Then, once at the end, you can venture into the pedestrianized part of town where you will find “Calle San Francisco“, also known as Calle de las Setas (or Mushroom Street!). A delightful street full of imagination and colour, decorated with mushrooms almost four metres high, giving you an Alice in Wonderland feeling!

From here, why not end your magical journey with a well deserved rest and drink at “Soho Bar Park” in Plaza Portal de Elche. This pretty outdoor garden bar is located in the middle of a quaint plaza in Alicante centre. Surrounded by large trees and plants, it feels like a mini oasis by day, and becomes beautifully illuminated in the evening.

To discover the best of Alicante City by foot and all of its hidden treasures, we highly recommend “freewalkingtoursalicante.com” Their friendly and local guide will give you a fascinating tour of the city in English!..Book your tour by calling Maria on 616 750 608.

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This vineyard has the perfect setting for a wine tasting tour with a typical country house of the Elche region known as a Faeneta. At Bodegas Faelo the treading and pressing of grapes is still done with the same traditional utensils used by Rafael Faelo in 1930.

Guided tours and wines testing

The bodega offers a charming and friendly experience of specially prepared guided visits for you to discover the history of the vineyard, taste their wines and local delicacies, and gain an understanding of the fascinating art of viticulture.

It consists of a visit to the winery guided by its owner. You will visit the house, winepress and museum, vineyard, fermentation building and barrel room. You will taste 4 wines (white, rose, red and sweet). Each visitor will taste an individual dish with local food such as coca (typical type of pasty), dried sausages, cheese, homemade bread with extra virgin olive oil and dried fig and date bread.

Guide Visits times from monday to sunday: 10 a.m to 6 p.m, Tel: 655 856 898

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The perfect idea for a romantic date, special occasion, proposal, or a family fun day out. You will be able to turn up, sit back and relax in comfort with a complete bohemian picnic set up including throws, floor cushions and high quality picnic decor.

The picnic meal consists of a delightful selection of locally sourced cheeses, summer fruits, nuts and finger food, accompanied by freshly baked bread and dips. Drinks include sparkling and still water, local cava, and white or rose wine.

Enjoy a unique outdoor picnic experience set up at any location of your choice along the Costa Blanca, and completely catered for with delicious food and tasty treats. For more information and bookings call on +34 613 036 155. She will be very happy to discuss your requirements and create a tailored made package specially for you.

You can also find more detailed information on the website www.heavenly-luxurypicnics.com

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ORIGIN OF THE FALLAS​

The origin of las Fallas comes from the old carpenter’s tradition who, when celebrating the arrival of spring on 19th March, used to burn pieces of wood (parots) that were used to prop up their lights during the winter.

To this bonfire they gradually started to add old belongings and rags, which gave the wooden structure a human-looking aspect, until they became the ninots that we know today. The Valencian sense of humour soon gave the irony shown in the ninots which is maintained at present.

The Fallas celebrations have evolved into temporary works of art which, in some cases, cost millions of euros.

19 DAYS OF ACTION FOR ANY TASTE

The passion of the Fallas lovers for their celebration has filled the Fallas week with thousands of things to do: traditional (and not so traditional) music, tonnes of gunpowder, emotive religious acts, paellas in the street… Enjoy Fallas with the 5 senses, you must be looking forward to it already!

Mascletà, from 1st to 19th

The name of the act come from “masclet”, the type of fireworks that explode with a loud noise when the Fallera Mayor declares “Senyor pirótecnic pot començar la mascletà” (“Mr. Pyrotechnic, the mascletà can start now”).

To watch this spectacle of sound you should head to Plaza del Ayuntamiento at 2pm, any day from the 1st to the 19th March. And remember to keep your mouth open a little to avoid damaging your ears when it reaches 120 decibels!

The Plantà, 15th March

The night of the 15th March is full of activity. The Fallas commissions work in shifts because all the monuments that are set up in Valencia must be fully finished by the morning of 16th. That is the day that the judges award the best ones and choose the ninot induldat, the only figure to be saved from the burning.

Award-giving, 17th March

The falleras mayores and their commissions take part in a procession towards Plaza del Ayuntamiento on the morning of 17th, to pick up their prizes. You should know that the more than 750 monuments that are set up in Valencia, are divided into categories with the Special Section being the most impressive of all. 

Fireworks and the Nit del Foc, from 15th to 19th March

The night skies are filled with light and colour during Fallas thanks to the impressive firework displays which are set off at midnight at Alameda. An act which brings together a multitude of people and reaches its peak with the Nit del Foc, a unique firework display celebrated in the early hours of the 18th. 

Flower Ofrenda, 17th and 18th March

All the Fallas commissions of Valencia parade through the city from their neighbourhood to the Plaza de la Virgen for a flower offering to the Virgen de los Desamparados, patron saint of Valencia. The act takes place from 4pm until the night, with bunches of flowers that become part of an impressive 15-metre high structure representing the Virgen’s cape.
 
Visiting the square after the 2 days of ofrenda is an olfactory experience which is worth it, we recommend it! 

The Cremà, 19th March

All the Fallas, small and large, must be burned on the 19th. Although it’s a shame, seeing how the flames reduce these monuments to ash is an artwork in itself. So, put on some comfortable shoes and prepare for the cremà route: at 08pm the small monuments start to burn, and at 10:00pm the big ones go up in flames, except for the 1st prize-winner which is burned at 10.30pm. The Fallas celebrations end when the monument at Plaza del Ayuntamiento is burned, at 11pm.

They say that everyone should come to Fallas at least once in their life, although we’ll warn you now, with everything that there is to see and do you’re sure to want to experience it again! 

The Source: www.visitvalencia.com

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Guardamar’s most important ‘fiestas’ are the ‘Moros y Cristians’ or Moors and Christians in Honour of Saint James, declared a Regional Valencian Heritage Tourist Interest Festivity. They are held in the second half of July.

They begin with the ‘Enchanted Lady’s Legend’ and that year’s young ‘Dama de Guardamar’ (Lady of Guardamar) is proclaimed and crowned. The staging of the legend is an ancient story of a young maiden who, after an evil spell, can only be released by the arms of a brave warrior who must bathe the feet of the young lady in the waters of the River Segura. His battles against the evil forces are staged.

Another act of great interest, which recalls a historical passage, is the representation of the Pact of Tudmir. The signing of the treaty is staged by which, on April 5, 713, the Visigoth nobleman Teodomir ceded to the Muslims of Abd-al Azid ibn Muzá the territories where Guardamar is located.

The ‘embassies’ and ‘parades‘ during the Moors and Christians week are undoubtedly the most spectacular moments of these festivals. They are based in the memory of the Christian Conquest of Guardamar by the Catalans during the Middle Ages. At night dancing is held in the Popular Barracks and in the ‘Cuartelillos‘ or Moor and Christians clubs.

On July 25 the solemn procession takes place in honour of our patron saint, Saint James, accompanied by Authorities, Festival Commission, Lady of Guardamar, followers, Captains, Associations and people who take part in the ‘festa’ in general.

There are also fire festivals and the castle fireworks from the sea. Powder and music are an important part of this event, which is quite common all over the Valencian Region.

The source: guardamarturismo.com

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Guadalest is famous for two buildings

First is Guadalest castle (Castell de Guadalest) which can only be accessed by walking through a 15 foot long tunnel carved out of the rock. This is known as the Portal de San Jose. No wonder the castle was so secure!

When you get through the tunnel you see the old village houses and it feels like you have entered an ancient time. You can visit the restored house of the Orduna family to get an idea of what it used to be like living in ancient times in Guadalest.

The streets of Guadalest are cobbled, there are little squares, a school and an old jailhouse.

Make sure you look to the right of Guadlest and you will see beautiful views of the valley which contains a dam and reservoir – the Embalse de Guadalest, built between 1953 and 1963.

The other famous building that you will often see photographed or on postcards is the white bell tower of Penon de la Alcala which rises up seemingly precariously perched on the mountainside.

History

The castle at Guadalest was built by the Moors over 1,300 years ago. In 1609 King Felipe the third ordered all the Moors to be expelled leading to an uprising after which the Moors were defeated and left Spain. Also of note was in 1848 when powder kegs blew up (the reason is not known) the castle was abandoned.

The village of Guadalest only has about 200 inhabitants and needless to say most of these work in tourist related jobs. You will find many shops selling souvenirs, crafts and local produce such as honey, wine, handbags etc.

Guadalest also has a number of small museums many of them converted from little caves in the mountainside.

A trip to Guadalest need only take half a day and you can then be back on the Costa Blanca’s beaches or by your pool but do make the effort because it is a worthwhile sightseeing trip and adds another dimension to your Costa Blanca holiday.

Tel: 965 885 298

The source: spainmadesimple.com

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Here is the essential information you need to know before booking Spain train tickets!

Only one train company Renfe

Renfe covers all the train services in the country, from inner-city to suburb trains all the way to long-distance, cross country trains (and even luxury, multi-night traveling trains! More on that below). When visiting Spain, the main key to pay attention to when choosing a train to book is what type of train it is. Usually, you can figure it out just by seeing the array of trip durations on a given day, with shorter trips being on faster trains and longer trips taking place on slower trains.

AVE trains

The fast trains are called AVE trains. These routes have a special rail system that allows the train to zoom through the country at record speeds. What was once an 8-hour trip between Madrid and Barcelona can now be done in just 3 hours! Madrid is also connected to Sevilla, Valencia, and Alicante by AVE Trains, as well as several other cities, including Granada, which was just established in 2019. You’ll also find AVE Trains for shorter distances, such as from Madrid to Toledo or Segovia, or Barcelona to Girona or Figueras, making for easy day trips.

MD and LD trains

Slower trains have more stops than the AVE trains, and are typically called MD (media distancia) or LD (larga distancia), but have other names as well. Check the duration of the trip in comparison to other times, and you’ll notice that these trains take a lot longer to reach a destination. The slower trains aren’t as up-to-date as the more modern AVE trains, meaning you might not find the same services on board, but they work just as well in getting a traveler from point A to point B and are often the only option for some destinations.

What is the difference between first-class and tourist-class tickets on the AVE trains?

The slower trains typically don’t have this ticketing option, but the AVE trains were designed to separate the two classes in a few different ways. Depending on your traveling style and budget, you can decide whether a first-class ticket will make your trip more comfortable.

First-class tickets are separated into their own train compartment at either end of the train. These compartments have fewer seats in them, meaning they are more exclusive and tend to be quieter. The seats are spacious, and you’ll have a daily newspaper service brought to your seat at the beginning of the trip for you to choose from. If you are traveling during a mealtime Sunday-Friday, you will also be served a meal onboard included in your ticket fare. They have a variety of meals for those with food allergies or specific preferences. Finally, first-class ticket holders have a private waiting lounge at certain train stations that they can use up to 2 hours before their train departs.

Tourist-class tickets

Tourist-class tickets are more run-of-the-mill, but don’t think that these sections of the train are any less clean or modern! The seats here are also spacious (although not as spacious as first-class, but you won’t find your knees hitting the back of the seat in front of you like on an airplane). You can typically fit a backpack by your feet in these seats, and there are luggage racks above the seats as well to store winter coats and small suitcases. While the tourist class doesn’t have a meal included during meal times, the cafeteria car is easily accessible and offers sandwiches, chips, coffee, and more. Bringing snacks on board with you is also a good idea, and there is no liquid ban on the trains! So feel free to bring refreshments on board.

Both classes also have a cafeteria cart that comes through offering beverages and snacks, and will often show a film on the monitors located throughout the car. A stewardess will pass out headphones at the beginning of the journey, but be forewarned that the film is always in Spanish.

Punctuality agreement

Renfe has a punctuality agreement with its riders! If your AVE train is more than 15-30 minutes late on arriving at your destination, you are entitled to a recompensation. It’s always important to let your travel agent know if that happens, so they can help you get your refund!

Spain trains are the best way to get across the Iberian Peninsula during your travels, and if you can choose an AVE train, you’ll get there in no time!

The source: spainunspoilt.com

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The Costa Blanca´s foremost shopping centre La Zenia Boulevard has quite a reputation, and the venue never fails to impress each year with a spectacular Christmas light display culminating in the “Cabalgata de Papá Noel“. At the beginning of December, the water fountains in the main concourse are turned off to make way for the ornately decorated festive tree, and the mall is decked from head to toe in Christmas lights.It´s become something of a local tradition, and the Zenia Boulevard Christmas Parade is the pinnacle of the celebrations.

The evening event is a spectacle of light, music, and colour, as the shopping centre´s meandering avenues are filled with hundreds of dancers, and thousands of festive visitors.Local men and women of all ages dress in brightly coloured costumes and parade through the streets in a clearly well rehearsed and closely choreographed performance.The theatrical enactment concludes with Santa Claus himself (yes, the real one), taking a break from his chores in more Northern climes and riding his sleigh along the avenues waving to spectators.

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Spain’s Christmas begins with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8th) and ends with the celebration of the Wise Men (January 6th).

Christmas national lottery

For generations, Christmas in Spain has been inextricably linked to a lottery known as El Gordo (Fatty), the world’s oldest and by far biggest lottery (December 22). The families and employees get together to buy a complete lottery number and share it. Many Spaniards give the lottery tickets to their relatives as a Christmas gift.

Christmas decorations

Christmas decorations often consist of a large model of the old city of Bethlehem (called Belén in Spanish), similar to the Nativity scenes of the English-speaking world. During the previous weeks, families found time to place their indispensable figurines of the Holy Family with baby Jesus, shepherds and sheep, angels and Magi on their camels in belén. They often add their touch of Spanish grace with such characters as a Caganer (in Catalan culture and neighbouring areas) or flamenco dancers (in Andalusia).

Figurines for the nativity scene were originally made of porcelain, and later baked clay and plaster. It took the wonders of the hundred-peseta shop to turn an artisan art form into mass-produced tack. Apart from the main players, you can buy a whole range of village extras, including the kids’ favourite, el cagón or, in Catalan and Valenciano, el caganer (the, er, cr*pper). What a country lad with his trousers round his ankles has to do with the holy scene is anybody’s guess.

Christmas trees and gifts

Christmas trees are usually fir trees in the north of Spain and pine trees in the south. Families take pleasure in decorating them together around mid-December. It is one of the places to be filled with presents of the Wise Men on Epiphany (Los Tres Reyes Magos).

Children may receive a couple of small gifts on Nochebuena (December 24) or Día de Navidad (December 25) but they are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Three Kings that leave the gifts between the night of 5th and 6th January. Santa Claus (Papa Noel) is a secondary character of Christmas feasts.

Christmas menu

Like many other countries, Spain celebrates the 24th of December enjoying a meal with the family. The most typical Spanish Christmas dishes are fish and shellfish soup as a starter, stuffed turkey, roast lamb, seafood, fruit dishes. You will find many typical appetizers such as jamon, cheeses, olives. For dessert there is no shortage of nougat, polverones and mantecados, those crumbling almond based sweets. Good red and white wines as well as ciders and Spanish sparkling wine cava accompany all these dishes.

Dinner usually begins at around 10 pm and requires elegant dress code. At 12 pm many families go to the church to attend Midnight Mass or ‘La Misa Del Gallo’ (The Mass of the Rooster) and to hear the choirs sing.

New Year´s Eve (Nochevieja)

Unlike Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve is usually celebrated with friends. On December 31st people in Spain swallow traditional 12 “lucky grapes”, one every second just before midnight at each of 12 bell strikes of the Puerta del Sol tower clock (Madrid), and raise a glass of cava.

 ¡Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo! – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

The source: drumelia.com

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1. Amazing food to taste

There’s no question that Spaniards know how to enjoy the simple things in life. This certainly reflects on their dishes so we can say gastronomy is one of the very good reasons to travel to Spain.

Due to a long history of invasions, Spanish cuisine has been highly influenced by many cultures. Wine, oil, and olives were passed on from the Greeks and the Italians, meat and fish from the Celts and honey, almonds, and spices from the Moors.

Paella, a vibrant Spanish rice dish has held a place of honour and practicality in Spanish homes for centuries. Other prominent dishes are Gazpacho, Jamón, Churros, Patatas Bravas, Chorizo and Tortilla de patatas. It’s pretty obvious that with such a wide variety of flavours, Spanish cuisine can satisfy even the most demanding palates!

2. Amazing beaches

Good beaches and sunny days are definitely two of the best reasons to visit Spain, especially for summer vacations. Spain’s peninsular location in Europe gives it two coastlines; one along the Atlantic and one along the Mediterranean. Together with the most ravishing islands, they sum up to more than 5,000 kilometres of beautiful beaches for your holidays to Spain.

From busy beaches with lively crowds and packed beach bars to more isolated pine-dusted coves, Spain’s best beaches won’t leave any sun-lovers disappointed.

3. 47 listed UNESCO sites to discover

Spain has a rich, long history and boasts a wide variety of monuments that bear a deep cultural heritage, since many civilizations left their traces in the Spanish culture. So whether you are a history buff or not, the country is home to 47 masterpieces of cultural significance or natural beauty which were given the distinction of being UNESCO World Heritage Sites. With so many sites listed, it is no wonder Spain has the third most UNESCO Sites of any country in the whole world! In fact, the best places for your holidays to Spain.

4. Amazing sceneries for unique road trips

For any road trip lover, Spain is the ideal holiday destination! Why so? Here are the main reasons why travelling to Spain if you love road-tripping is a good idea: Spanish roads are in perfect conditions and they are all free (except for a few highways), rental cars are quite cheap and the variety of sceneries you can watch along the way is just endless.

5. Rich nature and breathtaking landscapes

Do you want to disconnect from the bustle of everyday life? What about rejuvenating outdoors in nature while taking in spectacular views? Spain’s landscapes will take your breath away! There is a great diversity of landscapes from lush forests to dry deserts, from volcanoes to lakes, along with a long list of mountains; these natural wonders never cease to amaze.

Many of them are included in the 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites we mentioned above which highlights just how generous was nature’s touch to this country. Some of these noticeable sites are Bardenas Reales in Navarra, Caminito del Rey in Málaga and Las Médulas in León.

6. Surprising festivals to take part in

One of the reasons why you should visit Spain is because it is the country of fiestas and festivals! Spaniards are always in the mood for a celebration and what better way to reflect their traditions than by an array of festivals all year round?

From the smallest village to the most modern city suburb, everyone devotes a few days a year to these special occasions. Coinciding your visit with such an event will propel you right into the heart of the vibrant Spanish culture and Spain holidays traditions

From religious to flower exhibitions, from music to heritage; Spain hosts marvelous fiestas that will blow you away. Even though each festival has its own particular characteristics, there are a few common denominators to all of them — fireworks, guitar, flamenco, and horses! Some widely known events are the Holy Week (Semana Santa), the San Fermin (Pamplona Bull Run), the Tomatina Tomato Fight and the Carnival.

7. Super friendly people to meet

Mi casa es tu casa (my house is your house), that’s what the Spaniards say and stand for. Spanish people are famous for their hospitality and kind-heartedness towards friends and strangers. From the young to the old, the locals have an overwhelming hospitality that is incompatible across the globe and know the Spain holidays traditions.

Whether you are looking for directions, a homemade recipe, some good company, or even an intellectual exchange, the Spanish will show you their way of life like no other tourist would. Make sure to learn some basic phrases in Spanish that will help you break the ice. So don’t be afraid to reach out, because meeting new people can actually change your life in the best, most unexpected ways!

8. Flamenco shows

Flamenco is without a doubt the most important musical-cultural phenomenon in Spain. The dance is tightly tied to the music that was brought by the gipsies in the fifteenth century. Flamenco consists of hand-clapping, castanets, and rhythmical stamping of the dancer’s feet. It is essential for an artist to invoke a response, to know they are reaching deep into the soul of their audience.

Flamenco live shows are exhilarating, challenging, and physically stimulating. The dancers know a basic set of moves and timings, but everything else is improvised as the music piece develops. The singer, the dancers, and the guitarist all closely interact. They inspire each other and ultimately work together to perform in sync until the end of the song. This whole extraordinary, emotional experience is something you will certainly never forget. ¡Olé!

9. A vast selection of wines to try

Spanish wine has been produced since the first century AD. Grapes are the third biggest crop in Spain after grains and olives and there are over 400 different varieties!

Some more numbers; 15.5% of the world’s vineyards are in Spain, making Spain not the top country in the world in terms of area covered by vineyards, but the top exporter of wine in the world, too. Also, Spain is the number one worldwide producer of organic wine. It has over 80.000 hectares of land is specifically registered and documented as organic.

If you can’t already tell, wine is kind of a big deal in this country, which explains why this is one of the reasons people from around the world visit Spain.

10. Its streets, buildings and history

All in all, there is a wide range of reasons why you should visit Spain. It offers a magical experience with the snow-capped mountains, the vast monuments, the stone castles, the ancient ruins, and the sophisticated but modern cities.

Let’s not forget about the astounding villages, though. A tangle of narrow cobbled streets lined by whitewashed houses, their wrought-iron balconies filled with planters of colourful flowers paint the most idyllic picture.

Enjoy your Spanish holidays and count on us if you need a hand with your trip planning!

The source: ohmygoodguide.com

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