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HOTELS
This privileged coast shines in its own right with such beautiful luminaries as are
Salobreña, white houses, erected over a hill, or Almuñécar a seaport to which men,
new cultures, new ways of life, have incessantly arrived. We might feel dazed at
the sight of its exuberant tropical crops and its special and unique microclimate, or
Motril, portuary and fishermen's town, and one of the most generous agricultural
regions in Spain.
The Costa Tropical is situated to the south of Granada province, on the
Mediterranean. 100Km. of coastline with tropical temperatures where magnificent
cliffs, undisturbed coves and inlets, secluded beaches and nooks, or extensive
valleys, shielded from the wind, await us. The weather is always agreeable, warm
in winter and hot in summer, ideal for swimming or relaxing.
Not everything is just sand and water, for behind us plantations of avocadea and
custard apples, banana, mango and medlar trees, and sugar cane await us all,
giving a truly exotic flavour to the area.
Motril, central enclave of the coast due to its industrial, commercial and portuary activities
has, in The Colegiata de la Encarnación and, in the church of Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza
located over a beautiful lookout point diminating the town, the harbour and a good part
of the coastline, one of its most relevant buildings. Important beaches in Motril are those
of Poniente (Sunset), Azucena and Torrenueva. The arrival of ther fishing float, with
the unloading and auctioning of fish at the market is a spectacle well worth watching.
In the direction of Almeria, we arrive at Cape Sacratif and its lighthouse, then on to
the Carchuna flats with its 5 Km. of beach, to Calahonda, located at the foot of the
cliff with marvellously clear waters.
The road bordering the coastline offers an
inimitable panorama of the sea. Further ahead we find Castell de Ferro with its
rectangular tower dating from Roman Times, La Mamola, La Rábita and El Pozuelo.
Towards the West is Salobreña, whose Arabic castle rises above the white hill
which is the town itself, overlooking the sea.
The greatest concentration of tourist facilities of the Costa Tropical is found in Almuñécar. Its coastline can be divided into 26 beaches of singular beauty. Among them it is well worth mentioning Velilla, Puerta del Mar and San Cristóbel. The castle of La Mazmorra is one of the most interesting monuments together with the Roman aqueduct and columbarium. The Cave of the Seven Palaces, an ancient Phoenician water tank, and the Roman salting factory, located in El Majuelo botanical garden. 4 Km. beyond are La Herradura with its wonderful beach and Marina del Este Sports Seaport, the natural enclave of Cerrogordo and Cantarriján naturists' beach.
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COSTA TROPICAL FIESTAS
This is one of the most unique regions in Spain. Situated between the Sierra Nevada
and the Mediterranean Sea, its Northern boundaries are the highest mountains in the
peninsula, the Veleta and the Mulhacén and to the South the almost coastal síerras
of Lújar and La Contraviesa. Its heartland is the fertile valley drenched by the
Guadalfeo, Adra and Andrax rivers. Vineyards, almond groves and fig trees, as well
as cereals, vegetables and fruit orchards cover its lands. The system of growing these
products is through the construction of terraces, and is based on an ingenious
irrigation system that comes down from the ancient moslem inhabitants.
Lands rich in folklore, festivities and superstitions, that show us a lively and joyous
indolent and proud people. Notable are its celebrations of Moors and Christians.
Songs and dances are preserved in all their purity. The Trovo, the Taranto, the
Alpujarran Fandango, the Robao, Music of the departed souls, constitute part of
their cultural heritage.
Submerged in a remote and ancient time, the Alpujarra villages wish to be forgotten
while they rest above the high mountains of evergreen colours. Thr whiteness of the
houses from which you can behold the Mediterranean stands out against the blue
sky, competing with the nearby snows in Sierra. The native architecture of this land
follows the model of the stone houses built on one or two levels, with sturdy oak
beams, flat slate and clay roofs, slate borders and distinctive chimneys. The houses
all whitewashed, communicate with each other through the passages built above
narrow streets.
Lanjarón, the most famous Spa town in Spain, is the great gateway to Alpujarra.
Its streets form a throng due to the huge numbers of visitors who converge here to
benefit from the mineral medicinal waters. Following the road, we arrive at Orgiva,
the capital township of the region. Though still spreading over foothill lands, it possesses
an air of aristocratic loftiness.
Before entering Orgiva, we find the road that will lead us up to the High Alpujarra.
The first whitewashed and terraced villages appear. The Poqueira Gorge shelters the
most typical and famous villages, which are Pampaneira, Bubion and Capileira.
We are in another world, all hurry has disappeared. In Capileira there is an interesting
museum whixh shows the more xlassic of an Alpujarra house and which has the name
of the writer Pedro Anyonio Alarcón.
The road that carries us towards Pitres and Pórtugos
is a poem of light and colour. We must not forget to taste the sour water of the
Fountain near Pórtugas , its waters fall in cascades and stain the area known as
El Chorreón, full of exuberant green vegetation with a reddish hue.Trevélez is the
highest town in altitude in Spain. From 1,500m. altitude we can enjoy a splendid panorama
of the lands bathed by the river of the same name where lively trout swim. The descent
to Juviles and Bérchules is beautiful. Very soon and among sunny orchards and numerous
fruit groves, Yegen appears, and Válor with its white and narrow streets, inspiration of
writers and artists. Laroles is the route to the cross-country skiing run of Puerto
de la Ragua.
New and whitewashed villages spatter the perpetual green of La Contraviesa. To know this area we head for Ujíjar and after several kilometres of amazing lunar landscape we reach Murtas where the passion of the village will be bestowed upon us, the trovo, an old form of popular poetic song. From Murtas we can continue , descending to Albondón and Albuñol, and from there to the cost.
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FIESTAS IN LA ALPUJARRA