Learning all about Spain is the best way to plan and enjoy your vacation. Spain is a diverse country in terms of culture and geography. The geography consists of lush meadows, snow covered mountains, beaches and desert areas. There is something for everyone in this country.
Spanish cities offer historical sites, cultural regions, night life and beaches. There are hundreds of cities to choose from for your trip. Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city that is well known for its amazing architecture. Madrid is the capital. This city has great museums and abundant night life. The Costa Blanca has beautiful beaches and a great climate.
All About Spain: Language and Travel
The language spoken in Spain is different from that typically heard in North and South America. Castilian is the most widely spoken from. It is closely related to Portuguese and is influenced by the Italian and French languages. Other less common forms, such as Catalan, Galician and Basque are spoken in some areas.
People travelling from outside the country generally arrive by airplane. There are many international airports located throughout the country. Most major airlines offer flights to the major airports in the country. Several discount carriers offer flights to Spain at reasonable prices.
Once you are in the country, travel by bus is one of the easiest ways to travel. Larger cities and areas have good public transportation services. They are convenient and offer frequent schedules to tourist areas.
Car hire companies operate in most large cities and in nearly all airports in the country. If you want to travel extensively or just want the freedom to travel where and when you want, this may be a good choice. You can find information on these companies on the internet or from your travel agent.
All About Spain: Food and Accommodations
There is a wide variety of restaurants throughout the country, both in large cities and smaller areas. Seafood is popular in coastal areas. This is very fresh and is delivered daily. Meat is common as well, with a wide variety of both meat and fish on most menus.
Very little frozen food is served in Spanish restaurants. They mainly use fresh meat, vegetables and other ingredients. High quality ingredients are used in most Spanish dishes, rather than a lot of spices or preservatives.
Lunch and dinner schedules may be different from many other countries. These tend to be later. Lunch is often eaten at around two o clock in the afternoon. Dinner may be served as late as nine o clock or even later.
Bars can be found all over the country. This is a great way to meet and interact with local people. There is no age restriction to enter a bar. You will find that public drunkenness is very rare in Spain. This is frowned upon by the Spanish people.
There are many choices for accommodations in Spain. A Parador is a state owned hotel. These are unique and rich in history. Many are located in historical buildings. Some are in old castles. These are a great way to experience the culture and history of the area.
If you prefer a more home like atmosphere, there are many choices in property rentals. An apartment, house or villa may be more to your liking, especially if you are planning an extended stay or are travelling with a family. Rentals can be found through travel agents, real estate agents or on the internet.
All About Spain: General Information
Spain is part of the European Union. The country began using the Euro for currency in 2002. Most merchants and businesses will not accept other currency. You can exchange your money at banks or international airports.
Credit cards are accepted all over the country. You will also find ATM machines conveniently located. You will need to show identification or a passport at most places to use your credit card. This is for security and to prevent identity theft.