A Spanish Culture & Cuisine CHRISTMAS SPECIAL “A day trip to Alcoy – the Christmas Town” Friday 3rd December 2021 Alcoy is known as “The Town of the Bridges” as it has more than twenty and due to its wonderful Christmas celebrations and blankets of crispy snow in the winter, it has also adopted the name “The Christmas Town”. Alcoy boomed in the Industrial Revolution, specialising in the textile, metal and paper industry. It grew and developed into a wealthy area which is evident from its modern, architectural buildings. What makes Alcoy so unique and special for Christmas is that it was the first place in the world to celebrate the Cavalcade of Magi, a traditional parade for the Three King’s Day. Nowadays, practically every city in Spain and most in Mexico hold their own Cavalcade of Magi, a parade where the three kings, Melchior, Gaspar and Baltasar ride through the streets throwing sweets to the children. In the Plaza de España, a special nativity scene is erected in front of the Santa Maria Church and throughout December and early January Alcoy has a large Christmas market. Alcoy covered in snow (not guaranteed but you will need warm clothes!). On arrival in Alcoy we will meet our guides (we are going to have 2 guides to enable each group to be smaller) for a 2-hour tour, visiting the temporary Christmas exhibition at La Fundació Mutua de Levante, the Christmas Museum at the Casal del Nadal and finally the Belen exhibition in St Mary´s Church. The tour will be followed by a Spanish lunch in a very unique location, the Restaurante La Gruta, located in a natural cave next to an underground river. After lunch there will be time to visit the Christmas market at the nearby Plaza de España and to see the lights (sunset at 17.45 hrs latest). Or perhaps partake of a mug of hot chocolate or mulled wine in one of the café bars before re-boarding our coach for the return journey to Jávea! Programme 08.30 hrs: Departure from Interiors (opposite side of the road), Jávea port; 2nd pickup at Mas y Mas on the N332 (if required). refreshment break en-route. 11.15 hrs: Meet our 2 guides outside the Alcoy Tourist Office. 11.30 hrs: 2-hour “Christmas Tour”. 14.00 hrs: Lunch at Restaurant La Gruta. 16.15 hrs: Free time to visit the Christmas market in the Plaza de España. 18.15 hrs: Re-board our coach for return journey to Jávea. 20.00 hrs: Approx. arrival in Jávea port. PRICE: € 45 pp to include coach, guided tour and entry fees, 3-course lunch and gratuities). CANCELLATION: In case of subsequent cancellation of your booking, refunds can only be made if your place is sold on to another member/s. You are advised to let the group leaders know as soon as possible as they may have a reserve list of other members wishing to participate in the event/trip. Group leaders Angela & Tony [email protected] .