clean up using AWB
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===By plane===
===By plane===
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'''[http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Alicante/en/ Alicante Airport]''' (ALC), also known as ''L'Altet Airport'', is located 11 km (6.8 miles) south of the city centre.
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'''[http://www.aena-aeropuertos.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Alicante/en/ Alicante Airport]''' (ALC), also known as ''L'Altet Airport'', is located 11 km (6.8 miles) south of the city centre.
At the airport, one terminal is in service. It is known as Terminal N or the new terminal. Terminals T1 and T2 that were used before the construction of the new terminal are no longer in service.
At the airport, one terminal is in service. It is known as Terminal N or the new terminal. Terminals T1 and T2 that were used before the construction of the new terminal are no longer in service.
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[[File:Explanada de España.jpg|thumb|upright|Esplanada de España]]
[[File:Explanada de España.jpg|thumb|upright|Esplanada de España]]
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* '''Castle of Santa Barbara''' On the top of Mount Benacantil at a height of 166 metres, there is one of the largest medieval fortresses in Spain, built in the ninth century by Muslims. An amazing view of town and harbour. If you feel fit, the walk from Plaza de Carmen is a sight in itself, through some narrow winding streets. If not, there is an elevator in the core of Mount Benacantil itself. The castle can also be reached by a car, but parking slots are scarce.<br />The elevator runs from the ground level near the main road of Avenue de Juan Bautista Lafora (38°20'48.17"N 0°28'36.71"W) and stops at two levels in the castle. It may not be easy to spot the entrance! The easiest route is to follow Postiguet beach to the footbridge, then cross the road and pick your way West along the pavement until you see the sign for the castle and the tunnel entrance.<br />Entry to the castle is free. A round-way trip by the elevator from the ground floor costs € 2.40. The ticket machine is near the end of the tunnel. Insert your money, press the large green "A" button, then "Ticket", and your ticket will be printed. Maps are provided. Traveling between the two castle levels is free.<br />From April to September, the castle is open from 10:00 to 22:00, while the elevator runs from 10:00 to 20:00. From October to March, the castle is open from 10:00 to 20:00, and the elevator from 10:00 to 19:30. Always note the "last elevator" times at the ticket machine, though. Currently (June 2009) there is some restoration work in progress on the castle, so some areas are inaccessible and you might have to dodge some light traffic.
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* '''Castle of Santa Barbara''' On the top of Mount Benacantil at a height of 166 metres, there is one of the largest medieval fortresses in Spain, built in the ninth century by Muslims. An amazing view of town and harbour. If you feel fit, the walk from Plaza de Carmen is a sight in itself, through some narrow winding streets. If not, there is an elevator in the core of Mount Benacantil itself. The castle can also be reached by a car, but parking slots are scarce.<br />The elevator runs from the ground level near the main road of Avenue de Juan Bautista Lafora (38°20'48.17"N 0°28'36.71"W) and stops at two levels in the castle. It may not be easy to spot the entrance! The easiest route is to follow Postiguet beach to the footbridge, then cross the road and pick your way West along the pavement until you see the sign for the castle and the tunnel entrance.<br />Entry to the castle is free. A round-way trip by the elevator from the ground floor costs € 2.40. The ticket machine is near the end of the tunnel. Insert your money, press the large green "A" button, then "Ticket", and your ticket will be printed. Maps are provided. Traveling between the two castle levels is free.<br />From April to September, the castle is open from 10:00 to 22:00, while the elevator runs from 10:00 to 20:00. From October to March, the castle is open from 10:00 to 20:00, and the elevator from 10:00 to 19:30. Always note the "last elevator" times at the ticket machine, though. Currently (June 2009) there is some restoration work in progress on the castle, so some areas are inaccessible and you might have to dodge some light traffic.
* {{see
* {{see
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''Las Hogueras de San Juan'' is the most important festival in the city. The celebration takes place in the 20ths of June. Throughout Alicante, enormous monuments are constructed and burned at the end of the festival during the night of 24th to 25th. After that, a week of night fireworks continues in the beach.
''Las Hogueras de San Juan'' is the most important festival in the city. The celebration takes place in the 20ths of June. Throughout Alicante, enormous monuments are constructed and burned at the end of the festival during the night of 24th to 25th. After that, a week of night fireworks continues in the beach.
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Other celebrations include Carnival (in February-March, just before Lent) with parades of people in disguises and open air concerts (yes, weather allows it!), Holy Week (with parades of religious brotherhoods with their images of Jesus Christ, Holy Mary and so on) and Santa Faz (second Thursday after Good Friday) where a massive pilgrimage/walk to a close village where a relic with and image of Jesus is on display. As in the rest of Spain, in the Epiphany (January the 6th) there is a parade in remembrance of the Three Wise Men that adored Child Jesus, where every child participates (it is the equivalent to Santa Claus in the Spanish culture).
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Other celebrations include Carnival (in February–March, just before Lent) with parades of people in disguises and open air concerts (yes, weather allows it!), Holy Week (with parades of religious brotherhoods with their images of Jesus Christ, Holy Mary and so on) and Santa Faz (second Thursday after Good Friday) where a massive pilgrimage/walk to a close village where a relic with and image of Jesus is on display. As in the rest of Spain, in the Epiphany (January the 6th) there is a parade in remembrance of the Three Wise Men that adored Child Jesus, where every child participates (it is the equivalent to Santa Claus in the Spanish culture).
In October is the Moros y Cristianos festival in various small towns around the Alicante region. The festivity keeps memory of the Reconquer of each town by Christian kings of the territory to Islamic forces. Locals dress up in colorful costumes as Medieval Moorish and Christian warriors and knights. Live camels and elephants can sometimes be seen in street processions. In some areas, temporary wooden castles are built and mock battles are waged. Loud gunpowder arquebuses are discharged into the air, and fireworks can last late into the night.
In October is the Moros y Cristianos festival in various small towns around the Alicante region. The festivity keeps memory of the Reconquer of each town by Christian kings of the territory to Islamic forces. Locals dress up in colorful costumes as Medieval Moorish and Christian warriors and knights. Live camels and elephants can sometimes be seen in street processions. In some areas, temporary wooden castles are built and mock battles are waged. Loud gunpowder arquebuses are discharged into the air, and fireworks can last late into the night.
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==Learn==
==Learn==
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* Don Quijote [http://www.donquijote.org/english/alicante.asp] Spanish school in Alicante is a great school where you can take 4–6 hours of courses a day. All courses including beginner courses are taught entirely in Spanish.
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* Don Quijote [http://www.donquijote.org/english/alicante.asp] Spanish school in Alicante is a great school where you can take 4–6 hours of courses a day. All courses including beginner courses are taught entirely in Spanish.
* University of Alicante offers a variety of courses, including intensive Spanish classes for foreigners.
* University of Alicante offers a variety of courses, including intensive Spanish classes for foreigners.
* Estudia Espana offers a selection of quality, affordable private Spanish language schools in Alicante. Courses for all levels and budgets all year round.
* Estudia Espana offers a selection of quality, affordable private Spanish language schools in Alicante. Courses for all levels and budgets all year round.
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==Buy==
==Buy==
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There are market stalls along the Explanada d'Espanya selling beads, clothes, flags etc.
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There are market stalls along the Explanada d'Espanya selling beads, clothes, flags etc.
If you want to see how the locals shop, head into town down the Rambla de Méndez Núnez then turn West on the Avenue de Alfonso El Sabio, and you'll find the city's main market, the ''Mercado Central de Alicante'' (38°20'52.5"N 0°29'9.6"W). It is open until about 14:30 or so most days, the two levels sell all the fresh meat, seafood, cheeses, fruit and vegetables anyone could need. If you exit the market through the back, you'll find the flower sellers in a small outdoor square.
If you want to see how the locals shop, head into town down the Rambla de Méndez Núnez then turn West on the Avenue de Alfonso El Sabio, and you'll find the city's main market, the ''Mercado Central de Alicante'' (38°20'52.5"N 0°29'9.6"W). It is open until about 14:30 or so most days, the two levels sell all the fresh meat, seafood, cheeses, fruit and vegetables anyone could need. If you exit the market through the back, you'll find the flower sellers in a small outdoor square.
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==Eat==
==Eat==
===Eating Culture===
===Eating Culture===
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[[File:Arroz_con_costra.jpg|thumb|Arroz con costra (Rice topped with sausages and eggs)]]
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[[File:Arroz con costra.jpg|thumb|Arroz con costra (Rice topped with sausages and eggs)]]
As with the rest of Spain, '''breakfast''' is usually light, usually some sort of bread (e.g. toast) or piece of bakery.
As with the rest of Spain, '''breakfast''' is usually light, usually some sort of bread (e.g. toast) or piece of bakery.
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===Budget===
===Budget===
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*{{eat
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* {{eat
| name=Tabulé | alt=Vegetarian | url=http://www.tabule.es | email=
| name=Tabulé | alt=Vegetarian | url=http://www.tabule.es | email=
| address=Avenida Benito Pérez Galdos 52 | lat= | long= | directions=5min walk from the train station
| address=Avenida Benito Pérez Galdos 52 | lat= | long= | directions=5min walk from the train station
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===Mid-range===
===Mid-range===
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===Splurge===
===Splurge===
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| price= | checkin= | checkout=
| price= | checkin= | checkout=
| content=( Calle Tucuman No.28, centrally located and less than 5 minute walk from the RENFE train station. Amenities include, singles, doubles, and shared dormitories for short and long term stays, guest kitchen, free breakfast, roof top terrace, free internet and wifi, and large common room to meet other travelers. It's clean, safe, and is the only true backpackers hostel in the city.
| content=( Calle Tucuman No.28, centrally located and less than 5 minute walk from the RENFE train station. Amenities include, singles, doubles, and shared dormitories for short and long term stays, guest kitchen, free breakfast, roof top terrace, free internet and wifi, and large common room to meet other travelers. It's clean, safe, and is the only true backpackers hostel in the city.
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}}
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}}
* {{sleep
* {{sleep
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[[File:Benidorm2.jpg|thumb|Benidorm]]
[[File:Benidorm2.jpg|thumb|Benidorm]]
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* '''[http://www.cuevasdecanelobre.com/index.php?lang=en The Canalobre Caves]''' is a big cave with impressive stalacites and stalagmites. It is located just 24 km north of Alicante, 40 km south of Benidorm, close to Busot. The inner aspect of the cave, with one of the highest vaults of Spain, is very similar to the one of a cathedral. Visitors are able to admire the diverse and capricious forms that have been taking rocks: candelabra, animals and multitude of spectacular forms. Sometimes, their superb acoustic and environmental conditions take advantage of for spectacles in which music is privileged protagonist.<br />Entrance requires you join in on a tour (which was mainly in Spanish on a visit in October 2010, though some information provided in English).<br />Entrance fee: Adults €5 (Oct 2010)<br />Opening hours:<br />Sept 16th-June 30th: Mon-Fri: 10:30am-4:50pm, Sat-Sun: 10:30am-5:50pm.<br />July 1st-Sept 15th: 10:30am-7:30pm.
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* '''[http://www.cuevasdecanelobre.com/index.php?lang=en The Canalobre Caves]''' is a big cave with impressive stalacites and stalagmites. It is located just 24 km north of Alicante, 40 km south of Benidorm, close to Busot. The inner aspect of the cave, with one of the highest vaults of Spain, is very similar to the one of a cathedral. Visitors are able to admire the diverse and capricious forms that have been taking rocks: candelabra, animals and multitude of spectacular forms. Sometimes, their superb acoustic and environmental conditions take advantage of for spectacles in which music is privileged protagonist.<br />Entrance requires you join in on a tour (which was mainly in Spanish on a visit in October 2010, though some information provided in English).<br />Entrance fee: Adults €5 (October 2010)<br />Opening hours:<br />September 16-June 30: Mon-Fri: 10:30am–4:50pm, Sat-Sun: 10:30am–5:50pm.<br />July 1-September 15: 10:30am–7:30pm.
* [[Costa Blanca]]
* [[Costa Blanca]]