Alicante, Spain combines superb shopping and miles of exquisite
sandy beaches. The second largest city
in Valencia, it boasts a population of more than 250,000 but still retains all
the charm of a small village. Locals
are fond of walking the paseo just for the sake of strolling and seeing who
else is about. Shopping in the city
center ranges from handmade local ceramics, bags and wicker baskets, leather
products, designer clothes and everything from wedding gowns to gift
items. The Paseo de la Explanada,
Alicante’s seafront promenade, is home to Parisian-style street cafes set among
four rows of impressive palms. If you
want more than just shopping there are fiestas and other cultural activities,
museums and ancient monuments that reflects the area’s 3,000 year history. The archaeology museum is one of the best in
Spain. Among its historic treasures is
the Castillo de Santa Barbara, a huge medieval fortress over looking the city
from the north. Several ancient churches
are interesting to visit and hold art and artifacts worth investigating. A very important festival, the Bonfires and
Saint John occurs during the summer solstice and is capped off the following
week with seven nights of fireworks demonstrations and contests. Many quaint villages and towns lie within
driving distance of Alicante and provide interesting day trips and
sightseeing. The Mediterranean climate
of the area means frequent days of sun and very little rain, making it ideal
for sun worshippers. Whether you just
enjoy clear blue skies or plan on taking advantage of a day that combines sun
and the beach you’ll love the weather.
For those who do want beaches, Playa de San Juan is one of the finest in
Spain with 5km of golden sand, three small coves, water sports, hotels, bars
and restaurants. Come play in the sun
and immerse yourself in the culture of Spain.
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