Discover the hidden side of Spain

24th Apr 2012 by Page & Moy

With its relaxing resorts and tourist-magnet beaches, Spain has long been the overseas holiday destination of choice for Britons.

But as anyone who has taken a touring holiday in the country will know, there is much more to be experienced than sun, sea and sand.

Medieval cities and palaces

Spain boasts a rich and fascinating history and one way to discover it is by taking a tour of some of the nation's medieval cities and palaces. Visitors can stay in a former 16th-century palace, explore ancient cities and embark on optional excursions to destinations such as Salamanca.

This ancient university city encompasses two cathedrals and a Roman bridge, while Segovia is distinguished by its beautiful setting on a rocky ridge surrounded by rivers.

Holidaymakers can also take in art and culture in Madrid and spend some time in Toledo, which is home to an impressive Gothic cathedral and countless cobbled streets waiting to be explored.

Andalucia

Home to more than eight million people, Andalucia is the most populous of Spain's 17 autonomous communities and certainly one of the most popular among travellers. It boasts a luxurious climate and numerous towns and cities full of history, culture and unforgettable sights.

Visitors can savour a taste of destinations such as Antequera, with its recently excavated Roman baths and the Renaissance church of Santa Maria la Mayor. Optional excursions are available to El Torcal, a national park with rare plants and animals, and the Dolmens, a network of megalithic tombs dating back more than 4,000 years.

Culture vultures might be interested in paying a visit to a museum celebrating Pablo Picasso in Malaga, which is also home to the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro fortresses.

Another city that travellers will not want to miss is Seville, the Andalucian capital, which is home to a heady blend of attractions including the Barrio Santa Cruz, Plaza de Espana and the vast Gothic cathedral.

Cruise holidays

As well as taking tours that focus solely on Spain, travellers can visit some of its best known and most interesting destinations with a cruise holiday.

One option is a voyage highlighting the contrasts of the Mediterranean, which includes stops in Malaga, Cadiz, Valencia and Barcelona. The sailing will give guests the opportunity to see sights including an ancient Roman theatre, charming old town areas and the spectacular architectural innovations of Antoni Gaudi.

Some of the Iberian peninsula's most beautiful sights are showcased during a river cruise along the Douro in Portugal, which includes forays over the Spanish border to Salamanca and Vega de Teron.