Spain

The Axarquia is the area of Malaga province which stretches from Rincon de la Victoria to Maro. It borders Granada province from the cliffs of Cerro Gordo, which offer unique diving and snorkelling opportunities, to the mountain range of the Sierra Almijara, Tejeda and Alhama, which stretches from the coast up to Malaga province's highest peak, La Maroma, measuring 2,064 metres above sea level.

The Camino de Santiago de Compostela, known in English as The Way of St James, on the north-west tip of Spain, might just be the ultimate active break.  For more than a thousand years, tourists and pilgrims have been walking this route to the Cathedral of Santiago to visit the grave of the apostle Saint James ('Sant Iago' in Spanish).

A quintessential Spanish city, Valencia has loads to offer the traveller, with idyllic year-round temperatures, a charming old town to explore, thumping nightlife, culture in spades, delicious local specialities and the sizzling beaches of the Mediterranean. Now is a good time to head to this beautiful city. It now only takes 90 minutes to reach Valencia from Madrid thanks to the new AVE high-speed train. 

Antequera, the lovely historic town which stands right in the centre of Andalucía. Is home to the remarkable dolmens of Menga and Viera, which are just outside the town, and El Romeral, a few kilometres away, are among the largest and most interesting megalithic structures in Europe.  They were recently accepted as a Unesco World Heritage Site, something that local people and historians and archaeologists from all over the world had been wanting for years.

Those of us who are fortunate enough to live in a region like Andalucía, rich with natural and cultural attractions, know that tourism is a complex topic, and a great source of wealth. It is not only the climate and nature, though these elements are without doubt the cornerstones of the industry. It is also culture, in the widest sense of the word and in its most modern usage. Culture, ranging from the heritage of its historic sites to its varied gastronomy, from its popular 'fiestas' to golf courses, and a long etcetera.

Aquietude is cast over Murcia at around midday. The capital city, in the province of the same name, pinched between the trodden beaches of Almeria to the south and the heaving resorts of Valencia's Costa Blanca to the north, is dozing. Even the trees that line Paseo Alfonso X El Sabio, one of the sweeping pedestrianised avenues, seem in a state of repose. Al fresco cafe tables groan under the weight of chairs piled atop.

Ancient meets the modern in this city.  Home to the only Pompidou Centre outside Paris and birthplace of one of the most celebrated artists in history, Malaga is more than just the gateway to the beaches of the Costa del Sol and Andalucía in the south. A compact and richly cosmopolitan city, it delivers on culture, tantalising tapas, new hedonistic hotspots that could give Barcelona a run for its money and fine weather, with more than 300 days of sunshine a year.

Europe is sprinkled with magical islands harbouring ports, sandy beaches, fresh seafood and rich histories.  Menorca is arguably one of the lesser-known of the Balearic Islands - with Ibiza's clubs and Mallorca's package holidays hogging the limelight - but this little island is quietly and steadily making itself known. It lures in couples looking for a chilled-out gateway and groups of friends wanting to explore this small part of Europe at their own pace. P.S. Drinking of wine is mandatory.

Malaga. The coastline of Andalucía stretches for some 945 kilometres, from the border with Murcia on the Mediterranean to Portugal on the Atlantic. That's nearly 600 miles of spectacular sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, rocky coves and flat marshlands. Not all beaches are the same, though, and southern Spain certainly has variety.

One of the most popular tourist destinations on the Costa del Sol is Torremolinos, a former fishing village that gained fame during the 1950s and 60s due to the showbiz personalities that flocked to the fashionable scene that once existed in the town.  Torremolinos is conveniently located just 14 kilometres from Malaga and three kilometres from the Malaga Costa del Sol international airport, and the urban train line that runs from Malaga to Fuengrilo connects Torremolinos with several of the other popular resorts along the coast.