The Costa Blanca - definitely worth a visit - Mon 19th February 2007
The sun-baked Costa Blanca is a 170 mile stretch of Spain’s east coast, centered on Alicante and running from Denia in the north to Mazarrón in the south. The greener landscape north of Alicante runs through particular pretty areas around Altea through to Calpe, Moraira, Javea and Denia, which are the areas where property is much more expensive than the areas south of Alicante. In July and August average temperatures can reach 33°C, but it’s a dry heat and quite enjoyable if you’re by the sea or pool with a good supply of iced drinks! Even in the coldest months December to February average daily temperature is around 16 degrees, so the Costa Blanca is very pleasant for a winter break The countryside at the northern end of the Costa Blanca is attractively mountainous, with some excellent walking. On a clear day you can see Ibiza from the lighthouse at the Cabo de Ia Nao, while the spectacular Penon de Ifach a sort of mini Gibraltar at Calpe is a familiar symbol of the Costa Blanca. The resorts of Denia, Javea, Moraira, Calpe, Altea and Villajoyosa all have plenty to offer, including several golf courses and superb beaches, with an excellent choice of villas and apartments both near the sea and rising high into the hills behind. Wherever you stay, there will be plenty of and water-based sports on offer, as well as the Terra Mitica theme park near Benidorm (open all year). Other worthwhile excursions are to Europe’s largest date palm plantations at Elche; the hilltop village of Guadalest; or Alicante, which is a holiday resort in its own right but also an interesting, character full city with good shopping. If you go in winter, you’ll enjoy plenty of fine days and a seemingly endless supply of the sweet, juicy local oranges. And talking of sweetness, try visiting Jijona, a few miles inland from Alicante, where you can watch Turron being made. It’s a delicious hard nougat made with honey and masses of local almonds, famous throughout Spain. If you’re in the mood for exercise, it’s possible to climb the Peñon at Calpe. It looks impossibly steep, but at the worst point a tunnel has been cut through. It’s a stiff climb and you need a head for heights, but at the top the views are breathtaking.
