There is much to be seen in Alicante and it is one of my personal favourite places to visit. The shopping is excellent although you should plan your trip for the morning or early evening as many of the shops still close for the afternoon siesta, which can be very frustrating when you find half of them shut.

Like most cities of the world, parking can be a problem so try the underground car park that is almost hidden down by the Alicante marina, I have always found plenty of spaces there and it is only a short walk to the main shopping areas. If you have time, a stroll around the marina itself is most enjoyable, admiring the beautiful multi million pound yachts gleaming at their moorings.

On a visit there last year, there were about fifty "tall ships" from all over the world, moored in Alicante harbour, what a magnificent sight. The rest of the afternoon was spent wandering from ship to ship and many of them were open to the general public to tour, some with entertainment and refreshments on board. Then once exhaustion set in, we visited a local quayside bar for some drinks and snacks (and to get out of the fierce sun for a little while) and spent an hour watching 2 local couples practicing their salsa dance routines.

The beach alongside Alicante marina is another place that I find compulsory to visit, watching all the families (mainly Spanish) sunbathing, walking and playing. Try a meal in a cafe or restaurant overlooking the beach, all at very reasonable prices and what a view. The whole area comes alive at night, with all the bars springing to life and people taking a stroll. If you want to join in the fun the dancing starts late, certainly not before midnight and then goes on till morning.

Look inland from the beach or marina and the scene is dominated by the castle high on the hill (Mount Benacantil). This is the Castle Santa Barbara and worth visiting for the spectacular views of Alicante alone. There is limited parking there, but I have always managed to find a place. The castle has certainly seen better days and is spread over a large area on the hill top, but is interesting nonetheless.