VALENCIA & ALICANTE

ALICANTE

THE CITY

Alicante is the gateway to and capital of the Costa Blanca. It is the second most important city in the Valencian community. It boasts a nice climate with mild winters & warm summers. The city was called Lucentum by the romans, referring to its luminosuty & it was granted the status of city by King Fernando el Católico in 1.490. Watched over by the Castillo de Santa Bárbara, it its a tourist resort in its own right as well as a busy port. Monuments and museums to visit on a walking itinerary are the baroque Town Hall, Cathedral de San Nicolás, Santa Maria Church and Museum of Contemporary Art. Part of the old quarter survives below the castle.

HOTELS

5*****

Hotel Sidi San Juan: Situated few metres from the beach of San Juan in Alicante. 176 rooms. Meeting rooms from 15 to 350 pax.

4****

Hotel Tryp Gran Sol: In Alicante. 148 rooms. Meeting rooms from 12 to 80 pax.

Hotel Meliá Alicante: In Alicante. 545 rooms. Meeting rooms from 7 to 1.200 pax.

Parador de Jávea: Located in Jávea. 65 rooms. Meeting rooms from 30 to 190 pax.

Pueblo Acantilado: Located in El Campello (Alicante). 120 roomsMeeting rooms from 14 to 400 pax.

Hotel Swiss Moraira: Situated in Moraira. 25 rooms. Meeting rooms from 20 to 200 pax.

Hotel El Montiboli: Located in Villajoyosa. 53 rooms. Meeting rooms from 12 to 250 pax.

Hotel Huerto del Cura: Situated in Elche. 80 rooms. Meeting rooms from 12 to 275 pax.

 

RESTAURANTS

Restaurante Grill Sant Joan: Situated in Hotel Sidi San Juan. Specialized at Mediterranean cooking. Total capacity 110 pax.

Restaurante Tascamar: Situated in Hotel Melia. Specialized at fish dishes, rice, meat and seafood. Total capacity 60 pax.

Restaurante Pocardy: Situated at Playa de San juan (Alicante). Specialized at regional, national and international food. Total capacity 250 pax.

Restaurante El Llobarro: Specialized at rice and fish dishes. Total capacity 250 pax.

Restaurante Juan XXIII: Mediterranean and international cooking. Total capacity 1400 pax.

Restaurante Rosalie: Specialized at ox steaks, fish dishes and rice. Total capacity 1130 pax.

Restaurante El Monastrell: Situated in El Campello (Alicante). Very creative cooking. Total capacity 55 pax.

 

CONGRESS HALLS & MEETING VENUES

Aula de Cultura Cam: meeting rooms from 15 to 406 pax.

Casa de Cultura El Campello: Auditorium for 600 pax in El campello.

Complejo Residencial Dr. Perez Mateo: meeting rooms from 24 to 632 pax in San Juan de alicante.

Palacio de Congresos de Alicante: meeting rooms from 24 to 536 pax.

Institución Ferial Alicantina: meeting rooms from 40 to 900 pax.

Auditorium Caja Ahorros Mediterráneo: meeting room for 256 pax.

Casino: casino Mediterráneo in Villajoyosa (Costa Blanca) with the game room Mare Nostrum & the Aguamarina room with a capacity of 600 pax for events, shows, gala dinners & meetings. Bar El Faro, andalusian tavern Tasca del Sol & restaurants Noray & Rompeolas.

The New Palacio de Congresos: Auditorium for 2.000 pax and meeting rooms from 80 to 160 pax.

Resort Turístico y Congresos Pueblo Acantilado: in Villajoyosa. Auditorium for 240 pax. Meeting rooms from 14 to 400 pax. Open air roman theatre for 450 pax.

VENUES

St. Barbara´s Castle: extraordinary views of the city of Alicante, its surroundings and the seacoast.

Town Hall: ideal place for receptions in the Blue Room with rich furnishings and an XVIII century side chapel.

Casino: Imperial Room that used to belong to the Palace of the Marquises of Escalambre. It has a magnificent crystal chandilier and beautiful frescos by late XIX century Alicante painters.

El Poblet: located in Dénia and next to the sea. Charming place for banquetings.

Jardines de Abril: a distinguished Estate located 12 kilometers from Alicante.

Lo de Die: a walled Country Estate from the 16th century surrounded by gardens and situated near Alicante.

Torre de Rejas: Stone tower from the 15th century with gardens in Alicante.

Bahía Costa: banqueting rooms in Torrevieja village with lovely gardens.

 

EXCURSIONS

ALICANTE CITY TOUR

Visit the Castle of Santa Bárbara on the hill of Benacantil, church of Santa María in the old quarter, the Town Hall, the Asegurada House museum with works of Dalí, Picasso & Miró.

Historical Route: the itinery begins in the Provincial Archeological Museum beside an iberian village with later Greek and Roman layers and goes on to the Maisonnave Palace, seat of the Municipal Archive with a small late-Roman necropolis. Visit to the Jorge Juan Street with parts of the medieval wall beside the Town Hall. Continuing to the Santa Barbara Castle, an important part of the history of Alicante on the top of Mount Benacantil with impressive views of Alicante and it´s surroundings.

Artistic Route: starting point from the Gothic church of Saint Mary (XIV century) and the Asegurada Museum with works by Picasso, Dalí etc. Later the tour goes to the old buildings at the square of Santa Faz, to the Town Halll with its well known Blue Room and an adjointing chapel, to the Renaissance Saint Nicholas Cathedral Church and to the interesting group of XVIII century palatial homes.

Cultural Route: Start from the splendid neoclassical building, the Teatro Principal and continuation to the Municipal and Provencial Archieves, to the Lonja del Pescado (Fish Market) and to the Gabriel Miró Library with extensive book collections by this famous Alicante author.

Old City Route: the Castle of Saint Barbara in the old town, that consists of late Roman and Moslem remains and ruins of Medival walls. Later visit to the Nativity Museum with nativity scenes from different parts of the world and to the convent, founded by Nuns of the Holy Blood and an old Jesuit school. In the St. Roque Street we find hermitage of the same name. Continuation to the Garrigós Wells with a water Museum inside. Panoramic view from Mount Benactil and visit to the heart of the Santa Cruz quarter.

Route to the Isle of Tabarca: visit to the "Historical-Artistic Ensamble" consisting of a fortified enclosure with three gateways, walls and church and the Church of San José. Visit also to the first Mediterranean Marine Reserve in Spain with an abundance of protected flora and fauna and a goodly number nice restaurants, 11 miles from the port of Alicante by boat.

Route to the Northern Coast: an itinerary along the coast line, passing by Villajoyosa, Benidorm, Altea, Calpe, Benissa, Gata de Gorgos, Jávea and Dénia.

Route to the Southern Coast: firstly the route goes to the vast Elche beaches of El Altet and Arenales del Sol, followed by the beach of Santa Pola. Later driving along the Guardamar del Segura landscape with beaches and typical pine trees. Stop in Torrevieja, a first-rate tourist centre. We go to the southern limit of the provonce to the new town of Pilar de la Horadada.

Route to the Mountains: after passing through San Juan and Mutxamel a detour to Busot to visit the Canelobre Caves. Continuation tot Jijona and Alcoy and to the nearby town of Cocentaina. The country road then continues to Confrides and on the way back to Guadalest stop at the second most visited place in Spain given to its location and picturesqueness. Stop also at the waterfalls in Callosa d’En Sarrià and return to Alicante, passing by the small villages, Polop and Finestrat.

Route to the Castles: visit to several towns and villages with medieval fortresses, situated on defensive hills in Novelda, Petrer, Sax, Villena, Bañeres, Bihar and in Castalla. Before finishing the route visit to Tibi with ruins of an Arabic fortress.

Art and Palm Tree Route: itinerary that goes to the millenary city Elche with the largest palm forrest in Europe. A stop to visit the Mariano Benlliure Monographic Museum in Crevillente. Afterwards a detour to Callosa de Segura with the Renaissance church "the Church of St Martin". Passing through the thick St. Anthony´s palm forrest, the route ends in the city Orihuela, with the greatest artistic wealth in the province.

Route to El Campello: the route goes to el Campello, a tourist reort and the authentic heart of the Costa Blanca. The symbol of the town is the 5000 years old Torre Vigía de la Illeta. Stop also at the Parish Church of Santa Teresa. Visit to the Villa Marco, a modernistic mansion, dating from the end of the XIX century.

ELCHE

It is famed for its palm trees. Visit the Basílica de Santa María, Huerto del Cura, Altamira Palace, Art Contemporani museum with works of Picasso, Miró, Tápies & Juan Gris.

ALCOY & JÁTIVA

Drive to the picturesque village of Alcoy to see the Museum de Fiestas del Casal Sant Jordi with the costums worn in the christian and moor battles and the church of San Jorge. Continue to Játiva, a historic & artistic walled village, with the Collegiate & the church of San Félix.

FULL DAY EXCURSION TO THE CHARMY VILLAGES

Visit Altea with the old center, medieval walls & Raval de la Mar; continue to Moraira fishing village; to Jávea with a pretty old center and the fortified Church of San Bartolomé; drive to Játiva, a historic & artistic place; then to Alcoy with the Fiestas museum and to Guadalest with its castle, walls & Orduña house.

 

SPORTS

The Tossal Sports Park: covers a leisure area with the following important installation: Municipal Athletics Stadium: for all athletci disciplines with terraces for 2.700 pax, Central Municipal Sports Pavillion: for basket-ball, hand-ball, volley-ball with terraces for 2000 pax. Municipal Swimming-pool Complex: with 2 indoor and 2 outdoor pools, Gymnastics Techification Centre: different sports, specialized in gymnastic disciplines, for 4.500pax. José Rico Pérez Stadium: locations for the 82 Soccer World Cup, for 30.000 pax. Sports City: football pitch, athletics track, pelota court and sports ground, terraces for 500 pax. Installations in the old hippodrome: multisports tracks, public access, for handball, five-aside football.

The Royal Regatta Club: in the centre of the city next to the Cocó Beach with a rowing school, sailing andd the practise of all nautical sports. Golf courses: around Alicante there are 3 golf courses.

Other sports: tennis, riding, swimming, material arts, cartering, hockey clubs, flying clubs etc.

B E N I D O R M

THE CITY

Originally a fishing village blessed with twin crescent-shaped beaches, it is now an international tourist phenomenon that goes on expanding.

HOTELS

4****

Hotel Cimbel: 138 rooms. Meeting rooms from 12 to 130 pax.

Hotel Dálmatas: 270 rooms. Meeting rooms from 150 to 300 pax.

Hotel Don Pancho: 252 rooms. Meeting rooms from 30 to 336 pax.

Gran Hotel Delfín: 96 rooms. Meeting rooms from 75 to 100 pax.

Gran Hotel Marina Palace: 500 rooms. Meeting rooms from 30 to 1.000 pax.

Gran Hotel Bali: 776 rooms. Meeting rooms from 30 to 1.000 pax.

Hotel Levante Club: 164 rooms. Meeting rooms for 400 pax.

MEETING VENUES

Benidorm Palace: open in 1997. Working as night-club, Restaurant with Show & Conference Hall. Seating capacity for 2.000 pax.

Casa del Fester "Diego Cano": meeting rooms for 200 pax.

Ciudad Patricia: meeting rooms from 50 to 170 pax.

Terra Mítica: a Theme Park for different activities.

Colegio International Lope de Vega: meeting rooms from 80 to 250 pax.

VALENCIA

 

THE CITY

Valencia is blessed with an adequate tourist infrastrucute and a multitude of climatic, natural, cultural and receational resources which make it a centre of interest and a city that welcomes all those who visit it with open arms. It is a city of light and colour, of music and feeling, a magic city and the Light of the Mediterranean. Its mild average temperature is 17ºC. Valencia once used to be the economic and cultural capital of the Mediterranean and is now pleasant and hospitable, cultural, offering arts and sciences, finance and technology. With an historical centre (one of the largest of Europe), delicious local food, a cultural life of the first order and a lively nightlife, Valencia is the ideal metropolis for tourism.

CONGRESS HALLS & MEETING VENUES

Alameda Palace: meeting rooms from 100 to 1.000 pax.

Cámara de Comercio, Industria y Navegación: 60 to 130 pax.

Centro Cultural Bancaja: 20 to 150 pax.

Centro Formación Profesional Luis Vives: 10 to 400 pax.

Centro de Congresos-Parque Tecnológico: Auditorium for 306 pax. Meeting rooms from 12 to 100 pax.

Colegio Oficial Médicos: 108 to 540 pax.

Feria Muestrario Internacional de Valencia: meeting rooms from 25 to 500 pax.

Huerto de Santa Maria: situated in El Puig de Santa Maria, at 14 kms. from Valencia and beside the Monastery of Puig. For all kinds of events for up to 1.100 pax with the Plaza Mayor, Alcazaba room & 18.000m2 of gardens.

La Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias: An amusement, educational & cultural centre of 350.000 m2 with: the Palacio de las Artes for opera, dance & thater, with open air Auditorium for 2.500 pax, and indoor Auditorium for 400 pax and a meeting room for 1.800 pax. The Museo de las Ciencias & Tecnology "Príncipe Felipe" with avant-garde architecture, designed by Santiago Calatrava with an Auditorium for 300 pax, L´Hemisfèric with Imax cinema for 310 pax, Planetarium & Laserium, L´Umbracle boulevard, and the Parque Oceanográfico with Aquarium and underwater city.

Palau de la Música i Congressos de Valencia: Auditorium for 1.790 pax. Meeting rooms from 100 to 420 pax.

Palacio de Congresos de Valencia: Auditorium from 250 to 1.481 pax. Meeting rooms for 250 pax.

Palacio de Pineda: 40 to 150 pax.

La Masía Campo Aníbal: located in El Puig-Puzol at 15 minutes from Valencia. It is a estate mansion surrounded by orange trees, fountains & gardens. 3 banqueting rooms from 100 to 500 pax.

Casino: casino-hotel Monte Picayo in Puzol, near Valencia, a complex declared center of national touristic interest.

Universidad Politécnica: 150 to 500 pax.

Universidad de Valencia: 156 to 300 pax.

La Vallesa de Mandor: estate house from the 18th century located in Ribarroja at 12 kms. from Valencia. Rustic banqueting rooms for 575 pax.

La Cartuja del Ara Christi: a Monastery from the 17th century located in el Puig near Valencia.

Different banqueting rooms for 400 pax.

Escuela de Negocios Lluís Vives: Meeting room for 400 pax.

 

HOTELS

5*****L

Hotel Meliá Valencia Palace: 199 rooms. Meeting rooms from 32 to 600 pax.

5*****

Hotel Monte Picayo: 83 rooms. Meeting rooms from 25 to 4.000 pax.

Hotel Sidi Saler Palace: 276 rooms. Meeting rooms from 12 to 400 pax.

4****

Hotel Acteon: 187 rooms. Meeting rooms from 25 to 400 pax.

Hotel Astoria Palace: 203 rooms. Meeitng rooms from 14 to 600 pax.

Hotel Conqueridor: 59 rooms. Meeting rooms from 25 to 90 pax.

Hotel Dimar: 104 rooms. Meeting rooms from 25 to 50 pax.

Hotel Meliá Plaza: 100 rooms. Meeting rooms for 70 pax.

Hotel Feria: 140 rooms. Meeting rooms from 10 to 300 pax.

Hotel Meliá Rey Don Jaime: 321 rooms. Meeting rooms from 12 to 280 pax.

Hotel NH Center: 187 rooms. Meeting rooms from 10 to 450 pax.

Hotel Reina Victoria: 97 rooms. Meeting rooms from 10 to 500 pax.

Hotel Turia: 170 rooms. Meeting rooms from 12 to 350 pax.

Hotel Meliá Confort Azafata: Located in Manises. 128 rooms. Meeting rooms from 40 to 150.

Parador de El Saler: Located in El Saler. 58 rooms. Meeting rooms from 40 to 250 pax.

3***

Hotel Expo: 400 rooms. Meeting rooms from 60 to 650 pax.

 

RESTAURANTS

Restaurante Joaquín Schmidt: This establishment is a catalogue of aesthetic and good taste, a reflection of the culture and of the gastronomy of Joaquin Schmidt and Begoña Frades.

Canyar

Civera

Les Graelles

Ocho y Medio

El Timonel

Casino Monte Picayo

EXCURSIONS IN THE VALENCIAN CAPITAL:

Valencia half day city tour

Visit the cathedral, the gothic old silk market La Lonja, Palau de la Generalitat, Central Market art-nouveau style, the Almudín, the Miguelete, Fallero museum & Town Hall.

The Old Town of Valencia: start from Plaza del ayuntamiento (the square of the town hall), route to the central market place of Valencia, monument "La Lonja de Mercaderes", Church of Santa Catalina, Cathedral of Valencia, visit to the Basilica of the Virgin and lunch. The afternoon tour starts from Torres de Serranos and goes to the Museum of Fine Arts, to the IVAM (Valencian Institute of Modern Art) and to Torres de Quart and end of the tour.

Valencian Pottery and Porcelain Tour: starting point from the station of Renfe de Valencia, arrival to the Pottery Museum of Manises, visit to the streets of Manises, full of pottery that is representative for the region. A movie about Valencian pottery during the return to Valencia. Lunch in Valencia. Afternoon tour starting from "Plaza de Ayuntamiento" to the National Museum of Pottery González Martí. Visit tot "the city of pottery" in Lladró and end of the tour.

The New Architecture of Valencia: departure point from the Congress Centre of Valencia, designed by Sir. Norman Foster. Art´s Bridge and visit to the Modern Art Valencian Museum. Exposure Bridge of Santiago Calavatra and visit to the Music Palace. Lunch. Visit to Gulliver´s Children ´s park and the new Mediterranean Bridge. And to the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències. End of tour.

Culture Tour: the Centro Cultural de la Beneficiencia, a building from 1.876 housing the Prehistorical museum, the Valencian Institute of Modern Art, the House-Museum Benlliure, the medieval Serrano Towers, the Fine Arts Museum San Pío V, the Josep Bofill gardens, the Music Palace, the Gulliver Park & Fallero Museum and the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències.

TOURS:

Castellón & Onda: Drive to the North to the old arab village of Onda with it castle, the moreria quarter, synagogue, de la Sangre church & the parish church of Asunción. Then to Castellón for lunch & city tour with el Grao port, a busy fishing & commercial harbour, the cathedral of Santa maria, the Town hall & the Fine Arts museum.

Requena & Utiel full day wine tour

Drive to the wine village of Utiel to visit the gothic church of our lady of Asunción, the bullring and the wine museum. Afterwards to the wine producing fortified village of Requena, declared a historic-artistic place, to see the old walled quarter with narrow streets, noble mansions, Palacio del Cid, Santa María church, the medieval caves of la Vila & a wine cellar.

Valle de Ayora-Confrentes: this region, situated in the south east of the province seems to be an "abandoned place". From de Ayora betweeen la Sierra palomera and el Macizo del Caroche, we travell along to jacalance where we end up in the region of de Cofrentes. Visits to choose between; El Castillo (the castle) and the historical centre of de Cofrentes, the Don Juan cave in Jalance, the urban centre of Jarafuel and the historical centre of Ayora. Free time for shopping.

La Hoya de Buñol: this pleasant city has a long story of being an attractive turist destination with all its beautiful fontains in each corner. Worthwhile visits and venues; the Ricardo Tormo Monument in Cheste, the route to Cheste, the Turche cave, the castle, and a stroll along the Paseo San Luis in Buñol. Free time for shopping.

La Safor/Gandia- La Valldigna-Oliva: the region of la Safor is dominated by the region´s capital city Gandía, with a nice combination of monumental heritages from its golden past and attractive sun and beach life. Worthwhile visits and venues; stroll along the beach and visit to the historical and comercial centre of Gandía, the convent of Santa Maria de la Valldigna, historical centre and beach of Oliva. Free time for shopping.

Utiel-Embalse de Benageber: this is "the land of the wine" with an interesting wine museum and most well known for its big artificial lake "el Embalse de Benagéber". Worthwhile visits and venues; the historical centre and the gotic church of de Utiel, sancturay of the virgine of Remedio in Utiel and el Embalse de Benagéber. Free time for shopping.

El Camp de Morvedre/Sagunt-Canet d´En Berenguer: Sagunt is a place that requieres a longer stay to dedicate at its Roman monuments, its castle and Roman theatre, its jewish quarters, its port and its beaches. Worthwhile visits and venuess; Roman castle and theatre of Sagunt, visit and stroll along the clean and calm beach of Canet D´En Berenguer and the convent of Santa María del Puig.

La Vall d’ Albaida: in this valley, protected by the mountains, you will find over 30 villages with lovely fountains and impressive views of the landscape. You will find charming Muslim side streets, palaces and churches…Albaida, Ontinyent and Bocairent.. Worthwhile visits and venues; historical centre with church in Albaida, the Church of Santa María, the museum "La Vila" in Ontinyent, "la Plaza de los Toros, the Medieval quartes and the archeologic museum of Bocairent. Free time for shopping.

La Ribera Baixa/Sueca-Cullera: visiting the municipality of Sueca gives us the oportunity to get to know the details of rice production. Cullera is a land of contrasts with high quality beacches, a rich heritage and an interesting gastronomy. Worthwhile visits and venues; centre of environmental information in the national park of the lake Albufera, posible boat tour on the Albufera, the centre of Sueca, the sanctuary of Mare de Déu del Casell in Cullera, La Lonja del Pescado in Cullera. Free time for shopping

Rincón de Ademuz: Rincón de Ademuz forms like a valencian island in Aragón and Castilla-la Mancha, separeted from the rest of the province by a land of 15 kilometers with exceptional landscapes and monuments. Worthwhle visits and venues; the museums in the Puebla de San Miguel, urban centre of Ademuz, church and fortress in Castellfabib, centre of Torrebaja. Free time for shopping.

La Canal de Navarres: in La Canal of Navarrés you will find an impressive amount of caves and shelters along the river "Río Grande" with beutiful water, nature and fauna. Worthwhile visits and venues; the edging of Río Grande in Navarrés, the viewpoints, the parcs and the fountains of Chella, the Church of San miguel Arcángel and the carmelit convent in Enguera, Albufera de Anna, fountains and Gorgo Catalán de Anna. Free time for shopping.

Xátiva-La Costera: start from the highly cultural and historical city Xátiva with its castle, "Castillo-Fortaleza" and continuation to typical vellencian villages like Canals, Montesa, Vallada and Moixent. Worthwhile visits and venues; La Alameda, Lálmodi, the municipal museum, the basilica of la Seu, the castle, historical centre and barrock fountains of San Francisco etc. Free time for shopping.

Requena: Requena deserves special attention for its historical quarters in Villa, its arabic town walls and towers, gothic churches, the Caves of la Villa and its labyrinth of subterranean caves and rests od Roman wine cellars. Worthwhile visits and venues; typical wine cellar of Requena, historical centre, quarters and caves and municipal museum of la Villa in Requena. Free time for shopping.

La Serrania: this region, crossed by the river Turia. Has some of the highest mountains of the province, forrest reserves and interesting richness of art, history and gastronomy. Worthwhile visits and venues; route A; the monuments of Alpuente and Titaguas, the historical centre of Tuéjar and the eremit of the virgin of remedio in Chelva route B; villar del Arzobispo and casinos, the parish church of La Yesa and the historical centre of Higueruelas and the churches of Andilla.

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