Discover Spain's Costa Blanca & Valencia is your independent guide to one of Spain's most beautiful Mediterranean regions. Explore beaches, festivals, scenic walks, coastal drives, historic towns, local events, attractions and travel guides covering Valencia, Gandia, Dénia, Jávea, Moraira, Calpe, Altea and many more destinations across the Costa Blanca and the Valencian Community.
Experience a stunning Mediterranean sunset over Playa de Gandía / Gandia, Valencia, Spain, captured in beautiful 4K drone footage.
Following passing rain showers, dramatic storm clouds linger over the southern coastline while golden evening light bathes Gandia Beach, the marina and the Mediterranean Sea. The changing skies create spectacular colours and reflections, making this one of the most beautiful times to enjoy the Costa Blanca coastline.
This cinematic aerial video showcases Playa de Gandía's wide sandy beach, the bustling marina, fishing port and seafront promenade as day turns to night. From peaceful coastal views to vibrant sunset colours, it's a relaxing journey above one of Valencia's most popular seaside destinations.
Located on Spain's Mediterranean coast, Playa de Gandía is famous for its Blue Flag beach, lively promenade, marina, restaurants and summer atmosphere. Just a short distance from the historic city of Gandia, it offers the perfect combination of traditional fishing heritage, modern tourism and spectacular coastal scenery.
Whether you're planning a holiday, remembering your visit, or simply relaxing with beautiful drone footage, enjoy this peaceful golden hour flight above one of Spain's finest beaches.
FALLING NUMBERS of visitors and competition from more modern attractions have forced the closure of El Vergel Safari Park after 33 years.
A trickle of cars arrived last Friday only to find gates were closed and be turned away from the once-popular attraction by security staff.
One told RTN: “We are closed – everything is closed.”
However, he confirmed keepers would be caring for some 460 animals over the next six months as they undergo health checks and found new homes under strict guideline covering their movement.
The closure is a blow for locals who worked with animals or in the restaurant and bar.
A once ground-breaking attraction on the Marina Alta, it allowed visitors to watch animals wandering ‘semi-wild’ in enclosures and boasted 1,400 animals of some 150 different species.
The park covered half a million square metres close to Pego Marshes and also had an important collection of over 150 types of fauna.
TUMBLE
However, the number of tourists passing through the gates has tumbled from a golden age of 250,000 a year to fewer than 15,000.
It is understood the safari park failed to keep pace with new attractions such as Terra Natura in Benidorm and Valencia’s L’Oceanografic and Bioparc.
El Vergel allowed visitors to drive through the enclosures housing a menagerie of Bengal tigers, lions, water buffalo, elephants, giraffes, rhinoceros, and 25 Vietnamese pigs. Other attractions included a sea lion show and a large aviary.
The park also made news by taking part in breeding programmes for wild animals.
However, El Vergel made international headlines for the wrong reasons in May 1999. Disregarding all warning notices, an elderly German couple got out of their car and were killed by three tigers.
From the roundtownnews.co.k
A perfunctory “ Hereby we inform (you) of the indefinite closure of our facilities .Without further ado, Greetings” was the poignant and solitary message posted on Vergel Safari Parks website last Wednesday September 9, informing the world that after thirty three years the Park was to close its doors for the very last time.
The recession and competition from other tourist attractions such as Terra Natura in Benidorm and Valencia’s Bioparc had all conspired to bring about the demise of one of the Costa Blanca favourite leisure destinations.
Vergel Safari Park had been a pioneer on the Costa Blanca of the then new concept of housing animals in an environment close to their natural habitat as possible, and away from the more confined zoo concept. However, times move on and the newer facilities of the competitors and ever changing mores of the leisure industry, left behind the park struggling to keep up its visitor numbers which had plummeted a massive 80% over the last three years.
The Park occupied some half a million square metres of land next to the Pego marsh, and was home to around one thousand four hundred animals covering one hundred and fifty species. Half of the Parks fifty employees have been made redundant with immediate effect, whilst the remaining staff are being kept on to continue caring for the animals over a six month period during which it is hoped they can all be successfully found new homes.
The economic knock on effect to the Marina Alta area will be felt through the direct unemployment of the workers, and indirectly a drop in trade for the ancillary businesses that benefitted from the tourist influx into the area to visit the Park.
In the long run perhaps the one thing the Park will be remembered for is the incident in 1999, when two German pensioners were killed by a tiger when they unwittingly left their vehicle, thinking they had left the secure area, when in fact they had merely passed from the lion’s enclosure through to that of the tigers.
It would be a pity if this was the only legacy of the Park, which brought so many happy days out over three decades for families throughout the region.
Ondara Cinema / Portal De La Marina - Costa Blanca Spain
Located just outside Ondara, is the Portal De La Marina Commercial Centre.
The centre has plenty of shops and also a cinema which also shows films in their original language - i.e. mainly English. This is done by the use of headphones, you have to make a 20 euro refundable deposit for the hire of the headphones, and some people has reported that you leave a document like your driving license or Residencia as security.
Portal De La Marina is in a prime location as far as communication is concerned. The centre enjoys direct accesses from all the roadways surrounding it, making for an uncomplicated and straight drive to arrive at the complex. Highway AP-7 Ondara-Denia-Jávea, exit 62 N332, Exit to Ondara. Avda. Costa Blanca, 1 03760 Ondara (Alicante)
Cinemas in the Costa Blanca - Ondara
There are many cinemas on the Costa Blanca, and many of them show English-language films with Spanish subtitles.
These films are listed as VO (versión original), VOS (versión original subtitulada) or lingua originale films.
So if you want to watch a film in English, look for "VO" or "VOS" beside the listing.
Some cinemas advertising VO films show the film in Spanish but transmit the original version language soundtrack via headphones. This is done by the use of headphones, you have to make a 20 euro refundable deposit for the hire of the headphones, and some people has reported that you leave a document like your driving license or Residencia as security.
ONDARA
IMF Ondara
Centro Comercial Portal de La Marina · Ondara
Telf: 96 647 74 64
Films currently showing at the IMF Cinema at La Portal Marina Ondara
Saturday July 10
From 10.00: Children's fair at station car park
23.00: Presentation of insignias at station car park, followed by fireworks
Sunday July 11
20.00: Concert of fiesta music at station car park
Thursday July 15
20.00: Official start of fiestas at town hall, followed by brass band procession to station car park and firecrackers
Friday July 16
07.30: Diana procession from castle
20.00: Christians entrance parade
Saturday July 17
05.45: Moors disembark on beach, gunfire, fireworks
19.00: Moors entrance parade
Sunday July 18
19.30: Children's procession leaving from Loygorri
20.30: Procession from Passeig del Rei Jaume I to castle
21.00: Christians take castle
24.30: Fireworks
TDT Industry receives complaints about the reception of TDT
Since the analogue TV 'off' on 30 March, the Ministry of Industry has received over 1,760 inquiries from people related issues reception of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT / TDT) until 20 April.
In total, during this period of time, Industry received 86 985 calls, of which 47 739 were treated by agents. Of that number, 88.1% were questions about the process and technology, 8.2% of calls were associated with receiving TDT signals and 3.7% of signal problems.
Most calls (42 052) had to do with questions about general issues, while the rest were from people who are unable to see TDT correctly on TV because they lacked a proper decoder or, if they had, do not know how to use it or the antenna of their building was not ready for DTT (3914) or that had trouble receiving the signal (1760).
According to the latest figures provided by industry in March, at 98.24% of the population to reach the coverage of DTT. However, in the month that has elapsed, incidents have been detected in some relays that still prevent some people living in areas able to watch TV coverage.
To compliment the main Valencia Costa Blanca website, two further websites are available.
Oliva Costa Blanca is a website offering tourist information, guides, restaurants, places to stay, campsites and much more for the costal town of Oliva, which is located 10kms away from Gandia in the Communidid Valencia.
Xativa Costa Blanca is a website offering tourist information, guides, restaurants, places to stay, campsites and much more for the inland towns of Xativa and Ontinyente.
Both websites offer information on places to stay, whether you are looking for hotels, appartments or villas.
The schedule of events for the Fallas 2010 fiesta is now available.
FEBRUARY 28th (Sunday)
At 07.00 a.m. Despertà (awakening sound fireworks) along Paz street toards the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square).
At 12.00 p.m. Music Band Parade from the Plaza de la Virgen towards the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square) several music bands march playing typical pasodobles. The parade finish approximately at a quarter to 2 p.m. and at that time all the bands will play together the Pasodoble “El Fallero” (the Fallas anthem)
At 02.00 p.m. Mascletà (sound fireworks) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square).
At 8.00 p.m. Cridà. La Crida marks the official opening of the Fallas Festival. Crowds of onlookers and all the Fallas Committees gather beneath the Serranos Towers, one of historical Valencia's best-known monuments. After a spectacular inaugural display of light, sound, music and fireworks, the “Fallera Mayor” of Valencia (elected festival queen), surrounded by her Court of Honour and the city authorities, invites everyone to enjoy the imminent fiesta, proclaiming its excellence and virtues.
MARCH 1st (Monday)
At 02.00 p.m. Mascletà (sound fireworks) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square).
MARCH 2nd (Tuesday)
At 02.00 p.m. Mascletà (sound fireworks) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square).
MARCH 3rd (Wednesday)
At 02.00 p.m. Mascletà (sound fireworks) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square).
MARCH 4th (Thursday)
At 02.00 p.m. Mascletà (sound fireworks) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square).
MARCH 5th (Friday)
At 02.00 a .m. Mascletà (sound fireworks) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square).
MARCH 6th (Saturday)
At 02.00 p.m. Mascletà (sound fireworks) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square).
At 06.00 p.m. Great Mascletà Neapolitan style (sound fireworks) in the Las Arenas beach between Las Arenas Hotel and the Red Cross First Aid Post.
At 10.30 p.m. Ninot Parade. Itinerary: Departing from Marques de Sotelo street towards the Plaza del Ayuntamiento and around the square passing by the City Hall main entrance and back to Marqués de Sotelo street. After the parade opposite the City Hall. Night Mascletà.
MARCH 7th (Sunday)
At 02.00 p.m. Mascletà (sound fireworks) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square).
At 5.30 p.m. Children’s Ninot Parade. Itinerary: Departing from La Glorieta, by Paz and San Vicente streets towards the Plaza del Ayuntamiento by the City Hall, ending in Marqués de Sotelo street. After the parade opposite the City Hall. Night Mascletà.
MARCH 8th (Monday)
At 02.00 p.m. Mascletà (sound fireworks) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square).
MARCH 9th (Tuesday)
At 02.00 p.m. Mascletà (sound fireworks) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square).
MARCH 10th (Wednesday)
At 02.00 p.m. Mascletà (sound fireworks) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square).
MARCH 11th (Thursday)
At 02.00 p.m. Mascletà (sound fireworks) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square).
MARCH 12th (Friday)
At 02.00 p.m. Mascletà (sound fireworks) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square).
MARCH 13th (Saturday)
At 02.00 p.m. Mascletà (sound fireworks) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square).
At 10.30 p.m .“International Folk Parade” around the “Plaza del Ayuntamiento” (City Hall Square). After the parade opposite the City Hall. Night Mascletà.
MARCH 14th (Sunday)
At 02.00 p.m. Mascletà (sound fireworks) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square).
At 06.00 p.m. Closure ceremony of the “CHILDREN'S NINOT EXHIBITION” (children's figurines).
MARCH 15th (Monday)
At 08.00 a .m. Plantà (setting up) of all “FALLAS INFANTILES” (children's fallas)
At 02.00 p.m. Mascletà (sound fireworks) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square).
At 06.00 p.m. Closure ceremony of the “NINOT EXHIBITION” (adult's figurines).
At 00.00 a .m Plantà (setting up) of all “FALLAS” (adult's fallas)
At 01.30 a .m. Fireworks on the Paseo de La Alameda (between Exposición Bridge and Las Flores Bridge).
MARCH 16th (Tuesday)
At 02.00 p.m. Mascletà (sound fireworks) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square).
At 04.30 p.m. From the stage outside the City Hall building, Awards Ceremony for Children's "Fallas".
At 01.30 a .m. Fireworks on the Paseo de La Alameda (between Exposición Bridge and Las Flores Bridge).
MARCH 17th (Wednesday)
At 09.30 a .m. From the stage outside the City Hall building, Awards Ceremony for "Fallas" in all participating sections. At 02.00 p.m. Mascletà (sound fireworks) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square). At 04.00 p.m. First day of the Flower offering to our Lady of the Forsaken (“Virgen de los Desamparados”) along Paz street and San Vicente street thousands of falleros march towards the Plaza de la Virgen. The flower offering finishes around 1 a .m. in the morning.
At 01.00 a .m. Fireworks on the Paseo de La Alameda (between Exposición Bridge and Las Flores Bridge). MARCH 18th (Thursday)At 11.00 a .m. Homage to the poet Maximilano Thous , at the monument in his honour located at crossroads of Sagunto street and Maximilano Thous street. After finishing, a “Mascletà” will be staged. At 12.00 p.m. Homage to the “Maestro Serrano” , taking place at the monument dedicated to his memory in Reino de Valencia Ave. After finishing, a “Mascletà” will be staged. At 02.00 p.m. Mascletà (sound fireworks) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square) At 04.00 p.m. Second day of the Flower offering to our Lady of the Forsaken (“Virgen de los Desamparados”) along Paz street and San Vicente street thousands of falleros march towards the Plaza de la Virgen. The flower offering finishes around 1 a .m. in the morning. At 01.30 a .m. Nit de Foc, the most important fireworks display in The Fallas Festival on the “Paseo de la Alameda” (between Exposición Bridge and Las Flores Bridge) MARCH 19th (Friday) At 11.00 a .m. On the “Puente de San José” (Saint Joseph Bridge), flower offering made by the “Fallas” Queens and their Courts of Honour in front of the statue of the Patriarch. A “Mascletà” will follow.
At 12.00 p.m. Mass in honour of the Patriarch St. Joseph, in the Cathedral Church, staged by the Central Fallas Council and the Carpenters Guild with the attendance of the “Fallas” Queens of Valencia and their Courts of Honour. Mass sung by the "Cathedral Choir" and the orchestra from the Conservatoire José Iturbi from Valencia.
At 02.00 p.m. Mascletà (sound fireworks) in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Hall Square).
At 07.00 p.m. Cabalgata del Fuego (Fire Parade) along Colon Street with a spectacular firework show in Porta de la Mar Square.
At 10.00 p.m. Cremà or burning of the Children's Fallas.
At 10.30 p.m. Cremà or burning of the Children's Fallas having obtained First Prize among the Fallas of the Special Section.
At 11.00 p.m. Cremà or burning of the Children's Falla in the “Plaza del Ayuntamiento” (City Hall Square).
MARCH 20th (Saturday)
At 00.00 a .m. Cremà or burning all the remaining adults Fallas in Valencia.
At 00.30 a .m. Cremà or burning of the adult “Falla” having obtained First Prize among the fallas of the Special Section.
At 01.00 a .m. Bouquet of aerial fireworks in the “Plaza del Ayuntamiento” (City Hall Square) and Cremà or burning of the “Falla” in this square.
