traveldk.com

Dedicated to the 18th-century Murcian sculptor Francisco Salzillo (see Other Sights in Murcia), this museum contains a collection of gilded processional floats bearing his exquisite, highly emotional depictions of the Passion of Christ. Adjoining galleries display a large number of nativity figures (belenes ).

The 18th-century Hospital of San Juan de Díos is the graceful home of Orihuela’s archaeo-logical museum, which recounts the history of the city from its earliest beginnings to the 18th century. The eeriest exhibit is a 17th-century processional float depicting a she-devil known as La Diablessa.

Kids of all ages will enjoy this museum, which has everything from puppets to train sets, miniature tea services and model aeroplanes. The exhibits date mainly from the early 20th century, and come from all parts of the world.

A sleek chain hotel with a striking glass façade and lobby, in the heart of Alicante yet still handy for the beaches. It’s geared toward business travellers, so look out for good deals at weekends and out of season.

Easily the most stylish city hotel in Murcia, it exudes an air of old-fashioned formality. The celebrated cocktail and tapas bar “La Muralla” is built around the original Arabic wall. Its restaurant (see Rincón de Paco, Caravaca de la Cruz) is one of the best in the region.

Upstairs is one of the best restaurants in Alicante (see Nou Manolín, Alicante). Downstairs, the exceptional range and quality of the tapas means it’s usually standing room only at the bar.

Excellent rice dishes (including a spectacular arroz a la banda ) are on offer at this welcoming restaurant, with an elegant whitewashed dining room upstairs and a fantastic tapas bar downstairs (see Nou Manolín).

Novelda (see Casa-Museo Modernista, Novelda), is most famous for its marble, but if that proves difficult to pack, you could pick up some locally grown golden saffron to flavour your own paellas (see Paella) instead.

Sleepy Novelda rarely makes it onto tourist itineraries, but it should. This charming if rather dilapidated little country town boasts a cluster of fine Modernista mansions, of which the most impressive is the Casa-Museo Modernista, Novelda. On the edge of town, the castle of La Mola squats next to the Gaudí-inspired sanctuary of Mary Magdalene.

This taverna is more than a tapas bar. Housed in a handsome 19th-century mansion, there are always temporary art exhibitions, and live music (usually jazz or blues) is a permanent fixture during the summer months.