What to see in and around Alicante, Southern Spain?

[Anniemcc2]

Off to Alicante soon for a week's break and wondered if anyone had recommendations on places to visit in the area.

Answers on a postcard, please

[suesjools]

I'm jealous, just kidding. Have a fun trip. I've always wanted to visit Spain, do they still have bullfights or have they been outlawed? I'd go to one if they did, just to say I was there.

Best wishes for many sales to all,

[Mandart]

We're making our first ever visit to Spain later this year... think bullfighting is dying out...

[suesjools]

We're making our first ever visit to Spain later this year... think bullfighting is dying out...

Aw, too bad, guess I won't get to see one after all. Oh well, there's still the museums and the lovely scenery.

Best wishes for many sales to all,

[Tropical_Trish]

We have been to Spain many times, sometimes twice a year if we can afford.
I wouldn't go anywhere near a real bullfight.
Some years ago, we stopped for snacks at a little Spanish cafe/bar, and the TV was showing a live bullfight.
I was horrified to see the bull in the throes of death, and it upset me terribly. Had to leave in tears.
We have been to a 'mock' bullfight - an excursion which involved cabaret entertainment, food and drinks.
The 'bull' is a youngster, and a volunteer from the audience enters into the bullring and are given a red cloak to wave at the baby bull.
Even at a young age the bull would charge, and the volunteer (usually a youth full of the free sangria that pours out from a fountain) ended up legging it and diving over the wall back to safety.

Annie, we have never actually stayed in Alicante, we have travelled through it many times, so cannot advise on where to visit.
Oh, on second thoughts - you might enjoy a train ride from Alicante to Villajoyosa - some very good fish restaurants there. Not so commercial as Benidorm, which is higher up the coast.

[Anniemcc2]

Don't think we'll be going to Benidorm! Know the Malaga/Benalmadena area quite well, but Alicante is new to us.

As we've booked a hire car, will be going for days out into the hinterland/down the coast.

Maybe a case of sticking a pin in the map and see where we end up - it's worked before!

[Tropical_Trish]

Annie, we love Benalmadena, have been there many times, and hoping to go back again in June.
Do please let us know where you visited - sounds so exciting sticking a pin in the map!
We always used to do that when holidaying both here in UK and abroad, and have ended up in some wonderful, unforgettable places.

Just have to take my hat off to you, hiring a car.
I think my OH is too long in the tooth to drive abroad now, we used to hire cars, but have had many a scary experience with the daredevil racing track drivers - I won't mention the motorbikes and mopeds that whizz across the roads inches away from you!
Have a wonderful holiday, and take some nice photos of the scenery!
xxxxx