Sagrada Familia
Tucked along the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, Spain travel indeed has a lot to offer to its visitors when it comes to entertainment, culture and history. As proof, Spanish tourism is considered to be the second largest in the world, bringing in about 60 billion Euros to the country in 2006. So what exactly do you expect so see once you land in its shores? Read on and discover.
Spain Beaches
Spain offers the best of both worlds when it comes to the sun and the beach. They have developed crowded shores that are lined with beautiful people basking in the sand and world class hotels just several meters away from the waters. But aside from that, the country also features beautiful, unexploited coasts where you can simply bask in the untouched beauty of nature. Highly developed resort towns are found in the world famous Costa del Luz and Costa del Sol while the less crowded areas are found in the coasts of Galicia, Asturias, Euskadi, Cantabria and La Manga.
Spain Countryside
If you want to sneak away from the water and the waves, then there are a number of beautiful attractions you can find on land as well. The Spanish countryside offers a wealth of spots and activities from adventure treks to world class ski resorts (found from November to May). And for those who simply want to go off the beaten path, then you can rent a car and go exploring the majestic deserts up north.
The Culture in Spain
Spanish culture is intoxicating. It is influenced by so many external cultures giving it a unique identity of its own. The Spanish arts and literature are one of the most famous in the world. Spanish architecture is a must to experience as well. How? A simple stroll around can let you come face to face with centuries old buildings and beautiful architectures.
Spanish Food
Spanish cuisine is a wonderful mixture of Jewish, Arab, Moorish and Roman influences. Peppers, beans, tomatoes and potatoes are a staple ingredient to Spanish cooking which is the very thing that sets them apart from Mediterranean cuisine (although both countries share basically the same cooking style and technique). Spanish food is all about freshness and people traditionally eat by hand. Streets are usually lined with open markets that are filled with fresh produce from the farms. A must try are the tapas – a common appetizer made out of batter fried squid or cheese and olives and the churro – the Spanish donut, which are one of the most common eats served in bars and pubs.
The Bullfights
This is something the every traveler should see once in Spain and is one of the most famous Spanish customs, dating back to as far as 711 A.D. There are a lot of different bullrings all over the country, but the most famous are found in Madrid, Ronda and Seville.
The best times to travel to Spain are during the months of May and September where the weather is fair and sunny all month long. Aside from that, these are also non-peak months so you can stay away from too much tourist crowds as well.