the church’s enclosed square. This walled square used to be the nucleus of the town when it was first built. Nowadays, you can visit the square’s viewpoint from which you can spot the Montgó mountain all the way to the Puig Llorença, as well as Cabo San Antonio and even parts of Javea! There’s no better reminder of all the treasures you have so close to your home!

Javea: Fascinating, Beautiful and Full of Architectural Value

Don’t settle on admiring Javea from a distance and take the time to visit its multitude of cultural monuments! Start in the old town, where you will find famous historic buildings like the Ca Lambert. Built in 1857, it’s now an art centre where the town hall organises cultural activities such as exhibitions and workshops. The centre also has two 16th century houses, which feature late Gothic architecture.

Meanwhile, the Mvsev Soler Blasco (The Palace-Estate House of Antoni Banyuls) is one of Javea’s most important cultural monuments. It was once home to Antonio Banyul, King Phillip III of Spain’s butler. The estate was built in the early 17th century and has a unique sandstone exterior. The inside of the estate was remodelled in the late 19th century, therefore the economic prosperity of the times is richly reflected throughout. You can still see the original hand-painted ceramic floor tiles, as well as admire the top floor which is a loggia. The space is now an Archaeology and Ethnographic Museum, featuring artwork by painter Segarra Llamas. Moreover, on the top floor you’ll find priceless artefacts from the 7th to 19th century.

Make the most of your time in Javea and meaner around the old town through walled streets of the old town, architectural monuments in and of themselves. Don’t miss a visit to the Town Hall, the Church of Saint Bartholomew (Iglesia de San Bartolomé) and the neogothic Mercado Municipal de Abastos (Old Market Hall).

Moraira: Rich in History and Culture, from the City Centre to the Coast

We end our historic tour of Marina Alta in Moraira, which offers many religious and public monuments. The most famous religious monument is the Church and Fortress of Santa Catalina Mártir, which was initially built in the early 16th century to protect the townspeople against pirate attacks. As historical treasure, you’ll be able to spot architectural elements from the 18th century onwards, with everything from Neoclassic designs to a reinterpretation of medieval design in the bell tower which was erected in 1895. You can also tour the gorgeous chapels in Moraira. The Chapel of the Divina Pastora’s renaissance façade and baroque décor, as well as the Chapel of Sant Vincent Ferrer’s Neoclassic architecture and colourful cupola are especially recommended.

On the one hand, you have the formerly walled-in historical city centre with its 16th and 17th century details. You can also visit the Sala de Jurats i Justicies. Built in 1620, the building has served as a house, town hall, trading post and more. You can also visit the beach where you’ll find more historic fortresses built to guard against pirate attacks, such as the Castle of Moraira and the Vigia del Cap d’Or Tower.

We hope we’ve inspired you to visit all the wonders you have near your home! Follow us on social media to stay up to date with everything Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol and its surroundings have to offer.

Three cities to visit close to Cumbre del Sol (III): Gata de Gorgos, Teulada-Moraira and Villajoyosa

Three cities to visit close to Cumbre del Sol (III): Gata de Gorgos, Teulada-Moraira and Villajoyosa

After the recommendations we made in our first and second post, we’d like to bring you more cities close to Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol you can visit. This time we are focusing on cities with a more relaxed lifestyle, and with a much smaller population than the previous cities.

You don’t have to go very far to discover two small towns like Gata de Gorgos and Teulada-Moraira, both located in the comarca of Marina Alta, just a few kilometres away from Benitachell. Villajoysa in Marina Baixa is, and there’s no better way to say it, the sweetest way to end your journey.

Gata de Gorgos: craftsmanship showcases the city

Just 18 kilometres separate Cumbre del Sol from the town of Gata de Gorgos, which is in the interior of La Marina Alta. The contrast between the hustle and bustle of the coastal towns and this small town can be felt as soon as you set foot inside of it.

Something else that stands out as soon as you enter Gata de Gorgos is the presence of artisanal products like guitars, hats, baskets and wicker bags. The fact that the population is just under 6000 inhabitants won’t stop you from finding ten hat factories, seven specialised in bags and two in guitars.

Among the town’s many spots to explore we highlight its Cuevas Rojas or any of its many hiking trails. When you finish in Gata de Gorgos, you can head back towards the Costa Blanca seaside.

Teulada-Moraira: viewpoints to gaze at dreamlike beaches

Teulada and Moraira are two must-see stops in La Marina Alta. Speaking about them at the same time is just a question of location: Moraira is a part of the Teulada municipality (also known as the Teulada-Moraira municipality). Before reaching the coast, stop by the principal town of Teulada and discover the town walls that once surrounded it. Continue your route towards the coast calmly and enjoy the natural nooks you’ll encounter throughout your journey.

When you reach Moraira you can choose where to start from. You have viewpoints like Portitxol and L’Andragó, where you can rediscover the blue of the Mediterranean. You can opt to walk along its eight-kilometre beach while you decide if you want to go for a swim or not, or you can ponder if you should eat at one of its many restaurants before you leave. A high percentage of Moraira’s population are from abroad, which is why you can try dishes from all over the world.

Villajoyosa: the sweetest tradition

The last stop before returning to Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol will end the journey on a sweet note. Villajoyosa, in the comarca of Marina Baixa, owes its fame to an excellent chocolate tradition, thanks to the different sweets factories you’ll find here.

Don’t get too full on dessert and make sure to walk through streets like Arsenal, del Pal, Pou and Sant Pere so you can witness the most photographed and postcard-worthy part in La Vila: the colourful facades of its homes. Don’t miss out on the chance to discover the old city, where you will find the church of Nuestra Señora de Asunción, the Torre de Sant Josep (Saint Joseph’s Tower), the XVI century Torres Vigía and the walled enclosure that used to surround it.

All these municipalities are found less than an hour away from Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol and you can enjoy them any day of the year. Keep an eye on our blog to discover more must-see spots on the Costa Blanca that you can’t miss out on.

Discover the charm and history of Benitatxell through free guided tours

Discover the charm and history of Benitatxell through free guided tours

If you live at Cumbre del Sol Residential Resort you know better than anyone that it’s an invigorating experience for all the senses. The weather, landscapes, and beaches together create the perfect combination for the dream life you’ve always hoped for. However, the Costa Blanca in general and Poble Nou de Benitatxell specifically has hidden secrets and delights that you might not be aware of. To discover them, we propose a series of free guided tours offered by the Town Hall during the following months. If you haven’t considered going, think again and take note of the ones that are happening in September!

Take advantage of this month to discover the centre of Poble Nou de Benitatxell with the History and Heritage Route (La Ruta Histórica y de Patrimonio), which takes place every Friday at 6:00 pm and offers you a glimpse into the history, culture, and gastronomy of the town. The route begins with a guided visit of the Santa María Magdalena church and continues along the “El Portalet” old wall and the Jaume Llobell chapel. The second part of the route focuses on traditional architecture with a visit to the “riuaus” or raisin drying facilities and takes you through the Pous de I’Abiar, the Cova de las Bruixes and ends by contemplating the beautiful landscape of the vineyards. Undoubtedly, this route is the perfect opportunity to better understand the Iberian, Roman, and Muslim past of the town.

On the other hand, the Cliffs’ Route (La Ruta de los Acantilados) offers you a guided tour along the coast next to the cliffs until you reach Cala Llebeig. Thanks to this visit, you can get to know the hidden stories behind the places where smugglers, fishermen, and farmers lived and gathered and collected experiences in this part of the Costa Blanca. Bear in mind that the trail is not an easy one, and runs through cliffs, ravines, and the Cala Moraig fault. If you are interested, the visit takes place every Thursday in September at 5:30 pm.

In addition to these routes, considering Benitatxell’s desire to promote its historical and cultural heritage, the town is organizing another nocturnal route, with the title “Between witches and bandits,” in Spanish, “Entre brujas y bandoleros.” The local historian Pepe Cano was responsible for creating this tour that turned out to be a big success by bringing together more than 100 neighbors and tourists.

If you are interested in discovering the history and attractions that Poble Nou de Benitatxell has to offer, you can register for the guided tours at the tourism office, by calling 96 649 35 46, by sending an email to benitatxell@touristinfo.net or completing the registration form. Don’t wait any longer and delve into the town’s past during the two and a half hours that the guided tours last!