The Cabo de Gata area in Spain's south-eastern tip is part of a natural park of the same name, one of only five georegions in the country, noted for its natural attraction and outstanding raw beauty. Don't be put off by the seemingly lifeless and arid mountains and hills nearby  there is much more to explore. The Cabo de Gata itself is the rocky headland which juts out into the crystalline Mediterranean Sea, adorned with a captivating white lighthouse, dating back to the 1860s. 

There are great, tranquil beaches and secretive coves along the shore, and even a small lake, called the Laguna de Rosa, where flamingos and other feathered friends during the summer. Cabo de Gata is only a short reach from the capital city of Almeria, and regular buses run between the two hotspots. In general, accommodation in Cabo de Gata is somewhat scarce, although it is an excellent setting for camping trips  perfect for blending in with the surrounding nature  with a few camping sites dotted along the coast.

Travelling a little further away from Almeria, towards the north-east of Cabo de Gata, you will have reached the enchanting little village of San Jose, of only 250 inhabitants  how ideal is that for a relaxing, out-of-the-way holiday in subtropical Spain. The unique feature about San Jose is that, despite all of this, the village is highly multicultural  it houses a significant Italian population, as well as many Germans, Brits, Danish, Americans, Africans and even Australians. Indeed, this cultural diversity gives the village a very dynamic and international appeal  there is something for everyone, as all of these nationalities are conveyed in some form or another. There is also a new sporting harbour, built to cater mainly for tourists. Of all, though, San Jose offers the most incredible beaches, one of which has even served as the setting for numerous international films.