dossier

Vistas of Valencia

VISTAS OF VALENCIA - DAY BY DAY

Casa Carrascal AAAA, Parcent

Parcent is a traditional Spanish village in the Marina Alta region near Valencia. The area is characterised by high limestone sierras and plunging valleys full of almond terraces and orange groves and vineyards. Parcent is a working village, and staying here for the week lets you enjoy a truly authentic experience of village life.  Casa Carrascal is a converted town house in the centre of the village, around a one hour drive north of Alicante airport. It has 4 double rooms and an apartment on the top floor with 2 bedrooms, all furnished with heavy antique furniture, beams and attractive tiled floors. The restaurant and lounge are on the ground floor along with the honesty bar and a small library of books. Dinners are also served on the terrace at the back of the house.

Further details on the hotel website.

Saturday  You arrive in Parcent

We meet you at Alicante airport and take you to Parcent (70 mins) time to relax with a welcome drink and a stroll around the village.

Sunday  El Somo Circuit  12km/7.5mi/4hr

Today’s walk winds between three inland gorges each more spectacular than the last! Farm paths through cherry orchards lead over open ridges, with ever more expansive views of the coast before we picnic in a ruined farmhouse below an impossible castle on a ragged vertical peak. From here we wind past bright pink velorium above a sunken chasm, and descend through almond terraces perfumed with camomile back the start. Tonight David cooks a huge paella the size of a wagon wheel al fresco on the terrace!

Monday  Caballo Verde  12km/7.5mi/4hr

A ferocious battle between Moors and Christians - the last on mainland Spain during the Spanish Reconquest - took place on the Caballo Verde Ridge high above Parcent village in 1609. Today we follow a steady stepped trail cut centuries ago by Arab traders through almond terraces leading up to this ancient battlefield, marked by a lonely cross on the rocky hillside. We picnic with views out to the distant Balearic Islands before descending from a rocky saddle back down into Benichembla Village for a drink in the lively local bar .

Tuesday  Coll de Rates  11km/7mi/4hr

We walk from the hotel door through orange groves into the Carrascal range, ascending the Barranco Negro and picking wild blackcurrants as Bee-eaters wheel and chatter overhead. Look out for jonquils –perfect tiny daffodils - while thyme and wild Angelica line our mountain path almost all the way to the
summit, from where we have views over several surrounding sierras. On returning to the village, look out for the pelota players in the late afternoon thrashing a ball to and fro along the main street to the cheers of local supporters!

Wednesday  Independent exploring in Valencia

After breakfast we give you a ride to the station to catch the train (45 mins, tickets included) to the splendid city of Valencia.  Visit the Plaza de Mercado, cathedral, Museo de Bellas Artes (original works by Goya and El Greco) and the world-heritage site of the Lotja de la Seda (Silk Market).  The landmark of the city is undoubtedly the City of Arts and Sciences, and avant-garde museum complex that attracts in excess of 4 million visitiors a year.

Thursday  Smugglers’ Cove Walk  7km/4mi/4hr

Many coves and beaches near Parcent were well used as smuggling depots in olden days. Our route winds down a rocky defile filled with lavender and wild fig to a stunning turquoise bay, where the surrounding cliffs are honeycombed with illicit storage caves connected by mule tracks. We ascend to a superb seaside trail leading below soaring cliffs and walk below tumbling waterfalls, before returning to the beach for a swim, and a transfer back to the hotel

Friday  Berniere Ridge  14km/8.5mi/5.5hr

Few walks offer as many high impact views as today’s circular route around the 1000m high Berniere Ridge near the coast. A steady ascent leads to an amazing natural cave – after ducking through it (just 15m) fabulous coastal views stay with us to our picnic spot – a ruined C16 Moorish fortress! After exploring the extensive ruins we pass over a saddle to Echo Gorge and follow a breathtaking traverse to the sound of cicadas and skittering lizards, before an easy descent back to our starting point.

Saturday  You leave Parcent