A spin around Altea As you come up to Altea, Alicante from whichever, the south or the north, the blue mosaic domes of the cathedral are its attraction telling you that you've arrived at perhaps the most amazingly landscaped area on the Costa Blanca coast in Spain. Altea has it all; an all year mild environment, cute corners, whitewashed residences, amazing views of the sea, and the tranquil ambiance you breathe when you are here. That is everything anyone could ever dream. It is an ideal example of how you make a privileged visitors area and not hurt the natural ecology. It stands that with enormous building and growth of hotels and eateries, it has been valued and has not placed its enchantment in danger.
The tourists you find in Altea are different. Many of the Spanish painters, writers, and show people take shelter there due to its tranquility. These usually stay in the old neighborhood near the church. This is also where the characteristic restaurants with either international cookery or good home cooking and the quite snake-like streets. There is a more up to date part to the town at the foot of the hill, but still respecting the structural design of the old.
The finest way to get a close up look is to go on foot. Begin at Mestre La Musica Street, that seems to be a series of stone steps leading you past a lengthy street of small stone homes built at uneven levels through an entranceway into a walled town. From there upwards to Mayor Street where you will see the 'simple church,' center of all cultural activities. The bohemian feeling and setting of the crafts market that is set-up from Easter time to September by the locals, who are almost all artisans characterizes the square. The most outstanding memorial is the church called the Church of the Virgen of the Consolation, built in'10 on top of an aging and primitive parish. The inside is elaborately decorated and the blue tiles on its dome make it very Mediterranean: each one of the tiles were hand painted. There used to be a castle next to it but there are hardly any remains left.
If you want to see an entertaining and colorful show without paying or reserving a seat, go to the docks. The docks are the public fish exchange market from about six in the day. That is when the distinctive fishing boats arrive with their catch and the bartering begins for the restaurants and bars. However, the most curious aspect is that it is done in Valencian, the local language and "at high speed"!
What's to eat in Altea Thanks to the unbelievable weather, every meal almost all year round can be had on the terraces overlooking the sea in the contemporary part along the Altea esplanade. Don't leave out the Bodegon de Pepe, in the past decorated and serving great portions of mussels. For a nice dinner, the old area is quaint and relaxing, having menus for everyone's budget.
In addition, if you are seeking excitement, move through Alicante to Torrevieja for water sports. Further, you will find stirring nightlife and shopping galore in Benidorm. First, come into contact with your inner self at Altea.
Author Resource:
Rob Carlton wrote at large for http://www.alicante-spain.com , an online site on the topic of costa blanca in spain and altea spain travel tips. You can have a look at his writings on altea maps and altea spain travel tips on his site.
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