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Costa de Almeria
Fast Facts
Practicalities
Cost of living: A meal in a restaurant costs 15 to 20 Euros, a bottle of wine in a restaurant 12 Euros, a bottle of wine in a supermarket 6 Euros, a pint of beer 3 Euros, ice cream 1.50 Euros. A litre of petrol costs 0.57 Euros.
Spanish Tourist Office: 22-23 Manchester Square, London W1U 3PX
Tel: 09063 640630
Website: www.tourspain.co.uk
Activities
You'll find a golf course at each of our two resorts. Some beaches have water sports with windsurfing in the gentle on shore breeze. Most other activities are based around the hotel or apartment complex.
Recommended Reading
AA Essential Costa Blanca by Sally Roy
Costa Blanca Compact Guide published by Berlitz
Costa Blanca Insight Compact Guide published by Insight Guides
Explore Costa de Almeria
This beautiful region is no where near as commercial as the neighbouring Costas and you can find space on the sun baked beaches even in the height of summer. Locals are friendly and the overall ambience is very laid back. An afternoon 'siesta', and putting things off until 'manana', is very much the tradition. For all that the Costa de Almeria is just waiting to be discovered. Just 3 kilometres from the resort of Mojacar lies the picturesque hilltop old village of Mojacar, with its dazzling white houses. The capitol of the region, Almeria, is dominated by an ancient Moorish fortress which affords spectacular views of the area. A trip to the city of Granada famous for the Alhambra is also highly recommended. The journey there covers a spectacular, almost lunar landscape, which has regularly been used as a setting for spaghetti-Westerns.
Getting around
The best way to see the area is to hire a car. Taxis are available in the resorts.
Eating and Drinking
Holidays here tend to be very hotel or apartment complex based and many visitors take most of their meals on site. Venture past the doorstep however and you'll find a very real Spain, with tapas bars serving delicious local specialities.
Local interest and culture
The Alhambra is a must-see, a fabulous 14th century Moorish Palace set overlooking the town of Granada. The desert landscape inland is remarkable. In Almeria city check out the fortress and the fortified Cathedral.
Beaches
Mojacar offers a delightful sandy beach, while Roquetas de Mar offers a wide shingle beach. Both provide a small selection of water sports. Blue flag beaches are recognised as having high environmental, sanitary and safety standards. 343 beaches in Mainland Spain received the Blue Flag award in 2003. For more details refer to www.blueflag.org
Fun for the children
The Mini Hollywood film set in Tabernas (where spaghetti westerns have been filmed) is a good family day out.
Highlights
Visit the most South Easterly point of Spain, the volcanic coastline and lighthouse at Cabo de Gata where you can see the salt flats and flamingos.
Seven must sees:
Alhambra Palace at Granada, Lunar landscape of the Tabernas dessert, Mojacar old village, Alpujarra mountain range and white washed villages, Cave houses at Gaudix, Moorish Almeria, Sunset in the mountains.
Great Views:
View from the Moorish Alcazaba fortress in Almeria, Sunset over the Sierra Cabrera mountain range, Deserted beaches at San Jose, View from Trevelez, the highest village in Spain
Memorable Moments:
A long cold beer in the western style saloon at Mini Hollywood, wandering through the colourful Generalife Gardens at Granada, Shopping for local ceramics at Nijar, Exploring this hidden corner of Spain by jeep, Climbing through the Gypsum caves at Sobas.
Destination Treasures:
The charming old village of Mojacar, the quiet beaches.
Travel tips:
Hire a car if you really want to explore this hidden region of Spain.
Your Resorts
Mojacar
The old village of Mojacar winds around a hilltop set 3 kilometres back from the beach, although most of the tourist focus has grown up along the coast. The end result is the best of both worlds with days on the sand or around the pool, and evenings exploring the twisting cobbled streets and old Moorish houses.
Eating out:
International on the beach and in the hotels, generally of a good standard with something for everyone. For more authentic Spain head up the hill and try the traditional tapas bars and cafes of the old village.
Evening entertainment:
Fairly laid back and low key, with much of the after dark activity based around the hotels. Plenty of places to have a late drink though, either down in the beach area or up on the hill.
Shopping:
Touristy on the beach , more authentic in the old village, but for serious shopping head to Almeria.
Roquetas de Mar
Once an old fishing village but now a chic and cheerful purpose built resort featuring some elegant and well designed accommodation. By day much of the activity revolves around the pool or the beach.
Eating out:
Many people choose to dine at their hotel. However do make the effort to try some of the local restaurants which offer a range of menus. For a real Spanish restaurant try one of the tapas bars.
Evening entertainment:
Nothing too excessive, based around the hotel entertainment and a handful of discos. Many of the bars stay open late.
Shopping:
Basic necessities in abundance and a selection of souvenir shops. For more choice, head to Almeria or Granada.
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