Alicante, situated on a bay between two capes on the east coast
of Spain, is the centre of the popular Costa Blanca holiday resort
region. The city has a distinct African flavour with women clad in
caftans and hawkers selling African carvings along the waterfront
and esplanades. Alicante's historical central district, though, is
filled with Baroque buildings, bearing testimony to the city's past
when it was a major seaport. The main thoroughfare of the city is
the Rambla, lined with palm trees, outdoor cafes and ice-cream
parlours serving the unusual local drink, horchata, made with
almonds. There are shops aplenty, parks and gardens, marble paved
plazas and the broad Explanada d'Espanya encircling the yacht
harbour with its mosaic promenade. Visitors come to Alicante mainly
for the beaches, particularly San Juan which sports villas, hotels
and restaurants. The city has an international airport that makes
it the gateway to the nearby package tour resorts such as Benidorm
and Torrevieja, and ensures that the city is crowded with tourists
all year round. Alicante's energy reaches a peak during the last
week of June each year when visitors and locals alike throw
themselves into celebrating the unrivalled fiesta of Saint
Joan.
