Areas
Most people find everything they need in the coastal resorts, an agreeable year round climate, lovely beaches, wide range of entertainment, and good food. A few kilometres inland the traditional Spain re-emerges where historical towns are set amid superb scenery, and the rural pace of life remains unchanged, the memory of this will remain long after the tan has faded.
Spain attracts over 45 million tourists each year.
The food, the culture, the people, the scenery and of course the unrivalled quality of life and weather are just some of the components which bring these people to this country and her coasts.
The Costa Blanca is one of the most beautiful regions of the entire Iberian Peninsula.
It enjoys more than 320 days of sunshine a year with an average temperature of 24ºC
The clear blue sea with attractive coves and superb beaches as well as the unspoilt Spanish Villages and culture, the hot water springs and salt lakes have helped to make the Costa Blanca one of the most popular areas of Spain.
Whatever you want from life, you will find it here on the COSTA BLANCA
The Costa Calida lies along the coastline of the region of Murcia where there is one Regional Park and several Natural Parks including marine reserves within the area.
Murcia has just over 170km of coastline: coves and small beaches alternate with rocky shores and sheer, craggy cliffs.
The Costa Calida adjoins two different seas, The Mar Menor (small Sea) and the Mediterranean.
The Mar Menor is Europe's largest Salt Water Lagoon. On the shores of the Mar Menor there are a great number of small towns with a truly traditional feel to them.
Adjacent to the Mar Menor are natural Salt Lakes where people come daily to apply the mud from the bed of the lakes to their bodies and then wash it off in the Mar Menor.
The Spanish firmly believe that this process relieves aches and pains and is especially popular with those who suffer from Arthritis and Muscular problems.
This theory is supported by many Doctors and Medical experts in Spain and indeed across Europe.
The Costa Almeria is served by three airports, Almeria, Murcia and Alicante.
While driving to the coast from your arrival point you begin to appreciate the varied landscape from the arid dry to the lush green and you will be surprised by the sight of the acres and acres of agricultural land where tomatoes, avocados and many of our meal time favorites are grown.
The Sierra Nevada, one of Europe's finest Ski Resorts is not far from the COSTA ALMERIA
Where else in the world can you sunbathe, enjoy water sports and only a short drive inland enjoy all the pleasures of the snow.
Lifestyle
The Spanish Lifestyle successfully combines the traditional with the cosmopolitan, maintaining a real emphasis on enjoying life and spending quality time with family and friends.
Its about making the most of every single day and doing the things you enjoy.
The warm summer evenings and sunny winter days have always touched the hearts of visitors to Spain.
Shopping is the second most popular activity for visitors to Spain.
There is a continual growth of shopping malls with international brand names prominent among the hundreds of shops that really offer everything under the sun.
Street markets are one of the main attractions and everyday there is at least one large market near to wherever you are living. Bargin hunters will love the hustle and bustle of the local market.
The best buys are fruit, vegetables, ceramics, leather goods and lace. Don't forget to barter - this is normal at markets in Spain.
Spanish Fiestas symbolise the very essence of Spain and the Spanish people.
With their fanciful costumes, music and a great deal of dancing, they are colourful, vibrant, usually very noisy, often chaotic and always great fun.
Everyday throughout the year there are fiestas taking place somewhere in Spain, either at a local, regional or national level. These may revolve round the major religious festivals such as Christmas, Easter and All Saints or they may be localised events, with their origins in obscure local folklore.
Nature
Vineyards and wine, art & culture and of course countryside.
You will love the variety of Spain's landscapes. Here you will find Mediterranean forests along with high mountains with its own unique fauna and wildlife.
Conservation areas, natural protected parks and of course the salt lakes, home to dozens of varieties of birds, various types of ducks and pink flamingos.
A very different aspect of nature is offshore, where there is a protected parkland, this time underwater. To view this you need permission to scuba dive or take a glass bottom boat and enjoy a part of nature that was almost extinct and now, fortunately, is recovering in this area of crystal clear water.
Sports
Partly because of its climate, there is no limit to the types of sporting activities available in Spain.
There are many opportunities to play sports, especially sports that can be enjoyed by couples such as golf, bowling, tennis, swimming, sailing, fishing, cycling, horse-riding, walking etc, the list is endless.
Many retired couples find a new lease of life when they can play a common sport where new friends are found.
