If you're looking for a holiday destination with great weather and friendly people that is ideal for families on a budget, then you can't go far wrong with Spain.
Enrique Ruiz de Lera, director of the Spanish Tourist Office UK, said holidaymakers see the country as a "safe haven" because they know it will offer good value for money as well as plenty of things to do in a friendly atmosphere.
However, he said that he hopes that people on
ferries from Portsmouth to Bilbao and other destinations become more aware that Spain is a great place to visit at any time of year, not just the summer.
The expert also suggested that travellers could consider heading to some of the "lesser known inland areas" rather than just the big tourist resorts in order to get a real flavour of the country.
Of course, there are other reasons to go to Spain than simply a holiday, with wedding writer Jane Anderson recently saying it is a great place to get married abroad without spending a fortune.
Posted by Andrew Smith