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Jalon Spain (Xaló)
Jalon is the principal town in the Val de
Pop, or Jalon Valley. Known as Xaló (pronounced Shalo) in the local Valenciana
language, the town comes to life on Tuesdays for market day and Saturdays when
people from all over the area come to its famous Rastro. The town is also
famous for its bodegas, or wine cellars and there are an assortment of specialist
food shops, restaurants and cafes.
Shopping in JalonShopping
If you want to take a break from the sun you can browse through the many
locally produced goods, traditional hand made furniture or luxury fashion items.
Jalon is famous for its wine and you can sample it in the numerous bodegas (cellars)
in the town. There is also locally produced honey, patisserie, cured Spanish hams.
Handmade furniture is available from Morroco, Argentina and the whole of Spain.
Whether the emphasis is on a heavy rustic feel, tiled Arab, or locally made wicker
you will find it here. Nearer the coast you will find some of the most sophisticated
resorts in Europe, as anywhere you can browse all the recognised brands for something
special. Specialist Food Shops in Jalon
Hidden away in back streets, you will find ever increasing numbers of little shops
which seem to disappear after 2pm. How a town the size of Jalon can support over
half a dozen butchers is a mystery to anyone from the UK. Understanding the different
qualities of each also must take some time and understanding. Here we mention
the more popular shops. Galan Artisan Produce, there are two outlets for
this high quality butcher / delicatessen. Their cured hams are famous drawing
people from all along the coast. There is always a queue, and the wait is most
worthwhile. Carniceria Magda y Emilia Embutidos – a tiny butcher that has
won awards for maintaining Valencian traditions in their produce, a favourite
with us. Vincentica Patisseria – local speciality pasteries and bread, near
Galan in the town. Francis Panaderia – a very good bread shop L’Abella
– there are two outlets of this specialist honey shop, which also sells related
natural products and gifts. Bodegas of Jalon
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 Moscatel, a sweet white fortified wine. The bodega
is the equivalent of the French Cave, where you can go and taste and savour whichever
cask will become your favourite. People come from all along the coast to fill
their drums with litres of wine at a fraction of the cost anywhere else. Cooperativa
Valenciana Virgen Pobre – the largest bodega with a good selection. Bodega
Cantara Cuatro – a smarter shop that has a good selection of high quality
Spanish wines to offer. Bodega Xamel – our favourite, not only as the vines
are next to us a Caserio del Mirador, but because their house TintoRama is simply
delicious. Casa Aleluya – Bodega, local produce, gifts, and popular bar café
all in one. Bodegas Riko – An old established bodega, selling sweet raisons,
walnuts, and lots of other local produce too. Bodega Cellar el Vinyater –
good valued stock where you can discuss the finer details at the bar. The
Rastro in Jalon
On Saturday mornings, on the road out of town heading
to Alcalali along the river bank is probably the best known antiques market in
this region of Spain. Antiques fare is a very loose term for the variety of curiosities
on offer from any number of different stalls. Furniture, ceramics, textiles from
Europe, North Africa and South America. Other Shops
and Points of Interest in Jalon
Moroccan yard – full of curiosities
from Marrekech. Joseph Fornes – a very smart gift shop. Chunky Funky –
designers of silver jewellery and present shop. Terranova Ceramica – a rustic
kitchen shop. Bon Dia – another nice gift shop. Faula – the local pet
shop. The Dolls House Shop – the like you have never seen before. Pharmacia
– in the town square. Caixaltea Bank and Banestro Bank, both in the town
square. Post Office and Servibox nearby on the corner, for postal services and
stationary. Museo de Vino. Museo de Etnologico. Local
Market Days
Market day transforms the quietest of towns with a buzz
of excitement and expectation where you can discover a variety of local produced
goods. Monday – Denia
Tuesday – Jalon, in the town square
Wednesday – Teulada
Thursday – Javea, in the Old Town
Friday
– Moraira
Saturday - Benissa, the streets south of the town square –
Calpe near Mercadona
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