Autumn holiday?

margaretclare

We're thinking of going away maybe early November:

1. We've seen our local airport nearly die on its feet, be bought by Stobart, have a huge amount of investment and now appears to be thriving, with EasyJet going to most of the popular holiday destinations. We haven't yet flown from there, although it's literally half a mile away.

2. We just fancy some sun before the winter really gets a hold. We're going up to the Western Isles in 2 weeks' time, all planned and organised, hopefully see some wildlife and scenery, but sunny it ain't (well, unlikely to be).

The name Alicante has popped up. There seem to be some very nice hotels and a lot going on there. Very historic old city. We are not exactly the kind of people who're happy with 'sun, sand, sangria and sex' and nothing else. Nor do we expect nothing but UK food in a foreign country. Part of the fun to us is trying the food and having a go at the language (got the phrase-book already!)

Has anyone been?

Doshwaster

Yes, I really like Alicante. Most holidaymakers arrive at the airport and head straight to Benidorm and the other resorts along the coast totally bypassing the city. It's a shame for them but good for anyone stopping in the city as you avoid the usual package holiday crowds. This means that Alicante retains a very Spanish feel especially at night where the Old Town has loads of bars and restaurants.

The city itself has a nice beach and there's a handy light rail train running up the coast so that you can explore the other coastal towns - including, if you must, Benidorm.

margaretclare

Doshwaster wrote: »

Yes, I really like Alicante. Most holidaymakers arrive at the airport and head straight to Benidorm and the other resorts along the coast totally bypassing the city. It's a shame for them but good for anyone stopping in the city as you avoid the usual package holiday crowds. This means that Alicante retains a very Spanish feel especially at night where the Old Town has loads of bars and restaurants.

The city itself has a nice beach and there's a handy light rail train running up the coast so that you can explore the other coastal towns - including, if you must, Benidorm.

Thank you very much. Yes, the 'Spanish feel' is the kind of thing we're after. I've seen that there's a cathedral and a castle/fortress. Yes, we want the Spanish restaurants - we're not great drinkers but we do like to try different food.

No, I don't want to seem snobbish, but the idea of a package holiday would fill us both with dread. Although we're 'wrinklies' we like travelling independently, getting away, doing our own thing and not necessarily hearing our own language at all! Benidorm, from what I've heard of it, would be our idea of hell.

Hobsons_Choice

We were in Alicante last year and stayed at the Melia hotel. It's a bit "corporate" but very central, overlooks the beach and has a great buffet breakfast that could see you through the day!

margaretclare

Hobsons_Choice wrote: »

We were in Alicante last year and stayed at the Melia hotel. It's a bit "corporate" but very central, overlooks the beach and has a great buffet breakfast that could see you through the day!

Thank you very much. Will have a look at the Melia. We like the buffet breakfast idea - have experienced these in other countries we've been to, Portugal, Germany, France, just never been to Spain before. Fruit, cold meats, cheese etc and those lovely continental breads....mmm.

Hobsons_Choice

Well the Melia breakfast has all that, plus freshly squeezed orange juice and full English if that's what you want. We managed to eat so well that we only had a small slice of tortilla for lunch and then ate again at night.
Note: I have NO connection with this hotel, it's just that the stay was memorable!
They're renovating at the moment so if you decide to stay there ask for a high room.

margaretclare

Hobsons_Choice wrote: »

Well the Melia breakfast has all that, plus freshly squeezed orange juice and full English if that's what you want. We managed to eat so well that we only had a small slice of tortilla for lunch and then ate again at night.
Note: I have NO connection with this hotel, it's just that the stay was memorable!
They're renovating at the moment so if you decide to stay there ask for a high room.

Thank you very much, this is all the kind of useful information which is so valuable. EasyJet have been flying from our local airport to Alicante, among other places, since last April, but we haven't met anyone locally who's actually been there.

No, no, no, can't do 'full English', especially in a warm climate! There is a widely-accepted 'continental' style of breakfast now which encompasses the sliced meats and cheeses, yogurts, fruit, breads - have had that in England, Germany, Portugal and France. We once spent a 4-day Christmas break in a Coventry hotel which was full of wrinklies. There was no yogurt because 'people don't want it'!

What do the Spanish eat? And what's tortilla?

PS: Have just found out about tortilla!

mcfisco

especially in a warm climate!

It may not be that warm in November
You should see 20ish though but with a reasonable chance of some rain

jhe

i have been to benidorm in november a few years ago(carnival week) although warmer than home during the day it was overcoat weather on a night, a friend of mine was in benidorm the week before me and there was torrential rain and flooding

margaretclare

We thought later in the year because (a) our June holiday is already planned and (b) we don't like the midsummer heat of those countries.

Anything warmer than we have at the moment in England will be fine, and we don't mind a little rain. We're not 'bikini' people!

Doshwaster

Hobsons_Choice wrote: »

Well the Melia breakfast has all that, plus freshly squeezed orange juice and full English if that's what you want. We managed to eat so well that we only had a small slice of tortilla for lunch and then ate again at night.
Note: I have NO connection with this hotel, it's just that the stay was memorable!
They're renovating at the moment so if you decide to stay there ask for a high room.

I've never stopped there but in terms of location it's probably the best hotel in Alicante and out of season you should be able to get some reasonable prices there. If it's still too expensive then there are other properties from the TrypMelia chain, the Gran Sol and Cuidad de Alicante and the which are cheaper but more basic while still being central.

As others have said, I wouldn't be expecting sunbathing weather in November. It should be shirt-sleeves warm during the day but you'll need a coat at night.