Thirty-five members enjoyed an Escapada Gastronomia y Relax package last week at the lovely Hotel Meridional in Guardamar del Segura. The 4-day tour started with a trip on the tourist train to the Salinas de Torrevieja, where the guide explained the various processes of salt production. We climbed a salt mound which gave a better view of the pink lagoon.
Free time for lunch and a stroll along the promenade, or to visit the Garden of Nations Park in Torrevieja.
A short journey to Guardamar, and the group was quickly checked into the hotel, all having a room with a balcony and sea view. The group were invited to join Angela and Tony in the Sky Bar for a complimentary drink (courtesy of Spanish Culture and Cuisine), and we sang happy birthday to Diane who was celebrating her birthday with us all.
The group enjoyed dinner that evening in the nearby Restaurante El Barco, and we sang happy birthday again to Diane, who was presented with a special dessert by the restaurant.
The next morning the group set off for a panoramic tour of Guardamar del Segura, with several photo stops enroute, and a visit to the Rábita Califal, the only Islamic monastic complex from the Umayyad-Andalusi period (10th-11th century) preserved almost in its entirety.
Lunch today in the hotel’s Garden Restaurant was superb, a real gastronomic experience, with several beautifully presented tapas, both tasty and colourful.
as was the traditional rice dish which we enjoyed the next day.
Plenty of free time today for relaxing, using the hydrotherapy pool or sightseeing in Guardamar.
Before returning to Jávea, the group had a guided tour of the Bodegas Faelo, a small family winery which enjoys a lovely setting in a typical country house near Elche. The treading and pressing of grapes are still carried out with the same traditional utensils used by grandfather Rafael.
Following a tasty lunch with local products, member Jane Reynolds was presented with a chocolate cake and we all sang happy birthday once again.
Our thanks to Cheryl Elliott, John Reynolds, Peter Speer, Peter Baylis and Angela Chantry for the photographs.
Group leaders Angela & Tony thanked everyone for making it such a fun and friendly tour. If you would like to join the Spanish Culture and Cuisine group’s mailing list, please send an email to:
spanish.culture.cuisine@u3ajavea.com
