World-renowned chef Jean Christophe Novelli is no stranger to passion, which is why the prospect of his new cooking school and restaurant in Spain fills him with anticipation

Few people would ever say that the French display a lack of self-confidence. Sitting in The Hotel Lorcimar’s shiny, new Novelli Restaurant in Puerto Banus, celebrity chef Jean Christophe Novelli is in no mood to disprove the stereotype.

“I don’t have competitors,” he purrs when asked about the rising influence of Spanish chefs compared to ooh, let’s say, French cooks. “The only competitor I have is my own shadow,” he continues. “It has been like that for 25 years. I don’t have to worry about what other people do. I can appreciate what they do but I don’t have to use it for myself. I have my own story and I am quite happy with that. This is one of the best ventures I have been involved with. It is going to be magnificent.”

Her flamenco style may be austere but its authenticity is at the heart of the new mesmerising performance by Spanish star Eva Yerbabuena

Lluvia (Rain) is the title of the extraordinary new show in which Eva Yerbabuena dances drenched amidst a pool of pouring rain. With it, she has created a production that has blown away Spain’s national theatre critics with its originality and finesse of execution.

It is, said the Diario Público, “a torrent of emotions”; “a perfect storm of ecstasy” declared the Diario de Jérez while the reviewer for El País admitted: “No performance has moved me as much in years”.

To discover the real Costa Brava, you’ll need to get your boots on and follow in the footsteps of pirates and smugglers.

AS THE path rounds the corner, a cluster of white fishing houses nestled in a rocky cove comes into view. The idyllic scene, complete with umbrella pine trees, fluffy clouds scudding across the blue sky and upturned fishing boats, is being immortalised on canvas by a local artist. Stopping to watch him work offers the perfect excuse for a rest while enjoying the warmth of the late summer sun.

For six days each year, the streets of Seville sway to the sounds of flamenco and the rhythm of hooves

The streets are awash with an array of vibrant colours, the air alive with anticipation. At every corner horses’ prancing hooves and girls’ flamenco frills flash by in a sangria-induced haze and it is impossible not to become embroiled in this energetic and dazzling spectacle. This is Spain at its best.

Seville’s Feria de Abril began in 1847 as an agricultural fair, but has since developed into one long party that takes place every year. This year the festival lasts from 28 April to 3 May.

When it comes to choosing an off-plan or new build property, make sure you dodge the cowboys and work with a reputable company

After suffering at the hands of cowboy builders, no one could blame Debbie and Andrew Pettingill for changing their minds about purchasing a home in Spain. But the couple was determined that this bad experience wouldn’t stop them from buying their dream home on the Costa del Sol. Debbie said: “We researched various companies in Spain, picked one and bought a home from them off-plan.

Forget all the fiddly preparation – Spanish food is at its best when it’s straight-forward, simple and all cooked in a single pot

Although today’s Spanish cooking has gone upscale, it is still the epitome of one-pot meals and hearty, down-to-earth peasant cooking. In fact, the national dish of Spain is cocido, a hearty meal in a pot with chickpeas and meats, which is found in regional variations all over the country. Who would think that a simple potato stew, enlivened with little more than Spanish smoked paprika and a few pork ribs, could be so delicious and memorable? And, of course, what could be more spectacular than paella – the ultimate one-pot meal – so festive, colourful and crowd-pleasing, and made in its own unique pan.

Jason Webster, author of Sacred Sierra, loves the quirky individuality of Spain, a quality he went in search of – and found - by buying a farm on Valencia’s ‘lucky’ mountain.

Spain has a magic to it that you either get or you don’t. For years I’ve explored my fascination for the country through a series of books looking at emblematic Spanish themes such as flamenco, the Moorish heritage and the Spanish Civil War, all the while trying to express something of the appeal of the place – something that gets under your skin and stays there.

Although proudly Catalan, there are few better places to brush up your Castellano than on a language course amidst the winding streets and beautiful beaches of Barcelona

Note book. Check. Pen. Check. Barcelona guidebook. Check. I meander through the dusky, architecturally charming streets of Spain’s Antoni Gaudi-marked city, to be met by the loving linguistic arms of International House – a world class college that teaches English and modern languages – with the kind of butterflies in my stomach reserved for A-level exams way back when.

Estrella Morente, daughter of famed singer Enrique, has rapidly made a name for herself as a flamenco artist. But, like her father, she’s not too worried about playing by the rules

"Flamenco's going through a wonderful period," says Estrella Morente. "It's reaching out into every corner of the world, and every one of us who is doing their bit to make it universal is proud of that."
Estrella Morente herself is in the vanguard of those responsible. Still only 28, and with only three albums behind her, she will be appearing at Sadler's Wells as part of the 2009 London Flamenco Festival. She sounds distinctly unfazed by the prospect: "When you're onstage, you put a bandage over your eyes and you give yourself up to the moment just the same, wherever you may be."