Holidays on Costa Blanca

In the province of Alicante, running for two hundred kilometers along the coast of Spain, the area now known as Costa Blanca has become a premiere tourist destination for people all over the world. It has many attractions and can be used as a destination for the holidays; if chosen for this purpose, the traveler will have no problem finding many great hotels and attractions to visit and stay at. With white sand beaches stretching for miles, studded with palm trees and glowing hot under the sun, one cannot find a better place to relax and enjoy. From the towering cliffs with even the great hotels looking small below to the peaceful harbors, one will find joy in the natural beauty of the coastline and much fun to be had in the many towns that have grown up in this rich region of Spain.

One such town, named for the province itself, is Alicante. The streets are pleasant, all along the boulevards, and the shopping is clustered so that the tourist or holiday traveler can find what he or she needs with ease. One will find that this is a large attraction in Alicante, where friendly shop owners are ready to help travelers who are shopping for gifts or who are shopping for things that they need and have forgotten to bring along. Everything is not shopping in Alicante, however, as there is also an excellent airport for getting travelers in and out, and a beautiful harbor where they can enjoy the water and the sun. Alicante is a town that does it all.

Another town on Costa Blanca, Benidorm, is world famous for its high mountains, stretching up to 1558 meters and protecting it from a north wind that could otherwise be cold. When wanting the holidays to be spent in the warmth of the sun, then, one would be smart to go to Benidorm. The cliffs and mountains that overlook the ocean offer a plethora of spectacular views. Due to its weather always being warm, or at least mild, Benidorm is very active and has a bustling nightlife. Benidorm boasts over one thousand restaurants, all of which provide a variety of food and drinks to be enjoyed on into the night. Benidorm has tens of thousands of beds in the hotels, and the traveler will be able to find many places to stay, eat, and drink.

Altea is a town that has made a name for itself based on something with a rich sense of history, the church known as the Nuestra Senora del Consuelo, and the traveler heading to Spain for a religious holiday would do well to stop and admire everything about the church, from the sparkling blue roof to the old stone construction. Altea feels very much like a village, nestled as it is among the hills. The terraced land in Altea looks beautiful as it stretches out into the ocean. This is not the pedal-to-the-metal lifestyle of the party towns, but Altea has much in the way of Spanish history and culture.

Calpe is a village with a very romantic feel to it, perhaps because of the huge rock stretching out over the ocean, known as the Penon de Ifach. This towering rock seems to explode out of the hills near Calpe, with such gigantic proportions that it almost does not seem real. There are two churches in Calpe, both near each other and in the center of town, and there is also an archeological museum that will give one a good perspective of Spanish history in the area. All together, these features make Calpe unique, not just a tourist destination like any other.

Javea is much like Calpe, as it has a church called the Iglesia de San Bartolome, and a museum called the Soler Blasco, both of which contribute to the heritage of the area; the church has survived from the 12th century. As far as hotels are concerned, one of the most beautiful in Javea, located on a picturesque harbor with blue-green water, is the Hotel Miramar. An outside patio with benches and tables gives visitors a view of the water and the towering rock cliffs. Javea has other hotels as well, including the Hotel Solymar and the Hotel Javea, named for the town.

Denia is a unique town, for two reasons. The first is that it makes a lot of money from the highly important harbor, not just from tourism. This means that the traveler to Denia will get a look at the real Spanish culture, not just the culture that is catered to outsiders. The other attraction is the castle, a huge building from the 11th and 12th century that has survived into the modern day. This town is very busy, so making reservations for hotels and cars is advised.

The town of Guardamar holds the Renia Sofia Park, which is ideal for tourists who want to see small animals around a lake. There are peacocks, turtles, ducks, and many more; children will especially love this, as the wildlife gives Guardamar an outdoors-like feel along with the ever-present beach. There is a castle here as well, which is worth touring, along with magnificent pine forests.

Murcia is a diverse town as far as the land itself is concerned. Some areas look almost like desert, they are so desolate, but there are lush fields right next to them. This town has very ornate churches, as many old Spanish towns do, though the churches are outnumbered by the beaches. There are so many of them, and the climate is so mild and lacking in precipitation, that this is perfect for the summer holiday. Walking along the beach, swimming, and basking in the sun's rays are all common actions in Murcia.

Much of Torrevieja's fame springs from their salt lakes, and these are fascinating to see while driving to the town. There are also a lot of pubs and taverns in Torrevieja, for those looking for a European-style drinking atmosphere.

Villajoyosa has many great accommodations, including the Hotel de Cala with its long beach next to a rising cliff and the Hotel Montiboli where it sits atop a cliff. Visitors have a wonderful view of the town and the ocean. Villajoyosa means "joyful town," and the locals and tourists alike prove this to be true.

For family accommodations for family holidays, one must start by booking places to stay. Many of these will fill up, and one wants to have this done in advance. Fortunately, there are many to choose from. Aside from those listed above, there is the Villa Venecia Hotel Boutique, which has been rated as the very best on the coast, in Benidorm. There is also the Hospes Amerigo, with its inner courtyard and white stone walls. Booking for many of these accommodations can be done online, but it is best to call, as the places are always dealing with a lot of tourists and will be able to give one the best ideas about availability and which room or rooms to reserve.

Holidays spent on Costa Blanca will provide much to see and do in both the water and the sun, in all of the villages that run up along the coast.