Hideaway: Asturias, Spain

The Costa Verde is the relatively unexplored region of Asturias in north-west Spain. Blessed with 200 miles of coast, undeveloped beaches and a mountainous interior, it is the hub of eco-friendly tourism in Spain. The contrast with the high rises of the Costa del Sol couldn't be greater than in the area's Picos de Europa National Park.

This is a wild world of tiny villages, Celtic traditions and western Europe's largest population of bears. And there's very little tourist traffic, making it family-friendly, its sheltered bays explorable by bicycle or on foot.

Inntravel has a range of properties in the region: its Casas Rurales range from one-bedroom apartments in a large, converted property to several handsome detached period houses sleeping six or eight. But be warned, you might well need waterproofs. RB

From £298 per person for seven nights for a one-bedroom apartment (including car hire but not flights), 01653 617 949, www.inntravel.co.uk