Travel Spain Tourism

Aside from Barcelona, you can also find excellent tourist spots in other cities of Spain. There is, for instance, Madrid. Madrid has a rich culture and history that makes it a wonderful place to explore. Among the interesting sites in Madrid are are the Casa de Campo and the Circulo de Bellas Artes.

Casa de Campo

Casa de Campo (Spanish for Country House) is the largest urban park located in the west of Central Madrid. In the past, Casa de Campo was a hunting estate. The area is about 1,700 hectares. Casa de Campo houses the Parque de Atracciones de Madrid, which is an amusement park, and also the Madrid Zoo. You can spend holidays in the park, enjoying the nice weather. You will also enjoy spotting rabbits and different species of birds in the area.

Circulo de Bellas Artes

The Circulo de Bellas Artes is a cultural centre of one of Europe's foremost private arts organizations. This is located between Alcala and Gran Via, near Plaza de las Cibeles. This was founded in 1888 by a group of artists. There are many nobel awardees who have been part of Circulo de Bellas Artes. These include Jacinto Benavente, and poet and novelist Ramon Simon Valle Peña. Here, you will see exhibitions of drawings, sculpture, and paintings of Picasso, Goya, Juana Mordo, and Minerva. The center has more than 1,200 collection of paintings, drawings, ceramics, and sculptures.

Madrid has a very rich culture. Because of this, you have to make it a point to visit this marvelous city on your vacation to Spain.

There are many places that are waiting to be explored in Spain. If you are planning to take a vacation in the culturally rich country of Spain, you put Barcelona on top of your list of itineraries. Read on to know why you should not miss Barcelona on your Spain vacation.

Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia is a large privately-funded Roman Catholica Church that has been under construction since 1882 and is expected to be completed on 2026. In September of 2010, a portion of the building's interior is expected to be opened for public worship. The grand design of the church made it one of the top tourist spots for so many years. This structure was designed by Antoni Gaudi. Aside from the patrons who funded the construction of the church, the money from the tickets purchased by the tourists is also used for the construction. At night, the place is really a splendid thing to behold because of the lights that make everything about the building shine bright.

L'Aquarium de Barcelona

L'Aquarium de Barcelona is one of the most important marine leisure and education centres not just in Spain but in the whole world. The place features 80 meters of underwater tunnel, 35 tanks, 11,000 marine animals of 450 different species. This was opened in 1995 and has used state of the art technology to make it one of the most excellent oceanariums in the world.

These two are just among the many interesting places tourist spots in Barcelona. There are more tourist attractions in Barcelona waiting for you to be explored.

Spain is one of the world's famous vacation destinations. This is not a wonder given that Spain is a place where modernity and tradition sit side by side. Among the popular landmarks in Spain are the majestic churches and cathedrals that were built in the Middle Ages. But these structures are not the only things that make Spain popular to lots of tourists. Read on to know other things that could make Spain a great place for you to enjoy.

Travel tip 1: exploring the countryside of Spain

Upon hearing about Spain's countryside, what comes to mind is a trail of adventure. Well, this might be true to some. The countryside of Spain may bring the adventures of Don Quixote to mind. Many can imagine long stretches of lands, some parts verdant and some arid. But one thing is sure, it is picturesque. The countryside of Spain is really a great place where you can bring your family for a picnic. If you want something interesting, you can go to the countryside of La Mancha and there you will see the windmills made famous by Cervante's Don Quixote.

Travel tip 2: going to famous beaches of Spain

spain has 5,000 miles of coastline where you can find many of the world's famous beaches. La Concha in San Sebastian is said to be one of the best beaches in the whole of Europe. Another interesting beach is the Playa de Las Catedrales in Galicia. In this beach you will find a majestic rock formation that could really spark your imagination. You can also drop by the Ses Illetes in Formentera with its azure water and pristine sands.

Spain is a very interesting place. It is where you will find beauty in both natural and man-made structures.

Spanish people are known for being religious. Special celebrations are in place during the Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Spain.

The Spanish tradition of celebrating the Semana Santa

The Semana Santa is part of Spain's cultural tradition where people gather to enjoy music, processions, and religious displays, as they reflect over the life of Jesus Christ. The elaborate celebration take its root when Marqués de Tarifa first introduced the Stations of the Cross (Via Crucis) in 1521, after he came back t Spain from his journey to the Holy Land. As the years went by, the Stations of the Cross then included different display for the Passion, such as crosses and altars that made up today's procession.

The festivities during the Semana Santa

During the Semana Santa, statues of saints are carried around on floats. But instead of the usual festive atmosphere, the Semana Santa calls for mourning and solemnity. Religious brotherhoods are the ones who carry the statues during the processions. During the procession, where you'll get to see displays of biblical scenes and religious sculptures, accompanied by penitents and musicians. The culmination of the Semana Santa, or Easter Sunday, becomes a joyous celebration filled with light and color. You can hear church bells ringing as families gather to hear a mass and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Tourist guide

The Holy Week is an elaborate celebration in Spain compared to other countries in Europe. The processions are held to reflect over the life of Jesus. Different cities hold processions, but some are more known for their celebrations. The Semana Santa is a special holiday that calls for reflection. Merry-making is reserved during the Easter Sunday.

Your travel to Spain won't be complete without seeing a bull fight. Bullfighting is not only part of Spanish attractions but also of their culture. As early as 711 A.D., the Spanish people have been watching the bull fight with great enthusiasm.

Bullfighting as Spanish tourism attraction

Bullfighting is one of them main attractions here in Spain. The first bull fight happened sometime in 711 A.D., when celebrating King Alfonso VIII's crowning. Bullfight used to be a sport exclusive to aristocrats. The old version includes horseback riding until King Felipe V banned the aristocrats from doing the sport. He thought of it as setting a bad example. The commoners then adopted the sport but without the horses. The sport became more dangerous as they would be on foot as the angry bull charges. Nonetheless, the sport only became more exciting.

How bull fights happen

During bull fights, thousands of people are gathered in a bull ring, watching closely how the matadero (bullfighter) will challenge the bull to a duel. But before that. an assistant would first wave a colorful cape (often in bright yellow and magenta), prompting the bull to charge. From there, the matadero can see the mood and certain qualities of the bull before he takes charge.

Bull fighting is said to be a "dance with death," filled with artistry. The matador displays courage as he challenges the bull with the swinging of crimson cloth back and forth. On the other hand the matador holds a sword. Every move is crucial as this can lead to the death of the matador when the bull charges with its horn. The demonstration is done to prove superiority until the bull is killed using the sword. The matador is awarded depending on his displayed skills.

Bullfighting is common during Spanish fiestas. It is considered a form of art that reflects the country's culture and history. Though there have been accidents in the past and some people protested against it, the locals never lost enthusiasm into one of their favorite sports. Bullfighting is so popular that bullfighters are said to earn as much as professional soccer players.

Spanish tapas allow you to try different small meals and appetizers with a bunch of friends and family members. From fried squid to chorizo sausage, you get to sample a little bit of everything and enjoy them over conversations. These little servings can make a full meal to be enjoyed by a group.

Spanish food guide: What's so special about Spanish Tapas

Spanish tapas are composed of different types of appetizers or snacks, served cold or warm. From meat dishes to vegetable
salads, you get a full range of choices. It's always best to mix it up to enjoy different flavors all in one full meal. Authentic Spanish tapas are served using fresh ingredients and made as a light meal you can best enjoy with a group. If you want to sample different Spanish recipes, this is a way to go.

Servings of Spanish tapas

Spanish tapas come in a variety of choices that it can get a little bit confusing at times. Among your best choices are Banderillas (or skewer with pickles), Bacalao (salted cod loin, often with bread and tomatoes), Calamares (battered squid rings), or Carne mechada (tender beef). Other popular choices include Banderillas. These are cold tapas that are served in skewers. The skewers consist of pickled food items in vinegar such as olives, baby cucumbers and onions, anchovies, and chillis. For their famous chorizo sausages, your good choices include Chorizo al vino (cooked in wine) and Chorizo a la sidra (cooked in cider). The Spanish cuisine is also known for its empanadas, meat and vegetable turnovers, gambas (sauteed prawns), stuffed mussels, Queso con anchoas (cured cheese topped with anchovy), and Rajo (pork with garlic and parsley).

Guide to eating Spanish tapas

Spanish tapas allow you take a bite at some of the best Spanish recipes, so it's better to mix them up. It's also a way for you to sample some new dishes with friends or family, more like a culinary adventure. Spanish tapas are best enjoyed during conversations so might as well start with few dishes before you order more. It's better to always consult the group on what to order, so you'll get to savor different flavors. These are best enjoyed with a bottle of red wine or Sangria.

What region in Spain is referred to as the Bright City? Of course, it is none other than the city of Valencia. Also noted as among the largest states in Spain, Valencia holds almost all the popular tourist attractions in the country.

In Valencia city, which is situated along the Mediterranean sea, you can surely indulge yourself in the numerous beach spots found all over the area. If you happen to visit the Bright City during summer season, expect a lot of tourists flocking the beaches of Valencia. You can also spend your holiday vacation at Valencia with all the exciting outdoor activities to choose from. You can enjoy cycling, golfing, tennis, and scuba diving activities. Experience Valencia's one-of-a-kind night life and explore the city's cultural and historical landmarks.

When your day of exploring the streets of Valencia is finally over, it's only natural for you to get really hungry, after all the exciting and tiring activities that you did. To satisfy a tourist's hunger, Valencia has a number of fine dining restaurants, which serve delicious Spanish and international cuisines. Now that you have a brief preview on what Valencia city can offer to its hundreds of tourists, it's now up to you to explore the wonders of the city for yourself.

Who says that Spain's tourist attractions are only limited to museums, monuments, and the likes? You should know that the country has numerous scuba diving destinations that tourists can visit and check out. Note that Spain has one of the biggest coastlines in the world that are yet to be regarded as perfect diving locations. The country's Mediterranean sea is a very attractive diving destination. Also, there are no shark dangers in Spain's water areas, even if some parts of the Mediterranean are deep. Thus, Spain is indeed a perfect destination for diving freaks out there.

Among the spectacular Costa Brava diving highlights are the famous Medas Islands. Protected since year 1990, the place is known for its moray eels and conger. You will also come across diverse fish species and marine life that always come closer to scuba divers. Moreover, among the great dive destinations in Costa Blanca is the Calpe, Almunecar, Nerjam, and the Costa del Sol. I'm sure divers will be fascinated by the magnificent underwater wonders of Spain's Costa Brava.

Aside from Costa Brava, Spain also has other spectacular diving destinations that tourist and divers can explore. There are diving sites in the rugged Mallorca coast to the northern regions of Pollenca. Numerous breams, octopus, anglerfish, scorpionfish, and morrays are always seen regularly in those areas. A marine protected reserve in the island of Cabrera is also a prime diving spot that can be reserved in advanced by tourists and divers.

Known as among the biggest countries in the European continent, Spain is revered by many tourists for its diverse cultural and geographical features. Of course, Spain wouldn't be popular among vacationists if it weren't for its numerous tourists attractions. The best way to explore the natural beauty of Spain is to go to at least one National State Park. If you prefer to discover the historical landmarks and museums of Spain, visit the numerous cultural and historical attractions found in Spain's cities.

Although Spain's capital city is short on historical monuments and cultural landmarks, Madrid is still among the famous and vibrant city in Spain. You should never forget to tour the city's top art museums if ever you would stay for a vacation in Madrid. The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia is Madrid's famous modern Spanish art museum. Another must-see museum in Madrid would be the Prado museum, wherein the world's most impressive art collections are kept.

Granada city's most well-acclaimed tourist destination is Alhambra. Alhambra is a magnificent fortress-palace especially established by the old Nasrid people a long time ago. The historical fortress's top attractions are the halls, delicate arches, loggias, stalactite vaulting, and marble sculptures. Meanwhile, near Alhambra is the Arab area of the Albaicin. The famed sites of Albaicin include the Church of San Nicolas, the Arab baths, and the Renaissance Casa de Castril.

Granted that you have been in and out of Spain for a couple of years now. You have visited almost every notable and famous tourists attractions in that country. In fact you have probably revisited a number of the prime tourist spots, because you are so deeply in love with Spain. With all the enthusiasm you have with the country, you might be considering to move or live in Spain. I cannot really blame you, since I also find Spain as a very interesting and prime place to live at.

Due to my sudden urge of residing in Spain, I decided to think of the good reasons I actually want to live in Spain. Several of my reasons are Spain's diverse leisure activities, their language, outdoor life, following healthy diets, and their prime and notable culture. I love almost everything about Spain, that is why I intend to reside in that country as soon as I finish my planning and preparations.

What I totally love about Spain is its language. You and I both know that Spanish is among the world's top languages. It is also given that their language is very easy to learn and it is considered as among the most widely used language around the globe. I even attended a Spanish language class during my second visit in Spain, because I was totally captivated with how Spanish folks converse and how beneficial it is for me if I get to be well adept with the Spanish language.

Yes, I know that Spain is popular for its flamenco dancing and bullfighting. But those two are not the only prized cultural aspect of the Spaniards. The arts can be considered as among the most notable aspects of Spanish life. World-class Spanish composers and artists are now acclaimed and in line with the greatest artists in the world. If you would find time to learn more about the artistic culture of Spain, you would surely be amazed with how rich Spanish culture and arts are.

As I have said, there is more to Spain's cultural heritage than their customary bullfights and traditional dances. They also have rich artistic culture that is known to be a famed cultural icon among other countries of Europe. Interesting artists are featured by the country to the thousands of tourists yearly. Spanish culture can be seen and discovered in terms of music, the arts, or architecture.

During the Golden Age of Spain, the names of El Greco and Diego Velasquez were always on top of prime Spanish artists' names. In the 18th century, Francisco Goya became the most famous painter among his Spanish peers. The 20th century period highlighted the names of Juan Gris, Pablo Picasso, and Joan Miro as the most influential Spanish artists. With regard to Spanish architecture, the Roman ruins and the Minorca monuments are the prime sites to visit. In terms of music, Paco de Lucia is known as the top flamenco guitarist in the whole world, while Andres Segovia is well-regarded as the pioneer for establishing classical guitar as a single genre.

Most countries have all these towns and cities that make up most of their culture and history. In Scandinavia, Sweden and Norway would be the most probable bets to actually hold Scandinavian culture. But in Spain, Valencia would probably be on top of the list! Now this city is roaring with Spanish culture, not to mention real good food and dining. Plus, it is quite easy to actually get around this city. With their almost perfect public transportation system and all, you know.

The roads and railways of Valencia have been well planned. This city boasts of clean streets, not to mention good public transport. The Aerobus is among the top choices for public transport commuting. There are also taxi cabs, but it would cost you more than a bus ride. Train stations are accessible to most areas within the good city. But in case you're headed to the airport, you actually need to reach the city's center via Avenida, and that's an Aerobus ride away. Now this bustling business center of the beautiful city has the train station which would take you straight to the Valencia airport.

The Valencia airport is just what you would expect from a clean and beautiful city. Yes, it's as clean and elegant as the actual city itself! Plus, its accessibility to most of Valencia's roads and railways makes it a prime destination for constant travelers. These people are usually Spanish businessmen and tourists. But the airport is under renovation since it is being made to house another train station. Yes, and this metro line would connect the airport to the beautiful beach, the port, and to God knows where!

In history, there are many firsts. Of course, the first thing that comes into my mind is the first man to step on the moon's surface. In the advent of digital communication technology, the first man to ever use a telephone pops up in my mind, and this man was Alexander Graham Bell. Of course, he was the inventor of this wonderful gizmo. But in Spain, there is now a Muslim bullfighting hero. Yes, and he's Mehdi Savalli.

Bullfighting in Spain is a revered sport. But I think it's probably more of a festival activity rather than an actual sport. In the bullfighting arena, men are pitted against live bulls that are strong enough to trample a damn platoon! Formerly, I thought the bullfighting festivity in Spain involved religious practice, or something, you know. But now that there's a Muslim bullfighting hero, named Mehdi Savalli, this former idea of mine just burnt up into ashes!

Mehdi Savalli, a good man, is now the first bullfighting hero that is a Muslim. In bullfighting, guts and presence of mind are necessities. This is because a weak heart and scattered brains would leave you dead in the bullfighting arena. Now would you imagine a bullfighting hero being trampled over and over again by a live bull yet win the damn contest? This man has gone through this, as much as all those who have tried their hands out on bullfighting.