Holiday in Spain, in Corona Times

In recent weeks/months I’ve noticed there are definite differences between Spain and the Netherlands in how COVID is handled. So here are 5 tips for anyone coming to Alicante who still wants to enjoy a beautiful, safe and well‑deserved holiday! Want to know more about the current situation in Spain and everything involved in flying? Then read this blog.

Tip 1:

In Spain you can’t avoid it… Wearing a face mask is still mandatory. That means in public places such as a supermarket, shops or in places where you can’t keep 1.5 metres’ distance. Such as at the market. People have become used to it and it’s a very normal street scene to see people heading to the beach with masks on. Plenty of people also walk past with the mask dangling from their arm. Face masks are called **mascarilla** in Spanish and come in all shapes and sizes. You aren’t required to wear a medical mask. All types are allowed, as long as they look safe.

You can buy masks at Mercadona, Aldi and the local Lidl. Every pharmacy (farmacia) stocks them too. At the pharmacy they’re sold per piece. At the supermarket you usually buy a pack of 5, 20 or 30. Going to a restaurant? Don’t forget your mask there either! Even if you sit outside. If you want to pop inside to the toilet, you’re expected to put your mask on. It takes some getting used to, but for now we’ll have to observe these rules in Spain.

Tip 2: Hand gel

Hand gels are for sale everywhere in Spain. In every supermarket and pharmacy you’ll find gel hidroalcohólico. In small size or a big bottle with pump. So there’s no need to bring a big tub from the Netherlands. You’ll be showered with it here. In every shop or supermarket you enter, you’ll first have to disinfect your hands with this gel. And in many places also put on plastic gloves. Some chains are stepping back from that again, as it obviously isn’t good for plastic waste.

Tip 3: Into the mountains

With Spain everyone immediately thinks of the beach and floating in the Mediterranean for hours. But does the mere thought of a completely packed beach make you uneasy? Then Alicante has some truly beautiful alternatives. There are different waterfalls where you can float all day **in the middle of nowhere** on your inflatable flamingo without worrying someone will sneeze in your face. You’ll need a car, of course.

Note: there are no toilets here. And you really do drive into the interior. If you get hungry, there won’t be a churros stand or **heladería** (ice‑cream shop) to be found! So pick up a cool box at the Chinese bazaar in the village before you leave. And toss a roll of toilet paper in the car. Then just enjoy…

is also an option. These are waterfalls too, but here you pay €4 entrance per person and by now it can get quite busy. And there are enough tourists. So not really a local hotspot anymore. But it’s certainly beautiful! And there are toilets and a lifeguard. (For everyone now shouting at home: “I’m not sitting on a bucket that day!!” This is a fine alternative.)

The water is super clear in these places. Travelling with kids? Take a bucket. They can keep the fish they catch in it. A blog on all the nearby wild‑swimming spots is coming soon.

Search on Google Maps:

Font Mayor (Sella) — 43 minutes’ drive from Alicante centre.

Tip 4: Luxury stay at Finca Les Coves

Okay, so you **do** want to go to Spain. But you **don’t** want to stay in a busy hotel. Where do you go then?

Consider lovely **luxury camping**. Bring nothing from home and still have everything you need close to hand at Finca les Coves . You can even stay for dinner; they have delicious smoothies and an extra luxury is…

That at night in summer it cools down wonderfully there. Maybe you don’t want to think about that now if it’s 18°C in Amsterdam. But really… 18 degrees in August and sleeping under a blanket in Spain is **very** pleasant. More soon about this **finca**, run by two young, enthusiastic Dutch people.

Besides luxury camping, you can stay at **Casa Olivae** (10 minutes from Alicante centre) and **Casa Limón** for a wonderful holiday with your own pool and modern, original Mediterranean styling. If you follow them on Instagram you’ll see they regularly add a new decoration item with a Dutch twist. Funny… while the overall style remains very Spanish.

Tip 5: Shopping

I’ve tried it a few times now. Not because it’s so nice — constantly washing your hands with disinfectant gel and wearing masks in 30°C isn’t great. But if you want to do some shopping during your holiday in Alicante after all, take these tips to heart:

Go between 2 and 5 to avoid the crowds. That’s siesta time. It is the hottest part of the day, so don’t forget water and your hat. But the shops are wonderfully quiet. All Spaniards eat at home then and take a nap. Around 6 or 7 p.m. it gets busy again.

Don’t go on Saturdays. That’s always **the** day entire families go shopping together. Grandmas and grandpas come along for fun to buy children’s shoes. And in Spain that’s allowed — going inside with ten at once. If you’re not up for that now, avoid the weekend!

And if you want to make a quick choice in the shop, check their range online beforehand: zara.com, zarahome.com, stradivarius.es, mango.es and elcorteingles.es. That way you spend less time in the shop.