Spain - Benidorm

Mime Artist in Benidorm Spain

Pensioners Benidorm

Benidorm Costa Blanca Spain

Benidorm's reputation is one of all day and night partying! Perhaps it deserves this reputation for all the Hen parties and Stag nights that take place here. However, it is a happy place to visit so don't be put off if you are not a night owl.

We saw many pensioners riding on their hired scooters - only in Benidorm!




One thing you must be careful of is making sure that you pay for parking.
The machines are not always immediately visible so do ask a passer by or walk down the street.
Blue Zones - Paid Parking
Light Blue Zones - Payable in Summer
Orange Zones - Residents only
Green Zones - Residents Only
Blue and Green - Payable in Summer
Pink - Loading Bay only
Please do check official sites for updates as these may change from time to time 


Other places to visit include, but are not limited to:
 Church of San Jaime and Santa Ana - built in the 18th Century. The Virgin of Suffrage is the Patron Saint of Benidorm together with St James
 Benidorm Town Hall, known as the "groundscraper"
The facade is covered with thick glass slats bearing the names of 60,000.00 registered inhabitants at the time of completion. 

L'Aiguera Park, Sequia Mare and Sequia Mare Park 

Pilgrims Route to Santiago
This sets off from the church of San Jaime. It is 1140 km from here to Santiago de Compostela. 
This route is a must for many people from young to older. 

Beaches of Benidorm Spain

The Costa Blanca region of Spain is a tourist mecca with gorgeous beaches, many days of sunshine annually, plenty to see and do, plus loads of restaurants 

Benidorm has beautiful Blue Flag beaches - Playa de Levante and Playa de Poniete. The viewpoint of "Punta Canfali" divides the two beaches. The view point is divided into two parts - the upper area has benches and rest areas and then some fairly steep steps take one down to the area closer to the sea.

Benidorm Spain

This area is the site of the castle that was built in 1325 to ward off attacks by Algerian and Berber pirates in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. Partially demolished in the 15th century, repaired and then totally destroyed during the War of Independence in the 19th century. The current viewpoint balustrades were designed for the town of Benidorm and have become an iconic sight for tourists.

Benidorm Spain

 The promenades along the beaches boast many shops and restaurants and offer lovely walks taking in the sights. Great for people watching while having a meal, beer or coffee. The vibe is happy and carefree - ideal for holidays in the sunshine. The beaches are protected from storms by the bay and the surrounding mountains. 

All in all, this coast of Spain is well worth a visit at least once if not more than once!

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Spain - Morella Medieval Village

 

Morella Medieval town of Spain

Exploring in any country is a must - there is always so much to experience and absorb. The medieval town of Morella sounded fascinating with a long and varied history. So off we headed away from the coast and into the hills. At first the fields were full of citrus - this gradually changed to beautiful olive groves that looked very regal and majestic. Up and up we climbed to approx.1000m above sea level.

The first glimpse of this walled, medieval city was simply breathtaking. We stopped the car in the village below to capture this incredible sight. The weather was rather gloomy but this did not detract from our amazement as we gazed upon this ancient, walled town.

Morella Spain

Morella appears to have its own micro climate and Wikipedia records that the hottest day ever reached and recorded was on 16th August 1925 when the temperature reached a staggering 40 degrees C. Given the high altitude of this village this must have had the locals feeling the heat! And then on 17th December 1933 the locals had a minimum temperature of -17 degrees C. This day must have had everybody staying indoors, trying to keep warm.

Ancient walls Morella Spain

Shopping in Morella Spain

Narrow Streets Medieval Morella 

Below Morella Spain

Agriculture still plays a part in the economy and prized black truffles are traded at markets during winter. Pig and poultry farming still take place although tourism now plays a larger role in the economy.  


"In the late seventeenth century, Morella was severely affected by the plague. After twenty years of suffering, the citizens brought a statue of the Virgin Mary from the Sanctuary of Vallivana, 24 kilometres (15 mi) away, at the feet of the Serra de Vallivana range, and processed it through the streets. It is said that the plague disappeared from the city and, to remember this, every six years the Sexenni festival takes place for nine days in late August. The virgin is carried in procession and the traditional town guilds perform ancient dances in her honour. The festivities in 2006 were the first of the 21st century" 
Courtesy Wikipedia

Walking the narrow streets was very humbling - just thinking of the long history of this walled town that has stood for centuries and has seen so many battles yet has survived albeit with a much smaller population these days.

We wandered the maze of streets fearing that we would never find our car again - this was somewhat daunting to say the least. The sudden, very load thunder that reverberated along the ancient walls nearly fooled us into thinking that an enemy attack was imminent!

 

As we rounded a corner, we came upon a row of shops and this calmed us down somewhat after the terrifying thunder. The shops were colourful, cheerful and were very well stocked with local fare such as honey and cheese. As well as the various touristy items that one tends to buy! 

Morella is rated as one of the prettiest towns in Spain and one can truly see this from the first glance. 

If times permits there are plenty of beautiful buildings to explore such as the Basilic Church of Santa Maria, the Gates of San Miguel, the Convent of San Francesc. Our time was unfortunately limited so I would suggest that you stay at least 1 or 2 nights to gain the entire experience and enjoy eating at one of the restaurants. The weather was dark and gloomy when we visited but it was still an awesome medieval village to visit and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  Immersing oneself into such ancient history makes for goose bumps and maybe even a nightmare or two afterwards. 

As the 2 bright yellow twins appear to say "Please come again, the sun does come out sometimes" 

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Spain - Peniscola East Coast

 

Entrance to the walled town - Peniscola Spain

Peniscola on the East Coast of Spain is well worth a visit. The ancient medieval, walled town just begs to be explored. It is mainly uphill so good walking shoes are a must. The walled fortress was built by the Templar Knights in 1294 on the site of an old Arab Fortress. 

Peniscola Old Town Spain

The castle was declared an Historical Monument in 1931 and remains the most visited site in Peniscola. The views over the city are superb on a sunny day. The day of our visit was not so sunny despite the claim that the town enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year!

Peniscola Spain

Around 1961 the castle was chosen for scene of the film El Cid 

starring Charlton Heston and Sofia Loren. The other, more recent, filming here was the blockbuster Game of Thrones 6th season. I am sure the locals would have enjoyed watching this action at the time.

The Peniscola Castle became "Mereen" for the Game of Throes. 

Restaurant in Peniscola Old Town Spain 

Walking around the medieval town of Peniscola does not mean that you will go hungry or thirsty - there are many restaurants dotted all over this town of narrow streets, amazing views and such a long history. 

White houses of Peniscola Old Town Spain

The white houses of the old town have many blue shutters and we spotted an elderly couple hanging out their washing on their rooftop. Looks like an idyllic lifestyle with views over both beaches and the hills on the other side of the city.
The church of Esglesia de l"Ermitana is another landmark in the Old Town - the day we visited the steps were crowded with wedding party guests so we could not visit. The "Lady of the Hermitage" is the patron saint of Peniscola and the church dates back to 1717

The full size statue of Papa Luna, Pope Benedict X111 often has people climbing all over in order to take a "selfie". Pope Benedict resided in the castle for approx. 20 years way back in the 15th Century. The bronze statue is the work of Sergio Blanco Rivas and this was inaugurated on November 2007. 

Peniscola, Spain from above 

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Spain - Guadalest Hilltop Village

 

Sometimes one just has to act as a "tourist" to explore the gems in a country where you don't live 

Guadalest is one such place - surrounded by the mountain ranges of Aitana, Serrella and Xorta this magical village is one of the most visited in Spain.

The road up into the mountains is very twisty and one suddenly comes upon a red robot (traffic light) on the corner. Being law abiding citizens we stopped not knowing why as no cars came past! It turned out to just a tight bend on the road and a very short section. It is an interesting drive if you enjoy twists and turns and there are viewing places to stop and catch your breath again.

This hilltop village was declared an "Historic-Artistic" site in 1974 and is now one of the most visited villages in Spain.

Looking down from above the blue waters of the Guadalest "Lake" (Reservoir) look most inviting. 

There is a hiking path around the lake and water sports happen here. As the lake gets up to 94 m deep care should be taken if swimming. 

In order to view the Castle of San Jose one needs to first go thru Orduna House. This was first built in 1644. The family of Ordunas served as guardians of the fortress and were governers of the estate for almost 300 years. The furnishings of the house belong to the Orduna family and one can imaging what a symbol of wealth this was in this tiny village. The third floor offers a gallery of sculptures and paintings - many of these are for sale. The library contains 1265 volumes - an impressive collection of ancient history. Going down the antique staircase you will find the access to the Castle of San Jose situated on top of a rock. At an altitude of 595m it is a climb but well worth the views over the mountains and valley. 

"The medieval castle overshadowing the Guadalest valley was originally built in the 11th century, during the Muslim rule over the Iberian Peninsula. It served to control the valley, as infighting between the smaller kingdoms left by the disintegration of the Caliphate of Córdoba was constant".

It is always mind-blowing to walk thru a town that has stood for 1000yrs yet only has approx.200 residents. Forgetting to buy that special something way down the mountain could cause a serious domestic argument! 

There are many shops to wander into, selling local crafts, honey, olive oils and much more. 

This town is worth a 2 night stop - sadly we were only on a day visit.

There are numerous museums - sadly we did not have enough time to visit these as the trek to the castle took awhile and then lunch beckoned at L'Hort where we enjoy delicious tapas. 

As we exited the restaurant the rain came pelting down so we made a dash for the car.

A hilltop town well worth visiting when in the district of Alicante, East Coast, Spain.

Be ready to walk.....climb those steps and enjoy the magnificent views over the valley

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Spain - Denia - East Coast

 

Denia Costa Blanca Spain

Denia: Costa Blanca, Spain

Denia lies on the East Coast of Spain in the area known as the Costa Blanca.

The charm of the city lies both seaside and by exploring the town's various districts as well as the castle.

We were amazed at the number of cars parked in every available space. Given the huge number of apartment blocks in Denia I suppose this does explain the sheer volume of cars. 

Denia Spain - Sailors out for a fun event

The Marina of Denia has over 500 moorings and we chanced upon a number of yachts heading out in the glorious sunshine while enjoying our ramble along the promenade. 

Denia Castle Spain

"Built on top of a cliff overlooking the coast, inhabited and fortified since Roman times, Denia castle is the symbol of the city. It is an unmissable attraction for those who spend their holidays in the area.

The fortress, that has been declared a "Monument of Cultural Interest" by the Spanish Government, was built in the 11th century, during the period of the Arab domination. The original architectural style was Almohad, but over the centuries the complex has undergone numerous changes and reconstructions. Today it is possible to identify elements added during the Renaissance period and the 18th century, as well as the remains of a Roman settlement".

"Denia, the capital of the Marina Alta area at the northern end of Alicante province has had a castle since Roman times when the town was known as Dianum but its main development came with the conquest of the area by the Moors. Built on a rocky promontory overlooking the town and the sea, the castle can be seen from anywhere in town. The impressive arched entrance dates from Moorish times but inside various buildings date from the castles development over the centuries". 

Denia Spain

Pavement cafes abound in the streets running up from the harbour - great for people watching, wandering the shops and enjoying some lunch in the old town. 

"Denia's historical centre is a fascinating mix of modern architecture and ancient neighbourhoods; of elegant buildings and old fishermen's houses; colourful and modern streets and alleys with an ancient flavour".

Irish Pub Denia Spain

"Once you arrive in the port area, you can visit the barrio Baix la Mar, the old seaside district. Located just below the castle, this neighbourhood is shaped by narrow streets and characteristic fisherman houses, with picturesque facades painted in pastel colours. In the area closest to the port there are many bars and restaurants where you can taste some excellent fresh fish".

We walked thru this tunnel - it was very scary or so it felt at the time. In later years used to ripen bananas of all things and now currently this walkway. There is information of the walls given all the history - well worth the walk thru.

Denia is naturally also famous for it's beaches being on the Mediterranean sea - with approx. 15km of various beaches there is something for everyone. Platja Punta del Raset is long and wide.

Las Rostos lies to the south and Las Marinas lies North

Platja Punta del Raset

Our favourite daily walk was along the boardwalk in the south part of Denia where we joined many locals all out walking with their children and their dogs. Or a group of ladies chatting away as they strolled along without a care in the world. It was lovely to see all the happy faces. The restaurants along this promenade had lovely views, both of the mountain and the sea. It was great fun going here for a meal.

All in all a great town to explore - lots of walking, plenty of restaurants, beaches for everyone, interesting shops and lovely views all around. The only negative is the parking! But one does eventually find a spot, albeit pretty far from where you actually want to be!

Until next time,

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Cape Town for the Adventure Seekers

Cape Town offers so many adventure activities - do come and try at least a few!

 The Mother City offers so many exciting experiences - it is impossible to list them all.

As the quote from Sir Francis Drake goes:

"This cape is the most wonderful thing, and the fairest cape we saw in the whole circumference of the earth, and we passed by it on 18th July 1580" 

So they sailed past in the middle of winter and still thought it was beautiful. 

For some different experiences try some of the following:

Cape Sidecar Adventures - www.sidecars.co.za

Enjoy a full day or half day escape in these Military bikes, built in the 1950's and 1960's Decommissioned Peoples Liberation Army (Red China) 

There are a number of routes - Chapman's Peak Drive is one of my favourite drives for the beauty of the surrounds around Hout Bay. 

Robben Island:

For those seeking some historical significance, none better than a trip to Robben Island. The islands history dates back to the 1400's right through to the 1900's when democracy was pioneered through resilient ex-political prisoners. 

www.robben-island.org.za

Pre-booking is highly recommended, especially during the summer months.

For those looking for a special experience, you can book the guest house for a birthday party, baby shower, workshop or bridal event. The guest house sleeps 15 

Special Tours and Events - Telephone 021 413 4225

E-mail: 

privatetours@robben-island.org.za

Abseil:

For the more adventurous why not try an abseil experience?

If you are brave enough to step off Table Mountain at 1067 m above sea level, then this is for you! 

112m down the side of a sheer cliff should get the pulse racing whilst you gaze in awe of the views below. Camps Bay, Twelve Apostles and the Atlantic Seaboard - all are spectacular.

www.capetownabseil.co.za

From the heavens to the depths of the ocean should be next on your list

Shark Cage Diving, Simonstown

This activity takes place from Simonstown, one of the most interesting suburbs of Cape Town.

Experience bronze whalers and sevengill sharks plus dolphins, whales or seals, depending on the season.

For the scuba divers, try the kelp forest experience or the Mako & Blue shark diving 

www.sharkexplorers.com

Now that you have scared yourself silly and you still have a pocket of cash, try the luxury of a helicopter trip.

Helicopter Flights:

These trips are not cheap, in fact some of the Winelands trips are scarily expensive! 

Trips range from R2000.00 pp for 12 minutes to R24,500.00 pp for some Winelands flights.

On offer are scenic flights averaging from 12 minutes to 50 minutes - a great way to view the many iconic Cape Town scenic splendours.

The Winelands flights are very special and there are a number of routes/wine estates on offer. 

Ideal to celebrate a special occasion with the added thrill of a helicopter flight.

www.helicopterscapetown.co.za

E-Bike Tours: 

For those who love E-Bikes there is something on offer as well;

The Peninsula Tour will take you into Cape Point - a must see when visiting Cape Town. 

Or do the Winelands Tour where you will visit 2 wineries.

These tours are offered by African Eagle - a trusted Tour company

www.daytours.co.za

For those who prefer to be escourted, African Eagle offers a number of tours to various parts of the Cape Peninsula and further afield.

Jeep Tours:

For those who prefer a more exciting approach, Jeep Tours will be the answer for you.

Explore in a Jeep Wrangler from Winelands Experiences to the fun Adventure experiences in the dunes - just 40 minutes from Cape Town. Here you can enjoy dune jumping, sand boarding and great photo opportunities.

www.jeeptours.capetown

Hopefully, this is enough of a start to wet your appetite!

Please see our other blogs on Cape Town and South Africa.

We hope to see you soon!

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Cape Town - Hiking Safety Tips

 

Article Courtesy Cape Town Tourism

With a mountain range as its backbone, Cape Town offers some of the most spectacular hiking routes in the world. Before you decide on a hiking route up Table Mountain, take a look at these tips to keep yourself safe and comfortable on our trails.

Don’t hike alone

A party size of four is recommended and if you’re travelling alone, hike with a guide like Hike Table Mountain, Table Mountain Treks and Tours or Mother City Hikers. Don’t split up—rather take the pace of the slowest member.

Be prepared

Take enough water (at least a 1.5L bottle or two per person) and wear sunblock, proper hiking shoes, and a hat. Check that the weather is hike-friendly the night before and take a warm jacket for mountain hikes as conditions can change rapidly. If you’re intending to take the Cableway on Table Mountain, remember operation is weather-dependent. Check the Table Mountain Twitter feed for the latest updates or call their weather line on +27 (0)21 424 8181.

Tell somebody & plan ahead

Always inform someone at your hotel or in your family of your intended route and your expected time of return. Check a map of your hike before setting off so you are sure where you need to go. Always take the well-trodden path and look out for small painted footprints or piles of rocks (Cairns) to verify you’re on the right track.

Know what to do in an emergency

In the event of injury or other serious trouble stay in one place and find shelter. Do not move the injured person unless they are in a dangerous position. Do not leave the injured person alone—if possible send two people for help, while one person stays behind. Make a detailed note of where the injured person is, and look out for landmarks to navigate back to the spot.

In the event of snakebite, immobilize the person and lay them flat on their back. Do not give them food or water. Get help and keep the victim very calm—shock and adrenaline is a major factor in the progression of snake bite symptoms. In the event of contact with the blister bush (a plant resembling common celery) cover the area from sunlight to avoid skin irritations and the eruption of blisters.

Be responsible

Please don’t litter, feed any animals, or disturb the wildlife on your hike. Be considerate of others and don’t play loud music. Smoking or lighting any kind of fire endangers the area and should be avoided.

Save these emergency numbers on your phone:

Emergencies: +27 (0)21 480 7700

Table Mountain National Park: +27 (0)21 957 4700

Wilderness Search and Rescue: +27 (0)21 937 0300

Cape Town Tourism: +27 (0)861 322 223

Don’t hike alone; four is the ideal number.

· Choose your route carefully and stick to it. Allow yourself enough time – start early. Inform someone of your route and what time you’re expected back.

· Choose a hike leader and walk at the pace of the slowest member.

· If lost – don’t split up. Rather try to retrace your steps. Remember that climbing down is more difficult than climbing up.

· Always take enough water, especially in summer, and food in case of a delay. Watch the weather and time, and turn back before you start running late or if bad weather threatens.

Always take waterproof clothing, even in summer, wear walking shoes or hiking boots. Wear a hat or cap and sun block in summer. Weather changes rapidly.

· If lost or forced to stop because of bad weather, stay together and remain in one place. Find the closest shelter from wind and rain.

· In case of injury, assess the situation. Then send two people for help and let the third remain with the injured person. If possible, mark the position on a map and send it with those going for help.

· Stick to well-used paths, which will be indicated on the park’s hiking map and read the warnings on this map. Don’t take shortcuts and especially don’t wander into ravines.

· Take a fully-charged mobile phone. Some parts of the Park do not have mobile network coverage, but you will reach a place where you can use a mobile phone more quickly than you’ll get to a landline.

3 Rules for personal security when hiking Table Mountain National Park

As Table Mountain is an urban park, please exercise the same common sense and security precautions that you would anywhere else in the world.

· Do not attract unwanted attention by openly displaying cash, cameras or other valuables.

· If you are confronted by a criminal, don’t resist. Handover your goods as resistance might incite a mugger to violence.

· Program emergency numbers in your cell phone before your hike.

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