Villajoyosa Costa Blanca Spain

Villajoyosa Costa Blanca one of the Best Places to Visit in Spain

People at certain stages in their lives, write lists of things to do before they hit decadal milestones. Taking part in a Spanish fiesta should be on one of those lists, no matter what their age group.

Picturesque bays, long sandy beaches, underlining rocky coastlines, overlooking crystal clear blue seas. The hinterland undulates slightly, revealing orange groves and verdant valleys. Its attraction doesn't stop there.

Villajoyosa is a coastal town located 32 km from Alicante on the N-332 coast road. It is considered the capital of the "Marina Baixa" and also known by the name "La Vila"

Top ten things to do in Villajoyosa

1. Mores and Christians Fiesta “Desembarco.”

2. The central beach, coloured fisherman’s house and many bar/restaurants.

3. La Vila Thursday Market.

4. The marina and club nautical

5. A stroll round the town center shops.

6. Watch the paella party in the main town part of the Moors & Christens fiesta.

7. Valor chocolate factory tour.

8. Picnic on El bon nou beach.

9. Visit the Hotel El Montiboli situated on La Caleta beach.

10. Walking or driving around the area and beaches, guaranteed to discover something new.

There’s a reason why Spain is one of the most popular destinations for flip flopping holidaymakers looking to Europe for their annual family break.

The Mediterranean lifestyle is enviable along with the Spanish sun and mild climate, and the local people’s hospitable and agreeable attitudes toward foreigners. Spain also has a fair share of culture with its monuments, historical treasures and Arts.

Villajoyosa, Costa Blanca.

 

 

Cove Near Benidorm

Cove Near…
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Moors and Christians Fiesta

If you are walking around the seafront or the town centre of Villajoyosa in June you may notice that most of the men are wearing ducktails, short boxed, French folks, and the Old Dutch. I’m referring to their beards. It’s that time of year for their annual beard growth, as they prepare for this year’s Moors and Christians fiesta.
Spain is a country of festivals, one of the most popular is the Moors and Christians fiesta celebrated in several parts of Spain, and has been running for over 250 years.

Villajoyosa (whose name means ‘joyful town’) adds an extra special treat being on the coast. It stages a mock naval battle ‘Desembarco’ over thirty ships take to the sea and commemorates with a re-enactment of a time in 1538, when a fleet of Berber pirates led by Zale-Arraez tried to attack the town. It is said that in the midst of battle Santa Marta miraculously appeared summoning a great storm and swelling the river Amadoria, washing away the enemy fleet. For this she was made the Patron Saint.

For seven days the whole town participates in this fiesta with events and parades every day. Most of the shops, including banks are close during this week.

There is also a Paella making competition held in the street, various peñas (social clubs) compete for pride and prestige. Free drinks and hats are given out and the peñas usually end up throwing water on each other, all in the name of fun and welcomed in the soaring heat.
Although tourists are attracted to this fiesta it is still very much, first and foremost a fiesta that the town’s people celebrate and take part in as a tradition close to their hearts.

Villajoyosa is protected by a natural barrier the peaks of the Puig Campana and sierras of Aitana sheltering the region from harsh northern winds, making the temperatures pleasant all year round.

 

 

 

 

Fishing Town

Other places of interest in Villajoyosa include the multi-coloured fisherman’s houses, painted in bright pastel colours, a tradition that has been upheld, originally so they could be spotted from far out at sea.

There are hundreds of ways to prepare rice, combining fish and shellfish with vegetables, and La Vila has so many great fish restaurants with fresh fish on the menu, caught by local fisherman. A gastronomic fiesta is held each year placing a high enthuses on its local cuisine, promoting local foods and tapas.

It doesn’t stop there, a variety of diverse restaurants from all over the world, including Chinese and Pizzerias are dotted around the town. El Guitarra on the beach front, alluring amongst the coloured houses, has a Spanish and Northern European menu, and a great atmosphere, dinning al fresco with live music — definitely a recommend.

A perfect place for a stroll and to soak in some of the town’s ancient history is in the old walled town with its 16th Century Gothic Church and the bridge over the Rio Amadoria built in 1859.
Once across the bridge you can head 500 meters out of the main village towards El Paraiso. You will find more restaurants and bars and a beach PLAYA PARAÍSO with a camp/caravan site.

At 2 o’clock like most places in Spain, La Vila shuts down for lunch and siesta. Only the Cicadas and the noisy bars can be herd.

Nightlife

Along the seafront the bar/restaurants are close together with outside seating, creating a fiesta atmosphere with the sound of laughter and music, and like the beaches are still busy until the early hours of the morning. In the summer months evening artisan market stalls flutter in the summer breeze selling anything from clothes, handmade jewellery, pâtés, cheeses and olives.

If it’s dancing you are after then it’s a disco you need, and there are a huge choice a few miles down the road in Benidorm.

I emphasis DISCO because La Villa has clubs, but they are pole-dancing brothels, drinks cost five times the usual cost and rates for other services are charged by the half hour and the hour — apparently, so I was told by the Postman.

Speaking of adult pleasure Villajoyosa has a chocolate factory that’s been manufacturing chocolate since 1881, their doors are open and welcome to visitors and you can visit the chocolate museum, and learn about the history of chocolate. They also have a chocolate shop in the center of town, serving drinks and ice creams.

Beaches of Villajoyosa

My favourite beach is Playa Bon Nou a quiet rustic cove with fine white sand and pebbles. The water is clear and calm due to the beach being sheltered by cliffs. It has received the prestigious Blue Flag award assuring visitors of its quality, cleanliness and safety. Facilities include lifeguards, parking, toilets, disabled access, and a great Chiringuito (beach bar).

PLAYA CALA FONDA
Strong waves, this beach is the north of Villajoyosa with high cliffs, the bays are of small size and difficult to access, but beautiful.

PLAYA RACO CONILL
160 meters, rocks / gravel, moderate waves.

PLAYA EL TORRES
560 meters, gravel, sand and moderate waves. An ancient tower above. Torre de la Cruz and Saint Joseph, popularly known as the Tower of Hercules.

PLAYA ESTUDIANTES
140 meters, moderate waves, sand and gravel.

PLAYA CENTRO
1,380 meters, white sand. Disabled access to beach, close to the town center.

PLAYA EL TÍO ROIG
160 meters, moderate waves, sand gravel.

PLAYA CALA MALLAETA
210 meters, moderate waves, this has a spectacular coastal cliff.

PLAYA EL PARAIS
1,060 meters, gravel and sand. Moderate waves, blue flag, beach bar and disabled access to beach.

EL BON NOU
220 meters, moderate to weak waves, blue flag, beach bar and disabled access to beach.

PLAYA EL ASPARALLÓ
200 meters, moderate waves. The Asparalló beach is a stretch of coast at the foot of cliffs, inaccessible and clear waters.

PLAYA LA CALETA
160 meters, gravel, sand, calm waters, blue flag and disabled access to beach.

EL CHARCO / EL XARCÓ
580 meters, windy, rocks and gravel beach, an ancient watchtower above.

PLAYA CARRITXAR
1,890 meters. This beach is the end of the coastal boundary belonging to La Vila, with more than two miles of coastline and an abundance of attractive beaches.

Sunset Over the Waves of Costa Blanca

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Sports and the Marina

La Villa has a rugby and football club and at the marina you can Jet Ski, kayak and scuba dive.

The Club Nautico de Villajoyosa at the marina will host the fourth edition of the Euro Challenge. Sea Kayak race with the participation of 20 different nations. This year there will be two competitions racing from La Vila through to the Isle of Benidorm and La Vila down to El Campello. Villajoyosa has also been named host of the Sea Kayaking Championship of Spain to be held on September 9 at Vilera Bay.

 

 

Humour

Is this you car sir?

The Spanish sense of humour is similar to that of the British but they have a darker lust for danger and bad things happening to people, that is why bull running is still so popular. Sexual endeavours are high on the list as well as poking fun at famous people and politicians.

So on that note I leave you with two, possibly useful sentences.

¿Tienes algo para matar a los mosquitos?

Have you got anything to kill the mosquitoes?

¿Dónde está el club más cercano?

Where is the nearest club?

Adios!

 

 

Jalon Valley Alicante Costa Blanca Spain

The village of Jalon / Xaló

In the heart of the pink and white almond blossom Jalon Valley - Aka Vall de Pop. Jalon is inland from the coastal town of Moraira Costa Blanca. Turn off the N-322 road at Benissa/Senija -- It's well sign posted.

Other villages interspersed in the valley including: Lliber, Alcalali, Parcent, Murla, Xalo, Benichembla and Castell de Castells.

The Sierra de Bernia mountains, a rambles paradise surround the plains of olive trees, raisins, almonds, orange groves, and vineyards producing wine.

 

Top ten best things to do in Jalon

1. Saturday morning Rastro (flea Market).

2. Visit the old square on Tuesday for the open market.

3. Aleluya bar/shop for tapas and a sweet muscatel wine.

4. Lunch at the Verdi Vent Restaurant – Spanish and northern European cuisine.

5. Visit the bodegas (wine cellars) where you can sample the various types before buying.

6. Stroll around the town through the old narrow streets taking in the scenery and the Arabic culture influenced.

7. Sit outside one of the Spanish bars in the new square in the evening.

8. Attend a fiesta.

9. Visit the village of Lliber it’s in walking distance or the other villages in the valley.

10. Guided walks.

Fiestas:

Assumption of Mary – fiesta Wednesday, 15.08.2012

Valencia day fiesta Tuesday, 09.10.2012

Dia de la hispanidad fiesta Friday, 12.10.2012

All saints day – fiesta Thursday, 01.11.2012

Constitution day fiesta Thursday, 06.12.2012

Immaculate conception Saturday, 08.12.2012

Bull running takes pace in some of the towns in the valley.

Jalon Wine, Hallelujah!

Jalon, also known as Xaló in local Valencia dialect is famous for its wine and you can sample it in the numerous bodegas (wine cellars) in the town. People come from all over the province of Alicante to fill their containers with litres of wine at a fraction of the cost

Lasting remnants of Jalon’s Arabic past are present, beating the heat with shady courtyards, thick stone and mortar walls, large wooden doors and decorated tiles.

Jalon’s old town has an ancient Square, a central fountain and looming over it a blue domed Church. The Tranquil village becomes lively on a Tuesday morning with a street market and on Saturday a huge Rastro style market (flea market) in which tourist flock, including blanket trippers from Benidorm.

Jalon also has some great restaurants selling various types of the local wine. It is also home to the famous Hallelujah Bar a great place to chill-out, the owner without warning often shouts out ”Hallelujah” as he pours a fine trickle of wine down his face and into his mouth from the Porrón – A Spanish drinking vessel with a narrow pointed spout which in theory directs a spurt of wine into your mouth.

HELP a charity organisation run by Ex-pat volunteers hold annual events, including a May Fair plus a Christmas Bazaar.

The Jalon Snake Story

There are thirteen snake spices in Spain five of which are venomous:

Snub-nosed or Lataste’s viper
Seoane’s viper
Asp viper
False smooth snake
Montpellier Snake

These snakes are not common all over Spain and it was said that years ago the only place you could get anti-venom in the area was in the Pharmacia in Jalon, once you got there on you Burro (Donkey). Above a large stone arch on a wooden shelf were jars of dead snakes of which you would chose the one that bit you, the anti-venom in turn was administered.

Hallelujah!

 

 

Look out for this great tapas when visiting Jalon

ALBONDIGAS - Meat balls in sauce

• Serves: 6-8
• Prep Time: 30mins
• Total Time: 1 hour
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Ingredients

• 1 onion finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic crushed
• 4 table spoons of olive oil
• 450g/1lb minced lamb
• 2 eggs beaten
• 4 tbls fresh breadcrumbs
• 1 tbls freshly chopped parsley
• 1 tsp chopped thyme
• Salt and ground black pepper
• Flour for coating
• FOR THE SAUCE
• 1 small onion finely chopped
• 100g/4oz mushrooms sliced
• 1 small red pepper diced
• 25g/1oz flour
• 150ml/1/4 PT dry white wine
• 600ml/1 PT Lamb stock
• 400g/ 14 FL OZ chopped tinned tomatoes

Instructions

1. 1.
2. Lightly fry the onion and garlic in 1tbs of the olive oil until soft.
3. In a bowl mix the mince Lamb, eggs, breadcrumbs, parsley, thyme, and seasoning.
4. Add the onions and stir until thoroughly mixed.
5. 2.
6. Using your hands shape the mixture into balls the size of walnuts and coat in flour.
7. 3.
8. Heat the remaining olive oil in a frying pan and fry the meatballs turning them to seal evenly.
9. Remove with a slotted spoon onto a plate.
10. The Sauce
11. Add onion, mushrooms and red peppers to the pan and lightly fry for 2 minutes .
12. Mix the flour in thoroughly.
13. Over a gentle heat gradually add the wine, stirring well.
14. Add the stock, tomatoes and seasoning.
15. Mix and bring to the boil.
16. Lower the heat and add the meatballs and simmer for 45 minutes until the sauce has thickened.

 

Blanket Trips – Free Trips 

 Blanket Trip Wars

A few years ago, the streets of Benidorm were strewn with touters, enticing with annoying, brochure-thrusting, timeshare-esgue gusto, the latest flip flop arrivals from the UK, offering free trips to local attractions like Guadalest, Moraira market, Jalon valley and the Fonts de algar, to name a few.

The competition was fierce, and one British company took it a pone themselves to employ eastern European thugs to threaten rival street inviters. One provocation ending with violence and an arrest. After such incidents the streets were swooped and cleaned up -- to a degree, with the larger more reputable companies moving into the hotels and paying for collaboration's with high profile tour operators, leaving the smaller blanket trip companies to tout the street and ignore the fines, eventually closing.

 

So what is a Blanket Trip?

A spokesperson for one of the largest and more reputable excursion companies stated. “We always make it clear that we offer an excursion (packed full of useful information from the bus representative) to a fantastic destination, and in return we only ask that they sit in the comfort of our modern showrooms, and watch a health presentation, we provide refreshments and try to make the experience as pleasant as possible, and remember it’s completely free of charge.”

The health presentation is forty five minutes long, on average, and informative. Explaining their therapeutic sleep system, covering anything from dust mites, Eliocel Vacuum Flex mattresses to the pros and cons of Marino wool verses normal bedding. Currently they offer a silk duvet, hence the name blanket trip.

Most trip durations consist of morning trips, with pick-ups around 9:00 arriving back at the Hotel for 15:30-1730, depending on the trip. Afternoon trip pick-ups start at 11:30, arriving back at the Hotel for 17:30 aiming to get People back to the Hotels for their all-inclusive dinners.

Some of the countries currently offering Blanket trips:
Malta
Tenerife
Lanzarote
Grand Canaria
Cyprus
Mallorca
Portugal
Spain including: Benidorm, Malaga, Almeria and Salou,

The trips are aimed at mainly the British because they are presented in English and offer free delivery to the UK.

 

 

Route 66 Spanish Style

Ruta De La Plata "Silver Trail"

Silver road (Ruta De La Plata) is an 800 kilometre trek on the western side of Spain, parallel to Portugal, starting at Gijón. The road winds down some of the most picturesque places in Spain and stops at the magnificent city of Seville. It is being heavily promoted as Spain's version of North America's 'Route 66'.

There are 24 Municipalities along the trail, all unique in their own way and screaming out to be visited. From snow peaked mountains, sun drench fields of gold, quaint little villages nestled around a church tower, chiming every hour, to thriving towns with lusty nightlife - vida nocturna, drenched in culture and mystery.

Car enthusiast, bikers, cyclists, hikers and back packers along with caravans and campers are flocking to this magnificent and diverse trail. The Ruta De La Plata is supported by a cooperation of large Spanish companies, like Repsol, promoting destinations and products with strong enthuses on areas of spectacular beauty and gastronomy excellence.

The cooperation of towns are promoting the area to attract more tourist, from Germany, France, the UK and other countries, through social media, tour operators and local travel agents; at the moment figures suggest over 175,000 travelled the route in 2012, made up of mostly Portuguese and Spanish, sampling the delights that the Ruta de la Plata has to offer.


Images used in this article have links to the original source and are being used with kind permission from:
RED DE COOPERACIÓN DE CIUDADES EN LA RUTA DE LA PLATA
http://www.rutadelaplata.com/
www.facebook.com/rutaviaplata
twitter.com/@RutaViaPlata
https://es.foursquare.com/rutaviaplata

Cities Along the Route

The silver trail cooperation are all volunteers and open to new members, which started in 1997 with the collaboration of the cities of Seville, Cáceres, Zamora, León, Salamanca, and Gijón.

The origins of Ruta De La Plata take us back to seventh century BC, a corridor naturally formed by nature over time, snaked through the western Iberian Peninsula. This became an ideal trade route serving the northern Plateau and moving south down the pass to service cities along the route finishing at the beautiful city of Sevilla.

Map of the trail

Ruta de la Plata Signs

 

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Places to visit along the route

Gijón

Gijón consist of twenty-five parishes on the Central Asturian Coast and is the first town and stating point of the Ruta de la plata

RIBERA DE ARRIBA

RIBERA DE ARRIBA is a municipality situated in the Central Mountain of Asturias with many parishes.

Morcin

Morcin is in the centre of Asturias with seven parishes La Foz (San Antonio), Argame (San Miguel), Peñerudes (San Pedro), San Sebastián, San Esteban, Santa Eulalia (Santolaya) and La Piñera ( San Juan ).

Riosa

Centre of Asturias

Mieres

South Central Area of Asturias,

Aller

Southern Asturias

Lena

Rugged terrain situated in central southern Asturias

La Pola de Gordón

http://www.ayto-lapoladegordon.es/

León

Doorway to Asturias and Galicia Camino de Santiago (Jacobean Trail), A huge favorite with travelers and tourists.

La Bañeza

Province southwest of León with the rivers Duerna, Tuerto and Órbigo.

Benavente

The meadowlands of the Órbigo is overlooked by Benavente which is situated on a plateau.

Zamora

Northeast of the peninsula

Béjar

Southeast of the province

Baños de Montemayor

North of Extremadura,

Hervás

http://www.hervas.com/

Carcaboso

http://www.carcaboso.es/

Plasencia

http://www.plasencia.es/

Casar de Cáceres

http://www.casardecaceres.com/

Calzadilla de los Barros

http://calzadilla.dip-badajoz.es/

Fuente de Cantos

http://www.fuentedecantos.org/

Montemolín

http://www.montemolin.es/

Monesterio

http://www.monesterio.es/

Carmona

http://www.carmona.org/

Sevilla

http://www.sevilla.org/

The Route's Official Website

Birdwatching Guide On The Route

 

This is a fantastic guide in English just click on the image.

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Flamenco

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Zamora

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Dining Al Fresco, Sevilla, Spain

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Bejar

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Flamenco Scene

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Giralda Tower, Seville.

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Bull Fighter

 

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Flamenco Male

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Waterfalls on the Costa Blanca

Fuentes Algar located on the Algar River on the Costa Blanca in Spain

Tour guides suggest this is the place of the famous hair shampoo advert, where the long haired beauty washes her hair under the small waterfall.

Once you have found the Fonts de Algar it is hard not to feel a little selfish and wish you could keep it a secret, the fresh air chokes in your throat when you first see the waterfall, thousands of gallons of white water tumbles over smooth rocks cascading into crystal clear water, the sound and sight amazes in drop jaw wonder.

Utopia - you have arrived!

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How to get to the Fonts de Algar

Now that you are in or near Benidorm

 

 

By Bus

No 18 Llorente bus leaves La Cala Benidorm at 9.30am on Saturday and Sunday and travels along the Avd Mediterraneo to the Rincon before heading off through Albir, Altea, La Nucia, Polop and finally Callosa. It is only a weekend service (includes Bank Holidays).

ALSA buses, from Europa Av., Jaime I Av. and Bus Station, to the village of Callosa (daily), and then walk or take a taxi to the Waterfalls.

By Car

Drive up through La Nucia Cv-70 towards Polop take the second exit off the roundabout towards Carretera de Callosa d’en Sarrià/CV-715. In Callosa d’en Sarrià take the second exit off the roundabout into Carretera de Bolulla / CV-715. Follow for about 2 km. this road and turned right. Follow for about 1 km. this road (CV-7531)

You will recognise Callosa d’En Sarriá. Because of the plastic covered and netted areas spread out of the country side protecting the Nispero fruits (loquat Fruit in English) from the birds.

No Flip Flop Zone - Flat shoes are advised

 

Fonts d'Algar

Font de Fonts (Spring of all Springs)

Car parks line the road up to the font’s entrance and there is a 3 euro charge for all the car parks so don’t pick the first one as the Eager-Chap waves his arms like a pizza chief enticing you in – it’s a good walk up the hill.

After being greeted and photographed by the key-ring photographer at the timber kiosk entrance and once you have conquered the steep climb up wooden steps to get to the falls you can amble along, stepping over timber constructed bridge walkways along the river Algar (“cave ” in Arabic) to natural reservoirs in canyons that also have ecologically rich Mediterranean vegetation that immerse visitors in this rare natural jewel.

The route through a circuit is 1.5 km long. Adults can relax in shaded areas whilst watching the kids having fun diving off the wooden diving board and like the first time you see it the freezing water will literally take your breath away – rubber water sports shoes are recommended

There are several restaurants toothed in and out of gift shops along the road to the fonts and some restaurants have swimming pools for the use of by its customers.

What you can expect to eat.

Mediterranean menu, rice, Mediterranean salads, Gazpacho soup, fish stew, pasta, sausages, meat balls and grilled meats. Variety of fresh fish and meats.
For desserts Nisbros honey and ice creams.

For a list of the restaurants at the Fonts

Remember to bring your swimwear

 

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Tickets: Adults 4 euros - Children 2 euros - Seniors 3 euros

Opening Times and Days

December, January and February – opening times are between 10:00 to 17:00
March, October and November – opening times are between 10:00 to 17:30
April, May and June – opening times are between 10:00 to 18:00
July and August – opening times are between 9:30 to 19:30
September – opening times are between 10:00 to 19:00
January 1, October 13, 14, 15, 16, December 24, 25, 26, are closed
April 5, 6, 7, 8 , 9 opening times are between 10:00 to 19:00

Fonts De Algar

 

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Nispero Jam

• Print

Ingredients

• 3/4 part Sugar to 1 part Nispero pulp and Water

Instructions

1. 1) Wash and peel the Nispero, remove seeds and blossom ends.
2. 2) Chop finely and place in saucepan.
3. 3) Just cover with water and cook until tender.
4. 4) Add 3/4 cup of sugar to each cup of pulp. Cook until thick, stirring constantly.
5. 5) Place in hot sterilised jars and seal.

The Fonts

 

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Zaragoza Falls Waterfall

Zaragoza Falls

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