Beautiful small rural hotel in the stunning village of Orient. My wife and two teenage sons stayed here in August last year. Son Palou is a family owned and run and the welcome we had from check in until we checked out made us feel like part of the family. The hotel is in the charming village of Orient and I can only describe the hotel as Heaven on earth.
Specific highlights were the swimming pool where my sons and me spent an idyllic summer afternoon, our evening meal on the terrace patio - the suckling pig was wonderful. We also enjoyed the freshest sangria I have ever tasted. My youngest son's highlight was the fresh orange juice at breakfast straight from the orchard.
The website is lovely but the reality is even better, every part of the hotel inside and out is pristine.
Son Palou has my highest recommendation and we will be back.

www.sonpalou.com/
Plaza de la Iglésia s/n · 07349 Orient, Baleares
+34 971 14 82 82
Google map: bit.ly/KyU0JB

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Adults only hotel tucked away on the north eastern part of island. Amazing pool area with sun loungers and four poster beds on the grass. It's an oasis of calm. Luxurious air-conditioned bedrooms and public areas.
There is a buffet menu for all meals with local cuisine and fresh produce. Sporting activity programe and nightly entertainment if you want it. An adult only haven. No coincidence most of my fellow guests were teachers!

www.hotelsviva.com/en/hotel/vanity-hotel-suite-&-spa.html
Urbanización Cala Mesquida, s/n, 07580 Capdepera (Mallorca), Spain
+34 971 89 70 08
Google map: bit.ly/IHePjG

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The delightful, unspoiled charms of the Galician coast can be experienced by visiting Corrubedo, south west of Santiago; the final destination of pilgrims on the ancient Camino de Santiago. Located at one of the westernmost points of Spain, this small fishing village clusters around a beautiful sheltered bay, with clear water and sandy beaches, perfect for families. Join the Spanish who have discovered this secret gem; spend a long sunny summer evening exploring rock pools teeming with life; then relax in the attractive harbour side bars. For a real contrast, pop 1km around the corner to find a lighthouse perched on the windswept, wild Atlantic coast; an ideal spot for a spectacular sunset with home-coming gulls riding the wind. We observed a few free camping tents and motorhomes.

Google map: bit.ly/JKLKiQ

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Looking for wide, golden beaches and safe bathing? Great food and friendly bars? Head for Ayamonte on the western edge of the Costa de la Luz and less than an hour from the airport at Faro. Nestling at the mouth of the estuary between Spain and Portugal, Ayamonte offers gleaming white Andalucian buildings, cobbled streets, palm-fringed squares, an elegant marina and open-air bars and restaurants. Try the superb tapas in La Puerta Ancha in Plaza de la Laguna, or eat from the barbecue in La Sonrisa on the fabulous Isla Canela beach. In Summer grab the little open-air train that runs from one end of the beach to the other, or learn to windsurf from one of the surf schools located on the beach. Ten minutes from Ayamonte, or a short walk from Isla Canela, is the little fishing village of Punta del Moral, where you’ll be spoiled for choice in the fish restaurants. An hour’s drive to the east is the famous Coto Donana, where you can take a jeep safari through Europe’s biggest wetland, spotting flamingos, lynx and, if you’re lucky, the Spanish Imperial eagle.

Google map: bit.ly/J7ucUC

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There are more than the guide places to visit in Barcelona, as a lot of people know you can visit the Olympic areas, Gaudi buildings, the Ramblas and the shopping center. But there is another city. You can get lost in the streets in l'Eixample and visit the gardens inside the 'illes' where you can see flowers, pedestrian areas or pools. You can also visit the old narrow streets in the Gothic neighbourhood and look at the names of these streets that make reference to the work that was done there, in each street lives one 'gremi' and the street has taken the name, for example Carrer cotoners in English Cotton spinners street. You can also visit the remains of the Roman wall that was used to build a new buildings on top.

www.barcelonaturisme.com/
Google map: bit.ly/Iydg50

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Nerja, an attractive fishing-based resort east of Malaga, has good beaches and traditional bars in the old town. Try the tapas of fresh seafood (free with your £1.30 crisp dry white) while your children play football in the street. Our local was family-owned, their boat bringing the catch straight back to the restaurant. There is a long sandy beach where on Sundays enormous dishes of paella are cooked on charcoal fires (£6.50 with free second helpings). Finish the night out with chocolate and churros, the whole family walking safely back at midnight in this friendly, mellow seaside town.

Google map: bit.ly/J7vqis

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Head to western Cantabria’s Costa Verde for hidden beaches of soft yellow sand in quiet coves enclosed by green, crumbly cliffs and explore sea caves, rock stacks and natural arches. The short coastline between busy Comillas with its Gaudi attractions and the charming fishing-resort of Llanes in Asturias reveals many hard-to-find-but-worth-it-when-you-do beaches. Crescent-shaped and gently shelved Pechón beach has a spit of sand at its eastern edge that is eaten away by the tide on both sides. Park the car at the top and walk down the gravel path. Gorgeous Prellezo has a fast retreating tide that uncovers pools, sand bars and quirky limestone formations. Cobreces is in a well-protected canyon-like cove and has a couple of restaurants close to the beach. When you are done with the beaches, be sure to take a trip into Picos de Europa whose foothills spill down the coast. In high season, arrive early or late at Funte Dé and take the funicular to the summit for spectacular views of mountain and sea over a cooling drink in the café

Google map: bit.ly/KzaIsn

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At the charming Hotel Atalaya in Mundaka, Basque Country, you can open the shutters, step onto your balcony and people watch over the harbour. If you prefer sand there’s a beach at nearby Lekeitio where happy dogs lift their legs on the “no dogs” sign. Place names are a series of randomly jammed typewriter keys: try saying – and definitely visiting - Gaztelugatxe, a tiny island with a narrow winding causeway, twinkling at night with fairy lights. For day trips there’s Guernica, immortalised by Picasso, with its “Junta” headquarters museum where I cricked my neck admiring the stained glass ceilings; and my favourite, the eerie but entrancing painted forest at Oma.

www.atalayahotel.es/ingles/index.html
Itxaropen Kalea, 1, 48360 Mundaka (Bizkaia) Spain
+34 946 177 000
Google map: bit.ly/JA8cPQ

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I first discovered La Mariposa fresh off a flight at 10pm last summer - greeted by a beautiful local husband and wife duo who run the restaurant. You always know a good tapas bar when all of the customers are locals.
Nerja is one of the few places in Andalucia that still offer free tapas with a drink and in Mariposa they offer their best - truly showing off the local culinary skills and knowledge.
The owner has a top selection of Spanish riojas which beautifully compliment the food.
Personal food recommendations are the Aubergine Tempura drizzled with Frigiliana Molases followed by the locally caught Langoustine's in a potato lattice accompanied by the curry dip.
This is fine dining in an authentic little hub- excellent value for money!!
I would fly to Spain for some right now if I could!

Calle Cristo 120, Nerja, Spain
+34(0)627504840
Google map: bit.ly/IDYSvo

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The rugged volcanic rock formations that provide the backdrop to this unspoilt and rural coastal region are reason enough to explore. Now a protected Natural Park and UNESCO biosphere reserve, the Cabo de Gata shoreline is scattered with wild beaches and small fishing villages, miraculously untainted by mass tourism. We enjoyed the whitewashed simplicity of La Isleta and Las Negras with their sandy coves, beached fishing boats and the occasional bar or fish restaurant overlooking the beach. More adventurous visitors could sample some of the local diving or coastal walking, though soaking in the simple beauty of this relatively undiscovered corner of Spain is pleasure enough.

Cabo de Gata, Almeria, Spain
Google map: bit.ly/JnhfiN

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There's a great five-day coastal walk you can take from Escala to Palau-Saverdera which passes through the old fishing village of Cadaquez. Salvador Dali had a holiday home here which you can visit and there are sea view bars and restaurants to while away the evenings. It's not over run with tourists and manages to hang onto its quaint 'villagey' feel. We stayed at the Dali themed Hotel La Residencia. Great place to rest after walking.

www.laresidencia.net/lrdc/ang/
C/Caritat Serinyana, 1, Cadaquès (Girona), Catalunya (Spain), C.P.17488
+34 972.25.83.12
Google map: bit.ly/IJX1kn

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This national park has some amazing beaches on its southern side and along its northern coast. Very few roads but plenty of trails to access these beaches. The masses tend to stay on the beaches around Roses as you will need to walk about 30 mins to get to the first if you come by car. The ones on the north coast are difficult to get to without a boat. The south coast also has the last home of Dali, Port Lligat which is also a museum that operates with the museum in Figueres.

en.costabrava.org
Google map: bit.ly/IoeFPI

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Just inland from the Atlantic coast this sleepy seaside town from where Columbus sailed (see his travels in ‘The Ice House museum’), comes to life in the summer months. Horse racing on the sands, trips across the short stretch of water to seek out the elusive Iberian Lynx in the beautiful Coto Doñana National park (day trip Eu35 per adult).
And the most fabulous fish dishes at the quay side restaurants, washed down with the famous ‘Manzanilla’, a fine, dry local sherry. What more could you ask?

www.sanlucar-de-barrameda.com
Google map: bit.ly/IADW8s

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This is an exhibition of flowers in several places in the historical center of Girona. The exhibition consists of decorating patios, rooms, etc with flower arrangements -some very modern- Basically in the old Jewish quarter, near the Cathedral. It takes place every May.

www.gironatempsdeflors.cat
Google map: bit.ly/KqkkzX

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The Cami de Ronda long distance coastal path on Spain’s Costa Brava north of Barcelona stretches from Blanes all the way up to the French border. Much of it developed from ancient smugglers’ tracks, for spectacular variety of scenery and landscape it can’t be beaten. Pine trees cling to the cliffs falling away into the incredible blue of the sea, tiny wild coves lead into still tinier and wilder inlets before opening out into miles of beach. A perfect fishing village suddenly appears in the distance as you round a rocky, reddish promontory and always with the incomparable Mediterranean as the perfect walking companion beside you every step of the way. The high rise atrocities are thankfully left behind much further south round Lloret.
Almost all of the path is well signposted and maintained and offers something for all ages and levels of fitness. If you want strenuous climbs and vertiginous downhills, try the section from Sa Riera to the beach at Pals; for a flat sea-level stroll where you can stop at any number of small coves to swim or rest you can do the section from Platja d’Aro to Palamos; for a combination you could try Sa Riera to Torroella. The best thing about it is that you can have any length of walk and will never be far from refreshment or a fascinating, picturesque place to stop, whether it’s a beachside cafe for a snack (most of the bigger beaches, all year round), atmospheric fishing village for lunch (Sa Tuna, Tamariu and Sa Riera are unspoilt places to compete with any on the Mediterranean) or historic town (the perfectly preserved Begur and Pals are just short detours inland). The most rugged part is up north of Cadaques, where the path skirts Dali’s idiosyncratic house and ventures further into the weird moonscape which inspired some of his greatest paintings.
Too hot for most during July and August, at any other time it’s the perfect way to explore the coast. It’s free, you get fit quickly with the hills, and every walk can be punctuated with memorable meals. We first started doing it 30 years ago and are still discovering new experiences every walk; unlike us, it’s inexhaustible.

Costa Brava

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San Sebastian nestles in a shell-shaped bay where the 'Comb of the Wind', the jaw-dropping iron sculptures of Eduardo Chillida, cast huge, bold shapes from the water's edge. We enjoyed many strolls along the wide golden beaches, and avoided an afternoon shower in the Aquarium (Pza Carlos Blasco Imaz) with 5000 fish species and spectacular underwater tunnel. Harbourside restaurants abound, serving an enticing array of pintxos including tasty sardines washed down with the local sidra. For a truly memorable experience, travel 10 minutes to Zarautz, to the Karlos Arguinano, a fabulous on-the-beach restaurant with rooms. Delicious sea-bream for dinner, then breakfast on the sands at sunrise - magical!

www.sansebastianturismo.com
www.hotelka.es
Calle de Mendilauta, 13 20800 Zarautz, Spain
+34 943 13 00 00
Google map: bit.ly/JU3mfK

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Fantastic bustling seaside town, just a few miles from San Sebastian, that has something for everyone.
Mile long sandy beach for families and great surfing. Beach is spotlessly clean and there are Red Cross Lifeguards all along the beach keeping everyone safe. Places to hire surfboards and surf schools.
Dozens of beach bars and restaurants along the promenade and a great town centre where the competition among the pintxo (basque tapas) bars ensures great quality and choice. A stroll along the promenade then grazing from bar to bar along with thousands of others is the evenings entertainment.
Karlos Arguinano is a TV chef with a stunning restaurant almost on the beach and with great views of the sunset.
Ideal for a day out if staying in San Sebastian or less than hour from Biarritz!
Beach all day - bars all night - stunning sunsets - perfect holiday

www.sansebastianturismo.com
www.hotelka.es
Calle de Mendilauta, 13 20800 Zarautz, Spain
+34 943 13 00 00
Google map: bit.ly/JU3mfK

www.hotelka.com
www.turismozarautz.com

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A friendly, very clean hotel that offers large family rooms with views of the Cathedral and harbour. Extremely well located, within a two-minute walk you find yourself on Paseig Maritimo in central Palma giving you easy access to the Cathedral, the Almudaina Moorish palace, the port and vast promenade, but also quaint shops that still sell Spanish-made leather goods, shoes, clothes. A few minutes in the opposite direction takes you to the open air market where you can stock up on local goats cheeses and meats, sweets and local empanada pastries. Snaking through the medieval streets takes you to the station, from where you can catch a train or bus to other parts of Mallorca, as well as the old picturesque train to inland Soller. Go at carnival time, so you can soak up the good-natured atmosphere, with families turning out in fancy dress for two days running: pirates, bumblebees, Smurfs, ladybirds or Inquisitors provide a riot of colours and laughter. Come back to the hotel for a glass of dark, deep local red wine on the sun terrace, and watch the sun set over the mountains or enjoy views of Bellver castle on the horizon.

www.hotelalmudaina.com/
Avenida Jaime III, 907012 Palma de Mallorca, Illes Balears, España
+34 971 727 340
Google map: bit.ly/KO16X9

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A small-size, genuinely Catalan family resort where you can lose track of time and enjoy the moment. Its long sandy, spotlessly clean beach will delight kids of all ages. When you've had enough lying on a towel, walk the coastal path between the medieval castle and the nearby town of Palamos, taking in ever-changing sea views, the beautiful palm-lined promenade where the locals take in the sea breeze and watch the world go by. Stop by a beach shack for a cool beer and pan con tomate (toasted bread rubbed with a fresh tomato), or try one of the many family-run restaurants along the promenade that offer freshly cooked Catalan dishes at affordable prices. When you've had enough, head for Girona and its medieval Jewish quarter, Cadaques where Dali resided or the amazing Greco-Roman site at Empuries, big enough to rival Pompei, complete with a Phocean breakwater in place since 600BC.
Go self-catering - most accommodation in these parts come complete with swimming pool and terrace.

Costa Brava, off the C31 by car.
Accommodation: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/sant-antoni-de-calonge
Empuries ruins: capcreus.com/empuries/empuries.uk.htm
Google map: bit.ly/IM2OJr

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The small fishing village of Caleta de Famara, on the north west coast of Lanzarote, is everything the bustling south coast isn't. A haven from the tourists spots, it has one of the longest stretches of sandy beach on the island, which is surrounded by the stunning backdrop of plunging cliffs. The village itself has just a few small restaurants. Restaurante Sol doesn't look much from the outside, but the fresh fish is delightful so don't be deceived by its exterior!

www.lanzaroteguidebook.com/destination/caleta-de-famara

Restaurante Sol:
Salvavidas 48 La Caleta De Famara
+34 928 52 87 88
Google map: bit.ly/Ij0WaZ

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