| The Costa Blanca, Spain is synonymous to sun | | | | attracted a large German and English population |
| and fun in the coastal area of the Mediterranean | | | | because its beaches were practically untouched |
| Sea. This belongs to the Province of Alicante, | | | | and there were a lot of villa to be rented instead |
| starting in the town of Denia and reaching to Pilar | | | | of staying in a hotel. But this has changed |
| de la Horadada or Torrevieja as the last | | | | considerably, for the better, and now there are |
| important town in the province, and part of the | | | | more accomodations, international restaurants and |
| Community of Valencia. As the name tells us, the | | | | the typical ones in the port area which serve a |
| White Coast is thanks to all the white, clean sandy | | | | delicious lobster stew called caldereta or you can |
| beaches that are at your disposal to enjoy such | | | | point your finger at the live fish or seafood you |
| as Javea, Moraira, Altea, Benidorm, Guardamar | | | | want and it is done right then and there. Altea is |
| and Torrevieja. Lets take a closer look at some | | | | another town which has grown with the demand |
| of these fantastic holiday spots. Each village is | | | | of travellers to the Costa Blanca area. In July it |
| considered to be someones favourite because it | | | | has a spectacular water fireworks show which |
| has something extra special that will tickle your | | | | starts at around 9.00 p.m. after everyone has set |
| fancy!Javea on the east iberian peninsulaJavea is | | | | up their picnic equipment on the pebbly beaches |
| found about 90 kilometres from Alicante and a | | | | to enjoy this event, dining under the stars. |
| little over 100 km. from Valencia city. Both of | | | | Benidorm is a year round holiday spot thanks to |
| these cities have international airports which make | | | | its weather and variety of entertainment for |
| travel very easy. When you look at the map of | | | | people of all ages. Other than the theme parks, |
| Spain, the highway A-7 connects Javea to the | | | | which are quite a few, you can explore the |
| rest of Europe with exit ramps at Ondara no. 62 | | | | crystal clear waters in a submarine like catamaran. |
| or at Benissa no. 63.Found near the landmark of | | | | As you sing the Beatles famous song, We all live |
| the mountain peak Montgo, Javea is rich in natural | | | | in a yellow submarine, sailing to Benidorms island, |
| landscapes, beautifully cared for beaches and a | | | | you will see colourful beautiful birds and fauna. Or |
| World Heritage history which has given Javea | | | | you can leave Benidorm Marina at 11.00 a.m. to |
| some of its most interesting cultural and traditional | | | | take a boat ride along the coast to Calpe, |
| past times.Bullfighting in the streets - You might | | | | returning at 3.00 p.m. Never a boring |
| have always thought that you would have to buy | | | | moment!Count on Alicante, tooEither starting from |
| expensive tickets to get a good seat in the | | | | the north of the province and having flown into |
| bullring, but in the summer time, it is very popular | | | | the Valencia airport in Manises or directly to the |
| here to bring the bulls out into the streets. The | | | | south, into the Altet airport in Alicante, your travel |
| young lads who are or will be 18 years old make | | | | plans can be completed with no sweat. The Altet |
| all the plans for this traditional show. They block | | | | airport is only 10 kilometers from Alicante city, |
| off a series of streets and at the end of one of | | | | having incredible connections with other fantastic |
| them, a makeshift corral to enclose the bulls is | | | | countries all over Europe like England, Ireland, |
| installed. The idea behind this is for the young lads | | | | Swedan, Denmark and Germany to just mention |
| to show how brave they are once they have | | | | a few. From the airport to the city, you have |
| become young men. Sounds prehistoric, doesnt it? | | | | public buses which cost 1 euro and run hourly, |
| On some occasions at night, rags, which have | | | | taxis or car rentals. Many of the hotels have mini |
| been soaked in petrol, are tied to the bulls horns | | | | buses which also pick up clients when having been |
| and then lit up. The young fellows once again try | | | | booked beforehand. If you are to go to Benidorm |
| to defy these brave bulls.The Raisin Market - This | | | | for your holiday first, there are buses which cost |
| activitiy was transcendental in Javeas past. In | | | | 6 euros, running all week. At almost any time of |
| summer, the majority of the local people go to | | | | the day, you can go back to Alicante to spend a |
| their country villa homes not far from the town | | | | fun day there visiting the Mendez Nunez |
| centre where they harvest grapes. Harvesting | | | | Promenade for hand made crafts, any of the |
| grapes is a very long and hard process, using part | | | | many museums or choose a special date like in |
| of the moscatel grapes characteristic in this area | | | | June for the famous Saint Johns Fire Festival or |
| for making raisins. The grapes, once they have | | | | the Saint Faz - Jesuss Face-Pilgrimage which is |
| been cut, are taken to the scolding bins where | | | | usually two weeks after Easter. And still travelling |
| they go through a mixture of water and boiling | | | | south without leaving the Costa Blanca is |
| saltwort which cracks the grapes skin so that | | | | Guardamar and Torrevieja, both sea shore towns, |
| they dry quicker. Javea was a great exporter and | | | | with their own history, specialty cuisine and |
| became internationally known, bringing an | | | | traditions.Even though the Costa Blanca in Spain |
| economical growth to this area. So in the market | | | | seems to take up a large extension of land, if you |
| there are many products which now include | | | | plan your days carefully, looking at exactly where |
| raisins.Pick another city around the Costa Blanca | | | | you wish to visit on you first holiday on a good |
| for your holidayNot letting the plants grow under | | | | map, you can surely immerse yourself into the |
| your feet, you can quickly move onto the seaside | | | | charming Costa Blanca rythym.The writer Robert |
| town of Moraira for a relaxing apperitive sitting | | | | Carlton lives and works near Alicante. He writes |
| right on the waterfront of the fishermens wharf, | | | | for various publications and magazines on Costa |
| or continue down the coast to Calpe which is just | | | | Blanca related topics. |
| before you reach Altea. Calpe has always | | | | |