MORAIRA COSTA BLANCA

As much an area as a village, Moraira's name for many people is synonymous with expensive second homes and resident expatriates. Originally a fishing village on a sheltered bay below a rocky headland, Moraira lies well off the main coast road and is undisturbed by the sort of crowds that flock to the main resorts. Many spacious villas are scattered among the pine woods that run down to the sea, but with only a handful of hotels, Moraira remains one of the most unspoiled resorts, with a variety of services aimed specifically at Its foreign residents. A lovely coastline, a superbly restored 18^th century castle, good sports facilities, upmarket shops and one of Spain's best restaurants, Girasol  all tempt visitors to return. The coastal towns and resorts cater efficiently for large numbers of summer visitors, with hotels, restaurants, sports facilities, marinas, entertainment and shops. Playa de Oliva is one of these, but inland lies the old town, once part of a dukedom founded in 1449 by Alfonso el Magnanimo, with the remnants of the old ducal castle to be found outside the town. The surrounding flat, fertile ground, now planted with oranges, was originally marshland, and some wetlands remain. The old town centre has some fine 16^th century buildings and the wonderfully higgledy-piggledy whitewashed quarter of Santa Ana.