spain

It's not simply a question of laid-back "manana", but of an instinctive Spanish delight in the finest things of life. An appreciation of beauty in nature, art and architecture is a natural part of life in Spain.

For many British visitors, daily sunshine, sandy beaches and crystal clear seas are already perfect holiday ingredients. But Spain and its island colonies provide many other memorable experiences, from the local food, drinks and crafts to the often-dramatic local landscape. On the island of Tenerife, for example, visitors relish the sun-filled days spent on the beach or pool by day and in the many lively bars and restaurants by night. Many do a little exploration, however, and find much to intrigue away from the main resorts. The little island of La Gomera, for instance, has its own culture, cuisine and landscape, together with the famous "whistling men" who have developed a unique means of communication.

The island of Majorca, too, is endlessly fascinating. The capital, Palma, has many ancient and beautiful buildings, including the 10th Century domed Arab bath-house, the former Royal palace, Palau l¿Almudaina, and the soaring Gothic cathedral.

The Costa de la Luz, which is emerging as the new dream destination on the Spanish coast, is distinctive not only for its natural beauty but for its profusion of rare birds and animals.

The great things about Spain and its islands is the diversity of its attractions. A family with small children will find that a number of resorts are geared to their enjoyment, with safe bathing, child-friendly entertainments and appreciation of the parents' needs too.

Young adults will love the more buzzing resorts, with the island of Ibiza in particular famed for its party scene and fabulous night life. Some of the world¿s top DJs take up residence in Ibiza in the summer.

The sophisticated will head for places like Marbella and Puerto Banus on the Costa del Sol, where multi-million-dollar yachts lie at anchor in the marinas and where the rich and famous come for their summer fun.

There are some places that simply have unique appeal, such as Lanzarote, with its volcanic landscapes, and Menorca, rich in history with more than 1,500 megalithic sites dotted throughout its landscape.

And then, of course, Spanish holiday resorts provide excellent sporting opportunities. Tarifa, on the Costa de la Luz, is known as the windsurfing capital of Europe, while the same region is also becoming famous for its top class golf resorts. Golf is also a big draw on the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca, and there is an abundance of watersports available just about everywhere, including snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing, canoeing and water skiing. (One of the more unusual watersports, cave-diving, is available on Menorca).

On dry land, the sports tend to range from hiking and cycling to horse-riding and paragliding.

One big development in recent years is the adventure theme park, and there are some outstanding examples to be found. One such is Terra Mitica near Benidorm, which has a round-the-world theme and some seriously terrifying rides! Another is Port Aventura in Salou, on the Costa Dorada. The rides here include what is claimed to be the fastest roller coaster in Europe, the Furius Baco.

The emergence of these spectacular theme parks simply underlines the fact that the Spanish, as the world¿s top holiday hosts, like to stay one step ahead. They not only offer excellent resorts, but the best entertainment too.

• Visit the Cenobio de Valeron on Gran Canaria. There are hundreds of caves dug into this north coast cliff, believed to have served as hideaways in the past.
• Don't miss the Coves del Drac if visiting Majorca. These vast caverns are often enhanced by music from boats gliding up and down the underground lake.
• Enjoy the Parque Nacional del Torcal on the Costa del Sol. As well as weirdly weathered limestone rock formations, there are many rare birds and plants to be seen.
• On Fuerteventura, visit Betancuria, a pretty village in the mountains with a fine church and interesting museum.
• Lie back and enjoy the beaches of the Costa de la Luz, where the sand is renowned for its fine softness.
• Enjoy the Spanish tapas dishes, and the freshness of the ingredients used in all this nation¿s cuisine.