Title: Travel And Accommodations In Altea And Around The Costa Blanca Word Count: 598 Summary: Altea is located fifteen kilometres north of Benidorm. This is one of the few villages on the Costa Blanca that has kept the fishing village feeling. They have created a tourist area without sacrificing the natural beauty of the surrounding area. This village offers a tranquil atmosphere that is more relaxing and quiet than the larger cities in the area. The weather is mild in the summer and winter. The surrounding hills keep the temperature comfortable in the summer month... Keywords: spain,costa,blanca,altea,holiday,travel,tourism, Article Body: Altea is located fifteen kilometres north of Benidorm. This is one of the few villages on the Costa Blanca that has kept the fishing village feeling. They have created a tourist area without sacrificing the natural beauty of the surrounding area. This village offers a tranquil atmosphere that is more relaxing and quiet than the larger cities in the area. The weather is mild in the summer and winter. The surrounding hills keep the temperature comfortable in the summer months and keep out the cold winds in winter. Travel and Accommodations in Altea Most visitors take a flight into the Alicante airport. The airport is located about an hour drive away from the village. You can get a car hire at the airport for transportation. Buses and trains are available from Alicante to Altea. Just outside the village is the mountain area, which offers a beautiful view. Real estate is growing in this area. There are new hotels and apartments. This is a great place to stay for a quiet, relaxing vacation. Villa or apartment rentals are available in the village for a more private vacation experience. This offers more flexibility, privacy and a relaxing atmosphere. Consider a villa with a pool for a summer vacation. Most owners rent directly to tourists. This saves money on a travel agent. Rentals can be found on the internet. Altea Attractions Altea is one of the most beautifully landscaped areas in the region. The tranquillity of the area attracts Spanish and international writers and painters. Some stay for short periods and others live in the area all year. Most stay in the area surrounding the old church. The village is home to a famous church, Nuestra Senora Del Consuelo. The church was built in 1910. The design is Mediterranean style architecture. The tiles are all hand painted with old world craftsmanship. The blue dome roof is a landmark in the area. The village has a nice harbour with restaurants and bars. The restaurants offer great seafood and authentic Spanish cuisine. In many of these restaurants, you can sit outside on terraces overlooking the sea. The beach area is 5 kilometres long. This is great place to relax and soak up the sun. A little away from the beach and harbour area are a variety of quaint stores for shopping. Most shops are open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. Many break for afternoon siesta from 2 p.m. until 4 or 5 p.m. and then re open. Some of the larger stores remain open all day. A walking tour is the best way to experience Altea close up. Walking tours are available in the town and surrounding mountain areas. The mountain walking tours are a great way to enjoy nature in a tranquil atmosphere. You can take a private tour or a guided walking tour of the many trails around the village. All inclusive tours are available for a few days to a week. A craft market is open in Altea from Easter through September. The market is located near the harbour area. Local crafts people offer a variety of items for sale at the market. You can get beautiful hand made items at a reasonable price here. The sun and mild temperatures are popular for golf vacations as well. The Altea Golf Club offers a great course for visitors. If you want to experience night life or more populated tourist attractions, take a day trip to Benidorm. This larger city is close enough to the village for day trips by car or train. Benidorm is home to water parks, theme parks and night clubs.