Don’t worry, your watch is not broken. You’ve just found yourself in a part of Spain where time moves a little differently. A corner of the country that is always glowing with year-round sunshine. Where a morning walk along the Mediterranean coast, a lunch on a terrace, and the odd glass of wine are all a part of a regular day. One of those places where you can just…take your time.
That place is Alicante. And today, Spain by Travelive invites you to take a minute, maybe even just a second, to discover it.
Spain’s Sunshine State
Surely it says a lot about the solar power of a Spanish region if it can outshine (quite literally) the rest of the country. Mind you, we are talking about one of the Mediterranean’s most radiant destinations here. So, if you’ve ever wondered what makes Spain the ultimate shoulder-season escape, it’s places like Alicante.
Located just south of Valencia along Spain’s Costa Blanca, Alicante enjoys a mild climate that makes outdoor living and slow, meaningful travel a year-round affair.
That means that regardless of which day you’re crossing off the calendar, you can spend it having breakfast in the sun, enjoying a scenic nature walk in the mountains, or simply lounging by the sea. Which also makes Alicante one of the best places to stop counting said days, slow down, and live well.
And trust us, we know. After all, Spain by Travelive’s very own Country Manager, Armando Maestre is from there!
“Having spent more than 20 years traveling the world, I always return to my roots in Alicante, a place I truly love. Or, as we say here, it is “la millor terreta del món”: the best place on Earth. With its sunshine, beautiful beaches, relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle, and incredible food and wine, Alicante is truly a wonderful place to call home.” — Armando Maestre, Country Manager, Spain by Travelive
For anyone who still doubt its radiance, Alicante earns its reputation for year-round sunshine with around 320 days of it each year. Combined with its mild Mediterranean climate, that means the region can be enjoyed outdoors well beyond the traditional summer season.
A Well of Wellness
Speaking of wellness.
Besides offering travelers a lifetime supply of Vitamin D, Alicante can also be a sunlit gateway for those seeking the pinnacle of wellbeing.
Just north of it you will find Altea, where whitewashed houses climb toward its historic old town, the Mediterranean stretches endlessly ahead, and the mountains rise behind the coast. The light is extraordinary. The pace is gentle. And it is there that ZEM Wellness Clinic Altea offers a completely different reason to travel to Spain.
Set within a 430,000 sq ft estate, ZEM brings together science, wellness, and Mediterranean gastronomy at a 5-star Grand Luxury Hotel. Across 25 medical specialties, tailored nutrition, yoga, mindfulness, healthy cooking, and open-air wellness, guests can nourish body and mind, with organic produce from the 807,000 sq ft sustainable Finca Althaya farm at the heart of its cuisine.
Talk about time well spent.
Up to Everyone’s Taste
Got a taste for Alicante yet? You’re about to.
Alicante has developed a distinctive gastronomic identity built around the Mediterranean, combining exceptional local produce with culinary traditions passed down through generations. Rice is practically an art form here, with countless regional preparations bringing together fresh seafood, vegetables, olive oil, saffron, and other local ingredients.
Other than its celebrated grain, Alicante’s traditional salted fish, local wines, artisanal sweets, and famous cocas offer plenty of reasons to linger around the table.
Travelers can visit markets, meet producers, explore local wineries, learn traditional recipes, or simply spend a long Mediterranean afternoon discovering why meals here are best enjoyed without watching the clock.
- Arroz a banda — One of Alicante’s signature rice dishes, traditionally prepared with a rich seafood stock and local Mediterranean ingredients.
- Alicante-style rice — Explore one of the many local rice preparations, from seafood and fish to meat and vegetables. Alicante even promotes itself as a “City of Rice.”
- Coca amb tonyina — A beloved local savory pastry made with tuna belly and onion, particularly associated with Alicante’s Hogueras de San Juan celebrations, though available year-round.
- Turrón de Alicante — The region’s famous nougat, traditionally made with almonds and honey and protected by the Alicante and Jijona designation of origin.
- Alicante DOP wines — Wines from the region’s protected designation of origin, including varieties such as Moscatel and Monastrell, alongside Mediterranean cuisine.
Armando’s Alicante Favorite
“My favorite local dish, which I also love to cook, is rice with rabbit and snails (Arroz con conejo y caracoles), a traditional delicacy that pairs perfectly with a good DOP Alicante wine.” — Armando Maestre, Spain by Travelive Country Manager
Never an Itinerary, Always a Rhythm
And when you are ready for a change of rhythm, Alicante offers another major advantage.
Connectivity. And we don’t mean Wi-Fi.
High-speed rail makes it remarkably easy to connect Alicante with Madrid and Valencia, allowing us to create sophisticated multi-destination itineraries without relying on additional flights.
Some travelers may want to begin with Madrid before slowing everything down on the coast. Others might prefer several days of wellness at ZEM before continuing to Valencia. Food lovers could combine Altea with Alicante’s gastronomic scene. Meanwhile, repeat visitors to Spain can just decide to forget the major sights and spend a week between wellness, the Mediterranean, and long lunches in the sun.
Then again, it could also be something like this.
From Mediterranean Calm to Spain’s Great Cities
Madrid
Start with the classics. Enjoy art, culture, energy, and exceptional gastronomy in the Spanish capital before boarding the train and watching the landscape gradually give way to the Mediterranean.
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Alicante & Altea
Then, slow things down. Trade city bustle for sunshine, wellness, Mediterranean living, and long stretches of sea and time. Spend a few days finding your own pace between the coast and Altea’s whitewashed streets.
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Valencia
And pick it back up again. Discover Spain’s rising star where bold design, historic architecture, lively markets, and exceptional gastronomy meet the creative energy of the Mediterranean.
Slow Travel en Español
What does slowing down in Spain actually look like? Feeling sunlight on your face in the middle of winter? Waking up without an alarm and heading out for a stroll beside the Mediterranean? Taking care of yourself without feeling like you’re following a program?
Sometimes, the greatest luxury a destination can offer is time, light, and space to enjoy being there. And that is what you’ll find in regions like Alicante.
So, whether your travelers are looking for a wellness reset, a gastronomic escape, a slower Mediterranean stay, or simply a change of pace between Spain’s major cities, contact Spain by Travelive at spain@travelive.com and let us create a journey that gives them more time to enjoy Spain on their own terms.