The Costa Blanca, the "White Coast", so-called because of its dazzling white beaches, has been the Mediterranean resort area for the more discriminating holiday-maker for many years.  Its 1000Km coastline is situated between the other two celebrated holiday areas - the Costa Brava to the north and the Costa del Sol to the south.  Click on the thumbnail map to the left to see a full-size version.

Our two luxury villas are in the south Costa Blanca.  This region, protected by the Crevillente Mountains to the west and the blue Mediterranean sea to the east, is renowned for its remarkable climate, its long history and fascinating culture, its cuisine - both native and cosmopolitan - and the wealth and variety of its leisure facilities, and of course, its fabulous weather.

There is so much to do.  Here are just a few ideas:

Laze on a beach.  The white sandy beaches and sparkling Mediterranean sea are famed throughout Europe.  Each beach boasts the European Blue Flag awarded for clean beaches and unpolluted water.

Go bird-watching and take nature walks.  The two salt lakes of Laguna del Mata and Salinas de San Miguel, which surround Torrevieja, are nature conservation areas teeming with wildlife, especially the large flocks of flamingos.

Play golf.  The south Costa Blanca is a golfer's paradise, with wonderful courses at Villamartin, Campoamor, La Finca Algorfa, Quesada, Las Ramblas, Alenda, Alicante, Bonalba and the famous La Manga to name a few.  None is more than an hour's drive away from Torrevieja and La Zenia.

Go swimming.  Either in the warm Mediterranean, or in the villa community swimming pools, or have a family day out at the Aquópolis Water Park with its river rapids, kamikaze water-slides and wave machines, open from Easter, during the summer holiday season.

Play bowls.  Very popular in the Costa Blanca.  There are several local clubs and a well-organised Costa Blanca Bowls League.

Keep the kids happy and busy.  For information about all kinds of children's and family activities, follow this link. Or what about a family day out at the Terra Mitica theme park?

Indulge in a vast variety of watersports.  Sailing and boat trips (the coast abounds in marinas and harbours), surfing, scuba-diving, snorkelling, wind-surfing, water-skiing and fishing.

Go riding, play tennis and squash, work out at a gym or have an aerobics session, play or watch football, practise your darts, go ten-pin bowling, racing with go-karts, go cycling and come dancing.

Attend a fiesta.  In the Torrevieja area there is at least one fiesta a month from January to August.

Take days out to visit one or more of the surrounding historical cities and towns with their graceful architecture and bustling markets, full of culture and colourful tradition.  Alicante, founded by the Moors;  Castella, founded by the Romans;  Elche, founded by the Phoenicians;  the university town of Murcia;  the fishing port of Santa Pola;  the spa resort of Pinatar;  the architectural gem Orihuela.

Eat out.  The area well deserves its name of the "Garden of Europe" and is an abundant agricultural centre specialising in oranges, lemons, nectarines, peaches and kiwi fruit along with wonderful salad items such as artichokes and asparagus.  The coast is famous throughout Spain for its seafood and the fresh fish landed daily at its seaports.  Eating out is a past-time and a delight, a sociable occasion or a romantic table à deux.  Spanish restaurants offer the delicacies of both land and sea:  platters of fine Galician meats and charcuterie or large prawns from Santa Pola as well as traditional specialities like Valencian paella.  Sample the true tastes of Spain and relax with an ice-cold sherry or sangria and plate of tapas in a cool and shady bar or restaurant.  Alternatively, enjoy menus from just about anywhere in the world:  British, Chinese, Indian, Italian... name a national cuisine and you'll be delighted to find it catered for.

Go shopping.  Did you know that, after sun-bathing, shopping is the second most popular activity for visitors?  Everything is here:  from shopping malls, hypermarkets and department stores to boutiques and street markets with hundreds of stalls selling leather goods, ceramics, sculpture, handicrafts, kitchen equipment and, of course, the wonderful local foodstuffs.