Southern Europe Travel

Altea, Spain

2010-12-31T11:14:00.000-08:00

Altea, Spain. Taken From Flickr.

Today's destination is Altea, Spain. This charming seaside town is located on Spain's Costa Blanca along its Mediterranean coast. It had been inhabited by the Greeks, Romans and Moors, before being reconquered by the Spanish in 1244. One could very easily spend a week long vacation enjoying this sunny town. Another option would be to make a short day trip from Valencia, since Altea is only 133 km south of the city. Visitors to the cities of Alicante and Murica could also easily make a day trip to Altea. Southern Spain is of course known for its warm climate, and Altea is no exception. Since it is shielded on the north by the geography of the Sierra de Bernia, the coastal town has its own microclimate.

Houses in Altea, Spain. Taken from Flickr.

Narrow lane in Altea. Taken from Flickr.

Visitors will love exploring Altea's labyrinth of narrow Medieval streets. In Altea you will find the sought after beauty of southern Spain. Whitewashed house-fronts, orange and brown shingled rooftops, narrow cobblestone streets, cast iron lanterns and colourful flowers hanging from balconies. You could also stroll along the waterfront to enjoy the view of the sea. Perhaps the best way to begin your day would be to watch the sun rise over the Mediterranean. The beach at Altea is great too, so be sure to spend some time enjoying the Sun.

La playa de Altea. Taken from Flickr.

Skyline of Altea, Spain. Taken from Flickr.

The church shown in the picture below is called Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, which means 'Our Lady of Solace'. It is easily identifiable by its large blue dome and that it sits at the highest point in the town. After exploring the streets of Altea, one could also do some hiking just outside the town. There are sure to be some excellent photo opportunities of Altea from some of the mountains. When going out to eat, consider trying some locally caught Spanish seafood along with some wine from the Valencia region.

Altea, Spain. Taken from Flickr.

Steps and colourful flowers, Altea, Spain. Taken from Flickr.

One final point to consider is the 'Douzelage' town-twinning. The town of Altea is twinned with 22 other towns from all over the European Union. Cultural events from these towns are regularly held in Altea, which could lead to a very unique experience while in Spain. For example, a produce market is often held where produce from these other places is sold.

Check out some of the videos I've posted below for some better views of Altea. Also, consider some of my other articles, such as this one about Chulilla, Spain.

Narrow street, Altea, Spain. Taken from Flickr.

View Larger Map

Video: Here are some videos of Altea, Spain that I found on YouTube. Enjoy!

Links:

Alicante Spain

Altea Town Website (Spanish, Catalan)

Douzelage EU Town Twinning

Altea Photo Gallery

Altea Info (German, with English translation)

Roquebrun, France

2010-12-29T09:59:00.000-08:00

Roquebrun, France. Taken from Wikipedia.

Roquebrun is a small rural village in Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France. It is located about 30 km northwest of the town of Béziers and just south of the Languedoc National Park. Visitors to the cities of Montpellier (103 km) and Toulouse (208 km) could also make a day trip to Roquebrun. Even visitors to Barcelona, Spain (307 km) could consider making a two-day excursion to the village. Visitors can choose between spending the night in one of the chalets available to rent, or for those who prefer the outdoors, there are campsites available as well. Perhaps the latter isn't a bad idea, since the village boasts an average of 300 days of sunshine per year!

View of Roquebrun, France. From Wikipedia.

Brick archway, Roquebrun, France. From Wikipedia.

A stone bridge connects the town across the Orb river which flows down from the nearby mountains. There is an establishment in Roquebrun that rents canoes and kayaks. Why not spend a few hours paddling the Orb river to get the best view of the village? One could also spend some time exploring the Mediterranean Garden, a public park which features many plants from around the region. Other possible activities include hiking, swimming and archery.

Stone bridge across the Orb River. From Flickr.

View of Roquebrun and the Orb river. From Flickr.

After having spent the day enjoying these outdoor activities and the beautiful landscape surrounding the village, visitors can dine at one of the two restaurants. Afterward, you could spend then evening savoring the locally produced wine at one of the two bars. One could also consider sitting down to enjoy a coffee at "Le Petit Nice" café. Don't forget to pick up some fresh bread from the local baker or to try some of the oranges that grow nearby. For an authentic shopping experience, consider visiting the local market that is held on Friday mornings. For those in search of lots of spontaneous activity, perhaps Roquebrun might not be the best destination. However; for those longing to experience the relaxed atmosphere and beautiful scenery of the Languedoc-Roussillon, a few days in Roquebrun will make the perfect stop on your itinerary.

Roquebrun, France. From Wikipedia.

Inside Roquebrun, France. From Wikipedia.

Another view inside Roquebrun, France. From Wikipedia.

View Larger Map

Video:Here are a few videos I found of Roquebrun on YouTube. Their quality isn't the best, but you still get a good impression of the scenery surrounding this picturesque village.

Links:Parc naturel régional du Haut-Languedoc (French)Languedoc-Roussillon Tourism (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Catalan, Dutch, Portuguese and Chinese)

Varenna, Italy

2010-12-28T10:54:00.000-08:00

Varenna, Italy on Lake Como (From Wikipedia).

The beautiful lakeside town of Varenna can be found in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, not far from the Swiss border. Verenna is arguably the most picturesque town on the spectacular Lake Como. From Varenna you'll be able to enjoy the breathtaking view of the sparkling blue lake and the surrounding snowcapped mountains. You can spend a few hours exploring the narrow lanes of Varenna and its small harbour. Varenna is very easy to reach since it is only an hour and a half drive from the regional capital, Milan (82 km). One could make a two day excursion to the town, or spend several weeks exploring the area surrounding Lago di Como.

Varenna Harbour. Taken From Flickr.

Varenna, Italy. Taken from Flickr.

Above the town, one can visit Il Castello di Vezio, which dates to approximately the year 1100. Visitors can explore the remains of the military outpost: the castle walls, the drawbridge and the main watchtower. There are also gardens to explore, and in the spring, many beautiful flowers. The castle also houses a Falconer who trains several birds of prey. It is possible to see owls, hawks and falcons. Perhaps the best feature of all is the beautiful 360 degree view of Lake Como from the top of the main tower. The castle is definitely a must for anyone planning to visit Varenna.

View from il Castello di Vezio. (From Wikipedia)

Narrow alley in Varenna, Italy (From Wikipedia).

Another worthwhile activity is to follow il Sentiero del Viandante, or the Wayfarer's Trail. It is a former mule path that connects all the towns and villages along the lake. Its original purpose was for the transport of goods, but nowadays it is a hiker's haven. Look for the orange signs that direct one along the route. Hikers can begin at Lierna, then continue through Ortanello, and onward to Varenna. Be sure to stop at the thirteenth century church of St Peter, which is a perfect spot for a rest or a picnic. Be sure to enjoy the lake's beautiful beaches and sub-tropical vegetation, such as olive, citrus and palm trees. One can also take a ferry from Varenna to the beautiful town of Bellagio across the lake. Another option is to drive to the small city of Lecco, which is only about a half hour away (22 km). With so many picturesque towns and stunning landscapes in this region, visitors will certainly find plenty of great photo opportunities. To see more of this great scenery, check out some of the photos and videos I've posted below.

Varenna, Italy (From Wikipedia).

View Larger Map

Video:

I found these videos on YouTube, both are worth watching. The first one seems to be professionally made, and the second is of a family's trip to Varenna. Both of these videos have excellent footage of this lakeside town.

Links:

Official Varenna Tourist Office

Varenna Tourist Information
Castello di Vezio

Chulilla, Spain

2010-12-27T09:49:00.000-08:00

View of Chulilla, Spain (From Wikipedia)

Just 60 km northwest of Valencia, Spain's third largest city, lies the quaint village of Chulilla. With a population of less than 800, this beautiful place would make the perfect excursion away from urban chaos Valencia. This town is a great example that is typical of southern Spain: whitewashed houses with orange terracotta roofs, a rugged and dry landscape, the tallest building is the church's bell tower, and best of all, that slowed down, relaxed take on life. Visitors can spend an afternoon strolling through its perfectly preserved narrow Medaveal streets.

View of Chulilla with its Castillo in the background. Taken from Flickr.

The surrounding terrain offers outdoor activities such as rock climbing, hiking, horseback riding, and swimming. Check out the videos I've posted below to see some of these activities. The health-enhancing properties of the nearby Turia river, on the side of Monte Fuencaliente, is said to have been known as far back as the year 1700. One can experience this by visiting the Chulilla spa. There are even caves and a waterfall to explore.

For those who are interested in the history of the region, it is possible to visit the Castillo de Chulilla. This fortification lies on the hill beside the town, and has remains from both the Roman and Muslim periods. Furthermore, it is also possible to visit the nearby Roman Aqueduct.

Chulilla, with its Castillo. Taken from Flickr.

Chulilla is sure to be a great destination for those who enjoy visiting small towns, admiring beautiful landscapes, and partaking in outdoor sporting activities. One could surely spend several days here, or if time is a factor, make a one day excursion from Valencia. Climbing up to the top of the hill overlooking the village for an afternoon picnic would certainly make for a memorable experience in the south of Spain.

View Larger Map

Video: I found these videos on YouTube. None of them are my own, but they do show lots of great scenery of this beautiful town.

Links:

Official website of Chulilla's Town Hall (Spanish and English).

El Pozo Hotel and Restaurant

La Rueda Hotel and Restuarant

Balneario de Chulilla Spa

Welcome to Southern Europe Travel

2010-12-26T09:59:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Southern Europe Travel. As the name suggests, this focus of this blog will be travel throughout Mediterranean Europe. Articles will feature destinations in Italy, Spain and southern France. Less frequently, articles will be posted that feature Portugal, Greece and other destinations throughout the Mediterranean world. My plan is to tell you about all aspects of travel in this wonderful region. You'll be able to read (and see photos!) of the big urban cities, picturesque villages, the most stunning natural landscapes, where to sleep & eat, where to have a drink, what to buy, which museums and galleries to see, and what activities to do and language tips. Expect to find here regular updates about all of this and more!

Before going any further, allow me to tell you a little bit about myself. I am a Canadian university student with a love for this part of the world. In addition to English, I also speak French, Italian and Spanish. My blog is totally independent, and as such, any reviews are of my own opinion. If I recommend an establishment on here, it is solely for the benefit of you, the reader, and not for my own personal gain.

I encourage you to bookmark my blog, and check back regularly for updates. I hope you enjoy my future writings and perhaps use some of my advice on your next adventure.

Lastly, I'm not much of a photographer, but here are some of my favourite photos. Enjoy!

Èze, France

Venice, Italy

Florence, Italy

Monaco

Andorra

Carcassonne, France

Barcelona, Spain