Property in Spain could serve the dual purpose of being ideal for a city break while also providing a stop-over point for longer journeys to elsewhere in the world.

Spain is home to major transport hubs such as Madrid, which was one of the airports which still managed to send flights out during the eruption of Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull in early 2010.

Gareth Williams, chief executive officer of flight price comparison site Skyscanner, notes the different sentiment that travellers can attach to journeys of varying lengths.

"Short-haul trips are now very common; for example, city breaks in Europe and hen or stag long weekends to local capitals," he says.

But he adds: "A longer-haul holiday that crosses several time zones may have more impact."

Property in Spain could serve both needs in one, as Mr Williams suggests looking into a stopover to "take the pain" away from longer trips and potentially cut the cost of the journey as well.

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