Spain
Holiday apartments, homes and villas (5)

Your imagination becomes reality when you choose to live among the friendliest people in Spain. Andalucía is ripe with Spanish historical and cultural imagery. Enjoy tapas, the excitement of flamenco guitar, and the emotion of bullfighting. Share and richen your experience with your local neighbors and new friends.

Andalucía enjoys over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, aimed at mile after mile of bronzed beaches. The Mediterranean coast at the Strait of Gibraltar leads to verdant landscapes and rises to the peaks of the mighty mountains in the famous Sierra Morena and Sistemas Beticos.

Costa de la Luz is the "Coast of Light" that shines on Cadiz and Huelva where you can find festivals known throughout the world. At the floor of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains is the Moorish Jewel of Granada noted for the Arabian palace of Alhambra.

Malaga echoes the history of the region while embracing the present. From the stunning fortress by day to the vibrancy of its nightlife; you can submerge yourself in the music, food, and drink of this popular area.

The Moorish baths and Renaissance Cathedral at Jaen are dominated by its medieval fortress. The birthplace of Sherry wine is at Jerez de la Frontera which is world famous for its equestrian school.

The only hardship you will experience sharing life with the irresistible people of Andalucía is that you may not want to leave.

The cuisine enjoys a splendid international reputation by fans of succulent seafood courses, rice side dishes, and world-class wines. No one can escape this area without sampling Catalonia Cream with almonds.

Costa Brava extends its famous coastline coves and cliffs from north of Barcelona over the entire province of Girona. The Golden Coast, Costa Dorada, continues south of Costa Brava to Tarragona. This is considered the premier coastline of Spain.

Catalonia has retained their historic cities, monuments, and architecture while developing their destination beaches with attractions for today's tourist.

Figueres is the birthplace of Salvador Dali and the local museum houses a collection of his best known art. Can you imagine a place where you can visit the art of Dali and enjoy your favorite water sports?

In the mountain region of Catalonia is Lerida where you can wander around "Seo". A cathedral constructed in the 13th or 14th century. This is the perfect side trip for the art and history buffs that appreciate the Tomb of Scipios or monasteries of Santes Ceus and Santa Maria de Poblet in Tarragona.

Murcia is home to Spain's largest natural lake and Europe's biggest salt water lagoon. The Mar Menor or Small Sea was called the "largest swimming pool in the world" by Esther Williams.

Castles, festivals, beaches and golf are found in this unspoiled region of Spain. The coast is known for its shallow, crystal-clear water the mud at Mar Menor is deemed to possess therapeutic value.

Colorful carnivals and adventure tourist businesses fit together in this popular province. Cartagena produces the Carthagineses y Romanos festival that simulates the Punic Wars. This is an area where you can plunge into history or warm water sports.

Many will Jet Ski, scuba, sail or swim in water that is most often compared to bath water temperatures. Typically there is less than 50 days of rain which may explain the Costa Calida. Calida literally means "hot". Costa Calida is the site of La Manga Club which many describe as one of the top 25 tourist attractions in all of Europe.

World class golf and tennis facilities gave birth to five star restaurants with unmatched wine and food menus. Leisure activities and sports are offered in every imaginable category.

Murcia allows one to trade the diverse and exciting nightlife for a glimpse into history. Far from the maddening crowd are the land of Iberian tribes that traded with ancient Greeks and Phoenicians. The people are engaging and eager to share their talent for stews, roasted meats, and local desserts.

Welcome to Mediterranean Spain! A strong Moorish history is found in nearly every aspect of this region, from agriculture to arts.

Visitors are surprised to find that the oranges and rice cultivated here are among the best in the world. You may come for the silky sandy beaches and the endless sunshine but you will be stunned at preserved history.

Costa Azahar, the Orange Blossom Coast, has more than magnificent coastline. You can tour the 16th Century Tower of the King at castle Oropesa where they defended against pirates. What do you do after the scorching nightlife of Costa Blanca?

Valencia has a flavorful marketplace, the baroque Santos Juanes Church, and you will not want to miss the Silk Market. Awesome views are gained from the bell tower, El Miguelete in area that specializes in local desserts and coffee drinks.

Goya, Velazquez, El Greco compete for your attention with collections of native Valencian artists at the Fine Arts Museum San Pio V.

Master Gardeners will want to take their "green thumbs" to the Botanic Garden. Created in 1567 to perform research on medicinal plants it is a one-of-a-kind green space.

It is forbidden "not to touch" at the Science Museum and just try to keep the kids away from the Oceanographic which houses a giant sea park and aquarium.

Many say that you can experience a lifetime in a day in Valencia.

Pirates used these islands as a base to raid and plunder throughout the region. The locals are fully immersed in modern day but retain a tradition of courtesy, hospitality, and chivalry that charms visitors.

The Balearic Islands claim hundreds of exclusive recipes but their most famous creation from Mallorca is called Salsa Mahonesa. The rest of the world knows it by the more familiar name mayonnaise.

Minorca is the island to get away from the crowds. You can try the local dishes in romantic fishing ports near Fornells or the spectacle of stalagmites and stalactites in the cave Cueva Na Pulida.

Ibiza is a frenzied celebration where the nightlife starts in the afternoon. Thundering discos and party pubs are lined up like the beautiful people waiting at the doors. Street vendors with souvenirs and scents from restaurants mingle with the crowds deep into the night.

Nearly everyone who has ever visited the Balearic Islands makes plans to return. Each island is propelled by a distinctive personality that appeals to visitors from all over the world.

It may surprise you to learn that there are more airline passengers at the Palma de Mallorca airport than any other airport in any other city in Spain. Obviously, you may go for the beaches but there is much more to recommend each location.

This is where Christopher Columbus stopped for provisions and most people believe he must have found it difficult to depart. Nicknamed "The Happy Islands" the seven major islands are each considered a floating paradise.

Check out Fuerteventura for exceptional surfing, scuba, and fishing. This island has earned a special place on the World Cup windsurfing circuit.

Gran Canaria is a geographic and nature phenomenon. You can bake on the beach in sight of snowy mountain peaks. The landscape produces vegetation found in America, Europe, and Africa.

Will anyone believe your pictures? There you are on a rented camel crossing an ocean of petrified lava in a scene that looks as if it was filmed on the moon. This is Lanzarote where your volcanic craters, underwater caves, and miles of cactus are common.

The highest mountain in the Atlantic Ocean and Spain is will be found on the Island of Eternal Springtime, Tenerife. Several resorts are perched along the coast sharing the view with the blue, orange, pink, and yellow homes and businesses.

The beaches on Tenerife can vary from whitewashed to ebony sands sprinkled with palm trees. Inland there are banana and tomato plantations that offer interesting tours and activities.

There is much to recommend the Canary Islands where history and modern infrastructure combine to make this a much lauded destination.