Hola a todos! We are two business students from Stenden university in Leeuwarden and we are currently living in Spain for 5 months. We are here in order to study at a different university, get to know a new culture, new people and of course learn and improve our Spanish. We want to share our experiences (good and bad) with you and we hope you enjoy it! Hasta luego!

30 Apr 2015

Weekend trip: Dénia

We knew that we had some days off the last week... but then we realised it was longer than expected! Hence, Dawe went off to a weekend trip to Dénia, where his aunt has a little finca. However, she wasn't in Spain at this moment, so he asked a friend if he would be so kind to let him sleep at his place to enjoy some time-off. As he didn't want to go all by himself, a friend accompanied him.


Dawe has been several times in Dénia but mostly with his family and never on his own. From Zaragoza, it's a four-hours trip and even longer with train or bus but he and his friend found a nice, comfortable possibility: Blabla Car!

On Wednesday, we were picked up in Zaragoza by a nice guy called Fernando and he drove us all the way down to Dénia! Arriving at his friend's place, we found the first surprises:

You can easily tell that his friend is working in the gastronomy ;)
A gramophone; orignal piece from 1941
As it was already late, we had a drink and chitchatted some hours and went straight to bed, recovering from the long journey and preparing for the upcoming time!

The next day, we were astonished by the beautiful view. His friend lives close to the Montgó, a mountain that separates Dénia and Xàbia; therefore, it is possible to have a look over the entire city of Dénia! Afterwards, we checked out the city, the beach and Dénia in general. However, it took us about 45 minutes to walk to the city centre!! And this was only the time to go downhill! In the evening, we had a barbecue to round off the day.

View over Dénia
Yes, that's all on his property...
Of course, a pool..

After waking up, this is what you'll see




The streets of Dénia
Our looooong way down





Summarising the Spanish lifestyle ;)
Some cliffs when you walk along the beach 

Preparing the table
The BBQ chef!
On Saturday, we went to an 'insider' place! A restaurant in the middle of nowhere! It's set high in the Sierra Bernia mountains. The owners inherited the place from their grandparents and kept it almost like it was! Despite the free house wine, which is cultivated by the family, you will get a five-course menu - but you cannot chose! You'll get what the chef decides.

By the way, the entire premise has no electricity! They cook in a 400-years old kitchen, boil water over a fire and produce the wine according to ancient traditions. The most modern device is an old radio, playing some music while you eat. Not many people know the place but it's always crowded. In September, you can see how the grapes are being harvested and then traditionally treaded by foot! However, due to our 'connections', we were able to reserve a table! The entire scenery will take you back in time to the 17th century. You can say it's a farmhouse, filled with antiques and relics. It really gives you the feeling that you are visiting a museum. When dining, you will sit at ancient oak tables, using antique plates, cutlery and wine glasses. But we know that pictures speak more than thousands words...









Some folks from Norway and the Netherlands ;)













First appetizer
Second appetizer
Salad
Main dish (Dawe forgot to take a picture of the soup :P)
Dessert (yes, it was actually a six-course menu ;))
Some of the vineyard






On Sunday, we drove back home - again with Blabla Car - in order to be ready for next week's upcoming classes, exams and other responsibilities! It was definitely a very nice trip and Dawe was very pleased to meet up with his friend, which he hasn't seen for almost a year! Thank you for the amazing hospitality and this extraordinary weekend!