Fined 90 Euros for parking outside the (full) car park in the spacious approach road - there were…read moreno signs to warn against doing that.

A mysterious and beautiful ghost concert hall. It has no website, it opens its doors several times…read morea year (often by invitation only), it's not on all maps and it has no road signs*. It cost €53 million to build and it costs €360,000 every year to maintain. The construction of Auditorio Internacional de Torrevieja** was finished in 2011. For 4 years it has been "kind of open". It hosts classical music concerts some 10 times a year, but there's no regular program. Why? 1. Technical problems? The hall seems to be in perfect order, but there are problems with the licence to operate. If it is not safe - why open it 10 times a year? If it is safe - why not open it for normal use? Couldn't construction problems be fixed in several days or weeks? (if they even exist)? 2. Who should operate it? There are talks going on between the municipal government and the regional government about who and how should use the building and on what terms. Any solution would be better than no solution for years. If this is the problem how is it still not solved? 3. Was the concept wrong in the first place and there won't be enough customers? If so why not promote the venue just a bit? Put up road signs at least? A website? Start selling tickets in a way that they could be bought without troubles? Anyway the hall is packed every time it is open... To be honest I have no reasonable explanation why any problems couldn't be solved in 4 years. If you are reading this and you know the solution to this puzzle (or at least a guess) - please let me know! About the hall itself. There is a symphonic hall (1450 seats) and a chamber hall (385 seats). Great sound, nice views from the hill on which the hall is located, modern and beautiful building. If you are in the city on the day of a concert - you should definitely visit. The most up-to-date information about the events is probably here: http://www.torrevieja.com/ Tickets are not easy to buy. They are sold in the office of the municipal theater (Teatro Municipal de Torrevieja: http://www.yelp.com/biz/teatro-municipal-de-torrevieja-torrevieja) (several kilometers away, during very limited hours). No tickets sold online. I hope the issues get resolved soon and the venue opens for normal use. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Getting there. 1) Via N-332 road. Drive to Hospital Quiron (former San Jaime hospital). Pass the hospital. You arrived. Parking lot is open on days of events and is free. 2) Via Calle Cecilio Gallego Alamis. Drive to (38.000469, -0.680112) roundabout. Take the exit with dead end sign. Drive some 200 m. 3) There are buses on some event days departing from the Theatre Municipal de Torrevieja and returning after the event. I never used them 4) Nearest public bus stop - Hospital Quiron (former San Jaime). 3 minutes walk ** Name. It is confusing but there's no one standard name. Some of the names currently in use: - Auditorio Internacional de Música de Torrevieja - Auditorio Internacional de Torrevieja - Auditorio Conservatorio de Torrevieja - Auditorio Conservatorio Internacional de Música - Auditorio de Torrevieja

Torrevieja Carnival (Carnaval de Torrevieja) consists of several events held in January and…read moreFebruary every year. There are two street parades and several contests that take place during two weeks. The fist carnival was held in 1986 and became quite popular in the recent years. During the first parade some 30 "comparsas" (groups of dancers) dance though the city and compete for €14000 worth of prizes. There several categories, individual prizes vary from €300 to €1400. The winners are decided by a jury, not really fun because the public don't have a say. The second parade ("the evening parade") is the last day of the carnival. The event is informal and anybody can participate. Both parades start from Plaza Maria Asución, go along Calle Ramón Gallud and end at Calle Patricio Perez. There were many plastic chairs installed along the street this year for the event, you could find one to enjoy the parade in comfort (it lasts for at least three hours). The cleaning service after the parade is great, they are really fast and productive. No signs of the huge party just an hour after its end. It seemed like the 2016 parade was smaller than the 2015, both in terms of numbers of performers and spectators. More convenient to for everyone but not a great trend. Torrevieja carnival is the event enjoyed by people of all ages, both locals and tourists. It is safe and convenient for the kids and for the elderly. Some areas close to huge outdoor speakers can be really loud, be careful. Check out the pictures and short videos from 2016 and 2015 carnivals. Phone battery went off this year, I wish I took more pictures!

Open air concert venue with views to the Mediterranean sea and the marina. Get there early to take…read morepictures. Most of the time - traditional music Spanish (never visited). Once a year: UB-40, Kool and the Gang, Al McKay all stars (tribute Earth Find and Fire) and the like. US/UK performers, stop all those "gracias" and "buenas noches" - 99.99% of your audience don't speak a word in Spanish :) Minus 1 star for dirty toilets.

Their Sunday afternoon live music is not to be missed. Starts around 5 and goes on till 8 or later…read more Wednesday evening live acts.

"Los Reyes Magos (The Magi, Three Wise Men, Three Kings) - a group of distinguished foreigners who…read morevisited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh" - Wikipedia Dia de los Reyes Magos (January, 6) is a big holiday in Spain that ends the Christmas holiday season. Kids get more gifts than on Christmas. Adults often give each other gifts too. The eve of the holiday (January, 5) is celebrated with parades in cities throughout Spain (Gabalgatas de los Reyes Magos). There are local features in different cities. The Costa Orihuela event is relatively small comparing to parades in other cities nearby. It starts at 5pm (calle Nicolás de Bussi) and ends in La Zenia Boulevard shopping center. There are three main parts in a typical Reyes Magos parade: 1. Arrival (Llegada de los Reyes Magos). The three kings may arrive to a city by ships, trains, cars or even camels depending on place. People gather at the point of the arrival to welcome the kings. Kings arrived to Orihuela Costa in classic cars in 2016. 2. Parade (Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos). The kings parade trough the city's streets accompanied by musical bands, dancers and people wearing costumes. During this part the kings throw candies and people around catch them. Umbrellas and similar objects are often used for collection. Kids shout out the kings' names to get their attention (Spanish spellings of the kings' names are Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar). 3. Speech. After the parade the kings give speech, typically in the city's main square and sometimes give gifts. This part of the Orihuela Costa parade takes place inside La Zenia shopping center. The duration of the event is approximately 3 hours. Good: - Cosy and convenient. You can easily see the kings, talk to them and take pictures. - Free gifts are given to all kids at the end of the event. Kids are invited to the stage where the kings talk with them individually. - No need to drive anywhere if you live or stay in this part of Costa Blanca. The downsides: - It's not very authentic. Feels like an adaptation for tourists and expats of Costa Orihuela. - Small. You don't see the variety of costumes, dancers, bands and animals you would see in Torrevieja (10 km drive). Conclusion: - For locals. Worth visiting at least once. You may like it more than the bigger parade in Torrevieja. - For visitors. If this is your first "Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos" and you may not go to another parade soon - choose a bigger event in Torrevieja, Alicante or in other cities around.