The location of Javea enables access from two airports, Alicante to the south and Valencia to the north. Both are approximately 100 km from Javea. Each airport has an ever growing number of budget flights and with Javea only 2.5 hours flight time from the UK it’s an ideal place to make a home away from home.

The main areas of Javea are the Arenal, Port and Old Town. It is relatively simple to get from one point of Javea to another. A bus runs from each point every 30 min starting quite early in the mornings and continuing late into the evening. If you are using a car to travel between the three areas then although the Arenal has plenty of parking places during the summer months it gets quite busy. The old town provides more of a challenge for parking especially when it is market day.

Javea’s locality presents access to a variety of neighboring villages and towns. The road network is not only excellent but provides an ideal opportunity to sightsee along the way. The main national road running either to the north or south from Javea provides stunning views whilst giving you the opportunity to see some of the smaller more time–honored Spanish villages.

To the north of Javea are the busier villages of Denia, Oliva and Gandia. Each provides its own unique experience. Denia presents a much faster pace and has one of the main ports that offer trips to the Balearic Islands. Oliva and Gandia have a more traditional Spanish feel although they are much larger towns.

Moraira, to the south of Javea has a pretty port area and is very popular with a variety of nationalities due to the abundance of international cuisine. Continuing south the quaint yet busy town of Altea, although small has some of the best boutiques in Spain. Benidorm with its ever popular British scene has something to offer the whole family with new theme parks Terra Mitica and Terra Natura close by.

Further inland from Javea is the iridescent sleepy valley of Jalon. This charismatic Spanish village is renowned for its wine making and Saturday rastro, where you can find Spanish farmers selling their produce alongside antiques.

If you do not wish to travel by car then day excursions to each of these areas are available from a number of tourist operators in Javea. Buses are also available as far as Alicante and Valencia.

Being the most easterly point of Spain, Javea is the closest point to the Balearic Islands and on a clear day Ibiza is visible from some of the elevated areas. Due to the nature of Javea’s position it offers an ideal prospect to visit the Balearic Islands. The main ferry port to Ibiza and Mallorca are in the nearby town of Denia or a short flight time from Alicante airport makes a break to the islands an almost surreal opportunity when living in Javea.

A property in Javea is an ideal base to travel further afield throughout Spain. A couple of hours drive from Javea will have you amazed with the differences in culture. The more cosmopolitan cities like Barcelona and Madrid are only approx 5- 6 hour’s drive away and make ideal shopping trips or weekend city breaks. For a more relaxed Spanish feel then look no further than to the south. Almeria’s town is rich in history and the nearby Almerimar offers fabulous weekend boat trips. Why not try sightseeing round the town of Cadiz then stop for some traditional Spanish tapas and vino.

Javea also presents good prospects to travel to the more luxurious countries of the Caribbean and South America. Due to the Spanish language links that connect these countries it will also provide an ideal opportunity to practice your Spanish whilst immersing in new cultures and traditions. The lack of language barriers ensures you will not be out of your depth.

Location, location, location is precedence and Javea has it all to offer. Using Javea as a Spanish base enables countless opportunities to visit not only Spain but other countries such as the Caribbean and South America. Its ideal positioning on the Spanish coast ensures Javea is the prime place to plant roots in Spain.

Then you have Spain. Do not be mistaken, Spanish society is surely as polished and dignified as the rest of the land in many respects.However, it also happens to host some of the most bizarre and unusual celebrations this side of the Burning Man festival. Of course such spectacles as the Tomatina Tomato Fight and he famed Running of the Bulls are widely known as examples of the sort of things those delightful Spaniards do to pass the time, but could a people who managed to create these memorable events really have stopped there?

One must feel sorry for the mother who worries over their offspring during the aforementioned Running, desiring the practice stopped, begging that some kind person please, “think of the children!” However, if she truly worries so much, it should have been a simple matter for her to seek supernatural protection for her child in their infancy, in the quite frightening–yet oddly amusing–El Colacho festival which dates back to the seventeenth century. All that is needed is for the bundle of joy to be laid upon the ground while a helpful gentleman garbs himself in the likeness of a devil and leaps, yes, leaps, over the burbling infant to ward evil spirits away. Is it any wonder that the Spanish feel so brave battling the barrelling bovines; they have come prepared since their wee childhood.

Further protection can be obtained if someone happened to have neglectful parents who refused to allow people to jump over their babies. All a healthy young man or woman has to do to protect themselves from illness in Spain is to not eat well and exercise regularly, but leap through roaring flames in Granada’s Hogueras event held in December. That must really come in handy for folks like the denizens of El Puig, who eschew mundane ammunitions like the humble tomato in favor of something stronger during their festival of San Pedro Nolasco. Protection from illness would surely be a godsend in the Battle of the Dead Rat.

Unfortunately for the local animal population, the Spanish do not seem to have seen fit to try and extend their protective events to their tarred-and-feathered friends. Rats may be contested as a creature worthy of protecting, and long has the treatment of the bull been a matter of debate, but there has been a decent history of other unfortunate creatures in Spanish history.

Fortunately for goats across the country, the government managed to outlaw tossing them from a bell tower in Manganeses de la Polverosa, though it’s questionable how enforced the law is. At least Billy can be comforted that the government does not condone his brief experiment in flight.

Speaking of flight, the quail at least was meant for the act, though it likely does not overly-appreciate being catapulted through the air. Chances are it doesn’t worry about it too long, as the Spanish don’t waste the opportunity and catch up on their marksmanship practice.

Whatever eyebrows that might be raised or stomachs that might be upset in the rest of the world for these and other roaring good times in the land of the fiery dancer and guitar virtuoso, the Spanish can nevertheless be admired for going further and farther than most peoples of the world in their search for a good time with their fellow man.

The people come together in the square and wait for the mayor to officially announce that the festival has begun. A rocket is launched and partying commences amidst much fanfare. The festival today is characterized by music, a bullfight, a procession, fireworks, dancing and much merriment. The event is held from July 7th to July 10th.

There are no proper records as to when the festival started to be held. There are evidences that the festival happened as early as the 13th century and that at that time it was held in the month of October. It can be inferred that the modern day festival has developed from this festival as well as the other commercial as well as bullfighting fiestas that were held at that time.

Over the years the festival has been shifted to the month of July, at a time when the weather is conducive for the celebration. The festival was held for the first time officially in July in 1591. The inaugural fiesta was held for only two days and was a subdued affair. From the 17th and the 18th centuries foreigners started participating in the festival as well. Gradually the religious flavor of the festival gave way to mere merry making and there are reports about the clergy being concerned about the permissiveness of the young people.

As the festival moved to the 19th century fairground attractions became a part of the festival. There were circus animals and canon balls that were present during the festival. It was only in the 20th century that the word about the festival spread across the globe and visitors thronged to the place to participate in the festival. Ernest Hemmingway’s novel titled “The sun also rises” published in 1926 also helped the popularity of the festival to spread.

The Bull Run is held from 8 am in the morning. It is conducted everyday till 14th July. The length of the track is from Coral at Santo Domingo to a bullring where there the bull fight is scheduled to be held in the afternoon. The bulls have to run a length of 825 meters and the time taken to run is three minutes. The tickets of the festival are sold out in advance.

The arena can accommodate 12,500 people at a time. Over the last few decades the event has acquired wide publicity and thousands of visitors attend the festival each year. Every year at the time of the festival the population of the country increases by thousands as people from across the globe comes to witness the festival. Accommodation has to be booked well in advance to participate in the festival.

The origins of the Las Fallas festival can be traced back to the 19th century. The event as we have it today has evolved since then. The nintos or the Fallas are highly ornamental as well as satirical symbols that are placed on the streets of Valencia to serve the purpose of being a political or a social comment. The festival begins on the 1st of March. It is declared as having begun at the city square amidst the explosion of hundreds of firecrackers. The important events of the festival however do not start until the 16th. In the days between 1st and the 16th the city is decorated with over 700 Fallas.

“Fallas” is a local term for huge caricatures of local and international personalities. The artists of the country build these caricatures all through the year and at the time of the festival these are displayed in the city squares for a total of five days after which they are set to fire and destroyed. The city is filled with the noise of fireworks and crackers.

The most spectacular event of the festival is the Ofrenda de Flores a la Virgen de los Desamparados. On March 17th and 18th there is a parade that is held. It starts at 4 pm and continues well into the night. Every member belonging to the fallas wear their intricately and elaborately designed costumes and carry flowers as offerings to the patron saint. At the midnight of March 19th the closing ceremony of the festival takes place. A huge bonfire is built and all the ninots that were painstakingly built throughout the year are burnt to ashes. The people however pick out one of the ninots by a majority vote and preserve it in the famous Fallerno museum.

The Fallas might be in any form. In some cases they might take the shape of a human being while in some other cases they might be a vegetable or an animal. The burning ceremony of the Fallas is regarded as a purifying act and it happens at midnight on Saint Joseph’s day.

There are mass gatherings to celebrate the festival and spectacular fireworks display. An important event in the festival is the mascleta which is a display of fireworks. There are groups that compete for in putting up the most brilliant display of fireworks. The group that makes the noisiest display is awarded the prize. This competition brings the festival to a closure.

The origins of the Las Fallas festival can be traced back to the 19th century. The event as we have it today has evolved since then. The nintos or the Fallas are highly ornamental as well as satirical symbols that are placed on the streets of Valencia to serve the purpose of being a political or a social comment. The festival begins on the 1st of March. It is declared as having begun at the city square amidst the explosion of hundreds of firecrackers. The important events of the festival however do not start until the 16th. In the days between 1st and the 16th the city is decorated with over 700 Fallas.

“Fallas” is a local term for huge caricatures of local and international personalities. The artists of the country build these caricatures all through the year and at the time of the festival these are displayed in the city squares for a total of five days after which they are set to fire and destroyed. The city is filled with the noise of fireworks and crackers.

The most spectacular event of the festival is the Ofrenda de Flores a la Virgen de los Desamparados. On March 17th and 18th there is a parade that is held. It starts at 4 pm and continues well into the night. Every member belonging to the fallas wear their intricately and elaborately designed costumes and carry flowers as offerings to the patron saint. At the midnight of March 19th the closing ceremony of the festival takes place. A huge bonfire is built and all the ninots that were painstakingly built throughout the year are burnt to ashes. The people however pick out one of the ninots by a majority vote and preserve it in the famous Fallerno museum.

The Fallas might be in any form. In some cases they might take the shape of a human being while in some other cases they might be a vegetable or an animal. The burning ceremony of the Fallas is regarded as a purifying act and it happens at midnight on Saint Joseph’s day.

There are mass gatherings to celebrate the festival and spectacular fireworks display. An important event in the festival is the mascleta which is a display of fireworks. There are groups that compete for in putting up the most brilliant display of fireworks. The group that makes the noisiest display is awarded the prize. This competition brings the festival to a closure.

The history of the city dates back to 137 BC when it was established by Romans. Since then Valencia has been the home of the Moors, the Visigoths as well as the Aragonese. During the 15th as well as the 16th century the town acquired prominence and became a major city. At the time of the Spanish civil war, Valencia was made the capital of the republic. It was in 1982 that the city was given autonomous statutes. In 2003 the city was chosen as the destination for the well known America’s Cup. It was the first city in Europe to host the yacht race. The city will again be the host for the tournament in 2009.

Valencia is a vibrant tourist destination and boasts of some beautiful tourist sites. The city has beautiful architectural marvels that dot the town. There are structures that date back to the Arabic and the Roman times. There is the famous Cathedral called the Basilica metropolitana that was constructed between the 13th and the 15th century. It has been built in gothic style but also has elements of Romanesque and baroque architecture. At the side of the cathedral is the Basilica of the Virgin which is also built in gothic style. There is also the Late Gothic silk exchange that has been declared a heritage site by the UNESCO. There is the Central market in the town which is one of the largest such markets in Europe. One of the landmarks of the city is the City of Arts and Sciences. The place houses a museum, a theater house, an opera, restaurants, a park and many more other structures. Another fascinating site in the city is the Music Palace which is a modern architectural marvel.

The churches of the city also deserve special mention in that these are very well built with beautiful exteriors and intricately designed interiors. The Saints John church contains beautiful frescoes. The El Templo is a beautiful gothic structure. Besides these there is also the Colegio de San Juan, Colegio del Corpus Christi, and the Jesuit college. There are some beautiful squares and gardens in the city of which mention must be made of Playa de l’Ajuntament and the Playa de la Verge.

Valencia boasts of a robust economy which has been fuelled by the tourism as well as the construction sector. The port of the city is one of the largest in the Mediterranean and it handles a big chunk of the exports of Spain. The city has a pulsating nightlife and there are many clubs and pubs where you can jive away till the wee hours of morning. The gastronomic culture of the city is well known and some of the best dishes in the region include paella, fartons, rosquilletas, orxata, Spanish omelette, bu–uelos, and squid. The city has a good transportation network and there are rail and bus services that are available to the people in the region.

Granada has been inhabited since the very earliest days of history. Initially the city was inhabited by the Celtics who later gave way to the Romans. The city grew in prominence to be a center of civil, military and ecclesiastical administration. The city was also inhabited by the Byzantines and then the Zirid dynasty for many years. The Nasrid dynasty came soon after and ruled the region for a few centuries. A significant event in the history of the city is the attack by Ferdinand. This gradually led to the diminishing of the Muslim influence of the region and made way for Christianity.

Granada is famous for its fascinating constructions. There are a number of Moorish as well as Catholic architectural wonders all over the city. There is the palace of Charles V which is one of the most wonderful Renacentist constructions. There is the Granada cathedral that is a product of the renaissance in Spain. The district of Albayzin which contains many constructions that dates back to the early 16th century is also an important tourist spot. The charterhouse that is located in the city is a beautiful Carthusian monastery that contains elements of baroque.

One of the most important sites in the city is the Alhambra which is a famous Moorish citadel. It is a sacred place of the Muslim, Jewish, as well as the Christian. The city is also an educational center and the famous university of Granada is one of the best seats of higher learning in the country. The churches of the city too deserve special mention.

There are the San Salvador Church, Santa Ana Church, Santo Domingo Church, and the San JosŽ Church that are beautiful constructions in the city. There are the famous Bermejas Towers that belong to the 8th and the 9th centuries. There is some Muslim architecture in the region as well. There are sites such as the Dar al-Horra, house of Chapiz, house of AbŽn Humeya, house of the Horno de Oro, and many more such houses. The public baths of the city such as the El Ba–uelo are one of its kinds in Europe.

The transportation system of the city is good and there are buses, cars and trains available to help people commute from one place to another. There are also ample accommodation facilities that are available in the town. The city boasts some of the best restaurants that serve a host of cuisines to the visitors. The city has a thriving nightlife. There are many pubs and nightclubs that are there in the city. With such excellent facilities, Granada is definitely a tourist’s delight.

No matter what your tastes and preferences, Benidorm is bound to have something to suit you. It is literally heaving with hundreds of bars and restaurants, of all different types, so no matter what preferences your palette has, you are bound to find a food to suit your fancy. Benidorm has a great selection of international cuisine, including a Chinese quarter, with lots of delicious Chinese restaurants, which prove to be a favourite with tourists.

Benidorm is a high rise city, one that practically never sleeps, and so there is always plenty going on. A popular tourist spot of Benidorm is the prestigious Benidorm Palace. Benidorm Palace is a little outside the main hustle and bustle of the city, but every night, hundreds of people flock to its doors, to see a glamorous performance and enjoy an evening of fun and drinks. The shows are usually a combination of singing and dancing, with very flamboyant outfits and different themes on rotation – so if you’re visiting Benidorm for one or two weeks, you’ll likely get to see more than one show, if you so wish!

If the hustle and bustle of the busy city isn’t exactly your thing, then there are plenty of more tranquil and picturesque locations all within a short drive of Benidorm. The beautiful village of Altea situated high in the hills is a beautiful traditional Spanish village, only fifteen or twenty minutes away from Benidorm, but a lifetime away from the hustle and bustle. It is a perfect space to escape from the modern day flurry of Benidorm. Altea has beautiful views over the Mediterranean coast, as well as views overlooking the high rise skyline of Benidorm.

Back in the city of Benidorm, it is not all busy humdrum and built up architecture. Benidorm is home to the award winning Levante and Poniente beaches, together both covering the stretch of Benidorm. Both beaches offer beautiful white sand, and during the busier season, have a range of water sports and entertainment on offer, as well as round-the-clock lifeguards on duty. If the sea and sand isn’t your thing, then there are still plenty of ways that you can keep yourself busy. Benidorm has its own water park nearby with many slides and water attractions. There is also a large theme park close by – Terra Mitica, which was completed in 2000, and is now a very popular attraction of the area, being one of the biggest theme parks in Spain.

The fact is simple – no matter what your tastes and preferences, there will be something in Benidorm for you!

Wither buying a property to escape the cold British climate for part of the year or immersing full time in the relaxing Spanish lifestyle then a Spanish property is an ideal investment for you. Its year round mild climate coupled with breathtaking landscapes and clear beaches cater for all, with an abundance of outdoor pursuits available including 26 golf courses, water sports, horse riding and many more. Not only does Spain offer a well developed infrastructure and time honored ex-pat societies but also the opportunity of a sound investment.

Although a principle holiday resort, Spain also provides a home for more than 135.000 UK residents and has become the main target for overseas property investors. The close proximity to the UK and the increase of budget airlines ensure Spain is easily reached year round. In comparison to the UK Spain offers reasonable house prices and low interest rates making the Spanish property market more appealing and accessible for first time buyers.
Retirees are also one of the top property purchasers in Spain and with the low interest mortgages the buy to let rental market is in abundance. Spain’s huge tourist industry provides an ideal opportunity to not only increase capital investments but also releases admirable rental returns.

Spanish property prices are considerably lower than the UK and offer more value for money. Due to the excellent returns which have increased by 12.8% more people are using Spanish properties as their main investment plan. The coastal resorts provide a steady yet buoyant investment however in recent years Spain’s inland areas have seen an incredible increase in property investments. Spanish property prices have risen by 48% in the last 3 years and are predicted to continue to flourish in future years, albeit at a slower pace.

It is not only recent years that UK residents have been purchasing property in Spain. Spain’s installation into the EU and logical government ensures a safe and almost predictably sound investment. Due to the plentiful expert advice that is available property investors find the Spanish market not only provides an excellent investment but also a hassle free one too.

With Spanish prices set to continue to rise in the future then why not take advantage of this valuable prospect. Spain provides an opportunity to invest in an undeniably beautiful place with a year round climate to die for. However when coupled with its value for money property, low interest rate, easy access budget airlines, strong economy and not to mention the vast rental opportunities available you can be sure that Spain has it all to offer and much more.

The geography these peoples are spread across is composed almost completely of expansive plateaus and high mountain ranges. Indeed, the nation is second only to Switzerland in terms of height, and the country’s highest point (11,414 ft.) on the MulhacŽn in the Sierra Nevada mountain range is the third-highest point in Europe.

Combine those features with the nation’s abundance of coastline, and the climate becomes quite diverse. Roughly divided into three areas, the northernmost coast of Spain enjoys an Oceanic climate, sometimes being called “Green Spain”, while the southern and easternmost coasts boast a Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers and cool, moist winter times. Sandwiched in between are the mainland Continental Mediterranean weather patterns, which feature dry, frosty winters and vibrantly warm summers.

Perhaps this climate has something to do with the dynamism of the Spanish economy as well; it holds a modest perch as the fifth-largest in Europe, but also is notable for being one of the few EU economies to avoid drastic and almost total slowdown. Through the years of 2000-2005 the nation single-handedly produced half of the new jobs in the Union, and as of 2007 outstripped the other European nations in economic growth for the third year in a row.

However, not many like to visit a nation just to bask in the glory of its economic development. Fortunately for Spain, it is able to hold claim to several fascinating destinations for the wandering tourist. The architecture enthusiast would certainly find the Royal Palace of Madrid worth seeing for its classic Baroque architecture, as well as the impressive, famed Gothic Cathedral in Barcelona. For some fresh mountain air and a little excitement, the Sierra Nevada mountain range features the only feasible skiing location in the Mediterranean climate.

Truly, though, just taking one’s time traveling through the countryside is a viable plan of action; the music and cuisine and culture are all there to absorb no matter where the tourist finds his or herself. That having been said, making special note of Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia during those travels would be very prudent of the discerning traveler. In the end, it seems as though one would have to go out of their way to avoid partaking in the fun to be experienced in the Kingdom of Spain, or to fail to observe the more modest, natural majesty of the countryside and the people who call it home.