Some local places to visit
Benidorm
30 -35 minutes by car. This famous Spanish resort has a
wide choice of activities and entertainment, two miles of
soft pale sandy beaches, harbour crammed with little boats,
and a modern town backed by the narrow winding streets of
the old town. Nearby is Terra Mítica, the largest amusement
park on the whole Costa Blanca. Benidorm also boasts Aqualandia
a gigantic leisure and aqua park.
Denia
30 minutes by car. The tree lined avenue of the lovely old
town of Denia leads directly down to the harbour and fish
market. You can take a ferry across to the island of Ibiza
or laze on the long sandy beaches, go water skiing, scuba
diving, windsurfing, horse riding and quad bike riding.
Denia is also the railhead for the narrow gauge railway
that runs to Alicante through a picturesque landscape including
17 tunnels. A ride on any train on this line is a wonderful
journey but the famous 'Lemon train' that runs this route
has been described as one of the great train journeys of
Europe, and is an experience that should not be missed.
The route is fascinating for amateur photographers, particularly
the stretch from Moraira to Altea where the railway curves
around the rocky coast. Local stations for this line can
be found at Teulada and Calpe, and the trip to the Tuesday
morning beach market at Altea by train is also not to be
missed.
Moraira
20-25 minutes by car, Moraira lies in a pretty bay below
beautiful mountains. This popular tourist town has grown
from a small fishing village and although fishing still
remains, the town now boasts an impressive marina and gently-shelving
clean sandy beaches. Awarded the prestigious EEC Blue Flags
for cleanliness, the beaches are well tended and very safe
for family bathing. There are plenty of bars, shops and
good restaurants in the old town plus there is an up-to-date
shopping parade backing the beach. Although Moraira has
recently been through an expansion program it still retains
it's modest Spanish integrity and attracts visitors from
all over Europe, being particularly popular with Spanish
from Madrid and Valencia.
Gata de Gorgos
25-30 minutes by car along a pretty valley road. This inland
village is the centre of the local basketware production.
Home workers produce most of the articles, although the
numerous shops in the high street also offer imported products.
A guitar factory here is also worth a visit.
Calpe
20-25 minutes by car. This sizeable seaside town has many
modern shops, restaurants, nightclubs and other attractions.
The two long sandy beaches with promenades sit either side
of the giant rock outcrop called Peñon de Ifach with
a height of over 1000 feet. You can go up to the very top
of this nature reserve, halfway by an easy zigzagging path
that leads to a tunnel cut in the rock. This part is not
too difficult and the views are very good. You need a torch
for the tunnel, beyond which, the going is tough requiring
some stamina and good walking shoes. Above the contemporary
town centre and to the left of the main street you will
find the lovely old town with cobbled streets and many interesting
murals painted on the walls.
Guadalest
A beautiful drive through mountain country takes you to
the castle, cemetery and pretty village of Guadalest over
590m up in the mountains. Built like an eyrie by the Moors
in 1200 AD, you enter it by passing through a tunnel polished
smooth by the hides of packhorses. Once in the village you
may visit the craft shops and bars found in the medieval
houses, which are partially integrated into the rock. One
of the outstanding views for tourists on the Costa Blanca
is from the fortifications that look over the emerald green
lake far below.
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