alan64

We're going to be driving from Granada up to Barcelona (mid-October 2006), and we've decided to break it up into a couple days. We'd like to spend one night at the parador in Tortosa, but that's pretty far from Granada for a nice day's drive so we'll make that a second night's stop.

We considered spending a night in Alicante, but while some describe it as a classic Spanish town with beautiful boulevards and paseos along the cafes, others say it's packed with European beach-going tourists. We're not going to be sun-worshiping, but we do enjoy ocean views if there's not wall-to-wall high-rises. We'd just like a small to medium, pretty town to visit and stay in.

Is there a better place on the coast or along the inland route, preferably south (or southwest) of Valencia? Altea or Punta de Moraira (just north of Alicante on the coast) were mentioned. Are they less packed with tourists?

Orihuela near Murcia is another possibility that I don't know much about.

Albacete looked like a good spot on the map but didn't sound interesting in one guide book that mentioned it. Other ideas of towns to see along the way would be great. Already on our list (thanks to a suggestion here) is Peniscola, where "El Cid" was filmed. Thanks!!!

nukesafe

Alan64,

You might consider Calpe or Denia. Calpe might be too small for you, but we (in our more athletic days) have enjoyed taking the trail to the top of the the Ifach (A huge "Gibralter-like" rock that overlooks the town) for a magnificent view. We used to own a time-share in Calpe years ago. Bought it when the place was a tiny fishing village. It became known the "German Concrete Coast" in later years when it became discovered by northern Europeans who built hideous apartment blocks that cut off our view of the beach. The town still has a charm to it, however.

Avoid Benidorm like the plague, except there is a "Toonerville Trolley" sort of train that goes along the coast from Benidorm up the coast to Calpe and beyond that affords some of the most stunning views of the Med coast anywhere! You could stay in Denia and do the round trip in an afternoon.

In October most of the Brits and German summer folk will have left, so you should have the coast (relatively) to yoursleves.

Have a wonderful trip!

artlover

We were in Alicante in Nov. and maybe it's because we hit stormy weather, we were a bit disappointed--just didn't have the feel of some other great places in Spain, though the palace was impressive, as was the view.

NEDSIRELAND

October, 2006 is a long ways off ... but most of the Summer tourists will be back home by then and Alicante will have reverted to the 'shoe capital' of Spain. It's a popular weekend trip for Madrilenhos, especially those who have Summer places nearby.

I like Playa Muchavista in Campello but I don't know of any hotels in that area. From all the summer tourism, there must be some ...

alan64

Thanks for all the input. October is still quite long time from now, but airlines usually book up to 330 days in advance (as do some hotels). We'll be using our FF miles so we're going to book the airfare this weekend.

Regarding the road trip days, we've got plenty of time to consider the options given.

alan64

Top for myself. We're getting closer to our trip and deciding if we want to go inland to visit/stay at the Parador Alarcan, or just wing it and stop where ever we feel like it and hope for a simple room.