Spain is more than sun, sea and sand, for years the mass tourism has led many to believe that the country only exists in terms of resorts and holiday complexes. Buying property in Spain has been shied away from by many because of this fact; prospective buyers have not wanted to buy in a country that the majority sees as a sunny Blackpool.

They could however not be more wrong, Spain has depth that so many do not see and the best way to get a true idea of the delights this country has to offer is to buy a villa and holiday there regularly. Numbers of villas in Spain have been steadily increasing since the mid nineties and now as the Spanish property bubble is on the brink of deflating, the time could not be riper for buying a place in the sun.

Spain holds more than what made it famous during the eighties, the resorts are still there but increasingly ex-patriot communities are being built up creating little pieces of Britain abroad. This may sound ghastly to you but it offers the best of both worlds for anyone wishing to buy property in Spain. This double edged sword offers the security and comfort of living with members of your own nation, whilst being at liberty to sample the pleasures of Spanish culture.

By far the biggest reason for me to buy a villa in Spain would be the sumptuous cuisine. There is more to Spain than just paella, its heady mix of Jewish and Moorish influences have created a balanced palate. Do not be afraid if you are a pork lover though, after centuries of catholic domination pork has become a staple of the Spanish diet.

If you buy a villa along Spain's beautiful coast however the fish dishes with their heavy Mediterranean influence are truly out of this world. If you are a fan of the tapas style of eating, always remember to adhere to tradition and get a drink in your hand before you tuck in.

In terms of sport many would understandably avoid the bullfights that are a regular occurrence in Spain, but if you are investing in Spanish property remember Spain has one of the best football leagues in the world. Matches at stadiums like the Neu Camp are an experience never to be forgotten, living in Spain you would have the chance to visit the matches regularly and surround yourself with the fanatic football followers.

The biggest benefit to buying property in Spain is the people; welcoming and fun-loving they enjoy a good time and will happily share evenings with those who make the effort with them. As long as it is not siesta time you will find them working hard and in the evenings socialising over food. Life in Spain is relaxed and operates at a different tempo to Britain, purchasing a villa in this wondrous country allows you to slow down to this pace of life.

If you feel you are ready to take the plunge and buy a second home in Spain you will experience all this country has to offer for the rest of your life. Arguably it is purely the sun that tempts people to buying property in Spain, but once you look deeper you will realise there is so much more.

The food, the striking scenery and the hospitable people making buying a Spanish villa well worthwhile in today's climate. With prices the way they are it is definitely a buyers market and you could find yourself a bargain. Before you know it, you could be relaxing by the pool in your own Spanish villa ready to immerse yourself in this ancient culture.