We
arrived at the port of Alicante this morning way before sunrise so there were
no sail-in photos. However, I did get a few photos of the skyline before we got
off the ship. We were hoping to meet our friends Judy and René in Alicante but circumstances
did not permit us to get together. For a backup plan we outlined a walking tour
of the must-see places in Alicante…we wanted to see the important places on our
first visit to Alicante. We took the port shuttle to the drop off point and
made our way to the old town. First on our list of sites to see was Casa
Carbonell…Built as a home by a successful local entrepreneur in the early
1920s, Casa Carbonell is one of La Esplanade’s stand-out landmarks. This
building with its classical architecture and waterfront location makes it a
popular photo attraction. Walking deeper into the old town we came to the
Alicante Town Hall, an eighteenth-century baroque masterpiece with beautiful
intricate detailed columns and doors that grace the entrance of the building.
The old town area known as Santa Cruz is considered one of Alicante’s most
attractive neighborhoods and has maintained its traditional feel. You won’t
mind getting lost in the old part of Alicante, a bit like a village in the center
of town. The next gem we came upon was the Basilica of St. Mary, the city’s
oldest active church and was built between the 14th and 16th-centuries. This
Basilica was originally a Muslim Mosque, which became a Christian church after
the Christians conquered the city. Finding St. Mary’s church also gave us an
opportunity to explore more of Santa Cruz. Located behind the Town Hall is the
Square of the Most Holy Face in Alicante, a picturesque spot. Tall palm trees
surround the square, creating a pleasant and inviting atmosphere. The square is
enclosed by beautiful buildings, restaurants and notable features include a
lovely fountain and a cross. On our hunt for the Co-Cathedral of Saint Nicholas
of Bari, we stopped at a local restaurant for a coffee and discovered a row of
hanging jamón ibérico - the hind leg of an Iberian pig, hoof attached, swaddled
in fat, covered in a protective layer, is considered the world's finest ham!
Our next stop was the Co-Cathedral of Saint Nicholas of Bari. Luckily it was
open to the public. This was a beautiful church with a striking dome ceiling. Next,
we made our way to the Alicante Central Market…what a beautiful Art Deco
building offering a wide array of fresh produce, meat, fish, bakeries, fresh
flowers and other local delicacies. We left our biggest adventure till the end
and grabbed a cab to the top of Alicante’s Santa Barbara Castle. The castle
sits a top of Mount Benacantil and the strategic position of the castle affords
clear views over the town and out to sea. The views were jaw dropping!!! This
spectacular fort was constructed between the 9th and 13th centuries when the
area was under Muslim control. After I climbed to the top of the fort, we took
the castle elevator down to the beach area and walked along the esplanade back
to the port. Our plan worked very well as we were not faced with crowds or long
lines. Another picture-perfect weather day and we really enjoyed our short stay
in Alicante…a wonderful port to explore certainly worthy of a future visit…we loved it! Sadly, this is the last port on this cruise but, not to worry, we start another one tomorrow in Barcelona...
