Enjoy the cherry blossom in the Marina Alta

Enjoy the cherry blossom in the Marina Alta

Cherry blossom time is one of the year’s great events. Every springtime the cherry blossom in the Vall de la Gallinera, in the Marina Alta, rewards us with this spectacle. It is a phenomenon that usually occurs mid-March to early April depending on the weather.

 

The Costa Blanca Norte in general and Cumbre del Sol in particular is one of the loveliest places in Spain, known for its beaches and coves, but also for its interior.  This area inland is one of the best places to see the cherry trees in bloom. It is a spectacle that has been acknowledged by the Comunitat Valenciana Tourist Office and also travel magazines such as Condé Nast Traveler. This district is up there with the best known parts of Spain, such as Alfarnate, in Málaga, the Valle del Jerte, in Cáceres, El Hornillo in Ávila and the Valle de las Caderechas in Burgos as one of the best places to view one of nature’s spectacles.

Historically known as a cherry producing area, La Vall de Gallinera is a village of  570 inhabitants that lies in a valley. The river Gallinera runs through it and it is ringed by the mountains of the Sierra del Almirante, the Sierra de la Albureca and the Sierra Foradada.

Benirrama, Benialí, Benissivà, Benitaia, La Carroja, Alpatró, Llombai and Benissili make up the area where you enjoy a unique sight in the Comunitat Valenciana region along the “8 Villages Trail”. This is the ideal way to discover the area as you pass by the natural springs, water troughs, charming little streets, the surrounding countryside and of course cherries. We tell you the best way to go about it!

 

Discover inland Costa Blanca Norte

The “8 Villages Trail” is a route that you take at any time of the year, as we have mentioned it is particularly recommended in March, to coincide with the cherry blossom that carpets the slopes of Vall de Gallinera with a blanket of white.

The trail is 14 kilometres long, although you can walk just parts of it as you wish. The route is signposted and runs mainly through tarmac farm tracks, with only slight inclines (with the odd exception) and so it is ideal for children on one of those sunny Sundays that are perfect for a family outing.

However, this is not a circular route, so the entire return trip is 28 kilometres which might be a bit much if you simply want to enjoy the countryside. So instead we recommend one of the following options:

  • If you travel with 2 cars, you could leave one at the start, and park another one at the end of the trail, and that way you can walk the whole 14 km just one way.
  • Simply walk a part of the route. In that case you could start out from one of the villages along the way. It would probably be best to choose one of the central villages which have the most services and facilities if you are planning to stop and eat, Benialí, where La Vall town council is located, is a good choice.

 

marina alta cerezos

 

One of the main attractions along the route are the innumerable springs that bubble up fresh and clear from the mountain peaks of the Serra Foradà, on the southern side of the valley and from the Serra de l’Almirall, which encloses the valley to the north.

The trail is indicated at all times.  In each village you will find panels containing information, as well as signposts at regular intervals along the way.

In short, this is a route for everyone, because you can walk the trail (and see the springs, public laundry places and enjoy the countryside in this beautiful valley) or by car and enjoy exploring all the villages.

The area is well kept with a lot of history and architectural, artistic and natural heritage. A spectacular landscape with its high mountains and a lively environment.  We cannot think of a better plan close by, as spring approaches, than to have a wander around these eight villages with the cherry blossom as an added extra.

 

Sea caves in the Costa Blanca Norte

Sea caves in the Costa Blanca Norte

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).

cueva costa blanca

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.

Cova de les Morretes: A seaside museum

Cova de les Morretes: A seaside museum

It might not be the best known attraction of the Costa Blanca Norte, but the interior of many of the region’s mountains harbour a network of caves (some of which are open to visitors while others remain inaccessible) that enrich the landscape, and when you venture inside some of them you may well come across vestiges of the past life of this place.

The latest exciting news about the world of caves concerns Cova de les Morretes in Benitachell. Following some important 20th century finds involving treasure, work on restoring the cave has now been completed and if you are walking the Ruta dels Penya-Segats trail, you will come across it in an exclusive location that boasts some of the finest views of the Costa Blanca Norte. A museum no less, that looks out to sea.

These caves once served as a refuge for locals who struggled to make a living from fishing and by working the adjacent terraces. In order to supplement their meagre income, they also dabbled in a bit of smuggling, most likely tobacco.

Having completely restored the walls, roof and some of the interior elements, while at all times keeping the essence of the place and its original materials, the idea of this Cultural Heritage site is to “museumise” the cave so that it can be visited both physically and virtually, making it accessible to anyone interested in paying a visit. So now you have something more interesting to do on your Sunday hiking trail near Cumbre del Sol!

 

Costa Blanca Norte: cave area

If a visit to the Cova de les Morretes has whetted your appetite, you’re in luck. As we mentioned, the Costa Blanca Norte harbours a multitude of caves to visit or view on your country walk. We tell you about some of them below.

 

cuevas en alicante

 

Rull Cave

This cave is in Vall de Ebo. It was discovered by José Vicente Mengual, known as Tío Rull, in 1919. In the 60s it was restored and made available for visits, and remained open to tourism until 1970. Later it was inherited by his heirs who sold it to the Public Authority in in 1995 and it was again opened to tourists, once the installations had been refurbished. Today it is open to the public and you can also take advantage of a guided visit as well.

 

Las Calaveras Cave

This cave which was discovered in the 16th century is in Benidoleig and is 70 metres above sea level. Its takes its name from the fossilised remains of hyenas, horses, bears, bulls hippopotamus and rhinoceros that were found in the cave interior, which are now housed in Alcoy museum.

 

Adsubia Cave

Also known as the cave of Canalobres (not to be confused with the Caves of Canelobre) you will find this cave in Adsubia. It is a perfect example of a little corner of the subterranean world that conceals a wealth of valuable natural treasures that are guaranteed to make your visit an amazing experience.

 

Canelobre Caves

These caves are found in Busot and they are probably the best known of this whole list. They consist of a space extending over more than 80,000 m², accessed through a 45 metre tunnel, in which water and rock have combined over centuries to create impressive stalactites, stalagmites and columns. One interesting fact in this regard is that the roof of the cave is one of the highest vaults in the whole of Spain, measuring 70 metres high. Not only that, due to its magnificent acoustics, it has been used on numerous occasions for music concerts.

 

As always, the Costa Blanca Norte can surprise you when you are least expecting it. In this blog post we have told you about the caves that can be found in the mountain areas, however, in an upcoming post we plan to tell you all about the wealth of marine caves that lie under the Mediterranean waters. Keep an eye open for our future blog posts!

La Marina Alta renews its Michelin Stars

La Marina Alta renews its Michelin Stars

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.

 

estrella michelin costa blanca

 

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.

Sporting events in Marina Alta

Sporting events in Marina Alta

The Costa Blanca is an ideal destination for fans of sport: from professionals to aficionados and those who come just to enjoy sporting events as spectators.

Its mountains, beaches, the excellent road network and the extensive range of facilities make this part of the Spanish Levant a unique destination for practising sport at any time of the year.

 

The Marina Alta District League

Once again this year, the Marina Alta District League will be holding its traditional competitions with 14 sporting events, athletics, badminton, basketball, mountain biking,  chess, five a side football, rhythmic gymnastics, karate, multi-sports, swimming, padel, Valencian handball, tennis and volley ball.

In this new edition, the towns of Benissa, Calpe, Denia, Benitachell, El Verger, Els Poblets, Gata de Gorgos, Jesús Pobre, La Rectoría, Vall de Laguar, La Xara, Murla, Ondara, Orba, Pedreguer, Pego, Teulada-Moraira, Xàbia and Xaló will be taking part. All these competitions and activities are run by the Marina Alta District League, which was founded in 1994 so that all the towns in the area could enjoy ongoing competitions.

The Xarxa Esportiva is the body that coordinates all these activities (you can see their events calendar here) and it undertakes to promote sport in all the local towns and districts in the area, announcing to the general public and to local organisations the volume and quality of the activities organised by the Marina Alta sports network for young people.
There is no question that the added value of an organisation that promotes sport and sporting events is a bonus if you are seeking somewhere new to live. By making room for sport in their lives, young people will have a huge range of sporting activities to choose from, together with other things to do, leading a healthy life with a host of outdoor pastimes on the Costa Blanca Norte practically all year round. .

 

And that’s not all

If there is one thing that the Costa Blanca Norte is known for, it’s the climate and temperatures that mean that you can play sport every day of the year while you enjoy the spectacular countryside and discover a few small corners of paradise.

 

ciclismo costa blanca

 

Cycling

Cycling is the king of open air sports.  The Costa Blanca Norte is blessed with numerous cycling routes through fantastic countryside that will delight cycling buffs, and you can discover them in this article.

Swimming

Because the beach is not just for summer. Autumn and springtime (and winter as well for those who are especially brave) are great for enjoying the Mediterranean when it is so much quieter than during the summer season. A few lengths first thing in the morning will set you up for the day, brimming with energy. Do you know the best beaches and coves on the Costa Blanca Norte? If not, take note of the ones we mention in this article.

Hiking and trails

Are you interested in panoramic views? If so, what could be better than seeking out some of the countryside routes and trails in the area. In summer, the mountains often take a back seat when the sea is the focus for nearly everyone, but out of season this area gets the attention it deserves and everyone can enjoy days out in nature. Take a look at this post that we published a while back, and we mention a few places as a taster here:

Sierra Helada. With cliffs rising to 300 metres, and some exceptional plant life. There are itineraries for every taste and an 8 kilometre trail for you to follow.

Sierra de Bernia. The views of the Alicante coast from the sierra de Bernia mountains are spectacular, especially after crossing El Forat, a path excavated in the rock.

Peñón de Ifach. This is Calpe’s landmark, rising up majestically over the sea. It is a protected nature reserve and easy to get to, and although the second part of the route is a little bit more difficult, when you see  the views you’ll know that it was worth it.

 

After seeing all the activities available to you, doesn’t it make you want to get moving? Discover another side of the Costa Blanca Norte through sport and don’t forget to look out for our upcoming blog posts to find out everything going on in and around Residential Resort Cumbre del Sol.