Tag Archives: Spain

Spain

Benissa Spain

We took a day trip to Benissa Spain. This small town is located approximately an hour drive from the city of Alicante. It is one of the oldest towns located  on the Costa Blanca. It was originally established in 987 by the Moores. The name Benissa comes from the Arabic tribal name Beni-Hisa or Beni-Eyce, which means (sons of Christ).

Marble monument commemorating the establishment of the town of Benissa

We explored the old medieval town centre and came across some beautiful narrow streets, with decorative tiles, flowers and cast iron railings.

One of the narrow streets in Benissa Spain
Street in the medieval town centre of Benissa

There was a bakery and other cafe shops and pubs in and around the main square of the town . We found a nice pub and enjoyed a refreshment while enjoying the beautiful views.  

It was a great little town with a medieval city centre, that was well worth exploring.

“Disfruta la vida y explora tu mundo.”

Spain

Casa Mediterráneo in Alicante

Casa Mediterráneo in Alicante

We took a tour with a small group to a historic building called the Casa Mediterráneo. It is located in the downtown area of Alicante close to the bus station.

Shelley at the front of the Casa Mediterráneo in Alicante

The top tower of the building has a unique difference, can you spot it?

Top of Casa Mediterráneo in Alicante
Inside the Casa Mediterráneo

Casa Mediterráneo is a public consortium made up of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and other organizations.

It was the former train station of Alicante before it was converted into the Casa Mediterráneo.  Now the building is used to promote mutual interest between Spain and the rest of the countries of the Mediterranean basin. 

roof of the Casa mediterranean in Alicante
Roof area of the Casa Mediterranean in Alicante
View from rear of the Casa Mediterráneo

Some of the general uses of Casa Mediterráneo are to encourage or promote knowledge of the Euro-Mediterranean region. There are free concerts and other public events held in the Casa Mediterráneo.

Shelley and Ray in reflection from mirror in the Casa Mediterráneo

The design of the roof and frame was apparently designed by a student of the famous engineer Gustave Eiffel, the designer of the  Eiffel tower in Paris.

Ornate design of roof beams in Casa Mediterráneo
View of interior beams
Original metal located in the Casa Mediterráneo
Original train tracks located at the Casa Mediterráneo

The city of Alicante along with other agencies salvaged the building which was at one time left in disrepair. It has now become a repurposed building and a beautiful structure along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. 

Rear view of the Casa Mediterráneo

One of the many unique and beautiful buildings in Alicante.

“Deseamos que tenga un buen dia”

Camino de Santiago, Spain

The start of the camino de Santiago adventure

The Camino de Santiago is a religious pilgrimage which has always been of interest to me. It is known as “The Way of Saint James” an important pilgrimage that dates back to the middle ages. There are many different pilgrimage routes that lead to the city of Santiago de Compostela. Some of the routes are considered main routes for the pilgrimage. All routes however lead to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great where his remains are located in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

I began my preparations for the pilgrimage nearly a year in advance. Walking and training with my camino partner Mark for the journey which would inevitably take me through steep hills, valleys and other challenges. Reading many articles and conducting research it became obvious that planning and the right equipment was key.

Packed and ready for the Camino de Santiago

The day finally arrived and we set out by train to our starting point of Sarria Spain.

Once we boarded our train, we settled in for the eight hour train ride.  We toasted to the adventure that would follow.

Ray and Mark toasting to the Camino de Santiago

We enjoyed the train ride and we met other great people heading to Sarria for the Camino adventure. We arrived tired but excited to start our camino the next morning.

At the start of the Camino de Santiago I felt that the adventure would be a challenging walk and a hiking experience. I did not realize that the camino de Santiago experience would change me forever.

“Deja que comience la aventura”

Spain

Les Fogueres de Sant Joan 2019

In Alicante every year there is a major festival called “Les Fogueres de Sant Joan”. It begins on the 20th of June and ends with the “Cremá” which starts at midnight on June 24th.  The city is bustling with noise and activities during the week of the “Fogueres”.

We try to participate and enjoy as much of the activities as possible during the fiesta. One of our favorite things to do is explore the fogueres on display at most major locations.

Shelley and Ray in front of one of the fogueres

There were a total of 89 fogueres in this year’s fiesta. We put together a small gallery of some of the creative, different and beautiful fugueres we saw.

We also took part in other events during the fiesta, inluding the Mascletà, parades and the famous “crema” which roughly translates to “cremate”

We went to our friends apartment which overlooks one of the main fougeres. Their balcony provides the perfect spot to view the fiesta activities and the crema.

Shelley and Ray in front of the large fougeres which we watched being burnt at the crema.

Below is a small video of the crema activities which is one of the highlights of the fiesta.

Our friend Felipe who is involved in a lot of tourist activities assisted in a video about Alicante. It is in Spanish but shows some of the great things we see in Alicante.

We always enjoy the Hougeras of San Juan and try to participate in as much as we can. Until the next time be safe and enjoy life.

“Lo mejor de la vida es seguir adelante con todos tus planes y tus sueños, abrazar la vida y vivir todos los días con pasión.”

Spain

Alcalá del Júcar

We spent some time in the small and quaint town of Alcalá del Júcar with a population of only 1, 321. It is located in a narrow valley in the province of Albacete.

The view from the top of the valley

The view from the top of the valley is beautiful. The drive into the town follows a road that winds along the rocky walls of the steep valley.

The view of the town of Alcalá del Júcar

Bellow is a short video of the drive down the valley.

We went for a walk and explored the town of Alcalá del Júcar. The town is quiet and slow paced. We enjoyed walking slowly along the quiet streets admiring the architecture and scenery. We came across some interesting and beautiful spots along our walk.

The view from one of the streets in town

Ray near the arched bridge in the town

A man sitting on a chair on the middle of the street

Along our walk we came across a gentlemen sitting in a chair in the middle of the street. He was enjoying the sun and seemed surprise to see us.

There were caves carved out of the side of the valley walls where people lived. We could see the caves in many different areas.

Caves made into houses

Shelley explored a cave house which was converted to a museum. The inside of the cave was spectacular with features that would rival any home.

View of one of the main rooms in the cave house

One of the rooms in the cave house in the town of Alcalá del Júcar

The town even had a castle which was perched above the town.

The castle in Alcalá del Júcar

The castle provided a great view of the town and surrounding area.

The view from the castle of the town of Alcalá del Júcar

Alcalá del Júcar is very quaint and special town. It has great has great character and we enjoyed exploring the town.

“Hasta luego y que tengas un gran dia”