Torrevieja is situated on the southern Costa Blanca in Spain within a thirty minute drive from two airports and means that car hire is not a must. Torrevieja has dry hot summers with temperatures seldom less than 30 degrees centigrade and no rain making it an ideal spot for a family summer vacation. Check out the 10 day weather forecast Torrevieja here.

Torrevieja has fabulous beaches with all the amenities you would expect from a first class sea-side resort, sun loungers with parasols, foot showers, W.C. but best of course is the setting with wide promenades teaming with bars and restaurants offering mouth watering menu del dias and bars serving sangria and san miguels and cañas. For all your sun tan lotions, and other beach requirements there are plenty of boutiques and shops selling everything needed to make your vacation more enjoyable.

Torrevieja is also within reach of many first class golf courses. Aquapolis Torrevieja is mainly open during the summer months is a water park with rides and flumes to spend a fabulous day in the sun and have water fun.

Torrevieja has a picturesque harbour with a submarine moored there offering tours of this aquatic vessels will liven your imagination of what it must be like to travel below in the depths of the ocean.

For all your shopping needs Torrevieja is home to the Habeneras shopping centre. Keeping Spanish hours means that most of the shops are open all day from around ten in the morning but are not open on Sundays. Here you will find Zara, H & M, Mango and C& A. On the top level of the shopping centre is a small play area to amuse youngsters while you enjoy a much earned rest and food after a hard days shopping.

As you can see there is something everyone to do and see and enjoy in Torrevieja, Costa Blanca, Spain.

Most of the best courses are in the Algarve region in the south of Portugal, but it is worth noting that the Estoril and Oeste coast are fast improving on the quality & quantity of their resorts and courses. This top 5 list attempts to give a mix of courses from each region.

• Troia: The adventure at Troia starts even before reaching the course. Golfers need to take a ferry from Setubal to get over to the links course. This adds to the uniqueness of a round here, as does the Atlantic breezes and lightening fast greens.
• Porto Santo: Host to the 2008 Madeira Open, this course winds its way around the tropical island through a variety picturesque golf holes. The main challenge is not being distracted by the steep cliffs and trying to predict how the swirling wind will catch high-flying shots.
• Monte Rei: Fans of Jack Nicklaus will savor playing this course on the East Algarve. Jack designed this course to make best use of the hilly terrain and it proves to be a tough course to play, even from the short tees.
• Aroeira Old Course: While not one of Estorils most famous courses (Praia D’El Rey takes that award) the Aroeira is a hugely enjoyable course in Sesimbra. The maturity of the course fairways and greens would warrant higher green fees than the current rates.
• Parque Da Floresta: This is partly notable as being the most westerly course in Portugal. But once played, it will be the memory of how the courses 18 holes run along a steep hillside with magnificent views that will remain with you.

As with any good golf holiday, Portugal has plenty of courses which will stick in the memory as highlights of a trip. Just make sure to pack sun-block in summer and practice low ball-height shots prior to playing the links courses.

Looking for European golfing breaks? For an overview of golf holidays in Portugal including the Algarve and Estoril regions visit the Golf Holidays Portugal Guide website to learn more.

Although the country is known as a developed land of prosperity, much of the countryside is still proud of its traditional foundations. Religion has played a large part in the local city’s formation and has been referred to as the Episcopal City within the province. Records indicate that the earliest evidences of inhabitants residing in the area date as back as the latter part of 3000 B.C. Several centuries after, the history of the region was dictated by opposing forces of the Arabs and Christians. For several centuries beginning the 8^th, it was a land inhabited by both races. During the 9^th, it was taken by the Caliphate of Omeya. The city held great prestige as a vital base for the Islamic forces. During the latter part of the 13^th century, the land was taken back by the Christians and has been under its influence and tutelage ever since.

The city is known for its well preserved architecture including churches, monasteries and palaces. A number of these ancient structures are considered a Cultural Heritage and as such are being protected as historic-artistic monuments. Being governed by Christian figures, several of these relics are religious in nature. These include the Santa Iglesia Catedral del Salvador, the Colegio de Santo Domingo, the Iglesia de las Santas Justa y Rufina and Los Saladares. Besides churches and parishes, there are also a number of museums which have been built to preserve smaller pieces of relics.

There are a number of events where tourists can go and experience the local culture of the area. Some of these events date back to Christian and Arab conquests.  These include the Fair of the Cattle where pure bred horses race with one another, a reenactment of the battle between the Moors and Christians and the Medieval Market of Orihuela Spain where participants dress up according to the times.

The city is a place where tourists can have fun regardless of the amount of available time, preference of budget. With this information, tourists and visitors can expect to have fun whenever they decide to visit the Orihuela Costa.