Monthly Archives: July 2012

European Destinations

Gandia beach – The Real Spain

2 Comments

Are you sat reading this in the UK and looking out of the window at the rain dripping down the windows? Gloomy huh? What about a bit of sun to cheer you up? It’s a rare thing to see that shiny orange hot thing in the UK, but I know a place where it’s abundant all year year round, in fact, I know somewhere that if you are looking for a holiday in the sun, you will love this place.

Gandia beach. No, it’s nothing to do with Ghandi, the Indian fella (!), it’s a lovely, small resort on the northern Costa Blanca, on Spain’s east coast and its services by both Alicante and Valencia airports, with regular flights from most Uk destinations.

The town is about an hours drive north from the famous resort of Benidorm, but is much further away in terms of class, style, and authenticity, attracting a discerning holidaymaker, and the area is home to several nationalities of expats such as British, Irish, French, German, Norwegian and Dutch, so a real international flavour, but retaining that “real” Spain feel.

If you need refreshment, there are a few bars and cafes dotted around that are run by expats, so if you miss your favourite food, it is here, but not to the extent of the more traditional resorts.

Gandia is very traditional and low-key and does NOT attract the lager louts or beetroot-red “ee love, fish and chips twice mate” type of crowd, clad in their Primark Union jack shorts, tattoos, and only missing one more thing, the pit bull, because they couldn’t get it past customs.

 Low key holiday.

Gandia is low key and that’s why people come here, that’s what they like. Gandia is split into two main areas, the town, and the beach. The town is a great place to look around and get a real feel for the “real” spain, and see everyday folk going about their business. This gives you a feel for what it must be like to live here.

In addition, there are several local fiestas worth watching, in fact as I write this, there is a (Very noisy) moors and Christians festival going on as we speak!

A short drive brings you to Gandia beach (“Playa Gandia”) and you will find a lovely wide, sandy beach which goes on for about 2 miles, and is lined with low rise buildings and quaint little bars and restaurants, meaning that, once again comparing to Benidorm, this is as far removed as you can get from a tacky tourist spot, and walking around here you get a feeling of calm, great for a peaceful holiday away from theme parks, screaming kids and the ubiquitous sunglasses sellers who pester people in the resorts down south.

The real spain.

As I said above, you will NOT find KFC, fish n chips or a decent Cornish pasty, NOTE: YOU ARE IN SPAIN!!….and therefore there are plenty of opportunities to dine in a variety of restaurants during your stay, and can sample any type of dish you care to imagine, although most of it is Spanish food, and if you are on vacation here, you would be best advised to actually try it, you never know, you might like it!

There are also boat trips available, to soak up even more of the Spanish sun, and trips can be taken to Denia, Jávea, Calpe and Altea, however if you have time on your hands, it is actually possible to take a boat from nearby Denia, to Ibiza, if you really feel you can’t spend the week here without going wild and partying till you drop!

There are lots of day trips to be taken to nearby towns, or an hour and half up the motorways, you can visit the wonderful cvity of Valencia which has museums, galleries, attractions and more bars and restaurants than you can shake a stick at!

All in all, for a peaceful, authentic and “real” holiday in the sun, check out Gandia beach this year, I think you will enjoy it!

Gandia Travel Report from Guy Alexander Bell

European Destinations

Marina Alta Holidays on the Mediterrenean

Leave a comment

The Marina Alta area of Spain stretches along the coast of the Mediterranean from Denia in the North to Calpe further south. Along the Marina Alta route you´ll find plenty of charming villages and busy sea side beach resorts, that all make for excellent holiday destinations with each their special characteristics and features.

Using the Marina Alta area as the base for a sailing vacation on the Mediterranean adds an entirely new dimension however. The glorious mountainous coastline, the hidden little coves that are only accessible from sea and tiny uninhabited islands are spread all along the Costa Blanca coast.

marina alta seasailing-holiday-mediterranean

It is possible to hire boats of largely all sizes, types and levels however obviously you still need to book your spaces in the marinas you wish to visit along the way. Alternatively, of course you can make the journey to the Mediterranean yourself and the marinas will cater for your needs during the journey.

The marina in Denia makes for a rather large, luxurious and well equipped starting point of a Marina Alta holiday at sea in the Mediterranean. The Americas Cup used the Denia marina facilities, several cruise ships enter the picturesque town every year and the marina area has every pleasant facility a sailor about to head to sea might need (read more about holidays in Denia).

Heading south from Denia you pass the Cabo De San Antoni that stretches out from the iconic mount Montgo. Behind the cape you reach the Jávea port with its relatively small but lively marina. The Jávea port features a vibrant latin vibe with promenades along the seafront, plenty of excellent seafood restaurants and narrow little shopping streets to explore. Spending a few days in Jávea will allow you to further investigate the traditional village life in the historic center, lay on the sandy Arenal beach in the tourist part of town to catch some sun (read more about Javea beaches) or time your sailing holiday visit in Jávea to coincide with one of the exciting authentic Spanish fiestas such as Fogueras De San Juan, Moors and Christians or Jesus De Nazareth.

The Jávea port features an active little fleet of fishermen’s boats and trawlers attached to the marina lending extra life and activity to the area – and ensuring amazingly fresh dishes at the local sea food restaurants.

portitxol island

Heading further south from Jávea you have the opportunity to enjoy amazing scenery at places like Portitxol island and cove, the Cabo De La Nao and Granadella cove. Plenty of these coves provide sheltered waters that are ideal for letting the anchor sink and have an enjoyable break in the stunning nature of the Northern Costa Blanca.

The option is there to follow the coastline further south past El Moraig, Benitatchell and Moraira to finally land at the tourist resort in Calpe. The town of Calpe is a rather busy little seaside town, particularly during the hot summer months, but the surrounding nature still has unique and unspoilt features to behold and enjoy.

costa blanca sailing

Sailing the Marina Alta part of the Mediterranean sea might just prove to be the perfect holiday in Spain for you and your family. The nature simply has to be experienced in all its overwhelming beauty, the sea is relatively peaceful outside of the stormy seasons and the marinas are all welcoming visiting sailors with open arms and plenty of charm!

European Destinations

Løkken – Danish Beach Resort

1 Comment

During the cold Danish winters the coastal village of Løkken is a sleepy little town without much going on. In the summer time however it springs to life as a magnet for beach happy Scandinavians and tourists from further afar. The main feature of Løkken is a stunning sand beach that stretches for kilometers just beyond the dunes from the picturesque little village in Northern Jutland of Denmark.

Loekken Denmarkloekken strand

The beaches in Denmark are public and free to visit. Pack your picnic bag and head down for a day of joy in the sand. The beaches are kept at a high standard in terms of cleanliness and strict regulations hinders tacky shops or buildings from shooting up on the beach areas. All those types of things stay beyond the dunes in the resorts, thus leaving the beaches pleasantly clean and unspoilt.

Løkken itself is a charming little town in the summer with a very active night life featuring several discotheques, night clubs and bars. During certain years Løkken has rightly obtained a bit of a reputation for being too much of a youth party location in the summers with camp-site events involving little else than alcohol and disco vibes. More recently though a nice balance has been found making it a pleasant and happening location for all ages.

Danish summers can be temperamental weather wise, but luckily the Løkken beach resort is within easy driving distance of the interesting city of Aalborg, that has plenty of activities to offer for days away from the beaches. Another option is a little daytrip up to the Northern tip of Jutland, Skagen. Famous for its ancient tiny fishermans houses, painters such as Holger Drachmann, Krøyer and not least, Anna and Michael Ancher. On top of the sea food restaurants, the rich cultural inputs and the amazing old buildings in Skagen, you can walk out onto the exact tip of the European peninsula and stand there with one foot in each ocean, exactly where they meat.

European Destinations

Costa Blanca Amusement Parks

1 Comment

Your life in the city is far from boring. However, at times you are too stressed out with the same sight every day that you want to drive to the airport, get a ticket and board a plane that’s going somewhere else where there’s a definitely different view. And Spain is absolutely one great destination you should consider visiting.

This European country has been a top destination for tourists coming from all corners of the world for its traditional architectural designs, wonderful climate, and amazing places to see. One of them is the Costa Blanca Region, the “White Coast” of Europe. And if you are looking for a fun-filled adventure in this place, you shouldn’t miss out on Costa Blanca theme parks and nature parks.

terra-mitica-costa-blanca-spain

Costa Blanca Nature Parks
Isn’t it great to see the natural beauty of God’s creation? It makes you think that there is more to life than taxis, restaurants and subways.  Costa Blanca theme parks are not just about architectures and man-made landscapes; they also feature what we can call the “Paintings by God.”

Palm orchards are one of the relaxing greens of the earth. Their shades can bring out the good vibes in you. Huerta del Cura Park is the marvelous garden where these trees found their roots. By just strolling around the park can be fairly calming.

If you love the heights, panoramic views and go a good hiking distance, the Montgo Natural Park in the town of Javea awaits your excited steps. This gathering limestone ascends above the towns of Denia and Javea. The summit will make you realize how small you are compared to the world, because the scene you are about to see when you get to the top is the boundless view of Javea and beyond other towns, including Spain’s famous island of Ibiza. An additional bonus of the park is the chance to see unique species of foxes, weasels, rabbits and other animals.

Mundomar Aquatic Park is for the water lovers. Sea-creatures are the main characters of the different aquatic shows for your entertainment. But they take the backstage if you’re more of an adventurous traveler. The park is also place of slides, bridges, wall climbing, swings, rappelling, and ramps among others.

terra-mitica-costa-blanca-spain-2aqualandia-alicante

Costa Blanca Amusement Parks
If you think nature is not so much of a fun vacation to you at this time of the year, Costa Blanca theme parks that are filled with adrenaline rushing rides will worth your every dime.

Torrevieja Aquopolis Water Park is the right blend of sun and water. Their attractions are divided into three categories: children, moderate, and high emotion. Warning: If your heart’s weak, don’t get your blood rushing into the high emotion rides like the Kamikazee or Speed slides. Blackhole is yet another scary water ride as you plunge into darkness aboard a mere float.

Terra Mitica Theme Park is perhaps the most celebrated attraction in the whole of Costa Blanca because of its ancient-civilization-inspired landscape and designs. Based fro the five empires – Greece, Rome, Iberia, Egypt and Mediterranean Islands—Terra Mitica is more than just roller coasters. You will be taken centuries back with the shows that tell the legends and myths of the ancient world. Read more about the Costa Blanca Terra Mitica here.

aqualandia-costa-blancaaqualandia-benidorm

Discount Entry To Costa Blanca Theme Parks
It can be expensive to take your entire family to the theme parks of the Costa Blanca. However, most of them feature discount schemes and vouchers to be found for rebates on entry or rides.

For instance, Aqualandia and Terra Mitica have several discount vouchers available that you can pick up at Costa Blanca McDonalds restaurants, BP petrol stations and several other places. Be on the lookout or ask your travel agent.