Andalucia
Andalucia or Andalusia as it is often spelt in English is located on the south coast of the Iberian Peninsula in Spain and one of the primary holiday destinations in the world, especially with Europeans and a growing amount of tourists from the African Continent. Andalucia boasts the most amount of sunny days in Europe and has the ideal year round climate for many residents and holiday makers, with long hot summers, extremely pleasant spring and autumn months with temperatures often in the mid to upper twenties and a mild although occasionally rainy winter season. Holidays in Andalucia as you can see are sought after throughout the year with family holidays on the Costa del Sol's beaches from May to September, Golfing holidays from September to June, Skiing holidays from December to late March and a host of other holidays in between.
Green or eco holidays in Spain are taking off with many environmentally conscious families and individuals taking advantage of the excellent Andalucian climate to fulfil walking, biking and rural holidays amongst the mountains, olive and orange groves, inland lakes and fertile plains of Andalusia yet within an easy drive of the coastal attractions. Just under 20% of Andalusia is under protection, including over twenty Natural Parks, thirty Natural Reserves and some thirty Natural Sites. Holidays in Andalucia are as diverse as the scenery - High mountains, leafy valleys, volcanic landscapes, deserts, pastures, beaches and the Mediterranean. Wherever you decide to book your holiday rental in Andalucia, there will be plenty for you and your family to do and to explore. Sunbathing, skiing, golfing, watersports, tennis, shopping, art galleries and museums plus a plethora of cultural sites not forgetting some wonderful architecture which spans thousands of years. Holiday rentals Andalusia are available as apartments, townhouses, villas, fincas, country homes, caves, cabins, cortijos and farmhouses, Take a look through our growing selection of holiday homes in Andalucia
Aragon is located in the
far north of the Iberian Peninsula in Spain, extending from
the Central Pyrenees to the Iberian mountain range. Aragon
is one of the larger autonomous regions of Spain but it is
sparsely populated with under one and a half million
habitants, most of whom are located around the major cities.
Aragon offers a combination of Mediterranean and Continental
climates with cold winters especially in the mountains where
heavy snowfall is common above 1200 feet which offers some
excellent skiing and hot summers with little rainfall.
Aragon is ideal for tourists that enjoy getting back to
nature, walking, hiking and active outdoor pursuits. Aragon
presents some of the most scenic mountain landscapes in
Spain including the Ordesa National Park, as well as
pristine countryside vistas. Aragon is known for its relaxed
pace of life and it is essentially undiscovered by
international tourism. Aragón produces some excellent wines
and its mountain stimulated cuisine is very hearty. Those
interested in architecture should take time to visit
Zaragossa and its medieval cathedral and the Aljaferia
Palace with its Moorish design. Mudéjar architecture can be
seen in Teruel.
Asturias or the
Principado de Asturias to give its official title is located
in the north of the Iberian Peninsula on the Atlantic coast
of Spain and the Bay of Biscay in an area known as the Costa
Verde, between Galicia and Cantabria. Asturias has so far
been ignored by international tourists and remains a
pristine area of northern Spain partly due to occasionally
rainy weather throughout the year and the absence of tourist
related infrastructure and facilities. That said if you are
looking for a holiday destination with a difference and
don't mind gorgeous beaches, sparkling rivers, high
mountains and stunning countryside greenness then perhaps
Asturias is somewhere that you may consider for your next
family holiday. Nearly a third of Asturias is has been given
the prestigious status of Protected Natural Space and UNESCO
has named four nature reserves as Reserves of the Biosphere.
If large crowds and international restaurants and bars
are not on your agenda then take a look at Asturias with
its charming towns and villages and welcoming locals.
Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands are located between the Iberian Peninsula and the African Continent in the Mediterranean Ocean and are the most visited island destination in Europe The Balearic Islands are made up of Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera, all of which boast an excellent climate with plenty of sun, golden beaches, rocky outcrops, diverse cultures and landscapes. The Balearics are the summer destinations for sun seekers, party goers, golfers, boaters and families of numerous foreign countries throughout Europe and further afield with the majority coming from Great Britain, Scandinavia and Germany. Each island is different but all have maintained there individuality through the years and from one day to the next you can sit on a beach, enjoy excellent cuisine, view Stone Age ruins, Gothic Cathedrals and visit stunning fishing villages or rural towns hidden away in the hills
Holiday
rentals Balearics are available as apartments, townhouses,
villas, fincas, country homes, cabins, cortijos and
farmhouses; Take a look through our growing selection of
holiday homes in the Balearic Islands
The
Canary Islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean off the
western coast of Africa. Although the Canary Islands are
made up of only seven islands the Canaries are split into
two provinces; Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and its three
islands of Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote to the
east and Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the west including
Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. The Canary
Islands have been a popular tourist destination for many
years due to the hot sunny weather throughout the year, some
fantastic beaches and the duty free prices.
Holiday
rentals Canary Islands are available as apartments,
townhouses, villas, fincas, country homes, cabins, cortijos
and farmhouses; Take a look through our growing selection of
holiday homes in the Canary Islands
The canary islands below need to be rewritten
Canary Islands
Tenerife is the biggest island and is as lush as any tropical paradise except for the volcanic zones where the landscape is almost lunar-like and the famous Mount Teide with its snow-capped peak.
Gran Canaria has wonderful beaches to offer and a swinging nightlife. It is famous for bananas and tomatoes.
Fuerteventura has the most beaches of all the islands and just a stone's throw away from the Sahara Desert.
La Gomera consists of a hilly landscape and often appears as the most exotic island to visitors. You will arrive on the island by boat (75 minutes by ferry or 35 minutes by hovercraft), from Tenerife (Los Cristianos port). Your first stop is the capital of the island, San Sebastian de la Gomera, a town of some 6,000 inhabitants. The town has many interesting monuments. The island forest is the most treasured gem and is a protected park.
La Palma is the northernmost island and is referred to as 'la Isla Bonita' because of its immense natural beauty. The capital is Santa Cruz.
Since ancient times the climate has been the most outstanding attribute of the islands. It has been described as perpetual springtime. The Greeks called the islands the 'Fortunate Islands'. The fame of the Canaries as a travel destination began in the 18th century when Europeans began to visit the volcanic landscapes. The fame of the islands grew as a place of rest. The islands are currently one of the top destinations for European tourism, welcoming more than 8 million visitors a year. 50% of visitors to the islands return at some point.
The islands present more than 1,100km (930 miles) of coastline, most of which comprises of magnificent beaches. Coupled with the allure of volcanoes, forests and other spectacular scenery, the islands have much to offer.
The waters of the Atlantic are slightly cooler in the Canary Islands due to the fact that the Gulf Current moves in a north to south direction. The ocean between the islands is a deep blue colour due to the depth of up to 3,000 metres. Much of the sand on the beaches is pure white. Some of the beaches in Tenerife are covered with golden sand, imported from the Sahara desert. The temperatures here are mild, rarely going below 19ºC in winter or above 25ºC in the summer.
Hotels on the islands can accommodate more than 400,000 visitors and are among the best in Europe. Most of the hotels are located along the coastal strip, however, there is an increasing number of hotels springing up in rural areas, offering a very different type of holiday, including hiking, biking and other outdoor pursuits. The islands offer 13 golf courses, 141 nature reserves, 4 national parks, 29 archaeological monuments and hundreds of volcanoes
Catalonia
Catalonia is located in the north east of the Iberian Peninsula, bordering the Mediterranean along the Barcelona coastline known as the Costa Dorada. Catalonia boast a mixture of rocky cliffs and long stretches of sandy beaches interspersed with bays and coves that are ideal for finding a little privacy in this otherwise busy part of Spain. Since the sixties and seventies, towns such as Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar, have been "must visit" sunny destinations by the British and much of Europe, with high rise hotels skirting the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean and with charming old towns and newer urbanisations hiding away just minutes from the beaches. Catalonia boasts a mild climate with excellent summers and pleasant spring and autumn seasons. Winter is prone to snow and frosts as well as plenty of rain. Barcelona is the capital of the region and is well worth a visit for a few days to see for yourself the much talked about architecture and to experience the lively "buzz" of Catalonia's major city. For a quieter and historic day out or long weekend then why not visit Girona just along the coast.
Cantabria is located in
the north of the Iberian Peninsula in Spain bordering
the Cantabrian Sea in the north, the Basque country to
the east, Castile and Leon in the south and Asturias in
the west. Cantabria is a place of two natures, that of
the coast and the stunning beaches, lined with steep
cliffs and that of the mountains which form a
spectacular backdrop and natural spine to the area.
Due to the high rainfall in the area and the location of
the mountains, the rivers are full and fast flowing with
many of the them stemming from the melting ice in the
mountains. Mountain climbing and hill walking are
popular holiday themes in Cantabria for those who don't
wish to spend too much time on the beaches, enjoying the
local cuisine at the charming bistros and restaurants in
the towns. During the winter months Alto Campoo boasts a
fantastic sports resort for the family. Nature surrounds
you regardless of the season, so if a holiday in a
peaceful part of Spain is on your agenda then why not
consider Cantabria
Castilla La Mancha is the birthplace of Don Quixote of La Mancha, the crusading literary knight of Spanish history whose adventures amongst sunflowers, windmills and Manchego cheese have been read in most countries of the world. Castilla La Mancha is a wild and at the same time welcoming area full of surprises, forests, high mountain ridges, caves, volcanic landscapes, plains, natural reserves, rivers and valleys. Each year tourist arrive to follow the path of Don Quixote across the plains or La Mancha Lagoon. Each season of the year is attractive to visitors as each one offers something different dependant on which part of Castilla La Mancha you plan to visit. Rural tourists have known about Castilla La Mancha for quite a long time now, attracted by the wide variety of landscapes, wildernesses and wildlife, but in recent years Castilla La Mancha is now a focal point for Active Tourists who are in search of Sporting Holidays, especially trekking, mountain biking, canoeing, climbing and paragliding. Old staples such as hunting and fishing remain firm favourites. Many of these Active holiday tourists also enjoy the ecological side of Castilla La Mancha along with cultural attractions
Castilla y Leon is located
in the Iberian Peninsula in the north west of Spain and
bordering nine of the other Spanish autonomous regions
plus Portugal and is the largest regions in Spain. Up
until 1983 the area was known separately as Castilla la
Vieja and Leon with both being key areas in Spanish
medieval history with many fortified towns, monasteries
and cathedrals still prevalent today. Castilla y Leon
boasts a plethora of oak and cork oaks forests and a
number of natural parks which surround the towns and
villages in this "Land of Castles" and fairytales, you
will find more medieval castles than anywhere else in
Europe. Castilla y Leon also boasts some wonderful
Gothic Cathedrals, outdoor museums and beautiful cities.
If cultural holidays are your ideal thing then Castilla
y Leon will more than satisfy your thirst for history,
culture and heritage
Extremadura is located on the Iberian Peninsula between
Andalucia and Castilla y Leon and bordering Portugal
in the western part of Spain. Extremadura is a scenic
region, abundant in nature and far from the "Costa"
crowds. Extremadura is overflowing with history and
makes for an ideal cultural destination, with cities
such as Caceres which blends its history with modern day
amenities, Trujillo which is a stunning walled town
dating from the 13th century and finally but by no means
least is Merida, the capital of Extremadura and once
upon a time the capital of Lusitania when the Romans
ruled this part of Spain, which proudly presents the
Roman Theatre, Amphitheatre and museum. The rural
setting of Extremadura is awash with green meadows,
elegant valleys and sparkling rivers and makes for a
great rural holiday in Spain and an ideal location from
which to explore Portugal just a short drive away
Galicia
La Rioja is located on the Iberia Peninsula in central north Spain and although it is the smallest autonomous region in Spain it is home to some of the finest wines in the country and a reputation for them that is acknowledged around the world. Essentially split in two by the Ebro River which meanders through the region, La Rioja offers a hotter summer period in the Rioja Baja area and a warm but wet Rioja Alta area from which to choose. If you enjoy your wines then La Rioja is a great place to explore and experience some of the best vineyards in Europe. For those that enjoy to tickle their gastronomic taste buds there is an abundance of hunting and fishing in La Rioja that makes for some wonderful cuisine in the entire region. La Rioja is possibly more of an adults holiday destination than a family one but there is still plenty to do in the lush countryside areas.
Madrid
Madrid is located in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula and is the beating heart of Spain and the Spanish people. The highest capital city in Europe, Madrid can be freezing and snow bound in wintertime and outrageously hot in the summer, but at any time, Madrid is possibly the nicest and most appealing Capital in Europe. The Madrileño's enjoy their lifestyles and their city equally and underneath this serene city of sweeping avenues, grand architecture and historical sites, their lies a "hum of excitement" that continues seven days a week, fifty two weeks of the year. Wonderful shopping, fantastic museums and art galleries, fine restaurants, world class sports and concert arenas, theatres, ballet, orchestras, opera and stunning parks are just the icing on the cake. The Madrileño's take enjoying life to a new level with the evening action often starting at midnight and progressing through until breakfast! In recent years, Madrid has evolved as a cultural city break destination and this will surely continue as the firstly the city and then the entire region becomes discovered. Outside of the city limits, Madrid continues as Madrid the region, with an abundance of towns, neighborhoods, villages nestled in some lovely countryside settings once out of the industrial areas.
Murcia
Murcia is located on the Iberian Peninsula in the southeast of Spain, bordering the Mediterranean Ocean and offers a pleasant year round climate. Up until a few years ago the Murcia region was predominantly a Spanish stronghold regarding the tourist industry, but with the onset of new developments in the area such as Polaris World and its collection of gated complexes along with its golf courses and sports facilities we have seen thousands of foreign holiday home buyers investing in the area. As these new developments are completed in the Murcia region there will no doubt be a strong holiday rental market during the summer months and possibly also during the winter time. Mar Menor, Torrevieja and La Manga are more established tourist centres and these will continue to thrive. The beaches of the Costa Calida are popular between June and September but remain fairly deserted for the rest of the year. Outside of these new development and away from the beaches, Murcia is still predominantly driven by agriculture and industry, but there are some interesting historical sites in the area that are worth visiting including Mula and its 15th century castle, Lorca which has an abundance of historical buildings of various architectural styles. Murcia city itself is said to be one of the most beautiful in the country, with beautiful buildings lining the banks of the river which winds its way through the centre. The Moorish influence is obvious especially with the city walls. Some twenty of the original mosques were turned into churches after the reconquest and the Cathedral is gorgeous.
Navarra is located on the Iberian peninsula in the very north of Spain bordering France, nestled in the southern reaches of the Pyrenees Mountains. Navarre is ancient and medieval an full of Basque influence and heritage and includes an abundance of Roman, Christian and Moorish influenced fortified towns and castles, which are nestled on a landscape of pristine green, natural reserves and hides a large number of hidden away villages. Pamplona is the capital of Navarre and possibly Navarre's most well known infamy in the Pamplona bull run which was immortalised by Ernest Hemmingway in 1926 in his book "The sun also rises" his first serious novel. Aside from the bull run Pamplona is also home to a Gothic Cathedral, 16th century citadel and its city walls. Other local towns well worth visiting are Tudela, which is the second largest in Navarre, and the 900 year old town of Estelle and the medieval walled town of Artajona
Valencia
Valencia is located on the Iberian Peninsula in the eastern part of Spain bordering the Mediterranean Ocean. Valencia is the birthplace of Spain's most recognized dish, Paella and even though Valencia city is Spain's third largest city it remained fairly tourist free up until the America's Cup was based there in 2007, which generated worldwide media coverage and a huge boost to tourism in the city and the surrounding areas. One of the only towns in Valencia that already had a holiday market was Benidorm, which has been going for decades now. One of the original Spanish destinations, Benidorm has come a long way since the seventies and eighties and now offers modern facilities, good infrastructure, theme parks, five star hotels, good restaurants and lots of entertainment. The Valencia region is home to the Costa Blanca and Costa Azahar as well as Alicante which has been the main city and airport for international tourists for years. Although tourists once only arrived and departed from Alicante, nowadays there are more that are finding the city and its environs a pleasant place to base their holiday in Valencia
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