Spain Travel Guide
 |
With spectacular beaches, engaging nightlife, an abundance of cultural regions and historic cities, Spain makes for a great destination no matter the kind of trip. Spain is a country of wide-sweeping geographical and cultural diversity, something that often surprises people who think of its reputation as best for only beach vacationing. In fact, this country offers everything from lush meadows, snowy mountains, huge marshes, and vast desert spaces. Although Spain is thoroughly enjoyable any time of year, the ideal months to visit are May, June and September (along with April and October in the south). During these times you can rely on excellent weather while avoiding the extreme heat – as well as the majority of Spanish and foreign tourists - of July and August, not to mention take advantage of the discount airfare to Spain. Weather-wise, things are decent in some parts of Spain virtually year round. For example, winter along the southern and southeastern Mediterranean coasts is mild, while in the height of summer you can retreat to the northwest, where beaches or high mountains offer escape from excessive heat. The best festivals are mostly concentrated between Semana Santa (the week leading up to Easter Sunday) and September-October.
You’ll find in planning a vacation to Spain that there are many different kinds of tourist accommodations, ranging from hotels, pensions, rented villas, to camping or even monasteries. One of the more common hotels is a Parador ("inn"), a state owned chain of hotels founded in 1928 by the Spanish King Alfonso XIII. The most unique aspect of Paradores is their location and history, as many reside in historical buildings, such as convents, Moorish castles, or haciendas. They offer a stark contrast to the uncontrolled developments found in coastal regions like the Costa del Sol. Hospitality has been wonderfully integrated with the restoration of their historical locales, rescuing from ruin those monuments representative of Spain’s historical and cultural heritage. Paradores serve breakfast and very often feature excellent local cuisine that is true to the region. These accommodations are priced at a great value, especially upon considering that the hotels are in the heart of scenic areas. Your Spain vacation can be bolstered by the discount rates available for those under 30 or over 60 years of age, as well as those travelling in groups or for extended stays.
When setting out to explore Spain, one must realize that this country has long been a meeting point (not to mention battleground) for a myriad of civilizations, which means that it is spilling over with the remnants of a gloriously chaotic past. Fascinating pre-historical, Classical, Moorish and Christian sites are set toe-to-toe with the awe-inspiring legacies of 20th-century artists. Look to the Alhambra or the Mezquita de Córdoba for great examples of this immense historical and religious heritage. Make sure you first set aside any stereotypes of Spain, as it is so much more than bullfights, flamenco dancers and crowded beaches with scantily-clad sunbathers. The inland outdoor activities are plentiful, such as whitewater sports, climbing, and hiking. Throughout its major and minor cities, you will find a host of festivals and celebrations taking place in Spain. It’s a good idea to plan one or two of these into your travels, as it really can provide you a heightened arena for which to absorb an unfamiliar culture. One of the more popular takes place in Pamplona during the 2nd week of July, featuring the famous “running of the bulls” every morning at 8am.
Bus is by far the easiest way to get around the different regions of Spain. The majority of routes are point to point, and come at a very high frequency. Although each route typically has a different operator, you rarely have to worry about multiple operators across the same route. When at the bus station, each operator has its own staffed kiosk, where you can easily find out (in English even) who operates the route you are looking to travel. Travel by car would be ill-advised, as Spain is rife with challenging roundabouts and one-way streets. If a rental car becomes necessary, try to opt for one enabled with GPS navigation—or at the very least make sure to pick up a map!