Holiday Companies

SUN, SAND, FIESTAS AND MORE - Part I

By Fiona Flores Watson

Sun, Sun, Sun here we come
Most people come to Andalucia for their holidays because of the superb weather and the excellent beaches which are a big draw, along with the delicious, reasonably-priced food - especially seafood and jamon iberico (cured ham) - and friendly people who love nothing more than a fiesta. Thanks to the reliable sunshine and warm temperatures, much of life is lived outdoors - a main attraction if you´re coming from cooler climes.

Room with a View
You can find hotels to suit every taste and budget, from five-star luxury to small but characterful guesthouses, from high-tech spas to hostels, in the heart of the city, right on the beachfront, or hidden down a country lane. If you prefer the flexibility of self-catering, then studio apartments, luxurious serviced villas and everything in between can be found all over the region.

Life´s a Beach
Andalucia has a whopping 800 km of coastline, with something for everyone. It features two seas - the wilder Atlantic coast, known as the Costa de la Luz, which stretches from the Portuguese border in the west to Gibraltar; and the Mediterranean, which includes the hugely popular Costa del Sol, from Gibraltar to Nerja, as well as the less developed Costa Tropical, which is Granada province´s coastline, and the practically deserted Costa de Almeria to the east.

One of the best features of Andalucia´s beaches, apart from the soft sand and clear waters, are the chiringuitos, beach bars selling fresh fish, salads and cold drinks. Just wander up the beach in your swimming costume, sit down in the shade and tuck in - dress code is extremely informal, while the food is usually fresh and delicious.

Continued ... Eat your heart out