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May 30th, 2008 admin
Blessed with the most exquisite scenery, Alicante rises majestically from the waters of the Mediterranean in a blend of natural and more urban, human landscapes. The Explanada de España is one of the many gems of the Alicante seafront, shining alongside other jewels such as the Muelle de Levante quayside, the Canalejas Park and the inimitable Paseo del Conde Vallellano boardwalk at the water’s edge. This ensemble is a melting pot of different worlds, whose boundaries blend into facades that end where the sea begins, becoming over recent years one of the most popular spaces for leisure and entertainment in the whole of Alicante. These days, from the Panoramis complex at El Postiguet beachand from La Rambla to the Club de Regatas yacht club, it’s fun all the way.The emblematic 19 century Explanada, with its gentle wave-shapes created from over six million red, white and blue marble tiles, is bordered on one side by the Puerta del Mar gateway to the port, and by Plaza de Canalejas square on the other. In the middle of the promenade rises an enormous shell-like structure that makes for an unusual stage, in testimony to the locals’ love of music. Also testifying to this passion is the Noray, a swish but cosy floating bar near the Canalejas statue where live music can often be enjoyed. Arts and crafts stalls line the route, creating a lively flea market atmosphere, while boutiques offering the best and most exclusive of Spanish and international fashion can be found between La Rambla and La Explanada.
The three most representative buildings along La Explanada are the Casino, with its beautiful ironwork structure, the pristine white Casa Lamagniere, and the modernist Casa Carbonell, whose blue cupolas point fo the heavens.
Designed by architect Juan Vidal Ramos, the Casa Carbonell was built in 1924 by Enrique Carbonell, an industrialist from Alcoy who wished to construct the most beautiful building in the whole city. Almost opposite this structure, on the other side of La Puerta del Mar and at the entrance to the Muelle de Levante quayside, rises the early 20 century customs building, the finest example of Alicante industrial architecture.
Alicante grew under the shelter of the Santa Barbara Castle, which belonged to the Castilian Crown from when the city was conquered in 1248 by the then prince Alfonso, until Jaime II took over the fortress for the Crown of Aragon. One century later, Pedro IV the Ceremonious modified the site and, in the early years of the 16th century, King Charles it definitively fortified. The main reform work, however was carried out during the reign of Philip II.
The castle is structured in three parts. The turret or old keep tower is the highest and oldest and this enclosure comprises the Bastion of the English, the engineers’ section, the main hall and the governor’s house. The castle stronghold was the highest esplanade where the old citadel stood.
The sea has such a presence in Alicante that it led the author Gabriel Miró to write of this, his home city, that where the sea cannot be seen, it can be felt. Passionate about his birthplace, also wrote that “in Alicante the scent of the sea anoints the stones, the latticework, the tablecioths, the books, the hands, the hair (…). And the sky, the sea and the sun glorify the rooftop terraces, the towers, the walls, the trees. Where the sea is not seen it is divined in the glory of the light and in the air that crackles like a rich cloth and one cannot live without Alicante once one has known it”.
Gabriel Miró was well aware of Alicante´s uniqueness, a uniqueness is still palpable today and which may be a fruit of its historical turmoil, its colours, its beauty and, above all, its sea: a history and a sea that have made the city one of the most enchanting places on the Mediterranean, which even in autumn still warmly welcomes its visitors, offering them the blues of its sea and its sky, captivating their soul.
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May 30th, 2008 admin
The peñón de Ifach and Calpe, is a Roman settlement named The Queen’s Baths in Spanish because of pools carvet out of the coastal rock. Visible from the esplende, these pools form part of a nucleus of dwellings and services that lie on the other side of the promenade. The Roman site of The Baños de la Reina will be transformed into an archaeological park once the excavation work has concluded.When renowned valencian botanist arrived in Calpe in 1792, having been commissioned by king IV to catalogue all of the plants in Spain, he was surprised to happen u pon various ceramic pieces halfwaybetween the town and El Peñón. “ I was examining the coast to observe the plants growing there” wrote and ina limestone hill covered with sand l saw , hmong frankenias lisas de Linneo, a little cubed stone of white marble, and two stops further on l perceived others mixed in with some black ones. Then he went onto explain that “their number and the fact that they were similar to those the Romans used in flooring led me to think that in the immediate area there could have been a building that had been destroyed over time and whose remains had been covered by the sand”.
Alter informing his friends of the discovery, he organised a dig for the following day, and within two days they had uncovered a sumptuous Roman villa with six adjoining rooms, “four of them with mosaic flooring of various designs, and two with very tight mortar”.
Originally believed that the basins and caves excavated in the rock along the seashore were the bathing places for nobles living in the villas, it was confirmed many years later that they were in fact pools used to keep fish alive by feeding them with figs before they were transported to the nearby salting station, which was one of the largest in the Mediterranean.
The Baños de la Reina
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May 30th, 2008 admin
The peñón de Ifach and Calpe, is a Roman settlement named The Queen’s Baths in Spanish because of pools carvet out of the coastal rock. Visible from the esplende, these pools form part of a nucleus of dwellings and services that lie on the other side of the promenade. The Roman site of The Baños de la Reina will be transformed into an archaeological park once the excavation work has concluded.When renowned valencian botanist arrived in Calpe in 1792, having been commissioned by king IV to catalogue all of the plants in Spain, he was surprised to happen u pon various ceramic pieces halfwaybetween the town and El Peñón. “ I was examining the coast to observe the plants growing there” wrote and ina limestone hill covered with sand l saw , hmong frankenias lisas de Linneo, a little cubed stone of white marble, and two stops further on l perceived others mixed in with some black ones. Then he went onto explain that “their number and the fact that they were similar to those the Romans used in flooring led me to think that in the immediate area there could have been a building that had been destroyed over time and whose remains had been covered by the sand”.
Alter informing his friends of the discovery, he organised a dig for the following day, and within two days they had uncovered a sumptuous Roman villa with six adjoining rooms, “four of them with mosaic flooring of various designs, and two with very tight mortar”.
Originally believed that the basins and caves excavated in the rock along the seashore were the bathing places for nobles living in the villas, it was confirmed many years later that they were in fact pools used to keep fish alive by feeding them with figs before they were transported to the nearby salting station, which was one of the largest in the Mediterranean.
The Baños de la Reina
Posted in Tourism | No Comments »
May 30th, 2008 admin
Blessed with the most exquisite scenery, Alicante rises majestically from the waters of the Mediterranean in a blend of natural and more urban, human landscapes. The Explanada de España is one of the many gems of the Alicante seafront, shining alongside other jewels such as the Muelle de Levante quayside, the Canalejas Park and the inimitable Paseo del Conde Vallellano boardwalk at the water’s edge. This ensemble is a melting pot of different worlds, whose boundaries blend into facades that end where the sea begins, becoming over recent years one of the most popular spaces for leisure and entertainment in the whole of Alicante. These days, from the Panoramis complex at El Postiguetbeach and from La Rambla to the Club de Regatas yacht club, it’s fun all the way.The emblematic 19 century Explanada, with its gentle wave-shapes created from over six million red, white and blue marble tiles, is bordered on one side by the Puerta del Mar gateway to the port, and by Plaza de Canalejas square on the other. In the middle of the promenade rises an enormous shell-like structure that makes for an unusual stage, in testimony to the locals’ love of music. Also testifying to this passion is the Noray, a swish but cosy floating bar near the Canalejas statue where live music can often be enjoyed. Arts and crafts stalls line the route, creating a lively flea market atmosphere, while boutiques offering the best and most exclusive of Spanish and international fashion can be found between La Rambla and La Explanada.
The three most representative buildings along La Explanada are the Casino, with its beautiful ironwork structure, the pristine white Casa Lamagniere, and the modernist Casa Carbonell, whose blue cupolas point fo the heavens.
Designed by architect Juan Vidal Ramos, the Casa Carbonell was built in 1924 by Enrique Carbonell, an industrialist from Alcoy who wished to construct the most beautiful building in the whole city. Almost opposite this structure, on the other side of La Puerta del Mar and at the entrance to the Muelle de Levante quayside, rises the early 20 century customs building, the finest example of Alicante industrial architecture.
Alicante grew under the shelter of the Santa Barbara Castle, which belonged to the Castilian Crown from when the city was conquered in 1248 by the then prince Alfonso, until Jaime II took over the fortress for the Crown of Aragon. One century later, Pedro IV the Ceremonious modified the site and, in the early years of the 16th century, King Charles it definitively fortified. The main reform work, however was carried out during the reign of Philip II.
The castle is structured in three parts. The turret or old keep tower is the highest and oldest and this enclosure comprises the Bastion of the English, the engineers’ section, the main hall and the governor’s house. The castle stronghold was the highest esplanade where the old citadel stood.
The sea has such a presence in Alicante that it led the author Gabriel Miró to write of this, his home city, that where the sea cannot be seen, it can be felt. Passionate about his birthplace, also wrote that “in Alicante the scent of the sea anoints the stones, the latticework, the tablecioths, the books, the hands, the hair (…). And the sky, the sea and the sun glorify the rooftop terraces, the towers, the walls, the trees. Where the sea is not seen it is divined in the glory of the light and in the air that crackles like a rich cloth and one cannot live without Alicante once one has known it”.
Gabriel Miró was well aware of Alicante´s uniqueness, a uniqueness is still palpable today and which may be a fruit of its historical turmoil, its colours, its beauty and, above all, its sea: a history and a sea that have made the city one of the most enchanting places on the Mediterranean, which even in autumn still warmly welcomes its visitors, offering them the blues of its sea and its sky, captivating their soul.
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May 27th, 2008 admin
The castle, the stretches of wall, the church and the cave art at Vilafamés create a historic whole that has been officially declared an asset of cultural interest. Strategically perched on a hilltop, surrounded by prehistoric sites tucked away in caves and shelters, embraced by two Roman roads and stretches of mediaeval wall, and crowned by a castle built on Moorish foundations, Vilafamés has plenty to amaze visitors. The different cultures that have settled in this enclave in the province of Castellón over the ages and the interesting legacy of its ancient dwellers have led to the site being officially declared an Asset of Cultural lnterest.
A blend of Culture: Midway between the interior of the province of Castellón and the coast lies the district of La Plana Alta, which is home to several sites of great importance to the Region of Valencia‘s heritage. Chronicles speak of a strategic enclave that was chosen as a place to settle by an endless stream of peoples from faraway lands, for reasons that are many and varied, including its rugged landscapes, its geographical location and the unusual shape of the hill on which Vilafamés lies. In the end, all we can know for certain is that this historical site has been excellently preserved, safeguarding the legacy of its peoples. For this reason, and due to the
extraordinary beauty of its scenery, it was declared an Asset of Cultural interest in 2005 by the Generalitat (Valencian regional government).
The origine of Vilaframés: A host of bizarre, interesting and valid hypotheses surround the origins of Vilafamés. The earliest signs of habitation in the Vilafamés area revolve around the archaeological finds made at the Cova de Dalt cave in Tossal de la Font. Hare, anthropological remains some 80,000 years old have been discovered, although undoubtedly one of the most relevant finds in the town‘s history has been the Abric del Castell, a shelter housing a display of schematic art comprising anthropomorphic figures that have led the experts to formulate multiple theories regarding their significance, with the representation of the sun being the theory that has gathered most prevalence over recent years.
Beni Harnez Castle: No less interesting is the history surrounding the castle perched on the hilltop in Vilafarnés. Evidence indicates that this fortress will have once been used as a Rorman lookout. However, the foundations of this castle Beni-Harnez, are of Moorish origins, as the name suggests. With systems of fortification constantly being adapted to meet evolving war techniques, successive raforms made to the historical site of Vilafamés have shaped not just the castle but also the town itself. The 14 century witnessed the building of stretches of defensive wall moulded to the town’s topography, and these walls are now one of the graatest tourist attractions in Vilafamés. At the foot of
the castle stands the Quartijo quarter, the oldest part of the town, in which the settlement’s most important buildings were constructed, such as the town hall or the church of La Sangre, of mediaeval origins. Exploring the historical site of Vilafamés is an interesting adventure and a must for any visitors wishing to delve into the illustrious past and customs of ancient settlements in the province of Castellón.
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May 27th, 2008 admin
The castle, the stretches of wall, the church and the cave art at Vilafamés create a historic whole that has been officially declared an asset of cultural interest. Strategically perched on a hilltop, surrounded by prehistoric sites tucked away in caves and shelters, embraced by two Roman roads and stretches of mediaeval wall, and crowned by a castle built on Moorish foundations, Vilafamés has plenty to amaze visitors. The different cultures that have settled in this enclave in the province of Castellón over the ages and the interesting legacy of its ancient dwellers have led to the site being officially declared an Asset of Cultural lnterest.
A blend of Culture: Midway between the interior of the province of Castellón and the coast lies the district of La Plana Alta, which is home to several sites of great importance to the Region of Valencia‘s heritage. Chronicles speak of a strategic enclave that was chosen as a place to settle by an endless stream of peoples from faraway lands, for reasons that are many and varied, including its rugged landscapes, its geographical location and the unusual shape of the hill on which Vilafamés lies. In the end, all we can know for certain is that this historical site has been excellently preserved, safeguarding the legacy of its peoples. For this reason, and due to the
extraordinary beauty of its scenery, it was declared an Asset of Cultural interest in 2005 by the Generalitat (Valencian regional government).
The origine of Vilaframés: A host of bizarre, interesting and valid hypotheses surround the origins of Vilafamés. The earliest signs of habitation in the Vilafamés area revolve around the archaeological finds made at the Cova de Dalt cave in Tossal de la Font. Hare, anthropological remains some 80,000 years old have been discovered, although undoubtedly one of the most relevant finds in the town‘s history has been the Abric del Castell, a shelter housing a display of schematic art comprising anthropomorphic figures that have led the experts to formulate multiple theories regarding their significance, with the representation of the sun being the theory that has gathered most prevalence over recent years.
Beni Harnez Castle: No less interesting is the history surrounding the castle perched on the hilltop in Vilafarnés. Evidence indicates that this fortress will have once been used as a Rorman lookout. However, the foundations of this castle Beni-Harnez, are of Moorish origins, as the name suggests. With systems of fortification constantly being adapted to meet evolving war techniques, successive raforms made to the historical site of Vilafamés have shaped not just the castle but also the town itself. The 14 century witnessed the building of stretches of defensive wall moulded to the town’s topography, and these walls are now one of the graatest tourist attractions in Vilafamés. At the foot of
the castle stands the Quartijo quarter, the oldest part of the town, in which the settlement’s most important buildings were constructed, such as the town hall or the church of La Sangre, of mediaeval origins. Exploring the historical site of Vilafamés is an interesting adventure and a must for any visitors wishing to delve into the illustrious past and customs of ancient settlements in the province of Castellón.
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May 24th, 2008 admin
At the peñón d’lfach coves, pinnacles, holes and random sculptures have all been created by the patient hand of wind and water over the millennia. Two coves each about 100 metres wide are the first beaches to the south of Calpe; Gasparet and El Racó del Corb y the Collao. Both can enly be reached from the sea, and their shallows are perfect for fishing and diving. Hidden away among the abrupt cliffs of Toix, they have managed to reach the 21st century with their natural beauty intact. The Gasparet cove is rugged with rocks and boulders, while El Racó de Corb is sandy as wellas rocky.The Les Urques cove near Puerto Blanco is similar te the above, but muchbigger at over 200 metres across, The next cove along the beach at Puerto Blanco — is made of sand and boulders and is more built up, with facilities such as toilets, foot-showers, bins anda life-guard statíon.
The La Manzanera cove, part of the La Manzanera development designed in the 1970s by architect Ricardo Befill, is a cove of pebbles and boulders and measures some 200 metres across.
After La Manzanera comes the first of Calpe town beaches — the Arenal-Bol beach — which starts within the town lim - its and stretches to the archaeological site at Les Baños de la Reina. Boasting beautiful golden sand, Arenal-Bol is over one kilometre long, with pebbly areas at either end.
After Los Bañes de la Reina and presided ever by the Infanta Elena esplanade is the Merello cove, with rock and sand covering just 50 metres of coasfline, and this then gives way to the Cantal Roig beach, which has similar characteristics but stretches for over 200 metres and ends at the fishing port.
At the foot of the enormous outcrop of El Peñón and stretching from the port to the Principe de Asturias walkway is El Racó, a beulder-strewn cove with a spectacular seabed and the high back-drop of El Peñón.
The El Penyal cove en the north face of El Peñón is a rocky platform reached by a natural path. At approximately 100 metres long. it is a great cove for fish-ing and diving.
North of El Peñón andvery close to the El Penyal cove is the second of Calpe’s town beaches, the Levante or La Fossa beach, which has been awarded the Q for Quality by the Institute for Quality Tourism in Spain. With golden sands stretching for almost a kilometre, this beach enjoys all the services and is located in the most cosmopolitan area of Calpe, which is home to the most modern hotels and apartments that have reshaped the Calpe skyline. Where the La Fossa beach ends, the Cabalga beach begins a beulder strewn beach around 100 metres long, at the foot of an exclusive enclave of chalets.
Following a small cove very close to the Les Bassetes marina is the El Mallorquí cove, an agreeable rocky platform with a spectacular seabed, and this gives way to the Les Bassetes cove, a 100 metres beach dotted with boulders that adjoins the La Fustera de Banissa beach.
Visiters will be pleased to know that two of Calpe’s beaches — Cantal Roig and La Fossa — have been awarded the blue flag, and that the Calpe coastline complies with all of the lSO 9001 and 14001 quality and environmental standards.
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May 24th, 2008 admin
Five signposted trails through the Las Hoces del Cabriel Natural Park in the Valencian hinterland now pro vides visitors with five trails that have recently been marked out by the Generalitat (Valencian regional government). The five tralls are: the 2.2km Mirador de Peñas Blancas trail; the 16km Villargordo del
Cabriel—Puente Vadocañas trail; the 17.5km Isidros—Caballeros trail; the 23.5km Venta del Moro—Puente de Vadocañas trail and the 10.5 km Casas del Río—Caballeros trail.
Given the sheersize of the natural park, which occupies over 31,000 hectares, the regional government’s Department for the Environment, Water, Planning and Housing has attempted to cover the whole of the protected area by way of these five trails, which have been designed in
accordance with strict conservation criteria. Similarly, alt of the routes follow farming trails and forestry tracks in order to minimise their impact on the local flora and fauna.
Thanks to these trails, visitors can marvel at such cultural elements as a mediaeval bridge or a waterwheel on the rl ver, and they can enjoy rest areas, lookouts and specially created parking areas from where they can bm other short- and long-distance trails that have officially been recognised by the Federation for Mountaíneering and Climbing in the Region of Valencia.
Bach of the towns within the natural park contains a milestone marking the start of a trail and providing all the necessary information on its route.
Ruta Carceles
Ruta Fuente de la oliva
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May 24th, 2008 admin
At the peñón d’lfach coves, pinnacles, holes and random sculptures have all been created by the patient hand of wind and water over the millennia. Two coves each about 100 metres wide are the first beaches to the south of Calpe; Gasparet and El Racó del Corb y the Collao. Both can enly be reached from the sea, and their shallows are perfect for fishing and diving. Hidden away among the abrupt cliffs of Toix, they have managed to reach the 21st century with their natural beauty intact. The Gasparet cove is rugged with rocks and boulders, while El Racó de Corb is sandy as wellas rocky.The Les Urques cove near Puerto Blanco is similar te the above, but much bigger at over 200 metres across, The next cove along the beach at Puerto Blanco — is made of sand and boulders and is more built up, with facilities such as toilets, foot-showers, bins anda life-guard statíon.
The La Manzanera cove, part of the La Manzanera development designed in the 1970s by architect Ricardo Befill, is a cove of pebbles and boulders and measures some 200 metres across.
After La Manzanera comes the first of Calpe town beaches — the Arenal-Bol beach — which starts within the town lim - its and stretches to the archaeological site at Les Baños de la Reina. Boasting beautiful golden sand, Arenal-Bol is over one kilometre long, with pebbly areas at either end.
After Los Bañes de la Reina and presided ever by the Infanta Elena esplanade is the Merello cove, with rock and sand covering just 50 metres of coasfline, and this then gives way to the Cantal Roig beach, which has similar characteristics but stretches for over 200 metres and ends at the fishing port.
At the foot of the enormous outcrop of El Peñón and stretching from the port to the Principe de Asturias walkway is El Racó, a beulder-strewn cove with a spectacular seabed and the high back-drop of El Peñón.
The El Penyal cove en the north face of El Peñón is a rocky platform reached by a natural path. At approximately 100 metres long. it is a great cove for fish-ing and diving.
North of El Peñón and very close to the El Penyal cove is the second of Calpe’s town beaches, the Levante or La Fossa beach, which has been awarded the Q for Quality by the Institute for Quality Tourism in Spain. With golden sands stretching for almost a kilometre, this beach enjoys all the services and is located in the most cosmopolitan area of Calpe, which is home to the most modern hotels and apartments that have reshaped the Calpe skyline. Where the La Fossa beach ends, the Cabalga beach begins a beulder strewn beach around 100 metres long, at the foot of an exclusive enclave of chalets.
Following a small cove very close to the Les Bassetes marina is the El Mallorquí cove, an agreeable rocky platform with a spectacular seabed, and this gives way to the Les Bassetes cove, a 100 metres beach dotted with boulders that adjoins the La Fustera de Banissa beach.
Visiters will be pleased to know that two of Calpe’s beaches — Cantal Roig and La Fossa — have been awarded the blue flag, and that the Calpe coastline complies with all of the lSO 9001 and 14001 quality and environmental standards.
Posted in Tourism | No Comments »
May 24th, 2008 admin
Five signposted trails through the Las Hoces del Cabriel Natural Park in the Valencian hinterland now pro vides visitors with five trails that have recently been marked out by the Generalitat (Valencian regional government). The five tralls are: the 2.2km Mirador de Peñas Blancas trail; the 16km Villargordo del
Cabriel—Puente Vadocañas trail; the 17.5km Isidros—Caballeros trail; the 23.5km Venta del Moro—Puente de Vadocañas trail and the 10.5 km Casas del Río—Caballeros trail.
Given the sheersize of the natural park, which occupies over 31,000 hectares, the regional government’s Department for the Environment, Water, Planning and Housing has attempted to cover the whole of the protected area by way of these five trails, which have been designed in
accordance with strict conservation criteria. Similarly, alt of the routes follow farming trails and forestry tracks in order to minimise their impact on the local flora and fauna.
Thanks to these trails, visitors can marvel at such cultural elements as a mediaeval bridge or a waterwheel on the rl ver, and they can enjoy rest areas, lookouts and specially created parking areas from where they can bm other short- and long-distance trails that have officially been recognised by the Federation for Mountaíneering and Climbing in the Region of Valencia.
Bach of the towns within the natural park contains a milestone marking the start of a trail and providing all the necessary information on its route.
Ruta Carceles
Ruta Fuente de la oliva
Posted in Tourism | No Comments »
