As you drive up to Arcos de la Frontera, your mouth will form in an ‘o’ of wonder at the breath-taking beauty of this golden-brick town perched on a craggy hilltop flanked by a sparkling lake. Believed to stand on the site of the old Roman town, Colonia, Arcos is steeped in history. And as you wander through the maze of steep cobbled streets, squares, arches and monuments, you’ll feel like you have stepped back in time. A day trip here is spent swimming, sunbathing - canoeing even - at ‘Arcos Playita’ the beautiful man-made beach with powder soft sand nestled at the lake’s shoreline before going into the town for a sunset dinner at one of our favourite pavement taverna’s. Watch the world go by as you tuck into delicious local dishes such as ‘berenjena con miel’ and ‘croquetas de verduras’ washed down with a glass of local ‘vinto tinto’. End the day strolling through the atmospheric streets with an icecream in hand and taking in the stunning views across the surrounding countryside and mountains.