| Spain is absolutely bursting with places to see and | | | | site in the heart of Bilbao and has become a major |
| things to do. These are my top ten must-see | | | | icon of the city. The structure is an unusual |
| attractions. | | | | amalgamation of blocks and curves covered by |
| THE ALHAMBRA PALACE - GRANADA | | | | titanium scales. The vast La Salve Bridge actually |
| The 'Red Palace' is one of Spain's most important | | | | passes through the building. |
| historical monuments and tourist attractions. Having | | | | ROMAN RUINS - MERIDA |
| been under both Christian and Moslem control, The | | | | Able to hold 6000 spectators, the Roman Theatre is |
| Alhambra has benefitted and blossomed as each of | | | | one of the premier sights of Merida. The nearby |
| its owners has added more buildings. The oldest part | | | | Anfiteatro was the site of battles between Roman |
| of the Alahambra is the Alcazaba, which was built | | | | gladiators and could hold as may as 15,000 people. |
| upon the ruins of a 9th century fort. The world | | | | The political and cultural centre of Hispania Rome, |
| famous gardens are unbelievably beautiful. | | | | Merida was conquered by the Muslims in 713 A.D. |
| THE MEZQUITA - CORDOBA | | | | After a 500 year period of decline the city was |
| It's a Christian church, but you wouldn't believe it at | | | | virtually abandoned until the 1500's. |
| first glance; that's because it used to be a Mosque. | | | | CUENCA |
| The pillars and arches you have to pass through to | | | | Somewhat of a hidden gem, Cuenca will leave a huge |
| reach the Catholic shrines are wonderfully Arabic. The | | | | impression on you. Amongst its many impressive |
| building dates back to 796 AD. If you're within 200 | | | | features are the 'Hanging Houses' which cling |
| miles, go and see it; you won't be disappointed. | | | | precariously to the side of the gorge. The Cathedral |
| BARCELONA | | | | of Cuenca was built in the early 13th Century on the |
| Revelling under Gaudi's influence, Barcelona is one of | | | | site of a former mosque. The facade had to be |
| the most beautiful cities in the world. Both modern | | | | rebuilt in the early 20th Century after the collapse of |
| and historical; Spanish yet fiercely Catalan. Connected | | | | the Giraldillo Tower. |
| by the high speed train and excellent air links, this city | | | | TAPAS - ANYWHERE YOU LIKE |
| is magnificent and accessible. | | | | But preferably in Andalucía. There's nothing |
| LA TOMATINA - BUNYOL NEAR VALENCIA | | | | quite like enjoying tapas with a glass of wine in the |
| This has to be one of the craziest fiestas ever | | | | sunshine. The history of Tapas can be traced back to |
| conceived. It is simply one giant tomato fight, taking | | | | the Moorish presence in Spain between the 7th and |
| place every August and transforming the normally | | | | 15th centuries AD. The Moors had a love for small |
| sleepy village of Bunyol into a mad house. The | | | | dishes with exotic ingredients such as peppers, |
| population of 9,000 swells to 30,000 during the | | | | almonds, garlic and saffron. This influenced a cross |
| festival, so book early if you want to go, as every | | | | over to Spanish culture and has become one of |
| hotel and hostel puts up the 'no vacancies sign | | | | Spain's most renowned culinary traditions. |
| months before the event. An hourly train service | | | | WHITE VILLAGES |
| runs from Valencia, but take a change of clothes if | | | | It's well worth the time and effort to visit one of |
| you intend using it. | | | | Spain's numerous white villages. The south of Spain is |
| SKIING - SIERRA NEVADA | | | | littered with these pueblos, some more accustomed |
| One of the wonderful, quirky features that Spain can | | | | to tourism than others. Bear in mind that even the |
| boast is sunny beaches and skiing. From the Sierra | | | | busiest of villages will close up at two o'clock for a |
| Nevada Mountains, you can be on the beach | | | | siesta. Of course the bars and cafes will remain open, |
| sun-bathing within an hour, so it's skiing in the morning | | | | so you'll just have to chill with the rest of them. |
| and water skiing in the afternoon if you fancy it. | | | | Spain has much more to offer than the suggestions I |
| GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM - BILBAO | | | | have made, and as I said, this is just my opinion. The |
| The American architect Frank O. Gehry designed this | | | | thing to do is get out there yourself and try it; you'll |
| impressive structure. It sits on a 32,500 square metre | | | | have so much fun proving me wrong. |