On the east coast of Spain lies the Costa Blanca ('White Coast') with its healthy sunshine and cool sea breeze. Amsterdam to Alicante (by car) is approx. 2200 km. By air, it is about 2 hours. There is a good bus service to Torrevieja in Alicante. A visit to the city of Alicante, only 8 km away, is highly recommended. You can spend a leisurely day shopping or visit local museums and monuments. Also recommended is a trip to the town of Santa Pola, with its salt water lakes, also only 8 km away. In former times the town was an idyllic fishing village and a major Roman port. The 17th century fort houses an archaeological museum and an aquarium. From the coast of Santa Pola you can travel by ferry to the small island of Tabarca. The population of the island is only 40 people, and almost everything is forbidden here: camping, water-skiing, etc. Nevertheless, hundreds of people visit the island daily. The city wall, which surrounds the village, has three towers and all streets lead to the church square. The strangest building is the house of the chief magistrate, where you will find the only hotel in the village. Another recommended destination for young and old is the aqua park in nearby Torrevieja (30km). Here you will find several swimming pools with large slides. In Rojales (10 km away) you can go horseback riding on the beach accompanied by an instructor (riding lessons are also available) or spend your time at the golf course. Summers in this area last from late April to mid-October; in winter, it does not get much colder than 12 degrees so you can visit the Costa Blanca all year long!