Mar 6, 2023 | Activities/Services, Cumbre del Sol
When some weeks ago we told you about the most interesting caves that you can visit inland in Costa Blanca Norte, we decided it would be a good idea to follow up with a second part to tell you about the sea caves in the area. Most of these are in the vicinity of Cumbre del Sol and it’s possible that there may be some that you don’t know about yet.
Cova del Riu Blanc
Close by the Cala del Moraig beach and Cova dels Arcs, in Benitachell, the Cova del Riu Blanc is concealed inside La Falla del Moraig. It can be accessed from the sea by swimming from Cala Moraig, a distance of some 250 to 300 metres (although we advise swimming with flippers, paddle surfing or canoeing). The falla del Moraig is a spectacular, almost vertical wall of rock. Its polished appearance and the striations caused by friction of the blocks clearly show the geological movements that led to this rock formation. The fault seems to be suspended in the air over a lake and in its interior lies the underwater entrance to Riu Blanc. However, be especially careful when entering the cave, as it can be extremely dangerous to linger there when the tide is rising. To ensure a safe visit, it would probably be best to contact one of the local companies that organise trips and that way you make sure that your visit will be safe and secure.
Cova dels Arcs
The Cova dels Arcs, which is also in Benitachell, as well as being a magical place for watching the sun rise or for snorkelling (in the well-known “divers’ chamber”, the easiest to access), is also an ideal area for expert cavers who can enter what is considered to be the longest underwater outlet to the sea in Spain.
Jávea: cave zone
Next we go to the Jávea district to discover the Cova Tallada. In this spectacular cave, remains have been found from the Al Andalus era of Spain and there you can picture how this quarry was in use from the 12th century, and there are legends that tell how it was once a marine refuge during the Second World War. Technically, it is not a completely natural rock formation as it has been altered by man through repeated removal of the roughhewn rock. The area outside the cave is perfect for snorkelling and especially worth seeing is the 16th century inscription that reads: “PHILIPUS III HISP REX CAVERNAM HANC PENETRAVIT AN MDXCIX” (Philiip III visited this cave in 1599).
We consider that the ideal access to the Cova del Llop Marí is by sea, however, this will always depend on conditions such as the wind, waves and currents. This is one of the best kept secret places of the Costa Blanca Norte, with its amazing crystal clear waters and nooks and crannies filled with marine life.
Continuing in Jávea, we come to the Cova dels Òrguens. This is a particularly special place at the foot of Cap de la Nau, and it’s possible to enter by small boat, surfboard or canoe.
Denia: Cova De L’Aigua
One of the most historic caves, frequently used in the past, is Cova De L’Aigua which is a refuge for marine flora, and in the past it also served as a shelter for Roman soldiers. In fact, it is still possible to see an inscription in this regard engraved on the cave wall (protected by a grill). Rainwater has filtered into the interior of the cave and it was used as a water tank until the 16th century.
Every secret corner of the Costa Blanca Norte comes as a surprise. We have mentioned some of the sea caves that are hidden away under the finest waters in the Mediterranean. We suggest you follow our upcoming blog posts to keep abreast of everything going on in Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol.
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.
Jan 12, 2023 | Activities/Services, Cumbre del Sol, Something special
La Marina Alta is so much more than a stroll by the seaside and warm temperatures, it is also the perfect place for enjoying delicious cuisine in the local restaurants, with menus that list the best rice dishes, seafood, and fish, not to mention other appealing specialities. As proof of this gastronomic wealth, 10 Michelin stars have been awarded to 7 Costa Blanca restaurants. Come with us on a culinary tour, where we tell you all about these restaurants, with their star dishes, and how to enjoy this great adventure for discerning palates, just a few minutes from your home in Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol.
Quique Dacosta Restaurant – 3 Stars
We have to start with the three starred Restaurant Quique Dacosta in Denia. Can a taste actually be beautiful? Beyond the aesthetics of the dish, the award winning chef has revolutionised kitchens with his gastronomic venture. That is, he endeavours to cook beauty, with the aim of promoting feelings and emotions in diners with every mouthful that they taste. As to the menu, the restaurant offers scant information, instead preferring to keep up the sense of intrigue until the end, in fact, they describe how the dishes are created based on the most iconic products and “other unknown” ones. Are you ready for the experience? To read more about the concept, and to make a booking , check out this link. However, given that the restaurant is in high demand, you will probably have to add your name to the waiting list.
Bon Amb – 2 Stars
Another place that is an essential visit is Bon Amb in Jávea. This restaurant, which has earned two Michelin stars, serves dishes based on a particular fishing practice namely, l’encesa, the ancient skill of fishing from the cliffs of the la Marina Alta. The menu follows the route of the encesers, and is divided into three different menus, each representing the path from the fields and market gardens to the Mediterranean sea: Cabàs, Canyís and Ham; all of which are accompanied by their aperitifs and desserts and with 8, 10 and 12 courses respectively. The restaurant is currently closed for holidays and will reopen on 9 February 2023.
Casa Pepa – 1 Michelin Star
In the meantime, you can book a table at Casa Pepa in Ondara, the Michelin starred restaurant that recently joined forces with the Bon Amb family, aiming to continue the legacy of Pepa Romans, who was able to recreate the essence of local gastronomic tradition in an innovative manner and bring it to the dining table. If you want to try some of the most iconic and delicious local dishes, you can book a table here.
Peix & Brases – 1 Star
For another unmissable experience, check out Peix & Brases in Denia. Awarded a Michelin star, this restaurant is clear regarding its aims, namely, without tradition there is no vanguard, which is why it looks to the future with its dishes, yet retains all that we have learned from the past. With its Essence and Tasting menus, you can enjoy a variety of dishes, typical of la Marina Alta cuisine, from a different yet absolutely delicious perspective. Not only that, but at Peix & Brases, you will find a completely different concept known as Mediterrasian, a more laid back part of the restaurant, as its name implies, which provides fusion dishes combining our culture with oriental cuisine. Mediterranean philosophy and Asiatic influence of the purest kind. For bookings, visit this link.
Tula – 1 Star
Continuing our recommendations, Tula in Jávea offers what they call real seasonal cuisine with Mediterranean ingredients, selected and prepared with the warmth and care of traditional home cooked food. Their menu is a celebration of the Mediterranean sea, and a treat for seafood lovers. To enjoy the experience of this Michelin starred restaurant, you can book here.
Audreys’s by Rafa Soler – 1 Star
Beat – 1 Star
Finally, Calpe also boasts a Michelin star, in fact it has 2, both of which are run by the AR hotel group. Let’s start with Audreys’s by Rafa Soler, which aims primarily to surprise the palate of its diners, while retaining the culinary memory that is the legacy of Valencian cuisine, yet with the most elegant style. You can book your table here, so don’t miss out on this experience. Another starred restaurant is Beat, which, with its techniques and preparation, displays sophistication that places local produce at centre stage. Its three menus,: Inspiration, Taste and Nature will delight the palate, book your table at reservas@ar-hoteles.com or call 900 103 798.
Now that you know all about the best restaurants close to Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol, there’s no excuse not to start the year with a proper festive meal. And remember, we are always here with our blog posts to let you know what’s going on in the Costa Blanca Norte.
Dec 23, 2022 | Activities/Services, Club Amigos del Sol, Cumbre del Sol, Events, Fiestas, Otros pueblos, Something special
Although Mariah Carey announces it every 1 November, it isn’t until December that officially we can start talking about lights, turrón, or Christmas carols. The most magical time of the year is here, so make the most of the warm weather on the Costa Blanca Norte to get out and about and get into the Christmas spirit. Stay around and we’ll tell you all about the good things happening just a few minutes from your home in Cumbre del Sol, where you can make the most of the authentic Christmas atmosphere.
Altea: more special than ever at Christmas
Altea is much more than a place to enjoy or the lights or to do a bit of Christmas shopping, it is also the perfect place to enjoy some fun activities. Have fun on agility tracks, games or gymkhanas in the Town Square, and the Christmas concert with the SFA Choir in the church at 7.15 pm on Saturday. Not only that, but every morning on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th December is a special time for children as Father Christmas will be waiting for them in the Town Hall Square to hear about the presents they’d like. Have you written him your Christmas wish list yet?
Father Christmas and the Lion King in Benitachell
These dates are also good for enjoying the Street parade with Father Christmas on 24th December in Benitachell accompanied by music from the Colla la Llebetjà Poble Nou de Benitatxell Orcherstra. Later, children can have their photos taken with Santa Claus in calle del Mercat and they can leave their wish lists with his helpers, the elves. This year there is also a really fun event for anyone who loves Disney when on Monday 2nd January in the marquee in the Plaça de Les Pesqueres there will be a performance of the Lion King at 7.30 pm; can you think of a better way for an evening out with the family?
Christmas in every corner of the Costa Blanca Norte
Jávea has also prepared some very special holiday events for residents and visitors alike. On 26th December, the second day of the Christmas holiday, the Craft and Artisans’ Market will be held on the seafront promenade Xàbia Port, the perfect plan for rounding off the Christmas weekend. Not only that, but the Yacht Club and its rowing section will be there from 9 am as part of its activities. If you want to join in you will need to register with Nadal Jove Esportiu, on 28th and 29th December in the plaza de la Constitución.
Continuing with sporting events, 22nd December is the date chosen by Calpe to celebrate the San Silvestre Fun Run; don’t forget to wear fancy dress, as there will be 3 individual and 3 group prizes. And if you don’t have plans yet for New Year’s Eve, put Calpe in your diary: the town hall has prepared a fabulous party for the whole family from 5 to 8 pm, and if you want to carry on, don’t worry the night is still young: at 11.30 there will be another celebration to take leave of the outgoing year which is going to be a lot of fun.
Finally, last but certainly not least, all the municipalities have programmed their own Three Kings Parades on 5th January in the afternoon, a true spectacle of magic and excitement which all the little ones will love. Visit the website of your favourite town hall to find out times and the route that the procession will take and don’t forget to check out our upcoming blog posts to find out everything that will be going on near Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol.
Dec 19, 2022 | Activities/Services, Cumbre del Sol, Events, Something special
December brings the official start of the Christmas season. The streets are festooned with Christmas lights, the shop windows brighter and more alluring than ever, the supermarkets well stocked with turrón, marzipan and other Christmas treats. And of course, the Christmas markets, filling the streets and squares of Marina Alta’s villages with festive magic.
The blue and white of the villages of Costa Blanca Norte are enhanced during these festivities with the warm and welcoming atmosphere of Christmas. In this blog post we tell you about some of the Christmas markets that you can find in the villages around Cumbre del Sol where you can source some really original gifts.
Teulada Moraira Market
This traditional market is held in the Avenida Santa Catalina and Plaza de la Constitución in Teulada.
It is one of the Costa Blanca Norte’s classic markets. The area is full of Christmas figures as part of the market, along with fun photocalls, a children’s play area and stalls where you can buy everything you need for Christmas, including gifts of course. Not only that, but the market offers numerous and varied activities with jugglers, puppets and concerts, and you can find all the information you need about them here.
Jávea Christmas Charity Market and Fair
It is always important to remember those less fortunate than ourselves, and this is especially true at Christmas. The Xàbia Association of Belenistas (Christmas Cribs and Nativity Scenes) and some private individuals have got together to organise the 2nd Christmas Market in the historic town centre. The market will be selling decorations and Christmas products, and the Christmas Crib makers of the town will be selling their figurines for the crib and they will also be mounting a Nativity Scene. Proceeds from the products sold will be given to Cáritas in Xàbia.
Calpe Fira de Nadal
After a 2 year break Calpe will once again be holding its Christmas Fair in the streets of the old town. This will be the 8th edition of this event and this year the main attraction will be the street entertainment and shows. There will be travelling shows, children’s workshops (tattoos, face painting, key rings, and blowing bubbles) conjuring tricks, and theatre. There will also be a wooden merry go round in the town square, traditional games and a moveable wooden hut featuring Father Christmas. And like all craft markets, there will be 35 stalls featuring businesses, hotel and catering establishments and several local associations selling all kinds of Christmas sweets and delicacies.
Benitachell Christmas Market
From 16 December you can visit the Mercat de Nadal de Benitatxell. This market has a wide range of stalls where you can find all kinds of Christmas products and sweets, jewellery, accessories, clothes, etc. There will also be a gymkhana, theatre, and activities for children.
Even if you only visit one of them, we hope that you have a really Happy Christmas at Cumbre del Sol. If you want to keep abreast of everything that’s going on in the Costa Blanca Norte, make sure you read our blog posts so that you don’t miss out!
