Fun loving kinda gal, loves a challenge and likes a good gossip!
Fun loving kinda gal, loves a challenge and likes a good gossip!
Member since:14.07.2003
Reviews:7
Members who trust:1
You may be surprised to find a 22 year old writing a review of a relatively quiet spanish town rather than a club orientated 18-30 style holiday. This is because much as I do like to drink on my holiday (after all thats what holidays are for!), I also quite like to remember what I've spent a year saving for! So instead of flying off to your typical 18-30 British holiday makers spanish destination, I decided to jet off to Javea, Costa Blanca, Spain. The holiday was mainly arranged by my boyfriend and his friend, who had both been there before and both declare that they are 'past their clubbing days'! We arranged our holiday with James Villas, whose representatives were very helpful throughout (especially when the main fuse blew in the middle of the night and no-one knew where spanish fuse boxes were hiden and it was too dark to look even if we did!). A very nice man came out with a very big torch and helped us out! We flew from
London Gatwick to Alicante in early September and arrived in Spain late afternoon. (HOT TIP- if you've arranged car hire, a later flight is a nifty perk, as you often get upgraded to a better car as all the cheap ones have been allocated! Or so I'm told! We got upgraded from a Daewoo Matiz to Peugot 307 (I think), bargain!) we then drove on to the villa, a 3 bedroomed villa with a pool, called Joanne. I can't tell you a lot more about the arrangement as the men organised it all.
So let me talk about what I know! The city of Javea, Spain lies about 80 km north east of Alicante and 40 km North of Benidorm, in between Denia and Altea. Javea lies between two bays - the cabo San Antonio and the cabo San Martin. As a holiday maker we are told that the average Javea weather reaches temperatures of up to 40°C in summer, but not less than 10°C during winter time. I can well believe this. We arrived in Spain shortly after the country had experienced an extreme heatwave and during our holiday the temperatures peaked between 30 and 40°C . Gorgeous if you're a sun worshipper like myself!
The people of Javea live in three different parts of the city. The village of Javea which lies about 3 km land inward, the port of Javea and the area around the beach of Javea. It is here around the beach area that the main nightlife exists. The closest thing you'll get to an 18-30's resort. Along this stretch of beach there are a range of bars and restaurants. Some are typical spanish bars, serving tapas and classic paella and some have that more 'ex-pat' feel to them. Not really my style! One in particular right at the end of the main stretch can serve you spanish style fish and chips. Infact you can order a two course meal and a bottle of wine for 8euros, thats roughly £5.60. Personally I would recommend the champagne bar, which offers gorgeous champagne based ice cocktails (similar to slush puppies, only alcoholic-hurrah!). Not only do they taste divine but they are served in a wide range of strangely shaped glasses and complimented with all manner of fruit. My favourite was 'the watermelon' served in an enormous dish with the longest straws you've ever seen! Ideal for sharing! This bar stays open into the early morning! From memory the cocktails were not quite as cheap as most other drinks though still well worth it for the experience, and still much cheaper than they would be here at home. Aswell as the bars and restaurants, locals set up stalls that sell all manner of stock from jewellry to rugs. These stay open well into the night.
Aswell as the nightlife, there's a real working harbour - with fishing fleet and fish market (very smelly and stomach churning). The old part of town offers a more historic element to your holiday; set back from the sea with narrow streets, quaint cafés and handsome old houses, hung with wrought-iron balconies. I was offered advice on what to see during my trip and from a sightseers point of view I think you should make time to visit the church Iglesia de San Bartolome, which was built in the 12th century. Also of interest is the museum Soler Blasco, which can be found in the calle Primicias. The museum displays a copy of the treasury of Javea, which consists of jewellry from the past centuries. However, some of the best sightseeing opportunities can be found while driving through the mountains and taking a glance back down to the coast.
If you decide to stay self catering then Javea offers many amenities to cater for your every need. It even has a Lidl, McDonalds but also your more typical spanish supermarkets and local stores. As Javea is a port town the supermarkets specialise in fish- all manner of fish and shellfish- some still alive, heads and all. (slightly off putting and scary if you're a bit squeamish!)
Before I set off I wanted to know what Javea was supposed to be like and I read this quote - "Javea, is a town of great beauty, magical landscapes, a haven of peace and serenity." (www.spain-holiday.com) If that doesn't make you want to pack your suncream and go, then I don't know what will!
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We went to Javea last year for our family holiday, and again this year for our honeymoon. Made great friend's with the staff of the Sacremento bar on the beach front.
Would highly recommend going.
reginabelga 14.06.2005 14:24
Sounds absolutely delightful, just what the doctor ordered.
Shellywba 14.06.2005 13:21
Nice review. I used to live in Benidorm, and visited Javea a few times and I loved the place, so quiet
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