Discover Spain & its Islands

Alicante

Gateway to the Costa Blanca and the Balearic Islands beyond, there’s more to Alicante than meets the eye. Take 7,000 years of history. One of Europe’s largest film studios. And a particular fondness for amazing pyrotechnics during its most important festival The Bonfires of St. John around the time of the summer solstice.

Where to Eat
Nou Manolin has been serving-up a reputation for fresh local dishes for over 30 years. If you’re coming in a larger group and want to make a night of it, the restaurant also has four private rooms.

Where to Stay
Hospes Amerigo Hotel is a beautifully converted former Dominican convent bang in the centre of old Alicante. It’s chic and contemporary, with a stunning rooftop swimming pool.

Where to Go
Take the lift inside Mount Benacantil to the ancient (and much fought over) Castle of Santa Barbara for a breathtaking sunset view of the city and the sea.

Almeria

A proud and historic port city in the south-eastern corner of Spain, Almeria is more than the gateway to the arid heart of Andalusia. Shaped by the legacy of the Moors (and today by intensive agriculture) it’s a city of fascinating contrasts – from spaghetti westerns to amazing marine wildlife.

Where to Eat
Head to the seafront and the Club de Mar to watch the world go by over a plate of its legendary Bouillabaisse.

Where to Stay
For Moorish influences and boutique styling head to the La Almendra y el Gitano in the Cabo de Gata Natural Park. A rural retreat in a stunning setting – and just 5km from the sea.

Where to Go
Kit on or kit off, head to El Playazo for the spectacle that is Europe’s largest naturist beach. Join in if you dare.

Balearic Islands - Ibiza

With its reputation as Europe’s party capital to live up to, Ibiza doesn’t disappoint, with some of the continent’s most famous (and infamous) clubs, thousands of sun-soaked revellers and non-stop pulsating night-life.

Where to Eat
With jaw-dropping decor and full-on Asian Fusion, make the Banyan Palace a must-see if you’re anywhere near San Antonio. Traditional and Spanish it isn’t – authentically Thai it certainly is.

Where to Stay
Take a break from the hedonism for which Ibiza is famed and head to the boutique hotel Les Terraces for a laid-back vibe, two outdoor pools and just a touch of hippy chic.

Where to Go
Book yourself into one of the island’s superclubs (even for one night) and see what all the fuss is about. The choices are endless – Privilege, Space, Pacha, Amnesia, Eden and more...

Balearic Islands - Mallorca, Palma

Do as the Spanish royals do and spend your summer in Palma – or Palma de Mallorca to give the city’s its full name. It’s all here: history and culture by the bucketload, a throbbing nightlife and a warm Balearic welcome, freshened by a gentle Mediterranean sea breeze.

Where to Eat
Culture vultures should head for Es Baluard in the Placa Porta Santa Catalina for a modernist makeover of Mallorcan specialities in the refined environs of a contemporary art museum.

Where to Stay
For a historic spot right in the middle of Palma, stop off at the Palacio Ca Sa Galesa, a converted manor house with just a dozen bedrooms and a roof terrace where you can take in not only the nearby cathedral but the yachts in Palma harbour. Bliss.

Where to Go
Hold your breath, look up and check out the astonishing vaulted ceiling of La Seu, aka Palma Cathedral... which as well as being stunningly beautiful, also offers a break from the Balearic heat...

Balearic Islands - Menorca, Mahon

As befits the capital city of the Island of Menorca, Mahon has a seafaring tradition (and a militarily important one) at heart, with one of the deepest natural ports in the world, not to mention fabulous colonial architecture. Fly in and you’ll see a different side to the island – beaches, views and a laid-back vibe.

Where to Eat
For mouthwatering choice and upbeat nightlife, head out along the Moll de Llevant to the Cala Figuera to visit the trendiest section of town. Ask for caldereta de llangosta (lobster stew) and you won’t be disappointed.

Where to Stay
When an artist and a fashion designer turn a dilapidated 15th century farmhouse into a delightful 18 bedroom hotel only 10 minutes drive from the sea, you know you’re in for a treat. Set in beautiful gardens, the hotel Biniarroca is the perfect place for a recharge.

Where to Go
To see the port in all its glory, take a glass-bottomed boat and marvel at the teeming life just below the surface.

Barcelona

Barcelona is undoubtedly one of the world’s most dynamic and stylish cities, with buildings and art to die for. It’s party time in summer, in the centre and on the nearby Catalan coast, but the city fizzes all year round to the beat of cutting edge food, fashion, style, music and good vibes.
 
Where to Eat
For celeb spotting and a touch of glamour head to NOTI which boasts a modern contemporary European menu, friendly service... and more than its fair share of fashionistas.
 
Where to Stay
Set in a shady square by the cathedral, the Neri Hotel and Restaurante, converted from an 18th century palace, fuses gothic architecture with contemporary touches like plasma TVs.
 
Where to Go
Take a ramble down Las Ramblas for a real slice of life, Catalan-style. This tree-lined kilometre-long avenue is home to teeming cafes, bars and street markets – the emotional hub of the city.

Canary Islands - Arrecife

Sitting proudly on the eastern tip of Lanzarote, its capital Arrecife is spectacularly bounded by mountains, farmland and the deep blue Atlantic Ocean... a civilised base from which to explore the whole island.

Where to Eat
La Tegala, in nearby Macher, is one superb room with a view. Perched on high, its floor-to-ceiling windows and three separate salons offer an ultra-modern take on Canarian cuisine.

Where to Stay
Transformed into a luxurious boutique hotel from a former private villa, the Hotel Boutique la Quintahas just 19 rooms to its name. It’s handy for beaches and the golf course... if you can be tempted away from its sumptuous pool.

Where to Go
For a bit of culture and history all in one, set your sights on the Castillo de San Jose, a 17th century fortification that’s now home to an interesting collection of modern art.

Canary Islands - Fuerteventura

Surf’s up. This beach-lovers paradise (with a climate akin to Florida) has more to offer than miles of golden sands. Strong winds whip the Atlantic into a frenzy, so it’s a mecca for surf dudes of all shapes and sizes.

Where to Eat
For its superb position right on the seafront at Corralejo, head to La Cabana Asturiana for delicious traditional cuisine – a welcome change from fish and chips!

Where to Stay
Park yourself at the Oasis Duna aparthotel and you could happily stay for a fortnight. A stone’s throw from the water park in Corralejo, it really comes to life in the evening when it’s all go, go, go...

Where to Go
A five hour round trip to Pico de la Zarza offers tremendous views as well as Martian style-like rocks reddened with geothermal heat.

Canary Islands - La Palma

La Palma de Gran Canaria is the co-capital of the Canaries (sharing this honour with Santa Cruz de Tenerife). A hugely cosmopolitan city of three beaches, it’s said by some to have the best climate in the world – gateway to an island that’s a haven for sun-seekers all year round.

Where to Eat
Head out of town to the Casa Romantica in the idyllic Agaete Valley, where, surrounded by a tropical fruit plantation, you won’t be disappointed that you took the time and effort to get here. Good food, great views.

Where to Stay
At the heart of Doramas Park, the Hotel Santa Catalina redefines traditional luxury. Built in 1890 and fully renovated in 2005, it’s the place to come for a wager or two in its in-house casino, a decent cuppa... or surfing with wireless LAN.

Where to Go
Come in June and you won’t be able to miss the city’s main festival, the Fiesta de San Juan, which celebrates its foundation with a blaze of colour.

Canary Islands - Tenerife

A sunny mix of Spanish hospitality and a little North African spice, this is a jewel in the Atlantic, with lazy beach days, long, leisurely evenings and a passion for fiestas – Tenerife is an island of contrasts.

Where to Eat
For modern Canarian cuisine with an eye on the future, book a table at the Restaurant Los Naranjeros in Arona for a truly delicious take on local specialities.

Where to Stay
Combining boutique and chic, the 20-room Hotel San Roque, flanked by the Teno Mountains, is a tasteful refurbishment of a 17th century mansion, now home an eclectic art collection and a rather fine wine cellar.

Where to Go
Take a trip up to the summit of Mount Tiede – one of Europe’s largest volcanoes – with its truly dramatic cauldron.

Gerona

Slap bang in the north-eastern corner of Catalonia and perfectly situated as a jumping-off point for the Costa Brava, Gerona is a highly photogenic walled river city with an ancient heart that dates back to the Roman period. At the confluence of the rivers Ter and Onyar, there are many bridges to cross... and as many waterfront cafes to hang out in and take in a slice of Catalan style.

Where to Eat
Stuff your wallet, and then seek out El Bulli, the three Michelin starred gastrodome in nearby Roses. A word of warning – you’ll need to book well in advance.

Where to Stay
The contemporary Ciutat de Girona hotel is a festival of modernity, with sleek interiors, and chic restaurant that simply oozes style.

Where to Go
Once a mosque and now a grand place of worship, the city’s main cathedral in the ancient quarter of the city is a beautiful example of Spanish gothic architecture.

Jerez

Jerez de la Frontera, to give it its full title, sits right at the south-western tip of Spain in the heart of Andalusia. As the old border between Moorish and Christian Spain, it’s steeped in history... not to mention more than its fair share of horses, sherry and flamenco.
 
Where to Eat
There’s tapas on tap in Jerez – so try Las Bridas on Paseo de la Rosealeda for revueltos (that’s scrambled eggs) with wild mushrooms and clams in garlic.
 
Where to Stay
Check out the Hotel Palacio Garvey right in the city centre for a fusion of the classical and the funky – a special place with an eye for the stylish.
 
Where to Go
Take in the dancing stallions at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art which keeps alive the traditions of Spanish baroque horsemanship.

Madrid

Revelling lasts long into the night in Spain’s capital (it doesn’t really get going til after ten), and visitors are swiftly addicted to its many charms. With grand avenues, opulent squares and palaces and a real sense of stature, it has an imperial but laid-back Latin charm that rarely fails to move.

Where to Eat
Chantarella on Calle Doctor Fleming is not the place to go for a dose of penicillin (!) but a perfectly cooked baby suckling pig – a real local favourite for a real special occasion.

Where to Stay
Slap bang in the heart of the ‘golden triangle’ of cultural sights, the Palacio del Retiro is a contemporary, spacious and inviting spot to feel the throb of this most European of cities.

Where to Go
Museo del Prado, one of the world’s finest art galleries, is a cultural mecca in the heart of lush grounds. Millions make an artistic pilgrimage here every year.

Malaga

The throbbing Andalusian port city of Malaga has 3,000 years of history to its name – and now plays a role as one of the key jumping off points on the Costa del Sol. See beyond the sun and sand, though, and you’ll discover a charming town with culture at every turn – and a festival for every occasion!

Where to Eat
To consort with matadors celebrating their success at the nearby bullring, head for the traditional (if pricey) Antonio Martin for excellent local seafood.

Where to Stay
If retro-chic’s your thing, take a look at an eye-popping take on the late 20th century courtesy of the Room Mate Lola just 450 metres from the Cathedral.

Where to Go
Malaga is the perfect place to come to pay homage to Pablo Picasso. As the artist’s birthplace, the city boats a number of attractions in his honour.

Murcia

Follow the river Segura to the south-eastern coast of Spain and you’ll find civilised Murcia, surrounded by low-lying but fertile plains. With 300 days of sun a year and very little precipitation, it’s the place to come for plentiful rays and clean, dry heat.

Where to Eat
Stop by at Rincón del Molinero while you’re out shopping for its astonishingly good value 3-course set lunch menu. Or, strictly for the adventurous, phone in ahead to order the roast lamb’s head...

Where to Stay
Clean, crisp and simple, the Hotel Hesperia Murcia is the ideal spot for a touch of city centre schmoozing. It’s right in the heart of the historic centre... so you won’t miss a thing.

Where to Go
Of an evening, strut your stuff and head for the Glorieta, a tree-lined square in the centre of town... which is the place to see and be seen.

Reus

On the Costa Dorada in Catalonia on Spain’s east coast, Reus is the perfect spot for some gentle winter sun or a full-on family summer holiday... handily located for Port Aventura, one of Europe’s biggest and busiest theme parks.

Where to Eat
For traditional Catalan cuisine with a local twist, stop off at Casa Llesques for local specialities including Cod in Romesco sauce.

Where to Stay
Just 10km from Reus airport, the small but perfectly formed five star Hotel Mas Passamaner in La Selva del Camp is the place to de-stress – and if you’re flying your own helicopter, you can even pop it down on the hotel’s own landing pad...

Where to Go
As the birthplace of architectural genius Antonio Gaudi, Reus is the place to pay homage. No trip would be complete without a visit to the Gaudi Centre in the Placa Mercadal.