The reason is simple, Hospes Amerigo is launching a new holiday idea for foodies who also love the sun, ‘Discover the Tomato’. For three days guests can immerse themselves in a local product; seeing how it’s grown, how it’s harvested, how it can be cooked and most importantly how it can be eaten.
Alicante is one of Spain’s best tomato growing areas with scores of varieties flourishing in the sun-baked fields. On the break guests get to discover the incredible tastes that gourmet chefs can conjure up, as well see first hand how tomato varieties are being saved from extinction.
And so is the Hospes Amerigo. We found the ‘Dreamer’ room on the special offer break has a spacious twin-sinked bathroom, a luxuriously large bed and glossy wooden floor, as well as a cute balcony perched over the busy street below, along with TV, DVD Player, Wi Fi and everything else you might need.
Dinner is served and it’s all tomato based. Restaurant The Monastrell is headed up by Chef Maria José San Román, who has cooked at El Bulli and who has made Monastrell, located in the building of Hospes, but independently owned, one of the most innovative restaurants in Alicante. The tomato dishes are remarkable, dreamed up as they are by Michelin Starred Spanish chefs. Even dessert has a tomato focus because whilst a tomato’s centre is tart, the flesh is sweet and so clever things can be done by clever chefs. It’s a uniquely interesting meal and something to savour
There as we knocked back Cava in the sun the chefs turned our tomatos into dazzling gazpacho shots, spread them on large slices of toasted local bread with garlic, and gave us strange and delicious tomato concoctions using green as well as red tomatoes. Just as good were raw tomatoes laid out in pieces so we could compare the different tastes and textures of each. If you ever needed convincing of the uselessness of those pale Dutch things we get in UK supermarkets, this was it.
A quick trip to the Mercado Central de Alicante to stock up on cheese, olive oil and vacuum packed hams, and it was off to the airport for the short flight home. We even managed to smuggle back some beautiful ripe tomatoes without incident.
With golden sands, warm water, great restaurants and near constant sunshine, Alicante now has it all. And with their Gastrobotanical breaks, Hospes Amigo has plenty to tempt you to sample it for yourself
HOSPES AMERIGO Rafael Altamira 7 03002 Alicante www.hospes.com
Package includes:
Three nights in a Dreamer’s room for two persons.
Breakfast at the Senzone restaurant.
Visit to the gardens of Elche and discovering the ‘Gastrobotánica” throughout the 4 yearly seasons: Summer :The Tomato | Spring: Vegetables | Autumn: Dates | Winter: Citrus (Includes the transfer to and from the garden).
Gastronomic dinner at the Monastrell Restaurant (drinks not included).
Picnic for lunch and entrance to the MACA Museum of Alicante.
Visit to the permanent photographic exposition at the Hospes Amérigo ‘The lost flavor” with a glass of champagne.
Relaxing massage of 20 minutes and entrance to the Bodyna Spa.
Rate for two people sharing: € 875, 12
La Darsena Restaurant Muelle Levante, 6. Marina Deportiva
03001 Alicante www.darsena.com
Kiosco Peret Paseo Explanada de España, S/N, 03002 Alicante/alacant, Spain
MACA. Plaza de Santa Marí, Alicante
Mercado Central de Alicante is on Avenue de Alfonso El Sabio
We flew with EasyJet www.easyjet.com