We arrived into Alicante today.  Alicante’s story stretches back over 7,000 years, beginning with prehistoric settlers drawn to its sunny shores. The Greeks arrived around 325 BC, naming it Akra Leuke, and later the Romans built Lucentum, whose ruins still whisper of ancient days. In 711, Muslim forces transformed the town into Al-Laqant, a thriving center of trade and culture. Christian forces reclaimed it in the 13th century, and under the Crown of Aragon, Alicante blossomed into a powerful Mediterranean port. Though it faced sieges, plagues, and pirate raids, it continued to thrive, exporting wine, olive oil, and fruit across Europe. The city endured hardships during the Napoleonic Wars and the Spanish Civil War — where it stood among the final Republican holdouts. Today, Alicante thrives anew, its white castle still crowning the hill, its beaches bustling, and its streets alive with a blend of history and Mediterranean spirit.  We are so lucky to be at these places and seeing history and learning new things and concepts that we never had the opportunity to learn in the US.  So much history here 

Nana needed to work on some events that she is planning and watch Pope Francis’s funeral so didn’t want to do an excursion today.  Papa is on his own today.  He went on the Alicante Highlights excursion today.  

We left the port of Alicante to discover this city whose past and present are inextricably linked with North Africa for historic and economic reasons. We drove down the city’s main boulevard — the Explanada de España.  We walked with our guide to enter the Old Town, which is closed to vehicles Town Hall Square and the Town Hall surprised me with its delicate lines and Baroque style.  We saw an amazing market with fruits, meat and fish for sale by local vendors. 

The Cathedral of Alicante, better known as the Church of San Nicolás de Bari, comes with an impressive façade that is one of the finest remaining examples of Spanish religious Baroque. 

We stepped inside the Museo de Fogueres, which features photos and sculptures of plaster and papier mâché, depicting the different periods of the region’s history. Every June, Alicante bursts into flame and celebration during Las Hogueras de San Juan — the Night of the Bonfires. Originally tied to the summer solstice, the festival has evolved into a spectacular event where enormous, colorful sculptures called hogueras fill the streets. Made of wood, cardboard, and papier-mâché, these towering works of art are often satirical, poking fun at politics, celebrities, or local life. On the night of June 24th, after days of music and parades, the sculptures are set ablaze, lighting up the sky in a fiery dance of art and destruction. Fireworks crackle, bands play, and the spirit of Alicante shines brightest in the glow of the bonfires, welcoming summer with passion and joy.  The museum shows a smaller model of the winning sculptures for each year.

We crossed the center of town en route to the Castle of Santa Barbara, an aging fortress built in the 16th century. We visited the best-preserved areas, such as the Main Tower (Torre del Homenaje) and the Englishmen’s bastions. From 500 feet above sea level, we took in the beautiful view of the city, the bay and our ship. From inside the castle, we admirde some interesting Iberian archeological findings, which demonstrate that people lived there even before the arrival of the Romans.

Then back to the ship for some dancing and dinner.  Tomorrow is a sea day and then we stop in Lisbon.  We are having Isabel and Jose Nunes (our son-in-laws parents) visit the ship for breakfast and lunch and then out on the town for a short visit.