Galicia, Spain

A short 2 hour flight from Stansted Airport and an hour’s flight from Madrid will take you to Santiago de Compostela, the capital of Galicia. From the airport you can catch the local bus right into town for just €3 where there is plenty to see and do.

One of the unmissable sights is visit the Catedral de Santiago de Compostela which is the final stop on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, a walking route that can originate in different countries (including France and Portugal) and ends at the cathedral. Entry to the cathedral is free, allowing you to take in the extravagant gothic and baroque architecture.

Another must see is las Islas Cies, an island off the coast of Pontevedra and voted home to the best beach in the world by The Guardian in 2007. You can take a train to the town of Vigo and walk to the port where a short ferry ride will take you to the island.

Here there is plenty to do. First be blown away by the pristine white sand beaches and turquoise blue water, but you can relax with a good book on the secluded beaches, snorkel and try and identify as different types of fish or hike to the top of the island where the lighthouse is located to take in the breathtaking views of the water and other surrounding islands.