Holidays in Spain aren't just all about siestas and fiestas, but if you were asked to sum up this vibrant country in a nutshell, you can put money on these would be high on your list. Along with castanets and the claps of flamenco dancers, of course! They capture the essence of Spain down to a T. Whether you want to discover buzzing cities or are looking for rustic Spain up close and personal, you'll simply fall in love with this lively, yet charmingly laid-back country.

Travelers first started flocking to Spain for their annual holiday in the 1960's with cheap "package" holidays to the "costas.". Nearly half a century later, holidaymakers are still choosing this popular country as their No 1 holiday destination - though the type of holiday, location and method of booking has somewhat changed, with many opting to stay in luxury private villas in non-tourist locations.

When it comes to holidays in Spain on the mainland, you're spoilt for choice. For drenching yourself in sunshine, the glittering Costa's are the place to head. From sophisticated and chic Marbella to the shimmering sands of energetic Benidorm, you can't go wrong.  Or perhaps it's to be a cultural quest in Spain's enthralling cities. Get the best of both worlds in gorgeous Alicante slap bang on the coast. Tuck into tasty paella in cosmopolitan Valencia. Or behold the wonders of Gaudi's avant garde Barcelona.

If you're in search of an island castaway though, go for Balearic summer holidays in Spain. Will it be Majorca with its cosmopolitan capital, Palma, and a mouth-watering mix of stunning beach resorts like energetic Magaluf? Perhaps it'll be the peace and quiet of pretty Menorca where the dazzling scenery is wrapped up in a great big warm welcome. Or maybe it'll be Ibiza's legendary nightlife and captivating beaches that'll get you booking.

One area that is becoming very popular when people are interested in holidays in Spain is the inland region of Murcia - commonly referred to as the "hidden gem" of Spain. Here you'll discover bravura varied landscape- flourishing green fertile valleys with pine clad mountains, desert like areas resembling lunar landscapes and massive natural open spaces covered in palms and cacti that resemble something out of a spaghetti western.

For year round sun-drenched shores, it has to be holidays in the Canary Islands. Head for fun, sun and sizzling nightlife in Tenerife where you can take a cable car to the top of towering Mount Teide. Visit the sweeping beaches of Gran Canaria and pop to the capital Las Palmas, to get cultured up.  Lanzarote will charm the flip-flops off you and no trip here's complete without seeing Timanfaya National Park, a huge area of dormant volcanoes. Or be dazzled on Fuerteventura, by the gleaming white dunes of Corralejo National Park. And then there's sleepy La Gomera and La Palma to think about, as well. Wherever you head, we've just got one thing to say. Be warned – holidays in Spain are highly infectious.

Dotted throughout the area you'll discover a range of nature reserves, spa baths, sleepy little villages, hidden hamlets, and working towns that have remained untouched by our rapidly changing world - for the inhabitants of these places, it's as though time has stood still. Contrasting with this is the capital city of Murcia, a cosmopolitan city with modern stores and plenty of nightlife. Interesting places to see in the area include Pinoso, Jumilla, Fortuna, Caravaca de la Cruz, Cehegin, Calasparra - and much, much more. Murcia, certainly makes for a holiday with a difference!