Costa Blanca
The 'white coast' is mainland Spain's most popular year-round
holiday area, including not only lively Benidorm
and other well-developed resorts, but the elegant provincial capital Alicante.
Waterskiing, windsurfing, snorkelling, pedaloes, golf and tennis are all widely available.
Food: British tastes are well catered for but the local seafood is varied and cheap and the paellas and tapas are always reliable.
Nightlife: Benidorm is Costa
Blanca party central, with extensive restaurants, pubs, and discos. Things
get quieter to Benidorm's north and south.
Shopping: Do a shopping raid on Lladro for porcelain, jewellery
and perfume. Try Altea for leather and lace and, if you're after a pair of
shoes, Alicante is the place.
Days out: Storm the Moorish castle at Guadalest or take the
old town of Benidorm and then you can bring your
captives to the Aqualandia waterpark.
Events: Fiesta runs through mid-November. There are Easter parades and a carnival at the beginning of March.