Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Spain
 |  | Destination Guide : Spain |
|
| | | Viva Espana |  | Why go on holiday to Spain?
More than 40 million foreigners go to Spain each year, drawn by the good climate, relaxed people, sandy beaches, historic towns and good food and drink.
How much does it cost?
Spain is still relatively cheap. As a general guide, 14 nights in Minorca in June, flying from Gatwick costs around £459, and a return flight from Heathrow to Madrid in June costs from £160.
A three-night spring break to Barcelona with flights and hotel is from £350 and a seven-night package with flights and self-catering accommodation in Benidorm on the Costa Blanca is from £245.
For a basic double room in Ibiza expect to pay around £30 per night, and £40 in a mid-range hotel in Madrid. All these prices may vary considerably depend on the season and availability. Car hire costs about £10 a day.
When should I go?
Ideal months are May, June and September (April and October in the south where it stays warmer longer), but there's decent weather most of the year round.
July and August are the busy months, when temperatures in the south can be sweltering.
The best festivals are mostly concentrated between Semana Santa (Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter Sunday) and September/October.
*Feeling inspired? Book a break to Spain.
|
|
|
|
|
| | | Amazingly diverse | | What should I do when I'm there?
Spain is amazingly diverse. Geographically, all of the regions are different. In Andalucia, for example, you could ski in the Sierra Nevada and later the same day recline on a Mediterranean beach or traverse the deserts of Almeria.
There are tracts of beautiful mountains to explore and some spectacularly rugged stretches of coast between the beaches.
Culturally, the entire country is littered with superb old buildings, from Roman aqueducts and Islamic palaces to Gothic cathedrals. And almost every second village has a medieval castle.
Include the Balearic Islands and the picture varies still further.
What are the cities in Spain like?
The capital, Madrid, is a largely modern city. The medieval city of Toledo bristles with monumental splendour; Gaudi's Barcelona is cosmopolitan and forward-looking; and Santiago de Compostela is a splendid pilgrimage.
Seville (home of the flamenco) is exciting; Granada is the gateway to Andalucia with its stunning Alhambra palace. The tourist resorts of the Costas are, well, tourist resorts.
What are the festivals like?
Festivals take place year-round and though some are religion-based, they are all colourful, noisy, crowded and fun. Even small villages have at least one. Semana Santa parades happen nationwide, but are biggest in Seville, Malaga, Cordoba and Toledo.
In April the Moros and Cristianos parades in Alcoy near Alicante and surrounding areas stage "battles" between the Muslims and Christians.
The festival for which Spain is best-known is the Sanfermines in Pamplona in July, with the running of the bulls through the streets.
What's Spain like for walking?
With large tracts of wilderness, Spain is brilliant walking country. Some wonderful areas are easily accessible for both short walks and long treks.
Outstanding mountain areas for trekking are the Pyrenees in Aragon and Cataluna, the Picos de Europa, the Sierra Nevada and Alpujarras valleys in Andalucia and the Serra de Tramuntana on Majorca.
|
|
|
|
|
| | | Fantastic nightlife | | Where's good for nightlife?
Take your pick! Spain has some of the best nightlife in Europe, with wild and very late nights (some Spaniards don't even think about going out until midnight), especially on Fridays and Saturdays.
Even the smaller cities have very lively scenes. Ibiza is, of course, renowned for being one of the clubbing capitals of the world. Rave on!
What's the food like?
With rich seafood and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, you'll always eat well in Spain.
Tapas is the ideal way to eat for people who like different tastes. Order a small dish of whatever grabs your fancy - boquerones (pickled anchovies), tortilla (Spanish omelette) and almejas (baby clams) to name but just a few.
At restaurants, paella, bacalao (cod), and fabada (bean stew) are all worth trying. Veggies are less-well provided for, but Spanish fruit and veg are wonderfully fresh year-round, so salads are a good bet.
What should I buy?
Spain produces attractive and reasonably priced handicrafts sold at craft shops, weekly or daily markets in villages and towns, and excellent flea markets (rastros).
Pottery has many regional variations and is cheap; rugs, blankets and clothes are plentiful; leather goods are rising in price but you can still find a bargain. Gold, silver, wood and basketwork are all worth buying.
What is there for children to do?
Apart from the beach, there are plenty of playgrounds in the towns, and in many places you can find excellent special attractions.
These include amusement parks (two to mention are Catalunya's Port Aventura and Seville's Isla Magica), aquaparks, boat and train rides, child-friendly museums, zoos and aquariums.
In Almeria province, north of Benahadux, kids will enjoy the three Wild West town sets which are open as tourist attractions, including Mini Hollywood, which also features a deer reserve.
Tourist office
Spanish National Tourist Office, 22-23 Manchester Square, London W1M 5AP. Tel. 020 7486 8077. Brochure line: 09063 640630 (60p per minute).
|
|
|
|
|
| | Available rental properties in Spain |
|
| |  | | YOUR PERFECT HOLIDAY AT GRAN VISTA
A 3 bedroom air conditioned house located in the Gran Vista complex - Gran Alacant. 4 Swimming pools, 2 Tennis courts, 24h internet, etc...
|  | | 3 bed Villa A/C & private Pool.
Detached Villa, Pool, A/C & Heated, 3 bed, 2 bath, Brit TV, DVD.15 mins from Alicante airport.5 min walk to shops pubs & resturants.5 mins to Beach.
|  | | ¡Que Vista! - La Azohia, Costa Calida
Fabulous new 2 bedroom apartment in La Azohia, Costa Calida. Tranquil, panoramic sea views, private 50m2 roof terrace. 500m from beach, swimming pool.
|  | | Senorio de Aloha
Quality apart on the doorstep of the bustling fashionable port with beaches, yacht marina, restaurants ,bars. Breathtaking views . 3 swimming pools.
|  | | La Concha at Los Piedaos
One of three enchanting holiday cottages on four hectares (10 acres) in the Alpujarras, near Granada, Southern Spain.
| | Click here for more properties... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
