Lifestyle

Spain's Costa Blanca has been popular with tourists for many years, Hemmingway being one of Calpe's frequent visitors during the 1930's. A mild all year round climate and an average of 320 days sunshine each year adds to the attraction.

The World Health Organisation has designated this area as possessing one of the finest climates found anywhere, particularly for people with respiratory difficulties and the EU has awarded many of the beaches in the area the prestigious "blue flag" for water quality and cleanliness several years running.

In addition, modern infrastructure with low crime rates and the ability to easily reach two international airports, coupled with good quality international schooling at affordable prices, is increasing the attraction of this already popular area for new residents as well as visitors.

The landscape of the Northern Costa Blanca is blessed with greenery year round, unlike that of the Southern Costa Blanca or Costa del Sol, with wonderful mountain vistas looking inland from the kilometres of beaches, or within the fabulous valleys, famous for their wine, (such as the increasingly popular Jalon Valley), or the abundant, but slightly higher elevation Citrus Valleys (notably of the Orba region).

The coast is dotted with unspoilt Spanish villages and resorts, popular with vacationers and residents looking for the more relaxing side of Spain and wishing to avoid mass tourism. 24/7/365 entertainment can still be found a short drive away from these towns and villages in the busy vacation resort city of Benidorm however, for those choosing to enjoy it. In addition the region boasts many established and new Golf courses, one of the biggest water parks and also Theme parks in Europe, as well as unparalleled water sports, both surface and sub-aqua, (there are some of the largest Marine Parks in Europe clustered within the boundaries of the Northern Costa Blanca, as well as good water conditions and visibility).

For those wishing to "shop until they drop" apart from Benidorm's dozens of boutiques, shopping mall and pedestrian shopping areas, Alicante, and Valencia Cities both lie within and easy car ride along the coast in either direction. Valencia in particular also offers marvellous Aquarium, Museum and public attractions to the Visitor, as well as historical places of interest.