Alicante holidays

ALICANTE

The capital of the province of the same name, Alicante is an ancient city located on the coast with a beautiful yacht port and a broad quayside esplanade. With ancient streets in the shadow of exotic trees, lots of squares, fountains, architectural monuments and sculptures adorn the central part of the city. You will also find museums, galleries, theatres, exhibition halls and shopping centres in Alicante, as well as one of the leading Spanish universities, training centres and the best hospitals.

THE CASTLE OF SANTA BARBARA

The Castillo de Santa Barbara stands on the Benacantil rock in Alicante at a height of 166 metres and can be reached by a lift which is at the end of the Calle Juan Bautista Lafora. This strategic location has been the site of a fortress dating back to the 3rd century BC, which nobody has dared to attack for 2,000 years. It has been reconstructed several times, first by the Romans, then by the Moors and then by the Christians, who gave it its current name (in the 16th century). Among the attractions of the castle are the Torre de Homenaje (Tower of Homage), El Baluarte de los Ingleses (the English Bastion), the chapel of La Capilla de Santa Barbara and the Philip II salon. From the castle you can see the entire city of Alicante, as well as the neighbouring cities of Santa Pola, Benidorm, San Juan and Aitana.

RIO SAFARI PARK

Opened on 26th March 1982, the Rio Safari Park has many different kinds of animals living in the wild, through which you travel in organised groups on a special train. With a crocodile farm, aquarium, and terrarium, as well as sea lion and parrot shows, the park is visited by more than 10,000 children each year and conducts a variety of educational and research programmes. Show times - Parrots (Guacamayos): 12:00, 16:00; Asian elephant (Elefante Asiático): 12:45, 17:00; Sea lions (Leones Marinos): 13:30, 18:00. Prices: Adults € 18, children from 3 to 12 years €15, children up to 3 years free.

Tickets include safari by train, visits to bird, reptile and aquarium enclosures, crocodile farm and the swimming pool (in the summer). Located 4km from Elche: from the Santa Pola roundabout on the N332 take the CV865 towards Elche, until you see the signpost.

Address: Río Safari, Carretera Santa Pola, 03139 Elche, Alicante, España. Further information is available at www.riosafari.com or by e-mail from info@riosafari.com; Tel. +34 966 638 288 .