VISIT STUNNING NATIONAL PARKS

Few countries in western Europe have such unspoilt scenery as Spain. More than 200 nature reserves protect a broad range of ecosystems. The most important areas are the 11 national parks, the first of which was established in 1918.

Mountains

Some of Spain’s finest scenery is to be found in the two national parks in the north where rivers have carved stupendous gorges between the high mountain peaks.

The National Park of the Picos de Europa is now Europe’s largest national park straddling the three regions of Asturias, Cantabria and Castilla y Leon. In some parts deep gorges cut through the rocks. Elsewhere green valleys support dairy farming. The Picos offer superb hiking, rock climbing and caving.

The National Park of Ordessa y Monte Perdido situated in the high Pyrenees is accessible only on foot. In autumn and winter, snow makes it inaccessible to all, except those with specialist climbing equipment. In the high summer many way-marked trails can be tackled by the reasonably fit. But Pyrenean weather can change quickly. In case of need there are several refugios providing basic food and shelter.

Wetlands

The wetlands, including coastal strips and freshwater marshes, are ever-changing environments. Seasonal floods rejuvenate the water, providing nutrients for animal and plant growth. These areas are rich feeding grounds for birds.

The national park of Donana in southern Spain covers in excess of 185,000 acres. It is a massive wetland of marshes and sand dunes. As the land is not suitable for human settlers, wildlife is able to flourish. In 1969, this large area became the protected home to threatened species and thousands of migratory birds.

Volcanic landscapes

Three very different parks protect parts of the Canary Islands’ amazing volcanic scenery:

• Calderade Taburiente on La Palma is a volcanic crater surrounded by woods.
• Mount Teide in Tenerife, a high mountain usually covered in snow, has unique alpine flora.
• Lanzarote’s Timanfaya is composed of barren, but atmospheric lava fields.

Islands

Cabrera off the coast of Mallorca is home to rare plants, reptiles and seabirds. The surrounding waters are important for their marine life.

ATTRACTIONS OF A TRADITIONAL FAMILY HOLIDAY

The eastern coast of Spain bordering on the Mediterranean, together with the Balearics and Canaries are Europe’s holiday playground. As tourism has developed, so too have the amenities. Commercialism is on a terrifying scale, but all designed to let people enjoy, relax and realise a sun soaked holiday.

Costa Blanca

One of the big attractions on the Costa Blanca is Terra Mitica (Land of Myths), a theme park inspired by the ancient myths of Egypt, Rome, Iberia and Greece. It is possible to step inside the Pyramid of Cheops, experience Triton’s Fury with a good soaking and a white-knuckle splashdown, or experience the Flight of the Phoenix – a heart stopping 54m sheer vertical drop. There are activities for all ages, themed restaurants and costumed hosts.

In Benidorm itself there are performing dolphins, parrots and sea lions at Mundomar which also has many woodland paths to explore. Next-door is a huge water park called Aqualandia. A taste of Africa can be obtained at the two drive-through safari parks – Safari Park Vergel and Safari Aitana.

Close by, the sun’s heat is escaped in the cool Canelobre Caves which feature weird and wonderful stalactites.

Costa Dorada

Is a jaunt round the world a bit much for a single weekend? Not at Port Aventura in Salou. The giant theme park divides into Mexico, China, Polynesia, Far West and Mediterranean areas and is part of Universal Mediterranea, an even greater resort encompassing a pair of 500-room hotels and Costa Caribe Water Park. There are life-sized Mayan temples in Mexico; coconut fronds wave menacingly as you climb to the lip of a bubbling volcano on Tutuki Splash water flume in Polynesia.

Despite the global theme, Universal Mediterranea also has a decidedly Spanish feel with late dining and entertainment plus a siesta-time lull and some excellent lunchtime alternatives to fast food.

Costa del Sol

The largest and best of Spain’s animal parks is the recently opened Selwo Nature Park at Estepona, home to some 2,000 animals many of which roam free in semi-wild conditions, amidst various eco-systems. Spot the lions and tigers, rhinos and zebras, hippos in the lake and even rare albino kangaroos. Walk over a bridge, gaze down to the animals below or drive in special safari vehicles.

There are more wild animals in semi-natural conditions at Cocodriles Park, Aljaima, up in the hills behind Malaga. Come face to face with ‘Big Nose’, a full-grown 77-year old monster crocodile or coo over his just-hatched descendants.

Tivoli World at Arroyo de la Miel is one of Spain’s longest-established theme parks, set in landscaped gardens. White-knuckle rides include roller coasters, the terrifying Tivoli Dragon and the biggest flume ride on the Costa del Sol.

At La Gueva de Nerja, a fantastic cave of cathedral-like proportions, the world’s longest stalactite is featured.

Mini Hollywood near Almeria was the film location for over 100 movies, including The Magnificent Seven, A Fistful of Dollars and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Shoot outs, hangings and bank hold-ups – all carefully orchestrated – still take place.

The Isla Magica, Sevilla is the world’s only major theme park right at the historic heart of a great city. Isla Magica stands next to the Guadalquiver River on the site of Expo 92. The park is themed around Spanish exploration of the New World with seven sections surrounding a lake. The Amazonia, set in the Peruvian rainforest, the high-speed El Jaguar roller coaster whirls through 360-degree turns, while in ‘Port of the Indies’ there is a mammoth 68-metre freefall drop.

Madrid – Movie World

This enormous Warner Brothers Park has five separate areas – Hollywood Boulevard, Cartoon Village, the Wild West, DC Super Heroes World and Warner Brothers Studio. Each offers rides based on the sets and characters of Warner Brother’s films and cartoons – from Hollywood icons of the 1940s through to the present day. There are five roller coasters including the looping, cork-screwing Superman Ride of Steel, three water flumes and a host of spectacular shows featuring cartoon favourites such as Bugs Bunny. Daffy Duck and Batman.

Gibraltar

Everyone enjoys being whisked to the top of the Rock by cable car and then exploring the well interpreted Great Siege Tunnels. Of course, there are those famous Barbary Apes, which pose like actors for photos. Do not feed them or try to handle them. A short walk away is St Michael’s Cave – a huge natural grotto, with beautifully illuminated giant stalactites and stalagmites.

Mallorca

Forget all that sun, sea and sand. Immerse the mind in the surreal, eerily lit stalactite and stalagmite-filled world of the Coves del Drac (Caves of the Dragon) on Mallorcas’ East Coast.

The trip finishes with an unforgettable concert set on the cave’s magical underground lake.

In the sunshine, near Palma Nova, dolphins are the star performers at Marine land, while sea lions and parrots are given supporting roles. There are also penguins, sharks and tropical fish, monkeys, a reptile house and a large aviary. Creatures without cages roam the Auto-Safari at Cala Millor, with giraffes, zebras and monkeys.

Aquacity at S’Arenal claims to be the biggest water park in Europe and also boasts go-karts, falconry demonstrations, a mini-zoo, mini-farm and the obligatory parrot show. Splash around at the Hidropark, Port d’Alcudia and the Aquapark at Magaluf.

Tenerife

Top of the attractions is the excellent Loro Parque, in the north of the island at Puerto de la Cruz, which began life as the world’s largest collection of bros (parrots), then added more with the biggest dolphinarium outside the USA and the world’s longest underwater tunnel. Sea-lions and parrots also perform; there’s a gorilla jungle, batcave, tigers, crocodiles, king penguins, chimps and a 180-degree cinema – all set in glorious subtropical gardens.

Down south, near Los Cristianos, also in a beautiful subtropical setting, the best wildlife attraction is Las Aguilas del Teide, featuring mostly birds of prey.

One of the island’s most fascinating sights is its Drago Milenario a 1,000 year-old Dragon Tree. With a girth of around seven metres and height of 17m it’s impressive by any standards.

Aquapark Octopus is the island’s best water park – famous for its trompe I’oeil giant orange water tap! It too has a dolphinarium.

Gran Canaria

Wildlife, the Wild West and wild driving are three of the big attractions on Gran Canaria.

Palmitos Parque features over 1,000 exotic birds, including performing parrots, a butterfly house, hummingbirds and an orchid house. Crocodilos Park offers more than just 300 crocodiles, with Siberian tigers, performing parrots, snakes, reptiles, an aquarium and a monkey house. There are more snakes, reptiles and assorted creepy crawlies at Reptilandia Park, Galdar.

Sioux City was built as a Western set in the 1960s and has been developed as a small theme park. Cows stampede through the town, the bullets fly and the saloon resounds to the sound of ‘yeehahs’!

Holiday World, in the centre of Maspalomas, is a permanent funfair with white-knuckle and gentler rides. Parrots and sea lions do their bit here too. Aqua Sur, near Palmitos Parque, is the largest water-park in the Canaries with 29 different rides. Ocean Park at Maspalomas and Aqua Park at Puerto Rico are two other splash-a-minute favourites.

Lanzarote

There is much less in Lanzarote than on the two main Canary Islands. However everyone will enjoy the incredible moonscapes of the Montanas de Fuego (Fire Mountains) National Park, and the guide’s party trick of turning a bucket of water into a whooshing geyser. There are also camel rides. Until recently camels were beasts of burden on the islands, but today they are harnessed for tourism and safaris.

SPANISH CITIES

Selling visitors the idea of a short break to Spanish cities is very much a preoccupation of the Tourist Board. Barcelona and Madrid are the most popular. Seville is next, followed by Valencia and Palma. Bilbao, familiar with ferry passengers has now entered the tourist agenda because of the Guggenheim Museum, together with smaller cities such as Cordoba in Andalusia and Santiago de Compostela in Galicia.

Art and culture are the two most important factors drawing people to Spanish cities. Visitors enjoy the museums, art galleries, opera, ballet and concerts. Shopping is a secondary attraction, with outlets ranging from flea markets to major stores offering quality and choice at a price likely to be far lower than in the UK.

Spanish cities are alive almost around the clock, and because a large number of people still live in the city centre it is possible to experience typical bars, cafés, shops and markets within walking distance of major museums and other attractions.

Spanish food is gaining a higher profile in the UK with a proliferation of tapas bars and, while they might not be authentic, they have raised interest in experiencing the real thing. The tapas bars in Spanish cities are a good choice for the busy tourist, offering delicious snacks at any time if you don’t want to wait for lunch after 14.00 or dinner after 21.00.

A good choice for solo travellers is Barcelona – a very cosmopolitan city where it is easy to make friends and the nightlife goes on until dawn.