From the snow-capped majesty of Sierra Nevada’s mountains to the cool pristine waters of the Mediterranean, via the desert sands of Tabernas, Andalusia offers the traveller an extraordinary diversity of spectacular landscapes. And if you’re pressed for time here’s how you can experience all the best that nature has to offer in less than 24 hours.
Sierra Nevada
Start your day with a swoosh down the slopes of Sierra Nevada. Europe’s most southerly ski resort includes some of the highest peaks in Europe and typically enjoys a long ski season, from the end of November until the end of April. The drive up from Granada is on an excellent road that winds its way through the mountains. The scenery is as spectacular as you might imagine, you are spoilt by soaring peaks and deep valleys. The skiing is fantastic; watch the mountains hurtle pass you at breakneck speeds as you slip and slide your way down the 90 km of pistes. The resort caters for all abilities; nursery slopes for beginners, several runs for improvers and intermediates and black runs for the truly expert skier. If the idea of slapping two skies on your feet sends a shiver down your spine then there are plenty of other activities to enjoy such as sledging and ice-skating. Or for a more leisurely pursuit take a gondolier up to the station at Borreguiles and watch the activity from the luxury and comfort of a deckchair on a restaurant terrace. Plaza de Andalusia is the resort’s main square and a good spot for a light lunch and some refreshments. Then shake the snow off your boots, climb back into your car and head for the desert wasteland of Tabernas – a little more than a snowball’s throw away.
Tabernas Desert
Europe’s only true desert is a barren beauty; a vast wilderness of dry riverbeds, gulleys, eroded ravines and dramatic canyons. Situated between Sierra de Alhamilla and the Sierra de Filabres it’s one of the driest places on the planet. There are a number of ways to explore the badlands of Tabernas; by foot on a guided walking tour, from the back of a horse on a desert trail or reclining in the relative comfort of an all terrain vehicle. Kids in your party might want to pop into one of the three movie park attractions in the area. Tabernas provided the stunning backdrop to many spaghetti westerns and the movie makers left their film sets behind. Dry and arid the landscape may be, but you’re only 30 minutes from the coast and the beaches of Almeria.
The Beaches
Even in the winter months it’s possible to top your tan in sun-soaked Andalusia. The region enjoys 3000 hours of sunshine per year and the average annual temperature is 18/19ºC. There are so many pretty beaches to choose from including the blue flag beach of San Miguel, Nueva Almeria and Costa Cobana. And as the shimmering sun sets on your day and over the Mediterranean slip into a beach front chiringuito and enjoy a cool beer or glass of the local vino tinto.
Topic: Tips and Ideas |
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Tags: Andalusia, beach, sport, winter
About the author
Paul is a freelance writer living in sunny Almeria in southern Spain. He adores travel and exploration, and has been to both the Arctic and Antarctica. In his spare time he reads voraciously, usually whilst lying on the beach.
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