Travel Blog

Kayaking in Moraira, Javea, Calpe or Deia - Tue 31st August 2010

We had a fabulous holiday in Moraira, Costa Blanca staying at a beautiful villa called Bonita. The views were breathtaking and the villa was very comfortable with everything you could want. A colleague at work recommended the company, Villaspain and we were not disappointed from start to finish.

We all love lounging by the pool or lounging on a beach, which are extremely clean by the way, or lounging by a bar but this time we thought we must try to at least once or twice to do something a bit more energetic during our holiday. For the first activity we decided to go for kayaking and as most of us had not tried it before we opted for the tours & excursions package with Coast Mountain Kayak. It was €35 for 2.5-3 hours which we thought was very good. We met at their shop at 9am and they fitted us all with the correct equipment and we headed out to the departure point. We took the Moraira Tour so we left from El Portet, the old fishing village that lies close by to the Cabo D´Oro. We kayaked from there out and around the cliffs towards Cala Llebeig, a small fishermens bay that you apparently can't get to by road which still retained the cave houses and old fisherman’s huts from a previous era. Amazingly our instructor said that many of them are still is use. Along the way we stopped to do some snorkeling, we saw so many colourful fish, some starfish and little octopuses. It really was a beautiful sight and there were some great caves to explore too. We stopped again when we got to Cala Llebeig where we did some more snorkeling which by now we were very comfortable and confident doing. Then we got back into our kayaks and headed back to El Portet. It was an amazing experience that we would thoroughly recommend.

After all that activity we retreated back to the villa and it took us a good 2 days to get over the “physical exertion” with plenty of food and plenty of wine to help with the recovery!!!! Our second energetic activity was planned .................. for our next holiday!!! Too much of a good thing and all that!!! We will be booking with Villaspain again, perhaps Denia for a change.

Nick Garcia

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Costa Blanca surprised Jackie - Tue 17th August 2010

This was my first visit to Costa Blanca Spain and I must say it exceeded my (very low) expectations. My preconceived notion about Costa Blanca was rows of high-rise hotels, English restaurants and beaches crammed with “lobster” people and not a word of Spanish heard within miles. Why did I go? I was going with a group of friends and according to budget, travel time, weather etc Costa Blanca was the one that ticked all the boxes. I didn’t mind too much as it’s the company that makes or breaks a holiday ... and I enjoy my company... only kidding!! Two friends did the homework and looked for villas to rent. There were hundreds of sites that rent villas and millions of holiday villas to view. Finally we booked a lovely villa with Villa Spain and managed to get cheap flights to Spain via their site.

 

Our holiday in Spain finally arrived and we were greeted at Alicante with brilliant sunshine … so far so good!! The villa was very clean and well equipped and one of the best villas I have stayed in. The villa was a short distance to the beach in El Portet, which I preferred to Moraira or Calpe because it was smaller and had a fantastic bar/café right beside the beach where they served delicious Paella and house wine was very nice and reasonable. We had printed off the info from the website of Villa Spain, “Things to do” which enhanced our holiday. Four clueless women, well clueless on holiday in Costa Blanca, needed all the help we could get. Just to set the record straight we are not entirely clueless, just ask anybody ....... and obviously give them a few hours to think of something. We had bought a map (my idea) and a phrase book (again my idea, obviously the brains in the outfit). So we managed to go sightseeing to the many places of interest. We visited Guadalest, which was amazing. It really was like time stood still. Views were breathtaking and we had a lovely lunch at XORTA which was recommended by Villa Spain. Another visit was to Elche, Costa Blanca because we had read it was steeped in history with buildings dating from the 8th Century. We all were looking forward to being immersed in historic splendour …… o.k o.k, we actually went because it was the “Spanish footwear capital”…… Sigh …. Heaven!! We did see the historic buildings aswell, honest…. Erm… through the shoe shop window but we did see them. We all decided we would come back here one august to see the fiesta with fireworks. Our next visit was Benidorm, Costa Blanca, I know, I know, what was I thinking, Lobsterville!! But according to Villa Spain website there is a lot to see, so we decided Benidorm Palace with a meal and cabaret. It was like seeing a Vegas show. Never been but this is what they looked like in the old movies!! Had a wander around the old town beforehand and had a siesta on the beach after a few obligatory glasses of rioja …. When in rome!! Didn’t fancy the Medieval Tournament just outside Benidorm though, I don’t know but the thought of King Alejandro and the Round Table just didn’t do it for me!! (my version not theirs…… just incase their lawyers are reading my Blog!!) and while we contemplate the miniscule chances of anyone reading my Blog ( George Clooney … WILL YOU MARRY ME!!)

 

We also visited Calpe and climbed the rock. The views (attached photo) were amazing and the birds fly eye level when you get higher which was really weird. We didn’t get to the top as half way up we realised it’s lunchtime and with great disappointment and a heavy heart we descended to a local tapas bar for more rioja. It really was a great villa holiday in Spain and I’m glad my friends chose Costa Blanca. Always try new things, you just never know.

 

Kind Regards Jackie and the Girls (women)

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Using taxis in Javea from Nicole Cutler - Wed 04th August 2010

If you don't speak Spanish then ordering a taxi*(see below) is not going to happen! However, if you walk down to the main road, turn right and go to the restaurant on opposite side of road, they will order you a taxi. best to have a drink there and raise a smile. Taxis are very cheap and its worth having a night off from driving.

We also found that leaving our car in the beach side car park overnight didn't cause any problems.

Nicole Cutler

*Villaspain:- Please visit the following page on our website that lists useful phrases and includes booking a taxi;

http://www.villaspain.co.uk/spanish.php

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Angela Job enjoyed eating in Moraira - Tue 27th July 2010

Bar Del Mar in town was good for evening meal. Chinese restaurant on main Calpe Road from Moraira excellent value for money. Angela Job ....... Read Details >>

Calpe recommendations by Alex Saboulis - Mon 26th July 2010

We enjoyed a meal at the boomerang steakhouse in calpe. The texas steakhouse in calpe served fantastic ham on the bone and bbq ribs. Alex Saboulis .....Read Details >>

Kenny Woods Calpe recommendations - Sat 10th July 2010

2 great restaurants in the old town of Calpe, La Casa and The Patio de la fentay (not sure how to spell it) the food and service is excellent. A great bar also in the old town is the Toro Blanca, run by very friendly British people. Kenny Wood.... Read Details >>