Best of the Costa Blanca: The road less travelled

Your holiday begins with complimentary airport lounge access before your flight to Valencia. On arrival, a private transfer will take you to your elegant hotel, set within a renovated 19th-century manor just outside the Old Town (Ciutat Vella). You’ll have the rest of the day free to explore the city, which is home to an extraordinary blend of ultra-modern and traditional architecture, including an array of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces. Be sure to visit the Mercado Central, one of Europe’s largest food markets, housing over 1,000 stalls selling fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, nuts, spices, and so much more. Other highlights include the City of Arts and Sciences complex, the Oceanogràfic aquarium, Valencia Cathedral and Lonja de la Seda (the Silk Exchange). In the evening, you’ll be spoilt for choice if you decide to eat out, but you may be tempted to indulge in a gourmet four-course tasting menu at the hotel’s Ampar Restaurant. 

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, you’ll be picked up for a private day tour of the Albufera Nature Reserve, just south of Valencia. Centered around a freshwater lagoon separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a sand barrier, the natural park is home to around 300 bird species and is surrounded by forests and rice paddies. Throughout the tour, which includes a guided boat ride, you’ll learn all about the area’s ecological and cultural importance over the centuries before enjoying a delicious lunch at a local paella restaurant. Upon returning to Valencia, spend the rest of the day as you please, whether you fancy exploring a little more of the city or perhaps unwinding at the hotel’s tranquil spa. 

This morning, you’ll pick up your hire car and begin your journey south, taking the inland route that passes through some of the region’s most spectacular mountain scenery. Make a stop at the Serra Mariola Natural Park, whose myriad archaeological sites indicate human settlement in the area since ancient times, and perhaps take a short hike if time permits – there’s no shortage of trails to choose from. Continue towards the mighty peaks of the Maigmo Massif and the forested slopes of the Arguenya Sierra, before descending back to the coast where you’ll check into your upscale hotel in the historic centre of Alicante. For dinner, why not treat yourself to a five-course tasting menu and wine pairing at the hotel’s stylish Fondillon restaurant?

Spend the day soaking up the historic charm and laid-back ambience of Alicante, the main city on Spain’s sun-drenched Costa Blanca. While there’s plenty of scope for relaxation on soft, sandy beaches (and at the hotel’s Bodyna spa), it’s worth devoting ample time to exploring Alicante’s slew of impressive landmarks, including the hilltop Santa Barbara Castle, the Baroque-style San Nicolas Cathedral and the Gothic-style Basilica of Santa Maria. The Central Market should also be on your agenda, with a vast array of culinary delights on offer, while the Archaeological Museum of Alicante is a must if you’re interested in learning more about the region’s history. The city really comes to life in the evenings, brimming with fabulous restaurants and buzzing bars. 

As your road trip continues towards the south, venture inland to experience the rich cultural heritage of Murcia, a city fringed by mountains, olive groves and vineyards and shaped by a diverse mix of historical influences. An intricate blend of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles can be seen at the resplendent Murcia Cathedral, while the Baroque-style Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Holy Fountain, on the city’s southern outskirts, is a similarly majestic sight. Murcia also has its own proud culinary identity, featuring delicacies such as pastel de carne (a hearty pie filled with mince meat, chorizo and boiled eggs), paparajotes (deep-fried lemon leaves) and arroz caldero (a cauldron-style rice and seafood dish). Afterwards, make your way to your luxury spa hotel, nestled among the rolling green hills of the Calblanque Regional Park and close to La Manga.

Today is free to spend as you wish, whether that be at the resort itself or taking the opportunity to explore more of the surrounding region. If you fancy a round of golf, you’re in luck – there are three superb 18-hole golf courses suitable for all different levels of experience and ability – or if you’d prefer a game of tennis or padel, there are excellent facilities at The Racquets Club. Alternatively, take it easy at the spa, cool off in the pool, or venture down to the nearby La Cala Beach Club for tapas and cocktails in the sun. The Murcia region is also renowned for its wines, with three different denomination of origin varieties, which you can sample on a wine and cheese tasting experience. When it comes to meal times, the hotel is replete with a plethora of enticing options, ranging from a high-end gastronomic restaurant and a sea view Mediterranean restaurant to an Italian trattoria and a Japanese venue. 

Spend today exploring the smaller towns of the Murcia region, which are packed with historical monuments, attractive architecture and wonderful places to eat and drink. In Lorca, a designated historic and artistic site since 1964, you’ll find an abundance of Baroque masterpieces and an imposing hilltop fortress built between the ninth and 15th centuries, while the port town of Aguilas is best known for its 18th-century castle, sandy beaches, fresh seafood and delightful gardens in its central square. Cartagena, the largest of these towns, is steeped in Roman heritage and elegant Art Nouveau architecture. Fig bread is a speciality in these parts, made from condensed milk, cognac and cinnamon, and is an excellent accompaniment to a coffee, while seafood and rice-based dishes are also a staple of the local culinary scene. 

Enjoy the last full day of your Costa Blanca adventure at leisure, whether that be making the most of the resort’s top class amenities, visiting more of the region’s many gorgeous beaches, or hiking the scenic trails of the Calblanque Regional Park. You might also fancy taking a trip to the town of La Manga, which occupies a long, narrow spit of land with the Mar Menor lagoon on one side and the Mediterranean on the other. Later on, wrap up your trip in style by taking your pick from the hotel’s eclectic variety of restaurants for dinner. 

After one last breakfast at the hotel, make your way to Murcia Airport where you’ll drop off your hire car and catch your flight home.