Just back from Alicante - the Old Town part - very Spanish, few Brits, it's a lovely city with a very relaxed atmosphere, and lovely beaches. If tourist tat takes your fancy, bus to Benidorm takes about 30.minutes, but it's never interested us in going...and if golf is your thing, there's plenty of that too, but I prefer the city with loads of fantastic restaurants and bars. A small knowledge of Spanish language does help, although most people can speak a smattering of English.
Thinking of heading to Croatia in the summer, have heard lots of good things but not got round to booking anything yet - anybody been?