Italy

Spain is the favourite holiday destination for the British, with over 18 million visits alone in 2018. Many of those will be going to the beach resorts along the Mediterranean coast or the islands, but there is so much more to this fascinating country than just sea and sand. This is a country which really does have something for everyone, even in places you wouldn’t expect.

If you love short breaks, you would have probably have already visited the big cities of Barcelona and Madrid. Both unique, but packed full of history, great museums, great shopping and of course art. The Gaudi influence in Barcelona is the hallmark of the city, whilst lovers of modern art should head to the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid.

It isn’t just about the big cities in Spain though, Seville’s iconic Plaza de Espana, the Aquarium in Valencia, the Guggenheim in Bilbao, or Santiago de Compostela in Galicia – the final stop of the epic Camino de Santiago. We have visited all of these amazing cities and can give first hand accounts for recommendations on where to stay, what to do and where to eat.

Even in the traditional beach destinations can you find something different. Head away from the crowds in the Canary Islands by staying on La Palma or La Gomera, with a more authentically Canarian flavour, or head to rural Ibiza for a retreat away from the busy towns on the coast.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

WEATHER – May to October
SIGHTSEEING– April to June and September to November
HONEYMOON – May, June, September or October

FLIGHT TIME

Flying time between 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 hours

TIME ZONE

GMT/BST +1

CURRENCY

Euros

IDEAL FOR

Wine tasting, cookery, road trips, vineyards and culture.

HOW TO GET THERE

Flights are available to a number of cities and resorts in Italy from most UK airports. Train via Paris is also possible to Northern Italy.

LANGUAGE

Italian

IDEAL TO COMBINE WITH

Combine stays with a city and then the beach, north or south Italy, or Venice and Greece