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The inland routes.
The Albufera is almost an integral quarter now of the city of Alicante. We enter the city with the Postiguet beach on one side and the
rocky mountains, crowned by the Santa Barbara castle, on the other.
Once again, we suggest that the traveller park his car and begin on foot the visit to the sunny city, amidst ever-present palm trees
and the sea. The Castle, which can be reached by an elevator, offers a complete view of the town, the port and the Paseo de la Explanada.
The Church of Santa Maria with its façade representative of the Valencia Baroque style and set in the heart of the old quarter,
the Town Hall, the church of San Nicolas and the mannerist and Baroque façades of the buildings on Labradores Street are the main
monumental landmarks in this city. They are all located within a limited space in the old section. The Rambla, perpendicular to La Explanada
and also lined with palm trees, is the main thoroughfare in Alicante´s daily life. We suggest that the traveller sample a refreshing
glass of horchata (a drink made from earth almonds) in one of the outdoor cafes or ice-cream parlours which line these two avenues, before
he continues on his way.
We can take the same national highway heading in the direction of Murcia. Soon after we leave Alicante, a turn-off announced the city
of Elche; but we will visit this city when we cover the inland route. Passing some flat country, which was a salt deposit up until only
recently, we come to Santa Pola. There is a broad beach on the left -Los Arenales del Sol- backed by a section of sand dunes.
Santa Pola is only 18km from Alicante and it fishing port has always enjoyed an excellent reputation, thanks to the magnificent prawns
and red mullet which are brought in by the fishing boats. Though the wave of summer vacationers has reached this town as well, it has
still managed to preserve all of the noisy and traditional ambience of the ancient Lonjas (Commodity Exchanges) in the daily sales of
the fish which are taken right off the boats. In the heart of town, an ancient fortress built in the 16C reminds of the times when Santa
Pola served as the port for Elche and it was always threatened by Berber attacks. The Cape of Sant Pola, near the town, offers a very
broad view of the area and the nearby island of Tabarca.
If the traveller noted a sharp change in the scenery -to flat plains- when he left Alicante the section of land which separates Santa
Pola from Guardamar del Segura is surely a fine example of the horizon which characterises the Vega Baja. An extension of salt deposits
located near the endless beaches defines this land which at some points is even below sea level.
Guardamar, standing out on a long beach, is surrounded by sand dunes covered with pines, eucalyptus and bushes. Just 15km further to
the South is Torrevieja, near the vast salt deposits which once constituted one of the main sources of income in this province. The gleaming
flooded land which takes on unique tones at dusk and the blinding white mountains of salt offer a unique and immensely attractive landscape.
Torrevieja also has a popular yacht and fishing harbour. Very close by are the beaches of Orihuela; Punta Prima, Playa Flamenca, Cabo
Roig, La Zenia, Dehesa de Campoamor and El Pilar de la Horadada.
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