| If you fancy swapping the worst of the British winter for sunshine and blue skies, one country to consider seriously is Spain. Warm, welcoming, affordable, and just a short hop from the UK, culturally it's a world apart. And, in this part of the world, you can still enjoy sunny days and blue skies, even in December and January. |
 |
| If you want to see in 2012 in style, Spain is the place to do it. The Spaniards certainly know how to party, and December 31 is one of the biggest nights of the year. Be warned, though, the celebrations continue until at least breakfast time! While many British celebrations peak with the bongs of Big Ben, in Spain, the party is just getting started at midnight. |
|
| You'll love the ancient and invariably hilarious Spanish tradition of eating grapes on New Year's Eve, one for each chime of the clock as it strikes 12; this custom is thought to date back decades, to a time when it was a way of using up grapes left over from the harvest. Another word of warning: seedless grapes aren't that easy to come by in Spain, making the task even more fun and challenging. |
|
| Generally speaking, the best weather, even in the winter months, is usually to be found in the country's south. Book great value flights to Alicante, for example, and you will find the largest town in the Valencia region has long shaken off its previous image as a town of trade alone, and is one of those places which seems to get better with every visit. |
|
| Thoroughly Spanish, nightlife here is lively, and sandy Postiguet Beach is a focal point in the heart of Alicante, while just outside town is spacious San Juan beach, reckoned to be one of Spain's finest - against some stiff competition! Take a trip on a catamaran or go on a day-long excursion to the island of Tabarca. |
|
| The market stalls along the Explanada d'Espanya do a brisk trade in clothes, beads and so on, while the main market on the Avenue de Alfonso El Sabio offers a range of produce, and a taste of how the locals like to shop! |
|
| While in Alicante don't miss the castle of Santa Barbara. There are also a number of art galleries and museums to explore. If you like your time off to be active, there are plenty of water and land-based activities on offer, from hiking to kayaking, and some great local theme parks as well. |
|
| Alternatively, for a real Andalusian experience, grab a low-cost flight from a great value airline like Flybe, and head for the port of Malaga on the Costa del Sol, again a thoroughly Spanish place, and combining a rich history with a modern outlook. Stroll narrow ancient streets and wide, leafy avenues, and visit beautiful gardens and impressive monuments as well as trendy boutiques. Make time to visit the new Picasso museum (the artist was born here). |
|
| As with Alicante, grab cheap flights to Malaga and you'll find plenty of Mediterranean exuberance and energy. |
|
| It's not all about high rise accommodation: you'll find a variety of places to stay in Malaga. And your trip doesn't have to be all about bars and beaches. You'll find a range of activities on offer, from beach volleyball to golf. |
|
| So why wait until next summer for a heady dose of sun, sea and sangria? Book yourself a winter warmer of a break to the Spanish coast this New Year. |
|
|
