31 Aug 2010 12:00 AM:
This was my first visit to Costa Blanca Spain and I must say it exceeded my (very low) expectations. My preconceived notion about Costa Blanca was rows of high-rise hotels, English restaurants and beaches crammed with “lobster” people and not a word of Spanish heard within miles. Why did I go? I was going with a group of friends and according to budget, travel time, weather etc Costa Blanca was the one that ticked all the boxes. I didn’t mind too much as it’s the company that makes or breaks a holiday ... and I enjoy my company... only kidding!! Two friends did the homework and looked for villas to rent. There were hundreds of sites that rent villas and millions of holiday villas to view. Finally we booked a lovely villa with Villa Spain and managed to get cheap flights to Spain via their site.
Our holiday in Spain finally arrived and we were greeted at Alicante with brilliant sunshine … so far so good!! The villa was very clean and well equipped and one of the best villas I have stayed in. The villa was a short distance to the beach in El Portet, which I preferred to Moraira or Calpe because it was smaller and had a fantastic bar/café right beside the beach where they served delicious Paella and house wine was very nice and reasonable. We had printed off the info from the website of Villa Spain, “Things to do” which enhanced our holiday. Four clueless women, well clueless on holiday in Costa Blanca, needed all the help we could get. Just to set the record straight we are not entirely clueless, just ask anybody ....... and obviously give them a few hours to think of something. We had bought a map (my idea) and a phrase book (again my idea, obviously the brains in the outfit). So we managed to go sightseeing to the many places of interest. We visited Guadalest, which was amazing. It really was like time stood still. Views were breathtaking and we had a lovely lunch at XORTA which was recommended by Villa Spain. Another visit was to Elche, Costa Blanca because we had read it was steeped in history with buildings dating from the 8th Century. We all were looking forward to being immersed in historic splendour …… o.k o.k, we actually went because it was the “Spanish footwear capital”…… Sigh …. Heaven!! We did see the historic buildings aswell, honest…. Erm… through the shoe shop window but we did see them. We all decided we would come back here one august to see the fiesta with fireworks. Our next visit was Benidorm, Costa Blanca, I know, I know, what was I thinking, Lobsterville!! But according to Villa Spain website there is a lot to see, so we decided Benidorm Palace with a meal and cabaret. It was like seeing a Vegas show. Never been but this is what they looked like in the old movies!! Had a wander around the old town beforehand and had a siesta on the beach after a few obligatory glasses of rioja …. When in rome!! Didn’t fancy the Medieval Tournament just outside Benidorm though, I don’t know but the thought of King Alejandro and the Round Table just didn’t do it for me!! (my version not theirs…… just incase their lawyers are reading my Blog!!) and while we contemplate the miniscule chances of anyone reading my Blog ( George Clooney … WILL YOU MARRY ME!!)
We also visited Calpe and climbed the rock. The views (attached photo) were amazing and the birds fly eye level when you get higher which was really weird. We didn’t get to the top as half way up we realised it’s lunchtime and with great disappointment and a heavy heart we descended to a local tapas bar for more rioja. It really was a great villa holiday in Spain and I’m glad my friends chose Costa Blanca. Always try new things, you just never know.
Thread:
We had a fantastic time in Costa Blanca
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