Spain is a colorful and cheerful country of the sun. In addition to the mainland - it has paradise beaches: the Canary and Balearic Islands. But today there will be a story not about them and not about the most popular places among Russian tourists. A lot has already been said about Barcelona, Madrid and the islands, and today we will talk about the southern coast - the Costa Blanca.
We went on a trip for 10 days without booking tours and without knowing Spanish, but only with the help of booking a hotel and a car in the city of Benidorm, but more on that later! And, of course, S7 airline tickets.
Video material for a trip to Spain (part 1) on our YouTube channel of the magazine.
I’ll make a reservation right away, we went to combine several goals at the same time - to be tourists, to be potential people who can hypothetically move to a residence permit in this country, and also to see how immigrants live and feel. Well, of course, it was very interesting to see the sights of this region of Spain.
Now in order:
Having studied all the forums, social networks and google maps in advance, we made our choice in favor of a modern city with skyscrapers - Benidorm. That's where we made our way.
So: flight Moscow - Alicante.
The flight time is 5 hours, which passes absolutely unnoticed and comfortably. Alicante Airport pleasantly pleased with the logistics, tranquility and comfort. Car rental is located at all companies in the same room and also pleases with the coherence and clarity of work. There is one thing - it won't work without English, especially considering that no one escorts you to your rented car and all conditions and additional parameters are described in English (Regarding car rental and other nuances, we will definitely make video material on our YouTube channel). We did not specifically choose the top car rental companies, but opted for one of the economical companies that operate in Spain. Reasonable price, simple service and customer focus.
BENIDORM
We are heading for Benidorm. It takes 45-50 minutes to drive from the airport by car along the quite comfortable AP-7 road, which was paid until December 2019, but it was made just a free highway to Valencia. Yes! Was paid - became free. For 10 days of being there, we personally observed how all payment terminals are dismantled. One of the features of Spanish roads is roundabouts, even the smallest ones. This is the norm!
The ride comfort is amazing.
Everyone rides in the same stream and is extremely polite. Having entered the treasured Benidorm, the first thing that comes to mind is “Wow”. Tall modern American-style high-rise buildings, streets that descend from the mountain down to the sea and rise somewhere to the left and right. Very good!
But then the opinion begins to change dramatically: the very close development of these skyscrapers presses, the number of people on the street (and we were out of season - it was the end of February) discourages and you feel like you are constantly at a rally or parade. At the same time, there is one plus - everyone smiles, laughs, rejoices and fools around. The mood shimmers with all colors. Most of them are pensioners, and they are very mobile, active and positive.
Benidorm is a former colony of the British, so living in this city, you need to understand that there is no true Spain here, but only what characterizes the British.
We understood this even from the local cuisine. All establishments have burgers, sausages, beer and pizza. A huge number of restaurants where they only drink and when you order food, they look at you very expressively and strangely. And the British and Germans (of which there are also a huge number) drink from the very morning.
The hotel every morning observed drinking "morning" champagne. From the super-positive - embankments and beaches, the streets of the old city and the atmosphere, which go off scale by 100 points!
From what you should pay attention - I would not advise staying in this city for a long time for those who have problems with high blood pressure and blood vessels. Yes! It is a fact! The city is in its own microclimate - blood pressure rises and blood vessels spasm. This is not only my opinion (I went through it hard there), but also the opinion of those who have been living in Spain for a long time.
But to come there for a day for a walk, enjoy the beaches, English beer and stunning sunset from the balcony of the Mediterranean is definitely worth it.
We did not see a single Russian in 10 days, we did not hear a single word in Russian.
The result was that considering this city from the point of view of life, we realized that it was not for us and we could not live there.
WHAT TO SEE:
Mediterranean Balcony
Levante Beach
Panyente beach
Old town
Church of St. Joachim and St. Anne
Mount Toassal de Cala (unfortunately we did not get there)
Benidorm Island
ALTEA
We are heading towards Valencia. Don't miss the small town of Altea, which lies at the foot of the Sierra Bernia mountain range. At first glance, there is nothing special about it, but the old streets, paved with paving stones, mysteriously take you up the endless steps up the mountain (there are about 250 of them). Rising up, you feel historical Spain with every "cell" of your soul - sweet, welcoming, but slightly mysterious.
This is the old town of Altea, which rises on a hill, where neat houses with whitewashed walls are located.
The center (and this is practically the very top of the old city) is the main attraction of the city - the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is precisely on the square in front of the church that you are completely saturated with the spirit of Spain. To be honest, I didn't want to leave at all.
By the way, the color of Altea has long attracted creative people - musicians, artists and gallery owners.
WHAT TO SEE:
Central Cathedral Square
Sea Port
Watchtowers
Russian Church of St. Michael
Ruins of Fort de Bernia
Not far from Altea is the city of Denia. But we will tell you about this place in the summer issue of the magazine, because there really is a lot to tell there, despite its small size.
VALENCIA
Valencia is the capital of the autonomous community and is a true metropolis. It made very ambiguous impressions on us, but I am more inclined to believe that this city should be given more than one day, but to live here for at least three or four days.
The city of arts makes you gasp, but at the same time, it cannot be said that it sinks into the soul for a long time. Everything is very modern, bright, fresh and pleasant. Oceanographic Park (L'Oceanografic) will not leave indifferent neither children nor adults. True truth!
But once you get to the very historical center of old Valencia, you are like a time machine transported to ancient centuries.
At some point, walking along a narrow old street, I had the feeling that I see people in medieval costumes, beggars in rags lying on the street and the plague, which is getting closer ... The Spanish spirit here soaks you up so much. Then there are incredible emotional places - the Bullring, built in the middle of the 19th century in the style of Roman and Greek arenas.
Biopark - Valencian zoo on the African fauna, the area of which is 80 thousand square meters. There are over 116 animals! We will also talk about him in the summer issue, because a separate report will be devoted to this.
Gradually we got to the Queen's Square and the Square of the Holy Virgin. This place in Valencia is called the Heart of the city. It is here that the Cathedral and the Basilica of the Holy Virgin of the Les Misérables are located.
I will say this, the Cathedral made a very powerful impression on me both outside and inside, and gave me a storm of emotions. This is a huge museum where you can soak up the sacred, the spiritual and experience the country's oldest history.
We were in Valencia on Friday and fully enjoyed the traffic jams of the metropolis, although they are fundamentally different from Moscow, which is good.
But the embankment of Valencia and the beach did not cause much enthusiasm, I can’t even formulate why, perhaps after the beaches in Benidorm. But there is still an advantage in Valencian beaches - a lot of space and freedom. By evening, the embankment turns into one of the noisiest places in the city with open-air discos.
ALICANTE
Now we are moving in the opposite direction along the sea towards Marbella and Malaga.
And our main first stopping point here will be the city of Alicante, in fact, in which we originally flew.
Alicante is one of the most popular resorts on the Costa Blanca, although in fact in all of Spain.
The only exceptions are tours from Russian tour operators who do not send tourists here. The city has a rich history that dates back to the Iberian settlements in the 3rd century BC.
An insanely cozy, atmospheric and homely city that actually pulls you into the history of all time at the same time.
The hallmark of this city is unconditionally Santa Barbara Fortress.
It is located right in the center of the city on Mount Benakantil at an altitude of 167 meters. The origin of the fortress dates back to the times of Arab rule. In those days, it was a strategically important object.
But it is better not to talk about this fortress, but to see and enjoy, absorbing history.
On a note! The best way to get to the fortress is by elevator, which is located right on the embankment. But I would advise you to go down on foot through the park. This is an amazing solitude and birds singing in all voices.
WHAT TO SEE:
Esplanade Boulevard
St. Mary's Basilica
Santa Cruz Quarter
About one more region of Orihuela Costa, which includes a huge number of beautiful places, attractions and, most importantly, tourist features, we will also tell in the summer issue.
And now we want to stop at one more unusual place near Benidorm - Terra Natura park.
TERRA NATURA
This is the place where all people come to complete delight, regardless of age. Thematic natural park, where animals and various plant species are collected in one place. A modern zoo, in which comfortable living conditions are created for the inhabitants, close to the natural environment. And these are not just words, not a theory - this is practice and what we saw with our own eyes.
All without visible fences, except for the territory of predators. There are places in the petting zoo where you can touch some harmless animals and birds. Elephants, camels and other animals are fed by hand.
Everything is divided into thematic countries and continents - Pangea, America, Asia, Europe.
Each zone has its own animals and plants. At the same time, a full-fledged park, with shady alleys, benches, places for a light snack.
Not only peacocks walk around the park, but also parrots, some of which shout the greeting HOLA! This is the place where you want to return again immediately after you left it.
Castle GUADALEST
I couldn't get past him. This is a place of power that pulled me in with great force and blew me back with a light wind, but it seems to me already different.
In fact, GUADALEST Castle is considered one of the most popular attractions in the province of Alicante. This is where thousands of tourists come. It is located 40 kilometers from Benidorm.
Picturesque landscapes, clean air, the aroma of coniferous trees and incredible strength.
Since the 7th century, the Moors settled there, who were expelled in the 13th century by the king of Aragon, and the castle became the property of the Spanish grandees.
It is worth noting that the King's castle in Guadeleste was the repository of the treasures of the Spanish monarchy.
And now we move away from history to the spiritual.
When climbing the tower, there are white and blue small houses everywhere, on which scenes from the path of Christ carrying the cross are painted.
And so we go behind these houses and reach the last one. This point becomes the most obvious to us. We freeze and in the stream of a strong wind we stand spellbound not by beautiful views, but by sensations. Was it a cleansing? Magic? Vibrations throughout the body and the desire to cry. True, not from resentment or annoyance, but simply to cry, as if something superfluous had accumulated and should come out. A little higher on the next balcony is an old Spanish cemetery.
Next to it are several steps up and a huge engraved inscription in old Spanish. I found its translation: “Wanderer, stop for a moment and think about the wonderful work of the Lord and about your short journey on Earth. Guadelest asks you to respect his Dead"
Below, by the river, there is a completely different state: peace, tranquility and something very worldly and quiet. But the gaze is still torn to the sky, to where the King's Castle is on top!
You can already see the video material for the trip to Spain (part 1) on our YouTube channel of the magazine.
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