The most important city of Costa Blanca– Alicante – lies along the coast south of Benidorm. It’s a typical mediterrenean city with clear Spanish outlook. It was founded by the Romans as Lucentum (the City of Light) and is both a port and a famous tourist resort. A list of places worth visiting is long with a palm-tree promenade Explanada de Espana, Santa Maria church and San Nicolís cathedral. In the City Hall visitors may see a metal ring fixed in the stairs which is referred to in calculations of the sea level in whole of Spain. Built back in 17th century Casa de la Asegurada shelters a gorgious collection of modern art, with paintings od Dale, Miro and Picoasso among its exhibits. Today Alicante is second biggest city of Valencia, local airport serves millions of tourists each year. Long sandy beaches, mild climate, renovated old town and many interesting offers of nightlife make a strong incentive to stop here for at least one night.
TORREVIEJA
Torrevieja is currently very popular place to rest, especially when travelling on budget. It is here that many Europeans have bought their houses. Before the city expanded its citizens were mostly into sea salt, making Torrevieja one of the major exporters of it. Currently the city is the second biggest sea salt mining centre in the world. Habaneras – songs from Cuba brought here by the Spanish – have their festival held here on timely basis. South of Torrevieja is expanding rapidly. Many Europeans live here, among them Russians and Spaniards. Short ride south leads to a line of beautiful beaches called Las Playas de Orihuela with Cabo Roig and La Zenia.
BENIDORM
Benidorm vaguely reminds of Las Vegas – the american centre of entertainment. It is second to none in the league of resorts offering package holidays. The town has centuries old tradition, but also offers wide range of sport activities and entertainments. The rocky peninsula with the oldest part of the city located on it splits 3 miles of town’s coast into two sandy beaches: the eastern – Levante and the western – Poniente. Levante is in top 10 of best beaches in the world. It used to be a small fishery settlement but now is one of the most popular sea resorts. Benidorm with its high hotel buildings in a way reminds also of the Manhattan. It is said very accurately hat the three best things in Benidorm are English pubs, the sun and nightlife. Ornitologists will find their paradise taking going on a short cruise from the local port to a sea birds reserve on he Illa de Benidorm.
XABIA
Xábia is a picturesque fishing village with narrow streets and whitewashed facades of houses. It is surrounded by hills covered by orange and stione-pine groves. Picturesque harbours, fissures, caves, dominant in this region cliff coasts and two little islands once gave shelter to pirates and smugglers. The most crowded beach is El Arenal. As the local authorities forbade them, tall buildings of hotels are nowhere to be seen here.
DENIA
Denia is a town located near the Montego reserve. Tourists discover its charm in beautiful old town, mysterious lanes and picturesque fishing port. An old Arabic fortess overlooks the town. Both beaches, Las Marinas to the north and Las Rotas to the south of town are nice and sandy, the latter serving as a divers’ base. Denia, a former Greek colony, has its name originating from the name of Greek goddes Diana, a temple of which has been excavated recently. Currently the town is in fishery and slowly turns to tourism.
PENYAL D’IFACH.
Near town of Calpe lies Penyal d`Ifach – a limestone rock reaching 332 meters above the sea level – the symbol of the White Coast. A great adventure for those who can climb. From top of it with clowdless sky one can even see the peaks of the Ibiza. Penyal d`Ifach is a reserve for palm trees, junipers and other rare members of the fauna. For those who don’t climb there is a beach near by: Playa de Arena – 2km long paradise for windsurfers, sailors and water skiers.
www.playamarinacosta.com