ALC

Dénia: the Ultimate Beach Guide

13 July, 2017

For me, Dénia – nestled along Spain’s Costa Blanca – has always held a unique charm thanks to its historic old town and crumbling castle, its mixture of local character and tourist appeal and, of course, its beautiful beaches. The resort boasts a jaw-dropping 15 kilometres of golden sand with beaches to suit almost every kind of holidaymaker. As a rule, families with young children flock to the gentle slopes and shallow waters of La Marina close to town; surfers and windsurfers head north and divers; while snorkelers explore the rocky bays and coves of Les Rotas to the south.

Mojácar

Instagrammable Family Holiday Destinations: Mojácar

8 June, 2017

You know what it’s like, you take your teenage kids out for a day of culture and beautiful scenery only to find their eyes glued to their phones, missing all the sights. Well, on a recent holiday to Spain, on a visit to the stunningly beautiful Andalucían town of Mojácar with teens, I found an ingenious way to use their dependence on social media as a way to encourage them to connect with the local area. The trick was to hint at the ‘Instagrammable’ potential of the beautiful sights in and around the place. From selfies in the pretty Moorish

Alicante

Alicante Shore Excursions

2 June, 2017

Located on the south-east corner of Spain, Alicante is best known by European holidaymakers as the principal gateway to the popular resorts of the Costa Blanca. As a cruise ship destination the city has seen an astonishing growth in the number of passengers in recent years, a trend shared with the nearby ports of Cartagena and Almería. Most visitors to Alicante enjoy taking a stroll along the Paseo de la Explananda de España and visiting the Castillo de Santa Barbara and the Old Town before relaxing in the marina or at the blue flag city beach located next to the

Calpe

Calpe with Kids: A Mom Recommends

6 May, 2017

With its blue flag beaches, sparkling seas and average of ten hours of sunshine throughout the summer months, the Costa Blanca in Spain is an obvious choice for a family beach holiday. But once you’ve decided on the area, picking the resort for your young family can be a little more tricky.

Do you go for the huge names like Benidorm or Alicante, where there are tons to keep the little ones busy but the beaches are heaving during the summer months, and you worry the kids might get lost in the crowd? Or do you pick somewhere along the coast which is quieter but still has access to the big resorts’ facilities if you want them?

Because I’m not great with crowds (I don’t like having to get the kids up and dressed early so that I can bag a tiny square of sand on the beach), I’ve taken several holidays along the coast in Calpe.

Torrevieja

Fab Family Friendly Restaurants in Torrevieja

5 April, 2017

Whether your kids are fussy eaters or will try anything once, finding places to eat while on holiday can be a bit of a headache. If you want to avoid snooty staff and paying for adult-sized portions your little ones won’t eat, you should try the Spanish resort of Torrevieja.

From fast food and snack bars to traditional Spanish restaurants, the by word here is ‘family-friendly’ – not just because they want your euros but because there is a genuine love of children in the resort that would put Disneyland to shame.

As a result, expect to find children’s menus in many of the eateries, and where there isn’t a kids’ option, a chat with the English-speaking staff will usually ensure smaller portions at smaller prices.

Before writing this I thought I’d check with my children about which their favourite places to eat were on our holiday in Torrevieja – this selection is what they came back with.

Torrevieja

Play ‘Stuck in the Mud’ with the Kids in Torrevieja

15 March, 2017

It’s not easy finding the perfect summer holiday resort to cater to the most discerning demographic of all. No, not the rich and famous – the children! If you’re searching for somewhere that won’t break the bank, has plenty of child-friendly activities and is “abroad” enough to make you feel like you’ve at least made it further than Blackpool on the bus this year, we’ve got one word (and don’t worry if you can’t say it at first): Torrevieja.

Alicante

Bullfighting, Bonfires and Beautiful Classics: Exploring the Art and Culture of Alicante

13 March, 2017

For me, no holiday is complete without a heavy dose of local art and culture – this is the best way to understand the heart, soul and history of a destination. The sunny port city of Alicante on Spain’s southeastern Costa Blanca is a superb place that is bursting with culture.

It is sometimes viewed as merely the gateway to the coastal resorts as it hosts the nearest airport, but upon closer inspection it is a fascinating, beautiful and cultural city. It could be a great place to spend a few days exploring before venturing on for plenty of sun, sea and sand at one of Spain’s resorts.

Continuing on to Benidorm? Check out these top attractions.

Alicante is home to a handful of unique art galleries and museums that any culture vulture will enjoy. Here are a few of my favourites that celebrate the rich history of the city.

Benidorm

Benidorm for the Young at Heart

14 February, 2017

While the peak summer months may get hot and crowded, for the rest of the year Benidorm is an oasis of hospitality for older generations who want the warmth of Spain’s sunshine and its hospitality.

Set on the Costa Blanca, just a short drive from Alicante airport, Benidorm rises out of the rocky coastline like a city of tourism, ready to welcome and entertain its guests. With an average 5 million visitors a year, there are almost as many hotels in this resort as there are in Paris. What that means for visitors – or at least to those who are free from the restraints of school holidays – is that many of the hotel rooms are offered for bargain prices during non-peak periods.

The combination of recent development, which has take accessibility into account as part of its design, cheap prices during low season, and so many things to see and do make Benidorm a great choice for the mature market looking for a little Spanish sun.

Dénia

Sun’s Out Fun’s Out: A Fantastic Family Holiday in Dénia

10 February, 2017

Trying to find a summer holiday destination which not only has the sunshine and beaches you’re looking for but also enough activities on offer to keep young children happy can be a chore. If you’re looking for the guaranteed sunshine and beaches of Spain without the crowds, bustle and prices of Benidorm, then Dénia could be just the ticket.

Less than an hour up the coast from Benidorm, Dénia is a compact town of around 30,000 people which lies at the foot of the stunning mountains of the Montgo National Park and looks out over the Mediterranean. Its several pretty Blue Flag beaches offer views of the Balearic Island of Ibiza, which lies just 146km off shore.

Thanks to its size Dénia is very easy to get around, even with young children in tow, so you will quickly become familiar with the traditional narrow streets and old-world charm of its harbour and old town.

Calpe

Winter Fiesta Fun in Calpe

20 January, 2017

Here’s a choice for you. Behind door number one is another week of interminable UK winter weather, with snow, sleet and commuter chaos, aka “situation normal”. Behind door number two is a week’s holiday chasing the winter sun in the Spanish fishing village of Calpe. Temperatures are mild, the food (especially the seafood) is amazing, there are some wonderful walks and markets, and the local culture is friendly, fun-filled and fabulous.

Valencia

Immerse in the Romance of Valencia

13 December, 2016

If you’re looking for a romantic break that’s a little more “off the radar” (because you’ve done Paris, Venice and Budapest, right?), the gorgeous Spanish port city of Valencia is one of the most laidback and, yes, romantic destinations in Europe. For a start, it’s Spain, so there are those sun kissed beaches; secondly, it’s Spain, so there’s that amazing food; and thirdly, yes, it’s Spain, so there’s the flamenco.

Benidorm

Guide to Seeing Out the Winter in Benidorm

4 November, 2016

El invierno. Heard of it? No? Well, if you’re planning an escape to Benidorm around the tail end of the year it’s one Spanish phrase you’re not going to have to learn – because el invierno means “winter”, and it seems they didn’t get that memo down on the Costa Blanca.

Benidorm

Three Exciting Theme Parks for Kids in Benidorm

17 September, 2016

As a mum myself, I am well aware of how important family holidays are and how difficult they can be to get just right, but for any family with young kids Benidorm is one of the best destinations in my book. Very much set up for family fun, this resort has plenty of attractions, including 3 fantastic theme parks that will keep you and your little ones occupied for hours. Recommended read: Top Benidorm Attractions With combination tickets for two or all three parks on offer, you can make a great saving. Prices are given here. Terra Mítica If you

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