There are a number of Social activities that one can enjoy in Spain and below is some information about a few of them:-

Clubs & Societies

Restaurants

Market Days

Bodegas

Food

It is normally possible to walk into most restaurants without booking, however, if you want to eat at one particular restaurant or it is the height of the season it would be wise to book beforehand.

Listed below are several restaurants within the area which have been visited by us together with the telephone numbers and our comments. This list is not extensive and is only intended as a guide; also if a particular restaurant has not been given a mention this does not mean that it is not very good.

Restaurant Pepe – Alcalali – Telephone number 96 648 2456
We find this to be a very good restaurant and always necessary to book. Try the lamb or the steak and kidney pie. Closed on Mondays.

La Pista – Jalon – Telephone number 96 648 0350
This is a largish bar and restaurant, food generally good and at a reasonable price. Some nights they have some form of entertainment or a dance but you will need to check first.

Vall del Pop – Lliber – Telephone number 96 573 1798
Quite expensive for the area where you can expect to pay approximately 18 € per head, however all the meats are cooked within sight of the dining area on an open fire. Wonderful terrace with views of the valley, well worth a visit for that special occasion.

The Salamanca – Jalon – Telephone number 96 648 0430
If you want to enjoy wonderful food in a relaxed and intimate setting then a visit to the Salamanca is a must. The restaurant is in a gorgeous reformed townhouse in the heart of the village of Jalon. A good selection of food means you will find something here to tempt everyone.

Gran Muralla – Calpe – Telephone number 96 583 2333
This is a good Chinese restaurant, offering good value for money. Thursday and Friday nights being a buffet where you can eat as much as you want for approximately 8 €.

La Solana – Alcalali – Telephone number 96 648 2140
A well visited restaurant offering good value for money.

Los Remos – Arenal beach Javea – Telephone number 96 647 0776
This restaurant is sited on the beachfront where you can relax and enjoy an evening meal and watch the sun set. A little pricey but good for that special occasion.

BODEGAS
This area of Spain has been famous for wine production since time began. The long hot summers produce a full bodied red wine that can be drunk within a year of the grape harvest. There is also a wonderful sweet white fortified wine called Moscatel that is locally produced.

The bodega is the equivalent of the French Cave, where you can go and taste and savor whichever cask will become your favourite. People come from all along the coast to fill their drums with litres of wine for a fraction of what it would cost anywhere else.

Cooperativa Valenciana Virgen Pobre – Is the largest bodega with a good selection.

Bodega Cantara Cuatro – Has a good selection of high quality Spanish wines to offer.

Casa Aleluya – Bodega, and popular bar café all in one.

Bodegas Riko – A bodega, selling sweet raisins, walnuts, and lots of other local produce.

Bodegas Cellar El Vinyater - Just across the road from Buena Vista Villas office - good valued stock where you can discuss the finer details at the bar.

Meal Times ­ The Spanish eat much later than we do: breakfast often doesn't get going until 9am, lunch is generally eaten from 2pm and dinner is rarely served before 8.30pm.

Breakfast ­ The 'Continental' in larger hotels tends to be uninspired: coffee, toast (perhaps cakes), butter and jam. Marmalade is a rare sight and freshly squeezed juice is the exception. But few places would object if you supplement your meal with your own fruit. Many Spaniards breakfast on pan and olive oil, perhaps with garlic and certainly with tomato in Catalonia.

Lunch and Dinner ­ The daily set meal ­ 'el menu de dia’­ is normally available at both lunch and dinner although waiters will often simply present you with the a la carte menu. But do ask for it: it tends to be great value and will often have fresher ingredients. Many restaurants serve only a la carte at weekends.

Tapas and raciones ­ A tapa is a small plate of hot or cold food served with an aperitif before lunch or dinner: it remains an essential part of eating out in Spain. It could be a plate of olives, anchovies, cheese, spicy chorizo sausage, fried fish... portions vary as does the choice. It is a delicious way to try out local specialities and even if your Spanish is poor, don't worry ­ tapas are often laid out along the bar for you to gesticulate at. If you would like a plateful of any particular tapa then ask for 'una racion' e.g. 'queso' (cheese). Most bars will also serve you a half portion ­ 'una media racion.

The Spanish are not yet very vegetarian-conscious. Indeed, vegetables rarely appear and when they do they are often boiled beyond recognition. So do as the locals do and increase the salad and fruit intake to compensate. Tea tends to be poor so take a few tea bags with you and ask for hot water. 'Tea in Spain is normally served without milk. Ask for it con leche if you like it with milk or con limon or a slice of lemon. Bars nearly always serve camomile tea (manzanilla) ­ it can be a useful evening drink because coffee is nearly always very strong.

TIPPING                        

Leaving a tip is still the norm in Spain.  In bars you are given your change on a small saucer, leave a couple of small coins.  For lunch or dinner 5-10% is fine but you would rarely be made to feel embarrassed if you don’t tip.  Taxi drivers don’t all expect a tip.