Closest to hand, of course, is the largely undiscovered, traditional Spanish fishing village of Agua Amarga (its name coming from the Arabic Al-hawan Arab, meaning water location). Set on a bay between two large cliffs, and overlooked by an old lighthouse (El Faro de la Mesa de Roldán), Agua Amarga is the perfect place to escape, with its whitewashed buildings, beach and relaxed way of life.

The Cabo de Gata National Park is one of Spain's most famous beauty spots, and Agua Amarga finds itself well inside its boundaries. It is the largest park of its kind in the western Mediterranean, and boasts one of the most beautiful and ecologically rich coastlines in this part of Europe.

Well within reach by car is the provincial capital, Almería, offering a mixture of history and the hustle and bustle of a 21st Century European city. Amongst its many attractions is the must-see Alcazaba fortress, the Almería Museum, ferry trips to Morocco and many local dishes at its numerous restaurants and bars.

Further afield is the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Europe's most southerly ski resort and the magnificent city of Granada, with its world famous Alhambra, a palace, fortress and beautiful gardens all rolled into one. The Sacromonte part of the city is renowned for its fantastic restaurants and authentic flamenco.