10 Good Reasons to Visit Spain

UK and worldwide advertising by the Spanish Nationalvaried and delicious as anywhere in Europe. You
Tourist Office emphasises the multi-faceted natureshould not miss a meal of rice-based paella, the
of the country. Different regions all offer uniqueSpanish national dish.
landscapes, lifestyles, cuisine and opportunities forWine: There are wine growing regions all over the
exploration.country, the best-known being La Rioja in the north.
Spain is a country of sleepy villages where the siestaVisit Jerez to see the home of sherry and check out
is still observed and wonderful meals are served notthe little known vintages of the Canaries.
before 3pm for lunch and 9pm for dinner. This isArt: Spain has produced world-renowned painters
traditional Spain - and you don't have to travel farranging from classical Velazquez to surrealist Picasso.
from popular resort areas to find it.Madrid has some of the finest art museums in the
But of course, Spain is also the hustle and bustle ofworld.
the big, modern cities - with international standardCities: All the buzz and excitement of the country
hotels, major art centres and museums. Sportingcomes together in the capital, Madrid; and Barcelona,
legacies from the Olympic Games of 1992 as well asthe Olympics city by the sea. Also look at
the fanatically-followed football teams all add to theup-and-coming Seville, Valencia and Palma.
mix of non-stop attractions for city breaks orNature: Spain is home to many national parks, such as
multi-centre visits. Of course, in Spain you will findthe Picos de Europa in the north and Donana in the
some of the most dramatic landscapes andsouth. Tenerife has Spain's highest peak, Mount
seascapes in Europe.Teide.
So: here are a set of Top 10 Tips which reflect theHistory: Did you know the Moorish Arabs ruled Spain
best of this fabulous country:for seven centuries, and that their legacy includes the
Beaches: From the cosy coves of the Costa Bravafabulous Alhambra Palace in Granada? Palaces and
to the vast acres of golden sand on the island ofcastles abound.
Fuerteventura, there is a beach to suit you whetherShopping: Big city stores such as El Corte Ingles rub
you like a busy resort or a strip of sand near ashoulders with colourful traditional markets. The
fishing village.Canaries are a duty-free zone.
Nightlife: The Spanish like it long and late and you'reTouring: Hire a car or take your own, and discover
more than welcome to join in. Try a traditionalthe "Real Spain" along the back roads. Touring routes
flamenco show or the latest sounds on the discoinclude the White Towns of Andalucia.
island of Ibiza.There you have it - 10 great reasons for a holiday in
Food: Tapas bars have brought Spanish cuisine toSpain - and 10 great reasons to go back for more.
many countries, and you will soon discover it is as