And even further into the interior

There are no less than five national or state protected parks, all within a pleasant drive and well worth a day trip or perhaps an overnight stay.

The Cazorla National Park - Ideally an overnight trip, Cazorla has some of the most stunning scenery in Spain. It is birthplace to two of its most important rivers, the Guadalquivir and the Segura. It has dramatic crags, waterfalls, soaring eagles, wild boar, mouflon and many varieties of deer and other wildlife - true "game-drive" country.

The Alpujarras - A string of remote, white, olive growing villages scattered high up along both sides of this deep and wide valley, beloved of Gerald Brennan and the last refuge of the Moors after the expulsion of the Nazarite Kings of Granada by Los Reyes Católicos, Isabella and Ferdinand.

Cabo De Gata - Spectacular volcanic outcrops, wind sculpted cliffs and dunes, limpid turquoise seas and the least populated beaches in Spain. This startling and surreal land was the location of the true story behind Garcia Lorca's "Blood Wedding".

The Sierra Nevada - The highest peaks in Spain, perpetual snow, skiing, pine clad slopes and rich lush valleys. Granada and the Alhambra Palace are just about as romantic as it gets.

The Sierra of Santa Maria De Las Nieves -The dramatic renaissance castle of Velez Blanco stands over the ancient village. Below in the Cueva de Los Letreros, some of the earliest cave paintings in Europe are found, including the Indalo or "Rainbow Man", now the symbol of all Almeria and which seems to have an uncanny resemblance to the figures of the Assyrian Ships of the Dead.

Guadix - City of the Troglodytes where you can stay in a cave hotel; Ubeda and Baeza -Superb renaissance towns with wonderful buildings by Andres de Vandelvira; Lorca-Centre of craftsmanship, its castle sits astride the new motorway and it has a delightful monumental centre; Cartagena - A stylish old town and a port for the last 4,000 years, from the Phoenicians to the present day; Murcia - Baroque city with extensive fine shopping and much more.