The Spanish Algarve

The Spanish Algarve is becoming a much-used term to describe the area of Spain running east from the Portuguese boarder to the Spanish city of Huelva. I have even heard the term used further along the Costa De La Luz as far as Cadiz. The funny thing is, I have yet to see The Spanish Algarve on any map.

Maybe, the term was dreamed up by some marketing guru, hoping some of the Portuguese Algarve's kudos, would rub off on his region. Well I cannot bring myself to think of the region as 'The Spanish Algarve', to me it will always be the Costa De La Luz. The thing is the Costa De La Luz does not need any gimmicks; it is a stunningly beautiful part of Spain.

This stretch of Spain's coast is steeped in history and the results of that history can be seen everywhere. The ruins of Moorish fortresses litter the landscape, physical testimony to the struggles between the Christians and the Moors. Bronze age cave dwellings, Roman remains, the Battle of Trafalgar, Cadiz, the exploratory voyages of Columbus and Magellan, all attest to the areas turbulent history. Today, the Costa De La Luz is a much quieter place, thank God, but what's it like?

Well if you want to find out you will have to read The Spanish Algarve Part Two.