Balearic islands

Holidays in Spain aren't just all about siestas and fiestas, but if you were asked to sum up this colourful country in a nutshell, you can bet these would be high on your list. Holidays in Spain are drenched in the historical pageantry of empires and conquistadors, the artistic legacy of Goya, Picasso and Dali, and the romance of Don Quijote, Papa Hemingway and the International Brigades. Holidays in Spain, as far as the British are concerned, took off in the 1960s with the invention of package holidays – and tourists have never looked back! The diversity of Spanish holiday destinations, all featuring a sunny Mediterranean weather and plenty of things to do, mean choices are endless for families, couples and solo travellers of all ages and tastes.

No matter what time of year it is, Spain is a fantastic place for your holidays. The laid-back lifestyle and the friendly Spanish people, the sandy beaches, all add up to the perfect holiday destination. The weather is generally always good with 300 days sunshine per year, that you can bet on for your holidays. With a huge number of package holidays to Spain available, visitors to this Mediterranean gem are spoilt for choice. The coast is littered with hundreds of dazzling beaches and friendly resorts, ranging from the bustling waters of the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol, to the multi-million pound yachts moored in the swanky harbour of Puerto Banus.

There are a huge number of beach activities and water sports to enjoy, or simply spend hours soaking up the sun on the golden sand. As the sun goes down, Spain comes to life with holidaymakers tucking into huge pans of steaming paella, washed down by jugs of sangria. Bars and clubs lining the moonlit streets will help you to party the night away, with riotous fiestas setting the country alight during its many festivals. If you're seeking an island castaway though, go for Balearic summer holidays in Spain. Will it be Mallorca with its cosmopolitan capital, Palma City, and a mouth-watering mix of gorgeous beach resorts like Lively Magaluf?

Valencia is located on the eastern coast of Spain, along the Mediterranean Sea and part of the sun-blessed Costa del Azahar region famous for its beaches and orange plantations ("azahar" translates into "orange blossom"). The riverbed of the Turia River curls around the atmospheric old town. The waterflow has been diverted away from the city center due to serious floods, so the dry riverbed has been wonderfully recycled into the Jardines del Turia with a variety of leisure uses: gardens, soccer pitches, playgrounds.

Avenue Mediteraneo Benidorm has to import sand from Morocco to maintain its beaches. This little gem originated when a tour rep made a joke to his clients while on the coach bringing them from Alicante Airport to their hotel in Benidorm in the early 70s.
For year round sun-drenched shores, it has to be holidays in the Canary Islands. Head for fun, sun and sizzling nightlife in Tenerife where you can take a cable car to the top of towering Mount Teide. Visit the sweeping beaches of Gran Canaria and pop to the capital Las Palmas, to get cultured up. Lanzarote island will charm the flip-flops off you and no trip here's complete without seeing Timanfaya National Park, a huge area of dormant volcanoes.

Spain is laso a walkers’ paradise offering endless possibilities for the walking enthusiast and independent holidaymaker. Whether you’re a serious hiker or someone looking for a relaxing ramble, Spain offers stunning walks just a short distance inland from many tourist centres. It has an enormous variety of landscapes; ranging from the snow capped Pico’s de Europa to the oak and chestnut forests of the Serrania de Ronda. Walking Holidays in Spain saves you hours of research by listing over fifty companies offering walking holidays in every region of Spain. It lists each company’s walking opportunities, the accommodation on offer, pricing and other services on offer, such as airport pick-up. There are companies offering everything from a fully comprehensive holiday (including airport transfers, accommodation, all meals and a full programme of guided walks) to those that offer only accommodation and local knowledge (usually in the form of suggested walks in their area)