Arriving in Calpe on day 4, gather in the hotel lounge to raise a welcome glass and meet your fellow travellers. The hotel sits opposite Morello Beach, so expect sea breezes and the scent of salt as you toast the weeks ahead. Later in the first week, enjoy an included drinks reception — a relaxed chance to share plans, swap tips, and settle into the rhythm of coastal life.

Your host will outline what’s nearby: the gleaming salt flats of Las Salinas, the fishing port, and the landmark Peñón de Ifach Natural Park rising from the bay. This convivial start helps you feel grounded in Calpe’s seaside culture and makes it easy to enjoy a free afternoon exploring at your own pace.

At set times each week, meet your visiting resort representative for friendly guidance and Q&A. Get help planning bus or tram outings to Alicante or Altea, hear about gentle coastal strolls to Calpe Old Town, and learn where to find waterfront cafés or evening music. These sessions are informal and practical, perfect for shaping the days ahead.

Alongside maps and timetables, expect cultural pointers: regional rice dishes beyond paella, local winemaking traditions, and the best vantage points for sunset over the bay. You’ll leave with a personalised shortlist of ideas and the confidence to enjoy a free afternoon discovering the Costa Blanca at your own pace.

Travel a short way up the coast for a half-day visit to Altea’s weekly market, typically held on Tuesday mornings. Stroll rows of stalls piled with citrus, olives, leather goods, and hand-woven baskets while artisans chat over the hum of conversation. Pause to sample regional produce and browse for wearable souvenirs before following the cobbles towards the hilltop quarter.

Altea’s whitewashed lanes climb to the square by the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Consuelo, its blue-tiled dome gleaming above the Mediterranean. From here, pause for photos and reflection over terracotta roofs and the curve of the bay. This gentle outing blends everyday Valencian life with timeless old-town charm, leaving time to enjoy a free afternoon back in Calpe.

On a Sunday morning, head to lively Albir Market, where more than 160 stalls fill the streets near the palm-lined boulevard. Browse colorful fabrics, Spanish footwear, ceramics, and jars of local honey while the air carries the aroma of roasted nuts and cured meats. It’s an easygoing chance to sample regional produce and pick up gifts with a personal story.

After shopping, wander towards the seafront to feel the open sweep of the bay and views to the cliffs of Sierra Helada. If time allows, follow the start of the lighthouse path for sea-breezes and photo stops, then return with your finds and a vivid sense of Sunday life on the Costa Blanca.

Discover the character of Benidorm’s Old Town (Casco Antiguo), timed to coincide with a bustling local market. Start among stalls laden with olives, cheeses, and embroidered linens before slipping into narrow lanes where tapas bars spill onto the cobbles. Follow the aromas to Tapas Alley for classic bites and the lively murmur of midday conversations.

Climb towards the Church of San Jaime y Santa Ana and the white-and-blue balustrades of the Balcón del Mediterráneo (Mirador del Castillo). Here the sea opens wide between Levante and Poniente beaches; waves echo against the rocks and gulls wheel in the updraft. It’s a vivid snapshot of Benidorm’s heritage and seafaring setting, with time later to enjoy a free afternoon back in resort.

Begin your journey as you board the cross-Channel ferry in Dover on day 1. Find a window seat or step onto the open deck to watch the White Cliffs of Dover recede, seabirds wheeling over the straits of Dover. Settle into the lounges, enjoy a hot drink, and breathe in the briny air as France draws near and you sweep into Calais harbour.

This smooth maritime link has connected Britain and the Continent for generations, a short passage that signals the start of your grand overland route to Spain. Your return voyage on the final day offers a quiet moment to pause for photos and reflection before the last leg home.