Piñon de Ifach and Port

Between Valencia to the north, and Alicante to the south, the town of Calpe is dominated by the almost 800 foot tall ‘Piñon de Ifach,’ or the rock of Ifach. The rock itself juts out into the sea as imposingly as does Gibraltar, and is a beautiful protected mountain wilderness area.

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The incredible Costa Blanca

 

Along the Costa Blance in Spain, is an area jutting out into the Mediterranean Sea known as the Marina Alta. This cape is stunningly beautiful with many dramatic views, fresh breezes along the cliffs; and is known as the warmest and driest place on the European continent. The towns around this point of land are Javea in the north, Teulada-Benitachell, Moraira, and in the south, Calpe. The villages along the coast feature heavily developed tourist facilities, smaller towns inland, and many vast areas of villas coating the surrounding hillsides. Here and there you can find evidence of the ancient areas of grapes and olives that once covered the hillside terraces. The mountains in the area offer hiking and horseback trails, and the beaches have plenty of water sports to choose from. Yachtsmen will find many large marinas along this coast, with berths for visiting vessels, and some have haul out facilities for repairs.

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Fuerteventura is one of the Canary Islands, a part of Spain, that lies 60 miles off the coast of Morocco. Like the other Canaries, it’s a volcanic island, with extinct volcanoes and cinder cones dotting the landscape in every direction. Like the nearby Sahara desert, the sun shines almost every day of the year here.

Fuerteventura boasts some of the best beaches in all Europe. Long stretches of fine white sand embrace the coastline. Crystal clear aqua water laps it’s shores. The dry, mild climate makes Fuerteventura an ideal destination anytime of the year. Constant winds, and the surrounding sea act to moderate temperatures. Water temperatures vary from about 65-80 F. depending upon season.

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Grenada is an industrialized region at the foot of the Sierra Nevadas. It’s crowded, noisy, polluted, but full of life! The main attraction to the area is the famous Alhambra, a moorish palace that still retains its awesome beauty after many centuries.

Grenada was founded in the 8th century by the Moors and was a major seat of power for Moorish Spain until 1492, when the Spanish conquest wrested the city away for the Moors. During the Moors rule the city was a major center for art, literature, science and trade.

Most visitors to Barcelona fall in love with the architecture, the culture, the nightlife and the energy of this exciting city. With a history spanning two millennia, Barcelona is as vibrant a commercial and artistic center as ever.

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Seville, the administrative capital of Andalucia, surrounds the banks of the picturesque Guadalquivir river.

The Seville Cathedral is a mish-mash of styles, starting with the moorish Almohade Minaret, known as the Giralda, flying buttresses, and discongruent add-ons. It’s the second largest cathedral in the world besides the Vatican.

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Cadiz lies at the end of a peninsula, surrounded by the Mediterranean. It’s a friendly town, with a lot of moorish influence. Cadiz was founded by the Phoencians, as a trading post around 1100 BC, and its strategic location led to many battles to control the town.

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There are many interesting towns and villages throughout the Andalucian countryside. Ronda is a picturesque day trip (68K) from Marbella, and well worth a visit.

The road up into the mountains that surround Marbella is winding with breathtaking views. Take advantage of the turnouts to take a break, checkout the vistas and even take a walk into the woods.

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