Alicante, or "Alacant", is the capital of the region also called Alicante in the Community of Valencia, and has become one of the most popular resort towns on Spain's Costa Blanca, but don't let that put you off...

Probably the most well known resort along this stretch of Spanish coastline is Benidorm, the archetypal package holiday nightmare destination, and Alicante at one time looked as though it might go the same way. Thankfully the town managed to retain its essential Spanish flavour, and the concrete blight that has sterilised some Spanish coastal destinations hasn't taken nearly so deep a hold here.

In appearance, Alicante remains more an ancient settlement than modern playground. Human activity in the area can be traced back to pre-history, and some estimate that the town itself has existed in one form or another for three thousand years. With this venerable old age comes a mixture of architectural and cultural styles.

You can still detect the Moorish influence in parts of the city while other parts smack of a bygone colonial time, when Spain ruled the waves. The centrepiece is undoubtedly the Santa Barbara Castle atop its hill - for centuries a defensive bastion against invasion from the ocean. However, the dominant atmosphere of the city is still that of a coastal destination and people flock here to enjoy the beaches and the Mediterranean sun more than to investigate the ancient mysteries of the city.

Walk along the gorgeous seafront, the Paseo de Explanada (known simply as the Explanada), and you'll soon catch the festive atmosphere of this year-round beach and party town.