From golden beaches and long summers to delicious food and vibrant cities, there is a lot to love about Spain. But just what is it that makes this beautiful country such a world-class destination for watersports? And which sports could you try during your holiday there?

Whether you're already a keen sailor or totally new to the sport, a summer sailing holiday is an amazing experience. Island-hop through turquoise seas, meander along sun-drenched coastlines and moor up to spend warm evenings on deck, enjoying a beer or two under the stars. Every day brings a new destination and a new adventure.

Clear seas and sun-drenched hills produce nothing but fresh ingredients and bold flavours, while Spains famously relaxed way of dining is made for the Mediterranean climate.

Each region celebrates its own local specialities, strongly rooted in the traditions of the area. Join us for a culinary tour of Spain's most famous food and drink. 

With our brand new ‘Select’ Mar Menor Beachclub set to launch this July, we spoke to former Neilson water sports instructor Tez Plavenieks about his time on the waves of Europe’s biggest saltwater lagoon.

Whether you’re dreaming of soaring mountains and olive groves, sandy beaches and sea caves, or bustling harbours and ancient culture, this roundup of our favourite Greek islands will inspire some serious wanderlust.

Our beachclubs have a great choice of inclusive activities for you dip in and out of. But what if there’s a particular sport you love or have always wanted to try? Whilst our beachclubs offer a wide range of options, some are better suited to indulging your passion than others.

Sivota with its incredible blue-green waters, bustling harbour, beautiful scenery and friendly atmosphere is a typical Greek town that's definitely work exploring.

Located in the beautiful region of Murcia in sun-drenched Spain, our first Select Beachclub is set to become a real favourite among the Neilson family. With a gorgeous setting on the shores of Europe's biggest saltwater lagoon, Mar Menor offers everything from perfect conditions for water sports to amazing views. 

With its dramatic Adriatic coastline backed by rugged mountains, it’s no wonder Croatia is now one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe, especially among lovers of the great outdoors.

There are fantastic routes to tackle whatever your level, from complete novice to regular climber. Here’s just a little taste of the rock climbing available in Greece.

Here's a taste of some of the most mouth-watering dishes Italy has to offer, straight from the (could eat a) horse's mouth...

Italy truly deserves its reputation as one of the most genuinely family-friendly destinations in the world. From pizza and gelato to sunshine and beaches, you’d be hard-pressed to dream up a more popular holiday menu if you tried. 

Throw in the famous Italian hospitality and a whole host of fun activities and you’ve got yourselves a family adventure to remember!

From the mighty Dolomites in the north to the spectacular coastline at the tip of its ‘toe’, Italy celebrates regional cuisine with unwavering respect for simple recipes and local ingredients.   

Come join us on a scintillating journey through Italy’s mouth-watering menu. Spoiler: it’s not all pizza and pasta.

Head to Croatia and you’ll see flourishing vineyards, citrus and olive orchards; and on the sea, you’re never too far from a fishing boat bringing in a fresh catch for dinner.

When it comes to food and drink, few can top Italy's stellar reputation. Ask anyone to name their favourite dishes and you can guarantee things like pizza, pasta and gelato soon come tripping off the tongue.

Imagine a sun drenched, pristine coastline with colourful landscapes and ancient architecture - and you’ve got Calabria. Lying to the extreme south of Italy, located on the ‘toe’ of the country’s boot-shaped peninsula, Calabria is a region of hidden gems.

Paklenica National Park should be on the itinerary of any adventure traveller heading to Croatia this summer, and if you’ve never tried climbing, it’s the perfect beginner’s playground.  

Neilson have been operating holidays to Greece for decades now and it’s safe to say we think it’s a wonderful destination for families!

Alana Beachclub in Croatia is situated on the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia between the Adriatic Sea and the Paklenica National Park

Baia dei Mori Beachclub, is situated on the north east coast of Sardinia, with fine, golden sand and crystal clear water it’s the perfect spot for family holidays.

If you love the water, you're going to love Italy. With a long coastline lapped by the Mediterranean, Ionian and Adriatic seas, Italy is a brilliant destination for epic watersports.

The area of the south Peloponnese offers a vast and varied amount of cycling terrain from traffic free flat beach tracks to steep alpine-like passes, catering superbly for the entire cycling ability spectrum, from beginners up to avid mountain bikers and road cyclists.

If you love mountain biking, you will love riding on the beautiful Greek island of Lesvos.  Lesvos is a big island (the 3rd largest in Greece) yet it is one of the least discovered and retains an authentic feel.

One of our favourite places to ride in Greece is the beautiful, mountainous island of Lefkada. The terrain lends itself perfectly to mountain biking and there’s some decent road cycling too.



Europe is home to some world-class windsurfing locations, with destinations to suit absolute beginners to those that will excite and challenge the most experienced windsurfers. Greece, in particular offers some amazing locations and conditions for your next fix of windsurfing.

We asked our activity manager Gary Sinclair to share where in the world (other than our beach resorts of course!) he rates as being particularly brilliant places to ride the waves.