COSTA NEWS, April 15-21, 2016 Page 37

Enjoy the colourful Mediterranean

By Karen Marco brightly painted facades of tradi- church square. Gardens run down Fifteen kilometres of magical tional townhouses. It could almost the Amadorio riverbed to the estu- Mediterranean coastline… sandy be the Caribbean! You’ll find zones ary by the Mediterranean Sea. bays, pebble beaches, rocky coves, with sun-loungers and umbrellas, Further south along the rocky sheer cliffs and clear blue water. pedaloes and kiddies’ play areas. coastline you’ll come to El Paraiso is a gaily coloured This beach has the usual facil- beach a magnificent open stretch fishing village with remains dat- ities for the disabled, with even a of sand and pebbles. Just up over ing back to the Bronze Age. state-of-the-art open-air escalator a rise, there’s another little gem, Throughout the centuries, the sea- to access the ‘Chocolateria’ at the Bon Nou cove – mainly sand and faring history has left its legacy in top of town. La Vila has a choc- protected by cliffs. Pack your cool ‘La Vila’…ancient vestiges, Egyp- olate making tradition going back bag, bring your towel and sun-lo- tian relics and Phoenician jewels, to 1810 - heavenly handmade choc- tion, and spend the whole day! a Roman funerary tower, and coas- olates and bonbons, cups of hot, Both beaches have laid-back ‘chir- tal watchtowers. thick chocolate to dip pastry inguitos’ in summertime. This was the scene of fierce ‘churros’, delicious chilled choc- Villajoyosa is renowned for its battles to ward off the Berber pi- olate milkshake or iced slush… extraordinary Mediterranean cui- rates in 1538…the origin of the The smart, level promenade sine. During the annual gastron- local Moors & Christians Fiestas along the seafront is great for a re- omy week, participating local res- (24 to 31 July), the not-to-be laxing stroll to the harbour... and taurants organise gourmet tasting missed, internationally acclaimed there’s an amazing variety of res- menus. Villajoyosa is, in fact, one festival with costumed parades taurants and cafés along the way. of my favourite places to eat out, and a unique mock sea battle at Watch the fascinating fish auc- with a choice of magnificent sea- dawn! tion in the late afternoon, as the front eateries, tapas bars in the Villajoyosa is a lovely desti- fishing vessels come into Villa- town centre, and scenic country nation for a relaxing holiday or joyosa port, and later enjoy the restaurants. just for a day out - not on the freshly caught fish at a local res- There are many more idyllic usual tourist circuits but still taurant. There’s also a leisure beaches on the Villajoyosa coast only 10 minutes from , marina with a smart Yacht Club, and picturesque rural places to the hub of the ; it’s and nautical activities. see, which we’ll be mentioning in peaceful but close to all the ac- The original fishing village is a a later edition. tivity! Sheltered by the Aitana maze of twisting streets, where Villajoyosa is located 32 km mountain range, and located in you can admire part of the medi- from , 8 km to Benidorm. the , a region with eval castle walls and Getting there: By road via AP-7 the highest annual tempera- the pretty motorway exit 64 or N-332; TRAM tures in . from Alicante City. Villajoyosa’s wide central You can see more features beach is so scenic… beautiful fine about the Costa Blanca on my golden sands with clusters of personal travel blog. shady palms overlooked by the www.kalitravel.net Photos by K. Marco