The Costa Brava (the Wild Coast) runs along the north-eastern edge of Spain to the French border, and is a dramatic landscape of hidden coves, windswept bays and long, sandy beaches lapped by the Mediterranean Sea. Among its treasures are colourful fishing ports lined with tapas bars, a sprinkling of medieval villages just inland, and a fine local cuisine which is renowned throughout Spain. It is hardly surprising that the Costa Brava has become one of Europe's top holiday destinations. Although the sheer numbers that descend on the coast every summer have led to unattractive over-development in a few coastal areas, there are plenty of truly charming resorts and hill-top villages that have preserved their Catalan character and are just waiting to be discovered.

A popular holiday destination for European visitors, this wild coast boasts some of Spain's most popular holiday hang-outs. Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar, Platja d'Aro, Blanes and Rosas remain the most frequented. Each resort offers a something for everyone appeal through its own individual brand of atmosphere ranging from the bright lights and sometimes boisterous nightlife of Lloret de Mar to the more tranquil scenery and ambience of Tossa de Mar.

Best time to visit: May, June & September to avoid the crowds.

Essential experiences: Waterworld aquatic park; 18-hole golf course located within 25 miles at Santa Cristina de Aro (Club de Golf Costa Brava); sightseeing and shopping in Barcelona; sightseeing in Old Gerona; the massive theme park at Port Aventura, Salou within 2 hours drive; Pyrenees Mountains; Marineland dolphinarium near Blanes with zoo and water park; mountain monastery at Montserrat; cruises along the coast; Catalan countryside tours including local wines and the market at Tordera; diving and cruising around the Illes Medes islands of L'Estartit.

In a few words, the Costa Brava is: Wild and rugged scenery, traditional package holiday resorts, mountain villages, sandy beaches, steeped in local history, hill-top villages and traditional Catalan character.

Whether you're after sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife or traditional holiday hang-outs the Costa Brava has it all and to the millions of tourists that visit year after year, it remains one of the most popular and affordable of the Spanish Costas.