From Seville to Granada, Cadiz to Cordoba, the province of Andalucia IS Southern Spain. It is a land of contrasts. On the one hand there are the spectacular mountains of the Sierra Nevada and Sierra de las Nieves. On the other is the rolling prairie–like terrain, intensely cultivated with olives, sunflowers, wheat, or vines, where the fields change colour from green to golden yellow and then to shades of brown in harmony with the seasons. Dotted amongst the mountains and plains are the white villages, untouched by time, strategically placed as fortresses against succession of ancient.

Andalucia is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Mediterranean on another. As you might expect the Atlantic is wild and temperamental with miles of unspoilt white sand and rolling waves – a windsurfer's paradise. The Mediterranean coast is the land of smart marinas and yachts, manicured gardens and golf courses; sun and fun.

Spring comes early to Andalucia. In February the mimosa, almond and orange blossom are out. By April wild flowers are everywhere in profusion – there are twenty–six varieties of wild orchid alone to be found in one National Park. Rock roses, Tamarisk, Hyssop, Gorse and Broom, Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme and Clary scent the air. The area is a birdwatcher's paradise as the migration passes over from Africa, heading north.

By June, the earth has started to heat up. Clear calm days, long light evenings and al fresco living begin in earnest. Summer is the time to sit back and relax as only the Spanish know how. Long lunches under a shady tree, followed by a siesta, and a 'paseo' or stroll at dusk. There is nothing for it but to give in and let the sun take you over.

But summer too is fiesta time. Every town and village, no matter how large or small, has one or two 'ferias' each summer. The locals buy new outfits for this, and parade in their finery, some wearing the traditional flamenco dresses for which the region is famous. There are processions and fiestas; dancing in the streets, joyous people in all their finery – often the dancing will continue until the small hours.

Spain is keen to maintain its culture and roots, each region is justly proud of its own heritage and celebrate this in style. Andalucia in particular has a long and rich history from the Roman occupation to 700 years of Moorish rule. Along with this came some of the most stunning architecture to be found in the world – the Alhambra at Granada, the Mosque in Curdoba and the Alcazaba in Seville. Intrinsic in the design of these buildings, is the formal garden, incorporating the then rare commodity, water. Hence the historic and impressive 'Generalife' is visited and studied by avid gardeners from all over the world.

All around though, you will find evidence of Moorish influence even today at every scale; arches and fountains, traditional wrought iron gates and grilles, ceramics and pottery and vibrant mediterranean colours. From the haunting flamenco songs to the rhythm of the Sevilliana dance, there is much to discover about Andalucia and her people. Once your imagination has been captured, the spell will lead you there time and again.

Places of Interest

Whether it is a drive up from the coast, or through the mountains, Ronda is a popular day trip. There is the old quarter of the town, with its antique shops and Moorish architecture, and the famous bridge, spanning a dramatic gorge. Nearby, at Ronda Ia Vieja, there is the remains of a Roman Amphitheatre, and in the Cueva de la Pileta on the Benaojan road, prehistoric wall paintings. At Setenil, a quaint village nearby Ronda, the houses are built in the cave walls formed from the overhanging ledge of a gorge.

If you prefer not to drive, there is a train from Algeciras, passing through the mountains to Ronda and on to Malaga. The scenery is spectacular and you can hop off at various stations on route for refreshment at one of the local bars on the platform.

In the white village of Grazalema you can visit an old woollen mill, still using the machinery of the last century.

At Jerez de la Frontera, home of sherry, there are organised trips and tastings around the bodegas with household names such as Harveys, Domecq and Sanderman.

Food & Wine

Everyone on holiday loves to sit with a drink and watch the world go by, and in Spain, you are never far from a bar, venta or restaurant. Opening hours are elastic – usually they are happy to serve until the last guest is ready to leave, all–be–it at four in the morning! The bill (Ia cuenta) is never presented until requested; this is the Andalucian hospitality.

Spaniards rarely drink without eating a tapa. These are very small appetisers – a mushroom with garlic sauce, a crab's claw, a fried quail's egg on a piece of bread with a thin slice of mountain cured ham on top. Great care is taken in cooking and presenting these irresistible morsels. With your tapa, try a glass of ice cool fino – the dry sherry, famous in the area.

Then there are the regional specialities. Around Grazalema and Zahara de la Sierra wild thistles in scrambled egg should be tasted, along with sheep's cheese and the local sausage, 'chorizo' of Benaojan. Jamon Serrano, the mountain cured ham comes from the famous black pigs grazing in the area. Seafood of course, is excellent – calamares or squid, whitebait, swordfish and octopus. Pork and chicken are excellent and seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables from asparagus to figs are in abundance. Each village has a bustling, colourful and interesting weekly open–air street market.

Walking and Birdwatching

The National Park of Grazalema is one of the most beautiful places for nature lovers to visit and explore.

There are cork forests, evergreen oak and pine forests and one tree which is unique to the area called the 'Pinsapo'. In Spring, the Park is a profusion of wild flowers, and the bird life is excellent. The villages of Grazalema and Zahara de la Sierra in the park are two of the prettiest of the white villages and are well worth exploring. The mountain villages of Casares and Gaucin too are a pleasure for lovers of flora, fauna and birds.

Water Sports

Tarifa at the tip of Spain where the Atlantic joins the Mediterranean is known as the windsurfing capital of Europe. Here, up to a thousand boards can be seen on the water off the vast white beaches when the 'levante' wind blows. Around the coast at Sotogrande, try your hand at Hobycat sailing. Marinas are dotted all the way along the Mediterranean.

Horse Riding

Horses are available for hire at Alhaurin el Grande, Ronda, San Pedro and Gaucin. If you prefer a more passive role, visit the Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art in Jerez. Here, the prowess of the Andalucian horseman can be seen at its best – there are daily tours of the stables and a dancing display every Thursday at 12 noon.

Golf

Offering the best golf courses in Europe, from Valderrama in Sotogrande, the venue for last year's Ryder Cup, to Las Brisas, the Costa del Sol has a host of wonderful courses to choose from. Twelve 18–hole courses have opened in the last three years alone, and six more are underway. One course, La Dama de Noche, is unique as it has a floodlit course, allowing play after dark!

Fiestas and Ferias