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Calpe Costa Blanca.Out and about in Calpe Costa Blanca, Spain by Robert Carlton. Some called it Calpe, meaning steep rugged hill made of rock, the Phoenicians called it Ifach which meant north. 
Going back as far as 1935, Calpe took advantage of its privileged coastal location and inaugurated its first hotel in the town where some well-known celebrities such as Hemingway once stayed. A closer look at Calpe Costa Blanca and the Penon As mentioned earlier, Calpe’s main attraction is not its town nor even its beautiful soft sandy beaches but the tall craggy rock formation called the Penon de Ifach. It is hard to believe, but this is the smallest natural park in Spain together with the Columbretes Islands in Castellon. It was declared a Natural Park in 1987 because its 300 varieties of vegetation and colonies of birds needed protection from the expansion that this small fishing village was undergoing at an incredible speed. It measures about 35 hectares and has a botanical, landscape and tectonic interest. The swift or martin birds together with the silver seagull and plants not found anywhere else are closely protected because some of these were about to be become extinct. Not everyone may feel capable of climbing this fascinating rock formation, but from the top, the panoramic view of the Costa Blanca is unforgettable. You can zig-zag your way up, changing direction and passing through a tunnel which was built in 1918. Even though it is free, during the summer season and Easter week, you have to get a ticket because there is a limit of about 50 people who can go up every hour. If mountain climbing has always been on your list of something impossible to do, then you will have to cross it off once you have done this marvellous experience. To, From and staying in Calpe Costa Blanca. If you have planned on hiring a car, and have decided tocatch a flight to the Valencia airport in Manises, then youhave about a 105 kilometres drive to Calpe. Or if your flighthas taken you to the Alicante airport, then you are only about 61 kilometres away. Either way, you can take the National Highway N-332 which is free or the A-7 Pay Highway which is quicker and safer, especially in the summer season. There are also buses from either of the airports.
As in all tourist areas, there are many types of lodgings to choose from. There are campings for the nature lovers or on limited budget, economical hostels which could cost about 45 euros, one which is about 80 euros right at the foot of the Penon, and hotels up to about 150 euros right in front of the beach. It is also possible to hire a privaye villa with a pool from James Villa Holidays. As in all shore areas, the seafood is usually quite fresh, but here in Calpe the restaurants at the harbour offer their goods openly to their clients for them to personally choose which piece they prefer. It seems like a food auction because the waiters are out on the promenade and when the people pass by, they offer them a morsel to try and some sangria to lure them into their restaurant. The most typical dish is the ‘Arros de Senyoret’ ( a fish stew with rice) or the LLauna de Calpe ( an old fishermen’s recipe of different types of fish, garlic, tomatoes, parsely, red pepper and saffron). The paella is always on the menu, too. Things and interesting places around Calpe Costa Blanca. Either with your car, by bus or train, you should not let the opportunity to visit other cities like Benidorm, Torrevieja orAlicante pass you by. Benidorm is fun city with an incrediblelist of theme parks like Terra Mitica with fun rides and shows,Terra Natura where you can visit with all kinds of animals andhave a splash on the water shoots or Mundomar Marine AnimalPark where you can see, smell and even touch animals you hadonly seen on t.v. or in books. Whether you only stay in Calpeor you venture away, the Costa Blanca has everything you haveever dreamt of. About The Author: Robert Carlton writes many articles for the internet site www.alicante-spain.com Within hispublication he is working on topics such as cities around theCosta Blanca and Spain. Read unbiased reports and compare prices for hotels and trips in and around Calpe Costa Blanca at the TripAdvisor. Search Here for Private Villas on the Costa Blanca:-
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