1954 saw the first package of tourists to land on the Costa Brava. It’s hard to imagine how things must have changed since then. This pioneering group of travelers stayed in a small town with only a handful of family-run hotels. There were no banks or other services, and a local store could cash traveler’s checks.

Today Spanish tourism is big business; no other country in Europe receives so many tourists every year. Almost the entire south coast has been opened up to the travel industry. In the early 80s, Torremolinos and Malaga were the hottest places to visit. Just down the coast road from Torremolinos is Benalmádena, often referred to by locals as Torremolinos MKII, where Torremolinos was allowed to grow haphazardly, Benalmádena had a little more planning. The marina, when completed, won the award for the most beautiful marina in the world for several years in a row. The famous 24-hour square or Plaza Sol y Mar, to give its real name, continues to be a nightlife mecca for young tourists visiting the Costa del Sol.

Today, almost the entire Costa del Sol is a tourist paradise, many of the original, quickly built hotels have been removed and replaced by new, modern and luxurious resorts. The Costa Brava has also undergone a major redevelopment, as the original accommodation hastily built to house the throngs of tourists who flocked to the area in the 1970s has been replaced by some of the best resorts in Europe.

Who can mention a holiday in Spain without mentioning Golf? There are more than 300 world-class golf courses along the coast, many of them forming part of a resort. Green fees are generally much lower than in the UK, although some of the best courses, mostly designed by world famous golfers, reflect their high quality in the price you pay to play.

Spain isn’t just sun and sand, the cosmopolitan city of Barcelona is brimming with character and makes a great destination for a short UK city break. Flights are generally cheap and accommodation options are varied. If architecture is your thing, Barcelona is your city. Here you will not only find Gaudí, but also many modernist pieces by the likes of Puig i Cadafalch and Domenech i Montaner.

Traveling to Spain is easy and cheap, flights are often less expensive than rail travel within the UK. Unbelievable deals can be had, especially when booking last minute. Almost all of the major UK tour operators have products to suit a wide variety of travellers.

As Europe’s top holiday destination, Spain has an “I’ve been there” attitude. Originally making many mistakes in trying to cater to the boom in tourism almost overnight, it has now refined its offerings and is once again at the top of the list as a European tourist destination. No matter what kind of vacation you are looking for, Spain has it all from abundance. From the idyllic beaches of the Costa Brava, from the picturesque white villages of Andalusia to the heady nightlife of Barcelona and Madrid, you are sure to find something to your taste on a holiday in Spain.