Sparkle Posted October 30, 2010 Share Posted October 30, 2010 As we live in Spain I've been asked for some information about the area a few times... and have just sent this off in an email for someone travelling down the coast from Barcelona to Alicante...... so thought it might be useful for others as well. Right.....I'll start north coast and head backwards to Alicante, assuming you are coming that way down the coast. (Although if you are coming past Zaragoza its worth a look in on Belchite, a village which was devastated in the civil war, and left as is, although not publisicised it is a really good thought provoking place to side track to, the village being rebuilt next to the devastation that is really a war zone which you can walk around). Incidently the new road from Zaragoza to the coast at Sagunto is amazing!! We did Girona a couple of years back in the summer on our bike, and its a lovely old town. Well worth a look before you get to Barcelona. We also took in the coast from Cadaques (a lovely little port where there is a Dali Museum ) although our timing was bad as you have to book your visit in the summer months as it gets so busy. We came down the coast back to Barcelona.... nice run, i believe Tossa de Mar might be worth a coffee stop if nothing else for a wander on the deserted beach at that time of year. Barcelona we love to bits and try and go every year and always find new stuff to do. If you do go then worth checking out are all the usual tourist things: Park Guell (although don't bother paying to go into the house there, not really worth the money) La Pedrera (go early to avoid queues, and we thought worth the money for entrance - I think about 8 or 10 euros each but gives loads of info on Gaudi (whom we both think is great)) Sagrada Familia (you don't have to pay to enter if you're happy wandering around the outside, but it is interesting inside too.) Ramblas - well worth a wander during day and evening, although don't do a drink stop and people watch, you'll be ripped off price wise at any cafe along here (except McDonalds!!) The Port is ok, with a lot of food places but very pricey!! Needless to say when in Barcelona especially exercise usual city rules, only take the essentials that you need with you, don't leave bags under chairs or hung over the back of them, spread your money around your person etc etc etc...... pick pockets are rife, and although we have heard many horror stories, we have been about 6 times and never seen anything or fallen prey to the scum that carry out the like of pick pocketing etc. BE aware and you'll get no problems, they want easy prey. Our fav restaurant in Barcelona is La Crema Canela, Passatge Madoz, 6 off Placa Reial, (also one in Girona) . Main courses not over 15 euros, and two can have a great 3 course meal, with drinks for about 40 euros, very good quality. Around the corner from there is a great cocktail bar, Sub Rosa in Calle Rauric, where they do happy hour from 6 - 11pm and all cocktails are only 4 euros.... and trust me, one is plenty to get you fluffy!! If you do get in here say Bruce and Kathy sent you..... as we like to make an effort to spread the word of them! Sitewise - theres a couple of ACSI sites outside of the city and an AIRE in the city (which we haven't stayed at as it worked out cheaper to do the sites, although not sure of their opening times early in the year) but public transport is great. We've not stopped at many places south of Barcelona to any great extent as we prefer inland Spain..... Benicassim, Castellon- we have done these for bike rallies but not much there to stop for to be honest. Worth a look inland are: Cuenca and Albarracin (Near Teruel which is nothing special in itself). Also around that area is Cantevieja, a tiny village but very pretty. Valencia is great.... worth a few days, the Arts and Science Museum and Oceanographic took us a whole day and we ended up bailing out as we were so tired..... so worth buying the 2 day ticket for.... although not cheap sometimes you can get special offers from Carrefour etc. If you're into more cost effective stuff then the Museum of the Fallas which is more or less opposite the Arts and Science Museum is well worth a look, I think it was only about 3 euros entry, and although all in Spanish its more a visual thing showing the history of the Fallas with posters from years back and the statues themselves that weren't burnt. The old town is great for exploring, and the big central food market great to capture some atmosphere..... with loads of tapas bars around to sample the local dishes, snails being popular and paella of course! We stayed on an ACSI site when we visited, which although not that quiet was handy for the scooter ride into the city, although there is a bus stop right outside the site. We've only been there once, but would defo go back and explore more. Then we hit our neck of the woods..... Denia - worth a wander around with a castle get great views from, Market day is Monday with a nice spacious market to walk around. Moraira - nothing special here at all esp out of season, but the coast road from here to Calpe is a nice if wiggly/bendy run. Calpe - as stated before a great base with stuff going on all year around Jalon - lovely valley, great wine growing region with a couple of bodegas to sample local and very cheap wines in! Antiques market is on saturday morning and a nice amble around Altea - a must visit, market day is tuesday and very busy, but the old town comes alive in the evenings. Daytime out of season not much happens up there, but you should still get a feel for it in the evenings with lots of restaurants - Stombolis being our favourite up there. Inland from Altea is where we used to live, Polop de la Marina... beautiful little village with ruins of old castle at the top to walk around and views right down to the coast. Albir to Altea - great for walking along the prom, nice and flat and you can walk out to Albir lighthouse as well for great views over to Calpe and inland to the mountains. South of there to Alicante..... coast wise theres not really worth stopping for....Benidorm (what can I say..... do you want to see Spain or see little england with sun??!!) Perhaps worth a stop for coffee is Villajoyosa.... pretty little seaside port bit to walk along with coloured houses and a chocolate museum to wander around. Alicante itself - we've not found much here to pull us back, good shopping in the centre - worth a trip to El Corte Ingles if you do for their thick spanish hot chocolate and churros! The Port has some pretty impressive boats as well usually. South of Alicante I'd personally not bother with at all.... unless its warm enough to bake yourself in the muds at San Pedro Del Pinatar by the Mar Menor..... which I doubt it will be that time of year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted November 21, 2010 Share Posted November 21, 2010 Thanks for making the effort to post that B-) The only thing I can add is I like Javea, and you get a great view from the Castle at Alicante (free) You can drive up but only a small car park (pic attached) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davew Posted November 21, 2010 Share Posted November 21, 2010 ....and I like Altea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted November 21, 2010 Share Posted November 21, 2010 Thanks Kathy, Only just found your post, but helpful as ever. We took your recomendation from before, and stayed at Calpe twice this year,. Nice convienient site, cheapest washing mc around. good value ACSI site, as long as you watch how much elec you use, as they charge over a certain fig(can't remamber what that is) Elec, water and drainage on each pitch. Nice roomy showers also., PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 davew - 2010-11-21 11:14 PM ....and I like Altea So do I, but thats not it, your picture is Albir. Altea is just out of the picture, on the right hand side. Albir is just as nice though :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davew Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 Lol, you are more of less right. The left hand two thirds is Albir, the right hand third is Altea. - but I like them both :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 davew - 2010-11-22 7:45 AM Lol, you are more of less right. The left hand two thirds is Albir, the right hand third is Altea. - but I like them both :D I like them both too. But since we hear bad things about places like Barcelona in the interest of balance I suppose I should point out my mother and sister hired a car, brand new Ford Fiesta, parked it in the seafront at Altea, and came back to find a deep scratch right down the side of the car on both sides. Hire company suggested it was motivated by jealousy, and would be covered by insurance. Also I saw a British car on a residential street in Albea, old Ford Sierra, with the side window smashed. :'( Still lovely places though. This is Albir on Christmas day last year. Like your picture, Altea is in the far right. :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleo Posted November 22, 2010 Share Posted November 22, 2010 thanks very much for a very informatve post. We are coming to spain in jan so will definately put some of the places on our visit list. Can anyone recommend a site/s suitable for a 34ft rv in these areas. We do have the ASCI book. Thanks again for any help. :-D :$ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big olga Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 Hi, spakle, we have a place in Calpe and hope to take "Big Olga" there from Northern Ireland in 2012 when I retire. I loved your photo,s of the area; it makes me home sick for the Costa Blanca! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John J Thompson Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 If you have a refillable tank the REPSOL gas station at Alacante uses both the UK adaptor or the new Euro one (two pumps). Easy access for a large motorhome. Note this is not a petrol filling station, it's gas only. North of Alacante is one of the few garage with LPG Autogas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olley Posted December 19, 2010 Share Posted December 19, 2010 John Thompson - 2010-12-19 4:04 PM If you have a refillable tank the REPSOL gas station at Alacante uses both the UK adaptor or the new Euro one (two pumps). Easy access for a large motorhome. Note this is not a petrol filling station, it's gas only. North of Alacante is one of the few garage with LPG Autogas. Hi John is that here? http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=218062938126361983489.00045c0c2ec92a3f46ca4&ll=38.376856,-0.509748&spn=0.017831,0.042014&z=15 Olley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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