Archive for March, 2009

Visiting Algar Falls

Along the southern coast of Valencia, Spain lies a paradise known by tourists from all corners of the globe. Benidorm is a seaside escape that boasts of adventure, fun, and unforgettable vacation memories. Also called the Manhattan of Spain, Benidorm has a booming tourism industry, with numerous hotels, resorts, shops, restaurants, and beaches to suit any tourist’s fancy. But besides seeing the cool attractions and experiencing the vigorous night life in Benidorm, a recommended agendum would be to take a retreat and see one of the region’s natural wonders: the Algar Falls.

Take a drive down the A-7 motorway, and be nearer to this paradise nestled behind the mountains in Altea. Known in the vernacular as Fuentes de Algar, this breathtaking sight is situated within a national park and nature preserve. The Algar river is the source for the crystal clear waters, and the falls can be found within 3 kilometers from the village of Callosa d’Ensarria. This region of Spain is well-known for nisperos, a sweet fruit of genus Manilkara zapota, which grows in abundance. Even within the Algar Falls park, you will find many nisperos trees.

The Algar Falls is in an area that has been left almost untouched over the decades. Around its cool water pools is an abundance of trees, flowers, and shrubs, giving you a calming feel of the sanctuary’s natural beauty. Many tourists are encouraged to take a dip in the waters along Fuentes de Algar, but be mindful that the temperature can be very cold, even during the summer months.

For visitors who want to take photos of this marvel, they can climb up towards a viewing bridge. Though it can be quite a steep climb, many tourists claim that the effort was well worth it, seeing the splendor of the waterfalls up close.

When you come to Algar Falls, you will also find facilities to help make your stay more comfortable. For your convenience, there are designated parking areas, barbecue puts, picnic areas, as well as rest rooms and shower rooms. There is also a restaurant near the viewing bridge. The Algar Falls has been known to be a popular destination by many tourist buses, as there are also other attractions near the area that are worth checking out.

What else is in store for you when you come visit Fuentes de Algar? The Algar Cactus Company is an attractive cactus garden which makes for great vacation photos. Don’t’ forget to stop by the Museum of the Environment, which features local efforts of preserving the waterfalls as well as the flora and fauna surrounding it. There is also a railway museum, and an arboretum, which is a botanical garden where flowers, essential oils, and spices can be found. Nearby is Castell de Guadalest, which is an animal sanctuary that even young children would enjoy viewing.

On your next holiday, why not take the time to relax and commune with nature? Visit the exhilarating sights and enjoy the natural charm of Algar Falls, and you and your family will surely have a vacation to remember.

Posted On: March 27th, 2009
Posted In: Benidorm

Benidorm Outdoor Market

Benidorm has everything which appeals to a tourist; cosmopolitan charm, idyllic pleasures, beaches, nightlife, ethnic varieties in cuisine, superb accommodation, bars and great avenues for shopping. The Mediterranean recess offers a shopping extravaganza. Goods are spread across scattered streets, narrow pipeline like roads, claustrophobic yet bristling bazaars, open galleries, big shopping arcades and at almost every place.

Yes, you need to have your bargaining boots on. Also, you must be aware of the wily pickpocket who might try to make a month’s earning out of your wallet. Benidorm Outdoor Market offers one such big buying opportunity.

Benidorm outdoor market is one of the two chief markets catering to tourists, the other one being the El Cisne Flea Market. The Outdoor Market is open on Wednesday and Sunday mornings. As an aside, it is also open on one Saturday per month. It is strategically located at the heart of the town center; this makes it proximal to the beaches as well as most of the well-meaning accommodations.

The market offers loot. There are leather goods, tablecloths, antique glassware, shoes, wooden wickerwork, ceramics and a large repertoire of souvenir stuffs waiting to be lapped up. The prices range a lot and it’s really difficult to differentiate between the rare and precious variety and the ordinary pieces. This is where the judgment and bargaining power of a buyer comes into picture. Yes, there are quite many beautiful things that Benidorm outdoor market can offer but you need to have your feet firmly in place.

Benidorm has long been the fort of non-Spanish recess amidst Spanish land. The dome of Alicante province offers beautiful souvenirs made by handicraftsmen. These remind you of beauty of creation. Yes, they are there for a price but it is well worth it. In the final analysis, glassware, leather goods and antique woodwork are spread in a motley bunch and you will be really unlucky if you step into the Benidorm outdoor market and come out with empty hands.

Do not be too friendly with people offering you a sample drink and then forcing you to buy the full bottle. Well! You can always outsmart them by having your sample drink and then traveling a different way.

Benidorm outdoor market is where the shopping freaks gather on Wednesdays and Sundays. The place becomes infested with a pleasant pandemonium and not many come out disappointed from this beautiful shopping venue.

Posted On: March 22nd, 2009
Posted In: Benidorm
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Arca de Noé

Spain is a beautiful country replete with rare specie of plants and animals. The greenery bewitches and so does animal kingdom. Safaris and zoos intersperse Spain. There is a wildlife sanctuary near Benidorm in Spain.

It hosts regular school tours. Young children learn a lot seeing animals in the open. The way banished animals are treated here is exemplary. Some are suffering from external wounds while others may have hairs brutally torn off. They come here through circus mainly and look underfed when they arrive. It is only after a few days stay that they regain glow.

It is a sanctuary and the animals are left to roam free. They are preserved with reflective security and the place is a poacher’s nightmare. Sometimes, because of the nearness of lions and panthers, small animals prefer being in cages or hiding but that is only temporary. It is located in Guadalest.

The place flushes with philanthropists. They usher the animals with such love that they forget all their past agony. You may gape at the bullet-shot Alsatian driven through the sanctuary in a wheelchair. You may also see hair-torn cats being pampered by fondling fingers. They belong to a messiah – Seraphin.

There are others too who understand that these animals need love more than anything else. They have been so inflicted with torture and wound all their lives that they have stopped smiling. Trying to bring that smile on their lips is short shrift.

The place has enclosures, gardens, pools and other instruments to please the animals. There are high slopes meant for people to enjoy whole setup. They get chivalrous when they see apes. But slowly turn to tears at the sight of appalling great cats. Striking scars brought by whips on their shining leather is a sorry sight. They may think themselves lucky to be placed in Arca de Noé now.

The entry fee is very low but it is expected that people would contribute when they leave. It is our directive duty to care for these forbidden animals. The sanctuary is doing a wonderful work and we should help them by all our means.

The place is named after the famous ark which carried all species in pairs present during the great flood in mythical times. Noah took them to safety whence they reproduced to create huge population with time. It is another matter that many species are grossly endangered and reaching that stage yet again.

There is a welfare fund running whole time which gets a sizeable contribution. As a result, the animals do not have any shortage of food though their complete recovery looks distant. Some even carry prolonged disease and vets are on their guards ever so often.

Some find the place disgusting because wrong side of fauna is apparent. But we cannot just close our eyes to their chagrin. It is a wonderful pastime with fresh breezes and lots of greenery. We even learn from the animals how to live through frustration and how to live in the moment.

Arca de Noé is triumphant.

Posted On: March 13th, 2009
Posted In: Benidorm