Spanish Towns of Contrast Villajoyosa and Benidorm
Situated between the Costa Blanca cities of Alicante and Benidorm on the N-332 coast road the old town of Villajoyosa is a popular and famous resort. Perhaps best known for its multi-coloured fisherman's houses and for its production of chocolate, Villajoyosa is one of the towns visited by the many "blanket trips" which travel around this part of the Spanish coastline.
Not only does Villajoyosa have a name which means literally "Jewelled Town" but has also for many years been known as "Chocolate Heaven" being very famous for its production of Spanish chocolate delicacies and for the traditional turrón.
The museum in Villajoyosa relates the tal of one Don Valeriano López Lloret who began his chocolate business in the town way back in 1881 - the family business is still in existence today although using more advanced technological processes, but still employing age old secret recipes, a trip to the Valor chocolate factory is a must for visitors to the town - while you are there why not try one of their steaming hot chocolate drinks - mmmn heaven.
The multi-coloured fisherman's houses are Villajoyosa's most picturesque feature and history tells that the houses were painted in different shades of ochre, red, yellow and indigo blue so that the fishermen could recognise their houses from far out at sea and therefore find their way safely home, it would no doubt also have been a comfort during long hours at sea. There is still a busy fish harbour in Villajoyosa and a bustling afternoon fish market where the day's catch is sold off to the highest bidder.
Benidorm is of course a massive tourist attraction and its amazing theme parks Terra Mitica, Aqualandia, Terra Natura and the Mundomar Marine and Exotic Animal Park attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Benidorm is very different from its neighbour Villajoyosa which still retains much of its original charm, being a slick modern resort with massive high-rise hotels and apartment blocks.
If you are visiting the area you can take your pick high-rise , hustle, bustle Benidorm or charming chocolate heaven Villajoyosa - I know which I would choose.
The author of this article on Villajoyosa and Benidorm is Steve Locke who lives on the Costa Blanca in Spain. Steve writes travel articles for his local newspaper and is interested in Spanish history especially the Arab Occupation of Spain. His website contains hundreds of interesting articles about Spain.
You can find more about Benidorm here: http://www.needahandspanishproperties.com/benidorm-factfile.html
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