Why
Travel to Spain?
The country is soaked in history [conquistadors,
the empire, the inquisition...],
colourful culture [Bullfighting, Flamenco, Carmen, Don Quixote...],
Art [ Picasso, Goya, Velasquez...], wacky visionaries [Gaudi, Dali...],
grand architecture [Moorish in the south such as Seville, Baroquish up north in Madrid, twisted in Barcelona and
recently there's Bilbao...] and of course plenty of sun, sand and
sangria.
A Gaudi balcony on Casa Battlo, Barcelona
Downside:
- Prices are hardly cheap these days.
- The coasts are overbuilt with mainly vile, high rise resorts and apartments,
while the beaches heave with German, Russian and British heavyweights
fighting for towel space.
- Petty theft such as picking pockets and bag-snatching is not uncommon, particularly
in cities such as Barcelona and Madrid. Try not to look like a tourist!
Climate:
Best: April-June, Sept, Oct, tho' the coasts and islands are
often fine and warm in winter and the north and mountains cool and
less crowded in the summer.
Worst: July, Aug for crowds and extreme heat in southerly areas. Dec-Feb
can be bitterly cold [below zero] in the north/central Spain, including
Madrid.
Hiking in El Torcal Nature Reserve, near Antequera, Andalusia
Activities:
Spain mostly attracts beach bums or culture vultures, but there
are other activities available:
Hiking: Spain has masses of great walking
tours from the mountains north of Madrid to the Pyrenees and Picos de
Europa. Check [www.picoseuropa.net/] in Spanish for best advice or [www.asturiaspicosdeeuropa.com/] for a good summary of information on North Spain's Asturias and the Picos in English. Also in the Canary Islands
The classic pilgrim's route, El Camino de Santiago [The
Way of St James], runs
from Navarra to Santiago de Compostela.
Biking: hire to be found in many tourist
areas, but roads can be busy, hilly and hot. Stick to minor roads
if possible and consider a pro bike tour with full support if the wallet fits. In English [www.hookedoncycling.co.uk/Spain/spain.html] or [www.cyclingcountry.com/] may be able to help you on yer bike.
White Water Rafting: Aragon and Catalonia
[esp. Sort village in the Pyrenees].
Golf and tennis: just about everywhere.
Sailing: widely available, check locally.
Tarifa beach, southern Spain, near Gibraltar
Wind/Kitesurfing: at most beaches but
aficionados head for pretty and always-windy Tarifa, near Gibraltar or for endless awesome windy beaches head for the Canary Islands.
Surfing: good waves along the Atlantic
coast of the Basque Country [Pais Vasco] and off the Canaries but worthless waves on
the Mediterranean.
Fishing: check with Federacion Española
de Pesca for information. No website.
Climbing: plenty of serious rocks around
and the Federacion Española de Montañismo has full details of options,
but not in English.
Hang/Paragliding: Castilla y Leon and
Castilla-La Mancha have some internationally famous sites for hanging
around, while Para people like Valle de Abdalajis, North of Malaga.
Downhill skiing: from Dec-May, especially
at Vall d'Aran in Catalonia, Sierra Nevada Ski Station 32 kms north of Granada and Sierra
de Guadarrama north of Madrid. Cross -country skiing also.
Fearless firework festivals, especially in Valencia in March
Spanish
Festivals:
Feb-March, Carnival time. Especially wild in Madrid, Barcelona,
Sitges and Tenerife island.
March, Las Fallas, Valencia. A crazed week-long street party based on fire and fireworks, lots of both.
March- April, Holy Week [Semana Santa] - impressive, colourful parades
and music. Especially vibtrant in Seville, Granada and Malaga.
Late April, Feria de Abril, Seville. More wild, horse-oriented celebrations in this lovely
city, but this time less restrained - to put it mildly...
July, Bull Running [Sanfermines], Pamplona. Don't be bored, be gored.
Aug [last Wed], La Tomatina, Buñol [Valencia]. The famous
tomato street battles.
For
some precise dates see: European
Festivals or Arts
Festivals.
External reviews on travel in Spain.
Language: As usual a tourist's relationship with locals - not to mention ability to haggle politely over prices - will improve dramatically with a few words and phrases of the local language. Fortunately Spanish is a particularly easy language to learn, in fact many regard it as the easiest major language in the world. In addition, think how many countries use it, including California and Florida! So it's well worth making an effort to learn Spanish.
Visa
advice:
EU citizens do not need visas, nor do many other country residents
- including USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, for visits
up to 90 days.
Electricity:
Spain electric sockets are mostly 230v and take 2 round pin plugs.
Health:
Spanish pharmacists usually speak good English and have wide powers
to prescribe medicines. i.e. try them first for small medical
problems. The sign is a fat illuminated green or red cross.
A very hammy Madrid restaurant
Cuisine:
Spanish foods tend to be full-flavoured, rich and leans towards
heavy protein content.
Popular with travellers are Paella [sea food with rice], Gazpacho
[cold tomato soup] and varied chorizo [sausage]. Tapas [small tasty
snacks served with drinks] used to be free but rarely are these
days, but are still a good way to eat on the cheap.
Lunch and siesta occupy much of the heat of the day, while dinner
is eaten either late or very late by locals.
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