Out and About on the Costa Blanca
Situated in the middle of the Costa Blanca the La Marina area is close to many of the attractions that this area of Spain has to offer. Whether it's a pleasant ride out in the mountains to discover the other side of Spain, untouched as yet by tourism. Or a full on day out in Benidorm and the Terra Mittica theme park. The choice is yours, and one thing you will become increasingly aware of is that there is plenty to choose from. A cross section including places of historical interest, beauty, or entertainment are listed here but by no means could we list everything you can do.
Terra Mitica Theme Park
Spain's answer to Alton Towers, without the rain! Easy to find it is located just off of the A7 motorway exit 65a near Benidorm. New for 2003 is an inverted roller coaster called the Tizona reaching speeds of 100kph and over 100 feet in the air it is a thrill seekers heaven. The smaller children are not forgotten with plenty of rides for them as well as the shows that are put on for all the family. The park is open from 10.00am daily and closes at 8.00pm; during the height of the summer from July 19th to September 7th it stays open until midnight, and in the winter months it only opens at weekends. An adult day ticket is €32 with children 5-10 and the over 60's paying €24.
Two day tickets, which must be used on consecutive days are €45 and €32 respectively and an evening ticket €18 or €13.50. Best value however has to be the season ticket which at present is €49, but according to their website the price of this will increase as more are sold!
Tel: (0034) 902 02 02 20
Web: http://www.terramiticapark.com
Isla De Tabarca
Only a few kilometres from the mainland this is a tranquil small island on which to spend a day. Used as a hideaway by Barbary pirates and the Spanish to house Genoese prisoners the island has had a chequered history. The surrounding waters are a national marine park with an abundance of marine life in the clear waters. There are some fortifications on Tabarca as well as the castle of San Jose.
Most of the activity today centres around the small port. There seems to be a restaurant for every inhabitant on the island, and due to the location their speciality is usually fish. Board a ferry from the waterfront at nearby Santa Pola, they sail every hour for a cost of around €6 return. There is also a longer trip available from the port in Alicante. Well worth a days visit and the only inhabited island off the coast of the Comunitat Valenciana.
Elche
A large bustling town and the capital of shoe making in Spain, Elche is inland by the A7 motorway exit 75 in the shadow of the Crevillente Mountains. It has expanded in recent times with a lot of industry on the outskirts, the centre with its narrow streets, bars and pavement cafes still holds the Spanish charm of days gone by. There is a fine blue tiled domed church dedicated to Santa Maria and also an impressive football stadium used in the world cup when Spain last hosted it; and venue of this seasons Copa Del Rey, the Spanish equivalent of the FA cup.
The must see here are the palm gardens with many species of rare palm and cactus from around the world. The gardens were first planted by the Arabs when they occupied this area of Spain and have now given the area a more North African feel than a Spanish one. The gardens and their 180,000 or so palms were added to UNESCOS world heritage list in 2000 as a unique example of Arab agricultural practices in Northern Europe.
Aqualandia
A large water park with fun for all ages, this park is well signposted from the A7 motorway and the N332 at Benidorm. All the usual rides are there from the lazy river type to a freefall slide, a big wave pool and an area designed to keep the younger ones amused and the lush foliage of the gardens provides ample shade. There are food outlets for all tastes, from a pizza to paella, a burger or barbeque as well as a picnic area.
The park is open from 11th May - 12th October, 10.00am - 6.00pm, from 1st - 19th July and 1st - 14th September it stays open until 7.00pm, and 20th July - 31st August until 8.00pm. Tickets cost €19 for adults with children 3 - 12 paying €12 and can be booked online at their website.
Tel: (0034) 965864006
Email: aqualandia@aqualandia.net
Web: http://www.aqualandia.net
Les Fonts De L'Algar
This is natures answer to the above water park and if you visit both you will probably agree that you cannot improve on nature. From the A7 or N332 head towards Polop and then Callosa D'en Sarria, the Algar falls are just outside on the Cv-715. Paths take you alongside the falls and there are natural swimming pools fed by these to cool down in the crystal clear waters.
The paths are flanked by bamboo and oleander and one of the paths leads up to an aromatic herb garden where there is a museum of the environment. There are toilets, showers and a picnic area at the top of the valley and a water museum is planned to open soon. Admission to the falls costs €2.34 with under 10's paying €1.17.
Mundomar
A marine and exotic animal park situated by Aqualandia near Benidorm. There is a dolphinarium, turtles and seals as well as parrots flamingos and a bat cave. Plenty to see and do for everyone with regular shows and a choice of food from the kiosks and restaurants in the park.
Entry costs €16 for adults and €9 for 3 - 12 year olds and tickets can be booked on their website. The park is open virtually year round from 10.00am - 6.00pm, with later closing from 1st May - 13th July and 1st - 14th September 7.00pm; and 8.00pm from 14th July - 31st August.
Tel: (0034) 965869101
Email: mundomar@mundomar.es
Web: http://www.mundomar.es
Guadalest
A town that must be unique in Spain, with its fortress high up the mountain where the entire population lived but later spilled out and down the rocky crags as the town grew. Founded in 715 by the Moors, control of it was wrestled between them and the Spanish with numerous battles and uprisings between 1238 and 1609 when most of them, in defeat, returned to North Africa. It is now a monument of historical and artistic value and with its narrow streets and squares is a pleasant place to explore.
Head inland from the A7 towards La Nucia then on towards Polop and Callosa D'en Sarria then towards Guadalest for some breathtaking scenery along the way.
The Rock of Ifach and Calpe Old Town
Rising out of the sea to a height of over 1,000 feet Ifach is a spectacular sight that towers above the old town and port of Calpe. Not unlike Gibraltar in appearance the site is now a nature park to protect the vegetation and some 300 species of wildlife. A winding path makes it possible to climb the peak, and your hard work will be rewarded by the spectacular views of the surrounding coastline. After all of this exertion make your way down to the old fishing port of Calpe and enjoy some of the locally caught seafood on one of the restaurant terraces that overlook the old port. Time it right and you may even the witness the afternoon fish auction.
After recovering its off around the narrow winding streets of this old part of Calpe, with its street market gothic church and sixteenth century fort waiting to be explored. Around an hours drive from La Marina; along the N332 and A7 toll road, but well worth the effort for a day out.
Caves of Canelobre
Take exit 67 off of the A7 the Bonalbo golf exit and follow the signs to Busot. The caves are set in the mountains 700 metres above sea level in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Discover the cavernous interior with walkways and atmospheric lighting highlighting the wonders of this underground world, one of which is a huge cathedral like vault. The surrounding area is good walking and hiking country with some great views of the area and the town of Busot is worth exploring afterwards for some typically Spanish cuisine.
Torrevieja
The town has grown considerably in recent years with a steady influx of Northern Europeans deciding to settle in the area. The town started out as an important producer of salt, an industry that is still very much in evidence today there is a museum of salt in the town and you can still see the end of the track and the carriages that used to take their cargo down to the port for export all over Europe. The area is now home to two large Marinas with over 1,500 yachts and pleasure boats moored there. The backdrop to this is a recently paved area where a nightly market is held throughout the summer.
A host of bars and restaurants surround this and when some of the side roads are closed to traffic at night they put out tables into the roads. There is an aqua park here and some fine beaches either side of the main town, and for the night owls there are a number of clubs that stay open until dawn. If you are felling energetic you can walk along the harbour breakwater which is a kilometre long and gives you a good view back towards the town.
Alicante
Dominated by the hilltop Santa Barbara castle that overlooks the new Marina, the Romans called it the "City of Light" today it is a bustling city home to both industry and tourism and some fine shops in its centre and in the new malls that have sprung up on the outskirts of the city in recent years.
There are some very good restaurants down by the Marina as well as takeaways and ice-cream parlours and many bars and clubs in an area just behind called "la zona". There are three museums to visit, one with a fine collection of paintings by Spanish artists of the modern age, along with works by Miro, Gris and Picaso. There is also a provincial archeological museum with roman and bronzeage exhibits, and in the castle of Santa Barbara a museum of the bonfires with a display of effigies that are usually burnt at the Los Hogueras festivals in the city.
Orihuela
Orihuela is as much an area as a city; it was once a provincial capital. On the one hand there is the Orihuela Costa with its modern Urbanisations and fine golf courses situated to the south of Torrevieja and having some fine beaches and marinas. Then some 25-30 kilometres inland is the city itself with some fine examples of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. There is also a museum dedicated to the shepherd turned radical poet who died in 1942 of tuberculosis at the age of 31, after being imprisoned for opposing the Franco regime.
Mar Menor
Take either the N332 or the new A37 motorway south and you will come across Europes largest salt water lagoon. Meaning smaller or lesser sea it is a haven for bird life and fast becoming one of the top upmarket holiday destinations in Spain. A narrow peninsula some 28 kilometres long separates it from the Mediterranean and this is full of modern hotels, apartment blocks shops and bars. The famous La Manga sports club and holiday centre is situated here with its three world class golf courses and other sporting and leisure facilities.
The Mar Menor itself is said to be rich in minerals that ease rheumatism and skin complaints, and its 73 kilometres of shoreline afford plenty of opportunity to test this out. Also a mecca for water sports enthusiasts with all the usual facilities to hand.