Friday 23rd October 2026
After leaving Jávea we will make our way to Alcoy for a visit to the Serpis Expo Museo, a cultural space where we will learn about the first steps of the most universal ‘tapa’ in Spanish gastronomy. The museum contains the most significant elements of the history of Serpis, and from a walkway you can observe the entire process of filling and packaging the olives.
In the projection room you will see the audiovisual ‘The World of Flavor’ and at the end, taste a selection of products in the Serpis store. The museum collects historical treasures such as vintage machinery, stylish packaging and posters that will make you feel like you are back in 1926. Relive the beginnings of Serpis, when their founder, Cándido Miró Rabasa, bravely embarked on the adventure of making and packaging the first anchovy-stuffed olives!
After the visit we will make our way to the Círculo Industrial del Alcoy, founded in 1868 by the industrial bourgeoisie of Alcoi. Its façade —in Modernist, Viennese style —was designed by architect Timoteo Briet in 1909. The bees symbolize the hard-working industrialists while the muses evoke the artists. There are circles with pendants, wrought iron balconies and stuccos with drawings in Sezession style, and different decorated rooms where we can admire the Sezession, Art Déco and Art Nouveau styles. The Library and the Rotonda Lounge are particularly remarkable. During the civil war the building was confiscated and occupied by the Local Federation of Trade Unions CNT-FAI (Spanish National Confederation of Labour – Iberian Anarchist Federation). Its premises housed a reinforcement of troops belonging to the Anti-Fascist Military, and it also served as a prison for a while.
The group needs to be divided into two smaller ones for the visit, so while group 1 is having the visit, group 2 can go for a coffee and vice-versa.
We will all then reboard our coach at the same place where we were dropped off, and travel to the nearby Restaurante Torre de Cotes, a distinguished dining and event venue located in an historic country estate with over 200 years of history, which features a massive 15,000 m² garden area, nestled at the foothills of the scenic Sierra de Mariola.
PROGRAMME – Friday 23rd October
08.00 hrs: Departure from Golden Star Apartments, Calle Bruselas, Jávea Arenal.
08.15 hrs: Departure from Interiors (opposite side of the road), Jávea port.
08.35 hrs: Pick up at Mas y Mas, N332, if required.
10.00 hrs: Visit to the Expomuseo Serpis.
11.30 hrs: Reboard our coach and travel to the Círculo Industrial de Alcoy.
12.00 hrs: Group 1 self-guided visit to the Círculo Industrial de Alcoy (group 2 – café)
12.30 hrs: Group 2 self-guided visit to the Círculo Industrial de Alcoy (group 1 – café)
13.10 hrs: Reboard our coach and travel to the nearby Restaurante Torre de Cotes.
13.30 hrs: Lunch with drinks during the meal (see menu below).
15.45 hrs: Reboard our coach for the return journey to Jávea.
17.15 hrs: Approximate time of arrival back in Jávea.
What is included
Coach transport.
Visit to the Serpis Expo Museo.
Entrance ticket to the Círculo Industrial de Alcoy.
Lunch at the Restaurante Torre de Cotes, with drinks included during the meal.
Gratuities.
PLEASE NOTE
The Círculo Industrial de Alcoy is a private association, and entry is not permitted for gentlemen wearing shorts or sleeveless shirts.
I regret that this tour is not suitable for anyone who has walking difficulties.
COST €66 pp
BOOKING is now open via email to:
Group Leader: Angela Chantry
spanish.culture.cuisine@gmail.com
On confirmation of your reservation, you will be sent a link for making your payment by card. Alternatively, you may pay by bank transfer to the Jávea U3A CAIXA account, using the reference Alcoy, along with your name.
Cancellation
Please note that should you subsequently cancel your booking, refunds can only be made if your reservation is taken over by another member.
