Valencia and the Orange Grove Coast for Solo Travellers

Mention the Costa del Azahar and most people won't have heard of it. Yet it sits in the middle of the Mediterranean coastline of Spain, sandwiched between the better-known Costa Dorada and Costa Blanca, and looking out to the Balearics. Despite the unrelenting popularity of its near neighbours, this sliver of unspoilt coastline is as far away from package holiday territory as possible. Its cultured central city, richly decorated Moorish towns and unspoilt villages are separated by some awe-inspiring wonders of nature, including the Ebro Delta wetlands and the lofty landscape of Spain's interior plateau. And, of course, the countryside is dominated by the lush orange groves that give this most sincere Spanish Costa the moniker 'the Orange Grove Coast'.

At the heart of this tour lies the incredible city of Valencia, the country's third-largest after Madrid and Barcelona. While the top two welcome visitors in their millions every year, Valencia sits quite happily under the radar, maintaining its authenticity as a thriving Spanish city where local life hasn't been overtaken by the tourist trade. It's undoubtedly a cultural powerhouse, showcasing an impressive architectural mix - from the cutting-edge futuristic designs at the City of Arts and Sciences to an ornate blend of Gothic, Art Nouveau, neo-Classical, Renaissance, Romanesque and Baroque - that will leave you wide-eyed in wonder.

Green spaces are treasured in Valencia - the Turia riverbed has been transformed into a beautiful stretch of parklands that now runs from one end of the city to the other, giving locals and visitors a refreshing respite from the bustle of city life.

Surrounded as it is by the miles of traditional 'huerta' or market gardens and abundant orange groves that keep the city's two famous market halls stocked with ripe Mediterranean fruit and vegetables, it follows that Valencia is one of the best cities in Spain for food. It's particularly passionate about being the birthplace of 'paella', with locals fiercely adamant that their version is unparalleled worldwide.

From our city base we'll explore the area's other varied charms, including the exceptional Mudejar architecture in Teruel and Elche, an exotic echo of 8th- to 10th-century Moorish Spain and a time when the Muslim and Christian cultures co-existed peacefully. We'll also discover the compelling histories and local handicrafts of the region's tiny hilltop villages - and get an insight into how the sweet 'turrón' of Xixona and the traditional ceramics of Manises are made. A river cruise through the vast wetlands of the Ebro Delta and an adventure to the villages of Spain's high, dry, interior plateau complete this exceptional tour of one of Spain's most underestimated and undiscovered coastal areas.