A Quick Tour Of Spain.
By Linda Plummer, Thu Dec 8th
With over fifty million tourists visiting Spain each year, thispopular West European country must have something special whichattracts the visitor. What exactly is it ...? The main beauty of this lovely land can be summed up in just oneword - variety - and, as you all well know, variety is the spiceof life! Whether you are referring to its climate, geography, history,culture or cuisine ... there is something to appeal to alltastes, ages and pockets.
The tourist explosion which took place in the 60s was originallydue to its marvellous beaches. And, with good reason, for theFoundation for Environmental Education states that "Spanishbeaches are the most environmentally healthy in Europe" and hasawarded the much-coveted Blue Flag to 450 of the country´sbeaches - more than any other participating country. But maybe lolling about on the beach all day is not your thingand you prefer more action ... a touch of sophistication? Should this be the case then Spain´s major cities are ideal foryou ... jam-packed full of history, and an art-lover´s dream.Yet, with their abundance of parks and wide open spaces, goodshops and pulsating night-life, they are a joy for everyone -children included. So ... mooch around the truly marvellous museums and monumentsof Madrid. Enjoy the bustle of stylish Barcelona bursting withvibrant Gaudí influence. Savor the delights of romanticMediterranean cities such as Valencia and Alicante. Or journeyfurther south to the exotic cities of Granada, Seville andMálaga. Immerse yourself in their haunting Islamic palaces, thebrilliant colors and sounds of flamenco, and in the birth-placeand works of Picasso. Maybe you hunger for the peace and quiet of a hideaway hotel inan unspoiled village? Then rural Spain is for you: full offorgotten villages, bursting at the seams with medieval castles,and offering prolific flora and fauna, it is ideal for walkingholidays, painting, photography or just plain "get away from itall" holidays. Not to mention ski-ing opportunities for the moreactive amongst Spain´s snow-capped peaks. Should you fancy a mix of all three - beach, city and rural -then that is also
easy to arrange. Although Spain is the largestcountry in Western Europe after France, it is certainly noproblem to get around. Littered with airports - both nationaland international - it also offers a good train service, thoughthe cheapest and most convenient method of internal travel is byusing the national bus/coach system. For those who are a little tired of the stereo-typed hotelchains, Spain has a unique alternative on offer in itsstate-established "paradores". In these, you will findaccommodation in converted castles, palaces, fortresses,monasteries, convents ... The aim of the "paradores" is to offer high standards atreasonable prices in a noteworthy building or location and tohelp preserve the traditions of regional cooking by serving thebest of local cuisine in the "parador" restaurants. Which brings us on to yet another delight that Spain has tooffer - its rich and varied cuisine. Whichever region of Spainyou decide to visit, you will surely encounter scrumptiousSpanish food! What´s more, the traditional Spanish diet, with the liquid goldof its olive oil, its rich supply of wine (in moderation!), itswide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, plus an abundance ofseafood, all mean that it is extremely good for the heart. Ontop of that, it is affordable! Even their "caviar" of cured hams - "jamón Ibérico" - has fatunusually high in oleic acid which is known to lower cholesterollevels! Now I ask you, where else can you get somethingpleasurable, that is cheap, and also good for you?! Even if you fancy picking between meals you can opt for theirtempting "tapas" - much healthier for you than a packet ofcrisps or a donut! Tapas originate from the large, southerly region of Andaluciaand it is this region that we also have to thank for flamencoand the Spanish guitar. Which holiday would be complete withoutvisiting an authentic flamenco show or dancing the night away tothe beat of romantic Spanish music? So ... come visit this land where the warmth of its climate isonly surpassed by the warmth of its people. You are bound tohave a great time!
About the author:After living in Spain for 20 years, Linda Plummer compiledhttp://www.top-tour-of-spain.com offering information on Spainfor the traveler or expatriate. |
