Almera essentials

Getting there: scheduled flights to Almera from Heathrow, via Madrid, with Iberia (0171-830 0011) cost pounds 225 including tax. Prices rise the nearer it gets to Christmas. Charter flights go direct to Almera: Monarch has a service on Sundays for pounds 139 available through Spanish Travel Service (0171-387 5337) and Capital Flights (0171-209 4000) offers a fare of pounds 89 on Britannia from Gatwick.

Getting around: Picking up a rental car at the airport is easiest. A week's rental for a group A car (the smallest vehicle available) costs pounds 139 from Budget (0800 181181), inclusive of unlimited mileage, collision damage waiver and tax. Cars are also available from Avis (0990 900500), Hertz (0990 996699) and Holiday Autos (0990 300400).

Getting information: Spanish Tourist Office, 57 St James's Street, London SW1A 1LD (0171-499 0901).