The sun-baked Costa Blanca is a 170 mile stretch of Spain’s east coast, centered on Alicante and running from Denia in the north to Mazarrón in the south. The greener landscape north of Alicante runs through particular pretty areas around Altea through to Calpe, Moraira, Elche,Javea and Denia, which are the areas where property is much more expensive than the areas south of the lovely city of Alicante.

In July and August average temperatures can reach 33°C, but it’s a dry heat and quite enjoyable if you’re by the sea or pool with a good supply of iced drinks! Even in the coldest months December to February average daily temperature is around 16 degrees, so the Costa Blanca is very pleasant for a winter break although it can at times be as cool as the Uk.

The countryside at the northern end of the Costa Blanca is attractively mountainous, with some excellent walking. On a clear day you can see Ibiza from the lighthouse at the Cabo de Ia Nao, while the spectacular Penon de Ifach a kind of replica of Gibraltar (in a smaller scale)at Calpe is a familiar symbol of the Costa Blanca. The resorts of Denia, Javea, Moraira, elche, Calpe, Altea and Villajoyosa all have plenty to offer, including several championship golf courses and superb blue flag beaches, with an excellent choice of villas and apartments both near the sea and rising high into the hills behind.

Wherever you choose to stay, there will be plenty of water-based sports on offer, as well as the Terra Mitica theme park near Benidorm (open all year). Other worthwhile excursions are to Europe’s largest date palm plantations at Elche; the hilltop village of Guadalest; or the beautiful city of Alicante, which is a holiday resort in its own right but also an interesting, character full city with good shopping aswell as the being the hub for travel with its own airport offering transits around the world.

If you go in winter, you’ll enjoy plenty of fine days and a seemingly endless supply of the sweet, juicy local oranges. And talking of sweetness, try visiting Jijona, a few miles inland from Alicante, where you can watch Turron being made. It’s a delicious hard nougat made with honey and masses of local almonds, famous throughout Spain and europe.

If you’re in the mood for exercise, it’s possible to climb the Peñon at Calpe. It looks impossibly steep, but at the worst point a tunnel has been cut through. It’s a stiff climb and you need a head for heights, but at the top the views are breathtaking and well worth all the effort.