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James Wyatt explores the hidden Costa in Spain

The Spanish coast runs perfectly from North to South, and I usually get stuck in Barcelona, not really very far from the French border. Gaudi’s heady mix of architechure combined with stunnning people watching makes for a city that takes your breathe away – and eyes, ears, head. The lot. You absolutely have to see it to believe it.

Little known though is Barcelona’s southern airport Reus, which rather like Londons Stansted airport, is actually a long way from its supposed ‘local’ city. This is a bonus in Reus’s case. Not only is Reus a nice little place to pick up some last minute typical Spanish food and nick-nacs to take home, it is truly the best gateway to the unknown Costa Azahar – some miles south.

Many years ago, the Spanish equivilant of our airport authority, started opening military airport bases for civilian activities. In time, these have become passenger airports. The Costas are neatly covered with an airport at neat intervals. Except in Castellon. This spot between Barcelona and Valencia has no airport at all. Reus, some way south of Barcelona has bought the distance down a bit, but there is still a yawning gap on the map. Hence this is an area that has very few Brits buying property, as it is a good hour from the airport (Reus one way, and a bit longer to Valencia). If you want the real Spain, this can be a great bonus. Known as the ‘Orange Blossom Coast’, this 70 mile stretch of coast will be shaken up in 2010 by the opening of the new airport at Vilnova. Given approval recently by the Madrid Government, the airport will initially open with a modest 2,700 metre runway which is long enough for some EasyJet and Ryanair type jets, but there is permission for a huge extension of a further 4,000 metres which will allow intercontinental planes to use the airport. And yet the whole areas is easily accessed top to bottom by the marvellous AP7 motorway which will take you north to France in a couple of hours or south to the booming City of Valencia in just over an hour. Valencia has held the Americas Cup recently and will repeat that extravaganza shortly. It will also host a round the roads Formula 1 race on the 24^th August.

For now, this remains one of the few coastal strips in Spain where buying property – even in a rotten market – can only be good in the long run. The area is rich in history, has a low cost of living, and is wonderful for fabulous beaches whether you want to keep your clothes on or take then off!

A recent visit had me in film land. Peniscola is where El Cid was filmed. It is a pretty headland and surrounded by orange and olive groves and endless fig trees – which makes it about as Spanish as you can get in surroundings. The backdrop of the dramatic mountains gives the perfect frame to encapsulate the whole picture. Not far away is the picture postcard hilltop town of Morella, clearly a Virginia Water honeymoon destination as I know of at least houses of the same name. The castle at the top of the hill has dramatic views which at over 1000m high, I suppose it should.

I should also mention Benicarlo and Vinaros in passing. Both have something for everyone and in particular have a great Spanish feel.

In Sant Jordi, the enormous Aldea Golf at Nova Panoramica resort has one of the best local golf courses. The approach is dramatic, with the road widing up and crossing an ancient gorge. The course is designed by Berhard Langer (his only course in Spain) and run by the posh Sotogrande group. This is a 600 acre facility used for training by professionals, and yet is friendly enough for golfing fools like me. This is where Bancaja Habitat are constructing 1, 2, and 3 bed homes which are ideal as holiday homes or for an investment. Prices are incredibly reasonable – from £92,500 to £145,000. I was very impressed with the lifestyle too – an great clubhouse where you can buy the latest gear and then have a wonderful meal of the highest quality whilst overlooking the golf course with its dramatic mountainous backdrop. The shopping mall will provide everything for day to day needs although the local towns are well worth visiting. The professional golf players on site are brilliant – they should be, having had all sorts of well known pro’s visit to use the top class practise facilities – it isn’t often that you get to practise off grass rather than mats.

I could have quite happily stayed at Aldea Golf resort, but it’s always good to try other local courses, and there are a couple. Club de Golf Costa Azahar and Club Campo del Mediterraneo nearby will give a good work-out.

This is a great spot for the kids too with miles of empty and stunning beaches and if you need a theme park fix, Port Aventura up the road is a Spanish attempt at Disneyland.

This is an area beloved by the Spanish – and for good reasons too – there aren’t many Brits! Take a look before it changes too much.

James Wyatt MNAEA, MARLA, TRC, REALTOR ® is a partner at Barton Wyatt International based in Wentworth, Virginia Water. Tel: 01344 843000