Spain unpackaged

It’s the costa the Spanish have tried to keep for themselves, but thanks to Zoe Leeson of www.costa-luz-holiday.com, the secret is out

With rising food and energy costs in Britain – and the strong euro making continental holidays more expensive – deciding on a holiday destination that suits both you and your family and delivers value for your hard-earned money has become more important than ever. If you want a sunshine break that offers fun, relaxation and the chance to experience a corner of Spain unspoilt by mass tourism, the Costa de la Luz – the Coast of Light – scores on both counts.

Stretching from Tarifa, near Gibraltar, in the east to the Portuguese border in the west, the 186-mile Atlantic coastline of golden sands, dunes, pine forests and protected nature reserves is one of Andalucia’s best kept secrets. While there’s always a warm welcome for British holidaymakers, most of the visitors in the summer months are from Spain’s big cities – a major factor in preserving the coast’s genuine Spanish character. Nature parks and the strict building controls imposed by the regional government have prevented the high rise building developments seen in other parts of the country.

Best beaches

The coast has some of Spain’s best Blue Flag beaches. Deep and wide, and stretching for miles, they’re ideal for families with children. Even in the busiest summer months, you are guaranteed to find a quiet spot to sit and soak up the sun while your children entertain themselves. Young ones will enjoy exploring rock pools or pottering along the shore looking for shells, older children may want to try body boarding or surfing, and the more adventurous can even try kitesurfing. The Atlantic winds make this a favourite region for watersports of all kinds.

Culture and history

It’s not just the beaches that give this part of Spain its unique appeal: there are gems to be found inland, where you will discover historic cities and mediaeval hilltop villages. Seville has wonderful architecture, the world’s largest Roman Catholic cathedral, chic shops and the Isla Magica theme park – a guaranteed hit with the children. In Jerez, there are sherry bodegas for the grown-ups, while children might enjoy the zoo and water park. Back on the coast, Cádiz is believed to be Europe’s oldest inhabited city, and at Cape Trafalgar you’ll see the stretch of ocean in which Nelson defeated a combined French and Spanish fleet in 1805.