Travel tips: Alicante, Spain

Alicante en la Costa Blanca es muy bonita en enero. 20 degrees y grandes preparaciones para la fiesta con caravanas por Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos 6 enero. En mi cafe favorito Samoa en la Mediterraneo Azul Marina que es muy bonita. Plaza el Torro is used for major xmas events and it has a lovely monument in brass of la Señora Matadoress, with sombrero leading the bulls which could be like the event in Pamplona but isn't. Spain festivities after xmas continue and in January there is also Sant Anton’s day which celebrates animals and you can take your dogs to church for a blessing!!

                                                       Samoa and Postiguet beach

A few kms away is El Parque Palmarell. A sanctuary of palm forest, 1km long with picnic spots, waterfalls, little pools and rocks. Why I have always preferred Spain to Italy or France is the music in their culture. Engraved guitars in Sevillian city pavements, Flamenco bars in Madrid, Tango from Argentina. Not to mention Salsa on the beach by locals. It’s a passion for expression, seen clearly in Nadal all those years. Strums and castanets form baselines and the language, like English, French and Portuguese is fitting to music. If you YouTube their national heroine Ana Belen and her hit Respirando, you will note the Spanish guitarists front row in front of the orchestra! Ana Belen has been singing since 1979.

The main sight apart from sea and palm tree avenues and Esplanada boulevard in Alicante, is the Santa Barabara Castello. It was a five hr walk up (there are 5 ways but you can take a lift too) and the views are amazing! The sunset pic of the castle from afar is from floor 26 Grand Sol hotel. The blue potted house is seen walking up with a few cafes on the way.

                                        
                                       

                                        

                                          

                                                Walking down on the front side 

The main square in town is Luceros which is a hive of activity. Underneath the majestic statuesque fountain run the main metro lines. There are lovely wide avenue Palm tree lined pavements for shopping and all the pedestrian side streets are worth exploring too if you are seeking shade from the sunny beach front. There are many museums and the Spanish are big on culture so they are normally free. There was a Dali metamorphic exhibition on from November to February.  But around Xmas what is special are all the pretty delicate lights! 

                         Luceros plaza y las Fuentes 

There was a free Xmas bus to main spots and inside the church a delightful nativity exhibition of mini scenes all down to every detail. Just one pic posted but so worth seeing! Reminded me of my favourite museum in the world. The Basel Toy museum. Disfruta los fotos y buen viajar! Es todos.