Checked out Castillo de Santa Barbara before leaving Alicante. Good views of the coast from up there. Could see the high-rises of Bennidorm. Then drove to Almeria. Staying at Torreluz III Hotel for 3 nights. Hotel turned out to be a nightmare as they are doing some renovations and there was a constant banging, chipping and drilling. Went for a wander and looked for some Tapas bars recommended in the Lonely Planet. Stopped in at La Charka for some cervesas and...

Left Valencia to drive to Alicante via Xativa where we drove up to the castle to check out the amazing view. We then drove on to Guadalest village to check out the Castillo de San Jose. The drive there was quite scenic. We arrived in Alicante and found our Hotel (Gravina Cinco). Was supposed to have onsite parking which turned out to be the garage next door shared with the neighbouring hotel. Which doesn't sound too bad but the lift from the carpark brings yo...

Woke to the sound of fire crackers again, oh joy! Went for a wander around the city checking out all the different Falles. There was a public fireworks display at 11am. Hundreds of people made their way to a central plaza for the display which turned out to be the loudest thing I've ever heard. Just a huge succession of explosions raising to a crescendo that surely must have deafened those close by. We were probably 100m away around the corner and I had my han...

Checked out of hotel and caught Metro (which was conveniently at the end of the road) to the main train station to collect the hire car from the Europcar office. Took a wee while to find the office after some confusing directions from the station info place. Decided to upgrade to next size car as agent said our bags wouldnt fit in boot of one we reserved so upgraded to VW Golf for extra €10 per day. Also decided to upgrade insurance to nil excess (instead of...

Decided to do a 3 hour guided bicycle trip around Barcelona. Rocked on up to meeting point and guide turned out to be nice English guy who has been living in Spain for couple of years. Also on tour were 5 American tourists. After a slightly wobbly start managed to vaguely remember how to ride a bike. Bike tour was heaps of fun and great way to see the city. Taken mainly through small pedestrian streets or on bike lanes. Took in Old Town, beach, waterfront, cat...