From snorkelling and sailing to wine tours and stargazing, agents were introduced to another side of Spain at Connect events in Newcastle and Leeds in January.
Partners from regional tourist boards in Alicante, Aragón, the Basque Country, Cadiz, the Canary Islands, Costa Blanca and Ibiza showcased the best of their destinations and highlighted their year-round appeal. Here’s just some of what they shared with agents…
Alicante gems
While Alicante’s beaches and the historic port city itself are already well known by UK tourists, its inland areas are emerging as “hidden gems”.
Thanks to its picturesque villages, scenic hiking trails and a rich cultural heritage, these lesser-explored areas are rapidly gaining attention, becoming a trending destination for travellers seeking authenticity and natural beauty.
Alicante is also home to Tabarca, the only inhabited island in the whole region of Valencia. Perfect for a day trip, it’s around one hour by boat with departures from Alicante port or the cape of Santa Pola.
It’s a small archipelago that includes Tabarca, as well as the islets of La Cantera, La Galera and La Nao, and it’s popular for snorkelling due to the clarity of its waters and for its wide variety of marine life. Expect to see groupers, gilthead breams, sea bass, white seabreams and octopuses.
Meanwhile, sailing enthusiasts might want to start planning now for a trip to in 2027 when Alicante will again be the starting port of the round-the-world sailing competition The Ocean Race (Formerly Volvo Ocean Race).
Aragón gastronomy
Food and wine tourism is a focus for Aragón, a regional in northeastern inland Spain, which is the largest producer of black truffle in the world. Of the 150 tonnes harvested worldwide every year, more than 80 tonnes are harvested in the Aragonese region and, unsurprisingly, truffles are a key part of the local gastronomy.
The region’s wine industry is growing too, with the Aragón village of Cariñena elected the European City of Wine 2025. Close to Zaragoza, the village is attracting visitors to its wine museum or wineries, some of which have restaurants and accommodation.
Aragón’s landscapes, with high mountains, glacial valleys, plains, forests and Europe’s largest desert, also make it an ideal choice for adventure seekers, who can enjoy more than 20,000 km of trekking trails, some of the world’s fastest zip lines, gorges for canyoning and 18 protected natural spaces, including Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park.
Basque Country wine tours
Visitors to this region of Spain, known for its traditions and warm hospitality, can explore its vineyards, medieval villages and fine cuisine on a tour of the Rioja Alavesa.
Heading from west to east, wine lovers can take in some of the most beautiful villages, including Labastida, which boasts charming accommodation, a walled town and San Ginés park, close to the chapel of the same name.
A short drive away is Laguardia, one of the most attractive villages in this wine region, perched on top of a low hill and with its mediaeval town walls practically intact, surrounding a beautiful historic town centre full of underground wine cellars.
From here, travellers can take a day trip to Elciego, famous for the Marqués de Riscal winery, where the main building was designed by Frank Gehry.
“Be curious and delve a little deeper into things, or allow yourself to be guided along the way by those who really know them, to discover unexpected places,” says a Basque Country spokesperson.
Stargazing in the Canary Islands
Astronomic tourism is growing in popularity and the Canary Islands are home to not just one but three locations that have been certified as Starlight Reserves. This means they are protected areas with exceptional clear and starry nights, designated by organisations to preserve night sky quality for science, education and enjoyment by minimising light pollution.
The three certified reserves are on La Palma, Fuerteventura and the Teide and peaks of Tenerife, where visitors can join guided stargazing tours to take in the night sky and get a better understanding of the universe.
Back on land and sea, travellers can get close to nature in 146 protected areas, including four national parks, three marine reserves and seven biosphere reserves.
Cádiz year round
New cultural festivals, enhanced coastal experiences, expanded active-tourism routes and boutique accommodation are elevating the charm of Cádiz, the Iberian Peninsula’s southern-most province.
The region has 260km of coastline, with sun-drenched urban beaches, exhilarating surfing, natural parks and ancient cities and world-class golf, attracting visitors year round.
Cultural Costa Blanca
The Costa Blanca, southeast region of Spain, is renowned for its white sand beaches and hidden coves, but did you know it’s also home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
One of them is Palmeral of Elche, a vast, historic palm grove that’s a unique example of Arab agricultural practices on the European continent. Cultivation of date palms in Elche is known at least since the Iberian times, dating back to around the fifth century B.C. Here visitors can experience El Misteri d’Elx (Mystery of Elche), a 15th-century sacred drama performed annually in the Basilica of Santa Maria.
The region is also home to charming mountain towns and villages, where visitors can enjoy hiking, cycling and other outdoor adventures. The average annual temperature is 18ºC, which means it’s a year-round destination too.
Ibiza for families
Ibiza’s vibrant nightlife is legendary but the island is also keen to widen its appeal to attract families all year round.
The island has cycling routes that are ideal for the whole family, farms where little ones can feed animals, crystal clear waters for swimming and snorkelling, and coastal towers with fascinating stories of swashbuckling pirates.
Ibiza also has plenty to cater for cultural travellers. Its capital, Ibiza Town, has recently celebrated its 25th anniversary as World Heritage by UNESCO.
With perfectly conserved Renaissance walls, narrow medieval streets, charming shops, galleries and alfresco restaurants, it’s perfect for a city break.
Prize-winning travel agents
Agents attending both of the Selling Travel Connect: Spain events had opportunities to drop their business cards in for a chance to win top prizes.
The winning agents in Newcastle were Joanne Turnock, Craig Brett, Joanne Kinnaird and Pamela Henderson, who won a place on a fam trip to Spain.
In Leeds, the winners were Kourtney Farrell, Michelle Greenwood, Nicky Lynn and Lisa Atkinson.
The Connect events were held at the County Hotel in Newcastle upon Tyne and at Harvey Nichols in Leeds and attracted around 50 agents on each night.
Check out the Connect Calendar to plan your attendance and forthcoming Selling Travel Connect events. We look forward to seeing you soon!
