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SPAIN - Albir - January 2009
This trip describes the Hotel Kaktus Albir, and adds more pictures and details as at January 2009 for this part of Valencia and the Costa Blanca. Please see earlier visits to this area of Spain, under January 2008 and December 2008, for details of other excursions.
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The Hotel Kaktus Albir is on the outskirts of Altea, and stands on the sea front at Albir. The Albir promenade joins the Altea promenade just past the marina, and provides miles of flat walking most of which is lit at night. The hotel is of modern design, with open plan, glass walled dining room and reception / bar / lounge areas - which can be disconcerting at first when there are fewer people there ( instead of 200 - 300 ).
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There is a very pleasant sun terrace overlooking a small pool and garden, with superb sea views, from the lighthouse headland to the Ifach rock at Calpe. There is also a rooftop sun terrace and a small covered ( heated ) swimming pool / jacuzzi.
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Looking down the spiral safety stairs .........................The entertainment duo
There is a bus service every fifteen minutes - ( Number 10 ) between Altea and Benidorm, which stops about 100 yards from the hotel. The Ttram train station at Altea is only about 25 minutes stroll from the hotel ( or No 10 bus ), from where one can travel in either direction, to Alicante or to Denia, and stops in between.
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The Benidorm Levante beach from the sister hotel Benikaktus..............................Another sunny day in Denia ........................
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There are many local markets during the week. Altea on a Tuesday, L'Alfas del Pi on Friday, others at Denia and Benidorm ( which is really one large market - with possibly the cheapest prices ! ) - others also have boot sales e.g. Jalon, Teulada. |
One of the better excursions covered some of the Jalon valley, known for wine production, visiting a bodega at Jalon, where there was also an English run Antique shop. ( www.pemberley-antiguedades.com )
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A stop in Benidoleig in the Girona valley provided another break and a chance to view the caves there. The Girona valley is more known for oranges, lemons and olives, but everywhere the pink and white almond blossom was also in evidence. Then onwards through Gata ( reed and rush furniture etc. ) to Moraira, then Calpe for another stop. |
From the Hotel Kaktus Albir there is an easy approach up the headland to the lighthouse ( 2 - 3 kms ), or for the more adventurous - over the top to Benidorm. Walking is also possible in the Altea and Calpe hills and on the Ifach rock.
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Looking towards the headland and lighthouse ....................... The lighthouse ...........................................
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Looking back from
the headland towards Playa Albir. The Hotel Kaktus can be seen on the extreme right of the picture |
Although the fortnight was dry and sunny except for about four hours of intermittent drizzle one morning, in the last couple of days there were warm ( 23 degrees at first ), gusty winds. The gusts were sufficiently strong to cause havoc with sunbeds, tables, refuse bins, cardboard boxes and loose paper and plastic.
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Trees and fences were blown down - and nearby, towards Benidorm electricity pylons were damaged - causing loss of power and damage to property nearby. The ensuing fires caused the evacuation of some thousands of people ( smoke pollution ). |
The planes used to dump water took water from the sea in Altea Bay, and flew right over the Hotel Kaktus Albir, providing "entertainment" for many onlookers. ( Video clips only ).
Miscellaneous .........
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Crossing the Pyrenees on the way back to Gatwick
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Palm pruning ( Elche ) .................................................................Arrow wrong way on one way street.......
Other Notes. ( See also the Notes to other visits in the area )
The number 10 bus was 1 Euro 20 - whatever distance travelled.
Note the use of Passport to obtain reductions on the Ttrain, bus, and admission to other facilities - but don't lose your Passport !
Despite the notices, the Promenade is used by dog walkers ( in some areas watch where you walk ! ).
Internet facilities are cheaper outside the hotel - look for the signs 'Locutorios'.... they also provide cheap international telephone facilities.
Low winter occupancy can affect the entertainment ( the duo was very good - but soon one could forecast the music to be played ! ). When the Spaniards came in for the weekend, or off the street, the dancing was quite lively.
When in
Benidorm watch for scams. ( Not mentioned elsewhere )
Children in the town centre ( near school ) waving official
looking lists for signing and " collecting " for Save
the children etc..
Three shell con men ........ or Three card trick
Make sure the exchange facility you use quotes rate per £ - with
no commission or minimum amount.... It is hard to argue once you
hand money over behind the glass screen ! Even ask what amount of
Euros you will receive before handing over the Sterling.