Finca Les Coves

Walkers can take wanders several waymarked circular routes around the finca’s hectares, and serious hikers and cyclists have the whole of La Carrasqueta mountain range to explore. Expert rider? You can gallop over the Spanish campo on horseback from a nearby riding centre (half an hour’s drive), while pony novices take a lesson in the ring. Cool off in the pool at the finca or go wild swimming under the waterfall at El Salt (40 minutes); if you prefer the feeling of sand between your toes, the beach of El Campello (half an hour) is safe for swimming, with lots of night-time action in the seafront bars and cafés as well. For a more sedate day at the seaside, quiet Cala Coveta Fuma and Cala D’Enmig (both 35 minutes) are small bays that are good for snorkelling from pebble beaches – take a packed lunch and a couple of chilled beers with you as there are few bars or restaurants. And if you need a bit of big-city inspiration, check out the Moorish architecture of the mighty hilltop Castillo de Santa Barbara in Alicante (40 minutes) or tour the winding streets of the Santa Cruz area before retiring to a cosy bar on lively Passeig Esplanada d’Espanya and grazing on tapas.