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| Spain |
| Spain Travel Guide |
Spain is more than bullfights, flamenco dancers and crowded beaches. It's a spectacular and diverse country, the north resembling the rolling, green hills of Ireland and the south giving you a taste of Moroccan landscapes and architecture. Its tremendous history is reflected in its prehistoric cave paintings, Moorish palaces, crumbling castles, Roman ruins, Gothic and Renaissance cathedrals as well as some very distinctive modern architecture. The uniqueness of Spain lies in the separate kingdoms which made up the original Spanish nation.
These regions remain diverse in their language, culture, cuisine and art. They include: Andaluca, Aragon, Asturias, Basque Country, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Cantabria, Castilla La Mancha, Castilla Len, Catalonia, Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia, Navarra and Valencia. Areas of interest are not limited to each region. |
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"Spain is the country of Festivals, Fiestas and Ferias. Every town and village in Spain, no metter how small or even how big, stops and celebrates the local festivals. The articles within this site provide an introduction to some of the larger ferias and festivals that are held in Spain but in total there are over 3000 festivals held here each year.
Some fiestas are on set days each year and some take into account local issues and needs. For example many of the coastal towns and villages hold their large Ferias in the autumn after the tourist rush is over."
La Tomatina - Valencia Tomato Fight Festival
Every year around 30,00 people descend on the Spanish town of Bunol (in the Valencia region of Spain) to throw more than 240,000 pounds of tomatoes at each other as part of the La Tomatina festival.
Tamborrada de San Sebastian/The San Sebastian Drum Festival
"San Sebastian, Basque Country.
A march to the deafening sounds of drums, as groups of drummers parade through the city on the night of the first day of the year. The next morning, the ""Tamborrada Infantil"" (Child Drummer's Ceremony) is celebrated"
La Endiablada/The Disguised Devils
"February. Cuenca, Castilla y La Mancha.
People of this village celebrate disguised as devils in this festival of prehistoric origin. The young boys of the town dressed as devils - wearing pants and jackets painted in bright designs, with large cowbells tied to their waists, and multicolored paper hats, which are replaced later on with cardboard bishop mitres - run through the streets, dance at the entrance and inside the church, pretend to wash the statue of San Blas, and march in procession with it to the uninterrupted sound of the cowbells |
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A visit to Spain is not only about sun, sea, sand, great cuisine, and a warm welcome, but also its rich monumental heritage and dazzling natural environment. There is a perfect destination for everyone. In Spain, visitors will find unique places to which you will always want to return. Check out these popular places / cities:
Bilbao
The capital of the Basque region, Bilbao's main tourist attraction is the Guggenheim Museum with collections of late 20th century paintings and sculptures. Home to pretty plazas, elegant shops and architectural gems Bilbao is best-discovered by foot.
Barcelona
The vibrant capital city of Catalonia, Barcelona is an ideal city break destination. Hit the beach if the heat is too much to handle or soak up the Mediterranean atmosphere in a street cafe. Best place to explore on foot
Madrid
This Spanish capital city is rich in cultural sights with multitude of bars, cafes, discos, and live music venues. The Plaza Mayor square has a huge variety of shops, where you can get just about anything, while Puerta Del Sol centre is the hub of citys nightlife. For art and culture lovers, a visit to the art museums is a must.
Valencia
Well known for its orange groves, fruit and vegetable markets, Valencia is home to the Spanish dish paella and a range of festivities including "Las Fallas", the July Fair. The endless beaches with plenty of sunshine have made it a very popular destination.
Cordoba
Cordoba is a typical bustling noisy Andalusia town is known predominantly for its Mosque and other artistic and architectural treasures. The spring the "Festival of Patios" is a painter's and photographer's delight, as the streets become a riot of colours.
Seville
"The Andalusian capital city has inspired many works of art, music and literature, including the legendary lover Don Juan. Enjoy the dazzling flamenco shows, concerts on streets or in bars, or visit the Isla Magica adventure park.
Granada - at the foot of Sierra Nevada Mountains, Granada has been listed as a UNSECO heritage site, for its unrivalled beauty and architectural splendour. The narrow streets lead to a huge number of tapas bars, restaurants, pavement cafes and Arab tearooms - great for a lazy day.
Malaga - A genuine and typical Andalusian city with pretty whitewashed buildings smothered with pink bougainvillea bushes. This major coastal jewel of Andalucia in the crown of Southern Spain has plenty to offer."
Benidorm
"A quiet fishing village with its vast sandy beaches. Enjoy the sun, sand and sea in one of the quieter coves or explore the interesting town of Guadelest - part of which is built inside a mountain!
Costa Brava - Whitewashed fishing villages, crystalline sea water, underwater paradise areas, nature reserves with deep green, untouched countryside and small coves hidden between rocky outcrops landscapes Costa Brava, the birth-place and source of inspiration to Salvador Dali."
Tenerife Canary Islands
"The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife boasts of the highest mountain peak in the whole of Spain. Surrounded by lush forests the island has a beautiful coastline and spectacular beaches. The mountainous region offers quiet hiking trails, climbing areas and paths for cycling and mountain biking.
Gran Canaria Canary Islands - Blessed with numerous and exquisite beaches of white sand dunes and crystal clear waters, the island is a paradise for beach lovers. Water sports are a popular leisure activity and the year round cultural events and festivities and lively nightlife make this a great holiday destination."
Ibiza
Clubbing has brought international fame to Ibiza, the third largest of Balearic Islands. Unmissable are the wonderful beaches, secluded coves, year round sun, and all night and day parties, a magnate for the young and the beautiful. |
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Time Zone
GMT +1 Hour
Language Spoken
Spanish, English.
Passport/ VISA
British citizens must hold a passport, but no visa is required for a maximum stay of three months for those holding a passport endorsed British Citizen, British National (Overseas), British Overseas Territories Citizen, British Subject or with the front cover stating Anguila, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands, St. Helena or Virgin Islands. Other passport holders require a visa and passport valid for three months beyond expiry date of visa.
Climate
"The climate varies tremendously in Spain, due to its large size. Visitors can generally expect a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.
The vast central plateau, or Meseta, has a continental climate with hot, dry summers and cold winters. Rain generally falls in spring and autumn. The mountains surrounding the plateau have a higher rainfall and often experience heavy snowfalls in winter." |
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