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JAVEA (XABIA)
Jávea is located in the northern section of the province of Alicante, between the capes of San Antonio and La Nao. The Cabo de Nao separates the bays of Valencia and Alicante and is the westernmost point of the Valencia's coastline. Frequent attacks from marauding pirates forced Jávea's inhabitants to settle 2 km from the coast in a walled town - these walls remained standing until 1877. The enclosure formed by the former walls now forms Jávea's historical centre, which is situated around the Gothic Church of San Bartolomé surrounded by whitewashed houses with iron grilles and lintels made out of golden porous 'Tosca'clay. In this area the Ayuntamiento, the Food Market, the Cultural Centre, the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and the Chapel of Santa Ana are all located within easy walking distance.
The marine and port area, known as the Aduanas del Mar, is located 2 km from the old town centre and is the place to see the Church of Our Lady of Loreta, constructed in the shape of a keel. The Arenal area, with the Costa Blanca's only National Parador, contains Jávea's most popular beach -the Playa del Arenal - and is reached by following the road that runs parallel to the Playa del Benissero. Jávea has a 20 km coastline that stretches from the Cova Tallá to the Cala de la Granadella. There is an interesting mixture of beaches with soft sandy beaches (Arenal beaches), small, shingled beaches bordered by pine trees which are suitable for diving (Granadella beaches), and naturist beaches (Ambolo beaches). There are also small coves: Portichol and La Sardinera.
A more traditional Jávea is found inland with riu-raus and orange groves that are protected from the harsh continental climate by the natural barrier formed by Montgó, which extends to the north of Jávea and serves as a border between Jávea and Dénia.
DENIA
Denia has a twenty-kilometre-long coastline, which presents fine sands in the northern part, yet steep and rocky sections to the south. The municipality has countless one-storey houses scattered around, with white façades, red-tiled roofs, and the typical porches from this region, called "riu-rau". We can access the Montgó Nature Reserve from the road that goes to Jávea, which passes by Las Rotas, and the Cape of San Antonio upon which is a lighthouse standing on the cliff some 163 metres above the sea.
The busy port of considerable size (including a fishing area, yacht club and marina) divides the Denia coastline into two, completely different sections known locally as Marines and Rotes. The most crowded and popular beaches stretch more than ten kilometres towards the north. They have full facilities including summer beach services to rent or learn to windsurf. These beaches are ideal for windsurf enthusiasts since the winds here (breezes in the morning and strong south-west winds in the afternoon) gives enthusiasts of all levels a chance.
In addition to a ferry service to Ibiza, the port has dinghy, sailing and diving class facilities, plus boat rental. The coast to the south of the port against the backdrop of the Montgó nature reserve is characterised by cliffs and rocky inlets with clear waters that stretch as far as the San Antonio cape natural marine reserve: the ideal setting for diving enthusiasts. Sailing, golf, natural landscapes, leisure activities, etc all add to up make Denia the perfect holiday destination.
PEDREGUER
The centre of the town is still as originally designed and has many of its houses painted in bright vivid colours. Around the main square you can see some of the most beautiful 19th Century facades as well as “els Porxes”: the market square is covered with Arabic tiles and constructed with cast-iron pillars and wooden beams. Pedregeur offers visitors the chance to take a walk through the town centre and discover beautiful ancient buildings such as the parish church of Santa Cruz (16th century), where inside you will find the Grenzig organ, made recently by the German master Gerhard Grenzig.
Just on the edge of the town centre there is the Sant Blai chapel, from which you can see the Segaria mountain range, the Montgo Nature Park and La Sella with the five star Marriott Hotel with golf course designed by Jose Olazabal. Driving up to Monte Pedreguer there are many beautiful views. Look out for the " Mirador" signs wherever you go in this area as there is sure to be a spectacular view with great photo opportunities. From the Mirabarques observation point you can enjoy panoramic views of Pedreguer town, Denia and Javea.
JUNE 2010
Denia: June 28 - 29 'Fiestas en la calle San Pedro'
For 2 days and nights the locals enjoy Religious events in honour of St Peter, with open air dancing in the quant little streets located in the delightful Fisherman's Quarter.
JULY 2010
Denia: July 03 - 11 'La Santísima Sangre y Bous a Mar’'
The Bulls in the Sea - celebrating its patron are the festivities in honour of the Santísima Sangre, with the famous Bous a la Mar, declared a Festivity of National Tourism Interest. What started out as an anecdote has ended up becoming one of the events that identifies Dénia. The bull runs, starting at the top of the main street Marquis de Campo, end at the port where would-be amateur bullfighters and young bulls cannot stop themselves from falling into the sea off the harbour wall, urged on by spectators sitting above in a purpose built semi-circular arena. This is one of the highlights of the festivities of la Santísima Sangre.
Javea: July 14-18 'Moros y Cristianos'
The Moors and Christians Festival, which commemorates the battles once fought over Javea, begins when boatloads of Moors arrive in the Port and mock battles and gunfire ensue. The costumes are wonderful and the battles realistic. The most haunting memory when the battle is over is of the loud Moorish music pulsating through the night and wine and beer being handed out to all. It culminates on the Saturday and Sunday with magnificent parades finishing late on Sunday evening with a spectacular firework display.
Javea: July 14 'Nuestra Señora del Carmen'
The The Festival of The Senora del Carmen - patron of all sailors, when the local fishermen and sailors take a model of the Virgin, surrounded by wreathes of flowers out to sea. The bedecked boat leaves the Port surrounded by a flotilla of boats and sail round to the Cabo de la Nao (the second lighthouse in Javea) during which blessings are made for all those who go to sea.
Pedreguer: July 09-18 'Fiesta de San Buenaventura'
Celebration in honour of the patron saint of Pedreguer, San Buenaventura. Every year, right in the middle of summer, Pedreguer is caught up into a frenzy as the most important holiday
in their calendar approaches. All in fervent anticipation of a time for dancing, fireworks/mascletas, religious
events, stalls, traditional music and the infamous bull-running along the streets. The Plaza Mayor (the place to meet everybody)
is continuously full of people, waiting for every run of bulls (3 times daily, 12 noon, 7pm, midnight) that starts with
the deafening sound of the mascleta and the traditional dulzaina (a very peculiar instrument). The hearts of the people
are overflowing with emotions and the town doesn’t sleep until the fiesta is over again for another year.
There are many towns in the Valencian Region that stage bull running but none with the unique magical feeling of Pedreguer.
AUGUST 2010
Denia: August 14-16: 'Moros y Cristianos'
Moors and Christians fiestas in honour of Saint Roc. Moors and Christians parades,
disembarkation in the port, harquebus battle in the castle, concerts, fireworks, etc. The Port Fiesta. This is a very traditional Spanish Fiesta with
much singing and dancing. Streets are painted and decorated
overhead. A spectacular of this fiesta is a 10x10m square live
chessboard which is painted on the floor and 32 local children are
dressed as chess pieces and the game is played! There is a
grandstand on the harbour erected for those who want to watch the bull
running, where locals try to taunt the bulls to fall into the sea - if
they are unfortunate enough to fall the boats guide them back to shore.
There is a giant paella cooked in the street in a pan 10 feet in
diameter and then handed out to anyone who cares to sample it.
There are parades of girls in traditional costumes and much singing and
professional groups performing. It all ends with a spectacular
firework display. Fiestas in honour of the Virgin Loretta with street parties, concerts
and bull running into the sea. Culminating on the evening of the 8th
with float parades and spectacular firework display which is set off
from the harbor wall and watched from the beach all the way along to the
Arenal by spectators dining alfresco on BBQs and paellas.
Download Denia Moors and Christians Pamphlet
Javea: August 00-00: ' '
SEPTEMBER 2010
Javea: September 01-08 ' '