Alicante

There are many surrounding towns and villages that have great beaches and separate market days well worth a visit and easily explored by car.

Not far away, the Moraira area has a beach that is quite sheltered, and there are the usual beach-bars to pass the time by. Round the bay is a superb beach at El Portet.

Calpe, Altea, and Javea are also on the coast and all offer a good day out. There are lots of seafood restaurants round about the port at Calpe just under the Penon de Ifach, where you are plied with sangria to induce you to take a table. Altea’s market stretches along the sea front with lots of stalls.

Travelling inland from the coast, a must-see is the Jalon Valley, with its beautiful almond, orange, and lemon groves. Through the Jalon you pass the stunning Cascada de El Algar waterfalls. There are bodegas where you can taste wine and stock up your own cellars at reasonable prices.

While in the area, Guadalest is a walled village high up in the mountains, and the scenery here is breathtaking.

There are more mountain passes through the valley that take you to Altea or Benidorm. The routes are very scenic, and a camera is essential on these trips. For watersport fans, Aqualandia Benidorm is an excellent day out and great for kids.