Posts from ‘September, 2008’

Oliva
Oliva was once a village populated by 52 Christian families and dedicated to growing Muscatel grapes and raisins. The villagers built a beautiful late-Gothic church in honour of the patron saint, St Catalina.
Prehistoric man, the Iberians and especially the Moors (Benimeit, Benimarco and Alcasar are rural sections of Oliva) all left remains in this coastal [...]

Murcia
The Region of Murcia is a beautiful area of Spain, locally known as the ‘Market Garden of Spain’ as the rich soil, irrigation techniques and warm climate makes ideal conditions for growing all types of salad vegetables, citrus fruits, nuts, rice and of course grapes.
Located between the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca, Murcia [...]

Moraira
Moraira is on the coast below Javea and it has grown from being a small fishing village to an attractive holiday and retirement town. Moraira is still small and compact, ideal for the older person and the buildings are all low-rise which is nice and probably because of this it retains it’s unique charm.
Rather than [...]

La Manga
The La Manga Strip is a unique location in Europe, it is a strip of land 21 Km long and 300 metres wide (average). La Manga means ‘sleeve’ and it is a strip of land which separates the Mediterranean Sea from the Mar Menor (Small Sea). Along it’s coast on both sides, there are [...]

Javea or Xabia as the locals call it is a gem of a town situated on the Northern Costa Blanca, it’s rugged coastline is indented with secluded coves and sandy beaches and these hidden caves and bays were once used by pirates and smugglers in the Middle Ages but are now used by sunbathers, snorklers [...]

Jativa (Xativa)
Xativa (Jativa) is a handsome and comfortable Spanish town, famous for its orange and lemon orchards, and excellent vegetables and fruit. Xativa is at the Southern edge of the fertile area bordering te River Turia, with its Castle high on a limestone ridge, guarding the road and valley up from the South of Spain [...]

Jalon Valley
The Jalon Valley (also known as Vall de Pop) is situated inland from the coastal towns of Denia, Javea and Moraira. With some areas on the Costa Blanca coast becoming somewhat built up and overcrowded the Jalon Valley attracts a more discerning visitor and resident who appreciates more of a country feel although the [...]

Guardamar
Guardamar is popular amongst holiday makers, ex pats, and Spaniards, but has managed to remain untouched by package tourism. However, the town’s population does increase considerably during the summer months. Guardamar is a pretty town, and lower rise than others along the Costa. There are small touches that make it stand out from the rest; [...]

Guadalest
Surrounded by the Aitana, Serella and Xorta Mountains the village is widely recognised as being a historically important site, as well as one of great beauty. Once a military stronghold of great strategic importance, Guadalest is the site of several ancient fortifications. Dating back to 715AD the town is of Islamic origin. It was relied [...]

Gandia
Gandia is a town of two halves. The main commercial town, actually a city of nearly 60 000 inhabitants, is located 65km south of Valencia, a few kilometres inland. Four kilometres away on the coast is the other Gandia, the Playa de Gandia.
Playa de Gandia is a truly beautiful and very Spanish resort, the long, [...]