In the capital, Madrid; in Barcelona, Seville, Granada, Cadiz, Malaga, Bilbao and countless other cities and towns; on the beaches and in the resorts of the sparkling Mediterranean coast; in the bewitching traditional villages of the rural interior, you will find an infinite range of natural, historical, cultural and leisure attractions that make Spain the very special country it is. Whether you choose to attend a bullfight, learn Flamenco dancing, party until dawn, gaze in awe at Picasso's 'Guernica' or the Guggenheim Museum; play golf in Malaga or watch Real Madrid at the Bernabeau stadium; munch paella at a beachside restaurant; admire the Alhambra or the Roman ruins of Mérida, you are experiencing a small part of what makes Spain one of the most exciting and diverse countries in the world.

 

As our official favourite holiday destination, Spain holds a very special place in the hearts of British holidaymakers - and has done since the advent of package tourism in the 1960s. We just love Spain, it seems. So much so, in fact, that according to National Statistics' Travel Trends report of December 2004, a staggering 13.8 million British visitors passed through Spanish ports of entry in 2002 - 89% of whom were visiting purely for leisure purposes. Consider also that the number of British expatriates enjoying life in Spain - which runs into many thousands - is greater than the combined total of all other foreign communities in Spain. It is estimated that around 75,000 Britons invested in Spanish property in 2004, so this is certainly a love affair that grows more passionate with the passing of time.

Why is it that the British love Spain so much? In truth, it is difficult not to fall for this beautiful country, whatever your origins. The climate is wonderful (with an average of 300 days of sunshine a year); the pace of life and cost of living are extremely agreeable; the food is superb (and largely very healthy); the scenery is breathtaking, and the history and culture of Spain are utterly compelling. All of the above could be applied to many countries around the world, of course, but Spain - representing the 'exotic' on our doorstep - has genuinely captured the imagination of the British for four decades, to the extent it seems part of our national consciousness! Increasingly cheap flights to Spain and Spanish property of excellent value and build quality will continue to attract the British for many decades to come, it seems.