anyone have any recomendations for a chilled out weekend break, a sort of 'away from it all' couple of days. We are down Estepona way so anywhere within 3 hrs, ish, drive. Have been looking around Huelva area if anyone has any ideas on hotels, b&b's, self catering cottages, coastal or inland....

Have a browse through "The Ayamonte Club" link at the top of the Spain page

What type of hotel floats your boat and do you want all in or just B&B and a wide variety of restaraunts to eat out coastal or inland?

How about a 90 minute drive northwest from Sevilla into the Parque Natural Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche in Huelva province?
Senderismo, Grutas, Castillos...Chestnuts, Mushrooms, Jamon de Jabugo...
Here's a helpful website:
http://www.molinorioalajar.com/espanol/home.htm

Hurricane Hotel in Tarifa is good for a break, real cool

A very good directory of interesting and unusual places to stay is...
Alistair Sawday's Interesting places to stay in Spain. He also has directories for other countries.
Visit the website the directory is online. www.sawdays.co.uk

I was going to recommend that as well, and I would certainly buy the book, we have used several of his recommendations.

Get on the AVE to Madrid? will cost you though...

I would go to Donyana and El Rocio. We went for a weekend away in April. Went horse riding, a tour of the national park, some swimming on the excellent beaches and fantastic food.

In a few weeks the temperature will start soming down. May go back!

Otherwise go and rent a bungalow on the coast next to one of the excellent unspoilt beaches in Cadiz province, there are some actually on the beach (they are temporary buildings, no foundations so legal).

We went to Zahara de los atunes last year, was like being in paradise, long beaches, crystal clear water, just the one chiringuito serving cold beer and gin tonics! Apparently Sergio Ramos goes there for a month with his family each year

Fiestas in Ayamonte (7-11 sept.)with "Jarabe de Palo" playing on Saturday night! There´s a couple of B&B´s in Ayamonte, but probably booked. It´s nicer to stay out on Isla Canela, you have a choice of beach, marina or golf apartments, have a look at www.playasdelaluz.com for places to stay and www.ayamonte.es for the city´s official website.