‘Locals keep this place all to themselves’
From a traditional bar on the Costa de la Luz to a castle hotel in the mountains, you all have your favourite Spanish spot
Mallorca in autumn has it all, apart from the crowds – and Palma is the linchpin. The sky is thinly washed with blue, the sea looks milky. A day of lazy enjoyment beckons, at a pace set by ourselves.
Walking around the Old Town is fascinating, with so much to see. The sun rises higher and our mood, already good, lifts more. The heat is bearable. A sip of bottled water quenches our thirst.
In brilliant sunlight, La Seu Cathedral shimmers. Golden sandstone buttresses and spires prick the cloudless sky, reaching closer to God. Behind the cathedral is the Arab Quarter. Courtyards abound, with walls in colours to aid contemplation: scrambled egg yellow, butterscotch, terracotta and cream. Dave Harcombe, Doncaster
BATTERY RECHARGE
A short journey from the bustling Costa del Sol brings you to the Castillo de Monda, an oasis of tranquillity perched on a crag overlooking the whitewashed villages of Andalucia.
Enjoy a chilled manzanilla or one of the many types of gin on offer while watching eagles soar over the Sierra de las Nieves. Later, treat yourself to a gourmet meal served by youthful and friendly staff in the restaurant offering the best views in Spain before retiring to a tower bedroom.
Next day, a hike along the Caminito del Rey or cycle along the disused railway tracks of Ronda. The less energetic can stroll around the Sunday markets of Coin. Batteries successfully recharged. Gail Bridger, Devon
ENDLESS SUNSHINE
For life-affirming Spanish sunshine, I adore Benidorm. Although it has a bad reputation, if you visit slightly off season when the stags and hens have gone, it offers beautiful sandy beaches and a fantastic flat promenade edged by the beach on one side and a vast selection of bars and restaurants on the other.
A visit to the old town, steeped in history, is a must. There are fantastic markets, lively clubs and bars, and some of the best shopping – all accompanied by endless sunshine. The town has hotel accommodation to suit everyone, from budget to luxury. What’s not to love!
Once we feel confident enough to travel again, the Hotel Don Pancho in Benidorm will be first on our list. Claire Mason, Gloucestershire
FRESH START
Shortly after the death of my father, I did a “Shirley Valentine” and left home. Six months later I was living in Nerja, on the Costa del Sol.
This relatively undiscovered eastern part of the Costa has beautiful, secluded coves – one of which is Cantarrijan. A steep, winding off-road drive down to the beach cuts through a natural park where wild mountain goats graze, unfazed by tourists. At the bottom is a horseshoe beach – with nobody on it! It is too late in the year even for the naturists.
One of two chiringuito restaurants was still open late in the season, offering homemade meals and a selection of wines and cocktails. As the sun set over the calm sea, I sat alone, glass of wine in hand, contemplating my new life. Margaret Riordan, Somerset
OLD FAITHFUL
My favourite spot in the Spanish sun has to be Menorca. We have sunbathed at Easter and worn shorts in January – and the climate has never let us down.
I have a connection with the island that goes back years. After a long absence in my life, my father reappeared there and during the next 30 years we were reacquainted. I fell in love with the place.
Over our garden wall, a farmer ploughed the field with his horse while my father grew figs, olives, avocados and lemons from pips and stones. Down bumpy tracks we discovered deserted beaches where we snorkelled in the turquoise sea and enjoyed picnics.
We water-skied in Mahón harbour, where Nelson’s fleet sheltered but now you will find tankers and cruise ships. We watched fiestas, hiked along cliff tops and dined al fresco. Perfection. Veronica Bliss, Hampshire
BLOOMING LOVELY
“When we were girls in the 1960s,” says Ana, “farming folk here didn’t marry fishing folk.” Sister Pepi adds: “We had no bathroom, no kitchen tap.” Older sister Carmen chimes in: “The streets had few cars, and lots of flowerpots.”
Streets without cars – and lots of flowerpots – are now back in Estepona, known as the “Garden of the Costa del Sol”, but its houses now have mod cons. Some 80,000 flowering plants are replaced every season, and Ana, Pepi, Carmen and their neighbours in the Calle Florida keep an eye on the colour coordinated pots outside their homes.
The long beach, the flower-packed promenade and the port remain unchanged. But the 60 giant murals, the Poetry Route, the Statues Route, the Orchid House and the marina are new.
And farming folk falling in love with fishing folk is new, too.
Jennifer Longhurst, London