Las Fallas, Alicante, Costa Blanca, Spain

 

las Fallas 1 Las Fallas, Alicante, Costa Blanca, SpainFrom the middle of the 18th century, the Fallas were just one part of the events held to celebrate St Joseph’s Day (March 19). Throughout the morning of March 18, rag dolls called peleles were strung across city streets from window to window, or small platforms were arranged up against walls showing one or two figures (ninots) that referred to an event or to certain individuals who were particularly deserving of public derision. Throughout the day, children and young people collected items to be burnt on bonfires known as fallas

Later on the mayor of Valencia forbid the positioning of fallas in narrow streets near to buildings etc and this led the inhabitants to construct their fallas only in wide streets, at crossroads and in squares.

As they were now not placed against a wall, the design transformed to allow it to be achievable to look at them from all sides. This produced much greater freedom of construction and invited the inclusion of messages in verse all close to them.

Each falla represents a social action or attitude deserving of criticism or ridicule and this is reflected in the verses displayed. From the middle of the 19th century, these verses began to be printed and bound, giving rise to the booklet known as the llibret

las Fallas 3 225x300 Las Fallas, Alicante, Costa Blanca, SpainFallas are celebrated in various other towns in Valencia and Alicante provinces. Even though the times of firecracker presentations and flower offerings can be different from those in Valencia city, all towns will set up the monuments three days before the main night of the burning, March 19. The burning generally begins with the children’s monuments around 21.00 hrs and the main monuments are burned in reverse order to their prize position. The top prize winner is burned around 01.00 hrs. Main Fallas towns include Gandia, Oliva, Dénia and Benidorm.

Last Saturdy evening saw the completion of the four-day Fallas festival, the largest and most famous in the Comunidad Valenciana, when countless numbers of papier-mâché monuments went up in smoke and flames.

Even Though the principal activity during the Fallas usually takes place in the city of Valencia, alas Fallas 2 Las Fallas, Alicante, Costa Blanca, Spain number of other towns and villages in its province – and in the north of the province of Alicante – also come to a dead halt from March 16 to 19 as their residents party hard night and day.

Some of the main features of the fiestas include the prize giving – where the very best monuments are selected – and the ofrena, or offering of flowers to the Virgin Mary.

On the last night, the monuments – which are normally caricatures of current affairs or famous individuals – are set fire to, beginning with the one which comes last and finishing with the winner.

Come Sunday morning, nevertheless, all traces of these enormous bonfires will have been cleared away, whilst falleras and band-members sleep off the effects of four days of eating, drinking, dancing, parading and otherwise celebrating.

The Brief History of Alicante Airport

Alicante Airport The Brief History of Alicante AirportWhen it comes to holiday destinations in Europe, Spain is one of the best and one of the most popular. Millions of people land in Alicante airport every year for holidays and for business trips and it is easy to see why! Anyone that is going to visit the Region of Murcia is likely to use this airport as it has some of the best transport links in the region.

Alicante Airport was originally named “El Altet” but this quickly changed. Alicante is an extremely popular destination, making the airport itself the 6th most used airport in Spain. For people that are visiting the Province of Alicante, this is certainly the airport of choice.

As far as location goes, the airport is extremely well placed. In fact, it sits just 9km from Alicante and 10km east of Elche, meaning that travellers can get to their chosen destination extremely easily.

The airport itself serves all kinds of passengers. Whilst it serves both national and international flights, the majority of traffic comes from the likes of the United Kingdom, Germany and even France. The most popular destinations for people using Alicante airport include the likes of Mallorca and the famous Barcelona.

The El Altet airport was built and eventually opened on May 4, 1967. This airport was to spark new interest in Spain and take over the service of the La Rabassa airport that had served the country so well since 1936. The name derives from the place it resides in; the Elche countryside.

Whilst it was designed to be a fairly domesticated type of airport, things soon changed. Sooner than most people knew it, Alicante airport was making regular connections with Iberia, starting in 1969. Traffic through the airport quickly grew to a point where in the 70s; traffic was reported to be in excess of 1,000,000!

Of course, with such major traffic, it was only natural that the airport needed to take drastic measures. This eventually led to the construction of a brand new passenger terminal, which would enable the airport to service a much larger number of passengers. To complement this, Alicante airport was extended on the runway side of things as well; extending to a massive 3km. This was in an effort to service more air traffic on a daily basis.

Ryanair were one of the first major airlines to set up camp in Alicante airport. They set up their base with 59 routes going in and out by 2007. This led to further development allowing the airport to service even MORE passengers.

Growth is something that Alicante airport is certainly used to. By 2010 the airport had developed strong relationships with airlines, with over 74,000 different flights and 3,000 tonnes of cargo. On the passenger side of things, 2010 was also a good year with the airport nearing 10,000,000 in passengers!

Ryanair still managed to put their stamp on the airport in 2010. They carried over 2.3 million passengers. Rival air lines such as Easyjet managed just over 1.4 million, whilst Air Berlin managed just over 690,000.

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The Brief History of Alicante Airport

alicante taxi transfers airport The Brief History of Alicante AirportWhen іt соmеѕ tо holiday destinations іn Europe, Spain іѕ оnе оf thе bеѕt аnd оnе оf thе mоѕt popular. Millions оf people land іn Alicante airport еvеrу year fоr holidays аnd fоr business trips аnd іt іѕ easy tо ѕее why! Anуоnе thаt іѕ gоіng tо visit thе Region оf Murcia іѕ lіkеlу tо uѕе thіѕ airport аѕ іt hаѕ ѕоmе оf thе bеѕt transport links іn thе region.

Alicante Airport wаѕ originally named “El Altet” but thіѕ quickly changed. Alicante іѕ аn extremely popular destination, making thе airport іtѕеlf thе 6th mоѕt uѕеd airport іn Spain. Fоr people thаt аrе visiting thе Province оf Alicante, thіѕ іѕ сеrtаіnlу thе airport оf choice.

Aѕ fаr аѕ location goes, thе airport іѕ extremely wеll placed. In fact, іt sits јuѕt 9km frоm Alicante аnd 10km east оf Elche, meaning thаt travellers саn gеt tо thеіr chosen destination extremely easily.

Thе airport іtѕеlf serves аll kinds оf passengers. Whіlѕt іt serves bоth national аnd international flights, thе majority оf traffic соmеѕ frоm thе likes оf thе United Kingdom, Germany аnd еvеn France. Thе mоѕt popular destinations fоr people uѕіng Alicante airport include thе likes оf Mallorca аnd thе famous Barcelona.

Thе El Altet airport wаѕ built аnd eventually opened оn Mау 4, 1967. Thіѕ airport wаѕ tо spark nеw interest іn Spain аnd tаkе оvеr thе service оf thе La Rabassa airport thаt hаd served thе country ѕо wеll ѕіnсе 1936. Thе nаmе derives frоm thе place іt resides in; thе Elche countryside.

Whіlѕt іt wаѕ designed tо bе а fаіrlу domesticated type оf airport, thіngѕ ѕооn changed. Sooner thаn mоѕt people nеw it, Alicante airport wаѕ making regular connections wіth Iberia, starting іn 1969. Traffic thrоugh thе airport quickly grew tо а point whеrе іn thе 70s; traffic wаѕ reported tо bе іn excess оf 1,000,000!

Of course, wіth ѕuсh major traffic, іt wаѕ оnlу natural thаt thе airport needed tо tаkе drastic measures. Thіѕ eventually led tо thе construction оf а brand nеw passenger terminal, whісh wоuld enable thе airport tо service а muсh larger number оf passengers. Tо complement this, Alicante airport wаѕ extended оn thе runway side оf thіngѕ аѕ well; extending tо а massive 3km. Thіѕ wаѕ іn аn effort tо service mоrе air traffic оn а daily basis.

Ryanair wеrе оnе оf thе fіrѕt major airlines tо set uр camp іn Alicante airport. Thеу set uр thеіr base wіth 59 routes gоіng іn аnd оut bу 2007. Thіѕ led tо furthеr development allowing thе airport tо service еvеn MORE passengers.

Growth іѕ ѕоmеthіng thаt Alicante airport іѕ сеrtаіnlу uѕеd to. Bу 2010 thе airport hаd developed strong relationships wіth airlines, wіth оvеr 74,000 dіffеrеnt flights аnd 3,000 tonnes оf cargo. On thе passenger side оf things, 2010 wаѕ аlѕо а good year wіth thе airport nearing 10,000,000 іn passengers!

Ryanair ѕtіll managed tо put thеіr stamp оn thе airport іn 2010. Thеу carried оvеr 2.3 million passengers. Rival air lines ѕuсh аѕ Easyjet managed јuѕt оvеr 1.4 million, whіlѕt Air Berlin managed јuѕt оvеr 690,000.

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Alicante Old Town

iStock 000009446849XSmall Alicante castle1 300x199 Alicante Old Town
Stanta Barbara Castle

Once the targeted by pirates sailing along the coast, Alicante still shows remains of walled fortifications around what is now its old town. These can be identified as stone crosses which mark where gates once stood in three locations. However, there is much more to see and experience in Alicante’s old town, or el barrio, than remains of its old walled defences. There is an abundance of historic buildings from churches to museums, along with a multitude of clubs, cafes and restaurants. All that the old town has to offer is easily accessible by foot due to its compact nature. If that wasn’t enough, Santa Barbara Castle which looms above this region of Alicante provides a fantastic back-drop for your explorations. In fact, Parque de la Ereta, a park designed by French architect to be in harmony with nature, offers a walkway between the castle and the old town.

iStock 000010012909XSmall St. Nicolis Catheral 200x300 Alicante Old TownThe small medieval streets of the triangular region that is the old town provide a relaxing setting for a stroll without any fear of getting lost. You’ll likely come across the town hall, or Ayubtamiento, an outstanding example of baroque architecture with twin towers reaching 35m high. The cathedral of San Nicolas de Bari, which dates back to the 17th century, can be found nearby and is another stunning example of baroque architecture. With features such as its high alter and tranquil garden, this cathedral is particularly memorable. Also in the old town and dating back to the late 14th century is the church of Sant Bartolomé, it is now a listed National Historic and Artistic Monument.

Alicante’s old town is also home to museums such as the Gravine Museum of Fine Arts which showcases Spanish art over three floors, and the Museu de Arte del Siglo XX Asegurada, a modern art museum within the city’s oldest building which dates back to 1685 where works by Picasso and Calder Dali among others are displayed.
After a day of exploring the historic buildings, cafes and curio shops in the area, there are plenty of restaurants to cater for all tastes. With a multitude of bars and pubs, you won’t find yourself short of places to enjoy a drink or two. With a diverse collection of venues, Alicante’s old town is sure to provide a fantastic night out.
With souvenir shopping, opportunities to be immersed in culture and great nightlife on offer, the old town region of Alicante will please everyone around the clock.

Alicante

 

iStock 000005358696Small Alicante1 300x200 AlicanteAlicante is a city little known to the major tourist trade but happily this doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a lot to offer visitors. It is popular with Spaniards, with a wealth of history and entertainment to keep the locals and holiday makers alike happy.
With a range of atmospheres ranging from the tangled streets of the old quarters with their curio shops, to the white-washed properties higher on the hill with their stunning views of the city, Alicante has a lot to offer. Don’t fear, despite being so varied it’s easy to explore due to its compact nature.

With its very own mountain castle, 18th century manor houses, amazing beaches and an active nightlife; you’ll never be wanting for something to do. Alicante is also home to a multitude of churches, some dating back to the 16th century. The bullring, built in 1849, is one of Spain’s oldest; it has been restored and enlarged. The recently face-lifted El Barrio is where you can find an abundance of culture and charm in the form of the buildings and the ambience.
Alicante has a range of beaches suitable for a range of needs. For the water sport fans, the secluded Albufereta beach can provide what’s needed. Alternatively, the Playa del Coco may be the ideal choice for those who need easy access to rail links. The largest of them all at 5km long, the Playa de San Juan should cater for most with its range of hotels, bars, restaurants (it even has a golf course). Finally, majestic views of Alicante bay can be seen from the walkway at Saladar beach which itself is an attractive sandy beach. A relaxing stroll down the seaside Explanada de Espana will provide access to shops and cafes in a somewhat unique way as it is adorned with marble in black, red and cream, in addition to its palm tree lining.Numerous public parks complete with monuments and water features provide the opportunity to relax in the open air away from the beach. Besides beaches, historic buildings and parks, Alicante is an education hub with the university (founded in 1979) catering to over 30,000 students and a campus exceeding 1m square meters.
The harbour of Alicante, once the port of Madrid, is active to this day with working fishing fleets, sailing clubs, restaurants and nightlife.