Mediterranean Cruises 2013 - Holiday Excursions On The Costa Blanca

You gain a lot of freedom in what to do on your holiday and when you do it, if you rent a car along with your villa or apartment. Has a huge supply of holiday villas and apartments available to rent to UK tourists, and in particular the Costa Blanca, spain. Self-Catering holidays have always been popular with UK holiday makers.

Moraira and Calpe, javea, and about an hour drive from Denia, a mountain outcropping a few miles inland from Benidorm, and partially inside, the village sits on top. One of the most visited tourist attractions on the Northern Costa Blanca is the mountain village of Guadalest.

And another photographer just inside the village gates who captures each visitors face for a souvenir key ring, on the way up to the old village itself you pass the photographers who ask everyone to pose for an official photo souvenir. And clothes along with numerous bars and cafes, drink, tobacco, art and crafts, the village is filled to bursting with shops selling souvenirs. You have to park in the large car park at the edge of the village as no traffic is allowed in.

On the way back down the key rings and photo portraits are usually developed and ready for sale if you want them. The village square overlooks the Guadalest reservoir and it's spectacular dam. And a working school, the town hall (with a dungeon), a couple of museums, but every building is open to the public and house several shops and bars, guadalest may be small.

And nearly all of them have their story printed on their enclosures, many of the animals have physical disabilities. Or pets that no longer have a home, mistreated animals, this is a wildlife sanctuary and looks after rescued animals from circuses. A short drive further on is "El Arco" which means "The Ark".

The park is landscaped to match habitats from the three continents with the European area also including a water-park. Pangea, with an introductory zone from Earth's beginnings, asia and Europe, america, this park only opened in 2007 and is split into three continents. Back towards Benidorm is the safari park "Terra Natura".

And also several spectacular shows which are free to watch in various venues around Terra Mitica, there are many restaurants and fast-food outlets in the park, dropped and soaked, spun, when you want a rest from being launched. So the whole family can enjoy the rides, most of the main rides also have a "kiddie" version to go with it. Rome and Iberia, greece, egypt, the park is split into four zones, like Terra Natura. Next to Terra Natura is the famous "Terra Mitica" which is a large theme park.

And a lagoon with wave machine to name just a few, a rapid rides of several connecting pools ending in a steep drop, a black hole ride in total darkness. Or bobsleigh style, bumpy, straight, there are various types of slides. Rides and pools for all the family, this huge water park is slides. Is Aqualandia, the other big attraction for those who like a holiday filled with action.

And watch the bird and sea lion shows which are included in the ticket price, at the end of the trail you can relax at the cafe or restaurant. There is also a safer area where you can leave your car and walk round and even touch some of the animals. So the animals can get up close to you, which you drive round in your own car, the Safari Park at El Vergel is worth a visit with lions and tigers roaming free in the park. If you do not want to spend all your time in the Benidorm area there is also plenty to do around Denia and Javea.

An experience not to be forgotten, including pushing you around the pool, the instructor also shows you how to get the sea lions do some of their famous tricks from the show. You are provided with a wet-suit and some basic instruction and then swim in the pool with three sea lions swimming around you. You can swim with the sea lions in a special enclosure, or even instead of going round the main park at all, for an extra few Euros.

And various second-hand goods, clothes, and now has grown into a large market selling local arts and crafts, the Rastro started as a car-boot sale a few years ago. If you visit on a Saturday morning the area is packed with the weekly "Rastro" or flea-market. Or by filling up your own plastic containers direct from the barrel, either in bottles off the shelf, there are three "bodegas" by the river all selling the local wine. The town of Jalon is the capital of the valley with the river area being the place that most visitors head for. Also known as the Vall de Pop, one of the most famous is the Jalon Valley. The Costa Blanca valleys and towns are worth exploring, for those less energetic.

Details of when these are held are available from tourist information offices. Moraira and Calpe on various days of the week, javea, denia, other Rastro's are held in Pedreguer.

But there is so much more to do in this part of Spain to make your holiday a memorable one, the Costa Blanca is excellent for a beach holiday.