Jun 4, 2020 | Events
If you live at Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol, you can say with confidence that you’re living in paradise. This isn’t a baseless sentiment, as the area boasts of nearly 365 days of sunshine, stunning beaches and coves, an unmatchable natural landscape and more. This isn’t all that captivates those who come to visit, as those who live here enjoy countless other benefits.
One of the main attractions to living here is that every service or amenity you might need is just a stone’s throw away from your home. We have one of the best international schools in Spain, The Lady Elizabeth school, as well as a supermarket, pharmacy, hairdresser’s, bars, and even Michelin star restaurants nearby.
As a resident, we’re sure you’re already familiar with our fantastic sports facilities, such as our equestrian centre and tennis and padel courts. Cumbre del Sol has always been an idyllic place to practice sports, thanks to its pleasant weather and landscape. However, due to the health crisis, we have been facing the past few weeks, the possibility to enjoy sports has been limited. Which is why VAPF has teamed up with We Are Talent to host the first professional sporting event held in Spain during the COVID-19 crisis. And, as a cherry on top, the event is being hosted from our very own sports facilities!
The Region of Valencia Tennis Challenge consists of 4 highly ranked tennis players from the ATP circuit. They’ll be playing 2 matches a day, following a round-robin format. Matches will be played as best-of-three sets and the third will be a tiebreaker if necessary. The event will begin on Friday, June 5 and end on Sunday, June 7. All matches will be held behind closed doors to ensure compliance with current safety regulations. In addition, players live in the area and all health requirements set by the government will be strictly adhered to.
The goal is to bring people together safely to enjoy the sport while also contributing to a good cause. At the end of the event, all donations and money raised through auctioning the player’s equipment will go towards helping Spanish victims of the COVID-19 crisis. At VAPF, we have always been committed to helping the most vulnerable. The event will also be environmentally friendly, to protect our planet as we give towards those in need.
The event will be broadcasted nationally as well internationally and will also be available on different streaming platforms. There will be live commentary in both English and Spanish and the broadcast will begin the moment the players step on the court until the moment they walk out. To maximize the event’s reach,free viewing has been agreed upon for all major national and international broadcasters and digital platforms, including:
- Spain: GOL
- Portugal: Sport TV
- LATAM: ESPN
- USA: Tennis Channel
- Australia: Australian Open, Youtube, Nine’s Wide World of Sports
- Russia: Telesport
- Belgium: Eleven Sports
- Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Globally: DAZN
- UK, Ireland: Amazon Prime Video
- Japan: WOWTV
- Canada, USA, North Africa, Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Turkey: Bein Sports
- Globally: ATP Tennis TV, LaLiga Sports, Eurosports, DAZN
The players who will be playing are Roberto Bautista (No. 12 in the ATP ranking), who has won nine ATP singles titles, the most notable being his victory at the Dubai Tournament in 2018. He also reached the Wimbledon Championship semi-finals last year. Pablo Carreño Busta (No. 25 in the ATP ranking), who has four ATP singles titles and was in the top 10 after his performance at the 2017 US Open. Alex de Minaur (No. 26 in the ATP ranking), who at just 21 has 3 singles titles, awarding him the appropriate title of “Speed Demon” on the court. Finally, there’s Pablo Andújar (No. 53 in the ATP ranking), born in Valencia and has four ATP singles titles. Last year, for he reached the fourth round of a grand slam at the US Open for the first time.
It will be a thrill to watch these seasoned and famous professionals face each other in our courts, and knowing it’s for a good cause makes it even better!
If you’re excited as we are to watch their matches, don’t forget to tune in to the broadcast and keep an eye out on our social networks to get more information as it happens.
May 13, 2020 | Activities/Services
Our architects create modern and sleek designs which are inspired by the idyllic setting of our residences. Every home is illuminated by an abundance of natural light and they all boast of stunning views to the Mediterranean. With architecture and surroundings like that, it’s only natural to want to decorate your home in ways that will accentuate its pre-existing beauty. Just like fashion, interior design is always changing and evolving, but don’t worry! We’re here to tell you all about the newest trends, so you can give your home a spring/summer 2020 upgrade.
We’re sure you know the Pantone colour of the year is classic blue, and although we’re almost halfway through the year, this colour is still widely popular. Those who live on the Costa Blanca are in luck, as this colour is present from every window thanks to the sea views and sunny skies. Adding monochromatic accents can help highlight the beauty of your home’s white walls and a wealth of natural light. Other bright colours like kelly green, saffron yellow and flame scarlet are also in fashion this spring. Cushions, throws, chairs and artwork in these colours will make your home shine.
If you prefer something more understated, you can go for earth tones that will also connect your interior spaces to the outdoors. When it comes to furniture, rustic, wooden and more natural pieces is growing in popularity and can help create a continuous harmony between the outside and inside of your home. They offer a gorgeous contrast to the elegant and modern lines of your home and add warmth to any space. Combine rattan or wicker furniture with metal pieces to heighten the contrast and create a sense of natural luxury.
Biophilic design has been a trend since last year and it’s only grown in popularity. What better way to connect your home to the unmatchable natural environment around it than to bring nature indoors? Plants and florals tie in beautifully with the previous design tips we’ve given. Sustainability is perhaps the most important idea in design, which is why we recommend finding upcycled furniture or vintage pieces for your home.
Concepts like abstract and eclectic design are very in. One of the biggest inspirations right now are designs from the 60s and 70s. Think outside the box and incorporate bold artworks and lampshades or even less conventional furniture, such as rounded or completely circular pieces. If retro-futurism isn’t for you, you can mix more classic elements from the 40s or 50s into your design to give it a simple but still refined and more structured look.
We hope our tips have inspired you to do something different and see your home in a new, even brighter light. For more inspiring content, be sure to follow us on our social networks and keep an eye on our blog, where we’ll keep you up to date with tips and new ideas.
May 7, 2020 | Activities/Services
In previous entries, we’ve compiled lists of different activities you can do while at home. There’s truly something for everyone, from those at home with children to aspiring chefs and even for those itching to give their place a chic makeover. However, what you might be missing most of all is the opportunity to let go and relax. This is why we’re sharing tips on how to have a perfect spa day from the comfort of your home.
Finding the perfect place to relax shouldn’t be too difficult in your home, with its stunning sea views and plenty of natural light, but it might be helpful to change up the feeling of the room. To do this, you can light some candles for softer lighting and a pleasant aroma that is sure to lift all your worries away. Next, we recommend you change into a bathrobe and put on your favourite relaxing playlist. Now you’re officially ready to relax!
It’s now time to focus on pampering yourself and what better way to do that than to make some DIY masks out of ingredients you’re sure to have at home? For example, to get shiny and voluminous hair, just mix a teaspoon of honey, an egg and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a bowl. Leave it in for half an hour before rinsing it off. You can also use other moisturizing ingredients, such as avocados and olive oil, which can be combined with honey as well.
These ingredients aren’t just good for your hair, but also perfect for your skin. You can double up on their beneficial properties and make a face mask while you wait for your hair mask to work its magic. If you still have some avocado leftover, mix it in with half a cup of oatmeal for a soothing effect. If you want something more anti-ageing, you can combine half a banana with a couple of tablespoons of yoghurt instead. In addition to these ingredients, honey has great antibacterial and hydrating properties, so feel free to add it to your facemasks for glowing skin.
While you let these masks soak in for 15 to 20 minutes, you can also give the rest of your body a little treat. Body scrubs are an amazing way to improve circulation and stimulate the production of collagen. They’re also guaranteed to help you feel refreshed and renewed. To make some at home, all you need is about half a cup of used coffee grounds, half a cup of brown sugar and 6 tablespoons of coconut oil (you could also use olive oil). If you want something more soothing and moisturizing, we recommend mixing honey with brown sugar and some olive oil. You can use this everywhere and even as a hand/foot mask.
You can finish your spa day by giving yourself a manicure or any other of your favourite ways to practice self-care, just be sure to share it with us! For more tips on making the most of your home on the Costa Blanca, don’t forget to follow us on our social networks and keep an eye out for our blog posts.
Apr 21, 2020 | Activities/Services
Nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and mountains, those who opt to start a life at Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol will enjoy picturesque beaches, over 300 days of sunshine and unparalleled, natural scenery along the Costa Blanca. We mustn’t forget, though, that this area is also tourist favourite due to its exceptional gastronomy! There’s no better time than the present to learn to cook your favourite Spanish dishes and travel Spain by way of your palate! Don’t miss out on our suggestions below!
The Valencian Community is famous for its rice dishes, including Spain’s renowned paella dish. The one thing they all have in common is, of course, Valencian rice. Each dish highlights the way this region is rich with flavour-packed ingredients.
There are two types of paella: paella Valenciana made with chicken and rabbit and paella de marisco made with seafood. Both have a few shared key ingredients: saffron, paprika, peppers and tomatoes. For the first one, you’ll need green and broad beans, rosemary and artichokes. Meanwhile, the seafood paella has a sofrito base, which is made by sautéing peppers, onion, garlic, tomatoes with some olive oil and spices. The star ingredient of this dish can be prawn, mussels, squid and oysters, take your pick! Fish stock is also used to cook the rice. It should take about an hour to make and the divine flavour will be fully worth the effort!
Baked rice, or Arròs al Forn, is usually cooked in a clay pot in the oven, as its name suggests. It has humble origins, as it was originally created to make the most of leftover stews and other ingredients, but these days it is considered a delicacy by all. It usually contains ingredients such as chickpeas, chorizo, black pudding (morcilla), potatoes, tomatoes and garlic. Rich with Mediterranean flavour and a traditional home-cooking staple, it’s definitely worth trying to make at home.
Arròs a Banda originates even closer to home as it is a typical Alicantean dish. It also has humble beginnings, originally made by fishermen out of the leftover fish that they couldn’t sell. The dish is packed with flavour thanks to the fact that the rice is cooked in a rich fish broth and served with regional rockfish. It’s usually served with a side of aioli.
Lastly, there’s the striking Arròs negre, or black rice. Its distinctive colour comes from its star ingredients: cuttlefish or squid ink. Depending on how you choose to make it, your rice will contain cuttlefish or squid as well as the ink. The rice is also cooked in seafood stock, but if that’s not enough for you, you can also add other seafood, such as prawns, clams or mussels to your rice. It takes under an hour to prep and cook, which makes it the perfect simple dish to wow your family with!
Another option is stuffed squid, a seafood lovers’ delight! Add a list twist to your rice dishes by making this quick and easy meal. There’s no end to the ingredients you can use for the stuffing; everything from chorizo to prawn pairs wonderfully with squid. You can cook the rice, onion, garlic, tomato and other vegetables with wine before stuffing the squid and finishing it all off in the oven. It’s a simple recipe with restaurant-quality results.
No meal is complete without dessert, which is why we recommend coca llanda, also known as coca boba. All you need for this recipe are eggs, milk, sugar, oil, baking powder, cinnamon and a squeeze of lemon and orange juice! These ingredients are probably sitting in your pantry right now, so there’s no reason to not give baking a try with this aromatic delight.
You can pair your meal with a nice regional wine and dessert with a glass of horchata. Make the most of your time at home and enjoy the richness the local produce and gastronomy has to offer. Don’t forget to follow us on our social networks and keep up to date with our latest news on our blog.
Apr 15, 2020 | Activities/Services
Your home is the safest place to be with your family and we know that you are all enjoying this time together to the fullest. This is why we’ve made a list of unique and fun activities you can do while at home, ensuring that you and your family can make the most of every day together during these times.
Scavenger hunt
Hide little treats all around the house and prepare some clues that guide your child from one prize to another! If they’re a little older, you can take turns creating scavenger hunts for each other or work together and plan a creative surprise for someone else in the house. Get their imagination going as they try to solve or create riddles, we’re sure whatever they come up with will be a laugh!
Bingo
You might be thinking that bingo is something only grandparents enjoy but trust us, children love it! It’s a great way to practice letters and numbers with younger children. You can even have them make their own bingo sheets by having them write or draw things in a category (like animals or colours). If you have pre-teen or teens, you can make each square an activity they have to do (a handstand, say a tongue twister or sing their favourite song) and make it a race to see who gets bingo first!
Obstacle course
Use paper streamers, tape, jump ropes, stuffed animals and anything else you have around the house to create an obstacle course in a safe area. There are many ways to ramp up the fun with this activity; you can time each other to see who is the fastest or make up a challenge to make each round harder! Make sure to move any valuables out of the way as everyone can get a little competitive.
Science experiments
There are plenty of fun and easy science experiments you can do from the safety of your home! If you have some corn-starch, just add water and mix it until it forms a very liquid paste. Have your children put their hands in and squeeze to watch how the liquid becomes a solid until they let go. For a tastier option, you can make sugar crystals by boiling 4 cups of sugar in a large pot until dissolved. Add some food colouring and pour the mixture into a jar. Using clothespins, balance a sugar-coated wooden stick in the centre of the jar and put it somewhere dark. Make sure to leave enough of the stick out of the jar! Check in every day and watch the crystals get bigger, the longer you leave it, the bigger the crystals will be.
Put on a play
This activity is a combination of many tried and tested favourites. Have your children pick out their favourite story or movie to retell. Alternatively, have them make up a sequel to one or even create their own original story to put on. Together you can write a script, arts and craft the set and then decide who is going to play which character (bring in some stuffed animals to play some parts if you don’t have enough people and give each one a funny voice for some extra fun). Lastly, go through old clothes and costumes to dress up. If they’re older, they can create their own game show and have you on as a participant or the other way around. This is a great activity to involve the whole family through video calls or by sending them a video of whatever you’ve created together.
We hope these ideas blow boredom away and help you and your family create some fond memories at home. If you’re looking for something to do in your free time, you can also check out our other blog posts that are full of suggestions. Don’t forget to keep up to date with our news on our blog and by following our social networks.
