Costa Blanca
Torrevieja and Surrounding Area

Fun in the sun   If pressed to specify just two ingredients essential to flavour a holiday, most Britons would opt for Fun and Sun. And that in a nutshell, is why the Costa Blanca is the destination  of so many charter aircraft leaving the UK. This area of mainland Spain knows exactly how to cater for our tastes. The rugged coastline is well-endowed with three natural resources: Sea, Sand and Sunshine. For centuries, the folk of the coastal villages eked a living from fishing. Some still do, and a holiday here is ideal for those who simply want to relax, recharge the batteries, and watch the world go by.

Torrevieja town Situated just 25 miles south of Alicante airport and 20 miles north of Murcia airport, Torrevieja, which derives its name from the Old Tower, is still essentially a fishing community whose port houses one of Spains largest fishing fleets. It also has large salt lagoons and is one of the oldest and most important salt producing centres in Europe. This old town with its attractive marina and port has a warm welcoming ambience and will surely appeal to those who look for a relaxing pace of life in the true Spanish style. Shops, markets, bars and restaurants are in plenty and cater for all tastes and pockets. The Palm tree lined promenades are an ideal place for a leisurely stroll, or just to sit and                            watch the world go by, or visit on a summer evening and see them transformed into a market with stalls of every kind. Stop in one of the roadside cafes for a coffee or a beer, and let the atmosphere envelop you. The main road brings you into the main central square of Torrevieja. Take a stroll along the Marina Walk to the harbour and watch the boats of various shapes and sizes, bobbing up and down in the cool breeze. If the local fishing fleet has just returned from a trip there is a general hustle and bustle as people gather and watch as fish of all varieties are off loaded and taken to the modern fish market from where they are sent to different parts of Spain.

Golden sandy beaches To the North of the town there are miles of golden sandy beaches backed by pine and palm clad dunes. To the South low cliffs enclose and protect a continuous series of coves and small sandy beaches. In summer the Sea is very blue, warm and inviting. There is never a bar or restaurant very far away where you can have lunch and an ice cold beer or even indulge in a bottle of local wine. There are markets almost everyday in neighbouring towns where you can pick up many bargains.There are many splendid beaches within a few miles of Torrevieja, which in itself boasts pleasant Playas and sandy coves only a few minutes from the harbour. Two of the most agreeable expanses are Guardamar del Segura and Playa del Pinet both just off the Alicante road. As you turn off the N332 into Guardamar del Segura you will see perched on the hilltop a Moorish lookout from bygone days. Passing through the town you enter acres of pine forests laced with metalled roads that all lead to the sea. Beachside cafes front the promenade leading onto the golden sands that gently slope to the warm waters of the Mediterranean. Only a mile or so from Guardamar del Segura, towards Alicante, you pass through the village of La Marina. Take any of the roads or dusty tracks on the seaward side and these bring you to Playa del Pinet. The shallow bay curves from the point where the Rio Segura that rises in the Sierra del Alcaraz, runs into the sea round to the old fishing port of Santa Pola.The villages of Fortuna and Archena are home to the famous natural spa waters of this area. Take a drive for about an hour through orange and lemon groves and up through the mountains. The drive itself is very picturesque and exciting. When you get there take a bathe in the natural hot spa waters. The natural mineral waters will soak away your aches and pains and totally relax you. An absolute must for a day out!

Golf Courses  For the Golf fanatics Torrevieja boasts some of the finest courses on the Costa Blanca.  These  include Villamartin, Campoamor and Las Ramblas all of which are a few minutes drive  away from Playa Flamenca. An hours drive south brings you to the sports complex of La  Manga where there are three Golf courses and one of Europes finest tennis centres, and many  other excellent sporting and recreational facilities.   Orihuela Costa:   Playa Flamenca.  A growing community, with a wide variety of shops, bars, restaurants and many lovely beaches.  Flamenca Beach Commercial Centre has many live entertainers, Eat a fantastic meal at the now famous Diva Indian Restaurant or the Rose & Crown, recently on UK television.  Water sports can be enjoyed on La Zenia Beach.  A harbour, Marina and Club can be found at Cabo Roig, as well as 3 International 18 hole par 72 golf clubs close to each other, Villa Martin, Las Ramblas and Campoamor    Alicante:  In the province of Valencia, is a cosmopolitan city, it has a University, Castle, Indoor Market, good shops, restaurants, coffee bars and a busy exciting night life and a bustling harbour with a variety of yachts of all shapes and sizes. Santa Pola:  Has large salt lakes with Pink Flamingos nesting all year, a fishing harbour.  Tons of salt which has been extracted since the 19th century.  A Diving School, popular especially around the Isle of Tabarca, close to the coast of Santa Pola  surrounded by flora and fauna.   La Marina:  Ceramics are produced here and can be found in many local shops in the small town of La Marina, with its beautiful clean beaches stretching over 3kilometres.  Inland (approx. 13km) can be found the city of Elche (Elx) which has the largest palm tree park in Europe.  A nice day out.  Guardamar:  ‘The Guardian of the Sea’, famous for its 840 acres of sand dunes and vineyards.  The ‘Park of the Dunes’ runs along its coastal boundary leading to the beautiful beaches and harbour of Guardamar which has a yacht club with water sports for the adventurous, windsurfing, sailing, canoeing. La Mata:  The old watch  tower, ‘Torre Del Moro’, dates from the 16th century, has since been renovated, is one of 37 built along the coast. These towers were used as watch points, and, in an emergency, messages were sent along the coast via smoke signals by day and firelight by night. La Mata boasts 2 kilometres of sandy beaches. La Manga:  By the Mar Menor, translated means ‘Little Sea’, is a saltwater lagoon. The La Manga strip is a natural breakwater between the Mediterranean Sea and the lagoon of La Manga. A popular bustling summer resort and a peaceful haven in the mild winter months. The famous Golf resort is well worth a visit, you never know who you may see – International footballers, Tennis players, top athletes come here to relax and enjoy the delights of Spain’s healthy climate.    Just a few of the many places of interest on the coast, drive inland a few miles, 20 minutes at the most to see real Spain, stop for Tapas (snacks) at a cantina/bar, relax and enjoy Orihuela Costa. Spain boasts the green landscape of the Basque Country to the north, while the south offers the variety of magnificent skiing in the Sierra Nevada and the sheltered coastline of the Costa del Sol and the magnificent lagoons and beaches of the Mar Menor on the Costa Blanca. A treasure trove of culture, history and art, Spain is home to a number of World Heritage cities, the futuristic ‘modernismo’ architecture of Barcelona and the busy capital city of Madrid. Spain is rightly proud of its history, which it keeps alive in the old dialects still spoken in various regions and in its ancient fiestas and annual celebrations 'Have a Fantastic Time'

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