Spanien

Förr friterades det mesta i matväg för att truga charterturisterna. Idag är Mallorcas matscen mer än vad en foodie kan önska. Tänk lokalproducerad mat och vin gjort på utrotningshotade inhemska druvor.

Almeria’s coastline is one of Andalucia’s great natural wonders. Encompassing heavenly beaches, plunging cliffs and wild tracts of arid scrubland, it has largely escaped unsightly development and remains an unspoilt and relatively unexplored part of the region. Hot spots include the Parque Natural de Cabo de Gata-Níjar to the southeast and, to the north, Mojácar, a quaint hilltop pueblo with a vibrant beachfront scene.

Valencia's town beaches are 3km from the centre. Playa de las Arenas runs north into Playa de la Malvarrosa and Playa de la Patacona, forming a wide strip of sand some 4km long. It's bordered by the Paseo Marítimo promenade and a string of restaurants and cafes. The marina and port area, refurbished for the 2007 Americas Cup, is south of here and backed by the intriguing and increasingly trendy fishing district of El Cabanyal, which makes for excellent exploration.

Vidsträckta floddeltan, stupande klippor och fantastiska surfvågor. Peter Sahlberg och Jens Holmér på Surfakademin ger sina bästa tips till spanska regionen Galicien.

En gyllene sandremsa, korallrev, turkosblått hav... Det finns många kriterier att uppfylla för att klassas som en riktigt bra strand. I södra Spanien finns flera som med råge lever upp till epitetet "paradisstrand".

Serene Islamic architecture, monumental churches, old-school tapas bars and counterculture graffiti art combine to make Granada a compelling city break.

The least-populated and most rustic part of the island, northern Ibiza has a boho, off-grid vibe thanks to its strong hippy heritage and spectacular, remote landscapes, which appeal to cyclists, walkers and wanderers alike. This is a magically beautiful region of forested hills, twisting backroads, timeworn whitewashed villages and a craggy coastline blessed with some of Ibiza's most exquisite, secluded coves. You'll barely catch a whisper of clubs and package tourism here. Portinatx is the north's busiest resort, while Sant Joan offers a slice of low-key Ibizan life and Sant Carles gets lively with its hippy market.

Att hotellen i Spanien stänger orsakar oro bland svenskar, danskar och norrmän som har familjemedlemmar inlagda på sjukhus i Spanien. SOS International ber folk att åka hem eftersom de inte längre kan bo på hotell.

Dangling off the south coast of Ibiza, a mere half-hour away by fast ferry, the 20km-long island of Formentera (population 12,120) is a beautifully pure, get-away-from-it-all escape. Formentera's pace of life is blissfully languid, designed for lazy days spent lounging on some of Europe's (dare we say the world's?) most exquisite beaches.

There’s a reason tourists arrive in Eastern Mallorca in their hundreds of thousands on their annual sun pilgrimage: this is one of the prettiest coasts on an island of many. Yes, there are sections that seem to combine all that’s abhorrent about Mediterranean coastal tourism, but Mallorca’s rocky eastern walls also conceal perfectly formed caves, coves and inlets, some of which are accessible only on foot, and can never really be developed. Many of these are honestly sublime, with turquoise waters and nary a hotel in sight. And even some of the resorts might be called rather handsome: Porto Cristo, Portocolom, Portopetro and Canyamel, we're looking at you. Lastly, to the north, you'll find wild stretches of natural park, plus stunning medieval towns, such as Artà and Capdepera.