A delightful couple of hours can be spent by visiting the Iris Gardens and Labyrinth. These are situated on the road to Marnes. To reach them from Moraira drive to Teulada and turn left at the junction on to the N 332, drive through Benissa and take the right fork at the end of the village signposted Jalon.

When you reach the T junction cross over towards Pinos and 1 kilometre past Pinos there is a blue bridge. Take the right fork and the Gardens are about two kilometres up on the right hand side. The entire drive takes about 45 minutes.

These gardens are only open for six weeks every year from mid-April to the end of May and are free. There are approximately 5,000 iris, 100 different hybrids, a riot of colour, also a few other plants, such as sweet peas and lavender but mainly iris.

You can buy the plants and the advantage is that you see them in flower before buying. The whole garden is pesticide free and the owners inform me that they never water the plants. The telephone number of the gardens is 96 597 3520.