An Ionian seaside town, Avola is a mix of old and new. The town focuses heavily on the sea, with its history as a tuna fishing port. Today, the remains of the Vecchia Tonnara at the wharf are a stone backdrop to the sandy beaches. Avola dates back to a pre-Greek people called the Sicani.…
Located about 11 kilometres north of Catania, it is the perfect little commune to visit during the ottobrata – the local festivity that occurs every October here in Sicily, celebrating the fruits of the land: frutti di terra. The first encounter went wrong already 🙂 Approaching the booth with fruit, I have noticed quince – one…
If something is worth visiting in life, it is the Aeolian islands. Becasue it makes you think about winter in the south. It makes you think about simplicity of life. And it makes you realise how not to treat the tourists: just some bags of potatoes that need to be shipped from one island to…
I haven’t had a chance to spent a bit more time discovering this city. But just a glimpse and it made me think to re-visit and make it’s due. When the time will come, I promise to update with more photos. But for now, enjoy the story 🙂 Several civilizations settled in Milazzo and left…
I didn’t expect much from this harbour city, to be honest. I knew they have a great beer – Messina cristali di sale: a great Sicilian beer brewed since 1923 and one of the most loved Italian beers. It is the third largest city on the island of Sicily, and the 13th largest city in Italy.…
Senlis is a city in the northern French department of Oise, Hautes de France. Cute, medieval and charming. It offered us great peek into history: The monarchs of the early French dynasties lived in Senlis, attracted by the proximity of the Chantilly forest. Senlis is situated on the river Nonette. Senlis was known in early Roman imperial times as Augustomagus. During the 3rd century, a seven-meter…
The Château de Chantilly is one of the finest jewels in the crown of France’s cultural heritage. It is the work of a man with an extraordinary destiny: Henri d’Orléans, Duke of Aumale, son of the last King of France, Louis-Philippe. This historic French château located in the town of Chantilly, Oise, about 50 kilometres north of Paris. The site…
The Scala dei Turchi is a rocky cliff on the coast of Realmonte, near Porto Empedocle. It has become a tourist attraction, partly due to its mention series of detective stories about Commissario Montalbano. The cliffs lie between two sandy beaches and are a limestone rock formation in the shape of a staircase, hence the name. The latter part…
Picture this episode: we parked on a roundabout. Some local approached us (my brother and me) – we thought because we should have not park in a roundabout, but then again they all did, so… in fact the guy just wanted to ask if we have cigarettes. Ok Sicily, episode n. At the roundabout is…
Enna or as the Sicilians would say Castrugiuvanni; is a city located roughly at the center of Sicily, towering above the surrounding countryside. It has earned the nicknames belvedere (panoramic viewpoint) and ombelico (“navel”) of Sicily. At 931m above sea level, Enna is the highest Italian provincial capital. To arrive there is not a piece of cake. Passing the two viaducts Morello and…
From its dramatic natural surroundings to its historic churches, Sicily has something to offer every traveler. The island of Sicily is a unique part of Italy. Its craggy mountains, wild vegetation, and omnipresent sea have fired the imagination of poets, wayfarers, and visitors alike. Though it is one of 20 Italian regions, its history under…
Aci Castello and the other Acis around are destinations not to be missed in Sicily, especially for lovers of Greek myths and literature. It is here that the poets Virgil and Ovid gave birth to the myth of Galatea and Aci and their love story. In the second half of 1100 the town was destroyed…
My very good friend and chilean housemate from Spain was getting marry in her hometown of Calpe, close to Alicante. It was a great opportunity to reunite us all met once in […]
My very good friend and chilean housemate from Spain was getting marry in her hometown of Calpe, close to Alicante. It was a great opportunity to reunite us all met once in Chile, living la vida loca of 2010.
The region is called Costa Blanca and the city of Alicante is nearby Valencia.
Alicante is one of Spain’s most beautiful cities and a hotspot destination for city breaks in the sun.
The name of the city echoes the Arabic name Al-Laqant, which in turn reflects the Latin Lucentum, meaning the light.
Upon my arrival, I gave a tour to through the city and enjoyed spanish sun (my favourite type of sun)! 🙂
Amongst the most notable features of the city is the Castle of Santa Bárbara, which is placed high above the city and the port of Alicante. Unfortunately, I did not have time to climb u and visit it.
Castillo di Santa Barbara
The mount is called Mount Benacantil where many artifacts from Bronze Age, Iberian, and Roman agehave been found, but the origins of the castle date to the 9th century at the time of Muslim control of the Iberian Peninsula, from 711 till 1296 when it was conquered by the Aragonese royal family.
The so called paseo or Explanada de España, is a beautiful walking path lined by palm trees and paved with marble floor that reflects the sun. Together with tiles, it creates a wavy form and is one of the most lovely promenades in Spain.
Explanada de España
Playa del postiguet is one of Alicante’s loveliest beaches. The beach is huge and stretches the length of the city. A couple of hours on the idyllic white sands and clear blue waters and you forget you’re actually in a bustling city.
Playa del postiguet
El Barrio is the old town as the historical heart of Alicante. I fell in love with its mediaval streets and stacked Spanish apartments adorned with flowers.
Some old-world charm. ❤
Barrio de la Santa Cruz
Me personaly liked the baroque city hall made in the 18th century.
Inside there are several remarkable rooms styled from the period of Spain’s Queen Isabel, meeting hall and a chapel in which mass is held.
City Hall
Throughout the various rooms in the building, visitors can admire interesting works by many spanish authors, suh as Dali.
Dali’s work and Cota Zero in the City Hall
Note at the photo, at the building’s main staircase is the so-called Cota cero the reference point from which the altitude of Spain’s various cities is measured in metres above sea level.
The Basilica of Santa Maria was built in Valencian Gothic style between the 14th and 16th centuries over the remains of a former Moorish mosque. It has a beautiful decorated baroque facade, noteworthy among them being an image of the virgin.
Basilica di Santa MariaInscription on the church wall
The morning after the wedding ceremony, my friends were taking me back to the airport. We passed by next to the mighty rock outcrop of the Peñón de Ifach, the Costa Blanca’s very own mini Gibraltar! It was 4.30 am FYI 🙂
This amazing landmark is home to numerous rare examples of local plant life, 300 different species of animals, and a yearly nest site for many colonies of sea birds…
What a really lovely place this is. Spain is known for being a nice place in Europe but the town and its aspects are just gorgeous! This is somewhere I would really love to visit in Spain. When there, I would definitely do my best to explore that castle as well.
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I have some really good childhood memories in Alicante!
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After reading this post, i want to visit Alicante NOW!!! 😛
xoxo
Kate
https://sparkleandthecity.com/
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I’ve always wanted to go to Spain since I took Spanish classes in high school. Your El Barrio photos are so cool!
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You just can’t beat the Mediteranian small city charm.
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Lovely pictures and they are inspiring me to visit Spain 🙂
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I’ve been to Alicante and I recognize those desert mountains and palm trees. Such charm! 🙂
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What a really lovely place this is. Spain is known for being a nice place in Europe but the town and its aspects are just gorgeous! This is somewhere I would really love to visit in Spain. When there, I would definitely do my best to explore that castle as well.
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Beautiful pictures, i want to visit Spain NOW 🙂 #bucketlist
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Truly charming! I’m going to Barcelona soon but wish I could come here as well! ( https://www.fijord.com )
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Lovely pictures and place.Really worth a visit.
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Hello there! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any tips?
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I had a great holiday here reading this I want to return.
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Nice post, I am from Murcia, 1 hour ride from Alicante and its an amazing place 🙂
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I really love your post please make a post on INDIA
Please make a post on DELHI too
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Wow helpful post🙏
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Im thinking to put this on my bucket list! Great content!
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I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good.
I don’t know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you are not already 😉 Cheers!
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