Costa Blanca itinerary

La Costa Blanca is not typically visited by North Americans I think, so I commend you for branching out, that said it is quite popular with the English, especially around Benidorm and Dénia. If that's not you kind of scene I'd say look at Cartagena maybe Elche if you are in to history.

From Valencia you have more options, you can head south to explore La Albufera Wetlands National Park, where Paella originated from. You can also head north and explore the less touristy Costa del Azahar, Peñíscola is certainly worth a look, a Knights Templar crusader castle on a rock that juts out into the sea, surrounded by a whitewashed old town, very Levantine. Inland you find the ancient ruins of Saguntum, which Hannibal invaded to start the the Second Punic War with Rome. You can also head west on the AVE train and explore Cuenca, with its unique medieval town hanging from a cliff. Good hiking nearby in the Serrania de Cuenca National Park, but may need a car.

Zaragoza is well worth a visit, even for a few days, but is far from where you will be, not sure how to get there via train from the Costa Blanca, may need to go via Madrid or Barcelona. If you do make it to Zaragoza, I'd suggest being there during the Fiestas del Pilar, on October 12. This festival is to honor the Virgen del Pilar, the patron saint of the city. You will find a variety of cultural celebrations, traditional Aragonese attire, music, dance performances, and processions etc.

There's a secondary rail line from Valencia to Zaragoza; it runs through the very interesting Teruel. However, it's a slow enough slog that for those traveling all the way from Valencia to Zaragoza, the Renfe website recommends routing through Madrid or Tarragona.

Many thanks Carlos for some good suggestions around Valencia. We may forgo Zaragoza this trip. Any suggestions for day trips out of Alicante? Also, any thoughts on Cartegna for a few days? Regards Cliff.

To me Cartagena has no “must visit” sites like some other cities and can be seen in a day. From Alicante you could visit El Palmerar and if you like castles visit Biar Castle. For an outdoor activity, 1.5 hours drive away is Salto del Usero nature preserve. I can’t speak to public transportation to those places since I get a rental car when visiting rural Spain.

Many thanks Carlos for some good suggestions around Valencia. We may forgo Zaragoza this trip. Any suggestions for day trips out of Alicante? Also, any thoughts on Cartegna for a few days? Regards Cliff.

I'd say the Palmeral de Elche is worth a trip, a UNESCO World Heritage site it's the largest and oldest palm plantation in Europe dating (pun intended) back to Moorish times. As mentioned Cartagena is also a good daytrip from Alicante, not sure about staying there.

Alternatively Almeria can be used as a base to explore even further south, from there you can day trip to see the Cabo de Gata National Park which is a large stretch of pristine primeval coastline and beaches. Also one can visit and hike around the Tabernas Desert Biosphere Reserve the only natural desert in Europe, the filming site of many Spaghetti Western movies.

For day trips out of Alicante, you really need a car. There is a convenient interurban tram along the coast to Benidorm and Denia, and a commuter line to Elche (and Murcia), but otherwise, driving is more efficient, the roads are excellent, and traffic is light in October.

And Alicante itself, well, it is a great place to relax and have fun, with some good beaches and lots of bars, restaurants, etc.. I was there in January and 1 out of 3-4 persons downtown seemed to be British ex-pats or vacationers. But as a place to visit coming from overseas (I assume), you will probably run out of sightseeing options after a day or two.
Zaragoza and Teruel have a lot more to offer in that department.

Thanks for the advice everyone!