For those thinking about organizing active tourism holidays for 2014, there is an economical destination with services for all types of travellers, which combines incredibly everything that a nature and marine lover could ask for. It is the famous Costa de la Luz, between Cadiz and Huelva.

These stunning coastal marshes, canals and infinite natural parks together with long sandy beaches, extend from La Linea de la Concepcion to Ayamonte passing by such well known areas as Tarifa, Zahara de los Atunes, Conil de La Frontera, San Fernando, Punta Umbria and Isla Canela.

Nature here has names that are well known throughout the world as some of the most beautiful areas of the planet.  This is the case of the Doñana National Park, with the spectacular canals of Guadiana and the mouth of one of the most important rivers in Spain, the Guadalquivir.

The Doñana park, declared as World Heritage by UNESCO, is perfect to visit at any time of the year, but it is in winter when you can appreciate the enormous number of aquatic birds living there. According to a study of the area, this number can reach around 200,000 each year with 300 different species.

With regard to other animals living in the park, we must highlight the Iberian lynx, a protected species, native to the area and considered to be one of the most at risk of disappearing from the planet. For some years, there has been a very successful breeding  plan for the Iberian lynx .

To visit the Doñana park, a good option is to reserve a hotel in La Barrosa, one of the most beautiful beaches of Chiclana de la Frontera, or a hotel in Punta Umbria, near to another outstanding natural park, Los Enebrales of Punta Umbria. This area is also a perfect place for an active family holiday because it offers many activities with children in Huelva and additionally is very near to the centre of the city.

A little further on, following the coast to Ayamonte, we find a paradise of sea and sand by the mouth of the river Piedras, the beach of El Rompido, one of the few extensive virgin sandy areas that remain in Spain.  This is the perfect destination for a romantic break and as a matter of fact in the surroundings can be found some of the best hotels for Adults Only in El Rompido, perfect with good prices.

Passing the marvellous marshes of the River Piedras, the nature of the Costa de la Luz offers us another singular place where it is essential to dedicate at least a morning, capturing with your camera the extraordinary lights and colours of this outstanding area.

These are the marshes of Isla Cristina, very near to the area of resorts in Isla Canela and hotels in Islantilla, but preserved from all human pressure.  The marshes are intact and full of life, but nearby to golf courses, leisure centres, the most beautiful beaches in Huelva and the charming villages such as Ayamonte.

To plan a journey to the Costa de la Luz is relatively easy because connections are good and the price of accommodation is within budget. It is also an interesting route for those with young children, thanks to the outside activities offered by the destination, combining beaches with natural landscapes where they can always learn something new about the environment.

Before leaving it is important to check out the events offered by the town halls and tourist offices of the towns and villages you will be visiting or where you will spend the night.  All have an ample offer of workshops, guided hiking trips, ecology courses etc. that can be the perfect complement.

As a starting point for this route along the Costa de la Luz, you could book the hotel in Calas de Conil Cadiz and follow the coast to the frontier with Portugal, spending at least one night in the places we have underlined.  This is it, the perfect plan for a week, next to nature, the sea and fun with the family.  Who’s up for it?