Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations for tourists from all over the world and at all ages. Nation that has not only numerous architectural beauties but also naturalistic experiences and the beauty of small towns or villages. It is extremely rich in history, which can be retraced in every corner or place of the nation, which has the merit of encompassing within it numerous ethnic groups and thus many artistic, architectural and cultural styles.
Itineraries in Spain
Of Spain you can choose to visit every nook and cranny, but there are some destinations you absolutely cannot give up. First among all the must-see destinations is definitely a visit to the capitals Madrid and Barcelona, European cities that offer fine architectural beauties such as Museo del Prado which houses the oldest art collections in the world. In particular in this museum for art lovers you can admire the collections of Velázquez. Other must-see attractions on your trip to Spain is undoubtedly the Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona, the Guell park with numerous buildings and sculptures created by Gaudi’. You can also stroll on the famous Ramblas or admire the beautiful Costa Brava with its busy beaches. Another outstanding tourist destination is undoubtedly Seville, which, however, turns out to be too hot in the summer; in this wonderful city you can admire the Cathedral and the Giralda Tower and maybe even watch a bullfight at the Maestranza. A trip to majestic Spain, however, would not be complete without visiting Valencia during the Festa de Las Fallas, held in the city from March 12-19. This folkloric festival is carried out with fireworks that light up the night sky, while during the day you can be entertained by bullfights and the wonderful paella that is served at every street corner as if it were street food. The biggest tourist attractions are, of course, those top tourist destinations such as the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, where bulls in the period from July 6-14, are released into the streets of this city and people from all over the world put forth their courage and daring and challenge the fury of these animals. The week of mid-August is also dedicated to the “Tomatina” or Battle of the Tomatoes. This is a festival in which people fight each other with tomatoes, throwing them at each other. In addition to these folkloric events there are also numerous religious celebrations held during these times. The famous “Semana Santa” and other local festivals in the country are also offered to the visitor’s view. For those who love art and architecture, it is worth going to the Guggenheim in Bilbao, the most modern and largest building of our architectural era. A postmodern museum that attracts 1.4 million visitors annually, you can view some of the most famous works of the 20th century, by artists including Picasso and Rothko. If, on the other hand, you are a fan of Salvador Dali-famous Spanish painter and artist-then you should go to the Figures, which houses all of his works and also allows a surreal view of the works he created.
When and how to go
The best time to plan your vacation in Spain is from April to October. In fact, during this period the climate is temperate and mild in the north and hot and dry in the south. Summers are quite hot in almost all Spanish latitudes, so if you want to visit in the summer period you need to keep in mind that the heat in these parts reaches quite high levels. Then in August it is necessary to keep in mind that the vast majority of tourist waves, French, German and other tourists from all over the world, arrive in Spain. The easiest and also cheapest way to reach the Spanish capitals, remains undoubtedly by plane, with direct flights or charters of many airlines departing from the main capitals of Italy and beyond. In addition to flying, it is also possible to opt for sea connections such as the ferry from Italy to Barcelona that sails from Genoa, Livorno and Civitavecchia. Another way to reach the capital is by train, undoubtedly the most inconvenient means of transport and with the longest routes but also the most characteristic because it allows you to have visitale places while traveling. If you opt for this solution, all you have to do is reach Milan and from there take the Eurocity train to Barcelona, and once there, you can continue from there to other destinations. Alternative possible but also quite tiring and inconvenient is the car that allows you to have yes independence once you arrive there, but you pay the price of a tiring and very long journey, necessarily having to pass through France.
Driving in Spain
For those who would like to opt for an independent means of transportation, whether you decide to travel to Spain in your own car or rent one locally, it should be remembered that Spanish highways are tolled and you pay the toll at the exit as in Italy. To drive in Spain you only need to carry your Italian driver’s license and have your vehicle registration card with you at all times, as well as your Green Card. This country has severe restrictions and penalties regarding drunk driving, so pay attention. The speed limits are different 120 kph for highways, 80_110 kph for dual carriageways, 60-70 kph for national roads and 50 kph for urban roads. If the vehicle is not registered in your name, it is preferable to have a document stating the owner’s permission for you to drive his car.
Documents, currency, telephone, etc.
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Spain is a member country of the EU so there are no border controls, which were abolished by the Schengen Treaty, and to travel to this country for up to 3 months you do not need any other document other than a passport or ID card. It is preferable to always carry your health card so in case of need you will be able to access and use the health service for free, precisely you will pay the fee and then be reimbursed on your return. The official currency is the euro, so in this case you will not need to exchange. Credit cards are safely accepted everywhere, and banks are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Phone contacts from Spain to Italy require dialing the area code +0039 followed by the number you want, conversely from Italy to Spain you need to add +0034 to the number you want to call. Be careful to check that your telephone provider has enabled your service for international roaming, also if you do not have an internet connection on your cell phone there are many internet cafes. The voltage of electricity in Spain is 230 V, but unlike Italy, which has three, outlets have only two poles so you will need an adapter.
What to eat
Spanish cuisine is very rich and varied, in fact this region has a food and wine tradition that has nothing to envy to that of Italy or France. We will be able to taste from world-famous dishes such as paella and tortilla, to delicious little-known dishes but with rich and spicy flavors. Famous and delicious are the Tapas that are appetizers of meat, fish, vegetables and anything you can imagine, all accompanied always by an excellent glass of wine or a cool beer. Tasty and varied are also the fish dishes that are now a centuries-old tradition in this country, specialties such as pulpo alla gallega or zarzuela i.e. a typical fish soup, are just some of the typical dishes. Spanish gastronomic traditions also concern schedules, in fact breakfast is called desayuno and is usually sweet with coffee or tea. Lunch is not eaten before 2:00 p.m., instead the snack usually takes place outside the house with friends or relatives and is dessert-based. Then later around 7:30 p.m. begins the ritual of tapas, which is a time that can last until 10:00 p.m. at night.
Don’t forget to bring…
If you travel to Spain there are a few essential items that you will undoubtedly need to pack. First of all, don’t forget to bring cool, breathable clothing because, especially if you decide to visit in the summer, the weather is very hot, so dress accordingly. Shoes for walking that are not uncomfortable, in fact Spain is big and all to visit so make way for walking and strolling. Always carry a shoulder bag (for women) or purse (for men) that allows you to fit all the kit for the perfect tourist (sunscreen, goggles, camera or cell phone with food and street view apps). It should not be forgotten that Spain is also and above all nightlife so you need to bring clothes for evenings in clubs or glamorous restaurants.
