|
|
Links to some places to visit... ...with apologies for leaving out many others. Click on the name for Wikipedia's article (if any), and on the kilometers for Google's directions from Altea. Albir – 5 km from Altea. This small but growing suburb of Alfaz del Pi, now mostly populated by foreigners, is a pleasant seaside walk from Altea. Hike up through the scented hills to the lighthouse with a picnic, or lunch in Albir, and if you’re too lazy to walk back, take the frequent little Llorente bus. Polop – 11 km. A short distance inland from Altea is Polop, a charming little hill town with restored church, a plaza of fountains named for the provinces of Spain, a shoe factory, art galleries, and some good ceramics shops. Benidorm – 13 km. Touristic beach town full of discos, shops, restaurants, beer, sunburned Brits, topless French and Scandinavian women (on the beach, of course), and two enormous sweeps of fine sand. Served by the small train (Trenet) and the local Llorente buses. Little known to North Americans, it’s one of Europe’s top holiday destinations. Young people of all ages will enjoy Aqualandia, a water park; Mundomar, featuring sea creatures; and Terra Mítica, a theme park based on the ancient cultures of Egypt, Greece, Rome, Iberia and the Islands. Calpe – 13 km. Benidorm without the madding crowd. A good beach for little ones because of the long, gentle slope into the water. Nearby is the amazing Peñon de Ifach, which you can climb for views of the sea and province. Villajoyosa – 22 km. Interesting old town with colorful five-story houses and, at the bottom, a long sandy beach. Visit the Fagor chocolate factory, or at least its chocolatería on the main highway through town. Accessible by Trenet. Must see (and taste). Guadalest – 24 km. Set among towering crags, the town has only a handful of residents, but its dozens of shops, museums, cafes and restaurants serve thousands of tourists. Amidst the kitsch, you can find swiftly but respectably painted “original” oils, ceramics, olive-wood salad bowls, hand-made table linens and rugs, Mallorca (fake pearl) jewelry and other delights. The views can’t be beat. The local Llorente bus serves Guadalest. Gata de Gorgos – 43 km. A few years ago, cheap Chinese goods edged out the locally-made cane furniture, basketry, and other handicrafts offered in the shops of Gata de Gorgos. Never mind; the Trenet ride north from Altea is scenic and there’s still an excellent ceramic shop at the end of the shopping street nearest the train stop. Cap de la Nao – 44 km. This high point overlooking the Mediterranean is worth the winding drive, if you have a car. Denia – 45 km. Home to a Moorish fort (now a museum), a port, lots of Dutch and Scandinavian residents, the ferry to Ibiza, and some pretty walking streets, Denia is the northern terminus of the little Trenet. Alicante – 53 km. Provincial capital and lovely small city of about half a million people, with an active port, paseos on the seafront and inland, great beaches, museums and even an opera house. Also the University of Alicante and its medical school. Valencia – 132 km. Regional capital and the nearest major city. Served by train from Alicante or bus from Benidorm. Ancient and modern attractions, the University of Valencia, many museums of the arts and sciences, a lovely old town center, and of course oranges and rice. Make a meal of tapas at Casa la Pepa, our favorite restaurant. Cartagena – 174 km. With silver mines and sailing ships, and more than two thousand years of history, "New Carthage" makes a fine day trip, or better yet, an overnight from Altea. Take the car. |
|