The Costa Blanca area is reputed to have one of the most pleasant climates in the world. There are so many reasons for coming to this area and many people who come as holiday makers recognize this and eventually return to live here. The Costa Blanca stretches from south of Valencia to Cartegena and along its coast are many quaint and lovely towns. We will be concentrating on the southern section from Alicante to Cartegena where most of our properties can be found.

Climate

The Costa Blanca, being in the southern region of Spain , offers one of the most pleasant climates in Europe . With mild winters, hot (but not oppressive) summers and an average of 320 sunny days a year, it's not hard to see why it's such a popular tourist destination and residential or retirement choice.

The average hours of sunshine per day ranges from around 6 hours in winter to a full 12 hours at the height of summer. This compares to the London average of 1 hour in January and February to a maximum of 7 hours in June. Rain on the Costa Blanca is rare, especially in the summer months - the total annual rainfall averages 5 to 6 cm (2 to 2 1/2 inches) on the coastal plain, although the inland mountainous areas are slightly wetter.

Alicante

The capital city of the province is well worth a visit, the city itself offers many examples of fine baroque architecture. The delightful La Rambla running through the centre of the city is the focus of daily life. The castle of Santa Barbara , which overlooks the city, can be accessed by lift. Below the castle lies the port and the palm-lined Paseo de la Explanada. North of Alicante is the rocky beach of San Juan and south is the long sandy beach fringed by dunes known as los Arenales del Sol.La Manga del Mar MenorIs a wonderful Mediterranean spot located 30 Km. North of Cartagena. La Manga del Mar Menor itself is a narrow wedge of land between two seas, the Mediterranean and the Mar Menor, measuring 21 km. in length. While the last few kilometers have been left practically in its natural state.

La Manga has a large number of beaches totaling more than 40 km., with, in addition, the possibility of choosing between two seas with very different water temperatures, different degrees of salinity, one with waves and the other practically calm all year round. La Manga, in itself, is a magnificent tourist spot, with hotels that makes up 50% of the regional total. In addition to a certain cosmopolitan atmosphere, one must add the beauty of its landscape, its special qualities for golf and water sports and an ample variety of entertainment and leisure activities.

Mar MenorIs a 130 square km inland sea which is contained by a narrow strip of land which separates it from the Mediterranean Sea . The lagoon can not be circumnavigated by car as the strip of land is broken at the northern tip. This lagoon is ideal for all kinds of water sports and its warm, shallow water make it an ideal place for all the family.Some of the villages on its perimeter are, San Pedro del Pinatar, Santigo de la Ribera, San Javier, Los Alcazares, Los Urrutia and also La Manga. La Manga is actually built on a sand bar and is 22km long but only 200m wide in parts.

MurciaIs a modern commercial city and is well worth a visit to see its monuments and for shopping. The cathedral is a favourite as is the Roman Theatre, the Palace Almundi, Paseo de Malecon, the Casino Ballroom, Santa Catalina Square, the Episcopal Palace, the City hall and last but not least the wonderful Esplanade de Espana.

TorreveijaIs thirty three kilometers south of Alicante, its saltpans represent what was once the main source of income for the town. Even today it produces about a million tons of salt, mostly exported, making it the prime European salt-producer. It is now better known as a popular tourist resort with an abundance of leisure facilities. The salt lakes themselves have been declared a Nature Reserve due to their wetland ecosystem and for the habitat they provide for migratory and nesting birds. Walks can be taken to the fishing wharf and boat trips taken along Torrevieja's coastline.

There are several magnificent sandy beaches. The longest and most northern beach is the la Mata from where excursions can be made to the tourist vantage point of the Moro Tower , one of the medieval towers that give Torrevieja its name.