Spain is both a cliché come to life and a nation more diverse than you could have ever imagined. It is passionate, affluent, and dedicated to living the good life.
An epic region
The varied landscapes of Spain inspire the spirit. Hiking destinations can be found in the Pyrenees, Picos de Europa, and the snow-capped Sierra Nevada, which rises from the sun-baked plains of Andalucia. The picturesque coves of the Mediterranean provide a contrast to the breathtaking cliffs of Spain’s northwest Atlantic coast. As tiny but tenacious outposts of Old Spain, timeless villages can be found everywhere. They hang on hilltops, nestle in valleys, and cling to coastal outcrops. The country’s charms really start to take hold there.
A delicious meal from Spain
Spain is a country obsessed with food and wine, and for good reason. The cornerstones of Spanish cuisine are straightforward: an endless variety, age-old family recipes, and a desire to experiment. And see what emerges out of the kitchen lab. The best meal you’ve ever tried. That might be tapas in a rustic pub or a celebrity chef’s creation in an opulent Michelin-starred restaurant. In either case, the incredible variety of culinary experiences will undoubtedly rank among the highlights of your vacation.
Given the wealth available, Spaniards particularly enjoy traveling inside their own nation in search of the ideal dinner. When you mention some destination to a Spaniard, they are likely to begin salivating at the mention of the regional delicacy. And will almost certainly have favourite eateries where they enjoy it. And not hesitate to try Paella from Valencia, Churros from Madrid, as well as the traditional Andalucian dish Gazpacho.
Life imitates art in Spain
Windswept Roman ruins, majestic cathedrals, and unrivaled masterpieces of architecture all testify to a nation where the great civilizations of history have arisen, collapsed, and left their unmistakable imprint. What other nation could have produced such rebellious and unrelentingly creative minds as Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, and Antoni Gaudi? And to elevate them to the forefront of public life more recently? And in this place, historical landmarks coexist with audacious architectural works. That makes it obvious that Spain’s future will be just as unique as its past. As Gaudi’s top works, we can mention Sagrada Familia (the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world), and Park Guell. Among the works of Salvador Dali, the following stand out: Teatro Museo Dali and Salvador Dali Museum. The Alhambra is one of the most well-known Islamic architectural landmarks and also houses significant examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture.
Flamenco and fiestas
Despite all the discourse about Spain’s past, this is a nation that is very present-oriented. In fact, “festival” is one of the most-known phrases in Spanish since everyone seems to be invited to the fiesta. Maybe you’ll feel it on a busy street after midnight when everyone is out having fun. Or perhaps you’ll experience that when a flamenco dancer reaches a deep part of your soul. You will always find yourself nodding in agreement: this is Spain. Flamenco is a style of art that originated in the Andalusian gitano subculture but has also existed in Extremadura and Murcia. It is rooted in the numerous traditional music traditions of southern Spain. The Gitanos of the Romani ethnic group are known for their association with flamenco. Flamenco, however, has historically included Spaniards of both gitano and non-gitano ancestry because of its distinctively Andalusian flavor.