The Costa Blanca has a pleasant climate with approximately 325 days of sunshine a year and temperatures ranging from 16° centigrade in winter, to 32° centigrade in summer with little rainfall, making it an ideal location for year-round holidays and living.

As its name suggests, the Costa Blanca (the 'White Coast'), boasts an enviable selection of clean, white, sandy beaches that are safe for children. A few worthy of a mention are La Albufereta; located in the north of Alicante it is surrounded by two cliffs from where you can fish, and lined with lush vegetation including palm trees and cactus plants, and is a popular, scenic beach. Another is San Juan, located 8 kilometres north of Alicante which is a long, open beach about 7 kilometres in length where you can find dozens of restaurants along the promenade, volleyball nets, beach bars, pedal boat hire, showers, parking, and a children's playground.

Away from beaches and in search of culture and history, Alicante has lots to offer. It is a traditional maritime city with Postiguet Beach integrated into the Old Quarter together with two marinas and a large commercial port. The Cathedral, Concatedral de Nicolas de Bari, completed in 1662 and built in the Herrera style with a single nave and several adjoining chapels, is found in the historic quarter and is widely considered one of the best examples of Spanish baroque architecture. Features worth noting are the cloister, adorned with grilles & wooden doors and the Baroque style Communion chapel with its beautiful main entrance. Another site to see is the church of Santa María, which dates back to the 16th century. It is the oldest church in the town of Alicante and was built on the site of an ancient Arab mosque in the XIII century. The interior is Gothic in style whilst the façade is entirely Baroque and the main doorway is adorned with an image of the Virgin by the sculptor Juan Bautista Borja.

The Castle of Santa Barbara is perhaps the most prominent symbol of Alicante, looking out over the city and surrounding land from the summit of mount Benacantil, 166m above the sea. Over the centuries XVII, XVIII and XIX, the castle was attacked on numerous occasions, however the building is well preserved with drawbridges, stone passages, hidden tunnels and dungeons. It was opened to the public in 1963 when the two lifts starting from Postiguet beach were installed, however ascent can also be made by car.

The province of Alicante is a great place for Mediterranean cuisine. Its dishes are based on excellent, local organic produce such as olive oil, fresh fish and seafood from its coasts and rice. In Alicante you will be able to find food from all over the world, however, we recommend that you take the opportunity to try the local products and what better way to sample this than to go out for tapas (a selection of Spanish snacks served both hot and cold).

Fresh seafood is another speciality to tempt the palate; delicious red shrimp, Alicante prawns, grey shrimp, Norway lobster, squid, red mullet, to name but a few. The local salted fish is also worth trying; dried tuna, roe, tuna belly, tonyina de sorra, and herring, which can be served as appetisers, or to give a touch of flavour to the variety of salads on offer.

Rice is another staple part of the diet and it is prepared in many different ways together with vegetables, meat, fish, and poultry. The most famous dish is the traditional Paella, which can be made with seafood, meat, or both. Other rice dishes are 'arroz a banda' (rice with fish), 'arroz negro' (rice with squid cooked in its own ink) and 'arroz con costra' (rice with an egg crust).

Alicante also offers a vast selection of fruit with local farms growing cherries, pomegranates, loquats, dates, melons and watermelons. Traditional confectionery includes Jijona and Alicante nougats or turrones, which are famous worldwide.

Alicante is relatively unkown as a wine region however it has plenty to offer from the full-bodied, dense, red wines to fruity white wines such as the white Riesling of Alsace, not to mention some of the best Moscatels in Spain. However, you should end your meal with a cup of traditional Fondillón, which is an original red wine made from sundried mondastrell grapes and is served as a dessert wine. Aside from wine, a selection of locally produced spirits is also on offer, such as Cantueso, Herbero, Paloma Anisette and Alcoi's Café Licor.

The province of Alicante is also home to an excellent range of golf courses and due to the mild climate, this sport can be enjoyed all year round. The most popular golf courses are Alicante Golf, in Alicante city, the Jávea Golf Club, situated between Alicante and Valencia, and Las Ramblas de Orihuela Golf Club, on the Orihuela coast.

More information:
Tourist Office of Alicante city: Rambla Mendez Nuñez, 23, 03002. Tel.: +34 965200000. Fax: +34 965200243 Web site of the Townhall of Alicante: http://www.alicante.es/ingles/Official web site of the Province: www.dip-alicante.es

Source: Web server of Instituto de Turismo de España, TURESPAÑA: www. Spain-info