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The Costa Blanca is described in the Michelin Guide as being 'an area of gleaming sands under luminous skies'. The World Health Organisation reports that the area around Javea is 'environmentally almost perfect'. It is within reasonable driving distance from the U.K. and flights take only just over one and a half hours. The area is perfect for both summer and winter holidays.
Those who have travelled along the Costa Blanca's 'White Coast' will understand why the Moors referred to it as a 'paradise' and a 'fragment from the next world that had fortunately fallen onto this one'. It is the most picturesque of the Costa's, boasting white sandy beaches.
Inland, there are rich orange orchards, almond and raisin plains, eucalyptus and carob trees. The area is well known for its vine growing. The delightful local red wines from the Jalon Valley and from the Benitachell area itself can be sampled in the local restaurants and purchased in the local supermarkets and bodegas in Jalon or in Alfaz del Pi.
It is easy to find beautiful unspoilt stretches of coastline and fun to explore inland where one can visit the 13th Century fortress at Guadalest perched high up on a rock in the mountains and admire the incredible views, or bathe in the crystal-clear, pure waters of the waterfalls at Algar whilst watching the local dare-devils diving off the rocks. Slightly further away are the hugely impressive Canelobre Caves with some chambers over 100 metres high and where concerts are held in summertime.
If you feel so inclined, you can even take a day-trip to Ibiza from Denia.
Aqualandia, one of the Mediterranean's largest and best water parks, and Mundomar (Sea World) are near Benidorm, less than half an hour's drive away and Terra Mitica, planned to be the biggest theme park in Europe, is now open nearby. A safari park is 20 minutes drive away. All will provide action-packed family days out.
The Costa Blanca is a shopper's paradise, offering everything from a wide range of fashionable clothes and leather goods to wines and perfume. There are plenty of colourful markets for fresh fruit, fish and vegetables. Indeed the restaurants, whilst offering a huge range of international cuisine, are perhaps best investigated for their seafood and the typically Spanish dishes. Excellent meals are available at very reasonable prices and in a very convivial atmosphere.
AVERAGE MIDDAY TEMPERATURES ON THE COSTA BLANCA
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
61 63 68 72 78 84 90 90 86 77 70 63
Average hours of sunshine
6.3 6.8 6.3 7.1 9.4 11.2 11.8 11.2 8.3 7.2 6.0 5.8
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