Spain Holidays
BRITISH holidaymakes have been flocking to the Spanish coastline for decades.
Once the favoured destination of the budget conscience package holidaymaker, thankfully, our tastes have developed beyond tacky resorts, and the rest of the country has opened up.
From the Moorish backdrop of the south to Catalonia and Andalucia, Spain is a proud and beautiful country – guaranteed to delight with its wonderful cuisine, festivals and languages.
Two very different coastlines provide exciting and vibrant resorts that appeal to all, as do the Balearic Islands.
Spanish cities cling to their cultural difference so fiercely that travelling between them can feel a little like switching countries.
Barcelona is one case in point – a stunning, architechtual feast on the senses bound up with the business of being Catalan.
In the south, Valencia and Seville are also rich and vibrant cities, whilst sophisticated Santander and San Sebastian benefit from an affluent heritage.
Granada and Cadiz provide a fascinating insight into Spain's history whilst Madrid is proud of its capital status.
SIGHTSEEING
Cities
Barcelona is an absolute must for fans of the architect Antoni Gaudi. A living museum of his works, each year tourists flock to the city to pay homage to his still-unfinished cathedral La Sagrada Familia the most dramatic example of his visionary work.
Madrid is another haven for culture worshippers. The Prado is a world famous gallery, while La Reina Sofia contains the city’s most famous painting – Picasso's Guernica.
Valencia's futuristic Science Park is a space age masterpiece, while the cave houses of Granada offer something a little more rustic. Dancing horses, sherry bodegas, Moorish palaces and famous bullrings are just some of the attractions on offer.
Resorts
The whole of the Mediterranean coast of Spain can sometimes feel like it is one big bustling resort.
Its endless beaches span the well-worn Costas of Brava, Blanca and Daurada. While these heaving resorts may not be the best place to discover authentic Spain they are less agressively developed than two decades ago.
Tourisim is big business in theThe Balearic, and Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza offer holidaymakers the best of both worlds, from the cultural and relaxing to the noisy and party-driven.
The Canary Islands are a popular choice for almost all-year sun.
EATING
Tapas are the speciality of the day and most Spanish bars serve at least a basic menu of tapas, which generally include tasty morsals of omelette, seafood, potatoes and sausage.
It is Spanish tradition to enjoy one dish and one small drink at a bar before moving onto the next place. Other famous dishes include the rice and fish (or rabbit) dish of paella and most regions have their own famous specialities.
The Spanish don’t have a big lunch and siesta for nothing! Spaniards eat late – don't expect dinner much before 9 or 10pm.
NIGHTLIFE
With dinner lingering until midnight, it's a good job that Spanish bars stay open until the early hours of the morning.
In the big cities, crowds are never a problem – there's a vast array of hole-in-the-wall bars, each with a few tables and tapas menus.
While the resort towns have neon-lit tourist traps galore, it is still possible to have a quiet drink and expereince a little authentic Spanish culture in the watering holes around the town square.
SHOPPING
Once well-known for traditional souvenirs, such as straw donkeys and sombreros, Spain has come along way in two decades.
Many of the local markets sell delicious produce that can be vacuum packed for the journey home, and many of its local wine or cava is cheap and of good quality.
Leather goods are generally of a high standard (especially in Andalucia), while the mills of Catalonia supply first class fabrics. Look out for up and coming young designer labels in the cities. It’s worth bearing in mind that most shops take an afternoon siesta and close down for a couple of hours.
FAMILY
The Spanish adore children and they are welcome in most restaurants and can even be spotted enjoying late night suppers.
It's an inclusive, tolerant mostly safe environment for children.
The larger resorts provide excellent catering for young ones, and Kids' Clubs and activities can be found in many beach clubs.
GETTING THERE
With the advent of the no-frills airline, many tourists are now flying independely to Spain’s big cities. All are well served by airlines and Barcelona and Madrid are among the busiest routes in Europe from the UK.
Spain has an efficient and clean rail network– tickets can be booked through the national rail service, Renfe (www.renfe.es).
Car rental is also a popular option. Book ahead of your holiday for cheaper deals
SPANISH WINTERS
Spain is not just about sun, sea and sangria and lazy days relaxing on a sun lounger.
Crisp mountain air, roaring open fires and layers of history are just some of the reasons for visiting Spain in the winter. Below we provide a list of top destinations to visit during the cosy, twightlight months.
Ronda
The stunning, ancient town of Andalucia is at its best in the winter months when the swarm of tourists disappear and head off to the warmer climes of the Canaries
Built on a precipice, divided into two by the deep El Tajo gorge, Ronda was once home to the Phoenicians and Romans.
It’s beauty has also attracted writers, such as Victor Hugo and Ernest Hemingway, and their photographs adorn the walls of Ronda’s many restaurants and bars. Orson Welles arranged to have his ashes scattered on the Ronda estate of the famous bullfighter Antonio Ordonez.
A combination of its terrifyingly steep and winding approach roads, and local folklore about bandits (Ronda was once the haunt of some of Spain's most feared highway robbers), have all played a signifcant part in keeping the noisy tourists of the costas at bay.
A big plus at being only 20 miles from Marbella, is that hotels and restaurants don’t close at the end of the season.
Palma
As Mallorca beaches close down for the winter, it’s capital wakes up for the winter. The reverse of the island's roudy package holiday persona, Palma is the grandedame of the island, boasting a charming and photogenic old town. Tree-lined boulevards, Gothic churches and Baroque palaces are just some of the attractions on offer in Palma.
High defensive walls protect the city, which is cosy and inviting, particularly in the run-up to Christmas when festive lights burst into life.
This is an excellent time to shop for clothes in the smart boutiques and there are some first class art galleries.
Valencia
The host city for this year’s America Cup, Valencia has enjoyed a revamp in recent months.
The City Of The Arts And Sciences is a bold project in a former industrial area to the south-east of the centre. A spectacular complex of space-age buildings, it includes L'Hemisferic which resembles a gigantic conch shell rising from the sea .
The Palacio de las Artes Reina Sofia is another venue to open recently as a showcase opera house and music venue.
With a reputation for the latest music and and a buzzing nightlife, this city is awash with cultural events. One of the highlights is a charming old town. The cathedral claims to contain the Holy Grail - the chalice Christ drank from at the Last Supper.
Aracena
Unspoilt and peaceful, this region of olive and oak-covered hills is an hour's drive north of Seville.
The scenery is stunning, the hills gentle and the charming villages separated by an hour or two's walk.
Few can resist that wonderful feeling of arriving in a village after a walk and following a charming cobbled path to a cosy restaurant serving tasty food.
Aracena boasts several attractions including a vast cave complex in Spain, the oldest mines in the world in Rio Tinto, and the ancient mosque in Almonaster la Real are all within walking distance.
Grenada
The square of Mirador de San Nicolas is at its best in the pale winter sunshine. The view across the valley to the Alhambra palace and the snowcapped mountain range of the breath-taking Sierra Nevada is one of the most unforgettable sights in the world.
The blush-tinted walls of the Alhambra are a talismanic symbol of Spain's Islamic past and contain some of the finest craftsmanship in Europe.
This stunning building survived 500 years of the Inquisition and then the Spanish Civil War. With exquisite formal gardens, pretty patios and exquisite design, the former home of Nasrid King Mohammed I is believed t have been the model for the Taj Mahal.
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