Spain’s most southerly region is the true home of typically Spanish experiences. Bullfighting, tapas, flamenco, the guitar itself, all began in Andalucía and remain deeply embedded here. Other aspects of Spanish life take on their most extreme forms here: Andalucian fiestas are the noisiest and most colourful, Easter processions have more pageantry, the summer heat is more broiling, the people are at their most vivacious, fun-loving and family-oriented. And the coastal tourist resorts are the most densely crowded in the whole country. But beyond the cliché images, Andalucía is a land of surprises and contradictions. Away from the mass-tourism resorts you’ll find some of the most pristine beaches in the country, on the Cabo de Gata promontory and the Atlantic Costa de la Luz. Inland are green hills, white villages, huge nature reserves (one-fifth of Andalucian territory is under environmental protection), and the snowcapped highest mountain range on the Spanish mainland, the Sierra Nevada. Andalucía is the proud home of Spain’s most famous building, that bejewelled diadem of Islamic architecture, Granada’s Alhambra, as well as other marvellous relics of medieval Islamic Spain. The region also has a lesser-known but as fabulous heritage of cathedrals, palaces and castles from later eras. Contemporary Andalucía is ever more cosmopolitan and fashionable, with towns and cities full of glitzy boutiques, hip bars, stylish restaurants and pumping nightlife. Deeply traditional yet ready to seize the modern world, Andalucians always live life to the full. Few visitors to their land fail to get caught up in the fun.