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Visit Alicante Spain

May 11, 2022 By Cynthia Holmes 2 Comments

visit alicante

Visit Alicante, Spain, a 2000 yr old city on the beautiful Costa Blanca coastline of the Mediterranean Sea.

What to see in Alicante

Beaches

Beaches are the main draw to Alicante. Postiguet beach is right in the heart of the city again.  This is the main beach of Alicante and can be busy all day long.  It is located very near the marina and the promenade (Explanada).

Besides other beaches nearby, there is an 8 km stretch of beach from San Juan to El Campello. The playa is huge and not packed like some beaches.  It is lovely to stroll along the promenade or right along the water’s edge. There are multiple high rise apartment buildings along San Juan Playa with stunning views. Many restaurants and bars inhabit the promenade as well.

The main marina is right in the heart of the city, very close to Postiguet beach, hotels and bars, with huge yachts and pleasure craft.

Explanada

Across from the marina is The Explanada, the most popular walkway in the city. The ground is made of marble and it is lined with palms, restaurants, bars and market stalls.

Several restaurants run alongside the explanada, mostly geared to tourists. There are apparently 1400 restaurants and bars in Alicante.  Spanish people love to meet friends for a drink or a meal, on a terrace, any time of year.

You must try Paella as Alicante is reputed to have the best in Spain. Traditionally it is cooked over an open fire.  Another goody to sample is turron, especially if made in Jijona, a nearby town.  Turron is a sweet soft nougat like treat. You can even sample turron ice-cream.

Castle

Besides the beaches, the number one attraction in Alicante is Santa Barbara Castle, built in the 9th century. There are many routes to the top and the views are magnificent. You can hop on an elevator across from Postiguet beach as well if you don’t care to ascend one of the many paths to the top. Here is a short video with more information on Santa Barbara Castle.

Parks and Plazas

The city has many parks and Gabriel Miro Plaza is one of them. It is a small park, just off the Explanada and happens to be my favourite.  Surrounded by interesting buildings like the post office, it is dominated by a lovely fountain and huge and amazing ficus trees that almost completely cover the park.

There are many plazas, fountains, and monuments in the centre of the city. One of the most popular is Plaza de los Luceros with a monumental fountain in the center built in 1930. This is where most parades and processions start from. Just a few blocks away is The Central Market. Nearly 300 stalls offer almost anything you could eat. It is open 6 days a week until 2pm. There are several florists in the square just behind the market.

Architecture and Archaeology

Some examples of the beautiful architecture of Alicante including Medieval, Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance and others. The old town offers a very interesting mix. If you get a chance to pop in for 5 minutes to Santa Maria Basilica or St Nicholas cathedral, they are both beautiful and I am sure you will not be disappointed.

Those interested in archaeology, be sure to pay a visit to the Museum of Archaeology. It won the European Museum of the Year Award in 2004 and is very impressive.

Attached to the main city hall building are some Roman ruins. There are also other places to see roman ruins as well scattered around the city. Lucentum is an archaeological site in the city and was the original name of Alicante.

Fiestas

Spanish love their fiestas! The most important festival, the Hogueras takes place in the weeks before St John the Baptist day on 24th of June. Several processions take place as well as fireworks and firecrackers at all hours of the day and night during this time. Loud music and parties go until 430 am for a week or so. it all culminates with huge statues in every neighbourhood, about 90, being set on fire at midnight on St John the Baptist day.

For a city of only 330,000 inhabitants, Alicante offers great beaches, restaurants, nightlife, history and culture. Here is a video about what you can see when you Visit Alicante.

 

 

Filed Under: Featured, Blog, Europe Tagged With: what-to-see-in-alicante, visiting-alicante

Where To Go In Greece

July 4, 2017 By Cynthia Holmes Leave a Comment

Where To Go In Greece

Where To Go In Greece

Do you wonder where to go in Greece? Everyone knows about the beaches, and what about the food, history, archaeology, scenery and the unparalleled joie de vivre that is Greece? As the country was already inhabited from prehistoric times, traces of human civilization can be found everywhere, in all corners of the country. Athens is the historical capital of Greece. The country offers over 100 outstanding archaeological sites; the best known being The Acropolis in Athens. The National Archaeological Museum of Athens is one of the most important museums in the world.

Around 6,000 islands and islets are scattered in the Aegean and Ionian Sea, most of them grouped in clusters, that constitute the unique Greek archipelago. Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, the Dodecanese and the Cyclades are some of the famous and popular islands and island clusters in Greece.

Santorini seems to be made for romantics and is immensely popular. But even well-known tourist attractions can actually live up to their reputation—and a sunset over the caldera is hard to beat. During the day, visit a winery, relax on some of the world’s most colorful beaches, or venture offshore for a tour of the volcano.

Rhodes, the largest of the Dodecanese, has been famous since antiquity for its Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Today, it’s most known for its Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the 14th-century Palace of the Grand Masters, which was once a Turkish prison.

Mykonos’ reputation precedes it, and for good reason. While most of the Greek islands are laid-back enclaves, this cosmopolitan Cycladic island can satisfy any and all of your nightlife needs, from surfside lounge bars to wild clubs. Mykonos also has a burgeoning art scene.

Kefalonia will more than satisfy beach lovers. Greece has more than 8,500 miles of coastline, so sand-and-surf fiends have no shortage of places to put their towel. Still, of the Greek islands, Kefalonia is one of its beach meccas, and Myrtos Beach, which sits between two mountains, is its most famous. Cinephiles will recognize the island from its onscreen time in 2001’s Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, which was filmed here.

Ikaria is perfect for adventure-seekers and the lovers of the outdoors. Deriving its name from Icarus, who in Greek mythology fell into the sea nearby, Ikaria is primarily mountainous, which makes it an excellent island for walking and hiking. (The island’s network of paths, known as monopatia, will take hikers from coast to coast, through oak and pine forests, and from one mountaintop to another.) Post-hike, relax in the mineral bath houses at Therma, whose waters reputedly have curative properties.

Hydra, a mere two hours from Athens by hydrofoil, remains blissfully free of wheeled vehicles. That’s right, no cars or scooters here. Instead, you’ll find cobblestoned streets traversed by mules and donkeys, immaculate stone mansions, and picturesque, harbor-side cafes.

Whether you’re looking for culture and nightlife, fresh seafood, or some of the best in the world, you’ll be able to find it in one idyllic trip.

Tour in Greece

Here are some sample tours to answer the question where to go in Greece.

Best of Greece – 15 days from $2899 CAD ($2226 US). The must-see historical sites of Athens and Delphi, the rugged plateaus of the Samariá Gorge, isolated Cretan villages and the sway of Santorini.

Adriatic Adventure – for 18 – 30 somethings. Dubrovnik to Athens 9 days from $1299 CAD ($1000 US).

Sailing – Santorini to Mykonos (or reverse) 8 days on 15 m yachts from $1399 CAD ($1074 US).

Sailing – Athens to Santorini 15 days from $2399 CAD ($1847 US). Select departures Sept and Oct.

Cycling – 8 days from $1895 CAD ($1455 US).

Walking – Discover the 3 islands of Paros, Naxos and Santorini. 8 days from $1675 CAD ($1286 US).

For more information on these or any tours, contact us.

Filed Under: Europe, Featured, Blog

Walking Tours In Europe

February 24, 2017 By Cynthia Holmes Leave a Comment

Walking Tours in Europe - Cinque TerreHave You Been Considering Walking Tours in Europe

Whether you are planning to conduct a pilgrimage, or just for the sheer exercise and adventure, walking tours in Europe are a great way to see a country up close. The great thing about Europe, is proximity of towns and villages to each other. There is always an opportunity to stop for a break.

Spain’s Camino de Santiago is quite popular, as is Italy’s Cinque Terre, but have you thought about trekking past ancient Greek ruins, or braving the cool weather while taking in stunning scenery in Greenland? Walking across an island or exploring a local village trail gets you in touch with the local culture, history, food and people.

These are not high altitude hikes, but low level and easily doable for people with reasonable fitness levels.

Here are just a few tours in Europe

Austria – Walk through the Tyrol. 8 days from $1575 CAD ($1199 US). Be surrounded by the lush meadows and jagged peaks. This trek will involve a higher fitness level than the others mentioned and walking can be 5 – 7 hours per day.

Greenland – 8 days walking through untouched regions of wild Greenland. From $5985 CAD ($4556US). A spectacular walking journey through the mountain and coastal wilderness of Greenland’s fjorded east coast.

Greek Islands – Walk on the islands of Santorini, Paros and Naxos 8 days from $1675 CAD ($1275 US). The Greek islands have much more to offer than most would think: archaeological treasures, history, culture, dramatic landscapes overlooking an azure coloured sea and, of course, delicious food. Our week starts on the beautiful island of Naxos, before heading to Santorini and Paros.

Norway Trekking Weekend – Take in the jagged edges of Norway in just a few days’ jaunt. 4 days from $2275 CAD ($2112 US). Take a glacier walk on the Folgefonna glacier and walk up to the famous Trolltunga.

Italy’s Cinque Terre – 8 days for $1525 US. This is a rare jewel that changes with the light of the day, a play of colours, mainly reflected by the blue of the sea, dotted with gold, pink and green houses.

Spain – Walking the Camino de Santiago. 8 days from $1899 CAD ($1446 US). This is a well known adventure trail. Trace the steps of pilgrims walking from Lugo to Santiago de Compostela.

 

Filed Under: Featured, Blog, Europe

Iceland Tours

December 23, 2016 By Cynthia Holmes

Iceland ToursIceland Tours

A country of extreme contrasts, there are numerous and wide-spread Iceland tours to suit every traveller. Known as “The Land of Fire and Ice”, Iceland has some of the largest glaciers in the world, and some of the most active volcanoes in the world.

There is a great diversity of landscapes, from moss covered lava fields, barren highlands, to soaring fjords.

Iceland is typically divided into different geographical regions. Each region differs slightly in respect of culture and landscape, but all are uniquely Icelandic.

Regions

From wonderful waterfalls, to great glaciers, the south has it all. On the Golden Circle, you’ll see the breathtaking waterfall Gullfoss and the Geysir hot spring area, where the geysir Strokkur erupts every few minutes. Further east along the shore, you will find Skógafoss Waterfall, Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon, Vatnajökull Glacier, and several other natural wonders.

The north is a land of contrasts. Long valleys and peninsulas are interspersed with mountains, lava fields and smooth hills. The north coast is at times lush with vegetation, and other times barren. The midnight sun is awe-inspiring.

The Westfjords are a wilderness and ideal for spotting birds and Arctic Fox. West Iceland is one of Iceland’s most geologically diverse regions, with slumbering volcanos, majestic waterfalls and a variety of flora and fauna.

The east coast is home to the country’s largest forest, lush farmlands and a range of small fjords and islands. A variety of fishing villages, and small seaside communities border the coast.

Don’t forget the capital city, Reykjavík. With a population of 120,000, it is not a bustling metropolis but you will find a steady beat keeping the city full of energy and events.

The Reykjanes peninsula is a geothermal wonder, where lighthouses outnumber villages. The Keflavík International Airport is found here, along with the spectacular Blue Lagoon.

The highlands are surrounded by obsidian and colorful rhyolite mountains and provide stunning hiking routes. Bathe in natural hot rivers in the geothermal area of Landmannalaugar and trek through a hidden valley surrounded by mountains, glaciers and rivers.

Iceland Tours

Here are a few tours to consider:

5 days Iceland Northern Lights & Golden Circle from $1700 CAD ($1268 US approximately), on sale until end of January 2023.

7 days Best of Iceland from $2821 CAD ( $2105 US approximately), on sale until end of January 2023

For more information on these or any other tours, contact us.

Filed Under: Featured, Blog, Europe

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