Category: TRAVEL COSTA BLANCA

Valor Chocolate Museum

TRAVEL COSTA BLANCA

Imagine you’re on holidays at the Costa Blanca and face a rainy day. What activities are available to enjoy with the whole family? Visit the Valor Chocolate Museum on a rainy day!

We already listed up some activities for a rainy day in a previous post. One of the activities is the Valor Chocolate Museum in Villajoyosa or in local dialect La Vila Joyosa. Valor is the leading chocolate brand in Spain and exportings its products all over the world.

In the museum you learn about the journey of cocao and the making of chocolate. You experience the whole history of Chocolates Valor from its birth to the present day. Therefore, you go through the 5 generations of master chocolatiers who have run it. It also has one of the best collections of chocolate industry machinery from from the times when cocoa was ground on stone to the present day.

The visit finishes with a visit to the factory and – of course – tasting the delicious Valor chocolates. The Valor shop is a mouthwatering experience on its own!

You book a guided visits in advance through the website. Otherwise, just go to the museum and collect your tickets. A maximum of 50 people per guided visit is allowed. Don’t hesitate and book your visit at the Valor Chocolate Museum on a rainy day!

VISITING HOURS:
FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY:
Morning: 10:00 visits in English 11:00/12:00/13:00 visits in Spanish.
Evening: 16:00 visits in English 17:00/18:00/19:00 visits in Spanish.

SATURDAY:
Morning: 10:00 visits in English 11:00/12:00/13:00 visits in Spanish.

Saturday evenings, Sundays and public holidays closed.

Kids stuff rental Costa Blanca

PRACTICAL, TRAVEL COSTA BLANCA, TRAVEL WITH KIDS

Love to go on holidays with small kids but dreaded by the thought of carrying all the kids’ stuff with you? We can imagine! Especially as travelling with kids at the airport is a challenge anyway. So we gathered some tips for kids stuff rental at the Costa Blanca for you.

Our tip: leave it at home! Don’t take cots, high chairs or strollers with you but just the things you really need. It saves you a lot of stress, avoid extra costs at the airline desk and you can hire a smaller car 😬.

In our stays we can rent out a high chair and a travel cot with comfy mattress. Sold out or in need of something else? No worries, with these two specialized entrepreneurs you will find everything you can imagine. From cargo bike to baby bed and from high chair to pram.

  • Sunny Tots in Jávea. Rental service of strollers, travel cribs, high chairs and other children’s equipment for babies. Delivery and pick up service in La Marina Alta (Costa Blanca North)
  • Holiday Kids Stuff in Jávea. A Dutch company renting out kids stuff at Costa Blanca North. Delivery and pick up service

For more practical tips for the perfect holiday at the Costa Blanca, check out our other posts here. Don’t forget we offer beach towels at our stays (Ca la Vall on request). These companies also offer kids stuff rental like toys, beach gear etc.

Hiking routes Vall de Pop

ACTIVE LIFE, LOCAL LIFE, TRAVEL COSTA BLANCA, TRAVEL WITH KIDS

The local tourist office of Vall de Pop organizes guided walks. This spring you can accompany them at hiking routes in the valley or urban routes in the villages. The guided walks are – depending the route – in Castellano, Valenciano or English. We listed up all hiking routes in Vall de Pop.

Urban routes

  • 23/04/23 Parcent (English)
  • 29/04/23 Xaló/ Jalón (Castellano, Valenciano)
  • 04/06/23 Senija (Castellano, Valenciano)
  • 18/06/23 Benigembla (English)
  • 08/07/23 Llíber (English

Subscribe here

Hiking routes

  • 30/04/23 Senija – 10,6 km – medium
  • 06/05/23 Murla – 8 km – easy
  • 21/05/23 Benissa – 9 km – medium
  • 27/05/23 Llíber – 10 km – medium
  • 28/05/23 Benigembla – 9 km – difficult
  • 11/06/23 Murla – 8 km – easy

Subscribe by sending a Whatsapp to Maria at +34 – 616 043 173. For more information check the website of Vall de Pop Tourist Office.

More hiking in Vall de Pop

Vall de Pop is known for the large amount of hiking trails. The trails marked with yellow-white and red-white signals are official hiking routes. An overview of these trails are at the website of the tourist office.

If you like more information about hiking, check our posts about active life at the Costa Blanca, Marina Alta, Jalón Valley and Vall de Pop here. So, put your hiking boots on and discover hiking routes Vall de Pop!

Holiday home with pool Costa Blanca

ENJOY THE BEACHES, TRAVEL COSTA BLANCA

Where should I go on my holiday to Spain? There are plenty nice spots in Spain to go to with beautiful beaches, clear water and sunny weather. Why not hire a holiday home with pool at the Costa Blanca?

We offer an exclusive holiday experience, in an authentic boutique setting, where elegance and quality are paramount down to the smallest detail. Our stays are the perfect place to immerse into the Mediterranean life. The lush decoration, unique location and carefully chosen furniture makes you feel at home.

Looking for a holiday villa with sea view? A picturesque holiday home with mountain view? Stylish holiday apartment in the centre of town on a stone’s throw from the sea? Our stays tick all the boxes for an outstanding holiday experience. Find your holiday home with pool at the Costa Blanca with us.

What more about a holiday home with pool at the Costa Blanca?

At first, the weather of course. The Costa Blanca is most of all known for it’s pleasant climate. The area averages nearly 3,000 hours of sunshine each year. In 1986 the World Health Organisation recommended the climate of the area as one of the most equitable in the world. Neither too hot in the summer nor too cold in the winter. On average it can boast 325 sunny days each year. This is making the region an ideal all year round destination.

As the Costa Blanca is a populair touristic destination, there are ample options for car rental. We can help you to find the rental option that fits you best. As a result of limited public transport, car rental is the best option for transport at the Costa Blanca.

Wondering if there’s more than immaculate beaches, turquoise water and waving palms? Yes, there is! The Costa Blanca is the perfect destination for nature lovers, cyclists and hikers. Not to forget the food lovers. With numerous recommendations and awards by Michelin and Guia Repsol, the region is the hotspot for outstanding food.

And what about teens and kids? For sure, they will love the Costa Blanca. Unlimited activities, playgrounds and watersports are available. Check out our posts about what to do with kids and travel with kids.

Well, that’s all you should know about your holiday home with pool at the Costa Blanca.

Tourist information Marina Alta

ACTIVE LIFE, ENJOY THE BEACHES, HOTSPOTS, LOCAL LIFE, TRAVEL COSTA BLANCA, TRAVEL WITH KIDS

The Costa Blanca is a popular destination. So there’s a lot of tourist information about the Marina Alta region. It’s impossible to mention it all on our website. Of course, we post our favourites, local hotspots and the best tips and tricks.

The Costa Blanca can roughly be divided in two parts: Costa Blanca south and Costa Blanca north. Our stays are in Costa Blanca north, which stretches from Alicante up to Dénia. The Costa Blanca north consists of several smaller regions, like the Marina Alta.

The Marina Alta is limited by Calp in the south and Dénia in the north. It goes inland up to Vall de Gallinera and Vall de Pop. So, a small region but with plenty to do. You’ll find pristine beaches, unspoiled nature and typical Spanish villages. The region is also known for it’s gastronomy, craftwork and local traditions.

A short overview where to find tourist information about the Marina Alta:

When you book a stay with us, we’re happy to help you with personalized recommendations. If you like tourist information about the Marina Alta, a special region or especially with kids for example, we can make you a personalized trip. Also for the best restaurants, shopping addresses or what to do at a rainy day.

Car rental Costa Blanca

PRACTICAL, TRAVEL COSTA BLANCA

Car rental is the best option to discover the Costa Blanca, as public transport is limited. Car rental makes you flexible and able to discover every beach, all villages and the nature at the Costa Blanca. Car rental in Spain became more expensive after Covid-19 when many rental companies sold their cars. Still, it’s the best option for transport.

There are many parties renting out cars, as well at the airport as at the Costa Blanca. We found it hard to find the best experience and like to share our experience with you.

What is most important to you?

The choice for a certain company depends on your needs. For example, would you like a quick and smooth process at the airport or do you prefer the best price?

The online platform Easy Terra searches for the best deals at the different rental companies at the airport. Based on your requirements they find you the best price. When arriving at the airport you pick up your car at the rental company they booked for you. They offer the option to cover the excess or extra cover. Often this is cheaper than book extra insurance at the desk.

Don’t forget to opt for ‘in terminal’, to be sure you can pick-up the car at the arrival hall. And last but not least … make sure that the credit card you book with is the driver’s one. Otherwise you might not get the car with you.

If you prefer a quick stop at the airport for picking up the car and like an excellent service there are two other kids in town: Giner Rental in Benissa or Victoria Cars. They als have good rates for a second driver and other options. Both provide pick-up at Valencia airport and Alicante airport. Giner Rental will be awaiting you at the parking lot with the car. Returning the car is even more easy … just leave it at the parking.

Travel from and to the Costa Blanca

PRACTICAL, TRAVEL COSTA BLANCA

AIRPORTS

Travel from and to the Costa Blanca is easy. The region got 3 main airports where you can fly to: Alicante-Elche airport, Murcia airport and Valencia airport. Alicante is the closest one and mostly the cheapest one as it receives many charter flights. But it might be worth to check out Valencia as well, as they got low rates at certain periods as well.

Check out your flight with one of the platform website like Skyscanner. They search for all available flights and even combine different airlines.

TRAVEL FROM AND TO THE AIRPORT

The easiest way to travel from the airport is by (rental) car. If you don’t want to or are not able to, there are some alternatives:

  • Beniconnect Bus (shared airport shuttle)
  • TRAM. First take the bus (busline C6) from Alicante airport to the nearest tramstation (Mercado). Tram Line 1 brings you to Benidorm and there swop to line 9. Details you’ll find at this map
  • Private airport transfer: Beniconnect or Airport transfer or one of the local taxi services at your destination

For guests in our stays we can book an airport transfer to travel from and to the Costa Blanca airports. It’s a quick and easy way of travelling to and from the airport. We can also advice where to rent a car.

The Costa Blanca on a rainy day

TRAVEL COSTA BLANCA, TRAVEL WITH KIDS

What to do at the Costa Blanca on a rainy day? Although the Costa Blanca is known for it’s sunny weather, it does rain now and then. As the region is mainly equipped with activities for sunny weather, it might not easy to find a proper activity for bad weather. Here some – maybe unexpected – suggestions:

  1. Tram Alicante. The Alicante tram connects Alicante with Denia by tram. The views yet are worth a visit. Line L1 connects Alicante to Benidorm and L9 Benidorm to Denia. It stops at all stations in between. -> www.tramalacant.es
  2. Valor chocolate museum. In Villajoyosa you’ll find the Valor chocolate museum. Valor is the leading chocolate brand in Spain. If you love chocolate, just go there!
  3. Shopping centre La Marina. The huge shopping mall La Marina in Ondara is worth a visit anyway, but good entertainment for cloudy or rainy days. There also is a cinema, a lot of restaurants and a padel court
  4. Museo Microgigante in Guadalest. A miniature museum everyone will like. When the weather turns better, combine it with the castle and a walk around the reservoir
  5. Cove de les Calaveres Benidoleig. The cave of the skulls is famour for its long history being used as a refuge by Paleolithic man more than 100.000 years ago.
    -> cuevadelascalaveras.com
  6. Treat yourself with a relaxing day in the spa. Thelasso Spa in Altea, Hotel la Sella Spa, Quirobeautique in Calp, Suitopia Hotel Spa in Calp or Hotel Ritual de Terra in Javea

All these activities are on a stone’s throw from our stays. So, no long trips in bad weather needed.

Rent your bike at the Costa Blanca

ACTIVE LIFE, PRACTICAL, TRAVEL COSTA BLANCA

The Marina Alta is the perfect destination for cyclists. Either if you like the MTB or road cycling. Rent your bike at the Costa Blanca and discover the best parts of the region.

Vall de Pop (Jalon Valley) is the unofficial MTB capital of the region with an extensive network of magnificent routes. The routes vary from easygoing until steep, rocky tracks. You can find yourself a way using the MTB network from this map or check out the official MTB Centre (Centro BTT Vall del Pop) in Parcent.

MTB

You can hire a bike at the MTB centre or book yourself a guided tour with Snakebite MTB Adventures. He also rents out bikes, but we can especially recommend his tours. Mike will let see the other side of the Marina Alta, far away from crowded beaches and buzzling towns. “Cycling across gravel roads, through vineyards, picturesque villages and passing small coves at the seaside, the mountain bike is ideal to surround yourself with beauty and tranquility”, as Mike says. Book your bike or trip at the website.

Road cycling

If you do prefer the racing bike, there are plenty options for bike rental and/ or guided tours in the region. Alta Bike Rental is situated in Vall de Pop and rents racing bikes, electric racing bikes and electric bikes. Bikes are brought to and taken from your home. Make sure you book on time as in the cycling season you may miss out. Book online your bike at the website.

Bike and fight offers customised bike tours to fight against cancer. Discover the Vall de Pop and surroundings with Tonio. Make a difference and book your tour or bike at the website.

Moraira Ebikes rent out normal ebikes for road use, as well guided tours on an ebike. The bike comes with a charger, free helmet (which is obligatory in Spain!) and a kids seat if necessary. Check out their website for prices and availability.