Tra Vel Guide
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SPAIN TRAVEL GUIDE TRAVEL CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 3 ACCOMMODATION 26 Costa del Sol 27 WHAT TO DO Tenerife 32 Art & Culture 4 Beaches 11 PRACTICAL INFORMATION Festivals 15 Entry Requirements 34 Food 18 Climate 35 Nature 21 Currency 35 Shopping 22 Times 36 Sport & Active tourism 23 Transport 37 2 TRAVEL GUIDE TO SPAIN INTRODUCTION Spain is the country that keeps giving. Art, history, culture, gastronomy, breath-taking scenery and modern cities, all wrapped up with a sunny climate and outlook. Take a cultural trip through time as you marvel at the Roman remains in Mérida, the intricate details of the Alhambra in Granada, the Canary Islands’ colonial buildings, and Barcelona’s modernist and Bilbao’s contemporary architecture styles. As the country with third most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world, Spain will not fail to deliver. Spain’s gastronomy is renowned, not only for their famous tapas but for adventurous haute cuisine that garners Michelin stars by the hatful. Each region has it specialities including the divine Iberico ham of Extremadura to the open-fire cooked sardines of Malaga, with local wines and beers to accompany them. Wander the countryside – from looming mountains and dizzyingly deep gorges to the central plains and verdant hillsides of the west – or lounge on miles of white sand beaches. Hundreds of Blue Flag beaches await you, whether they’re rocky coves or sandy bays with chiringuitos serving up fresh seafood. There are 15 national parks to choose from for a diverse and enjoyable foray into the Spanish landscapes. For lovers of active tourism, those landscapes offer sports galore with excellent diving, mountains that beg to be climbed or cycled up, gliding, surfing, golf, tennis… the list goes on. City breaks are great for parties, shopping, festivals, galleries and restaurants – guaranteed fun for everyone. Malaga, Madrid and Barcelona offer fantastic shopping with designer outlets and individual boutiques. Time your trip with one of Spain’s many festivals and live events to sample the varied culture Spain has to offer. Enjoy Spain. TRAVEL GUIDE TO SPAIN 3 WHAT TO DO IN SPAIN ART & CULTURE Are you interested in art? Spain’s network of more than 1,500 museums houses modern masterpieces and as well as ancient art form. Is history more your cup of tea? Spain is home to more than 15 World Heritage cities. Architecture? From Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia cathedral and the Great Mosque of Cordoba to Bilbao’s Guggenheim, multiple styles are covered. For living traditions and culture, join the Spanish during their festivities – even the solemn Easter processions end in celebration and all leave a lasting impression. Come and discover Spain’s immense cultural heritage. 4 TRAVEL GUIDE TO SPAIN TOP MUSEUMS Spain’s museums contain some of the finest collections in the world. These are just a few that you can’t afford to miss: Prado Museum, Madrid The Prado has one of the largest art collections in the world, and is best known for its diverse assortment of works by Velasquez, Goya and El Greco. Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao A work of art in itself, the Guggenheim Museum houses a large collection of modern and contemporary art – a continuation of the Guggenheim legacy. TRAVEL GUIDE TO SPAIN 5 Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Valencia The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia is a unique complex devoted to scientific and cultural dissemination, made up of five main elements: the Hemisfèric the Umbracle, the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum, the Oceanográfico (the largest aquarium in Europe with over 500 marine species) and the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía. Museo Automovilistico y de la Moda, Málaga Almost a hundred historic cars are on show alongside more than 200 haute couture pieces and contemporary art designs in Málaga’s Automobile and Fashion Museum. ARTlandya, Tenerife ARTlandya - la Finca, is an estate with a tropical park and old, stylishly renovated Canarian houses with different exhibitions in Icod de los Vinos, Tenerife. A world of dolls and teddy bears for all ages. 6 TRAVEL GUIDE TO SPAIN TOP 10 LANDMARKS The Alhambra, Granada The second most visited site in Europe: this Spain’s history is very much in evidence through breath-taking palace-city is a sophisticated blend its landmarks and monuments. These are ten of of medieval Islamic, Renaissance Christian and the most popular monuments in Spain. modern architectural styles. Viewed at night from the city below is magical. Sagrada Familia, Barcelona The Basilica of the Sagrada Familia is a monumental church devoted to the Holy Family. Construction began in 1882 with Antoni Gaudi commissioned to continue the project in 1883. It is built using solely donations and is still not complete, due to Gaudi’s ornamental design. The intricacies of the building are amazing close-up. TRAVEL GUIDE TO SPAIN 7 Mezquita Cathedral, Cordoba The spacious interior with its multitude of striped arches is one of the world’s greatest examples of Islamic architecture - stroll through a forest of columns and superimposed arches, domes, carved marble, mosaics, and drawings. What’s even more astounding is the 16th century Christian cathedral in the middle of the mosque. Cathedral, Santiago de Compostela If you’re following ‘el camino’ or Way of Saint James, this will be your final destination as it has been for thousands of pilgrims since the 13th century. An impressive building with Romanesque art, its numerous extensions over the centuries bear the imprint of other styles such as the Baroque of the Obradoiro and its imposing facade. Roman Theatre, Mérida The remains of the Roman Theatre are, quite simply, amazing. They form part of an archaeological site in the town, alongside a Roman circus and amphitheatre. You can enjoy open-air performances, just as the Romans would have done, during the Mérida International Classical Theatre Festival. Mérida is home to an array of Roman ruins, of which the theatre is the icing on the cake. 8 TRAVEL GUIDE TO SPAIN Cathedral, Burgos The soaring spires of Burgos cathedral are awe- inspiring. For lovers of Gothic art, the elegant cathedral is not to be missed. It’s home to the remains of the 11th century Reconquista hero, El Cid (famously portrayed on film by Charlton Heston). Alcazar, Segovia Fairy tales are full of castles like the Alcazar with its moat with drawbridge, pinnacle towers, halls decorated by Mudejar artists… Situated where two rivers meet, it was once the residence of Castilian monarchs. It is one of the most distinctive castle- palaces in Spain due to its shape – like the bow of a ship. TRAVEL GUIDE TO SPAIN 9 Historic centre of San Cristóbal de la Laguna, Tenerife The streets in the city of San Cristóbal de la Laguna on Tenerife offer an insight into the origins of Spanish-American town planning. The original Upper Town was unplanned, while the Lower Town is the first ideal ‘city-territory’ laid out according to philosophical principles. Its wide streets and open spaces have a number of fine churches and public and private buildings dating from the 16th to the 18th century. Giralda Tower, Seville Climb up to the bell tower of the cathedral of Santa María de la Sede and you’ll be rewarded with unforgettable views over the city. The former minaret of the Arab mosque, its renaissance top was added after the Christian reconquest in the 15th century. For centuries it was the tallest structure in Spain and one of the highest in Europe. Cathedral, Mallorca A treasure of Gothic art, it is built atop the city walls in Palma de Mallorca’s historic quarter. This is a chance to see one of the most spectacular rose windows in the world, known as the “eye of the Gothic”. It was reformed by Antonio Gaudí and contains a spectacular mural by the Majorcan painter Miquel Barceló. 10 TRAVEL GUIDE TO SPAIN WHAT TO DO IN SPAIN BEACHES Spain has one of the best coastlines in Europe and more Blue Flags than any other country in Europe. Here you’ll find sun and sea in perfect condition for your ideal holiday. TRAVEL GUIDE TO SPAIN 11 THE MEDITERRANEAN COAST You’re guaranteed warm temperatures, and equal measures of fun and recreation, peace and quiet. The Costa Brava has the delightful backdrop of the Pyrenees, hidden coves among leafy vegetation and clear turquoise waters. On the Costa Dorada, you can enjoy secluded coves and long beaches, alternating with Roman remains. If you want over 300 days of sunshine a year, the Costa del Sol is the place for you. The Costa Cálida has a practically constant summer, while the Costa Blanca offers kilometres of coastline flanked by palm trees and orchards. You’ll find an oasis of peace and quiet in the warm waters of the Costa del Azahar and the coast of Valencia. The Costa Tropical owes its name to its exceptional climate for growing tropical fruit, and is characterised by its dozens of secluded beaches and coves with sparklingly clear waters. THE ATLANTIC COAST The most notable feature of the west of Spain is its contrasts. To the north in Galicia, discover the fishing tradition of the Rías Altas and Bajas, their ancient lighthouses, the delicious smell of shellfish and their Celtic-inspired legends. To the south, on the Costa de la Luz, you’ll find a multitude of enchanting popular festivities, pilgrimages, protected natural areas and an Andalusia that’s open to the ocean. 12 TRAVEL GUIDE TO SPAIN THE CANTABRIAN COAST Enjoy nature in its purest state as it merges with the sand, and look out over cliffs that will take your breath away.