We have provided some information on the various places around the area.

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Situated on the south east coats of mainland Spain, the Costa Blanca is renowned for it's sandy white beaches and warm Mediterranean climate. Steeped in history and boasting beautiful mountain views, sweet fragrance orange groves and glistening waters, this picturesque Valencian province has something for everyone.

You certainly won't be short of things to explore on the Costa Blanca, whether you wish to delve into it's history and culture or reveal the untold mysteries of the deep blue Mediterranean.

Why not make the Costa Blanca your base while you explore Spain's rich historical architecture, take a hike in its magnificent mountain regions or ski in the spectacular Sierra Nevada.

It's also worth knowing that there is a comprehensive motorway network to make your journey easier.

Should you be hungry for more adventure, just remember Alicante airport is easily accessible and ready to fly you to your destination. Also from Denia in north Costa Blanca, you can hop on a ferry over to the beautiful Balearic islands.

Alicante is a coastal university city with an impressive harbour and a tree lined promenade. One of it's main attractions is it's ancient mountaintop castle (Castillo de Santa Barbara), although keen shoppers will revel in it's quaint boutiques and grand department stores.

The ancient town of Alicante extends itself along the curve of its busy port. The Romans called it Lucentum - The City of Light - quite appropriately for the acknowledged tourist capital of the White Coast, which has supplied generations of visitors with their first enticing impression of Spain.

Alicante, like most of the towns on the Costa Blanca, hosts an array of restaurants and bars with prices that won't break the budget, so you certainly won't go hungry here!

Alicante Travel Guide

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GRAN ALACANT AND SANTA POLA

Situated 15 minutes from the city of Alicante, 10 minutes from Alicante International Airport and 5 minutes from Santa Pola, Gran Alacant has a great deal to offer. With amenities and the coast in walking distance, plus a good bus route, to need never get in your car again. However, should you fancy adventure, there are plenty of places to visit close by.

Santa Pola is renowned for it's beautiful mountain range,sand dunes and salt works. It also has a large fishing harbour. Many of the salt lakes here at Santa Pola are protected as there are a variety of migratory birds here such as flamingos, the Colorada duck and the Osprey.

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Elche is a city 20 km inland from Alicante and has 200,000 inhabitants.

It's main feature is it's palm trees and there are two beautiful parks you can visit: El Palmeral containing 200,000 different specimens of palm and Huerta Del Cura with many different plants and trees.

Elche is steeped in history and houses an archeological museum located on an excavation site where the 4th Century B.C. "Dame of Elche" was found. Some of the architecture in this city dates back to the 16th century such as the Basilicia de Santa Maria which is also worth a visit.

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5 km to the east of Elche lies La Marina, a well established "urbanisation" predominantly popular amongst the Brits. Close to the beach, and with a strong community spirit and plenty of facilities, this is a great place to start a new life. Whether for retirement or bringing up your family, La Marina could be just what you're looking for.

This charismatic Spanish village is just a 10 minute drive from the crystalline waters of Guardamar beach. With all the facilities you need, Benijofar can also offer you a glimpse of Spanish life and, with it's scenic surroundings, you certainly can enjoy the best of both worlds!

Situated on the River Segura, the picturesque town of Guardamar is surrounded by rich farmland of orange and lemon groves, almond trees and various other crops. It's main attraction is it's 11 km stretch of natural golden sand with a backdrop of shady pine forest. The forest, originally planted to prevent the movement of the sand dunes, is now a beautiful nature reserve and is popular for cool walks and picnics.

In Guardamar, you will sense a strong family atmosphere, especially if you take an evening stroll to the local craft market or treat yourself to a tasty meal or a large ice cream in one of Guardamar's ice cream parlours.

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Torrevieja has, in recent years, grown to be one of the most popular and important centres on the Mediterranean sea for residential tourism.

No "package" tours come to this area. Torrevieja's seafront offers a lot of restaurants, tapas bars and street cafes on the very wide promenade which popular for the "Spanish evening stroll". Until 1802, Torrevieja existed only as an ancient guard tower, which gave the town its name (Torre Vieja (Spanish) means Old Tower) and some labourers' cottages. But in 1803, Charles IV authorized the movement of the salt mines from La Mata to the town itself and allowed the construction of dwellings there.

In 1829, the town was totally decimated by an earthquake but the mines were soon reconstructed and re-opened. In 1931, Alfonso XIII gave Torrevieja city status by special grant. During this period, there was also a growing market for flax, hemp and cotton.

In the 19th Century, the salt was mainly shipped from the town by Swedish and Dutch ships. At the time, there was only limited demand from other regions of Spain, mainly Galicia and to a lesser extent, Valencia. Although by the dawn of the 20th Century, a quarter of all the salt mined in Torrevieja, was sold in Spain itself and the rest exported was to foreign markets.

Take advantage of Torrevieja's magnificent Friday market which sells everything from fruit and vegetables to housing accessories and gifts. There is an indoor market in the town centre open daily for fish, vegetables and meat. Fresh seafood and fish can be bought daily at the port of Torrevieja. In fact, why not make a day of it and "shop until you drop" in Torrevieja's many boutiques or the new Habernas shopping centre with H&M, C&A, Zara, Puma, etc. For the kids, we have McDonalds, Burger King, KFC or the ten pin bowling, amusement centre, sports centre with Olympic sized pool, Aquapark, etc. Or the Nautical Club, the Music Palce, the Casino, etc.

Each month Torrevieja celebrates a different Festival, or 'Fiesta' with a riot of colour, tradition, music and dance, including 'la Habanera' a special rejoicing of Torrevieja's sailing history and early salt trade days with Cuba.

The 'Old Tower' is on the cliffs on the north side of the town towards La Mata overlooking the sea. Is in recently restored gardens.

Local to Torrevieja are two large natural saltwater lagoons, known as "las Salinas", the largest in Europe.

The concentration of salt in these picturesque lagoons helps to draw the moisture out of the air. This, combined with the very low annual rainfall, creates the unique microclimate with low humidity.

With most days being sunny, and with an average temp of 18 degrees centigrade, make this area ideal for sufferers of rheumatism, arthritis and asthma.

Adjacent to the salt lakes is being built the 2nd largest desalination plant in the world. Click picture left for more information.

In the centre of the city iis the Church of the Immaculate Conception

Erected in 1789 part of its reconstruction during the year 1844 used stones from the nearby Old Tower at Eras de la Sal, which was at the time simply in ruins due to the devastating earthquake that affected Torrevieja.

This Neo-Classical style Church has indoors the traditional crossed-shaped foundation covered with a barrel vault; with windows in the central area and with arris on its wings. It also contains numerous beautiful images, especially of the Immaculate Conception, Patron Saint of the City. There is a work of art by Jose Puche in the high altar with the image of the Patron. The façade is simple and sober with two bell towers.

If you simply wish to relax and soak up the rays, then head for one of Torrevieja's sandy white beaches which have been awarded the EC's "Blue Flag" status so you can ensure safe bathing and quality recreation facilities for you and your family. There are beaches at Playa de los Locos, Cala del Palangre, Playa del Cura, Paseo Marítimo Juan Aparicio and Playa de los Náufragos.

Magnificent beaches and coves, pine clad sand dunes combine with historic buildings, squares, monuments and churches to make Torrevieja a culture to savour.

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Just a fifteen minute drive from the coast lies the Spanish town of San Miguel de Salinas. With it's quaint church square and many bars and restaurants, you will find all the facilities you need here amongst the local folk.

Should you wish to go further a field, hop in the car and enjoy a scenic drive through the orange groves to your destination, be it the golf courses, Torrevieja or to explore something completely new, you'll never far from the action!

Situated amidst the orange groves and close to the ambient Spanish pueblo of Algorfa lies a tranquil urbanisation renowned for it's mountain views.

If you're a keen golfer, your needs are certainly catered for here with two brand new 18 hole golf courses just across the road and if you get tired of golf, you need not worry as the coast is still only a fifteen minute drive away.

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Villamartin is in Orihuela Costa, or Playas de Orihuela. It stretches from Punta Prima (on the south side of Torrevieja), through Playa Flamenca, Cabo Roig, La Zenia, Playa de Campoamor to Mil Palmeras.

Villamartin is popular amongst the Brits; you'll really feel at home amidst it's English bars and Irish pubs. The infamous Villamartin Square, with more than 40 restaurants and numerous bars, is especially vibrant in the evening. Just up the road is another large commercial centre - Los Dolses - so you are really spoilt for choice.

Take advantage of the breathtaking coastal walks along the rugged coastline of the Orihuela Costa. The coastline, which seamlessly merges with Torrevieja, offers many sandy beaches and bays, several of them fly the coveted European Blue Flag for outstanding quality and facilities. And remember that golf is never far away. With three 18 hole golf courses already established and another in the pipeline, you're be spoilt for choice in the Villamartin area.

If the rest of the family can't abide golf, you need not fear as there are plenty of activities here, with the coast just a 10 minute drive away, go-karts, horse riding, jet ski's, banana boat, etc, in the height of the season.

La Manga is a developing area situated on the Costa Callida (the warm coast) and with the sea on one side and the Mar Menor on the other. The Mar Menor is, in effect, a huge swimming pool with warm, calm waters. The water temperature rarely drops below 18 degrees centigrade.

If basking in the Mediterranean sun is not for you, then why not take advantage of the many watersport activities on offer such as windsurfing, diving, sailing and fishing. You will find a good bus service here and many bars and restaurants which are vibrant in the summertime.

There are five islands in the Mar Menor. The two largest ones. Isla del Barón (or Isla Mayor) and Isla Perdiguera are located near the centre of the lagoon. The three smallest Isla del Ciervo, Isla Rondella and Isla del Sujeto are grouped together near the southern end of the La Manga strip. Isla del Ciervo being connected to La Manga by a short causeway. The islands are mainly uninhabited, however Isla Perdiguera is a popular destination for boat excursions and there are bars and restaurants situated near its small harbour. Ferries run frequently, throughout the summer, to and from Los-Alcazares and other towns on the Mar Menor.

La Manga is also famous for it's golf and country club with a large casino should you fancy making your fortune!

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