Costa Blanca
A hugely popular destination for many years, the Costa Blanca is the surprisingly varied coastal region of Alicante province, running from half way between Valencia and Alicante, down to Murcia. It is particularly easy to each, with each of those cities served by low-cost airlines and linked by the efficient A7 coastal motorway.

Several areas have introduced strict planning controls, preserving the quality of the location but pushing prices strongly upwards. Even in the areas with more development, prices and the quality of the facilities have risen hand-in-hand. This may be the end of much of the Costa Blanca's 'budget' reputation, but the prices are still very competitive compared to the Costa del Sol and the quality of what's on offer is generally superb. Alicante sits right in the centre of the coast, dividing it effectively into two regions, sharply different in scenery and character. The Northern Costa Blanca, backed by the green foothills of the Sierra de Montgó, presents a varied coastal landscape, of steep cliffs and sandy coves in the area south of Denia, giving way to long sandy beaches as the coast turns northwards. Inland, green and fertile valleys are home to villages and small scale developments. The climate here is generally excellent, with many winter days better than a British summer one, though the greenery doesn't happen by accident and so a handful of rainy days are normal. As part of one of Spain's 'Autonomous Regions', the area has it's own unique culture and take on Spanish life, the most obvious sign of which is that place names are often in two dialects - general Castilian Spanish and the local Valencian, for example Jávea / Xàbia or Alicante / Alacant.

La Safor district - Gandia & Oliva
Just over the border into Valencia province, but part of the flavour of the Costa Blanca, La Safor is a beautiful collection of hills and valleys with acres of orange groves kept fertile by free-flowing streams, warmth and sunlight. Gandia is the largest town, with a modern resort of beach, marina and fishing port on the coast. Set slightly back is the historic old town built up by generations of wealthy aristocrats. Oliva is smaller and best known for the Oliva Nova golf course, although it too has a great deal of history and large areas of protected Natural Park.

Dénia
Although its history goes back much further, Dénia was first established as 'Dianium' by the Romans. It blossomed under the Moors, who built the castle that dominates the area just behind the sea front and fishermen's quarter, in the 11th Century. Dénia is a working town, with a busy little port hosting ferries to the Balearics and a fair sized business district. It is also a resort town though, with over 12 miles of beaches running north through Las Marinas to Els Poblets and an impressive marina. Proud home to well over 300 restaurants, it is one of the liveliest towns in the area and is especially proud of its fiestas: Fallas (March), Hogueras (June), Bous a la Mar (July) and Moors & Christians (August). Just inland is the prestigious La Sella golf and sports resort, home to a luxury Marriott hotel and spa.

Jávea (Xàbia)
Separated from Denia by the dramatic Montgó mountain natural park, Jávea sits in a sheltered bay and is made up of a narrow-laned old town, the Aduanas del Mar fishing, port and marina area, and the Arenal beach resort. The port area is home to many excellent seafood restaurants. A lively area of bars and restaurants, the Arenal is also home to Jávea's member of the famous Parador hotel system, on the site of the old Roman settlement. Just south of the town is the Cabo la Nao lighthouse, the Ambolo naturist beach and the golf course. Jávea continues to be a sought-after location for both overseas and Spanish buyers, as it has been for many years.

Jalón (Xaló) & Orba Valleys
Running inland from Denia, the Orba Valley is home to the Girona river and attractive villages such as Tormos, Rafol, Benidoleig, Sagra and Pedreguer. In the Jalón Valley, just to the south, the river is the Gorgos, it meets the coast at Jávea and the best known villages are Llíber, Alcalalí, Parcent and Gata de Gorgos. Each village has its own unique character and specialist produce drawn from the surrounding countryside - wine from the vines, baskets from the reeds or honey from the orange blossom.

Benitachell (Benitaxell)
From the core of an old village once home to the family that ruled the whole area, Benitachell leads gently down to the beaches of Granadella and El Moraig via a mix of apartments, townhouses and villas. At the highest point, Cumbre del Sol, the views down to Calpe and beyond are spectacular.

Moraira & Teulada
Of the old fishing villages on this coast, Moraira is probably the one that has seen least development, although of course there have been many changes over the years. Development control is very strict and the fishing village feeling is still in evidence. A mixture of sandy beaches and pebbled coves are backed by some especially beautiful countryside and the views from the high ground are magnificent. A small castle and watchtower are the obvious signs of the past, the modern marina points to the future. A few miles inland, Teulada is a typically Spanish town of growing popularity. One notable fiesta, in September, celebrates the local Moscatel grapes, from which succulent raisins and a celebrated sweet wine are made.

Benissa
Also a couple of miles inland from Moraira, Benissa sits on a hill surrounded by olive and almond groves and has a rich architectural heritage. Local roads wind their way through pretty residential areas to a number of good beaches, especially at La Fustera. Fiestas are big news, including one that lasts all of 20 days in January, octopus dishes and sausages are the local specialities.

Calpe
Calpe's most famous landmark is the flat-topped Peñón de Ifach mountain rising over 320 metres out of the sea, but the town itself is a landmark in Costa Blanca tourism and leisure. Home to superb beaches such as the Levante and La Fossa, and a naturally sheltered location, Calpe was a holiday pioneer from the 1960s onwards. One of only two location in the north with high-rise buildings, is a bustling resort with a huge range of services and activities (including golf), yet surprisingly has a well preserved old town and fishing harbour. Just to the south is Mascarat, named after a notorious bandit, but now better known for the luxury properties surrounding the marina, one of two in the area.

Altea
A tale of two villages, if not cities, Altea la Vella (Old Altea) sits quietly a mile or so inland, at the foot of the Sierra Bérnia mountain. 'New' Altea is in fact a town of great history as well, famous for the lustrous blue and white tiled domes of its church. From there, cobbled streets descent to the old fishing quarter, now enlivened by a seafront promenade and a marina, and home to artists and craftsmen.

Benidorm & Finestrat
A hub of tourism in Spain since the late 1950s, Benidorm has re-invented itself over the last 10 years and whilst there's certainly never a dull moment it has matured into a clean, well regulated and highly sought-after destination. To cater for the many thousands of visitors heading for the Levante or Poniente beaches and the hundreds of bars, restaurants and other facilities, tall towers line the bay. To the south-east is the pretty town of Finestrat, close by the foot of the Sierra Cortina mountain. Covering a huge site between there and Finestrat beach on the coast is the Terra Mitica theme park and Terra Natura safari park development, which has been a tremendous boost to the area. Also close by is L'Alfàs del Pi, which hosts a July film festival of growing popularity.

Villajoyosa (La Vila Joiosa)
Historic capital of the Alicante to Altea district (the 'Marina Baixa'), Villajoyosa has undergone careful restoration and the brightly coloured fronts of the traditional townhouses are very distinctive. A busy fishing port, it also has a long chocolate making tradition.

El Campello & Busot
El Campello is the centre of a series of attractive little resort centres just north of Alicante, with a history dating back 3,500 years to settlements on the Illeta des Banyets peninsula, where Greek, Roman and Iberian structures survive. Its big traditions are fishing and boat-building, though now it mainly relies on tourism and is especially popular with Spanish holidaymakers. A pleasing variety of beaches are complemented by a pretty promenade, a fine marina and a modern sports centre. Close by at San Juan is the impressive Alicante Golf 18-hole course. Busot, 4 miles inland, is a classic Spanish hill town but with the added attraction of the Canelobre caves, so spectacular that music concerts are often held inside.

Alicante (Alacant)
Previously a collection of villages, Alicante was first established as a city by the Romans, naming it Lucentum ('City of Light'). Since then, as a major port it has had a turbulent history, being involved in a variety of battles and conflicts, and hence it has an impressive collection of castles and fortifications. As you would expect from a major trading city, Alicante is a melting pot of cultures and cuisines, and often though of as one of the friendliest Spanish cities. Great strides have been made in restoring older buildings and enhancing the leisure facilities, and there is much to be said for not just seeing Alicante as an airport but as a destination in itself. For a day out, a short drive away is Jijona (Xixona), home of the famous Turrón almond nougat.

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