Majorca is set to be popular with holidaymakers in 2009 and it has also been revealed that the island is a favourite of some of the most famous faces in Hollywood.

Among them are film stars Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, Formula One racer Michael Schumacher, supermodel Claudia Schiffer and singer Annie Lennox - who have all had homes on the island.

The beaches of the Las Islas Cies - an uninhabited island situated a short boat ride from Galicia, one of Spain's islands - have been named as some of the world's most beautiful.

According to the Guardian, the island - which is now a national park - opens to the public during the summer and used to be a pirates' haunt.

Britons hoping to plan a Christmas with a difference this year may be interested to know that there are a whole host of seasonal festivals taking place in Spain over the winter break.

According to Intrepid Travel, the festive season kicks off with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which highlights the beginning of the holiday for Spanish locals.

Spain is a popular holiday choice for travellers because it is a tried and tested destination, it has been noted.

According to online resource La Manga, Victor Sague, sales and marketing director for Taylor Woodrow de Espana, said that the sunny European country was continuing to be a draw, despite the increasing popularity of getaways to the Far East.

Lucky Britons who are considering jetting off to Spain to celebrate Christmas this year may wish to leave their stockings at home.

This is because according to The Etownian, Spanish children fill their shoes with straw or barley to feed the camels who have been carrying their weary passengers on a long journey.

People looking to get away from it all by jetting off to Spain in the coming months may be interested to hear that one British-run resort has been awarded the title of Best Place to Stay in Europe by the Times.

Writing on the online pages of the news resource, Toby Sawday explains that Finca La Herradura in Orgiva is run by Jeanette and Russell Welham, who also farm olives from the site.

Sarah Harding, member of the award-winning Brit pop band Girls Aloud, has admitted that she longs for a life in the Spanish sun.

According to the La Manga Club website, the singer is hunting for a new pad in Marbella, an up-market resort.

Holiday destinations such as Spain are still popular with travellers, as the credit crunch continues to apply financial pressure to people's spending habits.

In news that may be of interest to those seeking cheap flights to Spain, the poll by industry research firm TripVision revealed that 58 per cent of respondents agreed that the current economic climate had influenced their choice of vacation hotspot.

Parents planning a trip to Europe for them and the kids for this half-term break may be interested to hear that Tesco Travel Insurance has offered a number of tips to keep holiday costs to a minimum.

As well as booking cheap flights to Madrid or Paris, parents have been told not to leave transfers till the last minute but to negotiate them while organising the vacation in order to reduce airport taxi costs.

Many people planning a holiday to Spain miss out on visiting the port city of Malaga in the south of the country, one sector commentator has claimed.

However, those looking for cheap flights to Malaga may be interested to know that Sankha Guha - writing on the online pages of the Independent - said that the city centre was "buzzing" with the sound of people enjoying themselves.

Many British travellers have been left stranded in Barcelona after the Spanish airline LTE International Airways suspended its flights, it has been noted.

According to TravelMole, the company said it had not been possible to avoid this situation due to "world events lately".

Cheap flights to Lanzarote could be in greater demand among UK travellers in light of the increase in Brits landing at the holiday hotspot, it has been revealed.

Typically Spanish reports figures from Spain's airports operator Aena which show the increase in UK vacationers outpaces that from elsewhere in Europe.

Cheap flights to Murcia might soon be expected to land at any time of the day or night, it has been revealed.

Typically Spanish reports that San Javier Airport in Murcia is to operate on a 24-hour basis in the next month or so.

Barcelona is an ideal destination for holidaymakers travelling on a budget, it has been suggested.

Writing for information resource Knol, Patrick Collins explains that cheap flights to Barcelona and low-cost activities in the city itself combine for an affordable getaway.

A rental property firm has pointed out that the availability of cheap flights to Barcelona means more holidaymakers can plan their own trips abroad.

Barcelona Rentals explains that self-catering homes in the city offer advantages to travellers willing to put their own package together.

Britons look increasingly further afield for their next holiday, it has been suggested.

Rob Yandell, managing editor and publisher of Group Leisure Magazine, explains that many begin with domestic trips and weekends away within the UK.

But Europe is a natural progression on from this, he adds, which could leave many travellers looking for cheap flights to Spain or France.

The availability of cheap flights to Spain makes it more accessible than some other attractive regions of the world, it has been suggested.

Oliver Chandler, spokesperson for Spain magazine, explains that cheap flights to Spain are just one of the reasons why people might choose to visit the country.

Brits could be jetting off on cheap flights to Spain in the run-up to Christmas as a number of destinations remain "firm favourites", it has been asserted.

Homes Worldwide reports that the country remains reachable over the festive season thanks to the availability of flights from the UK.

Cheap flights to Madrid could prove the ideal first step along a route to Colombia, it has been advised.

The suggestion comes from Richard Green, travel expert at the Sunday Times, in response to a reader's question.

Consumers have been told that cheap flights to Murcia are still available, making holiday homes in the region an attractive option.

Mike Hamilton, sales director of local property firm Casas de Lorca, tells PropertyWire that the availability of cheap flights to Spain means the region is likely to maintain its allure for those looking for a second home abroad.

Sailing enthusiasts might be looking to book last-minute cheap flights to Alicante in time for the start of the Volvo Ocean Race this weekend.

On Saturday, October 4th, the event is scheduled to head out from Alicante on a route which is due to take in India, Singapore and China before arrival at the finish line in St Petersburg, Russia.

For a higher class of partying, travellers may wish to book cheap flights to Spain, in light of recent comments from Zoe Strimpel.

She writes for City AM of the high-class party atmosphere to be found in Madrid, with cheap flights to Spain a potential means of reaching the city.