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Costa de la Luz
Thomson Destinations
Put any preconceptions you may have about the Spanish Costas on hold and check out this sun-blushed slice. It's pretty, it's peaceful and it's so relaxing you'll never want to leave.''
SEVILLE
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Anyone who's scratched the surface of the Costas will know there's a lot more to the Med's most famous shoreline than buckets, spades and novelty sombreros. And nowhere is that more true than in the Costa de la Luz. It's Spain without its make-up if you like. The place to come if you want to see the country's natural beauty shine through. We're talking virgin sands washed by frothy silver surf. A high rise-free backdrop. And tapas joints and cafés spilling over with lightly-bronzed Spaniards as opposed to lobster-red Brits. It's the ideal choice if peace and quiet tops your holiday wish list. If the thought of sherry-tasting in the sun tickles your fancy. Or if you're partial to a round or three on some of the best courses in Europe.
Dos Almonte Moguer Lepe La Puebla Hermanas Islantilla Punta Umbria del Rio Isla Canela Utrera Mazagon Luz d e C o s t a Faro Las Cabezas l a Matalascañas Cabo de Santa Maria L u Lebrija z
Monte Gordo
Punta del Perro
N
Huelva
Pilas
Alcalá de Guadaira
Golfo de Cádiz
Jerez de la
410 Sanlucar de Barrameda Gibalbin Arcos de la Frontera
Rota Puerto Real San Fernando Chiclana de la MedinaFrontera Sidonia Novo Sancti Petri Conil de la Frontera Vejer de la Frontera
Cadiz
Costa de la Luz
COSTA DE LA LUZ
20 km
© TUI 2005
Zahara de los Atunes
Punta Palomas
Things to see and do Coto Donana National Park If you harbour even the vaguest interest in nature, this place deserves a prime spot on your holiday to do' list. It's a binoculars job, with creatures great and small likely to swoop, slither or strut into view. Imperial eagles, deer, mongoose and flamingos are among the park's residents. Keep your eyes peeled as they roam free in dunes, forests and lagoons. We recommend you book ahead for this one - it's popular and visitor numbers are limited. Seville Freckled with the famous orange blossom, this sensational city is Spain through and through. Feast your eyes on fabulous sights like the Gothic Cathedral, where Christopher Columbus finds his resting place. Catch a castanet-clicking flamenco fest. Then hit the Calle Serpias where look-but-don't-touch boutiques share space with more affordable favourites. Huelva Some people make the mistake of bypassing Huelva when they come to the Costa de la Luz. If you've heard of the city at all, it'll probably be because of its links with Christopher Columbus. He set sail from here on his voyage of discovery over 500 years ago. Take a look at his home, where a monument of the famous explorer finds a worthy home.
Beaches Many a stellar sweep fringes Spain's coastline, and the Costa de la Luz has got its fair share of beauties. Zahara de las Atunes is one of the best beaches in the Cadiz province, with feather-soft sands melting into crystal waters. In fact, the waters are so clear, it's the ideal place to slip on mask and snorkel. Over on the Huelva side, meanwhile, you've got the all-seductive Isla Cristina. Its claim-to-fame is eight sun-drenched kilometres of soft golden sands that the Spanish love to spend their holidays lazing on.
Average daily maximum temperature
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Costa de la Luz
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Apr 8 5 May Jun Jul Aug Sep Average daily hours of sunshine 10 11 12 11 9 6 7 6 6 5 Oct 7 3
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London
Isla Canela
Location About 80km from Faro airport Transfer time About 1 hour 30 minutes This island in the western Costa de la Luz sports seven kilometres of unspoilt sands - it's nirvana for beach fans. Here, you'll find some of the whitest, finest sands in Spain, kissed by calm Atlantic waters and backed by attractive residential complexes, rolling dunes and pine forests. Plus there's plenty of space, so if you want to abandon your sun lounger for a private patch all to yourself, no problem. And last but not least, there's very little to intrude on your love-in with the sun. Still fairly undeveloped, the beaches here are pretty much devoid of in-your-face facilities and crowds. Away from the sands, the hotels and apartments merge into a shiny new marina. Pull up a chair and sip a café con leche' whilst watching the comings and goings of the sleek yachts and motor boats.
Islantilla
Location About 90km from Faro airport Transfer time 2 hours Let's tempt you with an idea of life in Islantilla. You wake to solid gold silence matched by solid gold sunshine. After a life-giving coffee by the pool, you have to stop yourself running headlong to the beach. Once there, you spend the entire day - not counting the extremely long lunch of tasty tapas and freezing cold beer - lying on the sun-warmed sands, exploring the dunes and occasionally cooling off in the twinkling waves. And when you eventually get back home, you're ready for a long, blissed-out dinner at your hotel. Add a glittering sunset, a few drinks along the stylish waterfront and when you finally hit the pillow, you dream of doing the same all over again, tomorrow. Sounds good? This elegant resort in the western Costa de la Luz is primed for one of those take-things-slow holidays that we all need from time to time.
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