Country Holidays in Spanish Countryside

Families and nature lovers often like to rent a holiday apartment or a villa in the countryside. If you choose this type of accommodation, you will almost certainly need a car. Hoteles Rurales, country hotels, offer a great atmosphere, traditional food, a peaceful location and excellent activities, eg riding holidays. The Spanish National Tourist Office supply brochures or you could also contact Asociacion de Hoteles Rurales de Andalucia, Sagunto 8, E-04004 Almeria Telephone 950 26 50 18, www.hotelsvirtuales.com. Another alternative is offered by the Red Andaluza de Alojamientos Rurales. This organisation, based in Almeria, provides a large range of accommodation in rural areas; anything from Arab-inspired tents to traditional fincas in fruit orchards or smart, rustic-style hotels with swimming pools, all in remote mountain regions. Contact them at RAAR, Apartado de Correos, 2035, E-04080 Almeria, Telephone 950 26 50 18, www.raar.es. A rather new amenity is the government-run Villas Turisticas, free-standing dwellings in scenic mountain locations. These self-catering apartments can be rented in holiday villages such as Bubion, Cazalla de la Sierra and Cazorla. What could be better than an authentic Spanish finca of your own for a week or two in spring or autumn (my absolute favourite times of year for visiting Spain!) For example how about a detached villa in Montanas del Frigiliana, near to Torrox park and all the amenities and only around 45 minutes from Malaga airport, however, far enough away from it all to enjoy the complete tranquility of Spanish countryside, indeed if you wish you could spend a fortnight without seeing another soul! - if thats what you wish, alternatively the busier tourist spots are only a short car journey away if you like. Spain is absolutely full of villas hidden away, most have delightful gardens, patios and BBQ areas. Some have satellite/cable TV with all the UK sky channels and private pools also - although these tend to be more expensive, they are not out of reach for most families in the UK.