La Manga del Mar Menor is a tiny strip of land on the Costa Calida, barely noticeable on satellite images of Southern Spain. Its name means "sleeve," and the narrow land that comprises La Manga certainly looks like one. Resembling an oversized sandbar, it is 21 km long and only 300 meters wide on average. The "sleeve" forms a small bay that distinguishes Mar Menor from the rest of the Mediterranean Sea. This makes it an unusual attraction, perfect for a unique Spanish holiday.

Though it's technically part of the Mediterranean, Mar Menor has character all its own. It is often referred to as a lake. One taste of the water though, and its true nature is revealed. Its high salinity makes floating a breeze. Combined with Mar Menor's famous "Black Mud," it is believed to possess therapeutic qualities. The enclosed shape and 70 km coastline also make it a natural water sports area. It's year-round warmth and 315 days of sunshine make it an ideal place for professional athletes to practice.

La Manga is primarily a holiday resort area, though it is inhabited by locals year-round too. It has been favored as a home-away-from-home since ancient Phoenicians began establishing summer residences there. Today it is a getaway for both Spaniards and foreigners alike.

One of the best ways to get personal with the natural beauty of La Manga del Mar Menor is by cycling. Bicycles (both street and mountain varieties) are a common sight on La Manga strip. Avid cyclists may be able to take in the entire strip in a day's time. If travelers find it impractical to bring their own bikes, they can rent from various locations.

Bicycles can be hired for as little as one day, or for a week at a time. Tourists are limited only by their enthusiasm and energy levels. Cyclists can choose to ride the roads or take in the more technical trails in the area.

For the casual biker, guided bike tours are offered regularly. Those who are less inclined to engage in trail riding can get a good workout while seeing the sights. Plus, taking part in a guided tour means that visitors have the support of an expert biker. Additionally, they will be able to learn about the area at the same time. Helmets, locks and maps are typically included in the rental cost. This applies to both individual rentals and group cycling tours.

Another alternative to cycling is seeing the area by quad. This may be especially appealing to those who prefer motorsports over manpower. It also offers visitors a way to enjoy an off-road adventure without the effort of pedaling. Quads can be rented almost any place that bicycles are available.

Visitors who are booking an all-inclusive Spanish holiday are encouraged to reserve bikes and quads ahead of time. Spots on guided tours should also be booked ahead of time. This helps ensure travelers do not miss out on the opportunity to see La Manga by bicycle. The "Little Sea" of Mar Menor is a paradise for bikers of all ages and skill levels.

By: Michael J Lee
The La Manga Club Resort is one of the worlds great holiday vacation and leisure resorts and offers over 2000 luxury Spanish Holiday Villas set on 1500 acres of breathtaking Spanish countryside. La Manga Resort has activities for the whole family including, golf tennis, horse riding, cycling, beaches, childrens club etc.

If you would like to receive the La Manga Resort Guide and have the chance to Win a Free Holiday for one week for 4 people to La Manga please visit the website.

Baza is the capital of the northern part of the Province of Granada, and festivals take place here that are unique in Spain, such as the famous Cascamorras. Archaeological remains tell us that man has lived here since prehistoric times. The well-known Dama de Baza was found in one of the Iberian burial sites in the area, and the Moorish baths are among the most complete in the country.

Baza is believed to be one of the oldest of all human settlements in Spain. The town and its surrounding area has a rich and varied architectural, historical and archaeological heritage, having been home to many different cultures down the centuries and back to pre-historic times. Its town centre was declared a Historic Centre in 2003, and in its narrow winding streets, especially around the walled medina area where the Alcazaba was built, we can see many remains of this rich and ancient past.

Approximately 20,000 people live in the municipality, situated to the north of the province of Granada. Its archaeological sites, such as the Iberian-Roman town of Basti and its ancient burial sites, in one of which was discovered the famous Dama de Baza, and its Moorish Baths all make this one of the most important archaeological and historical towns in Andalucia.

From the point of view of the environment, Baza offers a contrast of landscape which ranges from its mountain range, declared a Nature Park in 1989, to almost desert landscapes in the area known as the Altiplanicie, with an oasis of green between the two, which is La Vega. But the region is also known far and wide for its own particular type of domestic architecture, which is the house cave. Many of these ancient dwellings, which were used in the past by farmers, cattle breeders and miners, have now been adapted for rural tourism.

Baza has an important architectural, archaeological and historical heritage, the result of the many different peoples who lived in this area over the centuries, ah of whom left something of their culture behind them. Although little remains of the Alcazaba de Baza these days other than sections of wall and sorne towers, in its day it was an impregnable fortress. Its walls were built in three phases: the first in the 11th and 12th centuries, the second in the time of the Nazari occupation and the third by the Christians in the 16th century. It is located in the heart of the old town centre, dominated by the old medina.

The palacio de los Enriques is a magnificent example of a Renaissance palace designed in the style of an Italian country villa, and as such it is unique in all of Andalucia. It was ordered built by Enrique Enriquez and his wife Maria de Luna, aunt and uncle of the Catholic Monarchs. Work on the palace began in 1506, and since then it has been extensively restored. Inside can be seen sorne excellent examples of Mudejar armoury, all extensively decorated with Renaissance motifs.

The Real Posito was built in 1762, during the reign of Carlos III, and it still conserves its beautiful patio surrounded by galleries. On the main entrance we can see the royal coat-of-arms and that of the corregidor (the local chiefmagistrate) and the mayor. Inside, besides being a grain store, works of theatre are also held. This was also once the headquarters of the Economic Society of Friends of the Baza Country during the last quarter of the 18th century. The Moorish Baths in the town are particularly well preserved, dating back to the 13th century. They are a magnificent example of urban baths of the period, located beside the mosque in the old area of Marzuela (the present barrio of Santiago). A visit to the Moorish Baths is a must for any visitor to the town.

As one would expect, there are numerous churches in the town, the most outstanding being the Iglesia Mayor Colegiata. One should also see a monumental fountain situated close to the Puerta del Peso, on the royal Lorca road, which was designed in the form of lion and human heads. There are many local festivals throughout the year in the town, the most outstanding of them being the Festival of El Cascamorras. It was declared to be of National Tourist Interest in 2006, and begins every year on September 6, from six in the evening, kicking off what has become one of the most popular traditional festivals in the entire region.

By: Rudi Van Der Zalm
With more than 20 years of experience in the travel industry Rudi van der Zalm is the founder of one of Europe's most popular websites for rural holiday apartments in Granada, Spain. A wide selection of country houses and lodgings can be found at http://www.rural-tour.com

MarineLand

Garcilaso de la Vega, 9 - Costa d'en Blanes 07184, Calva, Mallorca.

Marine Land is a popular marine zoo that has been running for thirty-five years. Located at Costa d'en Blanes beach, the park features bottlenose dolphins, sea lions, sharks, exotic birds and penguins. There are daily dolphin and sea lion shows, a large aquarium, and an aviary containing exotic birds and reptiles. Kids will also love the mini water park, with its Pirate Galleon and water slides.

Marine Land is only about ten minutes' drive from Mallorca's capital, Palma, so it's easy to get to if you hire a car. You can park your hire car in Marine Land's car park.

Opening hours: 9:30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. 9.30am to 5.30pm, Saturday and Sunday.

WesternPark

07182 Magaluf, Mallorca.

This Wild West themed water park has many thrilling rides to choose from, including the Tornado, Kamikaze, Hurricane and the Big Hole water slides. There is also a jacuzzi, a water rafting ride, a wave pool and two mini water parks for younger children.

There are also daily sea lion shows throughout the year, and you can watch divers perform in Oliver's Water Show. There are a number of food outlets throughout the park, and a gift shop, all of which feature a Wild West theme.

Western Park is about 15 minutes' drive from Palma, and you can park your hire car in the car park at the entrance.

Opening hours: 10am - 5pm, May, June and December. 10am - 6pm, July and August.

Golf Fantasia

Calle Tenis, 3 07181 Palma Nova

Golf for all the family! Golf Fantasia is a crazy golf course situated near the sea-front at Palma Nova. Take your pick from three 18-hole courses, featuring waterfalls, caves and lakes. In keeping with the golfing theme, there is a '19th hole snack bar' offering a full cafeteria service for hungry children and parents.

By: Elena Price
Mallorca has an excellent road network, so hiring a car makes getting to these attractions easy. You can also use your hire car to visit some of the island's beaches, golf courses and other attractions. If you consult a Mallorca travel guide before visiting the island, you can plan your holiday to make the most of your time there.

Just when you thought that every aspect and area of Spain had been explored, every secret delight of this stunning European nation had been uncovered and that each pristine beach, vibrant city and cultural and historic sight had been seen, the Spanish authorities announce that a brand new international airport is to be constructed in a hidden corner of secret Spain.

This new airport will open up the skies and indeed the entire region of magnificent Murcia to a global audience, revealing a brand new holiday hotspot in one of the leading travel and tourism destinations in the world for us all to explore and enjoy.

The autonomous region of Murcia is tucked away in a lesser known and once secluded part of south-eastern Spain. It has a fabulous Mediterranean coastline, an enviably attractive climate, a vibrantly exciting regional capital city, the largest saltwater lake in Europe, a wealthy cultural heritage, property prices well below the national norm and now, emerging and soon to be booming tourism and real estate markets.

If you're seeking a brand new Spanish holiday hotspot or if you're looking for a corner of Spain in which you can live, retire or invest in property whilst remaining confident in the knowledge that you're getting in ahead of the rest, Murcia will be your destination of choice in 2008, and here are the top five reasons why: -

1) The region of Murcia will see construction of its international airport begin in 2008 with construction time estimated to take just two years. The region's councillor for public works, housing and transport, José Ballesteros, is said to be confident that the airport's private owned status will mean that it can attract low cost airlines and provide travellers with low flight costs and greater flexibility compared to state owned airports. It is understood that Mr. Ballesteros has already been in meetings with the lower cost European carriers such as Ryanair, Air Europa, Air France, Iberia and TUI which bodes exceptionally well for the likely number of tourism arrivals that the region can expect when the airport comes online as early as 2010.

Current predictions for the increase in arrivals that the new airport will bring to Murcia are in the region of 1.5 million passengers when the airport opens, increasing to over 5 million by 2015 - and if you're going to be one of these passengers you will benefit from easy and affordable access to one of Spain's most beautiful and unspoiled regions.

2) Murcia embodies diversification in terms of the travel and holiday experience it can offer its visitors. From the fabulous Mediterranean coastline with its soft sandy beaches, pretty fishing villages and inimitably evocative ocean views, to the mountainous and rural interior where the landscape is stunning, the climate is perfect and the lifestyle is so life-enhancing and laid back. Whatever type of holiday location you prefer, you will find it in Murcia.

3) Not only can Murcia offer visitors a laid back holiday location, it is home to a city of the same name where holidaymakers and residents alike are treated to a vibrant and positive atmosphere and where they can enjoy an exciting café, bar and restaurant scene, where they can indulge in fantastic retail therapy or take in the historic attractions of everything from the world famous Santa Maria Cathedral in Murcia to the Almudí Palace, from the Monteagudo Castle to the Ramón Gaya Museum in the Plaza Catalina.

4) Property prices in Murcia have completely defied the national norm in recent months. Whereas prices for homes in many of the most well known areas of Spain have declined in the last twelve months, prices in Murcia have continued to rise steadily at about 4% year on year At the same time, it is worth noting that the Kyero.com Spanish House Price Index records the median price of a home in Murcia as lying well below the national average, proving that there is plenty of room for price growth over the coming years. Interest in property for sale in Murcia has been increasing ever since talk about the proposed airport began. Now that construction of the airport has been given the go ahead, local developers are witnessing a strong increase in interest. Mike Hamilton, Director of Casas de Lorca a highly regarded real estate development company in Murcia, recently commented on his personal predictions for real estate in the region in light of the airport announcement:

"My predictions for the coming year are for a gradual rise in demand. Murcia is one of the fastest growing regions in Spain anyway, and a new international airport will further drive growth. The supply of property in the holiday home market has increased over the last 3 years and demand had been struggling to keep up. Therefore prices are currently very attractive but should naturally begin to rise towards the end of the year as demand begins to take over supply. The demand in the retirement or early retirement market still vastly outweighs the supply so I predict prices will increase more in this sector. This is where Spain is still a firm favourite versus emerging countries. So far in 2008 we have seen business more than quadruple and 90% of our clients are looking for properties to relocate to. We are looking forward to a very good year."

5) Murcia is affordable, it is about to become highly accessible, it has the best climate in Spain, it is not over developed, it is rich in culture, history, heritage, gastronomy, nature, sport and leisure. It is a region in which to live, to retire, to enjoy a holiday and what's more, it is one of the corners of Spain where there is still a buoyant property market, where prices remain affordable, where the real estate for sale is expansive and exclusive and where an investment made today could well reap significant dividends, gains and yields over the short to medium term.

Whether your interest in Spain lies in finding a hidden corner in which to lay your hat and find a home or in holidaying in a highly exciting emerging destination, Murcia embodies the realisation of all your personal interests. It is quite possibly the final part of Spain to be made so much more accessible thanks to the new international airport, and it is certainly a region of this beautiful nation that should not be overlooked or ignored for a moment longer. Discover the real Spain, visit Murcia.

By: Rhiannon Williamson
Kyero.com uncovers the truth about the Spanish property market on a region by region, city by city basis. The CNBC award winning Spanish property portal has up to date listings of homes for sale right across the nation including in the region of Murcia. Quarterly Kyero's Spanish House Price Index presents the latest property price statistics for the whole of Spain.

Benidorm is one of Spain's most popular holiday destinations for both British and Dutch tourists. But it owes its entire current day prominence as a desirable resort to the pluck of its current mayor Pedro Zaragoza, for it was he that single-handedly started the beach revolution in Spain in 1953.

Ideally located on the Costa Blanca coast of Alicante, the fishing village of Benidorm had everything required to become a successful resort; long sandy beaches on the edge of the gorgeous blue Mediterranean Sea, fantastic year-round sunshine, and plenty of room to build brand new hotels. Yet, in the early 1950s visitors were staying away.

A young entrepreneur named Pedro Zaragoza was convinced that the biggest single reason for the no-shows was because women were banned from wearing bikinis in public. There was little point in spending time on the beach if you were forced by law to remain covered, so Pedro knew there what he must do; go to Madrid and persuade Spain's Dictator General Franco to overturn the ban that applied throughout the deeply religious Roman Catholic country.

The bikini ban was the only thing preventing the transformation of his idyllic, but financially bereft fishing village into a lucrative holiday destination. So, in an act of bravado Zaragoza got on his Vespa scooter and rode for eight hours to plead an audience with Franco. Still wearing his oil-stained trousers, Pedro sat in front of the dictator and passionately made his case. Remarkably Franco agreed to overturn the ban.

Fast forward 55 years and Benidorm is now a thriving holiday resort, reminiscent of a miniature New York, with many 'skyscraper' hotels dotted along the length of its three beautiful EU blue-flag beaches; Poniente, Levante and Mal Pas.

Plucky Pedro is now in his 80s, still Mayor of Benidorm and definitely has no regrets at the outcome of his long scooter ride, over 55 years ago. Indeed, he continues to promote his home village - which is now a leading European holiday resort - and was recently spotted at the opening of the newest and highest Benidorm hotel. Although much of the beachside Benidorm accommodation is offered in high-rise hotels such as the new building, there are also a significant number of villas in the resort for those without a head for heights, or a need for something more private.

As well as beach developments, Pedro and his fellow Benidorm businessmen have heavily invested in family-friendly water and theme parks. Close to Levante are two superb parks; Aqualandia Water Amusement park and Mundomar Marine Exotic Animal Park.

Further inland is the marvellous Terra Mitic, which is themed into four areas based on the ancient civilizations of Rome, Egypt, Greece and Iberia with the lslands area in the centre being the hub between them all. The park features thrilling rides including inverted roller-coasters and other adrenaline-boosting rides and when combined with all the other attractions in Benidorm proves irresistible to many holidaymakers.

Benidorm is now a world away from its fishing village roots, with many of its residents boasting a standard of living the likes of which they could never have imagined back in 1953 - before Pedro jumped on his bike and visited the General!

By: Andrew Regan
Andrew Regan is an online, freelance author from Scotland. He is a keen rugby player and enjoys travelling.

Until you've been to Madrid Spain you can only read about and imagine all there is to see and do. Once you go there, you'll see why travel agents claim Spain is a tourist's paradise.

Retiro Park is a sight you won't want to miss seeing with the many monuments and sculptures they have for viewing. The park, Parque del buen Retiro, which is set on 300 acres, also includes a lake where you can rent boats for that romantic late night ride.

Once the site of the royal palace that housed Phillip IV, all that's left is the Canón Del Buen Retiro and the Museo del Ejército. Any buildings that were there were destroyed in the early 19th century during the Napoleonic wars. The Ejército in now a great tourist attraction with many army pieces such as the sword used by El Cid, a famous Spanish warrior. You'll also get to check out El Cid's La Tizona plus the cross that Columbus carried with him on his journey. These are just a few of the many artifacts there.

Retiro Park has been available to the public since 1868, although it was actually around since 1632. Since it became available natives of Madrid and tourists alike have enjoyed the many attractions whether it be jugglers, musicians playing in the streets or having their fortune told. What a perfect holiday getaway. Make your holidays perfect with a trip to Madrid and see for yourself all it has to offer. If you take that boat ride, row slowly so you don't miss the statue of King Alfonso XII sitting proudly on his horse. This statue has been there since 1922 and is complete with a colonnade shaped in a partial circle.

At the other end of the lake, you will find the Spain and Crystal Palace (Palacio de Cristal), an elegant and beautiful place built for displaying exotic plants. Nearby is the Palacio de Valázquez, which is used to temporarily store exhibits from the Queen Sofia art museum.

Just when you think you've see all the beauty you could possibly see, the Rosaleda rose garden is right in front of you. This is a piece of beauty for tourists and natives. If you walk through the Plaza de Honduras and on Avenida de Cuba, you will get to see the much talked about El Angel Caído, a statue showing Satan as one of the fallen angels. Whether you and your spouse want to take a trip for two to Spain or take the family, there is something for everyone.

On Serrano Street, you can have your choice of fancy restaurants or simple outdoor cafes for any type of cuisine you desire. Near here is the Prado museum, where you'll want to spend hours just loving the exhibits.

By: Kurt A. Schefken
Kurt Schefken works at large for http://www.alicante-spain.com, an online publication about sangria ingredients , how do you make sangria and many different issues. Writing for publications on sangria ingredients and sangria the columnist established his know-how in the area.