| Travellers first started flocking to Spain for their | | | | pool sides, the noisy night clubs, the banana boat |
| annual holiday in the 1960's with cheap "package" | | | | rides and the burger bars and fish and chip |
| holidays to the "costas.". Nearly half a century | | | | restaurants. |
| later, holidaymakers are still choosing this popular | | | | And many more are opting for the "luxury" end |
| country as their No 1 holiday destination - though | | | | of the holiday market, choosing to stay in |
| the type of holiday, location and method of | | | | independent private holiday villas in Spain with their |
| booking has somewhat changed, with many | | | | own private pool - a place where they can relax |
| opting to stay in luxury private villas in non-tourist | | | | and unwind, do what they want when they want |
| locations. | | | | and enjoy all the comforts of home. |
| For over fourty years Spain has been one of the | | | | In these quieter rural locations, these |
| most popular destinations in the world for holidays. | | | | holidaymakers have an entirely different holiday |
| Holidays to this popular destination took off way | | | | experience of Spain - almost as if they were in a |
| back in the 1960's with the introduction of the | | | | different country. Here, they get a feel for what |
| "package" holiday - with tour operators offering | | | | "real Spain" is all about, discovering a country |
| the all inclusive package of flights, accommodation | | | | steeped in history and rich in culture, a treasure |
| and even car hire - and all at great prices. The | | | | trove of rich and varied landscapes and the |
| "costas" were the most popular destinations, | | | | experience of real Spanish hospitality. |
| where holidaymakers would soak up a couple of | | | | One such area that is becoming popular is the |
| weeks of sea, sun and sangria in their holiday | | | | inland region of Murcia - commonly referred to as |
| apartment block. | | | | the "hidden gem" of Spain. Here you'll discover a |
| Nearly fifty years on, with its days of guaranteed | | | | magnificent varied landscape- lush green fertile |
| sunshine and good prices for food and drink, Spain | | | | valleys with pine clad mountains, desert like areas |
| continues to be one of the most popular holiday | | | | resembling lunar landscapes and massive natural |
| destinations, attracting more than 50 million | | | | open spaces covered in palms and cacti that |
| visitors each year - though the destinations, type | | | | resemble something out of a spaghetti western. |
| of holiday and the way people arrange their | | | | Dotted throughout the area you'll discover a range |
| holidays has changed. | | | | of nature reserves, spa baths, sleepy little villages, |
| Most holidaymakers planning a holiday in Spain | | | | hidden hamlets, and working towns that have |
| these days choose to book their holidays | | | | remained untouched by our rapidly changing world |
| independently rather than through a travel agent- | | | | - for the inhabitants of these places, it's as though |
| making their own flight, accommodation and car | | | | time has stood still. Contrasting with this is the |
| hire arrangements. | | | | capital city of Murcia, a cosmopolitan city with |
| Although many still opt for the popular tourist | | | | modern stores and plenty of nightlife. Interesting |
| traps of the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca | | | | places to see in the area include Pinoso, Jumilla, |
| for example, many more are choosing "get away | | | | Fortuna, Caravaca de la Cruz, Cehegin, Calasparra |
| from it all" holidays in quieter locations in the | | | | - and much, much more. Murcia, certainly makes |
| country, so as to avoid the crowded beaches and | | | | for a holiday with a difference! |