Costa de la Luz - Intro - Thomson Spain & Portugal February 2012

TOP 3 ThINGS To SEE & Do 1. Donana National Park Nature lovers should visit this wildlife haven. Made up of protected forests, lagoons and dunes, it's one of the best birdwatching sites in Europe. Grab your binoculars and follow its marked trails to spot the likes of eagles, storks and flamingos. other wildlife you'll find here includes deer and mongoose. CoSTA DE LA LUz Uncrowded beaches, whitewashed fishing towns and orange-lined Seville � the Costa de la Luz offers up a slice of real Spain. The Costa de la Luz couldn't be more different from its Costa cousins. Facing the Atlantic on Spain's most southwesterly stretch of coast, it's like Spain without its make-up � a place where the scenery and traditional way of life hold sway over high rises and holiday crowds. From one end to the other, it's fringed with long, pale beaches and estuaries scattered with sandbars and islands. Add rolling dunes, whitewashed fishing harbours and low-rise towns, like El Rompido and Isla Canela, and you've got the perfect recipe for getting away from it all. Peace and quiet aside, there's still plenty in the way of entertainment. Most beaches come with the full hit of watersports, while the towns offer up down-to-earth tapas bars and seafood restaurants. Golf is big here, too. The region is dotted with golf courses and schools ideal for practising your game in the sunshine. There's plenty to see here, as well. You've got the birdwatching paradise of Donana National Park, the ancient city of Cadiz, and the sherry-tasting bodegas of Jerez de la Frontera. And don't miss Seville, with its orange trees and Moorish palaces. 2. Seville It's as if all Spain's stereotypes have been distilled and fortified here � think matadors, castanets and tapas bars. And what's great is it's not laid on for tourists, so it all feels authentic. It's a city made for wandering, with orange trees lining the streets, cobblestoned squares basking in the sun, and sights like the Alcazar Palace waiting to be admired. 3. huelva Scratch the surface of this town and you'll unearth a few gems, many linked to Christopher Columbus who sailed from nearby in 1492. The best is the chapel of the Nuestra Senora de la Cinta where he prayed before his journey. There's also a huge modern statue dedicated to the great explorer on the waterfront. Click on thomson.co.uk FASTFACTS DESTINATIoN AIRPoRT APPRoxIMATE FLIGhT TIME KEY RESoRTS Video tours, more photos, customer reviews and room upgrades online Faro (Portugal) 2 hours 45 minutes from Gatwick Isla Canela, El Rompido Visit your travel shop | Call 0871 230 2555 | Click on thomson.co.uk 266 Costa de la luz Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras. The cost of calls was correct at the time of publication. See page 3.