If any of you are ever vacationing in the Costa Blanca area of Spain, here’s a tip for a wonderful day out – though you’ll need a car. About two thirds of the way from Alicante to Benidorm is Villajoyosa. From there drive inland up the beautiful valley to Sella. If you’re there at the end of January or beginning of February, you’ll discover a landscape covered in the blossoming almond trees that give the Costa Blanca its name. At other times of the year the valley is equally stunning – the volcanic colouring, the orange groves framed by the odd palm tree, the incredible peak formations. Sella is reached in about twenty minutes and sits on a hill backed by Aitana, the highest mountain of the area. The windy road brings you to the base of the village and there, very soon on the left, is an unpretentious-looking doorway with a sign above it reading BAR FONDA. Run by the same family for many years (though now only the widowed mother is left), this is the place to have wonderful home cooking: tortilla española, grilled vegetables and sausages, paella Valenciana and, my favourite, the lamb chops! Pair this with some delicious wines from the Monovar region close by, and you’re in for a real treat.

However, the day is not yet complete. After lunch, take a walk up through the village (where you won’t find one souvenir shop or even a postcard for sale) and then continue up the Camino de la Cruz (road of the cross) to the hermit’s chapel that sits at the top. The view over the rooftops, the surrounding mountains and down to the sparkling sea, is breathtaking.

Over the past forty years I have been to Sella countless times, and it was always a wonderful day out. Of course, I choose a clear day to go, and I make a point of calling to reserve a table on the outside terrace (the best place to eat) of Bar Fonda. Though it’s a well-kept secret from general tourism, the Spaniards and foreigners living in the area definitely know about it, and the place is always crowded at the weekend or on holidays. The telephone number is easily found in the local directory.