Retire in Paradise

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If the only image you have of the Costa Blanca in Spain is one of large concrete buildings and tourists everywhere, then you need to think again. If you head north away from the main areas such as Benidorm you will find some completely different scenery altogether. Here the land is green and mountainous and you will find some of the smartest holiday villas in Costa Blanca that one can rent.

Here in the northern part of the Costa Blanca you will discover some beautiful Spanish villages, where life is much the same as it has been for many decades. Here it is that the villagers stick to their siestas each day and ensure that local customs remain part of their everyday life as well.

In fact, you will often find actually being to rent a holiday villa is reasonably easy as there are many Northern Europeans who have chosen to buy second homes here. It is these people in order to keep their villas well maintained will often rent them out during the times of the year when they are not being used.

The main places where you are going to find villas to rent are in towns such as Denia or in villages in the Orba Valley or the Jalon Valley. All of these can provide you with a base from which you can explore more of what this part of the Costa Blanca has to offer. Plus if you want, you can still travel to the towns of Benidorm and Alicante to enjoy what is on offer there as well. Below we look at what places in the northern part of the Costa Blanca has to offer to its visitors.

Denia is still very much a working town but close to it, you will find 20 miles of beautiful Blue Flag beaches. But if you are looking to do something a little more exhilarating during your vacation why not head towards the rock coves to the south of Denia and try your hand at scuba diving. In the town itself, you with find an 18th Century castle known as Castillo de Denia and which dominates its skyline.

Although the town is very much the same as it has been for many centuries it does offer visits some great shops and cafes. Plus the indoor market is beautiful and almost gives the town a feel like you would find in Nice. In this town, fiestas are a regular occurrence and the biggest one of all that takes place from 22 to 24 June each year is the Hogueras de San Juan.

In the Orba Valley, which is further inland from Denia, you will find some more atmospheric villages. In these villages, time seems to have stopped, as you will find all the old men sitting out in the streets playing dominoes and the only women you are likely to see are those hanging out the washing on the balcony.

But whether you wish to stay in Denia or somewhere in the Orba Valley or the Jalon Valley, you are going to be able to find villas to rent. The best place to start your search is by going online and looking for agents who offer holiday villas in Costa Blanca. Then spend sometime comparing each property to see what each one offers before you make your final decision.

Tags: Travel & Leisure