Calpe Spain

Calpe, also spelt without the “e” as Calp, is instantly recognised by the mighty “Peñon”, the huge rock which rises over 300 meters out of the Mediterranean Sea.  This has stood guard over the town and witnessed its transformation from a sleepy little fishing village into a tourist magnet.  The Rock, which has been compared to the Rock of Gibraltar, was declared a nature reserve in 1987.  It now provides a safe haven for a variety of birds and unusual flora and fauna.  There is a walking route which goes through a tunnel in the rock and takes you right to its very tip.

The Famous Calpe Peñon 

Calpe was my first stop in Spain.  I had left Perpignan near the Spanish border in the morning after spending a wonderful weekend with Fabien, one of my dearest cousins and his family.  The train took me to Barcelona where I took another connection for Alicante.  I was most impressed with the Spanish railway system.  The trains I went on were most comfortable with videos and listening devices available on demand.  I soon arrived in Alicante where my friend Christine was waiting for me.  We drove to Calpe where she lives in her ancestors' house.  Calpe is situated some 50 or so kilometres from Alicante.  I hadn't been back to that part of Spain for nearly 50 years and the changes to the place during that time were absolutely amazing.  The roads are now nothing like what I remembered and construction of houses and apartments were everywhere.  After settling down at Christine's, we drove to the harbour for dinner and enjoyed some succulent fresh seafood cooked on the spot. 

Apartment Building Facing the Beach at Calpe 

Calpe is best known for its fine sandy beaches and great value fish restaurants.  There are two stunning beaches to choose from, one either side of the mighty rock. Both beaches have beautiful long promenades and a great selection of bars and cafes.  The excellent fish restaurants are found mainly around the marina and they all offer a superb selection of freshly caught fish dishes of all sorts; cooked in a myriad of ways.

The Beach at Calpe

Pleasure Cruise Boats at the Calpe Marina 

A few days later, we spent a full day visiting the two sections of Calpe.  The old town is a lovely and enchanting place to wander around and  is by far the most attractive for me with a charm all of its own, narrow streets, colourful houses; pretty much the Spain I remembered from the 60's when I last visited this region.

Decorated Walkway in the Old Calpe

Colourful House Fronts in Old Calpe

Ceramic Tile Decoration under a Balcony in Old Calpe 

Although the town centre is quite different from the old part of Calpe, it still offers the visitor some excellent local shopping facilities, restaurants, including a large street market.  We spent some time at an open air auditorium which was quite impressive.


Calpe Street Leading Down to the Beach

Open-Air auditorium in Calpe

We also wandered along the beach which offers visitors a walkway where one can enjoy the sea air and watch the people fishing, swimming, sunning and enjoying Life in a very special part of Spain.

Fishermen by the Calpe Peñon



All this walking and visiting gave us a healthy appetite and after much deliberation about which one of the many enticing restaurants we would select, we opted for the El Cantal Restaurant where we had a delicious meal as the following images will testify. 

 

Carpaccio of Octopus with a Drizzle of Olive Oil and Mixed Pepper Berries

Fried Sardines

Mixed Salad with Croutons and White Goat's Cheese

Fideua; a Paella-Type Dish Prepared with Noodles Instead of Rice 

 



Altogether, a very special day with beautiful sights, delicious food and excellent company.  Thank you Christine and Calpe and see you again soon.

 

 

Alicante - Spain

Of all Spain's mainland provincial capitals, Alicante is the most influenced by tourism, thanks to its nearby airport and resorts.  This is a dynamic and attractive Spanish city with a castle, an old quarter and a long waterfront with an exciting eating scene.

Alicante - View from the Castle

My previous visit to this city goes back to 1965 when still a teenager, I went there on holidays with my parents.  Every second year or so, we spent two weeks in Spain and Alicante was always part of the programme.  Many changes have occurred since then but the city has kept all its charms and it was with a lot of fondness that I revisited the familiar places I hadn't seen for such a long time. 

Alicante





Located in the middle of the Costa Blanca, Alicante with the tranquil waters of the Mediterranean Sea sits at the foot of the Castle of Santa Barbara, a silent witness to the numerous civilisations to have settled there.   

The Castle of Santa Barbara on top of the Hill Overlooking Alicante


The Ramparts at the Castle
 



You can't miss this impressive castle situated on an outcrop overlooking Alicante City.  It's one of the largest medieval fortresses in Europe and covers the complete summit of the Benacantil Mountain.  Bronze Age, Iberian and Roman artefacts have been found on the slopes of the mountain, but the origins of the castle date to the 10th century at the time of Muslim control of the Iberian Peninsula.



Statue on the Ramparts


Keeping an Eye on the Place

Originally built by the Moors in the 10th century, the castle received its name from the conquest of King Alfonse the Wise that took place on 4th December 1248 on Saint Barbara's day.  The castle was bombarded in 1691 by a French squadron.  During the War of Spanish Succession, it was held by the English for three years.  In 1873, it was bombarded, along with the city.

One of the Castle's Collection Rooms

Tapestry

 

 The Santa Barbara Castle has everything you would expect, cannons, a palace, dungeons, a moat, the ruins of a small church and of course that famous lookout tower.



Cannon with Lots of Stories to Tell

Weaponry from Yesteryear





From all around the walls you get the most fantastic views.  The castle is free to visit and it is an excellent place to visit anytime of the year.

 

 

View of the Alicante Beach from the Castle of Santa Barbara



The Spanish Flag

The coastline is, without a doubt, the favourite recreational spot for the people of Alicante.  The Paseo (Promenade), located across from the port, is a lively boulevard dotted with terraces and pavement cafés.  A more modern area extends along the port's breakwater, where there are also many bars and restaurants.

The Paseo Across from the Beachfront 

La Terraza del Gourmet Restaurant near the Paseo

Ancient Trees Lining the Paseo 

Alicante is also a land of deeply-rooted traditions, such as the Moors and Christians festivities and the Night of San Juan; (The Night of Saint John) on the 24th of June.  The main features of this festivity are the bonfires.  As a tradition, (papier-mâché effigies), which had been exhibited on the street of the capital city during the previous days, are burned at the stake on this night.  The Alicante harbour has a magnificent replica of a Spanish Galleon next to a modern sculpture combining the old and the new.

 

Replica Spanish Galleon in the Alicante Harbour





The Spanish Galleon and the Statue in the Alicante Harbour

 

When it comes to Alicante's delicious cuisine, rice takes the central stage, cooked in a million different ways.  The visit would not be complete without trying the delicious rice dishes, cooked in many different, original ways around these parts: arroz a banda (rice with fish), arroz negro ("black rice", with cuttlefish), arroz al horno (baked rice), etc.  Seafood is also incomparable. 

For dessert, nothing beats “Pan de Higo” (bread, made with a paste of dried figs), Turrón, (a sweet similar to nougat, made of toasted almonds, honey and sugar) and Jijona ice cream. These dishes go very well with local wines such as Fondillón, an old fruit liqueur, which is excellent for dessert.