Spain is still the most popular choice for holidaymakers and as the euro falters, the British could be quids in as costs for everyday essentials keep going down. But how many of us actually listen to that little voice that tells us we are completely missing the point! As we head out to the Mediterranean Costas to indulge in the, lets be honest, "same old, same old" of sun, sea and sand and lashings of Ambre Solaire; for many families the thought of forcing our way in to the mass of inland Spain, just doesn't appeal. How wrong we are!
In Spain reasonable prices are not limited to mass tourism. The excellent network of country cottages, farmhouses and rural hotels offer quality and luxury at such a fair cost that you could find yourself luxuriating in your own pool before slipping between the finest cotton sheets in a 16th Century perfectly restored "Masia". Prepare your own gourmet meal in a top of the range kitchen with seasonal produce bought that day in the market, or if your middle name isn't Jamie, then enjoy the gastronomic delights prepared by the regional local chefs.
The opportunities in Spain for recharging in any of the diverse and glorious landscapes are endless. Fighting for your space on a resort sun bed, or avoiding the dive bombing of other children in the pool, really can not compare with the peace of your own pool, surrounded by mountains, views out to sea, or enjoying the sheer space your children have to play in. Then there are the endless sports activities; white water rafting, horse riding, mountain or quad biking etc. Many country houses have their own tennis courts, where you can have a few matches with the family and friends before heading out into the local towns for "aperitivos" and "tapas".
Long established as a fashionable holiday for the discerning Spanish, the Internet has stiffened the competition between rural accommodation and now quality, comfort and the friendliest of welcomes are taken as standard. Consequently "casas rurales" and "hoteles rurales" are flourishing despite the harsh economic climate. Another key factor in Spain's blossoming for international travellers is the AVE, the high speed train network which now links the main cities of Spain. Having explored Madrid and its surroundings, in under two and a half hours you could be stepping off the train into the Moorish splendour of Seville. Or head the other way and in the same time be alighting in Barcelona, the sophisticated capital of Catalonia.
Long gone are the days of rickety trains and uncomfortable journeys, the AVE on board experience includes restaurants, cafes, films, music channels, entertainment activities for children and a full timetable of services with guaranteed punctuality. Thanks to the AVE, vastly improved road networks and the thriving rural accommodation market; we can now stop playing about on the fringes of what was seen as the impenetrable mainland, get in there and enjoy stunning Espana.