Alicante - Port City of Spain
Goggle Search best describes Alicante:
"Alicante is a port city on Spain’s southeastern Costa Blanca, and the capital of the Alicante province. Its old town, Barrio de la Santa Cruz, has narrow streets, colored houses and a nightlife scene. From here, an elevator or a steep climb leads to medieval Castillo de Santa Bárbara, set on a hilltop with sweeping views of the Mediterranean coast. " ...
And founded in 324 BC... caught my attention. Images of Phoenicians and Greek ships loaded with goods and slaves, Moorish invaders etc.. flashed through my mind. Alicante, an ancient melting pot, has been inhabited successively by Greeks, Romans, Muslims, and Christians. History is exciting when you are walking in it.
We flew Vueling Airlines, a low cost Spanish airline from Barcelona to Alicante. I get irritated when airlines treat passengers like sardines. When the 1.85m tall guy took his aisle seat next to me, he had to stick his knees out onto the cabin aisle as the seat pitch was too narrow. Feeling sorry, I voiced a word of sympathy but he shrugged his shoulders and said " its ok, it is a short flight, budget airlines". I'm boycotting the airline!
Together with hordes of sun worshippers, Alicante is the top holiday destination among Europeans escaping the sullen winters. We stayed at the Porta Maris hotel, strategically located next to the yacht marina and beach, within hair's breath to Plaza Espana. Breakfast was served in a large dinning room with views of the Mediterranean sea. Yet again, the breakfast spread in Spain is always copious, with a large variety of food. There were different kinds of Jambon Iberico, Jambon Serrano, Fresh fuits, baked items, breads, freshly squeezed orange juice, fruit conserves, a gluten-free corner and a section for health freaks - which i called the "bird seed corner".
Embracing the warm sunshine, i walked along the quayside on Plaza Espana, aware of the thousands of colored mosaics under my feet, patterned after the waves of the Mediterranean sea. I turned hinterland and walked towards the shopping zone. I toured the main shopping streets with names like Avenida de Salamanca, Avenida de Maissonave, then into smaller streets like Calle Gerona. I visited the Mercado Central de Alicante, a pretty Moorish style building, abuzz with morning shoppers. Gawked at the many cafes and terraces, as dotting mothers and pensioners sat around and chatted.
On a bright sunny morning, I hiked up to Castillo de Santa Barbara, the highest point in Alicante which was in ancient times used as a fortress lookout. From the summit, you have a sweeping view of the coastline hugging this charming city. On the way down, there is a lift ( free of charge ) that takes you down to the beach.
After a whole day of walking, it was time to rest, shower and get dressed for dinner.
Dinner was at the savy restaurant Nou Manolin with equally stylish dinner guests. We dined on polpu, black cod, a simple stew of pois chic and finished off with delectable warm chocolate cake and a raspberry sorbet. Everyone was friendly, helpful and one couple even invited us to visit their orange farm, should we visit Alicante again.
Tip: In Spain, you need to make reservations in advance or you can't get a table.
 |
| View from Porta Maris Hotel |
And founded in 324 BC... caught my attention. Images of Phoenicians and Greek ships loaded with goods and slaves, Moorish invaders etc.. flashed through my mind. Alicante, an ancient melting pot, has been inhabited successively by Greeks, Romans, Muslims, and Christians. History is exciting when you are walking in it.
We flew Vueling Airlines, a low cost Spanish airline from Barcelona to Alicante. I get irritated when airlines treat passengers like sardines. When the 1.85m tall guy took his aisle seat next to me, he had to stick his knees out onto the cabin aisle as the seat pitch was too narrow. Feeling sorry, I voiced a word of sympathy but he shrugged his shoulders and said " its ok, it is a short flight, budget airlines". I'm boycotting the airline!
 |
| Plaza Espana wave motif |
Together with hordes of sun worshippers, Alicante is the top holiday destination among Europeans escaping the sullen winters. We stayed at the Porta Maris hotel, strategically located next to the yacht marina and beach, within hair's breath to Plaza Espana. Breakfast was served in a large dinning room with views of the Mediterranean sea. Yet again, the breakfast spread in Spain is always copious, with a large variety of food. There were different kinds of Jambon Iberico, Jambon Serrano, Fresh fuits, baked items, breads, freshly squeezed orange juice, fruit conserves, a gluten-free corner and a section for health freaks - which i called the "bird seed corner".
Embracing the warm sunshine, i walked along the quayside on Plaza Espana, aware of the thousands of colored mosaics under my feet, patterned after the waves of the Mediterranean sea. I turned hinterland and walked towards the shopping zone. I toured the main shopping streets with names like Avenida de Salamanca, Avenida de Maissonave, then into smaller streets like Calle Gerona. I visited the Mercado Central de Alicante, a pretty Moorish style building, abuzz with morning shoppers. Gawked at the many cafes and terraces, as dotting mothers and pensioners sat around and chatted.
 |
| Mercado Central de Alicante |
 |
| Castillo de Santa Barbara |
On a bright sunny morning, I hiked up to Castillo de Santa Barbara, the highest point in Alicante which was in ancient times used as a fortress lookout. From the summit, you have a sweeping view of the coastline hugging this charming city. On the way down, there is a lift ( free of charge ) that takes you down to the beach.
After a whole day of walking, it was time to rest, shower and get dressed for dinner.
Dinner was at the savy restaurant Nou Manolin with equally stylish dinner guests. We dined on polpu, black cod, a simple stew of pois chic and finished off with delectable warm chocolate cake and a raspberry sorbet. Everyone was friendly, helpful and one couple even invited us to visit their orange farm, should we visit Alicante again.
Comments
Post a Comment