The Costa Blanca
The Costa Blanca is unquestionably not only Spain’s, but one of Europe’s most sought after holiday destinations.
Spanning over 200kms of desirable coastline, Costa Blanca remains true to its roots amidst a booming tourism trade offering its visitors modern luxuries with old world charm.
Local Facilities
Within a 2/3 minute walk there is a large new Mercadona supermarket with several more, including a Carrefour, Masymas, Eroski, Lidl and Aldi within five minutes drive.
The Punta Prima shopping area with its restaurants and bars, shops, banks and a pharmacy has a new commercial centre recently completed next to the roundabout on the N332, which has added to the choices available. A new complex under construction nearby (10 minutes walk) is expected to include a cinema and bowling alley.
Eating out
There are plenty of restaurants nearby and in Torrevieja offering menus from all parts of the globe and prices that are very reasonable. Within easy walking distance there are enough restaurants to last at least two weeks without eating in the same place twice.
Among them there is the impressive looking Dinastia Chinese/Japanese restaurant housed in a traditional Chinese pagoda type building about 500m down the road if you want to splash out on a special celebration meal. Alternatively there is the Nautilus restaurant overhanging Rocio beach or La Campana, good value tapas almost on the doorstep.
Beaches
Within a 15-20 minute walk there are some of the best sandy beaches on the Costa Blanca and ten minutes in the car will give you the choice of several more fantastic beaches, all with ‘blue flag’ status for cleanliness and safety. Punta Prima’s own beach is renowned for its fine, white sand and is within walking distance of all the main amenities of the area.
The famous date palms of Punta Prima are lined up behind Mar Azul, one of the many sheltered coves and can be easily seen from the main N332 coastal road between Punta Prima and Torrevieja.
On the northern side of Torrevieja is one of the longest and most attractive beaches in Spain, backed by sand dunes and pine woods, the beach stretches via Guardamar all the way to Santa Pola.
Golf
10 minute drive and you have the choice of 3 Golf courses:
Las Ramblas which is a stunning, but short course and is most challenging. High trees, natural fairways and ravines feature strongly in this memorable course.
Campoamor which is situated, in two valleys with magnificent views and with a beautiful clubhouse to finish off the day. Campoamor requires a 36 or less handicap.
Villamartin which has an abundance of olive trees and well placed bunkers to make it a challenging course for players of all abilities. La Marquesa Golf and Country Club is also nearby.
La Finca Golf Course, with its new clubhouse being built to service the Spanish Open, is within 15 minute drive from the apartment.
Tee times can be booked one week in advance at Las Ramblas and 3 days in advance at Campoamor.
Torrevieja
Torrevieja, 28 miles south of Alicante on the Costa Blanca, is a typical Spanish town with it's street markets and plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants to suit every taste, and fine sandy beaches and crystal clear waters.
Torrevieja has everything for recreation, relaxation and amusement, amongst many other things the town has one of the best yacht clubs in spain plus all water sports, 4 championship golf courses within 30 mins drive, a number of go-kart tracks and a water park. The Habernas shopping mall, a giant Carrefour hypermarket and a leisure complex (multi screen cinema, bowling alley & assortment of Clubs, bars & restaurants) are situated on outskirts of Torrevieja - approx 3 km from Punta Prima.
Torrevieja area has been named as one of the healthiest places to live in the world by the World Health Organisation. This is due in part to the two large salt water lagoons that surround the town.
The salt concentration in these large lakes draws moisture out of the air and with over 320 sunny days a year, an average temperature of 20 degrees and low annual rainfall the area is ideal for anyone suffering from Asthma, Rheumatism or Arthritis.
The 2 lagoons have been turned into nature reserves with many footpaths and cycle trails. A wide variety of plants and wildlife can be seen at all times with flamingoes in residence through much of the year.
Further afield
Benidorm is about one hour away and has the largest water park in Europe & the Terra Mitica theme park for white knucle rides, La Manga famous golf & sports complex is just 30 mins south.
Murcia has a stunning cathedral and shops and Cartogena, which has naval history and the mountains which can be seen from the outskirts of Torrevieja, are all easily accessible with Spains good roads.
Villamartin plaza near the golf course is superb for eating & drinking with a wide choice of restaurants and quality shops.
Alicante & Elx (Elche)
In Alicante, stop at the Castilla de Santa Barbara for stunning views and see the Salon Azul at the town hall Inland is the castle at Guadalest, a must see and beyond that is Alcoy, famous for its bridges and its mock battles between the Moors and the Christians held in late April. Elx, or Elche, dubbed the Palm Tree Capital of the World, has a forest of over 300,000 massive trees.
