Jul 13, 2022 | Cumbre del Sol, Events, Fiestas
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..
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!
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.
Jun 8, 2022 | Activities/Services, Cumbre del Sol, Other towns, Otros pueblos, Something special
The Costa Blanca is a favourite tourist destination. It is just like an open air museum filled with history, culture and festivities. Aside from its fabulous beaches, there are many places of interest that are worth a visit, and the splendour and cultural heritage of its villages invite you to explore and discover them further.
Romanesque churches, historic neighbourhoods with their Arab architecture, or castles from a bygone age. Fiestas, monuments and tradition which will take you back to remote times as you explore the cultural heritage of the villages in this area. Discover some magical places just a step away from the Mediterranean seashore!
Festivals and fun on the Costa Blanca
There’s a festive spirit in the streets of the Costa Blanca’s towns and villages all year round. Participation in these celebrations is always a popular activity. You have probably heard of the night of San Juan or the Moros y Cristianos fiesta. However, first things first, what do you actually know about their origins?
Moros y Cristianos
Altea, Denia, Calpe, Villajoyosa or Alcoy are well known for their popular celebrations of the Moros y Cristianos festivities held in honour of the patron saints of these Costa Blanca towns.
As the oldest residents will tell you, faithful to their religious beliefs, thanks to these patron saints, the Christians were able to overcome the Muslims in battle. This historic celebration spans a period of 3 to 5 days and is held in a number of cities and at different times of the year. The highlight of this fiesta is the Desembarco – the disembarkment – which commemorates the arrival of the Moorish troops on the coast and their battle on the beach with the Christian forces determined to reconquer the land. It’s an impressive spectacle!
Altea is synonymous with festivity. Almost every month there is a fiesta in this municipal district, but it is in summer that the fiestas really come into their own.
Easter Week and Corpus Christi are the main religious events of the year. In February the streets are vibrant with colour as the residents celebrate their famous Carnaval. Meanwhile, Castell de l’Olla celebrates on the Saturday that falls closest to feast of San Lorenzo in Altea. It holds Spain’s biggest fireworks display from the sea. It also celebrates its own Moros y Cristianos fiestas.
San Juan Bonfires
When summer comes, this area of the coast attracts worldwide interest. The San Juan Bonfires begin on 19 June, and the ‘Mascletás’, the Proclamation, processions, street parades, firecrackers and bell ringing are all part of the festivities, culminating in the famous bonfire night the ‘Cremà’ (24 June).
Fireworks
The culmination of all these festivities and Bonfires is a particularly special event. The celebration takes place every year after the bonfires, held from the 25 to 29 June. Postiguet beach is host to a fireworks contest. The most stunning pyrotechnic displays can be found here on the Costa Blanca.
History and much more on the Costa Blanca
The historic quarters of many of the area’s towns are another major attraction of the Costa Blanca. Neighbourhoods that harbour amazing legends and impressive monuments.
Altea church
In the heart of Altea’s historic centre, this church dates from 1607, when it was first built. A stroll around its square and the surrounding area will take you right back to the 16th century. The church has been a mute witness to the passage of time in the town becoming an historic and cultural icon of Altea.
Bust of Cervantes
In Dénia, the most famous part of town is known as Explanada de Cervantes, where you can find a bust of the celebrated writer Don Quixote. The story goes that in 1580 when Cervantes was freed from prison he went to the port of Dénia, kissing the actual spot where this monument now stands.
The Castle Route
There are over 100 castles on the Costa Blanca. Fortresses that were the strongholds of the ancient Visigoth kings and the most important monarchs in the area. The Castle Route will draw you into a magical cultural experience. There are many such citadels along the route that runs from the mountains down to the sea.
Legends, culture and festivities that bear witness to the Costa Blanca’s wealth of mystery, entertainment and fun. Living history alongside the Mediterranean sea. How about choosing it as a place to live?
May 23, 2022 | Events, Other towns, Otros pueblos
Promoting identity, protection, and preservation of natural and cultural heritage is considered to be especially valuable for humanity. This is, and for a long time now, one of the main works of UNESCO (United Nations Educations, Science, and Culture organisation). The title World Heritage Site is a distinction for these types of places. In the Costa Blanca, and around it, we’re lucky enough to have a few of these places.
Before talking about these marvels, we want to briefly clear something up. Firstly, there’s two main types of heritage. “Cultural heritage”, which refers to monuments, groups of buildings and sites that have historical, artistic, or archaeological value. In this category, you’ll also find places with scientific, ethnic, or anthropological value. “Natural heritage” refers to exceptional physical, biological, and geological formations. This goes for animal habitats, endangered plants, and area that have scientific, conservation, or visual value. On the other hand, we also have “Intangible cultural heritage”, which includes living inherited practices and expressions from our ancestors. This is heritage that is passed down generation to generation, like oral traditions, scenic art, social customs, rituals, festivals…
All along the Costa Blanca and all around it, we have places that include all three types of heritage. Take note and plan a weekend escape to visit them!
El palmeral (Elche)
Over 200,000 palm trees look down on the urban centre of Elche. Since the year 2000, the place of the Costa Blanca has become a World Heritage site.
The Mediterranean diet
This diet was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013, the reasons being it’s richness, variety, and health benefits. You can enjoy the Mediterranean diet in all its form in the Costa Blanca. And along the whole coast of the Valencian Community! From markets where exquisite raw materials are sold all the way to the best restaurants that have kept this tradition and the essence of Mediterranean cuisine. Flagship restaurants known for exploring this cuisine, respecting its differentiating features, and being recognised worldwide for its variety of flavours and textures and for its health benefits.
Cave art
Cave art in itself is a unique cultural manifestation. And it also represents the prehistoric society that lived in the place where the Costa Blanca is today. In and around the area, there are plenty of these depictions, but if we had to recommend one in particular, we’d go for the following: Moixent with the drawings Abrigo de la Penya and Abrigo de Gontran. You can also visit the ones in the Caroig massive (Cueva de la Araña y abrigos del Barranco Moreno).
The mystery of Elche (Elche)
Declared as Oral heritage and Intangible world heritage in 2001, the Mystery of Elche is a cultural treasure in the city. This work of medieval origins is also known by the name of La Festa. It embodies all the years of the Basílica de Santa María de Elche’s history in the month of August. This activity celebrates the festival Virgen de la Asunción (the Virgin of Ascension).
Strong cultural legacy
The cultural legacy of the Costa Blanca brings together all kinds of activities and places that are steeped in history and tradition. Moors and Christians in Denia, Alcoy and Calpe, festivals in Altea and Alicante, Moorish quarters and castles in Guadalest and Javea are some of the best known experiences in the area. The options are almost endless and we encourage you to discover this land.
From rock castles at the foot of the Mediterranean, to those narrow cobbled streets where the smell of the sea mingles with the refreshing scent of jasmine, to massive parades of people, the magical Night of San Juan… everything feeds into an immense tradition and legacy.
In addition to the World Heritage Sites that we have reviewed in this entry, the Costa Blanca has some of the most beautiful historic centres in Spain. Clear examples are the Barrio de Santa Cruz in Alicante and those of Javea, Denia, Benissa and Teulada. All of them sharing one common feature: the Mediterranean sunlight.
Don’t miss our blog articles where we’ll give you more ideas on plans all over the Costa Blanca.
Feb 16, 2022 | Activities/Services, Events
Do you like getting to know a place’s culture? Even though the Costa Blanca has a splendid climate, you may want to venture a bit beyond just the beach and the pool. Around Cumbre de Sol, there’s so many cultural activities for all tastes. Whether it be spending time with friends or family, the area offers plenty possibilities. Come with us and read about the best plan over the next couple weeks. Let’s start!
A few kilometres away from Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol, Teulada Moraira is a place full of charm and fun plans of all types. The band El Diluvi and their eclectic mix of folk, cumbia and reggae presents their new disc “Present” on 5 March in the city’s auditorium. A few days after, Loles León Will take to the same stage to play in a musical based on his life “Una Noche con Ella”. Teulada Moraira also has several ethnography and history museums to discover the region’s past and its customs.
Benissa also has a calendar full of cultural plans and activities. For the next few days there are cultural exhibitions, cinema and children’s activities on offer. “Especias” (Spices) is an interesting journey of the region’s history and gastronomy through the world of condiments that enrich local cultural dishes. It starts 11 March in the University’s headquarters in the city. The museums and monuments of Benissa make for an even more spectacular weekend plan.
For those who want to explore new places, a good plan is to go on a guided visit through Calpe and go up the impressive Peñón de Ifach. And there’s lots of culture there too! In the town council’s exhibition room is a fantastic pictorial exhibition “el mar, la mar…” by César Val from the 4 to 30 March. And to finish your stay in Calpe, how about going back in time to remember days gone by? This is what the exhibition Lucía Ferrer “Aquellos maravillosos años” shows in the antiques museum.
The main theatre in Alicante is one of the most important cultural centres in the lively province’s capital. Throughout the month of March, there is a lot on offer. “The festival of magic” in Alicante will take place, operas from Nabucco and Aida de Verdi, classical Russian ballet and different events for young children will also be a part of the programme.
Without leaving Alicante, ADDA (Auditorium of the province of Alicante) is a paradise for classical music lovers. During the next few weeks, its stage will welcome young talent of all types. Jazz, opera, zarzuela, and even classical guitar from Fabio Zanon, amongst other events.
If engines are more your thing, then you can’t miss the Historical Vehicles Museum in Valle de Guadalest. It has an impressive collection of over 140 motorcycles and microcars from the 1920s to the 70s, right in the middle of nature.
As you can see, near Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol, you have a wide range of possibilities for everyone to enjoy culture. The most difficult thing now is deciding where to start. You’ll figure it out of course!
