Islantilla Holidays

New-kid-on-the-block Islantilla keeps pace with the big hitters. It's got a vibrant nature reserve, a Masters-level golf course and long stretches of golden sand complete with wooden boardwalks and sunloungers. Plus, it's conveniently close to the border should you fancy popping over to Portugal for a cheeky pasteis de nata – AKA traditional custard tart.

Whitewashed, flower-bedecked houses, welcoming tapas bars and lively markets put authentic Spain right on your doorstep. Five minutes in the car takes you to little Lepe, famous for its strawberries, while Ayamonte's chilled-out market is a 10-minute drive away. Pick up a paper-bag lunch before taking a ferry to Portugal's Vila Real de Santo Antonio.

Islantilla Golf Resort's got a 27-hole parkland course that welcomes pro putters and newbies. Birdwatchers should flock to nearby Donana National Park. As you stroll the forests and marshland, keep your eyes peeled for flamingos, herons and – if you're lucky – the Spanish imperial eagle.

This pocket of south-west Spain serves up some lip-smacking cuisine. For mouthwatering seafood that's pleasing on the pocket, try one of Islantilla's local bodegas. If you've got the time, it's worth touring the sherry triangle region around Jerez and Cadiz, a scenic three-hour drive away.