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The inspiring pilgrimage of the Virgin of El Rocío

mayo 20th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS | SOMETHING DIFFERENT - (0 Comments)

El Rocío is a small village belonging to the town of Almonte and located at the entrance of the Doñana National Park. Surrounded by an area of great natural interest, it is world famous for its annual Pilgrimage of the Virgin of El Rocío, which is the largest in the country.

Worth visiting in the village itself is the impressive Ermita de la Blanca Paloma temple, which is dedicated to the Virgin, and above all else has something of a colonial feel.

The Pilgrimage of the Virgin of El Rocío is a religious celebration without precedent in modern Mariology (the theological study of Mary) and is the principal celebration dedicated to the Virgin of El Rocío.

The pilgrimage begins on the Saturday before Pentecost, at 12 noon in front of the gates of the Shrine, with the presentation of the Confraternities (the groups of pilgrims traveling together) in strict order of antiquity. Each of the Confraternities briefly stops its cart to turn to the main door of the Shrine and sing a hymn dedicated to the Virgin. The pilgrims – on foot, on horseback or in decorated ox-drawn carts – march in formation to the end of the route, which is not easy at times due to the old and dusty paths.  This colorful, emotive and solemn parade, infused with dust, sweat and faith, is perhaps one of the most spectacular moments of the pilgrimage.

At some time early in the morning, the locals spontaneously jump the fence, rescue the Virgin and begin the procession, the silver biers seeming to float on a sea of religious fervor. The entire village pours out onto the streets, there is a non-stop cacophony of church bells, and jubilant cheers accompany the Virgin on her way amid rose petals and prayers. This is a moment of great magnitude: everybody – locals, travelers and foreigners – are filled with the excitement, magic and light of the procession. It is an incredible moment; a celebration that must be experienced.

 

“IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts has 2 all-inclusive resorts in the province of Huelva, both in Isla Canela, 50 km from the province capital Huelva: the IBEROSTAR Isla Canela and the IBEROSTAR Isla Canela Park. They are the ideal vacation complexes for couples or families in Huelva, with a wide variety of facilities for relaxation and entertainment.”

 

 

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Fly above the waves of Tarifa!

abril 8th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

The small fishing town of Tarifa has about 17,000 inhabitants, is located in the farthest southern corner of Europe and acts a as a balcony overlooking Africa, situated only 14 kilometers away. Tarifa welcomes about 100,000 visitors in the summer, who are attracted by its magnificent beaches of fine white sand and its many possibilities for leisure and adventure. The township has 35 kilometers of coastline, an extension that makes it possible to enjoy the sun and sea without the crowds in other tourist destinations on the peninsula.

Tarifa separates the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic. It is an ideal place to practice any marine sport that requires wind, because Tarifa has two winds, a strong warm wind coming from the west called the Poniente and another that is cooler and comes from southeast called the Levante.

The Poniente is ideal for kitesurfing, as it blows from the Atlantic Ocean (west). Its strength averages 2 to 5 Beaufort causing small waves and moderate temperatures.  In the summer it is most prevalent, and on warm sunny days you can find it more strongly in Valdevaqueros Bay due to the thermal effect of the coast. If you want to find the wind at its peak, you should go to the beach between 15:00 and 18:00, after which it drops suddenly and spectacularly. In winter it brings cold waves, and the equinoxes are the best times for surfers to catch waves.

The Levante comes from Africa (south) bringing warmth to the coast. It is a wind that blows from the land, hot and not producing waves, which makes it the favorite of windsurfers. Its strength is far superior to that of the Poniente, often blowing between 5 and 6 Beaufort both day and night, and it can last for weeks. The Levante wind is not ideal for kitesurfing as its strength guides you towards the sea, which makes it very dangerous.

Those are the two most famous winds in Tarifa, but they are not alone and there is one called ‘Viento Sur‘ which is highly anticipated by surfers. The ‘Viento Sur’, or south wind, blows fully landwards bringing big waves. It’s a sea wind that often blows at half hour intervals alternating with rain fronts.

When the sun sets, there is a general pause and everyone returns home to remove the salt and prepare to party. The old town of Tarifa is the core of the nightlife scene. For dinner, you can choose between taverns with typical Andalusian tapas, restaurants or fast food outlets. Then nightlife spots are flooded with people until the early morning.

If you discovered that your passion is to ride the waves with a sail or fly at the mercy of a particularly kite, Tarifa is the place to be. But if, on the contrary, your desire is to enjoy a few days relaxing on the beach and hiking, this location also offers interesting alternatives.

The old town has an array of idyllic spots. The layout of the streets and the walls surrounding it are of Muslim origin. Arches and colorful tiles adorn the facades of immaculately whitewashed houses. The Castle of Guzman el Bueno is the town’s main landmark. At its doors stands a large statue of King Sancho 4th, who conquered these lands. At his feet lies the fishing port and Chica beach, a cove frequented by locals. Then there is the beach of Los Lances, that starts at the outskirts of the city and extends to Valdevaqueros.

 

“The Iberostar resorts and hotels in Andalusia  put at your disposal the best services to enjoy a wonderful time with family or friends, to practice these exciting sports or just relax and enjoy all the good things that southern Spain has to offer.”

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Live the Passion of Holy Week in Andalusia to the full.

marzo 26th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

More than anywhere else in Spain, the streets of the towns and cities of Andalusia undergo an amazing transformation during Holy Week. Andalusia expresses its religious fervour with processions during which statues and images are carried high to the acclaim and delight of the Catholic faithful.

The celebrations get underway on Palm Sunday and last until Easter Sunday. Processions are held throughout the week, although the most important take place on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, including the most emotive time of all –la madrugá, the principal night, when countless processions make their way around the streets.

During the processions the hermanos or members of the brotherhoods carry hefty images on their shoulders around the streets for various hours. Known as pasos or tronos, each image is accompanied by one or more musical bands that play traditional religious music, followed by a cortege of nazarenos or penitents with their faces covered and carrying a candle that lights up the night.

The costaleros are the porters that bear the huge pasos that weigh between 1,000 and 1,200 kilos. They form teams of around 36 men, with each one carrying some 45 kilos for hours on end. The costaleros carry out physical training for this feat by going to the gym or jogging, but what really gives them the strength they need to bear such a heavy weight for hour after hour is their love for their crucifix or image.

The most famous Holy Week celebrations take place in Seville and Malaga. These two Andalusian provincial capitals have made their processions an internationally renowned hallmark. Seville is spellbinding, magnificent and sheer emotion, whilst Malaga is majestic and stunning with a strong seafaring tradition. Centuries ago, cities such as Granada and Cordoba decided to turn their pasos into superb works of art, whilst Cadiz and Huelva followed in the footsteps of the Baroque style that characterised the area known as Lower Andalusia. In turn, Jaen and Almeria converted their processions into an outpouring of popular religious devotion.

Holy Week is undoubtedly one of Spain’s most deeply felt forms of cultural and religious expression. Yet it also extends beyond the merely religious sphere. It is an essentially cultural celebration at which everyone – believers and non-believers – are welcome. The highly-charged atmosphere can be sensed by the devote and agnostic alike, by Catholic faithful or atheists. During Holy Week, Andalusia will form the backdrop to almost a thousand processions. It’s time you discovered one of the symbols that most clearly identifies southern Spain.

 

“The South of Spain is all about seduction, something that you can experience to the full during a holiday in Andalusia.  IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts’ establishments in Andalusia offer you the very best services and facilities guaranteeing a marvellous break with your family or partner.”  

 

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Holidaying with the kids on Costa de la Luz

febrero 28th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

A holiday in Huelva is a guarantee of fabulous beaches and great weather. Thanks to its privileged situation, this province in the south of Spain enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year – just what you need if you’re looking for a holiday with the kids that gives you the chance to enjoy nature and all the delights this wonderful province has to offer.

If this Easter you fancy taking your first trip to the beach this year and the chance to run around with the kids and indulge in a little sunbathing, then the Costa de la Luz, with its amazing 120 kilometres of fine golden sands, is just what you need. Kids always love messing about on the beach!

Physical exercise is a healthy and fun way of spending a great holiday. The little ones can practise their favourite sport on the football pitches dotted around the area, or enjoy paddel tennis, golf, tennis or horse riding lessons tailored especially to suit their needs.

Another activity we’re pretty sure your children will love is the chance to drive their own kart. At the Cartaya Karting Circuit they can try their hand at karting and compete with their friends just like F1 drivers – an experience they’re guaranteed never to forget!

To add a touch of culture to the family holiday, there are family days out where the little ones will have the chance to learn something about the history of the area and its most emblematic locations: don’t miss the chance to follow the Columbus Trail, declared a Historic-Artistic Route in 1967 and which takes in all those sites in Huelva that played some part in the voyage of Christopher Columbus. The Río Tinto mines are also guaranteed to fire the imagination of younger visitors, together with the Mining Museum or the karst caverns known as the Cave of Wonders in Aracena.

Contact with nature is another option that children particularly enjoy. Doñana Park offers a wide range of great excursions where little ones can learn lots of interesting facts about the flora and fauna of this magnificent setting.

The province of Huelva in general, and the Costa de la Luz in particular, are definitely the perfect choice for a great family holiday for children of all ages.

 

“In this area IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts operates the IBEROSTAR Isla Canela, an All Inclusive resort for families, couples or groups at Playa Canela, in Ayamonte, Huelva. This recently-built family complex is made up of comfortable, well-equipped apartments, conveniently situated on the Costa de la Luz in one of Andalusia’s most picturesque areas, and just a short distance from the Algarve.”

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Three thousand hours of sunshine a year

febrero 4th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

If there’s one place in western Europe that offers 3,000 hours of guaranteed sunshine a year, then that place is the Costa del Sol, in the wonderful region of Andalusia.  The marvellous Mediterranean climate, with  an average temperature of 18º C and its ‘sunshine assurance’ makes the Costa del Sol one of the most popular destinations, even in winter.

It has to be said that the fact that the sun shines for more than 300 days a year contributes considerably to ensuring that the possibilities of enjoying a holiday on the Costa del Sol are not limited exclusively to the summer months. This situation has also favoured the ongoing diversification of a product that is internationally renowned and capable of satisfying the needs and requirements of the most demanding tourists, regardless of the time of year they choose to arrive, land or disembark in this region.

Furthermore, the superb climate has also played a major part in turning the Costa del Sol into one of the most attractive choices for golfing holidays in the winter months, when more than half of Europe is shivering in the freezing temperatures.  The numerous golf courses located in the province of Malaga remain open throughout the year, and in some cases the winter months bring more players, unable to practise their favourite sports in other destinations where the weather is less kind. This has earned the Costa del Sol the nickname of ‘Costa del Golf’ – naturally due to both the number and quality of courses, but also to the possibilities it offers players of enjoying this sport when not far away winter is quite literally doing its worst.

The steady rise in leisure, cultural and sports options, combined with an ever-attractive and packed calendar of events of all types – whose pace steps up considerably in the winter months -, and a host of widely-differing local celebrations, including the local festivities that take place in the more than a hundred municipalities that make up this province, have also become essential factors in attracting visitors at any time of year.

Traditional, autochthonous or international music and dance festivals; gastronomy events, typical Andalusian-style fairs; religious processions whose origins are lost in the mists of time and many other artistic and cultural celebrations; a host of sports options, free from the fear of adverse weather conditions; luxuriating in the exclusive services offered by the spas and thalassotherapy centres situated on the Costa del Sol; or unwinding from the stresses and strains of everyday life with a getaway to a health spa  – these are just a few of the countless options  available to travellers that choose to visit this region;  a land whose love of life doesn’t wane when summer ends – quite the contrary in fact.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your suitcases and come and bask in some sunshine!

“IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts has two 4 star resorts in Malaga: the IBEROSTAR Marbella Coral Beach, in Marbella, and the   IBEROSTAR Málaga Playa, in Torrox-Costa. Both complexes are the perfect choice for a holiday with your partner or the children in Malaga, where you can enjoy Wellness zones, gardens, pools, live entertainment programmes, the very finest local and international cuisine and a fantastic range of sports options on the shores of the Mediterranean.”

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Carnival time in Spain

enero 17th, 2013 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

 

Traditionally, Carnival has been a time of major celebration and deeply-rooted traditions. A celebration which all members of the community took part in some form or another; everyone came together to take part in or watch the events that unfolded in the streets and squares.

It was a time of putting on appearances, grotesque disguises, friendly faces, mythical monsters, enigmatic puppets, songs sung over and over again, fun-filled balls, ritual dances, seemingly chaotic parades, decorated floats, plays and performances, excess…in short, Carnival time, and a whole new outlook on life.

Spain, a faithful follower of this festivity in honour of Bacchus, the god of wine, is home to countless ways of ensuring that the ‘faithful’ adhere to the tradition of fun and laughter all day long. Carnival time is celebrated throughout Spain, albeit in vastly differing ways. Here we give an insight into what are probably the three most popular and lively Carnival celebrations in Spain:

Cadiz, lyrics rich in wit and humour:

Carnival time in Cadiz is worth listening out for. There’s no limit to the sharp wit and humour that brings the verses of their songs to life, which are then repeated chant-like for the rest of the year. Songs that poke fun at their everyday lives and events in Spain. This Andalusian city hosts the world’s longest Carnival. Kings of the Carnival are undoubtedly the chirigotas –groups made up of 12 singers whose lyrics are nothing short of hilarious–, whilst the other stars of the show include the more serious 40-strong choirs, who seek musical perfection, and the comparsas, groups of ‘just’ 15 singers.

The Canary Islands, where excitement reaches fever pitch:

Sheer devotion to glitter, sequins and feathers is what these Carnival Queens and Drag Queens profess… Rivals Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife compete each year in a fierce battle to produce the most spectacular costumes, floats and parades, steeped in all the paraphernalia that surrounds these celebrations. Visitors and locals alike rub shoulders in a setting where the crowds practically lift you off your feet as you make your way around the streets. The warmth of these islands and the happy-go-lucky nature of their inhabitants do credit to this festivity to mark the carne vale – an all-out farewell to the flesh and other worldly pleasures that must last throughout Lent. The sounds of meringue and salsa are everywhere to be heard, turning the main avenues into a single giant dance floor.

“If you’d like to join in the Carnival celebrations, stay at any of Iberostar Hotels & Resorts’ hotels in Andalusia or the Canary Islands, just a short distance away from your favourite local festival!”

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Three great destinations for a short break in Spain this December long weekend

noviembre 28th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

That much-awaited December long weekend in Spain is just around the corner, and a short break visiting some of our fabulous sights is something everyone would welcome. So here come three tempting destinations – each one better than the last!

Let’s start off in the South, in the wonderful Andalusia.  What better way of unwinding than strolling around the streets of Seville, stopping off at bars like  El Cairo to enjoy a tapa of hake-filled piquillo peppers, perhaps followed by a helping of sangre encebollada – a kind of black pudding with onions -, and washed down with a refreshing cold beer. Or perhaps you prefer to head for Malaga, staying at a fine hotel and indulging in a little pampering, discovering the delights of sunbathing in winter, a round of golf on the finest courses and rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous at the most exclusive street cafés.  Yet Granada is always tempting; its long-standing tradition as a university city means that the pace never slackens, and the city is filled with delights such as the Albaicín quarter, the Alhambra and in the background, the ski slopes of Sierra Nevada for winter sports lovers. A stroll around the monumental city of Cordoba, coming face to face with its Mosque, the Fortress of the Catholic Monarchs, the Royal Stables and the Roman Bridge, is another attractive option. In Jaen, nature lovers will discover an amazing province; visitors to the dense wooded areas of the Sierras de Cazorla Nature Park can be forgiven for thinking they’re in a Scandinavian forest.  Huelva also has its own National Park, Doñana. This Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site is made up of various ecosystems, one of the highlights of which is the River Guadalquivir wetlands, one of Spain’s natural wonders.

Yet if you’re itching to venture even further south in search of spring-like weather where you can get away from those chilly winter temperatures and bask in the sun against a stunning natural setting, then the destination for you is the Canaries – nicknamed ‘the fortunate islands’.  They all guarantee great weather, exuberant natural landscapes and fun and leisure options for everyone. On Tenerife you’ll be greeted by the majestic Mount Teide, beaches to suit all tastes, including those of volcanic origin with their striking black sand, as well as stretches of golden sands and pebble beaches that have been polished by the buffeting waves, as well as natural seawater pools dotted along the coastline. On Las Palmas you can experience nature in its purest form; indeed, no less than 43% of the island is protected. You’ll be enthralled by the sand dune beaches, picturesque small towns and exotic gastronomy. On Fuerteventura, lovers of windsurfing will discover their own personal paradise, with 77 kilometres of beach that can be enjoyed all year round. And what can we say about the intriguing volcanic island of Lanzarote? The entire island is a Biosphere Reserve due to its immense environmental wealth, and visitors can enjoy a wide range of beaches and stunning natural attractions.

Mallorca has to be the choice of those who prefer to head for the Mediterranean. The largest of the Balearic Islands is an authentic paradise. Small towns and villages such as Valldemossa, Deià or Sóller, nestling in the striking Tramuntana Mountains, included on the World Heritage List, will win you over for life. Mallorca, with its diversity of landscapes and countless leisure and cultural options to suit all tastes will seem larger than an entire continent!

By now you’ll have realised that you don’t have to travel too far to get the most out of the December long weekend, right?

“Whether you choose Andalusia, the Canary Islands or Mallorca, IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts has a wide choice of hotels situated in prime locations and offering exceptional standards of service to ensure you enjoy your well-deserved holiday to the full”.

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Andalusia, Europe’s top golf destination.

noviembre 27th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

It’s true what they say – in Andalusia you really can enjoy sunshine and golf all year round. Andalusia has nearly 120 golf courses for you to discover, dotted around the region’s eight provinces. They are all world-class courses designed by authentic golfing legends or several of the world’s top designers.

Yet Andalusia’s status as Europe’s leading golf destination is not just down to the quality of its courses; it also has a lot to do with their prime locations set against backdrops of stunning beauty and within easy reach of paradisiacal beaches.

The Costa del Sol boasts more than half Andalusia’s golf courses; in the province of Cadiz the greens are meticulously looked after and just a short distance away from the fabulous Costa Tropical lined with superb beaches, making it the perfect choice for those wishing to combine sun and sand, golf and snow; Almeria has around a dozen courses dotted amongst its stunning landscapes, reminiscent of the deserts of Arizona, whilst Huelva, with 11 golf courses, is noted for its breathtakingly beautiful scenery like the Doñana National Park; nor should we forget the inland provinces: Seville with 5 golf courses, Cordoba with two and Jaén with one round off the outstanding offer for golf lovers in Andalusia. Whether you’re a beginner, amateur or professional, we guarantee you’ll have the time of your life.

Throughout the year, Andalusia’s golf courses host major amateur and professional tournaments, including several of the European Golf Circuit championships which attract the world’s finest players and where as fans you have a fabulous time watching your favourite sport whilst enjoying Andalusia’s spectacular scenery.

Those interested in trying their hand at this sport or perfecting their game will find an extensive range of courses and competitions organised throughout the year in this region. You will also find countless specialised golf shops. What else could you wish for?

“If you’re a golf lover then make sure you get the most out of your golfing holiday by staying at either of IBEROSTAR’s All inclusive hotels in Sancti Petri: the Iberostar Royal Andalus and the Iberostar Andalucía Playa.”

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Can we tempt you to a gastronomic tour of Seville?

noviembre 22nd, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS | Local Characters - (0 Comments)


Seville’s gastronomy is characterised by the region’s superb climate, endless hours of sunshine and its proximity to the sea. Olive oil is the basis for countless dishes guaranteed to delight locals and visitors alike.

No visit to Seville is complete without taking a ‘tapas tour’. Tapas are small portions of hot or cold food that accompany a pre-meal aperitif and a delicious foretaste of what’s to come. Each bar tries to create its own signature tapa, offering visitors the chance to discover new products and flavours. These small portions of food have earned the cuisine of Seville and its province a well-deserved reputation: traditional or innovative, when it comes down to it, it’s all about tapas. Highlights include the salads, fish roe, a fried fish recipe known as bienmsesabe – or ‘it tastes good to me!’, mini-casseroles, fish bites in batter, a choice of delicious cured meats and the super-fresh prawns, and the traditional pescaíto or fried fish, which is served in every tavern throughout the city as well as calamari and the succulent Iberian cured ham. And if you’re visiting in summer, the best way to start off any meal is with a refreshing chilled gazpacho.

Yet there’s much more to Seville’s gastronomy than tapas, gazpacho and fried fish. Indeed, it boasts a vast range of products combined with a wise culinary tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation and today is safe in the skilled hands of chefs who create authentic masterpieces from the wealth of produce from these lands. Mention must also be made of the superb fish visitors will encounter: sea bass, gilthead bream, dogfish, swordfish, turbot and the classic marinated mullet. The shellfish from the neighbouring coasts is also delicious.

Traditional delicacies from this area also include the magnificent marinated and cured meats made from top quality Iberian pork meat, delicious game casseroles including a venison stew, and the fresh locally-grown greens and vegetables that form the prime ingredients for a host of delicious dishes including cocido – a traditional casserole –, huevos a la flamenca – made from vegetables and eggs, menudo – Seville-style tripe –, oxtail, veal and fish stews, etc.

When it comes to desserts, Seville has a speciality for each time of year: during Easter, visitors can indulge in pestiños – pastries fried in olive oil and glazed with honey and sugar, torrijas – similar to French toast – and piñonates, a kind of pine nut crisp. Other sweet delights include yemas de San Leandro – made from egg yolks and sugar–, alfajor pastries and tortas de aceite- pastries made using olive oil, polvorones and mantecados – delicious shortbreads, bizcotela sponge cakes, mostachones – similar to macaroons, as well as many other traditional sweets and pastries prepared by the nuns that live in the convents. And to accompany all these culinary delights, what could be better than a refreshing glass of Seville beer or the renowned fino and manzanilla sherries of San Lúcar?

So are you tempted to join our gastronomic tour of Seville?

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Discover the stunning beaches of Costa de la Luz

octubre 15th, 2012 | Posted by Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in DESTINATIONS - (0 Comments)

The coastline in the province of Huelva is one of southern Spain’s most attractive tourist destinations, tracing a line of fine white sandy beaches backed by intensely green pine forests. The generous climate of this western corner of Andalusia constantly evokes the paradisiacal features for which the beaches of Huelva are renowned.

With a seemingly endless coastline that stretches out for more than 120 kilometres, visitors to this area can take their pick from unspoilt, rustic or nudist beaches, whose quality and diversity have turned it into a leading tourist destination and one that is characterised by a number of common features: vast beaches of fine golden sands and crystal-clear waters that are a delight to bathe in. These beaches are suitable for all, and offer infrastructures and services that make them accessible for the disabled.

Below is a brief description of some of the finest beaches dotted along the Huelva coast:

Playa de Castilla: This beach forms the coastal boundary of the Doñana Nature Space. This sheltered 20 kilometre beach is one of the priceless treasures of this coastline. The sandbanks and channels that twist and turn their way around the dunes form the various accesses to this beach, including  ’Cuesta Maneli’ which is a favourite amongst nudists due to its peaceful, laid-back atmosphere.

Playa Central: Backed by a stunning sea promenade, Playa Central, which is 2,000 metres long and 50 metres wide, boasts all the services and facilities you’d expect to find in a bustling and prosperous town, whilst carefully conserving the pine forests and dunes to which it owe its unmistakeable character.

Playa El Parador: Part of the municipality of Moguer, this beach nestles at the foot of the cliff among the pine trees facing the Cristóbal Colón Parador-Hotel. This quiet beach stretches out for some 2,000 metres.

Playa El Rompido: Sheltered by a quaint fishing harbour and a double horizon, this beach lies to the east of the Río Piedras y Flecha de El Rompido Marshes Nature Area. El Rompido Beach boasts 1,000 metres of sands and also offers excellent anchorage for sailing lovers.

Playa de Islantilla: Holder of the Q Seal for Tourist Quality, Islantilla is a delightful spot that forms part of the municipalities of Lepe and Isla Cristina that is noted for its sustainable development, combining respect for the environment with a range of top quality state-of-the-art accommodation options and infrastructures.

Playa de Matalascañas: In the far south of Doñana and 15 kilometres from El Rocío, Matalascañas is suitable for all the family and is situated in the heart of the Almonte beach area. This beach has more than four kilometres of sands and also enjoys the unique privilege of having the only footpath leading to the beaches of the Doñana Nature Area, 40 kilometres of stunning landscapes in which to enjoy the sea and the delights of nature.

Playa de Punta Umbría: Nestling at the foot of the 16th century Umbría Watchtower, Punta Umbría Beach, a popular bathing spot rediscovered by the British, looks out over the ocean from a small peninsula that juts out into the sea and is overshadowed by the vast Odiel Marshes Nature Area.

Playa de Isla Canela: This is the first of Ayamonte’s beaches, situated at the mouth of the River Guadiana, set against a backdrop of marshes, estuaries, sands and dunes. The beach is just twenty metres wide on average yet it stretches out for 5,500 metres and boasts all the facilities of a top quality development. The marina and golf course are an added incentive to visit this area which was undoubtedly thoroughly explored by the solitary watchmen that guarded the 16th century Canela Tower.

These are just a few of the countless beaches that are too many to name but are all well worth discovering for yourselves.  I can guarantee that you will fall hopelessly in love with the Costa de la Luz!

“If you’d like to spend a wonderful holiday on one of the Costa de la Luz’s finest beaches, then IBEROSTAR Hotels & Resorts has 2 All Inclusive resorts in Isla Canela, 50 km from the city of Huelva:  the Hotel Iberostar Isla Canela and the Hotel Iberostar Isla Canela Park. Both complexes are ideal for relaxing with your partner or enjoying a family holiday with the children, and provide a wide range of relaxation and entertainment options.”

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