Brilliantly Nice, ocean pools, a meditative walk
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One of the most satisfying moments of a holiday is when you stumble across a place to eat and never want the meal to end. Lunchtime stretches into early evening, coffee is followed by a digestif, then you reluctantly settle the bill and slowly make to leave. The blissful moment is enhanced if you wander along the beach only to find another place to transition from lunch to dinner. Such is the case on the Costa de Luz on Spain’s south-western coast, a place with wide, pale sand beaches backed by Spanish fir forests and more blue flags - 26 - than anywhere in Andalucía. It has traditionally been popular with Spanish families but remains below the radar for foreign visitors. But maybe not for much longer. According to our Cadiz-based writer Sorrel Downer, since the arrival of Aponiente, the restaurant of “el Chef del Mar” Ángel León, in the “faded” seaside town of El Puerto de Santa María, “there’s hardly a rickety table, plastic chair or €2.50 plate of fried dogfish to be found on this coast today". They have been replaced by "stylish beach bars with Balinese beds serving artfully presented Asian-influenced seafood” such as patatas bravas that are really red prawns, jamón that is really dried tuna, says Downer. It sounds like a place where lunch seamlessly rolls into dinner. Buen provecho!

Andy Pietrasik
Head of Travel

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Story of the week

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A taste of Spain’s sunshine coast: a foodie tour of Costa de la Luz. Read more

 

Our travel picks of the week

1

France | A riot of colour and life: rediscovering Nice. Read more

2

UK & Europe | Splash in the ocean: 10 of the best seawater swimming pools. Read more  

3

Wales | Instant calmer: a mindful walking weekend. Read more  

 

Featured Trip

Offa’s Dyke walking

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Enjoy a self guided journey crossing the border between Wales and England discovering the beautiful scenery.

 

In other news

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A journey back in time: the ghost village on Salisbury Plain

Read more

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This week's favourite trips

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Nile cruise and Aswan
Discover the pyramids and temples of Egypt including Giza and Karnak, before cruising the Nile from Luxor to Aswan.

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Portofino and Tuscany
From your base in Tuscany explore the contrasts of coastal Portofino and the amazing cities of Florence, Pisa and more…

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Marrakech and the Sahara
This small group tour explores the lively souks of Marrakech, the High Atlas mountains, Ait Benhaddou and more.

 

Readers tips

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Readers’ favourite restaurants and tapas bars in Spain

Read more

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Deal of the week

Seville, Granada and classic Spain - save up to 10%

Explore Andalucia including the highlights of spectacular Seville, Granada’s Alhambra and the beautiful city of Ronda and enjoy great savings on 2023 departures.

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Image of the week

Dalí, Darwin and Doodle Boy: an arty weekend in Shrewsbury

 
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