Altea, Spain

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.

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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

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.

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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)