Is Spain the most flamboyant country in Europe? Judge for yourself by exploring its compelling mix of culture, culinary creativity, outdoor adventure and glorious coast. Discover the architectural riches of Granada, Seville and Barcelona, stay in dreamy castles and palaces steeped in history and also spectacular Parador hotels. Visit several of the world’s best museums – found in Madrid, Bilbao and Valencia – enjoy finger-snapping flamenco accompanied by guitar, song and dance, particularly popular in Cordoba or Cadiz. Hike in rugged mountain ranges – the Picos de Europa in the north, the Pyrenees in the north east, the Sierra Nevada in the south. Make for beautiful beaches such as those on Costa de Almeria (for coves and quiet), Costa de la Luz (for long sandy stretches) and Ibiza (for sheer vibe). Drink wonderful wines from Rioja, Navarra, Andalucia. Dine at crazy late-night hours (so uniquely Spanish) on tapas, paella and amazing shellfish.
This is the true centre of Basque culture - the well-kept villages of the western Pyrenees, a border zone with strong French influences too. Be prepared for a unique and somewhat incomprehensible language, and an outgoing friendliness resulting from the pride of being born Basque.
Behind the bustling beaches of the Costa Blanca in south-east Spain lies a landscape of charming villages, fruitful valleys and rugged hills, as remote from the Costas as possible.
A self-guided walking holiday on the Canary Island of La Gomera.
Walk through the green valleys and hills of Cantabria and into the Picos de Europa mountains of northern Spain. This self-guided hiking holiday sticks to the quieter tracks through the Polcanciones and Liébana valleys, with a stop in the pretty town of Potes, before reaching the peaks for a final, glorious walk above Fuente Dé.
