Tuesday, December 2, 2008

The Popular Rocky Calpe of Spain

By John Bakers

One of the many popular resorts in northern Costa Blanca is Calpe. On the map, It is located north of Altea and south of Denia. It is an ideal vacation spot found along the coast of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.

The city, aptly meaning steep, rugged hill made of rock, grew out of a fishing village. Fishing is the area's major industry with tourism following close behind. As a result, the freshest seafood coming directly from its ports is served on menus of numbers of restaurants found throughout the city.

Alicante airport, which is about 60 kilometers away, is the usual point of entry for visitors bound for Calpe. Valencia Airport, on the other hand, is 150 kilometers. Buses from both airports to the city are very much available. But if it's a car you want, car rental companies are found within the vicinity, ready anytime you need a ride.

Calpe Must-Sees

The most frequently visited place in all of Calpe is the famous rock formation, Penon de Ifach which gave the city its descriptive name. A large, craggy formation, it also serves as a nature park. It is one of the smallest nature parks in all of Spain. Hundreds of varieties of vegetation and indigenous birds flock near it, leading to its declaration as a protected area. The Penon is also famous with rock climbers who always attempt to conquer it. Maybe also because of the fantastic view of Costa Blanca from the top is what lures these thrill seekers to reach its peak.

The heart of the city is the Old Town area. It is home to the widely=known Arts and Crafts Fair which is held every day of the summer season, except only for Mondays. Local merchants and crafts people gather here to sell their goods and valuable art pieces.

The town's authentic walls are located near the original Moorish quarter in the Old Town area. These same walls were used to defend the village against pirate invasions many, many years ago. Roman heritage is also evident within the city as the remains of an ancient Roman villa are also found here.

Calpe's next-door neighbor, is Benidorm. It is also a city with major tourist attractions. It is home to a few theme parks, vibrant nightspots and many more. A car would take you best on an exploration around Benidorm and its surrounding areas especially during your stay on the Costa Blanca.

Places to Stay in Calpe

Accommodations are as heavy a problem as travel arrangements are. However, Calpe offers a variety of places to stay when on your holiday trip here. Places such as Resort hotels are near beaches for quick trips but fewer amenities and less luxurious than the rest. Book early especially in summer, for booking rates are much faster. Likewise, book your hotel reservations well in advance to have a much stress-free trip. - 16492

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