Alicante (Costa Blanca):
Major airport cities are often disregarded as beach
resorts and tourist centres in their own right and we
whizz past them in our haste to get to and from our
flights. Rare exceptions such as Alicante and Barcelona
remind us that such places have a life outside the terminal
if only we had the time or inclination to seek it out.
Some people smugly realise that they can take advantage
of that whilst the rest of us cannot see what is under
our noses. 6 km of beautiful beaches
Named "City of Light " by the Romans cosmopolitan Alicante
has masses to offer the modern city dweller. You can
find access to every amenity imaginable and all of it
easily affordable .
Authentic Spanish style is to be found in the older
parts of town which date back to early Iberian culture
and still provides a source of never ending pleasure
for the historian .This city has an impressive programme
of music, art exhibitions, museums and fiestas all year
round , not to mention the arts and crafts and cuisine
for which it is justly renowned.
A 6km stretch of soft white sand is a regular playground
for those in the know and the many locals and residents
of Madrid who flock down to the coast to escape the
searing heat of mid summer in central Spain .
Although tourism has replaced port activity as the
main revenue source nevertheless there remains a vibrant
and bustling harbour where the fishing fleet are a sight
to behold. The waters edge is crowded with bars, cafes
and restaurants serving fish freshly caught that day.
A visit to the fish market is a must even if just to
gawp open mouthed at some of the odder specimens brought
ashore.
Most of the Costa Blanca is within an hours drive from
the airport and an excellent motorway system connects
it to all parts of the Costa with relative ease. An
interesting journey can be taken on the Lemon Express
which is a small train connecting Alicante to Denia
and has a regular timetable.
