Budget airlines and affordable fares have turned Spain into a
beach resort haven for northern Europeans wishing to escape their
own damp climates. With sun-bleached beaches and a favourable rate
of exchange for most travellers, it's easy to see why. Some may
feel that the Canary and Balearic Islands have been overrun by
tourists, and this is true to some extent - Tenerife, Lanzarote and
Majorca have become synonymous with cheap package holidays and warm
beer, and Ibiza's reputation has, for some, been tarnished by the
revellers frequenting its famous dance clubs and beach parties;
however even here you will find many magical, unspoilt corners
awaiting discovery.
Spain is comprised of numerous autonomous regions, offering such
variation within one country. The hundreds of miles of
Mediterranean coastline provide ample opportunity to get off the
beaten track, and the country's vibrant cities and colourful
festivals will amaze and delight even the most seasoned traveller.
There is the Spain of Gaudi, Dali, and Picasso, of Goya and
Velazquez - proudly displayed in Madrid's museums and galleries.
Spain's Pamplona is a unique experience of thundering streets that
vibrate to the rhythm of man and beast during the annual running of
the bulls, and while the whole country celebrates each February
with the Carnaval, no place does it better than Sitges. Barcelona
is Spain's showcase of the unique architectural style of Gaudi's
bizarre organic turrets and balconies. For a more provincial
experience, the Valencian town of Buñol goes wild every year with
the La Tomatina festival, a time when the region's surplus tomatoes
- following the annual harvest - are dumped on the streets and
pelted about in a friendly riot. Spain is also a country rich in
heritage and the historic cities of Toledo, Salamanca, Seville and
Granada promise a wealth of early Christian and Moorish buildings
and monuments, as well as the remains of some incredible medieval
sites. Spain has six cities that have been declared Unesco World
Heritage sites, more than any other country in the world.
