Spain (including Islands)

Spain; it gave us the novel, the guitar, flamenco, Picasso and fabulous architecture.

These legacies give just a hint of the rich diversity that Spain has to offer, as it is not just one country with one culture, but many regions with a rich tapestry of festivals and traditions. Sunlight and beaches, flowing skirts kicked high to the thrilling sound of a flamenco dance, mighty cathedrals and castles, it’s not surprising that Spain has become a favourite destination of the Europeans.

Towards the French border the east coast crinkles into the bays and fishing villages. At the heart of Catalan culture is Barcelona, with its atmospheric old city dotted with world-famous Modernist architecture. Around Girona the ‘city of four rivers’, the beautiful countryside is set amongst the lush green mountains of the unspoilt Pyrénées and the blue green immensity of the sea.

The capital Madrid offers an array of museums with some of the finest collections of art in the world whilst romantic Seville offers fountains and orange trees, the Moorish fortress and grandiose cathedral. Estepona is blessed by a dry and sunny climate and cradled by miles of sandy beaches.

Andalucia is one of the most fascinating regions. Protected from the northern winds by a mountain chain that in some parts comes down to meet the sea, its sheltered coastline is shaped by a succession of extensive beaches, coves almost hidden between cliffs and marinas such as Sotogrande, a perfect place to indulge in incredible seafood. The proximity of such different landscapes the whitewashed villages such as Ronda clustered around castles in a timeless agrarian landscape alongside the sea is, without a doubt, one of the greatest attractions of this region which combines all the appeal of the Mediterranean landscape and culture.

Tenerife offers a variety of landscapes, wide sandy beaches and fine cuisine, making this island one of the most popular in the Canaries.

Mallorca is blessed with fantastic countryside which can be enjoyed on foot, bike, car or boat. The North East of the island is lined by the two beautiful horseshoe bays of Pollensa and Alcudia and benefits from sandy beaches and the dramatic Formentor peninsular – perfect for sea views. For swimming and shoreline sports look south, and east for quiet and unspoilt beaches. Those in need of city life can enjoy the bustling life of the cultural capital Palma and the old towns of Pollensa and Alcudia, blessed with pretty cobbled streets, sleepy squares and harbours to explore, will not disappoint. In the north west, famous Deja is a perfect place for those of a more artistic nature – the feel of the town is reminiscent of the ‘Left Bank’ in Paris whilst nearby Soller is a small town famous for its leafy squares and church designed by Gaudi. Inland the Tramuntana mountain range is fantastic for hiking and cycling and those striving for something a little more relaxing will find the sleepy ancient towns and rural fincas the perfect antidote.

Menorca is a stunning island bathed by the magnificent Mediterranean sun, which reflects the dazzling whiteness of the many whitewashed houses that cluster together. The green countryside, the blue sea and sky and the white of the buildings are the three main colours that epitomise the island. Its highly varied coastline, from the rugged shores and reddish beaches of the north, to the gentle relief of the south, with golden sandy coves many of which are secluded and quiet, are perfect for the ultimate getaway. The sea is a constant factor in the life of Menorca, and its numerous coves and natural harbours are ideal for the practice of all kinds of water sports.

Seventy miles off the coast of West Africa, Lanzarote benefits from warm, dry weather all year round making it a perfect holiday destination. There are fabulous white beaches on the south of the island such as the beautiful beach of Papagayo, perfect for beach lovers, or the stunning volcanic sands of Puerto del Carmen, great for watersports such as diving, jet-skiing, parasailing or snorkelling. For those more interested in being on the water than in it, why not head out on a boat trip with the possibility of spotting whales, hammerhead sharks, dolphins, turtles and flying fish. There is also excellent fishing to be had, with game such as marlin, tuna and shark.

The influence of the Canarian architect César Manrique is evident across the island from his cactus garden at Guatiza to his house in Tahiche built on the site of five volcanic bubbles and then bequeathed to the public to display his collection of paintings, drawing, ceramics, photographs and plans. Food here is typically Spanish, such as Pascado a la Sal (fish cooked in salt) or Papas Armgadas, wrinkly potatoes served with a piquant mojo, a traditional Canarian sauce - perfect to eat whilst watching the magnificent sunset, preferably with a Rioja in your hand.

FLIGHTS & FACTS

Fly to: Arrecife, Alicante, Barcelona, Malaga, Madrid, Mahón, Palma, Seville, Tenerife (British Airways); Seville (Iberia) Flying time: 2 hours 30 minutes (mainland), 4 hours 10 minutes (Lanzarote) Time difference: GMT + 1 Villa arrival day: Mainland, Mallorca and Menorca – Saturdays, Lanzarote - Thursdays Best time to travel: Year round

WEATHER

Southern Spain has a warm dry winter, although the ski slopes high up in Andalucia are only a short drive away. By late spring, Spain experiences settled warm and mainly dry weather, but beware of some rather cool nights. In the summer, the Spanish coastline enjoys sea breezes, keeping the temperatures bearable. The early part of autumn serves as an extension of summer; with daytime temperatures around 28 °C on the coast and the sea is still very warm. By November, the weather becomes cooler, although is it still predominantly dry.

The Balearics have a typical Mediterranean climate; hot summers and mild, wet winters. The best time to visit is spring and autumn or early summer, as July and August can get very hot although coastal areas will have the benefit of a cool breeze.

Its special location, facing the coast of Africa, gives Lanzarote a benign climate with mild temperatures (22ºC year-round average on the coasts), with only small temperature differences between day and night, whatever the season.