3-4 day train trip

Posted by quball on 12/02/19 04:10 PM

I’ll be in Valencia for a 3.5 weeks, mid Dec to first week in Jan, and considering a train excursion to Alicante, Calpe, Altea and Denia. The tentative plan is train from Valencia to Alicante, stay for the night then venture back stopping in above mentioned along the way and stay where ever looks intriguing. Planning on prior to xmas however could also do earlier Jan as long as I’m back in Valencia on the 5th, and cannot go between Xmas and New Years.
Comments and suggestions much appreciated.

Suzanne

Posted by acraven

Washington DC

12/02/19 04:36 PM

28085 posts

I haven't been to any of those places, so this advice is of highly questionable utility, but that's not where I would go. (There's a reason I haven't headed that way despite 4-1/2 months spent in Spain since 2016.) I'd do places like Cuenca and Teruel. They are on separate train lines, with no loop-trip possible in the time you have. Those are both inland cities, and they will not be particularly warm. If weather is a focus for you (it is for me), your original plan may be better at this time of year.

Posted by RJean

New York, NY

12/02/19 05:05 PM

1586 posts

Cartagena and Murcia Spain are also worth a stopover. Both cities are near Alicante. Cartagena and Murcia have many Roman ruins and interesting sights to see. You will love it.

Posted by tuydobeyde

12/07/19 12:33 PM

1 posts

I haven't been in any of these cities, except of Calpe, which seemed to be spectacular, as there are a lot of shops, restaurants, and I suggest visiting park Penon de Ifach, very cozy place. And, of course, wonderful sand beach. Also, if you are searching for a place to stay there, I recommend these calpe apartments for rent. Had a rest there. Modern equipment, friendly personnel, 50 metres from sea, so I suppose it's the most comfortable variant in this city.

Posted by quball OP

12/07/19 02:16 PM

21 posts

Thank you so much for the comments/suggestions to assist in deciding when/where to adventure. I do enjoy “winging it” a bit so I’ll go with what feels right once settled in Valencia.

Thanx again, Suzanne:)

Posted by Nick

Sevilla

12/07/19 02:36 PM

1303 posts

Alacant is a nice enough town. Rather touristy in the Summer, but not so much I expect when you're visiting. There's certainly enough sights for a busy day, especially the very extensive castle looming over the sea. So I think it's worth at least one night.

If you're in that area, you might consider a "side-trip to your side-trip" to Elche. Very interesting town to visit for a few hours and quick/easy to get to from Alacant.

The other places you mention are all primarily beach towns. Busy in season but perhaps not so much in Winter. Nevertheless, each has its attractions. Altea more so, for me, than Calpe which is fairly built-up.

Have you come across Rough Guide's "Snapshot" guidebook to Valencia & Murcia regions? I'm not sure how recent the latest edition is, but it might be worth getting anyway. You can get an e-book version fairly cheaply.