75 km

Canals 330 340

Almansa Albaida 430

ALBACETE 73 km Onteniente

R M Mariol Sierra a C Caudete Benejama Bañeres Alcoy Cañada 344 330 lopó PARQUE NATURAL ina V DE CARRASCAL DE LA FONT ROJA Ibi 340 ío Yecla R Els Almerades Sax Jijona 112 km ALBACETE 112 Emb. Salinas de Tibi id Laguna l C Bus de Salinas Elda de ra er Si 1371 Monóvar Muchamiel

Monforte San Vicente S del Cid del Raspeig Santa La Romana 330 Emb. Bacarot ALIC Hondón de de las Nieves 340 G

Elche El Altet Ali 1261 Crevillente Cabo d PARQUE NATURAL SALINAS 340 DE SANTA POLA Fortuna Isla Pla o Nueva Ta PARQUE 332 NATURAL Dolores Cox EL FONDO Callosa de Almoradí Guardamar SEGURA del Segura Benijófar

Emb. de la Pedrera PARQUE NATURAL LAGUNAS Cala de la Mata êO R DE LA MATA Y Cala del Salaré San Miguel M de Salinas Torrevieja Cala Cerrada Cala Capitán Cabo Roig ALMERêA 210 km ALMERêA Pilar de Dehesa de Campoamor la Horadada 332

301 Torre Horadada

San Pedro del Pinatar San Javier

Mar Menor CARTAGENA 36 km VALENCIA 75 km

Oliva 332 PARQUE NATURAL DE MARJAL is erp DE PEGO-OLIVA S Denia Pego Benialí Cabo de San Antonio PARQUE NATURAL Montgó P Emb. de Vall de Ebo DEL MONTGÓ 753 Jávea ío Beniarrés R Alcalá de la Jovada Orba Gata Playa El Arenal de Gorgos Benichembla Cabo de la Nao Benisa Teulada Guadalest Punta de Moraira Sierra d Les Basetes e Bér 1558 nia Calpe Luis Campomanes Playa de Levante Callosa PARQUE NATURAL i t a n a de Ensarriá S i e r r a d e A Puerto Blanco PENYAL D'IFAC

Torremanzanas L'Alfàs del Pi Playa del Albir Albir A-7 PlayaPlaya de Poniente de Levante sot 332 Playa de Paradís A Playa Muchavista C N San Juan de Alicante

Faz Playa de San Juan A

L ANTE

Golfo B de cante A de Santa Pola a T

ana S

O

C Highway Freeway National Road MAR “A” Road

“B” Road EDITERRÁNEO Local Road Railway P N Shrine/Monastery Castle Monument

Nature Reserve Golf Course Camp site 0 5 10 20 Km Marina Lighthouse CARTOGRAFêA: GCAR, S.L. Cardenal Silíceo, 35 Airport Tel. 914167341 - 28002 - AÑO 1999

Contents

Introduction 1 Your stay on the Costa Blanca 4 Coastal itineraries From Alicante to Denia 6 From Alicante to Pilar de la Horadada 13 Dublin Inland itineraries Ireland London The Vinalopó Castles 16 The Alcoy Mountains 18 From Elche to Orihuela 20 City visit 23 City Plan 24 Paris Leisure and spectacles Sports 29 Leisure and Theme Parks 30 Culture 31 Nightlife 31 Festivals & Folklore 32 Shopping & Handicrafts 33 Trade Fairs and Exhibitions 34 Spain Local cuisine 34 Madrid Useful addresses and map of Alicante Province 36 Lisbon Costa Blanca

Melilla

Rabat

Canary Islands Introduction demographic detail which indicates that the population is fairly evenly Alicante is the Valencian Region’s distributed throughout the various southernmost province, its entire districts. Nonetheless, there tends length of shoreline (the Costa to be a greater concentration in Blanca or, literally, White Coast) those localities that witnessed the caressed by the Mediterranean’s industrial boom and spectacular soothing sea breeze. Warm sandy rise in tourist demand which, in the beaches and curving dunes lie 60s and 70s, led to rapid economic interspersed between sheer growth and the ensuing influx of stretches of cliff and rugged coast, job-seeking immigrants from the shading the local in Spanish hinterland. hues of white, blue, ochre and green. This is one of Spain’s leading Along the coast, from Denia tourist Meccas, and thanks to its southwards to Pilar de la scenery, facilities, the quality of its Horadada, and through the

and warm friendliness of its Denia people, Alicante is host all year round to intense tourist activity, winding folds of its inland reaches, attending to visitors’ needs with from Villena to Orihuela, Alicante’s pleasing efficiency. 5,900 square kilometres (2,279 sq. miles; 1.16% of Spain’s total With close on one and a half surface area) embrace a million inhabitants, it ranks topography of sharp contrasts, due amongst Spain’s most heavily not only to the physical diversity populated provinces. One out of between mountainous uplands every five Alicantinos lives in the and coastal flats, but also to the provincial capital of Alicante, a differences between the verdant

1 lushness of some areas and others Christmas time), toys and ice- that are so arid as to be almost cream- as well as modern hotels, desert-like. The northern and holiday accommodation and central parts are traversed by spacious residential estates where soaring mountain ranges, many a foreign resident has marching in monumental fashion established a second home. Owing to the very edge of the sea, to the area’s cosmopolitan terminating in Capes La Nao and composition, conversations in San Antonio. Against this, English, French, German or Italian the southern tip of the province, can be frequently heard in coastal an area made up of flats and hill districts, alongside Castilian Spanish country irrigated by the waters and Valencian (which closely of the River Segura, fringes the resembles Catalan), the two official sea in a series of dunes and languages spoken by the local low bluffs. population.

Alicante, a region manifestly Jávea Mediterranean in nature, basking (the coast particularly) in bright In bygone days, the presence of sunlight throughout the year and , Phoenicians, and blessed with an average Romans moulded the region’s temperature of 17.6°C (63.7°F), has unique character, key elements of a number of towns and cities in which have been subsequently which there are high-tech factories salvaged thanks to the discovery -specialising in footwear, textiles of valuable archaeological finds and clothing, turrón (the local almond-based, nougat-like sweetmeat, particularly popular at Guadalest. Belfry

2 and cultural remains. Harking back Your stay to these ancient times are precious treasures worked in gold, on the Costa enigmatic sculptures such as the Blanca Dama de Elche () and a local preference for palm groves. One can travel to the province of At a later date, Alicante, like other Alicante by rail, road and air, mainland regions, lived under though its strategic coastal Moorish rule until the area’s position makes it possible to dock annexation by the Kingdom of at any of its harbours and use the Valencia in the 14th century. Local railway network that criss-crosses jurisdictional privileges, ways and the region. customs were lost at the beginning of the 18th century following the By air: El Altet Airport, situated introduction of the new centralist approximately 12 kilometres south regime imposed by the Spanish of the city of Alicante, is the Costa monarchy. At present, Alicante Blanca’s main airport, handling looks ahead to a future of scheduled and charter flights from innovation in both the tourist all leading Spanish and European trade and technology, without in cities. While the busiest domestic any way sacrificing or forfeiting its links are those with Madrid, roots in its traditional industrial , Mallorca, , activities and farming. Tenerife, , Malaga and , European flights tend to Alicante harbour concentrate on destinations such

4 as London, Paris, Brussels, (Lemon Express), while for the Frankfurt and Amsterdam, among younger set there is the others. Trensnochador, a way of going discothèque-hopping without By road: the Madrid-Albacete- running the risk of a traffic Alicante motorway is the principal accident. route to Alicante from points in the country’s interior. From the Alicante boasts the most north, the easiest approach is via comprehensive and best equipped Valencia along the Mediterranean network of hotel and holiday Highway (A-7), which links the accommodation in the entire region with the heart of Valencian Region. There are 243 and is a firm favourite with hotels covering a wide range of Benidorm-bound coach services. categories, with a bed-capacity Best access from the Province close on 55,000. Lodging of Murcia to the south is via the availability varies very little from N-340. There is a fourth major high to low season, since tourist road, the N-332 motorway, which resorts such as Benidorm have takes in towns and villages lying become year-round vacation along the coast. centres, and the city of Alicante itself is a privileged incentive- By sea: while the Port of Alicante scheme, conference and berths a good number of convention venue. In addition, Mediterranean cruise liners, a there is also a very varied choice of regular ferry service plies between camp sites and holiday flats, Denia, in the north of the province, catering for some 25,000 and and the Balearic Isles. Numerous 64,000 visitors respectively. As marinas and yacht basins act as a regards places to eat out, there port of call for tourists sailing are more than enough to satisfy aboard their own craft. every kind of person and pocket, with something like 3,200 By rail: trains from the Renfe restaurants in all. (Spanish Rail) station in Alicante connect up with points around Visiting times should always be Spain and the rest of Europe. checked with the local Tourist There is a daily scheduled service Offices. to Madrid and Barcelona. Within the province, many other towns and cities, such as Elche, Villena and Orihuela are connected by rail. Tourists are recommended to take the Limón Exprés

5 Coastal , bordering Murcia and the lagoon known as itineraries the . The Costa Blanca has some 160 kilometres (just under 100 miles) of From Alicante to Denia coastline, where sea and scenery can be enjoyed in many different This route, a distance of yet complementary ways. To those approximately 100 kilometres (62 eager to sunbathe and swim in miles), can be comfortably covered safe surroundings, the Alicante in a single day. However, in order coast holds out the promise of to be able to fully enjoy areas long sandy beaches. Yet, it also endowed with undeniable scenic affords the possibility of beauty, the excursion should be discovering incredible rocky inlets divided into several stages, so as to

ideal for scuba-diving, pine- San Juan Beach covered dunes, pebbled coves and an infinite number of creeks where allow for longer visits to towns small vessels can be anchored and such as Benidorm, Altea, Calpe, unforgettable moments shared. Jávea and Denia. Road travel is no problem since there is the twin There are two basic seaboard option of the A-7 toll-motorway or itineraries, one covering the the N-332 national road, except for northern stretch of coast from the certain stretches where local roads city of Alicante to Denia, a skirt the coast. Depending on the lying on the boundary with time available, either of these two Valencia province, and the other routes can be chosen. running south of Alicante as far as

6 Lying at a distance of eight Santa Faz Monastery. Partida de kilometres to the north of the city Santa Faz. 96 526 49 12 of Alicante, San Juan de Alicante Continuing on, one comes to is the first town reached when El Campello, a town situated setting out on a sightseeing trip. 12 kilometres (7 1/2 miles) from Situated in the midst of the the provincial capital on a low rise, Alicante countryside, the town from which beaches of all combines dry farming with good descriptions can be seen stretching tourist services and facilities, away for a good 23 kilometres. Its thanks to a fine beach that landmark is a watchtower, built in stretches for over 7 kilometres. Its the Fisherman’s Quarter in 1554, to 17th-century parish church and the alert the townsfolk to imminent Calvario, Santa Ana and San Roque attack by marauding pirates. In the chapels make up its monumental La Illeta area, archaeological

heritage. The local religious El Campello yacht basin building that attracts most visitors is the Santa Faz Monastery, remains have been found which comes within the Alicante belonging to the Iberian and municipal district. On the second Greek cultures. In the 18th century, Thursday after Easter, thousands of the town had its own shipbuilding Alicantinos take part in the annual yards which served to foster its pilgrimage outing (romería) to seafaring vocation. The main venerate the relic housed here; this, beach is called Muchavista, but tradition has it, is the original veil one can equally choose to go for a used by Veronica to wipe Christ’s swim in a rock cove, at La Cova del brow on the ascent to Calvary. Llop Marí and Cala del Morro

7 Blanc. The natural setting of Lloma tradition of seafaring and de Reixes is situated hereabouts. voyaging, as well as a chocolate- The Alicante artist, Arcadio Blasco, making industry of renown. Its has created some spectacular walled Old Quarter, bordering the sculptures, one in the sea and the River Amadorio, possesses an other on shore. eyecatching seaside frontage, formed by houses purposely The arid landscape of the Alicante painted in bright colours so as to countryside gradually disappears be easily visible to sailors out at as one enters the or sea. The Gothic-style parish church Baja (Lower Marina) district. From houses an interesting Baroque the district capital, Villajoyosa retable. La Vila has three and a (La Vila Joiosa) -abbreviated by half kilometres of beach, the the locals to “La Vila”- one begins nearest being Centro and Paradís to discern the summits of the beaches. Others with equally Aitana and Ranges, translucent waters are the Torres the geological barrier that defends (site of Hercules’ funeral tower, this area from the cold blasts of also known as Sant Josep), Racó the north wind and makes it Conill, Bol Nou and Caleta possible for wonderfully mild beaches. temperatures to be enjoyed throughout the year. Just 32 The next stage brings the traveller kilometres (19 miles) from to Benidorm, a leisure and Alicante, this is a city with a long vacation city with the capacity to cope adequately with 300,000 tourists over the peak-season period. Six out of every ten visitors to the Valencian Region opt for Benidorm, and eight out of every ten who choose to stay in the lodge in Benidorm, in order to take full advantage of its irresistible promise of sun and sand. At a distance of 41 kilometres (25 miles) from Alicante, this is the Costa Blanca’s major tourist resort. Its two main beaches, Levante and Poniente (named after the

Villajoyosa. Sidewalk café

8 the 18th century. In the area around the traditional city centre are the main shopping streets, where fashion items, handicrafts and souvenirs can be purchased.

Occupying a large area in the middle of the town is L’Aigüera Park, designed along Neoclassical lines by the architect, Ricardo Bofill. In addition to this, there is ample opportunity for a quiet stroll along the five-kilometre expanse of beachside promenade, with beachgoers and sports-lovers enjoying themselves at the water’s edge. Similarly, the city’s wide avenues, flanked on either side by tall modern hotel buildings, Benidorm. The Balcón del provide yet further possibilities for Mediterráneo belvedere a leisurely walk. Out in the centre of the bay, Benidorm Isle can be prevailing winds), offer quality visited by taking any of the boats services, limpid water and fine that leave from the harbour. sands difficult to find elsewhere. According to local folklore, this islet represents the gigantic block The city’s Old Quarter sits astride of rock that is missing from the the promontory that separates the summit of nearby Mt. Puig two beaches. The Cerro Canfali Campana. During one of headland, veined by narrow lanes ’s warlike sorties, the and alleys, converges in the light- intrepid Roland lopped off the filled Balcón del Mediterráneo mountain top with the blade of his belvedere, whitewashed and sword, sending the missing piece decorated with blue tiles, an thundering down the side of the ornamental motif repeated along mountain into the sea, and so the balustrade that graces causing it to be transformed into stretches of the city’s seafront. This the small island outcrop. tiny Old Quarter corresponds to the original fishing village and is presided over by the blue-tiled domed roof of San Jaime Parish Church (St. James’), constructed in

9 From Benidorm onwards, the L’Alfàs del Pi. Sierra Helada Range scenery becomes spectacularly beautiful. Towering seaside monumental backdrop of the mountain ranges, dizzy cliffs, Sierra Bernia Range, forming a exquisitely tended fields, dazzling stunning panoramic view. The beaches and whitewashed villages climb up to the church lies along make the Marina Baixa district a steep narrow cobbled lanes, past true paradise. After reaching small miradores (look-out points) L’Alfàs del Pi, a town which, and glorietas (circular though somewhat removed from intersections). A frequent feature the sea, lays claim to an important of this part of the old town are the tourist colony at Albir beach, artists’ studios and handicraft where the Sierra Helada (Serra shops. Down below in the lower Gelada) Range terminates, the town is the Rey Jaime I shopping route then carries on to Altea, street, the busy seafront some 51 kilometres (31 miles) from promenade and six kilometres of Alicante. The town is situated on a beach, where shingled stretches hill which, at its highest point, is alternate with half-hidden coves topped by the belfry and glazed and cliffs. The local beaches go by blue-tiled domes of the Parish the names of La Roda, Cap Blanc, Church of La Virgen del Consuelo Cap Negret and L’Olla. (Our Lady of Solace). When arriving by road, the Old Quarter After taking the Mascarat tunnels appears silhouetted against the through the Sierra Bernia Range, the traveller enters the district of (Upper Marina), to

10 be received there by the imposing seashore, ranging from fine sandy sight of the Gibraltar-like Peñón de strands, such as the Levante and Ifach Rock, rising from the sea and Arenal beaches, to picturesque defying the nearby crags with its coves, such as La Manzanera and 332 metres (1,076 feet). The serried Les Urques. ranks of mountains descending in tiers towards the coast are covered After a superbly scenic drive on a with vineyards. The typical country district road that snakes along the house in these parts, the so-called corniche, the route brings one to riu-rau, has an arcaded porch the sheltered bay of Moraira, a where the grapes are left in the small town within the Teulada sun to dry and turn into raisins. municipal district, its port Calpe (), the town to which protected by the twin arms of the the Peñón belongs, lies some 62 Cap Blanc and Punta de Moraira kilometres (38 miles) from headlands. The seaside here boasts Alicante. Its principal sights are the eight kilometres of good beaches Mudéjar Gothic-style 15th-century with boulders and rocks. The Parish Church of La Virgen de las widest and most readily accessible Nieves (Our Lady of the Snows), of these is the centrally situated La several sections or spandrels of the Ampolla Beach. A solid tower, old medieval town wall and a constructed at the behest of King large fortified tower. At the foot Philip II by an Italian, one of the Peñón, the summit of which Antonelli, has been keeping watch can be visited in organised groups, over this stretch of coast for are the Baños de la Reina (literally, centuries. Some ten kilometres Queen’s Baths), the site of what inland is Teulada, ringed by was once a Roman “factory” for vineyards in which the muscatel salting and drying fish. The town has some 11 kilometres of Moraira. Cove

11 gradually grew in the shelter of its Gothic-style San Bartolomé fortress-church (St. Bartholomew’s), the city erected several watchtowers to spot the approach of foreign vessels. Preserved in its Old Quarter are beautiful town houses, decorated with wrought-iron grilles and lintels made of “tosca”, the typical local stone. Down in the town’s sizeable port area, the modern Church of La Virgen del Loreto (Our Lady of Loreto) evokes the keel of a ship. Scattered along the town’s 20 kilometres of coast, there are beaches of every kind: Denia Beach fine sand at El Arenal, pine woods, rock and scuba-diving at grape is grown. Its Santa Catalina Granadella, tiny coves at Portichol, Church, Late Gothic in style, is the and so on. local tourist sight par excellence. Castle and Archaeological Museum. Primicias, 1 The route continues on district 96 579 10 98 roads in the direction of Jávea (). Time permitting, the The route ends in Denia, district traveller can make a side-trip to capital of La Marina Alta, lying at a the Cabo de la Nao (Cape Nao) distance of 100 kilometres (62 lighthouse to enjoy the fine view miles) from Alicante. One arrives there. This is the easternmost point via an extremely picturesque local of the Valencian Region’s road that passes between Cape shoreline, dividing off the Bay of San Antonio and the impressive Alicante from that of Valencia. mass of Mt. Montgó (rising to a Those not wishing to go out to the height of 753 metres/2,470 feet). In lighthouse can proceed directly to their time, the Romans dedicated Jávea, situated 92 kilometres this cosmopolitan tourist city to (57 miles) from Alicante and two the goddess Diana and turned it kilometres from the sea. While it into a thriving port. These historical origins are eloquently recalled in the archaeological museum, housed in the well- preserved Moorish castle atop a

12 small hill. Denia’s 20-kilometre extraction comprise the area’s coastline features fine sand to the other economic pillars. An aspect north (Les Marines) and rock and of special interest are the salt-pans, cliff-face to the south (Les Rotes). now an officially declared Nature Castle and Archaeological Reserve. Over 2,500 hectares (6,000 Museum. 96 642 06 56 acres) of wetlands, dominated by the half-ruined Moorish Tamarit From Alicante Tower visible from the road, serve to Pilar de la Horadada as a very special haven for flamingos and other species of Along its almost 60 kilometres of birdlife. In the town centre, Santa shoreline, the province’s south Pola has a sizeable castle, built on coast features a good number of the orders of Philip II to combat tourist resorts which, in recent raids by . Housed years, have developed a wide within the castle walls is a museum range of services and leisure specialising in the ocean, the facilities. The grandeur of the seabed and local archaeology. City Costa Blanca’s northern section is life tends to focus on the seafront here transformed into an promenade and harbour, from altogether flatter landscape, with which boats (the so-called low hills and wide sweeps of sand. golondrinas, named after the sea The route is easy to follow since swallow or tern) can be taken to it keeps to the line traced by the Isle of Tabarca. Close on two the N-332. kilometres long and 400 metres wide, the island is inhabited The first town of importance is throughout the year. For lovers of Santa Pola, 20 kilometres (12 1/2 the sea, it represents a unique miles) from Alicante city centre. In marine reserve, and for the curious remote times it acted as port for the neighbouring city of Elche (14 kilometres off), beginnings that destined it to be the base for one of the biggest fishing fleets in Mediterranean waters. A salted- fish factory, dating back to the 4th century B.C., illustrates that past. This same activity continues to this day, though and salt

Santa Pola. Watchtower

13 traveller there is a walled section Torrevieja saltpans which Charles III repopulated with Genoese. mosques of the Caliphal rábita Archaeological and Fishing (religious/fortified Moorish outpost Museum. Plaza del Castillo, 1. delimiting the border with the 96 669 15 32 Christians). The Parque de las Dunas Reina Sofía (Queen Sophia The next holiday resort to which Dunes Park), with an area of more the traveller comes is Guardamar than 70,000 square metres (a little del Segura, a town situated at the under 17 1/2 acres), affords the mouth of the river of the same chance of learning about name. Located 35 kilometres (21 numerous examples of plant life miles) from Alicante, it lies amidst -terrestrial and aquatic- while a delightful natural setting of pine, enjoying the refreshing tang of dune, woodland and sand, with the sea breeze. wide, easily accessible beaches. The Archaeological and Ethnological old town is perched on a hill, Museum. Casa de la Cultura. skirted by the River Segura, and is Colón, 46 96 572 86 10 home to a castle and other vestiges that bear testimony to Following the N-332, one comes to another age when it was a Greek the enormous salt-pans of La port. There are Iberian remains, Mata-Torrevieja, a series of particularly the Dama de spacious residential estates and the Guardamar (Lady of Guardamar) town centre of Torrevieja itself, a unearthed at the Cabezo Lucero tourist resort whose life revolves site, and the ruins of the Moorish around sea and salt. The two lagoons are interconnected (the Torrevieja lagoon having a

14 perimeter of 25 kilometres) and, real quality, thereby ensuring that from La Mata, they enjoy a direct the large numbers of visitors are outlet to the sea via the Acequión properly catered for. Punta Prima, channel. While extraction of salt , La Zenia, Cabo dates back to ancient times, it Roig and Dehesa de Campoamor witnessed an era of expansion in are just some of the resorts dotted the 19th century. The salt of along this southern route. Several Torrevieja -a town lying 48 of these now specialise in kilometres (29 miles) from organising golfing holidays, Alicante- is exported to all parts of combining vacation stays with the the world from the local port. At chance to play golf at some of the the far end of the Paseo Marítimo excellent local courses. The small (seafront promenade) are the tree-lined pasturelands in the area wharves where the freighters load have made for top-flight golfing salt bound for Cuba. These same facilities. ships return to the lilt of island habaneras (a style of Cuban song), The last town on this route is Pilar a tradition that adds zest to the de la Horadada, with four extremely popular choral music kilometres of beach and a typical contest sponsored by the town watchtower guarding the coast. It each summer. lies 67 kilometres (41 miles) from Alicante and marks the southern After passing through the salt limit of the Costa Blanca. Its capital, one reaches the stretch of market gardens produce superb coast belonging to the inland fruit and vegetables for export to town of Orihuela, the district numerous countries around capital. Outlying suburbs verging Europe. on sands and low bluffs have served to create tourist areas of Torre de la Horadada

15 Inland the ancient . Already in Roman times, the Vía itineraries Augusta took advantage of the river’s course and, even now in this The Costa Blanca’s coastal beauty modern age, a good highway in no way detracts from the establishes a permanent line of singular charms of its inland communication between the scenery, linked to lifestyles rooted Mediterranean coast and the in farming, industrial development meseta (table land, plateau). and festive traditions. These are itineraries dictated by the course The itinerary begins in Novelda, of the rivers and the powerful all- 28 kilometres (17 miles) from the pervasive presence of the provincial capital of Alicante. La mountains. Mola Castle is a legacy of the Middle Ages, and atop a The Vinalopó Castles picturesque hill, the Santuario de Santa María Magdalena (Mary The towns lying farthest inland in Magdalene Shrine) with its the province of Alicante share two Gaudíesque Catalonian Art features: their situation along the Nouveau air, is testimony to local upper and middle sections of the tradition. To speak of this town is River Vinalopó and the presence of to speak of the quarrying and sturdy fortresses in their town production of marble, the centres, witnesses to the frontier cultivation of saffron and the character that these lands once growing and packing of grapes. had, standing as they did on the dividing line between Castile and Sax

16 Modernist (Art Nouveau) House- doorway in the main tower of Sax´s cum-Museum. , 24. Moorish-style castle leads into the 96 560 02 37 armoury. The sightseer can also visit the aljibes (water cisterns) and The next stops en route are Elda the various underground passages and Petrer, twin towns separated in this castle, whose silhouette is a by a single street, the numbers on well-known landmark to all those the right belonging to one town who travel the Madrid motorway. and those on the left, to the other. They lie at a distance of 36 There are only two more kilometres (22 miles) from Alicante strongholds to be seen along the and represent one of the province’s most important industrial hubs. With the crisis in the esparto grass trade in the 19th century, alternatives were found in footwear and leatherware. Elda’s factories are leaders in the sector, especially as regards the women’s fashion footwear segment. The city’s Moorish castle stands as a symbol of the border struggle between Moor and Christian in these arid lands. In the Old Quarter, listed buildings also include the Casa Colorá and Casa Grande del Jardín de la Música Villena (Music Gardens Mansionhouse). For its part, Petrer boasts one of remaining section of this route. the most splendid castles in the The first lies in the monumental province, thanks to painstaking city and district capital of Villena, reconstruction. This is an industrial situated 59 kilometres (just under town, which formerly came within 37 miles) from Alicante. La Atalaya the domain of the Count of Castle (atalaya; watchtower) is the Cocentaina. prototype for all Castilian walled cities. Indeed, this ducal possession The route now wends its way to was not administratively Sax, which is situated 48 incorporated into Alicante kilometres (29 miles) from Alicante Province until midway through the and marks the beginning of the last century. The keep, its prize L’Alt or Alto Vinalopó (Upper Vinalopó) district. A round-arched

17 On the way out of the city, heading for Alcoy, another castle awaits the traveller. It belongs to the town of Biar, has a double wall and a round-arched gateway. Looming above the two outer walls and the inner fortifications is a massive square tower. The Alcoy Mountains

The Alicante highlands lie between two districts characterised by steeply contoured topography, L’Alcoià and El , encircled by the peaks and crags of the Biar Castle Watchtower Mariola, Benicadell and Aitana Ranges. Owing to the unsuitability piece, stands on tranverse-arched of the terrain for farming, the Almohad vaulting. From its economic activity of these cities has sentinel walkway, a wide horizon tended to concentrate on stretches away to merge into the manufacturing, specialising in surrounding valleys. The city’s Old textiles and clothing in Alcoy and Quarter lies in the shadow of the Cocentaina, and toys in Ibi and Onil. castle. Other sights of interest are the Church of Santa María (St. Mary’s), the main square and the Shrine of Nuestra Señora de las Virtudes (Our Lady of Virtue) (7 km.). On display at the archaeological museum is Villena’s valuable Iberian treasure, a collection comprising 60 gold, several silver and iron pieces, and a good number of prehistoric artefacts. José María Soler Archaeological Museum. Plaza de Santiago, 2. 96 580 11 50. Visits by appointment.

Alcoy. Church of Santa María (St. Mary’s)

18 The itinerary follows the N-340 Camilo Visedo Moltó which, after passing through Archaeological Museum. Placeta Jijona (Xixona), the turrón del Carbó. 96 554 03 02. (Christmas nougat-like sweetmeat, Casal Sant Jordi Fiestas Museum. of Arabic origin, made essentially San Miguel, 60. 96 554 05 80. of almond paste but now Turrón Museum. Avenida de Alcoy, produced in wide variety of 62. Jijona. 96 561 02 25 flavours) and ice-cream paradise, climbs by twists and turns to Alcoy Very near Alcoy, the city of (Alcoi), 54 kilometres (33 1/2 miles) Cocentaina, district capital of El from Alicante. The Riquer and Molinar Rivers join here to form the River , which flows into the sea at (Valencia). This natural phenomenon has meant that the city’s many bridges, its waterside factories and the unity of its Old Quarter have come to mould its tourist image. Expansion and growth of the medieval centre made it necessary to build bridges in order for the town to spread outwards. Spanning the River Molinar is the Canalejas Viaduct, its metal frame coming as an innovation at the turn of the century. The newest bridge was opened in 1987, to divert the N- 340 traffic crossing through the Cocentaina. St. Mary’s Church modern part of the city. The Plaza de España (main square) stands at Comtat (the County), is the site of the city centre. In the Medieval the most important medieval Quarter, one can visit the old Town quarter in Alicante’s mountain Hall, browse around the hinterland. The city lies some 60 archaeological museums and kilometres (37 miles) from Alicante watch the festivities marking the itself. The fortress-palace of the fiesta of ( Counts and the adjacent Clarisas and Christians). Walking in the Convent (Franciscan Order of Poor opposite direction, up the calle San Clares) form an extremely Nicolás (calle; street), one finds the attractive architectural group, Modernist (Art Nouveau) section of the city.

19 ranging from Gothic to The itinerary is an easy one, since Renaissance in style. Originally, the the N-340 and the Murcia whole was contained within a motorway allow for fast smooth walled complex, accounting for travel. the ample dimensions and lofty towers. The collection of buildings Elche (Elx), 23 kilometres includes the Monastery of La (14 miles) from Alicante, is the Virgen del Milagro (Our Lady of capital of the El Baix or Bajo Miracles), a Neapolitan Baroque Vinalopó (Lower Vinalopó) edifice housing a Byzantine icon of district, and the Valencian Region’s the Madonna. According to third city in terms of population. tradition, the image wept 17 tears The city’s original location was at in the presence of the faithful the L’Alcudia site, where the during the revolt of the Germanías Iberian bust of the Dama de Elche (in Valencia and Mallorca) in 1520. (Lady of Elche) was found and Sights include the typical tilework then transferred to its current decoration on the façades of home in the Madrid houses lining the Medieval Archaeological Museum. In about Quarter’s main street, the Churches the 10th century, the city was of Santa María de la Asunción moved by the Moors to its present (St. Mary of the Assumption) and position and encircled with groves Salvador (St. Saviour’s), and the of palm trees, leading some attractive maze of alleys and lanes chroniclers of the time to draw a in the old Moorish Raval section. parallel between it and the Holy Palacio de los Condes (noble City of Islam. The local palm mansion). Plaza de las Monjas. grove -some 200,000 trees covering 96 559 01 59 an area of over 5,000 square From Elche to Orihuela

In the southern part of the province there are two large cities eminent for their history and heritage. These are localities which combine the tourism of their suburban seaside resorts with the architectural richness and industrial activity of their urban centres, 15-30 kilometres inland.

St. Mary’s . Elche

20 kilometres- has recently been Orihuela. Cathedral cloister declared a World Heritage Site. In Elche, the main example of Ramos Folqués. Diagonal del this can be seen in the City Park Palau. 96 545 36 03. and the Huerto de Cura (Priest´s L’Alcudia Museum. Partida Garden), where a seven-armed Alzabaras, 138. 96 661 15 06. palm grows like some freakish Gallery of Contemporary Art. Plaza whim of nature. When King del Raval. 96 545 49 82. James I conquered the city, the victorious Christians occupied the Lying along the same route and Vila Murada or walled city, and the relatively near Elche and its Moors moved to the Raval area, footwear, textile and clothing where a contemporary art gallery factories is the city of Crevillente, is now situated. In the historical the country’s leading producer and old section, the most interesting exporter of carpets and rugs. The sights are the Altamira Palace, the Church of Nuestra Señora de Belén Basilica of Santa María (St. Mary’s), (Our Lady of Bethlehem) is the which serves as the stage setting local landmark. Housed in the for the annual Misteri d’Elx (Elche crypt, the Mariano Benlliure Mystery Play, a dramatic Museum, with its display of the representation of the Assumption), sculptor’s Easter pasos (effigies or the Moorish Calaforra fortress, the tableau representing a stage in Ayuntamiento (City Hall) and the Christ’s Passion) is well worth Baños Árabes (Moorish Baths). seeing. Archaeological Museum. Alejandro

21 Hernández, and to the erstwhile Universidad de Santo Domingo (St. Dominic’s University), with its two magnificent cloisters and portals: one Renaissance, the other Baroque. An interesting feature in the refectory is the Manises (Valencian) tilework decoration. Walk up Santa Lucía street to the Catedral del Salvador (Cathedral of the Saviour), and see Velázquez’s painting of “The Temptation of St. Thomas Aquinas” and the church’s small Romanesque-Gothic cloister. The old town straggles on, skirting the Seminary hill (Seminario de San Miguel - St. Michael’s Seminary). Located in this part of the city are the Churches of Santas Justa y Rufina,Gothic in style, and Santiago (St. James’). It was in the Orihuela. Church of Santiago latter church that the Catholic (St. James’) Monarchs convoked a general Mariano Benlliure Museum. San parliament () in Cayetano. 96 540 02 23. 1488, for the purpose of gathering Temporarily closed to the public. funds to finance the Reconquest of . Another nationally listed Orihuela, the district capital of La monument and enhancement to Vega Baja is situated 59 the city’s heritage is the Episcopal kilometres (36 miles) from Palace, which houses important Alicante, with which it shares the works of art. espiscopal seat. It was this rank, Miguel Hernández House-cum- coupled with its former standing Museum. Miguel Hernández, 73. as a university city, that enabled 96 530 27 47. Orihuela to build up its important Diocesan Museum of Religious Art. architectural legacy. The River Plaza de Teniente Linares. Segura separates the old, once 96 530 06 38. walled city from the modern part. Museo de Semana Santa (Holy A stroll through the Old Quarter, Week Museum). Plaza de la approached via the Crevillente Merced, 1. 96 674 40 89. Gate, will bring one to the House- cum-Museum of the poet, Miguel

22 City visit with its permanent holiday atmosphere. Alicante’s south- Alicante (Alacant - pop. 276,526) facing sea frontage means that it is a welcoming seaside city. Though enjoys almost constant sunlight travelling by car, on arriving in the throughout the year. The Old city centre one gets the firm Quarter rises on the sides of impression that the only real way Benacantil Hill, and the most to visually understand Alicante is eloquent witness to that far-off to approach it from the seaward era is the powerful presence of side. The light-filled seafront Santa Bárbara Castle (3), from promenade of the Explanada de which a sweeping vista of the city, España (1) brings the vessels sea and L’Alacantì district can be bobbing at the quays into the daily enjoyed. Across the road from life of the townsfolk. Throughout Postiguet Beach is the lift which the day, people can be seen takes visitors to the top of the 166- ambling up and down between metre (544-foot) outcrop. One can the immense palms that line an also ascend by car, along a road avenue whose undulating red, that climbs the north face. The cream and black pattern fort, Moorish in origin, was rebuilt represents the waves of a tiled sea. in the reign of Philip II, and A bandstand on the esplanade ensures that the strains of the Municipal Band will be there to liven up the leisure hours of the evening and (more especially) Sunday-morning stroller. The cargo and freight harbour, which acquired great prominence when the rail link with Madrid was formally inaugurated in 1851, acts as the natural outlet for merchandise produced inland.

At one end of the promenade -the Valencia end- is El Postiguet (2), the beach that stamps this city

The Explanada de España promenade

23

                      

                       subsequently underwent a series City Hall of alterations and extensions. The section of most interest to visitors building’s stairway is a disc is La Torreta, and the highest engraved with a zero, marking the point is the Plaza del Macho. point from which all altitudes in Spain are measured, the disc itself At the foot of the castle hill are being at a height of 3.407 metres important vestiges of the old (11 feet) above sea level. A few walled city which once extended as yards away, the Palacio Gravina far as the modern-day Rambla houses the Provincial Archive and Méndez Núñez (rambla; wide Records Office. avenue or boulevard). After Palacio Municipal (City Hall). Plaza passing through this Quarter, an del Ayuntamiento, 1. area of narrow streets that by 96 514 91 00. night becomes the local teenage “scene”, one emerges into the At the rear of the City Hall, the Plaza del Ayuntamiento (City Cathedral Church of San Hall Square) (4). On the lowest Nicolás de Bari (5), completed step of this Baroque-style in 1662, is a showpiece of the Herrera and Baroque styles. Imprisoned by a maze of alleyways that keep jealous guard over the city’s history, it is nevertheless a mere stone’s throw from the cosmopolitan bustle of port and

26 beach. Among the most In the past, this building, which outstanding architectural features currently houses an important are its Baroque altar, 15th-century collection of contemporary art, cloister, Communion chapel, with works by Picasso, Gris and grillework and wooden doors. Miró among others, was put to a Concatedral de San Nicolás variety of uses, serving as (Cathedral Church of St. Nicholas). municipal granary, city hall, jail Plaza del Abad Penalva, 1. and so on. 96 521 26 62 Asegurada Art Gallery. Plaza de Santa María, 3. 96 514 07 06 Following any of the narrow lanes that lead past the City Hall towards On the far side of the Rambla de the northern part of the Old Méndez Núñez (corresponding to Quarter, one comes to the Plaza de an old river bed), the city extended Santa María, where two beyond the town wall and grew interesting buildings merit a visit. according to the dictates of The Gothic-style Church of Santa modern life. On one of the wide María (St. Mary’s) (6) was built avenues crossing this part of the on the site of a Moorish mosque. city is the Provincial Authority On its Baroque façade, St. Andrew Building and, in its basement, the and the Apostle St. James can be Archaeological Museum (8), seen receiving the faithful, and inside, a sculpted figure of Madonna and Child presides over the main altar.

On this small square, cooled by the sea breeze, stands the Museo Casa de la Asegurada (7), an 18th-century edifice donated to the city by Eusebio Sempere, the founding spirit behind the movement known as kinetic art.

Church of Santa María (St. Mary’s)

27 opened in 1932. In this building, Nearby, some 5 kilometres to the built on Neoclassical lines with north, is the previously mentioned Baroque influences, are finds shrine that fans the flames of taken from the Tossal de Manises Alicantinos’ religious fervour and archaeological site, discovered on draws them in throngs on the La Albufereta Beach, which have annual post-Easter pilgrimage. This made it possible for the life of the is the Santa Faz Monastery ancient Iberian settlement, the where, preserved in an alcove and Greek city and the Roman venerated as a holy relic, is the veil to be reconstructed. used by Veronica to wipe Christ’s Provincial Archaeological Museum. brow on the ascent to Calvary. In Plaza Doctor Gómez Ulla, s/n. the vicinity of Alicante there are a 96 514 90 00 number of excellent beaches, such

Albufereta Beach Rising behind the Provincial Authority Building is the hilltop as San Juan, Cabo de Huertas, La silhouette of San Fernando Albufereta, Agua Amarga and El Castle (9), constructed to defend Salar, to name but a few. the city from the Napoleonic invasion. It is an unfinished stronghold, now used as a theme park.

28 Leisure and put together attractively-priced golfing packages that combine the entertainment chance to play at local courses with select, often villa-type, Sports accommodation. Along its particular section of coast, Orihuela has The good climate and widespread become the leader in this field. availability of sports facilities make Denia, Altea, Jávea, Alicante and the Costa Blanca an ideal holiday other towns also cater for golfers. destination for the active tourist, Ramblers and hikers will enjoy especially watersports enthusiasts. exploring the region’s mountains Many beaches awarded prized and valleys. Alicante is home to six European Blue-Flag status have Nature Reserves, namely, La Font funfairs geared to a family type of Roja (Alcoy and Ibi), Peñón de Ifach public. Seaside towns offer sailing schools, yacht clubs, windsurfing and water-skiing instruction, swimming and scuba-diving clubs. In- and off- shore fishing are also common hereabouts.

As regards sports clubs and marinas, special mention should be made of Denia, Jávea, Moraira, Calpe, Altea, Benidorm, Villajoyosa, El Campello, Alicante, Santa Pola, Torrevieja, Dehesa de Campoamor, Cabo Roig and Pilar de la Horadada. Where competitive sport is concerned, the main event is Altea’s 200-mile Regatta. The region’s exceptional climate allows for Moraira. Marina outdoor sports activity all year round, with sports (Calpe), Montgó (Denia and Jávea), choosing the Costa Blanca for winter Salinas de Santa Pola (salt-pans and and pre-competition training, a salt marsh), Lagunas de la Mata and service niche in which the town of Torrevieja (wetlands), and El Hondo L’Alfàs del Pi has specialised. de Elche, as well as the Isle of A dozen golf courses afford the Tabarca, and Cape La Nao and Cape keen golfer the enviable opportunity San Antonio marine reserves. For of playing a round or two while on visitors to the La Marina Baixa holiday. Several resort towns have district, the prospect of climbing the

29 Serra Gelada, Sierra Bernia and park with exhibit of marine life and Aitana Ranges holds out the exotic species. 96 586 91 01. possibility of a more strenuous kind Sierra Helada. and fax of outing. 96 586 01 00. Aquascope. Glass-bottomed boats and sea trips. Leisure and Theme Parks Benidorm harbour 96 585 00 52. Festilandia. Alicante: Tabarca Cruises. Sea trips. Funfair. Avenida del Mediterráneo. Alicante harbour. 96 585 41 26. Cable Ski. Rincón 96 521 63 96. de l’Oix Beach. L’Alfàs del Pi: Torneo Medieval . Canelobre Caves. Wonder of (medieval tourney). Dinner and nature. 96 569 92 50. show. Benidorm-Altea road. Foso del Calpe: Festival Park. Funfair. Levante terror (Pit of horrors). Theme park. beach. 96 583 79 67. Peñón Benidorm-Altea road. Cruises. Sea trip. Calpe harbour. 96 585 00 52 Elche: Río Safari. Safari park. At the 4-kilometre mark on the Elche-Santa Pola road. 96 663 82 88. Huerto del Cura. Botanical gardens. 96 545 19 36. Penáguila: Safari Aitana. Sella- Villajoyosa road. 96 552 92 73 Torrevieja: Aquopolis aquapark. Finca La Valla Grande. Vergel: Safari Park Vergel. Safari park. Valencia-Alicante road, near Pego. 96 575 02 85. Elche. Huerto del Cura (Priest’s Garden) Culture

96 686 55 92. A date with art, music or cinema, Altea. Cactuslandia. Plant and or a trip scheduled so as to be able animal life. La Galera del Mar, 26. to participate in a seminar or 96 584 22 18. attend a cultural event are further Benidoleig. Calaveras Cave. Wonder reasons for choosing the Costa of nature. 96 640 42 35. Blanca as a tourist destination. Benidorm: “TERRA MÍTICA”. The Ciudad Patricia courses in Mediterranean theme park. Benidorm, the seminars 902 02 02 20. Aqualandia. programmed by the Elda, Pinoso Aquapark and Mundomar theme and

30 universities and the courses for Benidorm and Torrevieja all have foreign students at Alicante bustling nightlife areas, with clubs University are high-profile occasions and music bars, often situated in the affording an opportunity to heart of the Old Quarter. In the participate in debates on topics of coastal resorts, the seafront current cultural interest. In the world promenades really come into their of cinema, the L’Alfàs del Pi and own at night, with friends grouping, Elche Film Festivals, specialising in regrouping and lingering till dawn. shorts, and the Orihuela Encuentros de cine e historia are three events The coast puts on a nightly train warranting special mention. Drama service, dubbed the Trensnochador tends to focus on the regular (a play on the Spanish words for theatre-season programme at train and night-owl), which Alicante’s Teatro Principal and the transports young disco-goers annual Review of Contemporary between clubs along the Alicante- Theatre, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture. Music occupies a special place in the form of the Benidorm Song Festival, specialising in pop, the Torrevieja Habanera and Choral Music Contest and the Alicante Festival of Contemporary Music. Music, polyphony and theatre join forces in the unique spectacle that is the Misteri d’Elx, Mediterranean culture’s oldest known sung dramatic work. It is staged in Elche’s Church of Santa María every August and, on exceptional occasions, in November Alicante. St. John’s Day festivities as well. The Azorín Prize for novels and the Enric Valor Prize for texts in Altea stretch from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.. Valencian are the highlights in the There are 33 stops, coinciding with literary calendar. the most popular night-time venues. The liveliest and best-known dance Nightlife spots are to be found at San Juan Beach, on the Torrevieja road, and Enjoying the Costa Blanca’s nightlife, between Benidorm and Altea. Those particularly when it is really hot and keen on gambling can try their luck one is sorely tempted to prolong the at the Casino Costa Blanca (on the day into the early hours, is Villajoyosa road). something well within the reach and pocket of any visitor. Alicante, Elche,

31 Festivals & Folklore Quarter the entire neighbourhood takes part. Most of these processions The Moros y Cristianos (Moors and are held after dark. Christians) fiesta is the Alicante region’s celebration par excellence. With the arrival of the summer During the different times of year solstice, Alicante’s streets fill with when festivities are held in those artistically contrived cardboard towns that keep this tradition alive, figures destined to be cast into the thousands of people are involved. flames on St. John’s Day, to the Dressed in lavish costumes, they explosive accompaniment of participate in parades, posturing and fireworks. Using commonplace swaggering bravado, dances, scenes, the bonfires, known as las swashbuckling displays and mock Hogueras (or in Valencian as, les battles, and all this to the sound of fogueres de Sant Joan) satirise the raucous music, the thunderous din of life of the city, its streets becoming a

arquebuses and acrid smell of Moors and Christians gunpowder. Alcoy in April is the capital of this tradition of bloodless permanent source of entertainment struggle between two opposing in the form of typical barracas bands: the Moors who were expelled (makeshift booths), parades and from Spain after seven centuries of lively processions. Other rites of fire occupation and the Christians, who include the Fallas Fiesta in March, extended their territory and customs. typified by Valencia’s St. Joseph’s Day Each town adds its particular touch festivities yet also celebrated in Denia to the fiesta: in Villajoyosa, the forces and Benidorm. arrive by sea; in Biar, the effigy of Mohammed is borne aloft as a In the Alicante locality, festivities standard, and in Alicante’s San Blas reach a peak with the staging of the Misteri in the city of Elche on the

32 eve and day of 15th August. which continues to produce goods Undeniably part of the heritage of with great tourist appeal. The oldest mankind, the play is a cultural relic, artisan activity is that of pottery and with the drama of the Assumption of ceramics, with production centred on the Virgin Mary unfolding to the the towns of Biar, Onil, Agost and accompaniment of medieval music Orba. While a visit to these parts is and song, presenting the audience interesting in itself, the local with a work that is at once religious handmade products can be acquired and musical. Religious traditions are in many of the province’s resorts. The likewise in evidence in their full catalogue of items produced includes splendour and brilliance in the Easter everything from traditional two- Week processions held in Orihuela spouted water jars (botijos) to large and Crevillente, the Passion Play amphora-like earthenware wine vats produced in and (tinajas), not forgetting to mention Altea, and the re-enactment of the pitchers (cántaros), mortars (morteros) and water ewers (aguamaniles). The same applies to basketry items made of esparto grass, osier, rush and palmetto. is the main manufacturing and sales centre, but wickerwork furniture, straw hats and baskets can be purchased all along the coast. Elx produces the symbolic palm decorations for Palm Sunday, while Callosa de Segura and Cox make the typical esparto-grass and canvas alpargatas (Spanish version of Elche Mystery Play (Misteri d’Elx) the French espadrille). story of the Three Magi in Cañada. Similarly, where textiles are One further date on the Costa Blanca concerned, an attractive range of fiesta calendar is the spectacle known handiwork is on offer. Shopping for as toros a la mar or bous a la mar embroidery and needlework is (bulls by the sea) held on the Denia typical in San Juan, whilst the towns quayside. of Monóvar, Algueña, Novelda, Pinoso and La Romana sell Shopping & Handicrafts handmade lacework (encaje de bolillo). In Guadalest and the Alicante’s thriving industrial sector surrounding area, knitted garments has in no way acted as a brake on its made of brightly coloured wool are deep-rooted handicrafts tradition, the main mementos on sale.

33 Wrought ironwork tends to be and entertainment, hotels, catering localised in the Denia, , Villena, and tourist facilities, fiesta apparel Torrevieja and El Campello areas. and accessories, and tourist Using traditional techniques, Alcoy promotions. continues to manufacture blunderbuses (trabucos) for use in Local cuisine fiestas. The staples of the so-called Santa Pola and Torrevieja specialise, in Mediterranean diet constitute the the former case in objects made of basic ingredients of Alicante cuisine. seashells, and in the latter case, in tiny Rice, cooked in all manner of ways boats overlaid with salt crystal taken and styles, is undoubtedly the most from the neighbouring salt-pans. The frequent dish in the provincial old Pinoso and Monóvar wineries cuisine. On the coast, rice and broth produce wines which, thanks to the are eaten together with the fish quality of the barrels, bouquet and from which both draw their flavour, taste, are the most famous of those true to the traditions of the fish stew sold under the Alicante Seal of Origin that local fishermen used to cook up. (Denominación de Origen, Arroz a banda is the name given to equivalent to the French Appellation the dish in which the rice, drier and d’Origine Contrôleé). Other items dyed the colour of the to be bought on the Costa Blanca accompanying dried red peppers or include dolls from Ibi and Onil, rugs ñoras, is served alone. Other and carpets from Crevillente, turrón variations allow for the rice to be and ice-cream from Jijona, and flavoured with squid (calamar) and footwear from Elche, Elda and Villena. tunny fish, chicken and fillet of pork, baby squid (chipirones) and garlic Trade Fairs and Exhibitions shoots, or tunny fish and shrimps (gambas). It just depends on which The Alicante Trade Fair Institute ingredients are lying to hand. (Institución Ferial Alicantina - IFA) Exhibition Grounds, located on the Alicante-Elche road close to the airport, are the venue for a busy, year-long schedule of trade fairs focusing on the most dynamic sectors of the province’s economy. The leading events feature home- made ice-cream, footwear, fashion, leather and fur, caravanning, leisure

Rice and seafood dish

34 At the seaside, shellfish and salt- dried fish are on the menus of every restaurant. The day’s choice might include gilthead bream (dorada), bass baked in salt (lubina a la sal), seafood with a squeeze of lemon, or some delicious sea-fresh red mullet (salmonete) and whiting (pescadilla). Whether steamed or grilled, clams (almejas), King prawns (langostinos), pink and brown shrimps (gambas rojas, quisquillas) are a delight to the palate, as is the dish that combines mojama (salt- dried tunny) with cod (bacalao), A range of the local turrón sweetmeat mackerel (caballa) and a garnishing of . turkey, sometimes coated with a layer of egg and baked in the oven) In the mountain areas, rice forms an and the heady pava borracha (roast integral part of the olleta, a typical turkey a la cognac). dish in which it is mixed with pork, sausage meats, pumpkin, turnip, The mouthwatering desserts of the chard stalks (pencas), chickpeas and Alicante region feature Jijona string beans. Rice can also be used as turrón, ice-cream, grapes, raisins, a filling in bajoques farcides, an dates, almond pastries, pasteles de appetising dish of stuffed peppers. As gloria (a sugared confectionery could be expected, the inland areas made with egg yolk and traditionally offer excellent meat dishes, e.g., pork eaten on Easter Saturday, sabado de cutlets, rabbit cooked in garlic and gloria) and almojábenas (sweet, tomato, leg of lamb, and local fritter-like pastries, dipped in syrup), sausage meats. In the Vinalopó and not forgetting the coffee liqueur Segura river valleys, full advantage from Alcoi and the herb liqueurs of has been taken of the locally-grown the Sierra Mariola Range. The finest produce to build up a cuisine wines -reds, rosés and claretes (not a featuring dishes, such as cocido con claret but a light-coloured wine pelotas (potage containing balls midway between red and rosé)- are made of egg and finely diced parsley, made in the Alto Vinalopó and crumbed and fried), olla viuda Marina Alta districts. (vegetable stew, with onion, chickpeas, garlic and spinach, eaten during Lent), arroz con costra (rice with sausage meats and chicken or

35 USEFUL ADDRESSES Orihuela: Francisco Die, 25. 96 530 27 47, fax 96 530 59 64 International Dialing Code: 34 Pilar de la Horadada: Carretillas, 19. 96 676 70 68, Turespaña Tourist Information fax 96 535 20 72 901 300 600 Santa Pola: Plaza de la Diputación. www.tourspain.es 96 669 22 76, fax 96 541 46 51 Teulada: Moraira-Calpe road. Centro Agencia Valenciana de Turismo comercial (Shopping Mall). (Valencian Tourist Authority) /fax 96 574 51 68 Avenida de Aragón, 30, 8ª. Torrevieja: Plaza Ruiz Capdepont. 46021 Valencia. 96 398 60 00, 96 570 34 33, fax 96 571 59 36 fax 96 398 60 01 Vilar de Biar: Avenida de Villena. Patronato Provincial de Turismo 96 581 11 77 Costa Blanca (Costa Blanca Villajoyosa: Costera de la Mar. Provincial Tourist Board) 96 685 13 71, fax 96 685 29 47 Federico Soto, 4. 30001 Alicante. 96 523 01 60, 902 10 09 10 Useful Telephone Numbers Tourist Information Offices: Alicante: Explanada de España, 2. Hospital Emergencies: 112 96 520 00 00, fax 96 520 02 43 Red Cross (Cruz Roja): Altea: Carrer Sant Pere, 9. 96 525 41 41 96 584 41 14, fax 96 584 42 13 El Altet Airport: 96 691 90 00 L’Alfàs del Pi: Federico García Renfe (Spanish Rail): Lorca, 11. 96 588 82 65, 902 24 02 02 fax 96 588 71 12 Bus and Coach Station: Benidorm: Avenida Martínez 96 513 07 00 Alejos, 6. 96 585 13 11 - Taxis: 96 510 16 11- 96 585 32 24, fax 96 586 36 25 96 525 25 11 Calpe: Plaza del Mosquit. Road Traffic: Road & Highway 96 583 85 32, fax 96 583 85 31 information 900 123 505 Campello: Avenida Generalitat Valenciana. 96 563 46 06 (State-run hotels) Denia: Plaza Oculista Buigues, 9. 96 642 23 67, fax 96 578 09 57 Central booking office. Elche: Parque Municipal. Calle Requena, 3. Madrid 28013. 96 545 27 47, fax 96 545 78 94 91 516 66 66, : Avenida de la Marina fax 91 516 66 57. Baixa, 14. 96 680 12 08, www.parador.es fax 96 680 12 72 E-mail: [email protected] Guardamar: Plaza de la Constitución, 7. /fax 96 572 72 92 Parador de Jávea: Avenida del Jávea: Almirante Bastarreche, 11. Mediterráneo, 7. 96 579 02 00, 96 579 07 36, fax 96 579 60 57 fax 96 579 03 08

36 SPANISH TOURIST INFORMATION Miami. Tourist Office of Spain OFFICES ABROAD 1221 Brickell Avenue MIAMI, Florida 33131 Canada. Toronto 1305/358 19 92, Tourist Office of Spain fax: 1305/358 82 23 2 Bloor Street West Suite 3402 e-mail: [email protected] TORONTO, Ontario M4W 3E2 New York 1416/961 31 31, Tourist Office of Spain fax: 1416/961 19 92 666 Fifth Avenue 35th.floor e-mail: [email protected] NEW YORK, N.Y. 10103 1212/ 265 88 22 Great Britain. London Fax: 1212/ 265 88 64 Spanish Tourist Office e-mail: [email protected] Manchester Square, 22-23. LONDON W1M 5AP Embassies in Madrid 44207/486 80 77, Canada. Nuñez de Balboa, 35 fax: 44207/486 80 34 91 431 43 00, fax: 91 431 23 67 e-mail: [email protected] Great Britain. Fernando El Santo, 16 91 319 02 00, fax: 91 308 10 33 Japan. Tokyo Japan. Serrano, 109 Tourist Office of Spain 91 590 76 00, fax: 91 590 13 21 Daini Toranomon Denki Bldg.4F. 3-1-10 . Velazquez, 155 Toranomon. Minato-Ku. TOKIO-105 91 562 22 64, fax: 91 562 97 12 813/34 32 61 41, United States of America. fax: 813/34 32 61 44 Serrano, 75 e-mail: [email protected] 91 587 22 00, fax: 91 587 23 03

Russia. Moscow CONSULATE IN ALICANTE Tourist Office of Spain Great Britain Tverskaya – 16/2 Business Center Plaza Calvo Sotelo, 1-2. 96 521 60 22; “Galeria Aktor” 6º floor. Fax: 96 514 05 28 MOSCOW 103009 7095/935 83 97, Text: fax: 7095/935 83 96 Jaime Millás e-mail: [email protected] Translation: Michael D. Benedict Singapore. Singapore Photographs: Tourist Office of Spain Turespaña Photographic Archives 541Orchard Road. Liat Tower # 09-04 Layout and design: 238881 SINGAPORE Florencio García 657/37 30 08, fax: 657/37 31 73 Published by e-mail: [email protected] © Turespaña Secretaría de Estado de Comercio y United States of America Turismo Los Angeles. Tourist Office of Spain 8383 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 960 Ministerio de Economía BEVERLY HILLS, CAL 90211 1323/658 71 95 fax: 1323/658 10 61 Printed by: e-mail: [email protected] IMPRESA Chicago. Tourist Office Of Spain Water Tower Place, suite 915 East D.L. M- 845, North Michigan Avenue CHICAGO, ILL 60-611 NIPO: 380-00-006-2 1312/642 19 92, Printed in Spain fax: 1312/642 98 17 e-mail: [email protected] 2nd. Edition

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TURESPAÑA GENERAL DETURISMO SECRETARÍA Y TURISMO ESTADO DECOMERCIO SECRETARÍA DE Alicante Spain Costa Blanca