My favorite aspect of hiking solo, is that all action is more natural. We are social animals without a doubt, but when with others, our decisions and actions are made as part of a group. There is always a little tension involved in balancing all individual needs.

Consider something as simple as resting alongside trail for ten minutes. Even while it is a needed rest for one, it can be an unatural break in rhythm for another, and yet a decision must be made to stop or not. On other hand, decisions flow almost without thought when you are alone. What a wonderful relief from complications of ordinary life.

If you haven't yet tried solo backpacking, get out there and do it. At least go for an over-nighter. How often do you actually spend a day without seeing another person? You'll appreciate experience. (Watch for my article on solo backpacking tips.)

Count on Alicante, too

Either starting from north of province and having flown into Valencia airport in Manises or directly to south, into Altet airport in Alicante, your travel plans can be completed with no sweat. The Altet airport is only 10 kilometers from Alicante city, having incredible connections with other fantastic countries all over Europe like England, Ireland, Swedan, Denmark and Germany to just mention a few. From airport to city, you have public buses which cost 1 euro and run hourly, taxis or car rentals. Many of hotels have mini buses which also pick up clients when having been booked beforehand. If you are to go to Benidorm for your holiday first, there are buses which cost 6 euros, running all week. At almost any time of day, you can go back to Alicante to spend a fun day there visiting Mendez Nunez Promenade for hand made crafts, any of many museums or choose a special date like in June for famous Saint Johns Fire Festival or Saint Faz - Jesuss Face-Pilgrimage which is usually two weeks after Easter. And still travelling south without leaving Costa Blanca is Guardamar and Torrevieja, both sea shore towns, with their own history, specialty cuisine and traditions.

Even though Costa Blanca in Spain seems to take up a large extension of land, if you plan your days carefully, looking at exactly where you wish to visit on you first holiday on a good map, you can surely immerse yourself into charming Costa Blanca rythym.