GRANADA PROVINCE
Granada province is characterised by extreme variables in landscape and climate, so much so that it's possible to ski in the mountains and go diving in the sea in one day. When you've exhausted the magnificent city of Granada, there are countless other possibilities: from going underground in cave dwellings in a desolate desert-like area, climbing the Iberian Peninsula's highest mountains or losing yourself in the region's rich Moorish history and fortified palaces.

Granada City
With its spectacular backdrop of the Sierra Nevada's snowy peaks, the provincial capital of Granada is dominated by the Alhambra, an exquisitely designed and decorated Moorish palace that exemplifies the zenith of Muslim art and architecture. But don't miss Granada's other fascinating sights, such as the winding, narrow streets of the Moorish quarter, the Albacín, the impressive Gothic chapel - the Capilla Real - that houses the tombs of the Catholic Monarchs and the adjacent Renaissance cathedral, as well as numerous great bars offering free tapas.

Sierra Nevada
The second highest mountain range in Europe, the Sierra Nevada National Park is an uninhabited rugged wilderness with snow on its peaks for most of the year. It also has Europe's most southerly ski resort and has some superb climbing and mountaineering opportunities.

Las Alpujarras
The foothills of the Sierra Nevada are known as the Alpujarras, a region of beautiful whitewashed villages, with distinctive Berber architecture, set in attractive valleys and terraced fields. It's excellent hiking territory, especially if you're willing to strike off into the hills with a tent. Some of the villages in Las Alpujarras that are worth visiting include Bubíon, Capileira, Lanjarón, ÓrgivaPampaneira, Travélez, Yegen, and Valor.

JAEN
Jaen is probably best known for its abundance of olive trees which dominate the landscape and punctuate the horizon, interspersed by stark white-washed farms and houses against a deep orange backdrop; the colour of the soil. This province is the world's leading producer of olives and olive oil. Little wonder that it is also the venue for the world's largest trade fair devoted to this quintessentially Mediterranean crop which takes place in Jaen city during the first week of October.

The landscape of Jaen province is expansive, unspoilt and very beautiful. The small towns boast numerous magnificent Renaissance buildings - exuberant palaces, richly endowed churches and stately public squares. Some of the towns and villages worth visiting here include Baeza, Ubeda, Alcal¡.

Just east Ubeda and Beaza lies the Sierras de Cazorla nature park, arguably one of the most beautiful nature parks in the Andalucia.

Many travellers enter Andalucia through another nature park named Despeaperros. Here the twin carriages NIV motorway are forced to part company to negotiate the narrow gorge aptly named "Gateway to Andalucia".

CORDOBA
The countryside of Cordoba province is extremely varied, from rolling plains around Cordoba city, the Guadalquivir basin and south to Seville province, to forbidding mountain ranges with jagged peaks in the north and west. Dotted around the province are many pristine whitewashed villages with Baroque churches, Moorish castles and flower-festooned courtyards.

It´s a region famous for both its dry white wines, similar to sherry but fruitier and produced mainly from the Pedro Xímenez grape, and olive oil; vineyards and olive groves being a characteristic feature of the landscape, especially south of Cordoba.

CATALONIA AREA GUIDE
The most well known aspect of the Catalonia region, apart from the capital Barcelona, is of course the Mediterranean coast, Costa Brava, with it’s superb beaches and mild climate, which proves to be a first rate tourist attraction. In addition, Catalonia also offers high mountain ranges, the Pyrenees in the north, the curious formations of Montserrat, the inactive volcans of Garrotxa and a wide plain area in the region's centre.

Catalonia has a very marked culture of its own and is distinguished from most other Spanish regions in several aspects, not at least by its language, Catalonian (although everybody speaks and understands Castilian Spanish perfectly). Certainly it is one of the most cosmopolitan places in Spain, thanks to its long tradition of international commerce.

The coast offers ideal facilities for all sorts of water sports and the area perfectly manages to combine the beauty of nature or historical monuments with modern attractions; a main reason why Catalonia developed into one of the preferred tourist destinations.

Catalonia's excellent gastronomy is characterized by seafood, rice dishes, wines of great international reputation and traditional desserts like the famous "Catalonian Cream".

Major attractions:
Barcelona
Catalonia's capital, located at the Mediterranean Sea, offers the structures of a true metropole. Among its most outstanding sights are the Gothic Quarter and the works of architect Antoni Gaudi along with the world famous Cathedral.

Costa Brava
Certainly one of the most famous Spanish coasts, stretching from the north of Barcelona over the province of Girona. It is of great natural beauty, with steep cliffs and romantic small coves.

Girona
A beautiful historic city with the old Jewish Quarter among its major sights.

Figueres
The birthplace of great painter Salvador Dali. Its main attraction is of course the museum dedicated to the artist, showing a collection of some of his finest works.

Costa Dorada
The Golden Coast, stretching from south of Costa Brava to Tarragona offers great beaches and beautiful towns of outstanding beauty, such as Arenys del Mar, Sitges (with the highly interesting museum of Cau Ferrat) and Castelldefels.

Tarragona
An important city of the Roman empire, still preserving outstanding monuments: the aquaeductus, an amphitheater and the Tomb of the Scipios, located at the seaside. Close to Tarragona there are the monasteries Santes Creus and Santa Maria de Poblet, both of high historic-artistic interest.

Lleida (Lerida)
Located inland in a mountainous area. Most interesting is its cathedral, "Seo", built between 12th and 15th century.

CATALONIA
'Catalunya' is a proud, autonomous region of Spain with its own language - Catalan- and a history that spans over a 1000 years of Mediterranean culture.

Tarragona in Spain, the Roman port city of Tarraconense, is located near the coast in the Spanish region of Catalonia southwest of Barcelona. It offers an old quarter (Part Alta), a Romanesque-Gothic transition style Cathedral, a distinctive cuisine, and fine beaches outside the city.

ALICANTE
Alicante, and it's wonderful boulevard with palm trees and shopping streets, is one of the most well-known towns along the Costa Blanca.  Known for its miles of sandy beaches, Alicante is a starting point for thousands of tourists every year. Famous for its excellent weather, the city invites you to take a trip along the coast or to the wonderful island of Tabarca. Along the Alicante harbour you find beautiful long alleys for nice relaxing walks, enjoying the palm trees and the mild climate. With many historical buildings around the entire city, Alicante offers countless sightseeing attractions, from cathedrals to churches and of course a wonderful harbor area. Additional to sightseeing, direct from the harbor area, a long wide sandy beach leads its way up to San Juan. Just drop your towel on the sand and enjoy a wonderful day in the sun. During summer time, Alicante with its Airport, is a starting point for many Costa Blanca tourists, while during the winter months tourists and residents tend to live along the coast in places like Benidorm, Calpe and Denia.  

COSTA BLANCA
With its wonderful beaches attracts millions of tourists every year. In the north the Costa Blanca starts with Denia and Javea two wonderful towns at the bottom of a mountain.  In the south the Costa Blanca goes down to Guardamar and Torrevieja. You can basically travel along the Costa Blanca as the carretera national goes all way alongside the coast. There are many attractions alongside the Costa Blanca, some of them specially for tourists like the entertainment park Terra Mitica at Benidorm or the bays of Altea and Calpe. Others are smaller towns and villages like Villajoyosa just south of Benidorm, famous for its old town and its chocolate. Its beaches along with its tiny villages give the Costa Blanca its unique attraction. Further north along with Gandia and Oliva between Moraira, Benissa, Teulada and Denia you will find the city of Javea, with the Cabo de la Nao. 

MURCIA
Murcia lies about 75 km south of Alicante about 30 km west of Torrevieja.  The mild climate with very little precipitation year round and the diversified ecological landscape draws you into an incredible state of well-being. Its coast, with over 200 beaches, shares two different bodies of water: the Mediterranean and the Menor Sea, which has an outstretched piece of land called La Manga. Murcia is the capital of the province and has its own University. The Mediterranean bathed region of Murcia, is not only known for its beautiful beaches, but also for a great number of natural beauties still to be discovered. It is precisely its natural charms and contrasts that makes Murcia outstanding from other regions.Natural open spaces that look like the most desolate deserts share common ground with lush fertile green lands like the valley of Segura and the valley of Guadaletin: modern residential neighbourhoods reaching out to connect with small medieval towns. Embedded in between parts of the mountains of the Sierra de Orihuela and the Cresta de Gallo lies Murcia, the city which is due to the large and sophisticated watering system, very famous for vegetables. La Manga has become one of the most important resort areas of what is called the ‘Costa Calida’ or the Warm Coast together with Torrevieja on the Costa Blanca.

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MOJACAR
The resort of Mojacar is made up of 2 distinctive areas. The old pueblo, perched on the foothills of the Sierra Cabrera mountains with stunning views of the Mediterranean coastline, traditional whitewashed villages and charming narrow streets, where an array of hidden treasures are to be found. The old village adds charm to this popular resort with tiny shops and intimate bars – and truly has a traditional Spanish feel. Choose from village houses and luxury apartments in this unique village location, all with amazing views.  Although the village of Mojacar remains the same as it has for centuries, the relatively recent development of Mojacar Playa boasts 9kms of unspoilt coastline ranging from empty coves to beaches having been awarded the EEC blue flag for cleanliness. Mojacar Playa has much to offer, with an abundance of fine restaurants, beachfront chiringuitos, bars, hotels and shops catering for all tastes. For watersports enthusiasts, excellent activities are available such as water-skiing jet skiing, swimming, fishing, diving, boating and yachting. Mojacar Playa really does have something to offer everyone from beachfront apartments affordable townhouses to luxury detached villas.

EL PINAR
A former mining village, El Pinar is located just below Bedar. Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Filabres mountains, amongst fragrant pine forests, El Pinar is a tranquil rural haven yet just 12 minutes from the sandy beaches of Mojacar. It is a sanctuary for many indigenous flora and fauna and much of the area is designated as natural park. 

BEDAR
Situated in the foothills of the mountain range of the same name, Bedar is a typical Andalucian village. Bedar still retains the magic and tranquility of times gone by and its charm lies in its narrow streets and white village houses. Walk or drive through the blissfully quiet countryside and marvel at the space, peace and beauty of the mountains. Here you will find groups of pretty farmhouses and great examples of rural architecture. Almost every house in the village is situated in a privileged position. The town is a favourite retreat for artists and those searching genuine beauty without total isolation. The sunny beaches of Mojacar and lively nightlife are just 20 minutes drive away, leave them behind and drive up onto the hills where you will discover a whole new world. In the surrounding countryside you will find a selection of luxury detached properties all offering spacious accommodation with stunning views.

VERA
Like Mojacar, Vera has two areas, the old town with its historical bullring, main plaza and abundance of Spanish character and the beach area with miles of sand and an excellent choice of affordable properties on well designed developments. Vera playa is an ideal place for rest and relaxation. The beaches are known for their quality and purity which has earned them the blue flag rating.  Fun awaits you at Vera´s Water Park, Parque Acuatio and fine dining is another possibility as some of the regions most prestigious restaurants can be found here. 

CABRERA
Nestled discreetly on the hillside is the unique Moorish style village of Cabrera, boasting unique architecture, beautifully manicured gardens and stunning views, this is an ideal location for a tranquil holiday or to reside permanently. The area is rich in natural resources, from minerals to plants and wildlife and is regarded as an area of natural beauty. Few of us are lucky enough to experience a level of unpretentious elegance and simplicity in our home lives, yet Cabrera offers all of this .. a real, enduring quality of life. In the lush valley below is the golf resort of El Cortijo Grande. An amazing landscape combined with the new golf course close by and a handful of select restaurants makes Sierra Cabrera a truly special place.

CORTIJO GRANDE
The valley of Cortijo Grande, flanked by mountains that rise to almost 1,000m above sea level, is an ancient oasis in the traditionally arid region of Almeria. In the heart of a province claiming the only desert in Europe, El Cortijo Grande has become deservedly famous for its verdant landscape and profuse vegetation. The secluded valley in the southeastern corner of Andalucia will be the setting for an ideal integration of a stylish low-density luxury community in an authentic Spanish environment. Established almost three decades ago, the existing community will soon be extended to host a range of the most extensive sports and leisure facilities.

LOS GALLARDOS
Ideally located for easy access to all the nearby towns, Los Gallardos is an old village that still retains typical Spanish charm with traditional village housing and larger detached properties on good sized plots, offering excellent privacy and wonderful countryside views. With excellent motorway access Los Gallardos is a very convenient location, and it serves as a superb starting point for various hiking trails throughout the region of Eastern Almeria. Los Gallardos represents one of the gateways to the Levante of Almeria. Many archaeological sites bear out its past as an early Roman settlement, at Cadima, on the banks of the river, and as far as Alfaix, which when illuminated at nights looks magical.

TURRE
Just a short drive from Mojacar set against the spectacular backdrop of he Cabrera mountains is the delightful village of Turre. It is a village with a long-standing historic tradition and is situated just 6km inland and centrally situated to all local points of interest. Turre has narrow streets and has only recently been developed for tourists or visitors. There are excellent restaurants, reasonably priced Spanish and English bars, supermarkets and interesting shops along with a flourishing weekly market – not to be missed.  Orange groves and traditional farms continue to thrive in the surrounding countryside. Turre really offers a wide range of properties at competitive prices in particular, newly built affordable apartments, an ideal “pied a terre” in Spain.

VILLARICOS
Dating from Neolithic times, Villaricos was once a great Phoenician port. Forgotten by history for thousands of years, it resurfaced as a silver mining boom town in the 19th century before finally becoming the pleasant, unspoilt fishing village of today with a special identity all of it´s own. The real charm of Villaricos lies in its old-fashioned simplicity and warmth of spirit and its lack of pretentiousness that catches you in the end. It is known for it fabulous diving and crystal clear waters, or if you prefer to stay on dry land, enjoy a relaxing drink on one of the bars and restaurants lining the stylish promenade. Proximity to golf, to its own marina port, to watersports and to the beaches of the area have made Villaricos a popular choice for both holidays and permanent living.

GARRUCHA
Just a few kms from Mojacar Playa is the seafood capital of the Mojacar coast, Garrucha. This is home to some of the finest seafood restaurants on this coastline. Garrucha is an affluent market town and commercial centre offering a huge array of bars and restaurants and has a smart paved promenade lined with coffee bars and boutiques. The town is well serviced, clean and bustling all year round. The focal point of this small friendly town is its attractive working harbour, where the day´s catch is auctioned each afternoon at the quayside fish market. On each side of the harbour, the magnificent, wide sandy beaches stretch as far as the eye can see. All this makes Garrucha the ideal setting for long stays or ever year-round living.

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