Looking east over the Mediterranean is Benidorm, the heart of the Costa Blanca. Shaking off a sunburn and chips reputation, the resort may still sport tower blocks that seem to jostle for the best view of the bay and its beautiful sands, but it is also reinventing itself. If you’ve been before, come again: its four state-of-the art theme parks – Aqualandia, Mundomar, Terra Mítica and Terra Natura – are some of the biggest and most original in Europe. Further up the coast, quieter resorts like Altea with its pebble beach and winding streets run at their own sweet pace. Jávea and Calpe each sit on spectacular crescent bays with mountains, medieval castles and neighbouring coves all within easy reach.

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