TRAVEL SPAIN

The Costa Blanca ( the white coast ) refers to one of Spain's top tourist destinations located in the province of Alicante within the autonomous region of Valencia. It's easy to see why it has become so popular specially when you take a look at what this 200 kilometre stretch of coastline has to offer. The name Costa Blanca was devised as a promotional name used by the now defunct BEA after launching an air service between London and Valencia in 1957.

There's something for everyone along the "white coast" which encompasses a diverse range of seaside resorts in the south east of the Iberian Peninsula. Beautiful stretches of coastline and beaches, tranquil white washed villages, great nightlife, internationally recognised attractions and theme parks and a vast array of accommodation facilities to suit all tastes and pockets are just some of the plus points that has made the Costa Blanca a favoured holiday and tourist destination for many thousands of visitors each year.

Most of the coastline itself has now been developed to meet the needs of mass tourism which can be both overpowering and welcoming, depending on what your looking for in an ideal holiday. In that respect there aren't to many quiet corners where you may find laid back quaint fishing villages and virgin beaches, although if you know where to go there are still many places of interest where you can escape the madding crowd and chill out before returning to the excitement the main resorts offer. The region's enviable climate attracts a year-round holiday trade where average temperatures range from 16 degrees C in winter to 32 degrees in summer and the sun generally shines for more than 315 days a year.

Tourism is at its height during the months of July and August when the temperature can nudge 40 degrees and the sea is a perfect 24-25 degrees. The low and mid season months attract those who prefer to avoid the sizzling summer sun and when the local perhaps older expat resident return from escaping the sizzling summer temperatures. This time of year is also favourite with sports enthusiasts specially golfers as the area boasts a good selection of 18 hole courses to suit all players and handicaps. British runs bowls clubs are also on offer and have become very popular with the local and visiting players.