…Place to have a birthday – even if it’s not still your birthday.
I have been lucky enough to spend two previous birthdays in this little town on a rock, in the hills west of Javea. Guadalest is mostly seen as a touristy day trip from the coast so the night-time is very quiet there, and I think it’s pretty magical. I don’t know why. It just feels special.
As you may already know, my intention to spend my recent birthday there as well was thwarted by me needing to be in Paris then, so I had to make do with dragging out my birthday celebrations even longer, which of course did not bother me in the slightest.
First stop, as we had become accustomed to, was the river and falls at Fuentes De L’Algar. On a hot day, the brisk, milky waters are so invigorating – breatakingly invigorating – but if you swim around enough, you get used to it.
I love to swim from the main pool up the narrow canyon. So fun!
After swimming we had our lunch at nearby Casa Marcos which was delicious Spanish with a twist. You can park in their parking area across the road, visit the falls, have lunch in their restaurant, then swim in their pool (we did that last time, but were too exhausted this time) after.
Guadalest is only about twenty minutes further on, and like last time we stayed at Cases Noves.
Though this time I was lucky enough to be staying in the top floor room – the penthouse so to speak – and the bed there is ginormous with a fabulous view down to Altea, and oh so comfortable (which had been lacking in the beds I had slept in, in Europe thus far). The other rooms are gorgeous too, but this one was made for a birthday.
The hotel is quaint, charming and filled with beautiful old features so it’s a surprise that each room also comes with an i-pad which (along with internet) links to the television for on-call movies.
But I love Cases Noves because they do think of the little things like that.
There are walking and bike tours on offer. There are hundreds of cds to borrow and play in your room. There is self-service drinks and well stocked amenities.
Toni and Sophia are lovely hosts, and I was in for another surprise when Toni told me they had remembered us from four years ago, because my children had been so well-behaved! He told me that he and his wife had spoken about the family from Australia on more than one occasion, wishing that other children who visited were as polite and considerate. Wow. That’s some review! Made me feel pretty good (and momentarily forget all the times I had to scream at them, myself).
Dinner on the terrace is delightful.
and funny if it means Evan trying to get the wifi password from Toni (who was in on the deal, and making it up)
The food at Cases Noves is yummy and pretty!
As darkness fell I decided I wanted to take a walk through the quiet town, so I got the girls out of bed
“What? Walk through town in our jammies!?”
“Yes, Why not?”
Time for tea.
Breakfast (on the terrace) was huge and just as yummy (and pretty) as dinner.
I would have loved to stay more than one night for the town and the hotel, but we had so many places to be, and not enough time to see them all, so we only stayed long enough for me to head up the castle hill and buy another beautiful bracelet from my favourite jewellery designer.
Next time I’m there for my birthday I will be sure to stay longer!
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