Why you should choose a holiday let next time you go to the Costa Blanca
Home to 100 miles of gorgeous golden coast, it’s no wonder that the Costa Blanca is an old favourite with holiday-goers. If you fancy a Mediterranean getaway, choosing a holiday let is an ideal way to experience Spain’s southeastern coast from a fresh perspective.
A self-catering trip offers a wealth of opportunities that you won’t find if you stay in a hotel. Whether you’re heading to Benidorm to experience the nightlife, or you want to sunbathe and swim in Alicante, you’ll find the perfect rental home for you and your friends or family. Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy:
Image by miguel.discart, used under Creative Commons license (CC BY SA 2.0)
More freedom to plan your sightseeing itinerary
In a self-catering rental, you can come and go at all times of day, and you don’t need to worry about making it back in time for dinner. This means you’ll be able to pack in more activities, and explore all the Costa Blanca sights you want to see.
If you’re staying near Benidorm, why not pack a lunch and head out for a day of adventures at Serra Gelada Natural Park? Or, if you’ve got kids, take a trip to a theme park like Terra Mitica. With so much to see and do, it would be a shame to limit yourself to the pool in a hotel resort!
Image by Brett Hodnett, used under Creative Commons license (CC BY SA 2.0)
A place to unwind at the end of the day
Holidays are lots of fun, but they can be tiring too. After a busy day of exploring, you’ll look forward to going home to your private villa. If you choose a rental with a pool, you can cool down in the water. Or, you might just want to put your feet up, grab a drink, and enjoy the sunset from your terrace.
As well as offering peace and privacy to relax in the evenings, a staying in a holiday let promises a quiet place to have a lie in if you want a lazy morning. You won’t be woken up by doors banging in the hallway, or noisy people in the room next door.
Lots of space for you and your belongings
In a self-catering villa, you’ll have enough space to rival even the best hotels on the Costa Blanca. You can unpack and store away your clothes in your bedroom, instead of living out of a suitcase.
With a separate kitchen and living area, you won’t feel cooped up if you decide to spend an afternoon inside. Best of all, if you’re travelling in a large group, you’ll still have a bit of personal space.
Explore the local region’s cuisine
All-inclusive package holidays might seem like a convenient option, but self-catering will save you money while still leaving you free to try lots of local food. You can dine out without worrying that a pre-paid meal will go to waste, and take the chance to find the best restaurants in Alicante.
Of course, having a kitchen also means you can cook a meal at home. You could purchase some fresh local ingredients and try making a specialty dish, like Paella Alicantina. Or, cook up one of your favourite meals from home if you find yourself craving comfort food.
By Arianne Fabrice, a travel journalist who specialises in the popular resort destinations in and around Europe. Having worked for some of Paris’ premium travel mags, she’s recently moved into English-language publications.