Bilbao

From the airport

Bus: Buses go to the city every 30 minutes and it is a the 20-minute journey.

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It is not easy to define Colmado Iberico: it is a bakery, cake shop, delicatessen and wine store all rolled into one.
If you are looking for a present for the folks back home, or a treat for yourself, pop into Chocolates Saint Gerons, a master chocolatier since 1850.

Within the Guggenheim Museum, you will find an impressive collection of books and documents on 20th-century art. The library is open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10am-1pm and 3.30pm-6.30pm.

The area around the Old Quarters and Seven Streets is the beating heart of the city. Cobbled streets and squares, bars, restaurants, cafes and shops galore.

Wednesday is discount day in Bilbao. The Bellas Artes Museum is free, lots of cinemas have reduced price tickets and homemade pastries at La Casa Vasca are two-for-one.

The Old Quarter of Bilbao is where it is happening, especially in August when the city celebrates its annual fiestas. The Plaza Nueva and Plaza de Unamuno are lined with bars and restaurants.

Day trip

Guernica. Picasso made this town famous with his historic painting of the same name. About 30 kilometres from Bilbao, Guernica is good choice for a day trip. Visit the Peace Museum or legendary oak tree, where the ancient Basque laws were signed. Try to time your visit with market days on Monday and Saturday.
Castro Urdiales. This lively seaside town is about a 30-minute bus ride from Bilbao. Castro has plenty of good bars, restaurants and cafes, as well as a couple of sandy beaches and a fishing port.

Fuerteventura

From the airport

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Puesta de Sol, on Calle Marinero, Ajuy, is a lovely art gallery/cafe. Try one of the teas, such as blue or white, from the extensive range, while you browse the paintings and sculptures by local artists. 
Baku Market, in Corralejo, is open on Monday and Friday mornings. Here you can find many locally made crafts as well as clothes, jewellery, gifts, African carvings and local produce.

Don't waste your time queing at the Post Office if you want stamps for postcards. Look for signs saying se vende sellos instead.

Avenida Maritima in Corralejo, is a wonderful place to wander about. This pedestrian path extends along the sea front and hosts a number of restaurants, bars and shops. Stop and look out to sea at Lobos Island and watch the kite surfers off Flag Beach.

Calle Iglesia, in Corralejo, is also known as the "cobbled street". Choose from one of the many restaurants and bars or explore the alleyways to find some hidden treasures.

Day trip

Morro Jable. Located on the southern tip of the island, this bustling, yet laid-back port features a promenade reminiscent of Nice. Visit the Thursday market, take a boat trip and drive out to the lighthouse along a dirt track. 
Las Playitas. If you are sticking to your New Years's resolutions (good for you!), head to Las Playitas, just outside Gran Tarajal, which features a golf course, driving range, gym and the only Olympic-sized pool on the island (it is heated, thank goodness). You can also take a catamaran course or go diving. 

Gran Canaria

From the airport

Bus: line 60 runs from 6.50am-11.05pm

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Dulceria Nublo sells handmade sweets. Try the bienmesabe, an authentic treat made with almonds and marzipan.
Get into the Carnival spirit and splash out on your very own costume. Bazaar Ani offers everything you need to get in the mood.

If you cannot get enough of Carnival, nip over to Santa Cruz to see how Tenerife parties. It is either a 20-minute flight or an hour's journey by ferry from Agaete.

Playa del Cura is a small and quiet resort on the south-west coast. It has two small beaches and a shopping centre as well as a good selection of restaurants and bars.

There are many places on the island with excellent conditions for surfing. The best areas are in the north, from El Confital to Galdar. Pozo Izquierdo hosts international competitions.

Find everything you have been looking for at the Rasto, a cultural melting pot. Every Sunday this market is an explosion of colours and aromas. The stalls have some unusual items that make ideal gifts.

Day trip

Fuerteventura. Frequent flights make the island of Fuerteventura within easy reach. Beautiful white sandy beaches and, just 15 minutes from the airport, the town of Corralejo has lots of shops and bars. An ideal way to check out your next holiday location.
Firgas. A pretty little town famous for its man-made waterfall that cascades 30 metres down on the Paseo de Gran Canaria. Try the famous sparkkling mineral water from the Barranco de la Virgen.

Almeria

From the airport

Bus: bus 15 leaves for the city centre roughly every 30-45 minutes. It is a 30-minute journey.

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The craft fai in Vera takes place every Monday at the Intermarche supermarket from 10am-4pm.
The market off Calle Aguilar de Campo offers the hustle and bustle of a traditional street market. As well as leather goods, try the fresh fruit and vegetables stalls and pick up some of the best marinated olives around.

Calle de Las Tiendas (streets of shops) in the heart of the Old Town, is a great spot to pick up souvenirs. It is an atmospheric street which is frequented by locals during the paseo (evening stroll).

If you want to get away from the beach and bars for a few hours, pop into the Cines Monumental cinema on Avenida Mediterraneo, for all the latest films.

The Paseo de Ameria is one of the main shopping areas in the city. Designer stores, supermarkets and arcades to pick up last-minute presents and bargains. The boulevard also offers a pleasant walk down to the seafront.

The often-filmed Plaza de la Cathedral is one of the landmark squares of the city. With some excellent pavement cafes, the views of the strapping cathedral are sunning. A number of quaint streets lead off the plaza into the Old Town.

Day trip

Mojacar. This is a classic, whitewashed Andalucian village, built on a hill back from the sea to give protection against attack from pirates and invading armies. The historic pueblo is made up of a cluster of cubist box houses which line the steep windy streets. Stroll the network od cobbled alleys and look out from the many vantage points across the plain. By the beach is Mojacar's new town with plenty of seafront bars and eateries to choose from.
Carboneras. The town of Carboneras lies to the north of Almeria. At the harbour, there are authentic seafood bars and good fish restaurants. Visit the extraordinary Playa de los Muertos beach with its volcanic rock formations.

Ibiza

Ibiza, of course, is the party island. But as well as a clubber's paradise, the island is increasingly becoming a cool family option. With over 300 sunny days a year, the time to go is the May half term, June or early July, before the lasses descend.

The south-western part of the island, with easy access from the airport, is home to crystalline white sandy beaches. Salinas and Es Cavallet (near Ibiza Town) are as beautiful as you will find anywhere and Cala Jondal is recommended for families. To avoid the August crowd, head north, to golden sands and wilder shores. Aguas Blancas has pool rocks and turquoise waters that are shallow for swimming. It is east-facing however with high cliffs. Cala Conte is the beach to go to see a sunset, it is perhaps the most beautiful spot on the island. And Benirras is fun on Sunday evenings when drummers pay on the beach as the sun goes down and people of all ages dance on the sand. Inland, pay a visit to San Carlos, the original 70s' hippy town. It still has a cool vibe, its market Las Dalias should not be missed. Also inland is Santa Gertrudis, known as the heart of the island.

Ibiza Town is the oldest settlement in Europe and dates from BC 960. Salt has been produced here for millennia and is still everywhere to be seen. Medieval ramparts and narrow winding steep cobbled streets of the Dalt Vila are not to be missed.

Ibiza, Eivissa in the local dialect, is the third largest of Spain's Balearic Island's, with 300 days of sunshine a year. 

This is an island where lush green pines spread out as far as the eye can see.Picturesque whitewashed villas dot the hilly horizon and riots of exotic flowers, in fuschia pinks and sunset oranges, grow from the fertile red earth. This is an island where, despite an invasion from thousands of tourists every summer, you can still find some of the cleanest beaches in Europe with crystal-clear water. This is an island with centuries of history, where Romans flank Europe's most ancient fortress city Dalt Vila or Upper Town, and its Renaissance walls stand strong and proud. This is Ibiza

From the airport
Bus: buses to Ibiza leave hourly from 7am-1.50pm and the journry takes 30 minutes.

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The owner of Origins Tribal Art travels the world in search of exotic gifts, furniture, clothes, jewellery and more.
Egoista, in Marina Botafoch, is the perfect place to find your outfit for a night out on the ton, with a fabulous array of accessories.

Bacchus is one of the best restaurants on the island. 

Escape the hoards, experience a typical Ibicencan municipality and get a true sense of the Mediterranean landscape. Sant Juan, in the north-west of the island, is an unspoilt area with woodland, beautiful coastal cliffs and spectacular beaches.

February sees the colourful Festival of Santa Eularia. This area comes alive with a street festival, dancing, live music and more.

If you are after garanteed sunshine and want to party every night, Ibiza is still the hottest destination around. Playa de Las Salinas is by far the coolest beach on the Balearic isle and the best place to sip a sundowner while listening to top DJs and eyeing up the tanned totty.

Day trip

Sant Josep. There are some wonderful beaches in Sant Josep. Begin your journey at Cala Vedella, then continue towards Cala Moli and Cala Tarida up to Platges de Compte which has many islets in front on it. 
Sant Mateo. Visit the beautiful vineyards of Sant Mateo for the day. The island has produced wine for more than 2000 years, so why not enjoy a wine-tasting session in the hands of experienced masters? Try the cellar of Juan Bonet Riera.

Lanzarote

From the airport

Bus: Buses 22 and 23 leave every 30 minutes, stopping at Playa del Reducto and Arrecife's bus station. The service runs from 7am-10.25pm Monday-Friday and 9am-10.25pm at weekends.

Shop

Chevere is brimming with ethnic jewellery, ceramics, unusual clocks and other lovely gifts.
The Market in Haria offers the opportunity to buy locally produced crafts and agricultural produce. It is held on Saturday morning from 9am-2pm.

In February, get into the party mood for Carnival and dressing up does not have to cost the Earth. Mega Centro, Playa Honda, stocks a huge range of costumes for the occasion.

Waiwurrie is Lanzarote's popular surfwear label.

Key are

Head to Arrecife's Calle Jose Antonio for the Canarian clubbing experience with plenty of bars and nightclubs to choose from. The party does not get going until well into the early hours so pace yourself.

Day trip

Haria. Far removed from the island's busier resorts, this sleepy village is located in the "Valley of 1000 Palms" planted in celebration of the birth of children, one for a girl and two for every boy. Saturday morning sees a craft market in the central square. 
Famara. On the north-west coast of the island, Famara beach is a popular surfing location. The high cliffs make a spectacular backdrop and the bohemian nature of the unpaved village makes it a refreshing change from tourist resorts.

Malaga

From the airport
Trains: trains to Malaga run every 30 minutes from 6.30am-11.30pm

Malaga is a cracking little town that displays the best of Spain crammed into a small and easily navigable package. The easiest way to orientate yourself on arrival is to take the long, steep footpath from the Ayuntamiento (or townhall) and head to the top of the Jebal al Faro hill which sits above the city. Jebal al Faro used to be home to a lighthouse that protected the city's ships while today it is crowded by the ruins of two Moorish fortresses that were designed to protect the city itself. The 8th century Alcazaba and the 14th century Gibralfaro offer vistas of the city's main sites such as the port, the Malagueta bullring and, on a clear day at least, the coast of North Africa.

The city's main thoroughfare is the boulevard Marques de Larios. Essentially a pedestrianised commercial street teeming with high-end clothes shops, it culminates in the Plaza De La Constitucion, the heart of the city and its nightlife. Packed into the surrounding side streets that spider off from the square, you will find some of the best tapas and flamenco bars in Spain that will have you dancing until the early hours of the morning.

Malaga is packed with history, having been invaded and conquered time and again by various marauding masses. Pablo Picasso was born here. There is also a magnificent Gothic cathedral which remains incomplete as the city ran out of money when it was being built in the 17th century, one of the towers has yet to be finished earning it the local nickname La Manquetta or "the one-armed lady".

The city beach is a brilliant place to just kick back and relax. Considering it is less than a kilometre from the port, the water is clean, the sans is fine and there are toilet blocks and showers sponsored by the council.

And while Malaga retains its uniquely Spanish feel, it is also a great base from which to explore the rest of the Costa Del Sol. Head West and you will come to those Anglophile resorts but take the old coast road east (as opposed to the new motorway) as it winds towards Almeria and you will come across dozens of tiny fishing villages punctuated with the odd tourist resort or quirky sight.


For intriguing small shops coupled with designer boutiques, head for Marbella's Centro Historico tangle of cobbled streets around pretty Plaza de Naranjos.

For the most spectacular views of the city and coastline, head to Malaga's eigth-century Gibralfaro Castle.

The narrow streets that flank Malaga's swanky Marques de Larios have some of the best and quirkiest tapas bars in the city.

Day trip

Competa. If you are seeking some respite from the clamour and crowds of the Costa, head for this village surrounded by olive groves and vineyards. About an hour's drive from Malaga, on 15 August it is the annual Noche del Vino festival, where you can taste the local wine for free.

Nerja. You can stop off in Nerja, an hour's drive away, for instance and go and volunteer at the local donkey sanctuary or simply pick up some fruit and veg and give the animals a treat. Over the past ten years, the sanctuary, which is run by British volunteers, has rehomed more than a thousand donkeys and mules. 

Tenerife

Tenerife boast a climate of perpetual balminess, 18C in winter, 24C in summer.

From the airport

Bus. Number 487 stops at Los Cristianos and Playa de Las Americas.

If you are looking for a clothing boutique with a difference, Karin in El Camison is a great place to buy stylish designs. Owner Karin provides expert advice on the latest trends.

Tenerife Pearl is a large shop devoted to jewellery in Armenime. Open seven days a week, it also offers the chance to hand-pick a pearl from a live oyster.

Aqualand Costa Adeje boasts a fantastic water park, with adrenaline pumping rides and slides, such as Tornado and Twister. If that is not your cup of tea, visit the dolphinarium with 10 bottle-nose dolphins. 

If you plan to travel about by bus on Tenerife, take note of the word guagua. It eans bus, but it is not the Spanish word for it. The Canary islands have close ties with Cuba and you will find that many words and phrases are Caribbean Spanish rather than spoken on the mainland.

Veronicas in Playa de Las Americas is known as the heart of clubland with The Strip filled on two levels with clubs and bars playing loud music to the early hours.

The Anaga Mountains offer much to walkers. Take the path up to the panoramic Roques de Anaga, a scenic spot. Still relatively unexplored, this area offers a taste of real-life Tenerife, where some locals still live in caves.

Tenerife's most prestigious fiesta takes place on 15 August in honour of Nuestra Senora de Candelaria, patron of the Canaries. The event attracts thousands of visitors every year, the highlight being a re-enactement of the Guanches discovering their patron. 

Tenerife is easy to explore, particularly the volcanic Mount Teide National Park, its eerie lunar landscape was formed by a huge eruption millions of year ago.

The Santa Cruz carnival is one of the biggest in the world. Many regard it as second only to Rio de Janeiro in Bazil.

Day trip

Candelaria. This picturesque town in the north-east of the island is home to the Basilica de Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria, a church that attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Camel Park. Near Los Cristianos, enjoy a camel ride and a Middle Eastern meal afterwards. Open daily from 10am-7pm, a free bus runs from Los Cristianos and Playa de Las Americas.