Spain

Situated in the far south-western corner of Europe, the Iberian Peninsula is a holiday country par excellence.
Spain is not uniquely for sun seekers, although they will be pleased to find never-ending -beaches.
In the interior, ever-changing scenery, sites and monuments of which some are internationally known, and -picturesque villages and towns await the curious visitor.
 

Costa Blanca
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Stretching from the Gulf of Valencia to Cabo de Palos, Costa Blanca is for the most part, flat and sandy, and is sprinkled with many beaches and holiday resorts from lively Benidorm to the more typical resorts of Denia, Javea, Moraira and Calpe. Residents and holidaymakers can enjoy this region year round because of its extremely mild climate. From Dénia to Pilar de la Horadada, from Orihuela to the valleys of the Marina Alta, including Villena and Alcoi, the Mediterranean breeze fills this land with light, enveloping the entire region in its exceptionally attractive climate. With complete tourist facilities, spectacular scenery and an extensive culinary palette, with exciting popular festivities, and sports, cultural and entertainment opportunities galore, the Costa Blanca is one of the most cosmopolitan sites in Europe, where cultures from abroad fuse with local traditions in perfect harmony.
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Denia
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Denia is a magical place full of life, tradition and vibrant colour, especially during one of its many fiestas like "Las Fallas" or local celebrations like "Bous a la Mar" (Bulls in the Sea). The town is situated at the foot of the majestic Montgó mountain between Valencia and Alicante and has officially been recognised as one of the worlds healthiest places. Denia is a town which can offer something for everyone, it has spectacular blue flag sandy beaches and rocky coves, five 18 hole golf courses, and more fiestas per year than any other Spanish town.
Las Marinas situated just north of the town has sandy beaches stretching to over 15km offers an ideal place for sunbathing and swimming. For water sports lovers Denia offers a first class Yachting Club, fishing, windsurfing, diving or sailing can be practised almost all year round with beaches and coves of Las Rotas and the Cape of San Antonio, just south of the town being a haven for scuba divers and snorkelers.
Denia’s ports have always played an important part in this town with the fish market every day and regular departures to the Balearic Islands, and the new Marina which accommodates over 1000 moorings for yachts of all sizes, this town is always full of life. There are regular ferry trips from Denia to the island of Ibiza which can often be seen on the horizon on clear days (Trips take only 2 hours).
The town is dominated by the ‘Castello’, an old castle built by the troops during the siege of the Muslim town and then refortified during the War of Independence. It is now an archaeological museum which shows the towns history from 200 BC to the 18 century. In the town you can find all the modern facilities from supermarkets to banks, restaurants to dentists. But a walk around the narrow streets of the fishing quarter will reveal its history, culture and architecture of Iberian, Carthaginian, Roman, Arab and Christian civilisations that have inhabited Denia over the years.
The restaurants of the area are of excellent quality, with the main focus being rice dishes, such as the traditional paella and of course a great variety of fresh seafood. Many of the small local inns, traditional bars and restaurants offer the famous "tapas" and "A la Carte" menus.
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Javea
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Javea (Xabia) is situated between the San Antonio and de la Nau capes and around this area are hidden caves and bays which were once used by pirates and smugglers in the Middle Ages. These beautiful bays are now used by sunbathers, snorkelers and scuba divers.
The streets in the old town of Javea are well worth exploring and here you will find a magnificent fortified Gothic church (San Bartolome) and a very good museum which explains the history of the coast from Palaeolithic times through Iberian, Roman and Medieval times. (Museo Etnografico 'Soler Blasco'.
 

Moraira
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Moraira has grown from a small fishing village to an attractive holiday and retirement resort whilst retaining its unique charm that attracts visitors from all over Europe and is particularly popular with the Spanish who come from Madrid and Valencia. It has a small and colourful Main Street, a large marina, excellent variety of local shops, weekly open markets, harbour-side fish restaurants and bars still all retaining their Spanish character.
The sturdy fortress that overlooks the beach of Moraira dates from the days of Felipe II (16th Century). But today the importance of this fishing port in the municipal district of Teulada, located 6km inland, is due to its tourist infrastructure. Visitors from all over Europe have discovered the magnificent environment this town offers for holidaymakers or even for residents from abroad. Sandy beaches like El Portet, L'Ampolla and Plagetes, and also the tiny rocky coves with clear blue water (L'Andragó, Punta Estrella and La Cala) make Moraira the spot for fun, sun and sea sports. The modern Moraira Yacht Club completes the round -up for seadogs.
Sights:
Watchtower at Cap d'Or Torreón (Moraira Castle)
Fiestas:
Moors & Christians in June
Our lady of Mt Carmel on July 16th
 

Teulada

On the road to Teulada, vineyards and almond and olive tree orchards cover the undulating slopes of the mountains facing the sea to create a special kind of Mediterranean landscape painted in tones of ochre. The 'riu-rau' houses - a name for the typical farmhouses with columned patios where grapes are dried - show how traditional lifestyles still follow the rhythms of yesteryear. These grapes make delicious raisins and an excellent muscatel wine, sweet and tangy.
Sights:
Church of St Catherine and chapel of St Vicente Ferrer.
Fiestas:
Patron Saint Festivities in April; November brings fiestas honouring St Catherine
 

Benitachell
 

A tranquil and pretty village, originally an Arab outpost, with a stunning coastline formed by a succession of cliffs of more than a 100m high that descend vertically into the sea. Situated on the road between the port of Moraira and Javea as you drive northwards. This mainly agricultural village boasts two coves and has a great traditional fishing heritage. It is some 15 minutes from Moraira and Javea, Benitachell offers a fantastic location. Visitors staying around this part of the Costa Blanca can benefit greatly from the attractions and activities close by. Golf fans are well catered for as the local course is in the area, however a car is recommended so you can explore the delights of Northern Costa Blanca.
Benitachell is the perfect base from which to enjoy this lovely part of the Costa Blanca. Apart from Benitachell village and beach there are many places to visit along the coast including Javea that has a fine beach, a fishing harbour, restaurants and golf courses, Denia with some excellent shops on a beautiful tree lined main street, Moraira with its two sandy bays and marina with seafront restaurants, Calpe with its superb fish restaurants near the harbour and fine sandy beaches and Benidorm that boasts Aqualandia (water world), Mundo Mar (Sea World) the famous Benidorm Palace, that is the venue for some spectacular shows, and now of course the new Disney style Terra Mitica theme park and the Terra Natura nature park. Inland you will find the beautiful Jalon Valley and Bernia Mountain range plus caves, a safari park and waterfalls.
 

Lliber

Lliber has just 498 inhabitants and is the smallest village in the region of Vall de Pop. The village overlooks the beautiful Jalon Valley that reaches from the Sierra de Bernia to the Sierra del Castell de la Solana. The village is at the eastern end of the valley near to the Jalon river and has easy access to the coast to the north, east and south. It is still peaceful and rural yet conveniently close to the main coast road and motorway, and also has links to some scenic mountainous routes via Bolulla and Tarbena to Altea or Guadalest. The economy in Lliber is based on agriculture, mainly oranges, grapes and almonds. The muscatel wine is also a speciality. The best way of getting to Lliber is to take the N-332 from either Benissa or Gata de Gorgos. The distance to Alicante is 73 km and 46 km from Benidorm. Monument to see: Church of St Cosme and St Damián. Fiesta: San Damien 15 –19th of August.
 

Calpe
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Calpe is a friendly fishing village which sits close to the Rock of Ifach on a hill rising up from the last spurs of the sierra Bernia in the middle of Spain's Costa Blanca, a geographical marvel that provides access to the northernmost towns of Alicante's Marina district. It is an authentic tourist site, with a coastline boasting sandy beaches, cliff faces in some areas and an ancient salt mine, which all give the town a peculiar flavour of its own. Calpe is overlooked by the towering Penon de Ifach which juts out into the sea and rises to over 1000 ft.
In contrast to the larger commercialised resorts, the village of Calpe with its narrow winding streets, traditional Spanish architecture and street markets generates an atmosphere of friendship and relaxation, a village where after only a few days you seem to know and greet everyone.
Calpe is a place of daring contrasts, where modern buildings and wide avenues harmonize with an ancient fishing village, where locals are proud of their past, yet welcome tourists and visitors with warm - hearted hospitality.
Calpe's fishing port comes alive with hustle and bustle as the afternoon fish auction draws near. Restaurant terraces fill up with lively crowds anxious to try some of the fresh local shellfish. The town centre preserves the remains of a small fort from the 16th century, called the Torreon de la Peca. There is also a Gothic-style parochial church worth visiting, with Mudejar additions. From the chapels of Cometa and Salvador there is an attractive view.
 

Alfas del Pi
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Alfaz del Pi is between Altea and Benidorm on the Spanish Costa Blanca. The nearest international airport is Alicante and the journey time is about 45 minutes on the motorway. Alfaz del Pi is a typical Spanish small town and the area offers all the attractions of nature, combining coastal landscapes and mountain scenery, with the ubiquitous Mediterranean pine providing shade and decoration that is the symbol of the town, (pi, in the Valencian vernacular meaning “pine”). L’Alfàs del Pi enjoys an intense cultural life with the usual programme of Fiestas plus film festivals, jazz festivals, chamber music concerts, band concerts and painting and sculpture exhibitions at the Casa de la Cultura. The sandy beach at Albir offers sun-bathing and swimming opportunities with lovely views along the coast and an extensive choice of restaurants.
If you want to venture further afield spend a day on the Albir beach and enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants. If you feel adventurous, hike along the footpaths of the Sierra Helada and see breathtaking views of cliffs 400 metres high while enjoying the plants and flowers that grow on the mountain slopes. Alternatively drive along the coast or around the fascinating countryside to take in the beauty of this part of Spain or visit some of the many attractions
 

Guadalest
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 Gandia
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Enveloped in a mountainous belt with the Mediterranean at its feet, Gandia transports travellers to past epochs with its majestic architectural setting. The traces of distant cultures have left a rich cultural and historical inheritance that is perceived throughout the population, testimony of this meant that the town was named as a “court villa” a title awarded during the XV century thanks to Juan de Borja, the second Duke of Gandia. The city maintains, besides a wide cultural offering, a formidable coastal tourist industry with spacious beaches composed of fine sand as its principal attraction. Beaches that, during the summer months, enjoy a typically Mediterranean climate, with agreeable temperatures that provide the best conditions in which to enjoy all the resources of the locality.

The traditional production of cane sugar has gained Gandia a reputation regarding the elaboration of different types of desserts and sweets. In the municipality there are many pastry shops in which to buy these products, and find out about their handcraft elaboration and production. All of these recipes form a part of Gandia's customs and local culture, and are focussed on one of its principal industries, that of cane sugar.

Taking up light sailing at the nautical club school, or windsurfing at one of temporary beach facilities, are good alternatives for nautical sports lovers. Gandia also has a modern sport centre which has an Olympic size athletics track along with a covered pavilion, several football pitches, hockey pitches and basketball courts. Another good alternative is to trek and cycle, crossing tourist routes that lead to lagoons and "Ullals", sites of great ecological interest.

Summertime is the time chosen for Gandia's "Festival Internacional de Música Clásica" (International Classical Music Festival), programmed together with parallel activities. With the ‘Palacio de los Borja’ (the Palace of the Borja) as an exceptional focal point, there are concerts of classical music with chamber groups, orchestras and soloists from all over Europe.More than seven kilometres of beaches, with all the necessary services, are the main attractions to visit the coastal area. One of the beaches, "l’Ahuir", still maintains its sand dunes, which give a special beauty to the surrounding landscape. Beyond this, to the west of the municipality, is the open space of Gandia's "marjal", an ecosystem of high natural importance, where a wide variety of birds have made the locality a nesting site. At the other end of the territory, from mount Mondúver, there is a panoramic view of the littoral where it is possible to see the island of Ibiza. This natural environment is a refuge for different animal species and also proves to be a great attraction for potholing fanatics. The valleys of the interior, sprinkled with villages, is another good excursion with which to discover the Safor region, with caves such as the "Cueva del Parpalló", with its examples of ‘Arco Mediterráneo cave art’ declared Patrimony to Humanity.

The local gastronomy corresponds to the natural environment surrounding the population, nature provides the basic ingredients with which to make a high quality and healthy culinary menu. The sea contributes the exquisite flavours of shellfish and fish in dishes such as the Fideuà, originally from this locality. In the "marjal" the mix of flavours is maintained with specialities such as "les gambes amb bledes". However, undoubtedly, the gastronomic pride and joy are the desserts, which depend on the use of cane sugar, which is also of great importance to the local economy.

The Gandia sea front characterised by its seemingly endless and well-cared for promenade features a wide variety of facilities and beaches to suit all tastes: from the peaceful nudist beach furthest to the south to the cosmopolitan northern beach - almost 4 km long and 125 metres wide - in addition to two well-cared for and semi-urban beaches situated to the south of the port. Seasonal facilities are installed on the north beach to hire all types of windsurf equipment. Sailing possibilities are complemented by a dinghy sailing school located in the yacht club. Hotels and restaurants, many pubs and discos are the main meeting points on pleasant summer nights.
 

El Campello
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El Campello has a varied and attractive coastline of 23km in length. At the extreme north, next to the Coveta Fuma, there are cliffs and small coves of sand, gravel and rocks with clear water that are celebrated nudist beaches. Alongside the Port and the fishing area there is an urban beach that runs parallel to the to the seaside promenade and that is connected to another small cove that makes a perfect inlet for first- time sailors. Finally, there is the beach of Mutxavista, made up of fine sand and with all types of facilities, which runs for 3km to the south. There is a diving club that organises dives at various points of the Costa Blanca and, on a curious note, a fishing village has been built amongst the cliffs that recreates the image of a traditional Mediterranean village.
The N-332 and the A-7 motorway access El Campello. You can also access it by narrow gauge train and tram. The tram line runs along Alicante-El Campello. There is a tram every 20 and 30 minutes, and the duration of the trip is 20 minutes. Alicante airport is 30 minutes away.
 

Benidorm
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Benidorm boasts two fantastic beaches with 4 miles of soft golden sand, an outstanding year round climate and an incredible variety of entertainment both in and out of town making Benidorm the Mediterranean's favourite year-round resort. There is the delightful Old Town with its marvellous selection of shops and boutiques. There are pubs and clubs galore, from 'olde worlde' to the newest disco sounds; there are adventure and theme parks with the wildest rides and shows and performances the like of which you've never seen at home. For the active person there are also numerous water sport facilities, golf courses and a Go Kart track.

Villa Joyosa and Orcheta
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Villajoyosa has something special that makes all those who visit want to return. The light of a Mediterranean locality, the configuration of the old town, with its small streets that reminisce of the past, its houses close to the port painted in the purest of Mediterranean styles, in bright luminous colours, are the biggest attractions for tourists. Besides which the town enjoys an excellent climate, that makes it a recommended destination any time of the year. The image of Vila Joiosa as a fishing village with multicolour facades and a busy fishing port, is complemented by several well-cared for beaches - both wide bays and inlets - with calm, clear waters. Two small sand and gravel inlets provide sheltered areas to learn to windsurf and another is perfect for diving. Centro beach, also known as Ciudad beach, running parallel to the promenade, is one fine sandy beach worthy of mention with full facilities, a sports area and playgrounds for children, in addition to sun, sand, diving and sailing. Finally, a visit to the gaming rooms and shows at the famous Costa Blanca casino is the perfect way to end a leisurely day. A little inland from Villajoyosa following the river Sella to the Orcheta reservoir lies the little village of Orcheta. The only thing known about the village is that it was an outpost of the Templars during the middle ages. The glowing hillsides of Orcheta makes it a perfect region for persons who want peace and quietness and yet be only 15 minutes away from all the necessities of life and 45 minutes from Alicante airport.
 

La Herradura
 

Although not nearly so well known as the neighbouring Costa del Sol to the west, the Costa Tropical of Granada province is particularly picturesque beachside, and easier to get away from the crowds.
The mountains run right down to the sea and the coastline is typically a series of coves and promontories. La Herradura is pretty and unspoilt small town located between the two attractive promontories of Punta de la Mona and Cerro Gordo
Nearby in a protected cove east of Punta de la Mona is the impressive Marina del Este yacht harbour. Water sports and scuba diving are popular here, thanks to the variety of sea life and clarity of the water. This is a priviledged strip of coastline which boasts the very best conditions and attractions necessary to provide an excellent holiday. Its situation on the Mediterranean, its closeness to Africa and to the Sierra Nevada, with the highest peaks on the Peninsula, protect the Costa Tropical from the cold northerly winds, creating a subtropical micro-climate, with 320 days of sunshine a year and an average temperature of around 20ºC, where all kinds of tropical fruit is grown in its lush valleys. Cliffs, coves and long beaches make up the landscape of this coveted coastline, conquered by numerous civilisations. Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs have fought over it and left behind traces of their cultures. The Costa Tropical has six tourist centres - La Herradura, Almuñécar, Salobreña, Motril, Castell de Ferro and La Rábita - boasting a good tourist network where countless sports can be practiced: windsurfing, surfing, scuba diving, fishing, sailing, waterskiing, golf, tennis, squash and horse-riding. The Sierra Nevada, at more than 3,000 metres high and only a short distance from the coast, is a paradise for alpine skiing and mountaineering.

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