Passionate and fiery, Spain is one country that knows how to live life. Blessed with natural wonders, architectural marvels, a fascinating history and an uninhibited population, it is hard not to be swept up by the energy and excitement of this tantalising European jewel.
History
The history of Spain spans the period from pre-historic times, through the rise and fall of the first global empire, to Spain's modern-day renaissance in the post-Franco dictatorship era. Invaders and colonisers from the Romans to the Moors have left their mark and, like most of Europe, history is woven right into the landscape's heart, with a rich heritage of impressive architecture, including churches, castles and other buildings dating from medieval times.
Spain is home to the world's second highest concentration of World Heritage sites, with unique cities and monuments that stand as testament to centuries of tradition, history and cultural diversity. Enjoy the rich history that pervades the streets of Madrid or Barcelona, and don't miss the historic town of Toledo, an urban museum boasting more than 2000 years of history, the Moorish city of Cordoba or the sensational Santiago de Compostela, which dates back to 44 AD and is an important symbolic town for Christian Spain.
Culture
Fine arts and literature flourished following Spain's establishment as an empire in the 15th century and today the region places a strong emphasis on the arts: across the country the cities and towns house some of Europe's most famous galleries, museums and works of art including the Picasso and Prado museums, and the world's best examples of modernist Antoni Gaudi and 17th century master Diego Velázquez.
Music and dance is also a vital part of the national make up, with pulsating fiestas and fiery festivals year round. Enjoy the beautiful art of Spanish flamenco - expressed in music and dance, or endless nights out in jazz clubs, discos, tapas bars and late-night cafes.
Nature
The Spanish landscape is dominated by stunning beaches, dramatic mountains and lush, fertile valleys peppered with winding rivers, olive groves, orange trees and sprawling vineyards. The country is divided into 17 autonomous and diverse regions which are fiercely protective of their own unique characteristics, but offer you a world of exploring opportunities. For excellent Mediterranean beaches, head to Malaga or Alicante in the south, and if you enjoy lively resort towns, there is plenty of action to be found along the Costa de la Luz and the Costa del Sol. Not far from Malaga you can also visit some extraordinary pre-historic caves that date back to 6300 BC and are home to stalactites and stalagmites, cave paintings and a collection of tools and ceramics from centuries ago.
Cuisine
Food and the pleasure of eating are very highly regarded in the Mediterranean and Spain is no exception. Long, lingering lunches are commonplace with plenty of red wine to keep things flowing. Two of the region's staples are olive oil and bread, while specialities include tapas, rice-based paella (you'll find the best examples in Valencia) and sangria wine, none of which need any introduction.
Tapas restaurants are plentiful and generally of excellent quality, offering you the perfect opportunity to try a little of everything - either settle in for the evening, or try a Tapas-crawl, sampling each house speciality before moving on to the next place further up the road! Fish and seafood is extremely popular, particularly on the coast where you will find the freshest of fresh examples. Cured meats and spicy sausage are also very popular local dishes.
Shopping
Shops in Spain range from side-street stalls and open-air flea markets to designer boutiques selling the latest in couture fashion. Madrid has long been known as a shopping mecca, so make sure you check out the Sunday El Rastro flea market for a uniquely Spanish experience, or head to the Salamanca district for something a bit more high fashion. In Barcelona, explore the Shopping Line - a 5 kilometre largely pedestrianised area stretching from Las Ramblas through Place de Catalunya and up to Avenue Diagonal. The area includes many thousands of shops including exclusive fashion emporiums, art galleries, craft shops, flower stalls and much more.
Get in the know...
One of Spain's best-loved culinary delights is Paella and Valencia is acknowledged as the home of this popular rice-based dish. The name derives from the Latin word patella which means pan and represents the way the dish is cooked. There are three types of paella: Valencian, seafood and mixed, though there are lots of variations to be found. Paella Valencia doesn't mix meat and fish, but typically contains chicken, rabbit, green beans, snails and saffron seasoning. Seafood paella replaces the meat and snails with prawns, mussels and clams, while mixed is a combination of the two. A year-round dish, it is particularly popular as an essential for a spring or summer picnic, and during the Fallas festival in March.
