DAY TRIPS                                               

MOUNTAIN TRIP

Drive through the Jalon Valley towards Alcalali and take the road to Parcent.  At Parcent you drive straight up the mountain  and over the Mountain top to Tarbena.  Great views and a mountain top bar on the way.  As you leave Tarbena there is an excellent Spanish restaurant on the right called Cantarella.  It has a beautiful pool  - so dont forget your swimsuits.

Also, in the centre of Tarbena is Restaurant Casa Pepe.  Its very Spanish, run by a one-armed war veteran and is a veritable museum of memorabilia.

FUENTES DEL ALGAR

Natural springs and waterfalls.  Makes a nice way to complete a day out after going to the mountain restaurant. Take your swimsuit.  Leave Tarbena going towards Benidorm and its on the left. Drive all the way up to the entrance before you park - if you take an early car park you will have a long walk.  Not recommended in August.

AQUALANDIA AND MUNDOMAR

This is a super way to spend a day.  The two parks are the Spanish versions of Wet and Wild and Seaworld.  The rides and shows may not be quite as good as Florida but the setting is superb.  To get there, go to Benidorm and follow the signs to Playa Levante.  Keep your eyes open and you will see large signposts taking you to the parks.

TERRA MITICA

Spains newest theme park.  It is at Benidorm and is well signposted.  It has got excellent reviews. 

WET AND WILD AT CULLERA                       

Very Spanish  generally not too many tourists and reported to be very good  not tried it personally but comes on good recommendation.  Take the motorway north and exit for Cullera.  Follow the road around Cullera and turn right when you see the railway station and supermarket on your right.  It is near MacDonalds.  Takes about 30 minutes.

VALENCIA

Valencia is Spains third city and is quite beautiful.  The best way to visit is to drive up the motorway to Zereva/Zeraco (the first exit after Gandia) and take the train.  It goes right into the heart of the city.

ALICANTE

A lovely city, well worth the visit.  Again take the train but this time from Gata.

BIRDWATCHING

Lots of scope for this in Spain.  A very good place to go is the lakes near Pego.  Follow the N332 north toward Oliva until you see a big furniture shop on your left called OF  take the second left after this to Pego.  The lakes are on your right.

COCKTAILS

If you are in the vicinity of Moraira, Algas Bar is a smashing place to watch the sun go down.  The views are great and it is on the beach. Take the coast road out of Moraira towards Calpe and it is on the left after about ¾ of a mile (on a right hand bend).