It´s been a while since I´ve been on holiday. A few city breaks aside, it´s actually trickier than you may think to find a suitable destination when you live year-round in Southern Spain, with beaches, sun and sangria on tap!

I took a business trip to the Southern Costa Blanca last week, as I needed to review our inventory of properties for sale on the Costa Blanca, in areas such as La Zenia, Playa Flamenca, Cabo Roig and Villamartin, all traditionally popular with British expats, holidaymakers and prospective 2nd home owners.

I had forgotten just how much the Brits love their beaches – my goodness, from sunrise to sunset, the beach in front of the La Zenia Hotel was full of sun worshippers, all lapping up as much of the strong Spanish sun as possible.

And when it came to the nighttime, I had forgotten just how much the Brits love their beer! While a talented duo belted out familiar favourites from the likes of Celine Dion and Whitney Houston on the poolside terrace, the Brits were getting stuck into the San Miguel and the Vodka and Tonics like they were going out of fashion! Even though there was a stiff cool breeze being whipped up off the sea, the general concensus seemed to be “ We´re on our hols, so we´re staying outside”!

While the behaviour was all perfectly acceptable, and although I am as British as the next person, I did feel strangely out of place. After all, I live here, I rarely take a beach holiday in Spain, and so I struggled to identify with the obvious need for these tourists to let off steam during their regular annual break.

It also prompted a degree of envy – seeing these people so relaxed, enjoying themselves so wholeheartedly, it got me pining for a holiday of my own – somewhere to laze on a beach all day, with no phones ringing, no distractions, and plenty of lager on tap. Maybe I should try the Costa Blanca – it looked perfect!