My husband, child, and in-laws had planned on traveling to Barcelona (for about five days) and then down to a house in the Costa Blanca region for a week or so in mid to late September. I'm not finding many "wow" reviews about Costa Blanca. I'd probably prefer the quaintness and sights of Northern Spain, but we really need to go in September and would really like nice weather. I've heard it rains a lot up north in September. Any advice? In renting a house for the second leg of the trip, we are hoping to avoid any high-rise, high-traffic travel.

google

moraira
altea
www.montiboli.com
xativa
valencia
elche
denia
javea
ibiza
guadalest

plenty to do

Lin ...ibiza ? This is not Costa Blanca

I love Moraira, it's a tiny quaint village by the sea...surrounded by villas (lots and quite upscale) in the hills. Beautiful landscape All the restaurants we tried there were good (it was 10 years ago..it can be different now).

Thanks! This gives me confidence. I am planning this for everyone else and will feel horrible if they aren't happy!

Stay in the South and go inland to Andalusia (Granada and Sevilla; Cordoba and the hill towns; if you have time, on to Toledo). Go to the coast if you want to numb your mind and body by laying in the sun and swimming in the sea.

i know.. but it is so accessible that i threw it in.. i asumed they might want to do little trips.

forgot the isla de tabarca.(off alicante)
cute boat takes tourists over for the day.
do not forget sunscreen !

Regarding kgde's recommendation -- what two places would you recommend in the South and Andalusia if I wanted to spend a week in a small place near the beach and a week in a big city, without having to fly between the two places (and instead taking a train)?