Archive for the 'Places of Interest' Category

The riurau is a unique structure irrevocably linked to the Spanish east coast and the Jávea region of the Costa Blanca in particular. Even the name has an unmistakable local ring to it, and can only really be done justice with the rounded ‘Rs’ of authentic Valenciano pronunciation.

This unusual outbuilding, with its characteristic long arched galleries covered by Spanish roof tiles, is the product of the vibrant raisin trade that long made the Jávea area an important source of fine grade raisins and sultanas. Grown in the large, level valley as well as in the surrounding countryside, the raisins exported from Jávea’s Las Duanas port area to destinations around the world were gathered and dried in riurau that once dotted the entire area and gave it a very distinct architectural look.

Continue reading…Riurau, a typical structure…

Walk through the streets of the atmospheric old town of Jávea, an hour or so north of Alicante on the Spanish east coast, and you will notice a certain honey-gold glow to the buildings. This is especially true in late afternoon, when the setting sun bathes this part of the world in the kind of rich golden light that the great painters and photographers so love, but even on those rare days when the skies are grey it is the local Tosca stone that lends a softening touch of warmth to the Baroque beauty of Jávea.

Continue reading…Tosca – honey stone that built Jávea…

Saturday 17th of December marks the date on which the festive season gets off to a flying start in Jávea as participants gather for the annual Christmas fun run around the old town.

Anyone who wishes to be part of this event should gather at the Placeta del Convento at 10am to register. There will be plenty to entertain the youngest entrants, including music, a face-painting workshop and other surprises.

Continue reading…Jávea gets ready for Christmas…

The name Carl Fabergé still creates a buzz in the world of luxury goods today, so the news that this famous company was to open new stores in London and New York soon attracted the interest of fine jewellery lovers the world over.

The special seasonal lilac façade of the new London store has been cleverly designed to evoke the characteristic Fabergé look, which was created with a combination of enamel and the guilloche technique for which Carl Fabergé was rightly famous. The first Fabergé store in London opened in 1906 at 48 Dover Street, before moving to 173 Bond Street – and the new shop (at 14A Grafton Street in Mayfair) is almost exactly halfway between those two original locations.

Continue reading…Fabergé returns to London’s Mayfair and Madison Avenue, New York…

The concept of going on a safari has appealed to travellers since Europeans first glimpsed the African interior. In the past, hunters would relish the idea of bagging a few rare beasts for their trophy wall, but these days safaris are largely the preserve of animal lovers and conservationists.

Continue reading…Africa calling! When is the best time to go on safari?…

It is hardly possible to think of Barcelona without images of Antoni Gaudi’s spectacular architecture springing to mind. This proud Catalan has managed to provide a visual focus for a city that could, in the first place, never have been accused of lacking beauty or character.

Continue reading…Barcelona’s favourite son set for beatification?…

Perhaps better known as a stylishly relaxed Mediterranean resort destination on Spain’s eastern seaboard, the little town of Jávea is at heart a classic Spanish country town overlooking a landscape of cliffs enveloping a bright blue bay and mountains surrounding a deep green valley.

Continue reading…Discovering Jávea…