For the next few months I am going to write about some places I have visited and do them in alphabetical order.
Still wondering what I will do for the more unusual letters like Q and X etc. but maybe I will have a brilliant idea later.
For a few years we found a lovely place to stay in Spain and enjoyed our different holiday weeks there in the small town of Calpe.
To get there each time we flew into Alicante and normally we just got our hire car and drove straight on to Calpe to get settled in to our little villa without even thinking about a visit to the town of Alicante.
However two of these holidays were shared with my sister and brother-in-law (yes the guy I wrote that post about gifts for his birthday 10 Gift Ideas for your Brother-in-Law ) and for the first one of them we were coming from two different countries to meet up in Spain. Both flights were into Alicante Airport but several hours apart with Fred & I arriving first. So we had plenty of time to pick up the hire car and go on into Alicante to have a look around and enjoy a coffee maybe!
Arriving in Alicante we found that the streets were full of people and there was
a very noisy and joyful atmosphere.
We quickly discovered that the people had been gathering to await a procession.
Well being from Northern Ireland we have watched many parades and processions over the years in various towns and cities there but we knew that this one would be different.
We had previously seen processions in the Canary Islands so presumed that this one would be similar to those where a statue of a saint or of Mary would be carried from one site to another.
There were bands led by girls in very colourful traditional dresses and white headresses/bonnets and also banners with pictures.
Then after one section of the procession these girls in (we presume) national or local style outfits were all gathered together with many of them holding banners with numbers on them. There seemed to be some sort of contest and perhaps it was between the girls or between local areas of the Alicante region and that would account for the numbers.
There were so many banners and they passed us by so quickly that we did not get a good look at them and unfortunately we did not get close enough for our pictures to clearly show the writing.
The bands themselves all looked very similar with the men (and a few women) all in white shirts and black trousers. In Northern Ireland band parades we are used to each band having a different uniform.
With the man and woman both in green it made me think of St. Patrick's Day Parades. If interested in that click on these links for posts I have written about them Everyone's Irish on March 17th & St. Patrick's Day Parade in NI
The Ladies who were all dressed the same were led into this covered stand as there region or area passed by with their band - we never worked out why.
Occasionally there would be some men with the ladies in front of the band and they were also in a type of national costume.
They played the same instruments as we would normally see in our bands but they were perhaps more casual in their attire and their marching.
By the time this was all over we only had time for a lovely relaxing walk at the harbour area
![]() |
Photo Credit: Pixaby |
which is beautiful and bright and open. It is clean and the palm trees bordering it make it very attractive. We were also surprisingly pleased by the state of the beach in Alicante because and that is good praise as we are spoilt for good, long, sandy beaches here in Northern Ireland.
![]() |
Photo Credit: Pixaby |
But after that there was no time for that coffee before we had to drive back to the airport.
As my sister got into the car I remember her saying
"Well what was Alicante like? Is it worth us going to see it?"
and we all laughed when I explained what we had spent the afternoon watching - well it was somewhat appropriate as Fred & I were the ones no longer living in our home country where parades are a regular occurrence just as they are in Spain.
Later I tried to do a little bit of research to find out about the procession we had seen, well you know what I mean - I googled it.
Apparently for several days in the month of June they have a celebratory Festival of Fires and this was the "Feria Procession" that happens on one of the days and on other days they have different events some including fires in the evenings. Quite appropriate as in NI we also have bonfires the night before some of our parades.
And did I mention that here we were two couples coming to this area also for a celebration?
We were celebrating my birthday and my sister's wedding anniversary.
Yes
my older sister got married on my 13th birthday and that's a story for another time.
What a great idea for a post series! I've never been to Alicante but I've heard good things, I'll have to check it out. Looks like an interesting procession! Thanks for sharing #citytripping
ReplyDeleteLove this concept. I am inspired to visit places - A - Z. Genius! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteExcellent idea! Love your post, great photos too.
ReplyDeleteOh I love this idea! I'd have to travel a bit more for the series but that can be arranged! LOL! So fun!
ReplyDeleteHow very cool! And I love vicarious travel.
ReplyDeleteThis will be an interesting series. You are a clever gal!!!
ReplyDeleteHow fun! Loved seeing the parade and learning about little details like the Festival of Fires. I had to smile at seeing KFC in the background as it was a sweet reminder of my grandmother - one her favorite places to eat. I look forward to reading about your ABC places!
ReplyDeleteOoh it's been years since I've been to Alicante, a beautiful place. Thanks for linking up to #fortheloveofblog x
ReplyDeleteHow fun -- I might just have to steal this blog series idea some time, but in the meantime, I'll be enjoying each installment of yours! I chose this post as my feature, too! #FridayFrivolity
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, learning about another area. I'll look forward to the rest of the alphabet.
ReplyDeleteI do love all the festivals the Spanish have! I always seem to come across one when I visit. What a great experience! Thanks for linking #citytripping
ReplyDeleteSpain is on my list of places to visit! I think you saw a lot of Alicante even if it wasn't the coffee shops! I used to listen to a podcast about a couple who traveled the world it was called Married with Luggage. Eventually the fell in love with a tiny village in Spain and bought a house.
ReplyDeleteThe parade looks great. I love seeing some tradition and culture when on holidays. Thanks for sharing with #bloggersbest
ReplyDeleteHi. I’ve yet to visit Alicante but it’s in my list thanks for sharing this helpful guide of inspiring places to visit #bloggersbest
ReplyDeleteWow! I do not know much about Spain, but this parade in Alicante was fun, seeing it through your eyes. I especially enjoyed seeing all the colorful dresses the ladies were wearing.
ReplyDeleteWow. It looks very festive. I must admit I had no idea where you were talking about. I have since looked it up. A lovely place! #blogstravaganza
ReplyDeleteI have no desire to visit Alicante because my ex husband now lives there, shame as it does look wonderful #blogstrazaganda@_karendennis
ReplyDeleteThis sounds wonderful, great idea for a post series too. Thank you for sharing with #Blogstravaganza :)
ReplyDeleteLove this idea of sharing your travel destinations A to Z! I have never visited Spain, would love to though. Thanks for sharing about your trip, I love learning about places around the world.
ReplyDeleteI lived in Spain for a year (not Alicante) but I learnt that they certainly do love a fiesta! There was lots of parades an celebrations all year round that were great to watch. I love this idea for a series and can't wait to hear more of your travel stories. Thanks for sharing with us #AdventureCalling
ReplyDeleteThe photos are beautiful! I’d love to visit there.
ReplyDeleteThe harbour area looks stunning and it's always great when you get chance to witness and experience a local cultural event like your parade. Thanks for joining us and apologies my comments are a little late this week, I've had an Ofsted inspection at my school so life has been a little hectic. #adventurecalling
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I don't think I've been to enough places for this! I need to travel more!
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely places you have been too!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a great way to spend some time waiting for family to arrive. I can't wait to see what other places you've traveled to! Thanks for sharing with us at Love to Learn; Pinned.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Alicante but I do love Spain and the feeling from the procession felt to uplifting! Thanks for linking up to #coolmumclub with this x
ReplyDelete