The Costa Blanca, on Spain's eastern mediterranean coast, is an ideal holiday destination whatever the time of year. There are gloriously golden beaches and numerous coves & bays to be found along the coast, while just a short distance inland the scenery is rugged and spectacular. Although just thirty minutes or so up the motorway from Benidorm, the area round Moraira - Benitachell - Javea/Xabia is a world away from the bright lights, disco bars and high rise hotels to be found there. It offers an ideal holiday retreat for those who simply want to relax, "chill out", or soak up the rays while at the same time being an ideal base from which to explore what the region has to offer.

There are so many eating places throughout the Moraira - Benitachell - Javea/Xabia area of the Costa Blanca, from small cafes to five star restaurants, offering such a wonderful range of food, from regional variations of Spanish cuisine, to international dishes from around the world, that to try and recommend any particular one is impossible. Such is the high standard that the Michelin Guide gives details of no fewer than seven restaurants in Moraira and a further six in Javea/Xabia - a list which pretty much covers the spectrum from a budget night out to one which can empty your wallet !

Although the major tourist attraction within the northern end of the Costa Blanca is of course Terra Mitica, the area has a lot more to offer, with its history, spectacular landscapes, pretty hillside villages, local markets etc. as well as a range of activities such as scuba diving, watersports, walking, go-carting and, last but not least, golf

Moraira, just five kilometres from Benitachell, was originally a small fishing village which has grown in recent years with the addition of a marina and a number of villa developments. The town, however, retains much of its original charm, with a wide range of excellent restaurants, seaside cafes from which to watch the world go by and an ambience that almost forces you to relax and unwind !

Five kilometres from Benitachell in the other direction, lies the town of Javea/Xabia. This is much larger than Moraira and is made up of three distinct elements; the town itself, the old port and the beach area (Playa de Arenal) with its promenade & restaurants.