From the beaches to the plains of Spain: reading tips | Holidays in Spain

Vibrant colors, vibrant dishes, Asturias

Dug into the rugged coast of Asturias, Cudillero is a picturesque fishing village that brightened up our recent tour of the north. After driving along the coast from Gijón, we were immediately struck by its bright colours. We enjoyed the freshest seafood at one of the quaint harbourside restaurants and found the bogavante rice spectacular but inexpensive. We spent the rest of the day wandering the village's narrow, winding streets and past its seemingly endless staircases to reveal panoramic views of the harbor.
Haldane

Come home, Andalusia

Halfway between Cordoba and Granada, Priego de Cordoba is a beautiful, unspoilt town, full of magnificent churches, a whitewashed and flower-filled old town and a number of great restaurants and bars. Stay in the wonderful Olea House (doubles from £136, B&B) a few miles away; a beautiful, eco-friendly place run by welcoming and knowledgeable hosts – with walks and cycle rides from the door into beautiful countryside. Return for a dip in the pool, an expertly mixed G&T and a fabulous home-cooked dinner under the stars.
Stephanie O'Brien

Paprika and an Emperor, Extremadura

The Vera is the green and fertile area, between mountains and plains, in central Spain where peppers are grown for the chili pepper (paprika) seen in brightly colored retro tins. The Paprika Museum in Jaraíz de la Vera tells the story of how an American pepper became famous in Spanish cuisine – through a frying pan that accidentally smoked. Holy Roman Emperor Charles V chose to end his days in the nearby region Yuste Monastery – a wonderful place to visit. We stayed at our friends' house farm (farm) in Villanueva de la Vera, set on a wooded hillside dotted with clearings where ancient olive trees are tended by elderly owners. Itinerant shepherds still graze their flocks across the hills and packs of wild boars roam the gardens and orchards at night. It’s best to visit on the cusp of autumn, accept the risk of a refreshing rain shower and then chat with the locals about the weather over a breakfast of tomatoes, toast and ham in the excellent café/shop Las Pepas (Avenida de la Vera, 39).
Rex

Palm trees and heels, near Alicante

Shoe-loving horticulturists will find Elchea small town 25 km inland from Alicante and the Costa Blanca, a dream location. The centre of the Spanish footwear industry, Elche has a business park on the outskirts of the city with many factories of well-known brands, most with outlets selling at prices below retail. After visiting the outlets, return to the city centre which is dominated by the largest palm grove in Europe, the Palma UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 45,000 date palms covering 144 hectares.
Malcolm Matthew

Medieval perch in the Pyrenees

Ainsa Nestled in the Pyrenees, Aínsa is a mountain biker’s paradise. Its rugged terrain offers thrilling trails for all abilities, winding through ancient villages and dense forests. Aínsa’s medieval old town, perched 570 metres above sea level, offers stunning views of the surrounding Pyrenees mountains. The main square is lined with local restaurants, one of the most notable of which is the Alfonso Housewhich offers an amazing menu at reasonable prices.
Josh

Superb campsite in the Pyrenees

This is the most picturesque campsite I have ever visited. Bujaruelo Shelternorth of Torla-Ordesa, at 1,338 metres above sea level in the high Pyrenees, sits perfectly alongside the RÃo Ara, with impressive mountain views in all directions. The campsite has an on-site café/bar which serves reasonably priced classics and is a great place for a pre-hike coffee/post-hike beer. There are many hiking routes from the Refugio de Bujaruelo, my favourite being a circular route through the beautiful Valle de Otal. The entrance to the Ordesa National Park is a short drive away, while nearby Torla offers a range of good restaurants and guest houses.
Charlotte Jose

Art and photography in Andalusia

Museum Ibanez And Pérez Siquier Center Museum In Olula del Río, Almería province (an hour's drive north of Almería city), there are two free museums/art galleries in Andalusia. Together, they house a magnificent collection of contemporary art and historical photography (Carlos Pérez Siquier is considered one of the pioneers of the photographic avant-garde in Spain and one of the most influential creators of Spanish photography) from Spain, in two buildings located next to each other on the side of the road. The size of both was a real surprise, and they made for a very quiet and relaxed visit. Impossible to miss thanks to the large white sculpture of a woman's head outside.
Charlie Barkus

Hearty regional cuisine, Oviedo

OviedoMadrid's stately buildings and manicured parks are reminiscent of a much larger city, such as Madrid, while retaining an intimate, small-town feel. The friendly locals contribute to this family atmosphere, as does the simple but hearty regional cuisine; dishes like fabada (meat and bean stew) and caldera (seafood stew) are best enjoyed in a low-key pub, a SidreriaOviedo's central location in Asturias and its reliable trains and buses make it an excellent base for exploring the many fantastic coastal towns.
Nikita

A gallop through Cantabria

Friendsin Cantabria (112 km southwest of Santander), is a pretty little town with many medieval buildings in the Picos de Europa, a great base for exploring the mountains, rivers and valleys of green Spain. Take a trip to Fuente Dé to take a cable car up to 1,850 meters (departure at 1,090 meters) into the mountains for less than €15 and explore the trails. Another must-visit is San Vicente de la Barquera, a seaside town with a mountain backdrop and a castle. We stayed at Camping La Viorna just outside Potes, which proved perfectly positioned for the mountains, towns and sea.
Elaine

Winning tip: wild swimming and cycling in Aragon

You can really get lost exploring the vast, undiscovered region of Aragon, and this summer I travelled to a part that was new to me – the Matarraña. The town of Valderrobres is at the heart of it all – a maze of medieval cobbled streets, Gothic churches and a stone bridge with a 14th century castle watching over her. You can hire a bike or walk along an old railway line to the town of Tortosa, which has an excellent market with a wonderful atmosphere – you can buy a litre of wine in a bottle for €5. We enjoyed a swim in Salt of Portelladawhere the Tastavins River flows over the rocks forming a lovely calm pool.
Neil

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