With its international airport and central location, the resort city of Alicante (pop. 284,000) is the capitol of the Costa Blanca area, though the city itself is often bypassed by the beach-bound hordes. Still, it does get pretty crowded at times, but it's well worth checking out for its relaxing atmosphere, warm weather and beaches. Other attractions include the imposing Castillo de Santa Barbara (perched on a hill, it commands a good view of the coastline), the Explanada de Espana (the palm-lined promenade along the harbor) and the old Barrio de Santa Cruz (the part of town that preserves some of its ancient past). The surrounding province of Alicante includes the Costa Blanca resort region and such popular towns as Benidorm (a mainly low-budget, high-rise holiday resort on two fine beaches -- it has its admirers and detractors), Altea and Denia.