Barcelona tops summer hotspots

More tourists rented a holiday home in Barcelona this past summer than in any other location, according to new research.

The city proved a favourite among those visiting Holiday-Rentals.co.uk this year, says the website, with Dubai, Italy and the Canary Islands following close behind, highlighting a trend towards "cultural tourism".

Rather than flocking to the beach, tourists seemed to prefer taking in foreign culture over the past summer, explains Ross McGowan, sales director for Holiday-rentals.co.uk.

"The fact that Barcelona, Venice and Rome have continued to be popular with renters throughout the summer reinforces the fact that today's travellers are looking for a more holistic holiday experience and more than just sun, sea and sand," he comments.

"The appearance of the Canaries in our top five illustrates that traditional destinations continue to perform strongly too, both in terms of traveller demand and investment," he adds.

Research by Banco Halifax Hispania has also shown Spain to be an ideal destination for those looking to buy a second home abroad.

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