LUXURY HOLIDAY VILLAS IN ITALY, TURKEY AND SPAIN

Andalucia is the most southerly region of Spain and has been one of the most famous holiday destinatioins for over a hundred years. Few people realise its significance to Spain, to art and to the world in general it is so much more than just sandy beaches. Andalusia is the most populous autonomous state and the second largest, in terms of its land area, in the kingdom of Spain.

Andalucia has had something of a turbulent history, at various times under the rule of Carthage or Rome, invaded by Vandals, Goths, Moors and Arabs. It has been both Muslim and Catholic, Cordoba was even, if briefly, the richest and largest city in western Europe. Astronomy, medecine mathematics and philosophy were studied and cultivated here and spread to the rest of Europe until 1248 when the region fell under Castillan control. In 1492 it joined Spain under Ferdinand and Isabella and then fell under the auspices of various plagues, in fighting, suffered heavily due to the cessation of sea trade and the privations of the civil war from both republicans and nationalists. Granted its autonomy in 1981 it hasn’t looked back.

The negative publicity the region has faced through the past decades is largely unjustified as the unrestricted coastal building has all but stopped which has allowed much of the coastline the chance to return to its quiet and unhurried ways without fear of being swamped with high rise hotels.

Cities worth visiting include Jaen a birthplace of the Spanish Renaissance, Cadiz, Huelva with its latin American film festival, Malaga, Almeria, Granada and Cordoba. Its capital is Sevilla and is an absolute must; Capital of Andalusia, Roman, Arabic, Renaissance, Baroque, Latin American, Marian, flamenco, bull-fighting, modern, festive, bright, perfumed, sea-faring, traditional, hospitable, gracious, cosmopolitan, religious…All of these adjectives, and many more can be applied to this city, which not only typifies all that is “Spanish” and “Andalucian”, but also contains such numerous artistic, cultural, leisure, social and tourist attractions, that is has also become one of the most universal, best-known and most-visited cities in the world. We offer hotels and traditional cortijo-style villas for rent in and around Seville, a beautiful holiday apartment in Granada, perfect for visiting the Alhambra and villas and hotels near cities such as Jerez de la Frontera, Carmona, and Moron de la Frontera.

Famous sons of Andalucia include Trajan, the actors Antonio Banderas & Jean Reno, Diego Velasquez, Pablo Picasso and Sergio Ramos. This is a region with a great depth of passion, art, culture and is proud of its heritage. Villas and fincas in Andalucia have long been a popular choice for British travellers looking for a taste of the real Andalusia.

One cannot mention Andalusia without thinking of the Costa del Sol and Axarquia. Miles of magnificent golden sandy beaches with towns such as Nerja, Marbella, and Estepona; Torre del mar, Torremolinos and Rincon. In the very exclusive resort of Sotogrande we offer some harbourside villas and apartments. The excellent tourist facilities have made this a popular destination for sun seekers for some time now. But head inland and one finds evidence of Phonecians, caves, castles and stone age paintings. The vast range of cultures and traditions has led to a variety of holiday homes in Andalucia; alongside more modern luxury villas with pools we also feature the more traditional houses, in the ‘cortijo’ style. Andalucian country house hotels are also available, on the coast in El Puerto de Santa Maria, and inland in the beautiful towns of Carmona and Ronda. All of our villas and fincas in Andalucia have been hand-picked, and our first-hand knowledge ensures that we can always help you to find the ideal villa holiday or hotel to suit your holiday requirements.

This is a region where every saint has a festival day, patron saints inparticular benefit from lavish events with parades, floats and fancy dress.

The gastronomy of the region is largely based on sea food with sweets being of the Arabic variety with delights such as the famous Turron (Nougat). The history of a region is often reflected in its diet. In this case it can be traced back as far as the medieval period with little change and each city state within Andalucia has its own specialities. Find a bar serving Tapas and one can find all sorts of delights: Masa de morcilla y chorizo (made with black pudding and spicy sausage). Pipirrana (made with peppers, tomatoes, garlic, bread, oil and salt to which hard-boiled egg, tomato and chopped peppers are added). Raya en pimentón (ray in paprika). Mielga con tomate (edible shark with tomato). Atún con tomate (tuna with tomato), bread with oil and cod (served like a kebab and accompanied with radishes or young beans). Espinacas esparragadas. Bean and aubergine pottage. Gazpacho, Huevas Fritas (fried fish eggs). Almejas con fideos (clams with noodles). Almejas a la gaditana (Cadiz-style clams). Salmonetitos fritos (fried red mullet), Cortijo style peppers and the famous Jaen young beans ”habitas tiernas”, in short, one certainly won’t go hungry.

The most centrally located region of Spain with the capital Madrid at its heart, the capital of the region is actually Toledo, famous for its steel. It is in this province where the famous Spanish novel Don Quixote by Cervantes takes place. Although la Mancha is considered to be a windswept, battered plateau it remains a key symbol of the Spanish culture with its sunflowers, olive groves, low white dry stone walls, windmills and farms producing the famous Manchego cheese.

La Mancha’s history has been tumultuous as it was the centre of many battles between Christian and Muslim forces between the 11th and 13th centuries and again in the 14th and 15th centuries under the unification of Spain. This has left it a region of castles, fortified towns and strong character. Pedro Almodovar the film director was born here but that hasn’t resulted in a growth in tourism. Hotels and luxury villas across central Spain are generally harder to find than those on the coast. Especially villas within walking distance of the nearest town, which makes Ilios Travel’s Spanish Collection very enticing, the villas to rent in Castilla La Mancha are within a short walk of the city of Toledo.

Our centrally located villas offer the best chance to visit such splendid underrated cities as the hanging walled city of Cuenca, the golden city of Salamanca (music and bullfights) and Albacete – famous for its museum of archaeology.

The villas are all of a very high standard, ensuring a pleasant stay for the duration of any type of holiday. For those who like to explore the less well known areas and see the sights of quieter, less touristic cities, or simply want to sample the unusual regional cuisine, our villas in Spain are all perfectly located for doing so. Castilian-Manchego cuisine is less varied than that of the coast but one should look out for Pisto (a vegetable stew with tomato sauce), Gazpacho manchego, the famous queso manchego (a type of cheese), the white wines of la Mancha and the red wine from Valdepenas.

The last few years have seen a vast improvement in accessibility from the UK due to the no frills airlines. Regional airports can be found at Villanubla (Valladolid), Virgen del Camino (Leon) Salamanca and Burgos and of course there are good connections to Madrid.

Catalunya is a region as different from Spain as it is from France and yet geographically on the doorstep of both. A small country in terms of size but its personality, shaped by over a thousand years of history, and its distinct culture and language, have made it stand out since its inception during the high middle ages.

Catalunya was an independent country from around 1050 until it was annexed by Philip V in 1714. Self-government was returned in 1979 and despite years of repression and prohibition Catalan as a language had survived and is still used by the majority of Catalans today.

Art is central to the Catalan way of life and the region has birthed many poets and artists. Modernism had its birth here with artists such as Salvador Dali and Antoni Gaudi. Opera has strong roots in Barcelona and Tarragona and Catalunya has played a pioneering role in experimenting and renovation (have a look for Dagoll Dagom or Fura dels Bau). Sitges has an international film festival and the festival Sonar have made Catalunya a landmark on the European music scene with Barcelona at the forefront.

With some 580 km of coastline Catalunya is a fundamentally Mediterranean country. It has a variety of seascapes ranging from the secluded coves of the Costa Brava in the north to the Costa Daurada with long fine sandy beaches to the south. At last count, there were over 200 beaches and 43 marinas, more than enough to keep any salt water fanatic happy for weeks. Inland and one finds Montserrat mountain, thermal spas, great natural parks, the Pyrenees and a constellation of cities. Our collection of private villas with pools will enchant you and entire you to explore this fascinating region.

Sports fans will love the 17 ski resorts, 36 Catalunyan golf courses and 33 pitch and putt courses. They range from the feet of the Pyrenees right down to the coast and have some incredible views.

Barcelona is the capital and should be included in any trip to the region and accounts for almost half of the population. The best way to see Barcelona for the first time is to take the Bus tour. They depart from Plaza Catalunya in the town centre. Although a stroll down the ramblas towards the beach to watch the street entertainers is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. The city has become synonymous with shopping due to the largest shopping mall in Spain being here – El Corte Ingles. Whatever you do, take your time, Barcelona is a very laid back city in a very laid back region

Due to its popularity and distinctly different forward thinking mentality, Catalunyan cities have become popular once again with the youth of Spain. Gerona, Tarragona, Lleida, Tortosa, Vic, Manresa, Reus, Figueres, Sabadell, Terrassa and Igualada are great for days out.

Majorca or Mallorca as it is known to the Spanish is Spain’s largest island and forms the heart of the Balearic islands along with Ibiza, Formentera and Minorca and has been a popular tourist destination since May 1952. Surprisingly, the island has been inhabited since 6000BC and like mainland Spain has been under the rule of one various potentate, caliphate, king or Caesar through the centuries. Today a holiday villa on Mallorca has become something of a dream destination. Ilios’ handpicked villas with pools offer one the best chance to see the best of the busy streets of Palma and the quiet countryside.

The capital is Palma and many people rarely leave the golden sandy beaches that lie along its immediate coast. This is a dreadful shame as the inland towns and countryside have kept their unspoilt beauty and remain as true to the Mallorcan spirit as la Balanguera (its anthem). Popular with the Spanish royal family, who spend their summer holidays here, the island has attracted a number of famous residents: Catherine Zeta Jones, Michael Douglas, Michael Schumacher, Claudia Schiffer, Annie Lennox, Julian Lennon, Boris Becker and (unfortunately) Peter Stringfellow all have holiday homes on the island.

The explorer in you will love the beaches at Alcudia and Cala D’Or (which also has a jazz festival), Inca for leather, Manacor for pearls and Sineu at the centre of the island for the best market we have seen. Our Majorcan holiday villas and farmhouses are well situated for relaxation, beaches and seeing the real Mallorca.

In 2005, there were over 2,400 restaurants on the island of Mallorca according to the Mallorcan Tourist Board. They ranged from small bars to full scale restaurants. Despite Mallorca’s location in the Mediterranean, seafood is often imported, daft, but true. Olives and almonds are typical of the Mallorcan diet and many recipes feature these. The island now has over 4 million almond and olive trees which are key to the terraced landscape. Among the gastronomic delights that can be truly stated as being Mallorquin are sobrassada, botifarro (spicy pork sausages), arros brut (rice cooked with saffron, chicken, pork and vegetables) and, for the sweet lover, ensaimada, a kind of fried bread served in slices with pumpkin or piped full of sweet cream, chocolate or nougat paste. Those from patisseria marroig are considerd exquisite.

Luxury is a precious experience. You can find rolling hills in Andalucia where you can walk for miles across sun bleached scenery, past whitewashed hilltop villages but as far as our hotel selection is concerned a sense of place is of vital importance to us, you don’t want to wake up in Catalunya and think you could be in London, New York or Paris. A truly loved hotel must be cared for and not part of some enormous homogenous chain. Feel free to select any of our hotels and sample a real taste of the country, city or village you are in and it will be luxury to you.

Are you looking for a honeymoon, a few nights in a few different locations to see a little of the Spanish countryside? Are you perhaps looking for a city break with a difference? Do the words Posada, Casas, and Alcazar fire up your senses? We at Ilios Travel have made every effort to seek out the interesting and beautiful boutique hotels where love and attention to detail are evident in the hospitality and service on offer.

With direct flights from the UK into the Spanish cities of Jerez, Malaga & Sevilla (Andalucia), Girona & Barcelona (Catalunya), Madrid (Castillo La Mancha) and Palma (Mallorca) there has never been a better time to sample the vibrancy of Spain.

Alentejo is a large sparsely populated region of golden plains, hilltop fortified villages and open horizons. To the northeast are the beautiful whitewashed villages and towns which make up the so-called Rota dos Castelos (Castle Route).

Further south, the landscape becomes warmer and flatter; around Évora (one of the most beautiful towns in Portugal), are Monsaraz, Vila Viçosa, Estremoz, and Arraiolos (renowned for its hand made tapestries). Take your pick from our selection of Pousadas and boutique hotels.

The southern coastline of Portugal is called the Algarve and consists of a long stretch of fabulous sandy beaches, broken up by extraordinary rugged red cliffs and fantastic grottoes. In the northern part of Algarve, the ranges of Espinhaço de Cão, Monchique and Caldeirão shelter the coast from strong winds. This brightly coloured region, with its fig trees, orange groves and almond trees in blossom, is also the most verdant and fertile.

Apart from the wealth of available water sports facilities (the marinas of Vilamoura and Lagos), you will also find tennis courts, famous golf courses, luxury hotels, quaint holiday resorts and an exciting nightlife too as the Algarve is the holiday destination of choice for many Portuguese as well as Europe’s wealthier occupants. We have a selection of properties in this area ranging from private villas with pools to luxury boutique hotels.

Faro is the capital of the Algarve and has the main airport as well as a large number of monuments: the Cathedral (Romanesque-Gothic origin), Nossa Senhora da Assunção (a Renaissance Convent), Infante Dom Henrique (museum). Also worth visiting are the beautiful churches of São Pedro da Misericórdia and Nossa Senhora do Carmo. We recommend the Roman ruins of Milreu in the suburbs.

The central region of Portugal is made up of two contrasting areas: the extensive the Atlantic coastline, where a temperate climate, white sandy beaches, pine forests beaches and fishing villages dominate and the countryside where forbidding mountains, rocky hills and stunning plateaus set the tone.

‘Beiras’ is the traditional name for the region running south of the Douro river and north of the Tagus river. In the heart of this hinterland rises the Serra da Estrela (Estrela Mountain Range), the highest in the country.

Nature has blessed this region with healing waters that in turn have given rise to spa towns, such as Curia and Luso. Monasteries, convents, castles and churches dot this spellbinding landscape whose artistic value and historical heritage have been acknowledged worldwide.

In the bigger towns, such as Coimbra, Aveiro, Viseu, Guarda or Castelo Branco, museum collections reveal treasures of unexpected quality. As for traditional arts and crafts, the coastal region has always been rich in glass working and ceramic skills, while inland artisans have traditionally worked with black clay, linen weaving, and copper and iron.

Lisbon, the dazzling city that stretches along the banks of the River Tagus that has its roots in Spain, is an enchanting capital. There is the fortress around which the city originally sprang up, and which is now circled by a variety of village style districts in the medieval style. Portugal had a massive empire and during the great Age of Discovery great riches returned to its shores. Picturesque houses whose facades are decked with ornate ceramic tiles stand next to glorious monuments and beautiful parks. As the dusk turns to night, the yellow electric tramcars continue to wind their way up and down the hills of the old capital, while the sound of traditional Fado music floats from open windows and busy cafes out over the flagged streets. Lisbon celebrates regularly and it has a number of vibrant festivals throughout the year that add colour and passion to the city. Even on a short break, staying in a luxury boutique hotel, we have found Lisbon to be an excellent destination for shopping and enjoyed the busy nightlife along the river banks.

The whole green river valley that surrounds the capital is called Lisboa and a stage upon which deeply-rooted cultural traditions are enacted. This is a land of popular music and wild dances, and the traditional costume worn by the horsemen still seen rounding up their cattle in rural pastures is a real feature. Here the landscape that hugs the Atlantic coast swiftly changes from high, sweeping cliffs to beaches of white sand, backed by lagoons. Let us not forget that Cabo da Roca, is Europe’s westernmost point. This is a region of enchanting coastal villages where the brightly-coloured fishing boats still ply their trade.

Other than Lisbon there are many interesting towns that beckon as well as many interesting sights: the imposing Mafra Convent, the cosmopolitan seaside resort of Cascais, the ancient pines of the Arrábida hills or picturesque Sesimbra, the city of Setúbal and the aristocratic country-houses of nearby Azeitão, take a camera for Sezimbra, Peniche and Nazaré as they are remarkably photogenic.

The area of Lisboa has something for every taste: beaches, golf courses, shopping, art and culture and as such is an excellent family destination as well as offering plenty of relaxing pastimes for couples in low season too.

Porto is the north’s most important city and has given its name to the famous wine and to Portugal itself. Visit the ancient quarters of the city especially the waterfront ‘zona ribeirinha’. Not to be missed are the Stock Exchange Palace, the Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral, the church of Cedofeita (Romanesque), the Clérigos tower (Porto’s ex-libris of Baroque architecture) the Casa de Serralves (museum of modern art) and the Romantic Style Museum of Quinta da Macieirinha. One should not miss a visit to the Port lodges in Vila Nova de Gaia to enjoy many free tastings of the famous port wine. In this region the locals are fiercely proud of their folk traditions of dance and song (showing strong Celtic influence, as in the Pauliteiros dance at the village of Miranda) and in their secular festivals and processions.

A paradise of unspoiled natural resources, this is the perfect region for trekking, canoeing or simply taking a well earned break at one of our pousadas.

The Douro river is the longest in northern Portugal and gives its name to an entire northern region; between Mesão Frio and Pinhão lies the stretch where the valley sides are lined with terraced vineyards that produce the famous Port wine. Such wealth created by the empire and the vineyards is evident in the magnificent local manor houses, such as the Baroque mansion at Mateus, near Vila Real and in the great 17th century sanctuaries, whose building was financed by local dignitaries many centuries ago. One of the best examples is Nossa Senhora dos Remédios in Lamego.

Along the coastline north of Porto runs a coastal road linking Vila do Conde to Valença. It takes the curious traveller past beautiful beaches through a picture postcard landscape of enchanting villages such as Caminha and Vila Nova de Cerveira. No trip to northern Portugal is complete without a look at the Côa Archaeological Park where a set of paleolithic cave paintings were discovered on the banks the river Côa. You have to admit, this may be an unusual thing to visit on a holiday but it will become a memory that will stay with you forever.

Madeira’s capital Funchal is the gateway to the rest of the island, a natural port, it clings to terraced hillsides overlooking the bay, where the deep blue of the sea contrasts with a green mountain backdrop.

Funchal is a vibrant city, with an eclectic blend of architectural styles, cobbled streets, attractive squares, fragrant gardens and bustling, colourful markets, where fisherman and farmers from all over the island display and sell their produce.

As a holiday destination the Quintas on the island are unsurpassed in their classic style. The designation ‘Quinta’, as a spacious living house surrounded by gardens started to diversify during the 18th century. It was usually a two-storey house with spacious rooms, quarters for servants, store rooms and barns for the animals. Each ‘Quinta’ is completely unique with different plants, different gardens, paths and even different interiors. There were areas for fruit trees, exotic trees and vegetable gardens too, as each was meant to be self sufficient.

Funchal as a district probably takes its name from the plentiful wild fennel that grows there (Funcho in Portuguese). Today Funchal is a truly modern city, located in a unique area; the natural geological features form an “amphitheatre” surrounding the city, which begins at the harbour and rises almost 1200 metres high on gentle slopes. This provides a natural shelter and was what attracted the first settlers back in 1420. Perhaps Cristiano Ronaldo (footballer), who was born here, would know more.

Worth visiting are Monte via the Gondola cable car, although the most popular feature of Monte for the visitor is the optional returning toboggan run. This enables visitors to be transported downhill through the streets at fairly high speeds in large wicker baskets, conducted by two drivers wearing the traditional white uniform with straw boater hat. The capital has a surprisingly large amount of interesting museums, including one dedicated to madeira wine, anoither to sugar, another to a revered nun and the largest photographic museum in Portugal. Naturally, there are also a number of small pretty catholic churches, an even smaller protestant community and a casino, where more people are likely to be praying at any given moment!