Travel insurance - Tips & Advice - Holiday destination guides
Outdoor sports
The Costa de la Luz and Andalucia in general offer some great opportunities for outdoor sports and activity holidays. Tarifa, for example, is often known as the windsurfing capital of Europe – its best wind and kite surfing beaches include Playa Los Lances and Playa Valdevaqueros – while the Mediterranean stretch near Guadiaro is great for snorkelling and diving. The Bay of Cádiz and the Laguna de Fuente de Piedra near El Rompido are also designated National Parks so are ideal for bird-spotters, nature lovers and wildlife walks. There's also a well-established golf scene along the coast and some breathtaking horse riding routes through the mountains.
Sun, sea and sand
Pretty much the whole of the Costa de la Luz is beach so there are lots of spots to choose from. Go at the right time of year and you might even find a secluded spot to yourself. During July and August, the beaches in the Huelva Province are packed out with locals from Huelva and Seville, but during the rest of the year they are relatively uncrowded. Popular spots include Isla Cristina, La Antilla, El Rompido, Punta Umbria and Matalascañas.The beaches along the Cadiz stretch are more windswept but still beautiful with tiny coves, majestic cliffs and fishing villages. Check out Conil de la Frontera, Caños de Meca, Zahara de los Atunes, Bolonia and Valdevaqueros in Tarifa.
Spanish style
Thanks to building regulations, this stretch of coast is not as developed as the Costa del Sol and its natural beauty still manages to shine through. Spanish customs and traditions also remain strong, especially in some of the smaller towns and villages that pepper the coast and mountain areas.
The region offers some of the best seafood in Spain, where you can see the catch of the day brought to shore by local fishermen. In historic Cádiz, you can enjoy museums, architecture and a frenzied fiesta (carnival) in February, while half an hour away lays Jerez de la Frontera, with its sherry bodegas (cellars) and equestrian heritage. Andalucia is also the birthplace of flamenco!
Favourite haunts
Find your perfect spot and make it a home from home. Here are three to try…
- Blown away
If surfing is your thing then the 'Wind Capital' of Costa del Luz, Tarifa, will draw you like a magnet. But it's not all about the breaks and windswept beach. From strategic military fortress and remote fishing town to bustling backpacking destination, the Moorish style is also still predominant, especially around the medina (old city centre). That means you can surf in the day and then sample some authentic flavours at night – for party lovers many places also stay open until dawn, although this is not Marbella – there is still a laid-back vibe.
- Gourmet heaven
Drawing on Roman, Phoenician and Moorish influences, in Cádiz you can snack on delicious tapas (small dishes of local meat, vegetables and fish) in the Plaza del Tio de la Tiza – the old town's fishing district – or chow down on the house speciality of seafood a la sal (salted fish) in one of the region's most elegant restaurants, El Faro. Pescadito Frito (fried fish Cádiz-style) is also a must-try. Plus, Cadiz also offers some exquisite cheeses and there's an abundance of sherry from nearby Jerez to wash it all down.
- Culture vulture
Seville lies on the banks of the River Guadalquivir and is one of the oldest urban centres in Europe. Said to be created by Hercules, it has links with the Tartessian civilisation, the Romans and the Moors and the abundance of art and architecture, museums and monuments reflect its past. These include the Alcázar Palace, the minaret of La Giralda, the Fine Arts Museum and La Maestranza bullring. Seville is also known for its warm hospitality and joyous atmosphere, putting on a week-long festival of food, drink and dance at the Fería de Abril. Expect amazing equestrian displays and gypsy flamenco dancers!
Getting there
Plane You can fly to either Seville or Jerez de la Frontera (near Tarifa) and travel to other parts of the Costa de la Luz from there. Fly to Seville from: London Stansted, Liverpool and Dublin with Ryanair; from Dublin with Aer Lingus; and from London Gatwick with Clickair. You may also find flights with BA and Iberia. Fly to Jerez from: London Stansted with Ryanair; and from Manchester with Thomas Cook Airlines and Monarch Scheduled. Or there are lots of cheap flights to Malaga in neighbouring Costa del Sol – if you're at the east end of the Costa de la Luz then transfers from here may be more convenient. See www.flightmapping.com/Europe/Spain for more details.
Train
It's surprisingly easy to get to Spain by train. The best hub on the Costa de la Luz is Seville. To get there; travel from London to Paris on the Eurostar. Take an overnight train to Madrid and then it's a two-hour journey to Seville. The last leg of this route is very scenic as it goes directly through the mountains. You can then travel to other parts of the Costa de la Luz from there – or just enjoy Seville! See www.seat61.com/Spain.htm and www.raileurope.co.uk
Find out more Get more information and holiday ideas from www.spain.info and www.andalucia.com/costa-de-la-luz. Guidebooks like The Rough Guide to Andalucia, Lonely Planet's Andalucia Regional Guide or Time Out Seville and Andalucia can also help you find your way around while there.
Stay insured
Spain welcomes millions of tourists each year – more than 17 million of them from Britain alone. (Source: Foreign & Commonwealth Office). In popular tourist areas such as beaches, markets, bars, nightclubs and resorts the level of crime can be increased so take care of your personal possessions at all times and don't put yourself in a vulnerable position whilst under the influence of alcohol. Also, don't travel without adequate travel insurance. With Direct Line it's easy to sort out your travel insurance online. Our annual travel insurance policy is perfect for favourite places or holiday homes that you want to return to over again. It's also great for frequent travellers to Costa de la Luz or other places in the world – just make sure your geographical selection covers you for where you want to go. See how much you could save and apply for a travel insurance quote with Direct Line.
Related information:
Advice on activity holidays – if you are taking part in watersports on your beach holiday make sure you check with your travel insurer whether you will be covered under their standard policy.
Winter sun – should you go short-haul or further afield? Our guide can help you decide on the best location to avoid the UK winter.
A case of bad timing – what do you do if you have to cut your holiday short or cancel it altogether? Direct Line travel insurance is here to help policyholders.
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