Beaches:
The beaches of the southern Costa Blanca are famous throughout Europe. In contrast to the Costa del Sol, most are unspoilt, they stretch for miles with soft white sand and crystal clear sea which has been awarded the Blue Flag Award for clean and unpolluted water by the EEC. There are many quiet coves where you can enjoy nature at its best.
If you are not a 'beach person', then try visiting the two salt lakes of Laguna de la Mata and the Salinas de San Miguel which surround Torrevieja and create a wonderful alternative to the beaches. These lakes are home to a host of wildlife including large flocks of Flamimgos.
The Laguna de la Mata is a Conservation Area with many paths and tracks around the lake, perfect for long walks or a mountain bike ride to get you away from it all, and yet is just a few moments from the town centre.
The 'White Coast':
The Costa Blanca or 'White Coast' is situated between the two other well known areas of Costa Brava to the north and the Costa del Sol in the south and has been a favourite area for tourists for many years from all over Europe and Spain.
The coast is protected by the Crevillente Mountains to the west and with the warm Mediterranean sea on its eastern shores it gives the Costa Blanca a perfect winter climate.
The historic town of Elche is only a short drive and well worth a visit. A beautiful town surrounded by parkland and palm trees. The vibrant city of Alicante is ideal for all your shopping needs. Torrevieja is only a 20 minute drive to the south and 40 minutes north brings you into Benidorm. More cosmopolitan towns of Denia and Javea are also a short drive away making Gran Alicant the ideal base to tour the 'White Coast'.
Also look out for Guadalest, a fantastic little Spanish town with its own castle.
Golf:
The area is served by many fine golf courses. Villamartin is about 45 minutes drive away, and considered by many to be one of the best golf courses in Spain. In March 1994, the Mediterranean Open PGA Volvo Tour Competition took place there with great success. Villamartin is also often the venue for all major Spanish amateur competitions.
About 2km from Villamartin is the Las Ramblas Golf Course and adjacent to that is the Campoamor Royal Golf Course.
Other golf courses are still under construction in the surrounding areas.
This part of Spain offers European golfers a very attractive alternative to their home courses because of its climate and geographical position in contrast to the heavily constructed and exploited Costa del
Sol.
