The hot spots for 2004

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21 JANUARY 2004
New Costa, Costa de la Luz
Stretching nearly 200 miles from Tarifa to Ayamonte on the Portuguese border, the "Coast of Light" has some of the best beaches in Europe, let alone Spain – long, sandy, breezy, washed clean by Atlantic rollers and framed by dunes, pines and fishing villages – all just waiting to be discovered. You won’t find high-rise jungles here, the new resorts that are springing up at Canela, Islantilla and Conil are planned and immaculate with only four- and five-star luxury villas and hotels, brimming with tennis courts, spas and smart marinas.

For culture buffs, there are great Andalusian cities such as Seville, Jerez and Cadiz to visit, enchanting small towns, known traditionally as pueblos blancos – such as Vejer – to browse around, and the "Columbus Route" to follow. The celebrated explorer lived in a Franciscan Monastery here from the late 1400s. If you’re a birdwatcher, you’ll head for the Coto Doñana National Park where the dunes and marshes are stopovers for migratory birds. Golfer? There are dozens of excellent courses, while Tarifa is a magnet for kite- and windsurfers.

REPORT: JILL CRAWSHAW