A visit to the Santa Bárbara Castle is highly recommended. Located atop Mount Benacantil, at a height of 166 metres, it is one of the largest medieval fortresses in Spain, with unbeatable views over the Bay of Alicante and on clear days you can see all the way to Tabarca Island. Such is its relevance that during the 20th century it was declared a Monument of Historic and Artistic Importance and a Site of Cultural Interest. Here we can also find one of the most characteristic images of the city, a rock formation resembling a man’s profile on the southwestern slope, known as the Moor’s Face, which is best viewed from Postiguet Beach. The Museum of the city in Santa Bárbara's Castle “MUSA”, housed in the Castle itself, was included in its cultural offer and it explains in five theme rooms the history of the city of Alicante and their inhabitants. To descend down from the Santa Bárbara Castle, take the route through Parque de La Ereta, along the mountainside. Its location and views transform it into a place of relaxation as well as a great meeting place. It also has a spectacular restaurant and, on the way down to the old town quarter, you can visit the picturesque, quintessentially Spanish Santa Cruz district. Another attractive option between the castle and the Santa Cruz district is walking along the remains of the walls that surrounded the Castle, which now end in the Santa Cruz district. Visitors can also access the castle via a lift built within the rock face opposite El Postiguet beach.

Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter is LEED Certified and perfect for nature enthusiasts. The 1,200-acre nature Preserve and 10,000 square-feet building have interactive displays about the environment. There are weekly nature tours, wildlife viewing, summer camps, environmental education for children and adults, evening lectures, and more. Hike, bike, or walk to the benches surrounding the beautiful overlook.

Get energised and burn some calories by staying active on your vacation. Hamilton Island Sports Club offers plenty of diverse ways to make up for some holiday indulgence. Try high intensity interval training, attend a yoga class or pick up a tennis racket. Reward yourself with a visit to the spa room afterwards. Additionally, the Whitsundays host numerous sport events like gruelling triathlons, professional and amateur golf tournaments, ocean swims, charity walks and beach runs.

The famous Blackpool Illuminations are what keeps visitors coming to the city long after the bathing season is over. Every year, from late August to early November, Blackpool lights up with over one million bulbs along the Promenade all the way to Bispham in the north - a sight not to be missed.