Costa Azahar

The Costa de Azahar (the orange blossom coast) offers excellent value for money. Spain's third city Valencia is to host the America's Cup 2007 which is sailing's most prestigious event. The Royal Nautical Club of Valencia, one of the oldest yacht clubs in Spain founded in 1903, will be arranging accommodation for teams from around the world as well as thousands of ancillary staff.

The event will be globally televised which no doubt will emphasise Valencia and the Costa de Azahar's many attractions nearby. Any investment will certainly expect to increase substantially in value and give an excellent rental return income.

Most major carriers now fly into Valencia, including Ryanair, Easy jet and British Airways. A new airport is planned for 2007 close to Castillion.

At the moment the area represents excellent value with its clean blue flag beaches, 12 protected nature reserves, and superb weather, which in the summer months reaches between 25-30 degrees celcius and in the winter it very rarely falls below 12 degrees and has approximately 300 days of sunshine.

 

Valencia

Valencia, the host city for the 2007 America's Cup, set alongside the port which will house the America's Cup Village, suddenly became one of the most prime pieces of real estate in Spain. As part of its bid to secure the America's Cup, the city has created an ambitious design that will completely redevelop the port area.

The Fallas is all about what Valencia stands for: light, colour, fire and fireworks. This traditional feast, that's held every year in March, offers astonishing firework displays and is a must to see.

About 700 statues are built and placed on squares throughout the city on the 15th March, the day of the so-called Plantà.

These pieces of art represent some sort of happening of the past year, in most cases ironically linked with politics and the social scene. It all ends with the Nit de Foc, the night in which all statues are burnt throughout the city.

With an average temperature of 16.7 degrees celsius, which means moderate winters and warm summers, during summer one can enjoy the more than 100kms of coastline and beaches that the province has to offer, combining quality beaches, good infrastructure and the best service for the tourist. Many of these beaches are qualified by the internationally used blue flag, standing for high quality conditions.


Peniscola

The Castle of Pope Pedro Luna (Benedict XIII) jutting out to sea is the emblem of the town of Peniscola, whose history dates back to the past of knights in armour and stone fortresses. In this town the ancient castle coexists with common yet colourful folk who have made Peniscola a beach resort for year round enjoyment.

The large castle looms large and defiant, towering high above the whitewashed fisherman's house and the shops lining narrow streets.

Benicarlo

Benicarlo dates back to the Arab domination of Spain some centuries ago when a farmstead called Beni-Gazlo was founded. Factors such as the population's dedication to agriculture, the fertility of the local soil and the town's proximity to the Roman Road probably sparked off renewed growth in this town, which was given walls and a moat following the Reconquest to compensate for its lack of natural protection.

In later centuries the town walls were pulled down to provide room for expansion, reaching its moment of maximum splendour in the 19th Century when large quantities of wine were exported from here. In the 1920s, Benicarlo farmlands were replanted with orange trees, other fruit trees and vegetables. The local economy was based on light industries and fishing. The port is still important and has been enlarged to provide moorings for pleasure boats. Benicarlo's tourist trade is substantial and there is a national Parador located here, on the coast which connects Benicarlo to the beaches of Peniscola.

Alcossebre

The town of Alcala de Xivert has a monumental belltower measuring 68 metres in height, visible across the entire valley in which the town is located. Protected by the Irta and Murs mountains, the town has a large municipal area extending over an alluvial plain and reaching down to the sea at the tourist centres of Las Fuentes, Alcossebre and Capicorb.

The Order of the Knights of Montesa left the town a heritage in the form of its castle, a fortress that enabled Medieval troops to keep a close watch on the movements of enemies on land and sea.

The sports marina of Las Fuentes, the attractive beaches and tourist resorts of Alcossebre and a number of bars and restaurants make this area an excellent spot for a holiday. It is very popular among people involved in the art world aswell as in business.

Vinaros

A fishing port famous for its fresh prawn with an urban layout which is well adapted to meet the demands of today's sun and fun tourism. The city lies on a coastal plain from which a hill known as Monte Puig rises up, capped by a 16th Century chapel dedicated to San Sebastian and Our Lady of Mercy, patron saints of Vinaros.

The view from the hilltop on a fine day includes the Columbretes islands off the coast and the Ebro river delta to the north. In the town, the parochial church of the Assumption (listed as an historic artistic monument) is a fine example of Renaissance Gothic architecture with a Baroque façade. Also of note is the Saint Agusti convent.

Vinaros has 12km of seafront, along which coves and cliffs alternate with wide expanses of sandy beach such as the Fori beach located in front of the town. This has spurred tourist in Vinaros, making it the ideal location to purchase property.