| Holidays in Spain have been the choice for British | | | | sunshine a year and has the greatest number of |
| holidaymakers for decades and with good reason. | | | | cloudless days in the whole of Spain. |
| Spain offers a seductive blend of gorgeous weather, | | | | This sublime climate, combined with the fact that the |
| exotic locations, dazzling beaches, grand monuments, | | | | Costa de Almeria is home to the longest stretches of |
| tantalizing food and drink, and a host of activities | | | | coastline in the whole of Andalucia, makes it the |
| such as swimming and golf along with a pulsating | | | | perfect place to enjoy water sports such as sailing, |
| nightlife. But in a country so overrun with visitors, | | | | scuba diving, windsurfing and rowing. Almeria is a |
| where do you go to find the authentic Spain? If you | | | | great place to search out deserted empty beaches |
| want to find the real Spain with all the conveniences | | | | with hidden coves and then sunbathe or go diving in |
| of modern living, head for the Costa de Almeria. | | | | the warm, limpid water. The 2005 Mediterranean |
| Here's why Almeria is the place for your holidays in | | | | Games were held here and a sporting feel still lingers |
| Spain. | | | | throughout the area. |
| For one thing, there's the location. Costa de Almeria | | | | And if golf is your activity of choice, you're in for a |
| stands on the Mediterranean in the eastern part of | | | | special treat. For one thing, this is the only spot in |
| Andalucia - home of flamenco and bullfights and | | | | Europe where you can play golf in the middle of a |
| birthplace of Picasso. Other than beaches and scenic | | | | desert. Golfing in Spain is a treat in Almeria; the region |
| fishing villages, the area is studded with the | | | | is home to seven first class golf courses many set |
| magnificent remains of ancient Moorish civilisation, | | | | against the dramatic backdrop of the coastline. |
| orange groves, and orchards of white grapes. | | | | Playing a round of golf here is a very comfortable |
| Its Moorish castle, Alcazaba, is the second in size of | | | | and informal affair. You can play in shorts and t-shirt |
| Andalusia's Islamic fortresses after the Alhambra. This | | | | on any day of the year. All the facilities you need are |
| magnificent hilltop structure features stout walls and | | | | on hand to ensure memorable Spain golf holidays - |
| towers and commands stunning views of the | | | | shops, bars, hotels, cafes and restaurants. |
| surrounding area. | | | | So if you want a rich and relaxed lifestyle with all the |
| Another Almeria attraction is one for film buffs. This | | | | activities you could ever wish for, visit the Southeast |
| is where they shot the old Spaghetti westerns and | | | | of Spain and you'll surely fall under the spell of the |
| today it's rewarding to visit the sets of such films as | | | | serene beauty of Costa de Almeria. Getting there is |
| The Good, the Bad and the Ugly in the desert of | | | | now a snap. Almeria International Airport is less than |
| Tabernas. | | | | an hour's drive away and offers regular, scheduled |
| If you love nature, you'll enjoy a visit to another local | | | | and budget flights from most UK airports. You can |
| treasure- the natural park of Parque Natural de Cabo | | | | also get there by flying to Murcia International |
| de Gata. This large terrestrial-maritime reserve covers | | | | Airport, and Alicante International Airport, both are |
| the town of Carboneras, the mountain range of | | | | not more than two hour's drive from Almeria. |
| Sierra de Cabo de Gata, and 120 km of the sea as a | | | | After you're trip, you may decide to join the many |
| part of a Marine reserve. It's home to 1100 species | | | | who after their holidays in Spain decided the Spanish |
| of fauna the majority of which are birds making it an | | | | lifestyle was for them and invested in a Spain |
| ornithologists' delight. | | | | property. Buying a property in Spain as a second or |
| Another thing that makes Costa de Almeria so | | | | main home is a great investment and allows you to |
| special is the weather. The region offers a unique | | | | transform that holiday into a lifelong experience. If |
| desert climate with sunny dry winters and hot | | | | you decide to invest in a Spain property, be sure to |
| summers tempered by the coastal breezes. This | | | | get professional advice. Best of all, buy into a |
| means that any time of the year is perfect for your | | | | reputable resort project to get all the facilities you |
| Spanish holiday. The region gets over 3,000 hours of | | | | need around your home. |