If you ever dreamed of a holiday where you could dance with castanets, feed on tapas until your pants cry for mercy, or explore some ancient cities that will make your Instagram followers drool with envy, you want to add a tour of Spain at the top of your bucket list.
A Spain tour is the ultimate fiesta for your senses, a buffet for your soul, and an adventure on steroids all in one. Well, get ready for the ride of your life as we tell you why a Spain tour is the perfect package of culture, cuisine, and adventure, and why you must pack your sense of humor along with your sunscreen.
Table of Contents
The Cultural Extravaganza: History, Flamenco, and a whole lot of Festivals
Spain is like a soap opera that started running a thousand years ago but is packed with more drama, intrigue, and plot twists than you can imagine. In your Spain tour, you will get to experience conquests, reconquests, royal marriages, and a parade of architectural wonders, leaving you awestruck and a little jealous of the past.
A prime example is the Alhambra in Granada, that stunning palace of Moorish artistry and design. It is such a dreamlike place where you can hardly imagine how they came to create the intricate tile work, serene courtyards, or any other details that make you say “OMG, how did they build that?”
Then there is of course Sagrada Familia in Barcelona-the league of its own. The church was built under one of the greatest architects Antoni Gaudí and has been under construction since the times of dinosaurs and is still under construction. That’s what I call dedication to a cause.
It is so captivating precisely because the Sagrada Familia does not just exist as a building, it is an artwork that breathes and continues to grow, such as the city of Barcelona itself. Each visit is exciting anew, be it after one of the towers or with a new aspect of Gaudí’s genius being revived.
Ole! to the Flamenco
Spain is a flamenco country, the dance that’s equal parts passion, rhythm, and “I wish I could do that with my feet.” Envision twirling in a dramatic red dress while stomping your feet to the beats of a guitar that seems to have a life of its own.
Or, if you are like most of us, imagine watching someone else do it while you try to get the spilled sangria off your white pants. Whether you are in Seville, Madrid, or Barcelona, seeing a live flamenco dance performance is witnessing the human version of “attitude.”
Festivals: Where the Party Never Ends
Spain loves its festivals, by which we mean wearing something completely ridiculous, eating much, and staying up super late. Have you ever heard of La Tomatina? Yeah, it is a festival in Buñol where people throw tomatoes at each other.
As much fun and messy as you would think. Or how about Las Fallas in Valencia, where gigantic puppets are marched through the streets and then set ablaze? Who knew arson could be so festive?
The Cuisine: Tapas, Paella, and Churros, Oh My!
Tapas
It’s like some sort of sport, bouncing from bar to bar tasting a little of this and a little of that in Spain. The spiciest of all is the patatas bravas, the bad potatoes, the spicy potatoes, served on top of fried potatoes, then there’s the jamón ibérico.
I’ve tried cured ham before, but this is stuff like Beyoncé of meats. And the best among them is probably the gambas al ajillo: garlic shrimp destined to haunt your dreams in the best possible way.
Paella
Rice with Attitude If you go to Spain and don’t try paella, you’re kinda of doing it wrong. For starters, paella is more than just a little rice doused in seafood. It is more of an expression of Spanish hospitality, a culinary love letter to the Mediterranean.
Known to hail from Valencia, paella is the sort of food that makes you want to sit down with a group of strangers and leave as new best friends (or at least sated and in cheer). Avoid ordering chorizo in your paella in Spain at your own risk. It’ll start a heated argument.
Churros
Spain believes that dessert is not just an afterthought but an experience, so perfect are their crisply fried dough sticks, soft on the inside, accompanied by a side of rich and velvety chocolate that is pretty much just a hug in a cup.
Enjoy them over breakfast, enjoy them as a dessert, or maybe at midnight after you had such a long day pretending to be cultured, churros indeed constitute the sweetness that every day should have.
The Adventure: Beaches, Mountains, and everything in between
Beaches
When you think of beaches in Spain, you’re thinking of some of the best beaches Europe can bequeath to you. This beach differs as they all do because they have their personality.
Costa del Sol is the sun-kissed glamorous socialite of beaches, this beach is good for soaking up the sun and people-watching. However, there’s the rugged beauty of Costa Brava where you are bound to explore hidden coves and pretend like you are in a movie.
And then there are the Balearic Islands, where the party stops when you say it does when your energy runs out, one comes first of course.
Mountains
Because Spain is More Than Just a Pretty Beach If you’re more of a hiker who favors hiking boots than flip flops, Spain’s got you covered. But north there is not to be missed: the Pyrenees, some of the best hiking and skiing in Europe, views guaranteed to forget all about that Instagram feed for at least a minute.
South is Sierra Nevada, holding a real jewel: the southernmost ski resort in Europe, where you can hit the slopes and the beach in the afternoon. Then, of course, there is the Picos de Europa, a mountain chain as wild and unbridled as your hair after a day on the hill.
Cities to Countryside
Cities in Spain almost form an all-you-can-eat buffet of experiences. There’s the sophisticated capital, Madrid, with the world’s premier museums and nightlife cooler than you can imagine.
Barcelona, decorated Spanish architecture and street art everywhere, not to forget the beach right in the middle of the city. And then there’s Seville, charmingly old, sporting a stunner of a cathedral, just laid back enough to be lively but not so laid-back as to be lively.
Experience the charm of Spain’s countryside, where you can savor wine in La Rioja, enjoy the thrill of bull-running in Pamplona (or watch from a safe distance), and explore the picturesque whitewashed villages of Andalusia that seem to be straight out of a postcard.
Conclusion
Just imagine: You wake up and begin the day exploring some medieval castle, where centuries of history just unfold before your eyes.
You can almost hear the whispers of knights and nobles who once lived there as you wander through those ancient stone corridors. But just when your inner history buff is on the verge of peaking out in satisfaction, off you go to that local tapas bar.
There, a culinary adventure lies in store: a bite-sized delight that runs the gamut from the crispy patatas bravas to the succulent jamón ibérico. Each bite is almost like some mini-celebration on your palate. You may even wonder at the end of it all if your pants have shrunk.
Then, of course, there’s the music, the dancing, the energy so intoxicating that you might catch yourself swept up in the moment, clapping along and perhaps even trying your dance moves (no one judging you). Every day feels like a fiesta here in Spain, and every meal serves as a reminder of how lucky you are to have taste buds to experience such delight. But no matter where you choose to head to on your next adventure, always remember to Travel Till You Drop!
FAQs
What is the best time of the year to visit Spain?
The best time to go to Spain is either spring or fall. The weather is perfect during these periods, and not too many people visit the destinations.
Do I need to speak Spanish to enjoy my trip to Spain?
While it’s helpful to learn a few basic phrases in Spanish, most locals in tourist areas speak enough English so that you can easily have a great trip even if you don’t speak or read much Spanish.
How many days would you recommend spending in Spain if one wants to visit the major attractions?
A 10 to 14 day trip is perfect for visiting all of Spain’s main cities and attractions at a leisurely pace.
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