All the way from Spain

Barcelona was covered with snow – unusual to see the Palms all white – luckily here in

Moraira the sun is shining:  Webcam

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Image by linkalicante via Flickr

Elda and Petrer – Lesser known jewels, views and shoes in such
a lovely area

We are starting today’s Costa Blanca newsletter with a real
insider tip. The cities of Elda and Petrer are two charming jewels
hiding in the Costa Blanca interior (south west of Alicante).

Being two different cities, Elda and Petrer lie close together.
I covered both cities on one webpage and one video, without
knowing what I was getting into. Within days of first uploading
the video people from both cities emailed me and went on and on
about how Elda is NOT Petrer and Petrer is NOT Elda. I guess
I did not realize the passion and rivalry that goes on between
the two cities. It even goes so far one town considers itself
more “Spanish speaking” (Elda) while the other (Petrer)
is more “Valencian speaking”.

Okay, so we got that… and I love visiting both cities a lot. Tops
on my “must see” list is the castle of Petrer sitting atop a hill
providing a spectacular view of the entire area.
In Elda you will find a truly amazing shoe-museum (Museo del Calzado)
that is definitely worth a visit.

So if you have a chance (and a car available) put Elda and Petrer
on your tour map while you in the Costa Blanca area.

A video with a map and details about Elda and Petrer is here:

Elda and Petrer Video

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One important announcement to golfers among you.
We finally put together an extensive list of all golf courses
around the Costa Blanca.
Having gotten so many requests for where and how to find golf clubs
around the Costa Blanca, I am going to put a new page up listing
(hopefully) every golf course.

Please find the updated golf courses page here:

Golf Courses at the Costa Blanca

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Some weeks ago we covered the various fun and animal parks around
Benidorm. To complete our video series on these lovely parks,
we added a video on the Mundomar exotic and marine animals park.

A fantastic dolphin show with their wonderful tricks and
a wide range of all sorts of exotic animals make this visit
really one to remember.

We spent the whole day at the park and I was really suprised
how big the park is and how many different animals there are to see.
While our daughter Anna loved the seal show which was really funny,
the best, I must admit, were the two supersized turtles
which impressed me the most. I had never seen a turtle
with a diameter of around 1 meterbefore. Really amazing.

Lots of colourful, lovely birds, just an incredible variety…. well
enough words… have a look for yourself and enjoy
our Mundomar video.

You can find it on our overview page for all different Benidorm
attractions. Just scroll down to the Mundomar section here:

Mundomar Video

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Valencia will host the 33rd America’s Cup in 2010 with the race scheduled to begin on 8th February.

On three occasions before 2007 Valencia had served as the training base for Spanish teams which challenged for the America’s Cup. However, 2007 was the first time the race had been held in Europe.

This Mediterranean city with a population of around 760,000 is an ideal choice of venue thanks to a first class infrastructure for such an event and reliable weather conditions including an almost certain summer sea breeze which should provide excellent sailing conditions. Sailing will take place very close to the shoreline so spectators will be able to follow the action from the beach and breakwater with viewing capacity for over a million people.

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info about “live viewing” (in german)

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By: Penny Lapenna

2009 has been one of the worst in a decade for forest fires in Spain, destroying over 10,000 hectares of wild forest land, with a resultant effect on the wildlife population. But we know comparatively little about the native species that have been affected on the Iberian Peninsula, since wildlife tends to increase in areas depopulated by humans. It is only our absence that allows many species to flourish. If it were not for some dedicated wildlife experts who have studied rural areas in Spain, we would be unaware that the Iberian wolf had made a comeback from near extinction to over 2,000 individuals, that more than 15 types of raptor are flourishing, and that wild boar (which became extinct through over hunting in Great Britain in the 17th century) are abundant, even near the populated suburbs of Madrid.

The depopulation of rural areas in Spain is however also responsible for some of the worst forest fires being allowed to rage unchecked. As villages with declining native populations are being re-invigorated by foreign inhabitants, an awareness of their human effect on local species must be considered.

What can we do to balance our presence with that of local wildlife?

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Located in the mountain range called “ Sierra Mariola”, Biar was once called Apiarium which comes from the Roman word for beehive because this area was rich in aromatic herbs which made for a very prosperous production in honey. Having Alicante as our departure place, take the rural road marked A-213 until you come to the cross road marked A-210.

Find the sightseeing overview on Biar including lots of pictures
and a video here:

Biar National Monument Video

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Image by nixam via Flickr

From: Costa Blanca News
News Staff Reporter
HOTELS and restaurants in Alicante Province are facing a bleak Christmas and New Year as the crisis takes its toll on the number of company dinners being booked.

The Benidorm and Costa Blanca hotel owners association Hosbec, said at its end of year reunion in Alicante on Wednesday that many hotels are hoping for a rush in last minute bookings especially as many people will get a cash injection via end of year bonuses.

A Hosbec spokesman said that reservations are currently at 60 per cent but it is expected that as it closer to New Years Eve bookings will rise, especially as it falls on a weekend.

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Image by Bebulaki via Flickr

HOLIDAYMAKERS travelling to Spain this year spent a total of 7.2 per less than in 2008, statistics have revealed.

The total expenditure of foreign tourists came to 42,637 million euros in the first ten months of the year.

But the average traveller spent 2.4 per cent per head more than last year, suggesting that fewer holidaymakers are coming to Spain but that those who do have not been too badly affected by the recession.

In fact, a fall of 9.3 per cent was seen this year in the number of tourists visiting the country.

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THE current mayor of Polop (Alicante) has been arrested in connection with the murder inquiry of former mayor Alejandro Ponsoda in November 2007.

Juan Cano, leader of the PP – Ponsoda’s party prior to his death – was arrested in the early hours of this morning by the Guardia Civil at his home in the La Paz urbanisation in the outskirts of the village.

Polop residents are said to be ’stunned’ by the arrest, the seventh person to be taken in for questioning in relation to the fatal shoot-out on the victim’s doorstep two years ago.

So far, a 34-year-old man from Albatera (Alicante) who reportedly has an existing criminal record for drugs- and arms-related offences, together with the owner of a shoe-making firm and the boss of a brothel in Finestrat, have been arrested.

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