Holidays to Altea, Costa Blanca with FlyShannon

Altea is picture pretty, quaint and utterly charming. Located on Spain's Costa Blanca, Altea is situated approx. 12 kms north of it's more famous cousin, Benidorm, but could be a big wide world away. Altea could hardly be more different to brash Benidorm. There is no high rise development and no crass commercialism, just vestiges of the simple, traditional and typical Spain of yesteryear. This is what Altea holidays are all about.

Altea is a delightful village with whitewashed houses tumbling down the steep streets and cobbled alleyways. Shots of vibrant colour creep in with startling red geraniums, raspberry and coral trails of bougainvillea and clusters of ice white jasmine. The scent of roses and sweet jasmine mingle with aromas of garlic and the sea - an intriguing and beguiling combination! Holidays in Altea will entrance you!

A tangled maze of cobble-stone streets leads upwards to the Plaza de Iglesia which affords spectacular views of the mountains and the Bay of Altea. Precious little shops huddle around very corner and, as Altea was once the preserve of hippies and arty bohemian types, there are many tiny craft and local artisan shops showcasing their exquisite skills. The promenade is palm-lined and sees the usual evening "ramba" and parade of strollers, so is the perfect people watching grandstand.

The best known monument, the beautiful Church "Nuestra Senora del Consuleo" (Our Lady of Solace) is stunning both inside and out and the gorgeous glazed cobalt blue and sugar white tiles on the domes are visible from afar. Choose a typical bar to sip a cool drink; walk the pretty seafront (which gets very busy after sundown) and opt for a local restaurant to eat spanking fresh fish. This is the essence of a holiday in Altea. There are plenty of bars in Altea, but it's not known for wild nightlife. It's quiet and laid back and enjoyed by Spanish holidaymakers too - always a good sign!

Altea has a crystal clear pebble beach which is ideal for swimming and is usually not too crowded; there are some sandy areas, however, the better sandy beaches are in the pretty resort of Calpe, about 10 minutes drive away.

There are no flights to Altea, but Aer Lingus has regular direct flights to Alicante, about 50 klms. away. Log on to our website for a range of hotels in the picturesque village of Altea where you'll enjoy little nuances of Spain where time seems to have (happily) come to a standstill.