SHORE EXCURSIONS

Stroll through a bustling market taking note of the ingredients and then join a chef who will show you how to prepare paella from scratch, an iconic dish that will be your lunch. The items at the Central Market are locally sourced, so they truly represent the ingredients found in the regional cuisine. After meandering through the stalls, interacting with the vendors and sampling some of the delicacies, you will walk to a nearby restaurant for a paella workshop. The chef will show you step by step how to prepare authentic paella Alicante-style. You will have seen many of the ingredients in the market, which will make the preparation all the more relevant. Although the city of Valencia just to the north is known as the birthplace of paella, the version made in Alicante is much the same. Feel free to ask questions as the chef prepares the meal, which you will dine on afterwards.

Browse one of the most vibrant markets in Alicante, where you will see an array of fruits, vegetables and seafood that will likely be ingredients on the tapas that you will enjoy later. After walking from the pier, you will soon arrive at the Central Market, a magnificent modernist-inspired building that holds nearly 300 stalls of every imaginable gastronomic offering. Almost all of the products are locally sourced, so they truly represent the ingredients found in the regional cuisine. Garden-fresh produce, seafood on ice, exotic spices, fragrant herbs—they are all here in perhaps Alicante’s most popular market place.

After meandering through the stalls, interacting with the vendors and sampling some of the delicacies, you will begin a tapas tour. These small-plate snacks will reflect the local cuisine and contain the absolute freshest, seasonal ingredients. Many of the offerings may be unexpected, as Alicante has become a foodie paradise and has attracted inventive chefs from throughout Europe. Because of Alicante’s prime location on the Mediterranean, tapas with seafood such as tuna belly and succulent red prawns are enormously popular.

OVERVIEW

Learn to prepare a version of paella that is unique to Alicante and delve into the city’s religious heritage and culture in its oldest active church. Although dating to the 13th century, the Basilica of Santa María had to be rebuilt following a devastating fire two centuries later. As you will discover, its façade is baroque, yet its golden altar is rococo, evidence that the basilica was often renovated over time. A short walk through the historical district will bring you to the Hestia Lucentum cooking school for a hands-on masterclass in the preparation of paella. Although nearby Valencia is known as the birthplace of paella, the version made in Alicante is much the same. The biggest difference is the rice, which is one of the main ingredients. The chef will show you step by step how to make Alicante-style paella from scratch, a hearty dish that will be served for lunch.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore Alicante’s oldest still-active basilica, which was built over an ancient mosque.
• Gain insight into the cultural influence of the basilica while browsing the ornate interior.
• Learn to prepare authentic paella under the watchful eye of a local chef.
• Discover how the rice used in Alicante-style paella differs from other paella rice.
• Enjoy the paella that you have prepared for lunch.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Travel inland through the Sierra Bernia Mountains, pausing along the way at traditional villages and to dine on the province’s characteristic cuisine. You will follow a beautiful coastal route before turning onto a winding mountain road that leads to the village of Polop. Its beautiful setting inspired Spanish modernist writer Gabriel Miró, who spent many of his most productive summers there. He described Polop as an “oasis on the Costa Blanca.” Ascending deeper into the mountains, you will soon arrive in Guadalest, a remote town that the Moors founded atop a granite peak. The photogenic castle there was built in the 11th century, and the street leading up to it is lined with whitewashed houses. Before dining on traditional Mediterranean cuisine at the "Contemple" restaurant located inside the Vivood Hotel, you will have time to explore on your own. If you like museums, there are ones devoted to dolls, salt and pepper shakers and instruments of torture.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Follow an immensely scenic route along the coast and into the Sierra Bernia Mountains.
• Enjoy the sweeping views while stopping in the mountain villages of Polop and Guadalest.
• Tour Guadalest before settling in for a leisurely lunch of traditional cuisine.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Delve into the history and gastronomy of Altea, a snow-white coastal town that boasts the ruggedly beautiful Sierra Bernia Mountains as a backdrop. While walking the cobbled streets of Old Town, you can’t help but feel a great sense of serenity. You will likely come across leafy plazas shaded by citrus trees, arched passageways to uncrowded pedestrian-only areas and trellis after trellis adorned with brightly colored bougainvillea. The blue-domed Nuestra Señora del Consuelo is one of the most striking churches on the Costa Blanca, and is well worth a visit. The higher you wander in Altea, the more magnificent the views, especially of the sea. A lengthy promenade lined with artisanal boutiques, restaurants and tapas bars runs along the beach. If you snack on the local cuisine while walking about, be sure to leave room for the traditional lunch that will be served at the Oustau restaurant.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit the whitewashed town of Altea, one of the prettiest settings on the Costa Blanca.
• Enjoy a guided tour of the landmarks and free time to explore further on your own.
• Savor a traditional lunch at a restaurant in Altea’s atmospheric Old Town.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Gain an understanding of the many cultures that have influenced the gastronomy of Alicante and then dine on a meal that reflects some of those impacts. As you will discover while browsing the city’s esteemed Archaeological Museum, the Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans and Moors have all left their marks on Alicante since its founding in 325 BC. You will also see artifacts from more modern civilizations that reveal how the city has transitioned into its present state. The 16th and 17th centuries were particularly volatile and to protect Alicante from the invading pirates security towers were built along the coast to protect the residents. You will pass some of these soaring stone towers on the way to the lunch venue. The main dish will be paella, prepared Alicante-style. The local version differs from others in that the rice is sautéed in salmorreta, a tomato-based sauce with ñora peppers that imparts a unique flavor.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Browse an archaeological museum with artifacts from conquerors of the Alicante area.
• Learn how those invaders influenced the culture and gastronomy.
• Behold some of the security towers built centuries ago to protect Alicante from pirates.
• Dine on a version of paella that reflects the local influences on this traditional dish.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Walk through the Roman ruins in and around Alicante and enjoy a selection of signature tapas at a beachfront restaurant. Founded by the Romans as Lucentum or “The City of Light,” Alicante is full of excavated ruins that reveal what life was like during that period. To enhance your understanding of the area in Roman times, reconstructions of ancient structures have been mixed in with the ruins. You will sample several popular tapas at the restaurant El Maestral in the San Juan Beach area. The tapas are home made with fresh and local products.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See the Central Market, visited places by Alicante citizens in their daily life for food shopping.
• Wander among the Roman ruins in Alicante, which the Romans called Lucentum.
• See how the Romans farmed fish and held them in seaside tanks that still exist.
• Sample a selection of tapas made with fresh local ingredients that may include seafood.

HELPFUL HINTS:
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing. • Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Sample a soft nougat sweet in the village famed for its production and enjoy a traditional paella lunch. For centuries, confectioners in Jijona have made the nougat that is now so synonymous with the village that it’s known as Jijona turrón. The ingredients include honey, toasted almonds and egg whites. After tasting the golden dessert, you will understand why it’s so popular. Back in Alicante, you will visit the Monastery of Santa Faz, which is renowned for holding a piece of fabric that Saint Veronica is said to have used to wipe Jesus’ face on the way to his crucifixion. The image of his face was supposedly transferred onto the fabric, which is now in a locked room that can only be accessed with four keys, each held in a different part of the city. A hearty lunch with seafood fideuà, meet and vegetables paella, the most typical rice in Alicante at Finca Santa Luzia restaurant.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See how confectioners in Jijona prepare the village’s namesake nougat and sample it.
• Visit a monastery that guards a sacred piece of fabric said to bear the image of Jesus’ face.
• Enjoy a traditional lunch with a paella and fideua as the main courses.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Uncover the charms of Murcia, a delightful, unspoiled city featuring a beautiful cathedral, a tranquil monastery and myriad inviting plazas. Journey for approximately one hour to Murcia through the heart of the Segura River Valley, inhaling the invigorating scent of the thriving citrus groves all around. Upon arrival, you’ll make your way to the magnificent Cathedral of Murcia, perfectly situated in grand Plaza de Belluga, and admire its ornate Baroque façade. You’ll learn that, like much of Murcia, the cathedral incorporates a variety of styles that have been successively layered since the sanctuary’s origin in the 14th century. Examine one of the best Islamic art collections in the region at the elegant Santa Clara Monastery, which was built over the remains of a Muslim temple, and relish time at your leisure to stroll around the vibrant city. During your exploration, you’ll come across many wonderful squares, such as the Plaza de Flores, or Flower Square, and Roma Square, home to a well-preserved amphitheater. From its peaceful religious sites to its bustling plazas, you’ll find that Murcia is a treasure worth discovering.

Get acquainted with the city of Alicante, a vibrant and popular Spanish resort town in the heart of the Mediterranean’s white coast. Before being invaded by thousands of sun seekers, the city attracted conquerors and traders like the Greek, Phoenicians, Carthaginians and finally the Romans, who named it Lucentum or City of Light.

A panoramic tour of the city takes you by the Paseo del Puerto, a marbled mosaic avenue imitating sea waves, and the Luceros square, with an impressive fountain with sculptures of horses. Other city highlights you’ll see are the traditional market building and the bull ring.

We will then continue our panoramic tour along the coastal road of Alicante city seeing the Albufera and San Juan beaches as well as passing by the historic sta Faz sanctuary where your guide will explain to you about the annual romery parade.

A famous spot for locals and visitors to the city is the Explanada, a beautiful promenade that stretches around the marina. It’s lined with color tiles representing the waves of the Mediterranean Sea and lined with palm trees and often filled with small market stalls. Stop to try a traditional horchata, a refreshing drink made from tigernuts, water and sugar.

Discover the popular tourist town of Guadalest, an ancient military stronghold that sits perched at the top of a granite mountain. A scenic 90-minute drive takes you past picturesque villages and winding roads surrounded by spectacular landscapes. The picture-postcard site of the free-standing bell tower and the tunnel that provides access to the old center of Castell de Guadalest greet you on arrival. Both are nestled in a dramatic granite mountaintop setting that leaves a lasting impression.

Follow your guide on a walk through the quaint village streets. The old urban center is located on the top of an outcrop, which is only accessed via a tunnel hollowed into the side of the rock. The area at the top of the rock includes the bell tower, Saint Josep Castle and the recently restored Orduña House which you will visit.

The Orduña House was built after the great earthquake that demolished much of the original housing in Guadalest. One half of the house is supported by the rock while the other half occupies areas over the chapels of the adjoining church. You’ll be surprised to find a house of such greatness in this remote and rural setting. Enjoy some free time to further explore the village on your own the many shops offering a great variety of crafts.

Enjoy exploring two of the region's most charming towns - Villajoyosa, famous for fishing and chocolate, with vividly painted houses and Altea, one of the most beautiful towns of the Costa Blanca which maintains its former fishing village feeling. The old section, atop a hill, offers spectacular views and perfect photo opportunities.

A scenic drive along the coastal road takes you to Villajoyosa, a small seaside town, famous for its fishing and its’ chocolate. Still dependent on its fishing industry, each afternoon the daily catch brought in by the local fishermen is auctioned off in the port. The quaint houses that line the seafront are painted in bright rainbow colors and legend has it, that this is so the fishermen can see them from the sea. Upon arrival at the seafront, you’ll enjoy free time to explore the town on your own.

Your route to Altea takes you along the coastal road via Albir, providing wonderful views of the sweeping bays of the Costa Blanca. Altea's old town is an enchanting picture postcard scene of white-washed houses that has managed to maintain its authentic atmosphere. Follow your guide on a walk to the famous square at the summit, where you’ll find the Virgin of Consuelo Church with its iconic blue roof. After an outside visit of the church, you’ll have free time to soak up the town's ambience and enjoy the wonderful views.