My Spain Travel

Often people think about a holiday to a Mediterranean country such as Spain as a very expensive and difficult trip to plan. This is simply not true. There is a good selection of cheap holidays to Spain that include airfare, hotels and even car rentals or tours once you arrive.

Looking for one of the many cheap holidays to Spain is simple if you have access to a computer and the internet. Many of the online booking companies offer discount packages if you travel slightly off season, which may mean planning your vacation either just in front or just behind the peak tourist season. In Spain the peak vacation times are the summer months of June to September, but the warm weather often extends well past September and even in April and May. Planning your vacation just off the main tourist times will usually give you cheaper flights, cheaper hotels and a lot less people around. Another option is to take last minute flights that have not sold, often these flights are a fraction of the price but do require a lot of flexibility.

Staying in hostels is a great way to have cheap holidays to Spain but many hostels have requirements on age and time that you can stay. Sticking to individual hotels rather than the larger chain hotels can also provide slightly decreased costs, plus it allows you to really experience the culture of the area. Another option is to stay in one place that has a good low daily rate and simply travel using rental cars, buses or even the train on day trips to see the surrounding areas. One of the best ways to decrease the costs of a trip to Spain is to stay just slightly off the beaten path. Many of the smaller towns around the larger cities have wonderful accommodations at a fraction of the price. Meals, food and drink are often much more reasonable in smaller areas than in the big cities.

A rail pass is a relatively inexpensive way to get around the country and saves the traveler from having to navigate the roads and deal with a rental car. Rail or train travel is popular and inexpensive throughout Europe and the rail passes can be used outside of Spain, making them a good cost saving idea for cheap holidays in Spain.

Terry Roberts is a professional linguist and translator who has lived in Spain for over 30 years. To read more travel advice and tips for your next trip to Spain, visit his website at Travel to Spain.

Below you will find a list of some of the better Spanish cities I’ve visited outside of Madrid, with a short commentary on each:

Granada- Old city with heavy Arabic influence definitely worth a visit. Check out the Alhambra, the Albaicin (the old Arab quarter), the Turkish baths, and the main drag off of the main plaza. Most bars give out free tapas if you purchase a drink (even soda), and the tapas in Granada are much better than those in Madrid. The nightlife in Granada is famous and most clubs don’t close down until after 7 AM. There is a cool club called Kamborio in the Albaicin and another called Granada 10 (pronounced Granada Diez) off of the main drag.

Barcelona- Much more cosmopolitan and fun than Madrid during the day in my opinion. I took the double-decker tour bus around the city and thought it was a good way to see all the sites in a short period of time. Check out the Barrio Gothic, Las Ramblas, the yacht harbor, the beach, La Sagrada Familia cathedral and all the other works by architect Gaudi. The restaurant crowds get huge at two pm for lunch, so try to beat the rush. Port Olympico is a good area for nightlife, filled with bars, cafes, and many English-speaking tourists. It’s also right on the water, which adds to the atmosphere.

Marbella/ Puerto Banus- Two of the nicest towns I’ve visited in Spain. Within five miles of each other, both beach towns are filled with resorts, expensive homes, first-rate shopping, big yachts, and a wide variety of restaurants. After you’ve had enough traditional Spain, these areas are a nice change. Almost everybody speaks English, the buildings are relatively new, and you’ll feel like you are back in the first world.

Tarifa/ Morocco- Tarifa is the windsurfing capitol of Europe, and the city resembles a California beach town. It’s a great place to learn to kitesurf (two day minimum for lessons), windsurf, or go canyoning (climbing and sliding down water falls- with a guide). Tarifa is also a good jumping off point for a daytrip to Morocco. I took a guided tour of Tangier, which was really inexpensive and fun. The downside to the tour is that they push you into their own bazaars, rush you at times and try really hard to sell you carpets and spices. Even so, everyone on my tour agreed the day trip was worth doing. An overnight stay would give you a much better chance to see the city.

What I’d Skip on a Short Vacation

Cadiz- Tacky beach town with a cool history. The city is pretty run-down and not really worth a special visit.

Segovia/ Toledo- Unless you plan to spend a long time in Madrid, don’t waste your time on either. Segovia was cooler than Toledo, although a little harder to get to. Segovia has good food, a cool castle, a Roman aqueduct, and not much else (5 hours worth of stuff max.). Toledo is similar to any other old village in Europe, and its museums are really lacking. There is a historic synagogue, a small museum dedicated to El Greco, and a big Cathedral.

A.J. Yeakel is a regular writer for Luxury Vacations Web who has lived and studied in Madrid, Spain. Click here for our free guide to Madrid.

Spain is one of the better countries in the world with rich culture based on religion and customs. The country is inhabited of about 45 million people of whom 80-94% are Roman Catholics. This is the reason why local as well as national events are based on Catholicism and faith. Spain is also home to several great things to do. While in this country, you will never have to worry how to spend your days because believe it or not, Spain travel can give you total vacation experience.

Here are some of the events you can catch and the things you can do if you decide to travel to Spain:

Run with the bulls. If you dare and tough enough to face the challenge of running with the bulls or simply want to join the fun without actually getting face to face with the bull, Pamplona should be your destination. The festival happens every July and has already attracted visitors from all parts of the world. The celebration is offered to San Fermin, the patron saint of Pamplona. This religious and unusual celebration makes Pamplona a good destination for your Spain travel.

Skiing and Mountaineering. Visit Catalunya, Aragon, and Torremolinos and Malaga in Andalucia and stay at one of the top winter resorts in Spain. Perfect time to go is during the late spring where you can have your winter sports by day and go at the beach and sunbathe in the afternoon.

Watch the Primera Liga Live. See you favorite football stars like Zidane, Raul, Roberto Carlos, Figo, Ronaldo, and David Beckham as they all play for the best football team in the UAFA Cup: Real Madrid.

Café all Day. Treat yourself in the relaxing day at one of the café in Spain. The country has lots of cafés in every village, town, and city where you can spend your whole day chatting with friends or alone savoring the Spain environment.

Go to local village fiesta. Spain travel might not be complete if you haven’t seen any local village fiestas. Since every town has their own patron saints to offer thanksgiving, you can never miss attending one. Fiestas normally have parades, religious activities, and parties during the night.

Meet the Artists. Spain travel would introduce you to several world-renowned artists. Visit Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Barcelona beach’s giant copper fish and other Gehny’s contemporary structures. Know more about the art of Antoni Gaudi in his structures at Barcelona and get introduced with his unusual tile style and graceful organic curve.

Take a glimpse of Diego Velazquez’s art in Prado Gallery in Madrid. Diego Velazquez painted the “Old Woman Cooking Eggs” and “The Rokeby Venus”. And of course, who would not recognize Pablo Picasso? See his work Guernica at the Reina Sofia. Or visit the Picasso Foundation in Malaga.

Stay during the Holy Week. Spain travel is also ideal during holy week where the whole country commemorates that passion, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. See all the plays, activities, traditions, and the celebration of the country. If you are not a Catholic, you can still witness this activity.

Eat Snails. The Snail Festival happens every snail Lleida give you a different appetite for food. Although snails are the main course, you can also drink, dance, and eat other local foods all day and all night.

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides spain travel resources on www.your-spain-travel.info.

You could pick up history books nearly anywhere and read about the history of Barcelona, Spain anywhere, so you probably feel that you don’t need to read about it here. However instead of a long drawn out history lesson, we’re going to summarize for you so that you can make the absolute most of your travel time in Barcelona. This way you can be sure of tremendous accommodations, and all the great stuff to do in Barcelona such as the Water Parks or even a visit to Guell Park. Don’t worry about cramming for the test now though, because you can always visit again.

A trip to the Picasso Museum will draw up plenty of strong emotions during your travels here as well. You’ll visit five different palaces all set in the medieval time that will give you an array at all of Picasso’s different stages during his career. You’ll be able to vicariously travel from his hometown of Malaga Spain through to his life as he lived in Paris which is signified in his paintings, and then through to Russia where he detailed beautifully the grace of the ballet, and on to the great town that he settled; Barcelona.

It’s very affordable to see this great history of the famous painter, as well as being very flexible with the hours of operation is convenient for your trip. The museum can be found in Cuitat Vella, which means “the beautiful city”, and was actually the entire city all the way until the end of the fourteenth century.

Now you can also visit the Christopher Columbus Monument on Las Ramblas Street where you’ll run into the monument as it towers over you at the end of the port. If you really would like to envelope yourself in a living history of the city you can travel a few blocks away from this area until you reach Cuitadella Park. Within this park you’ll be able to see the magnificent Arch of Triumph, as well as visit a few blocks down to the narrow cobblestone streets with shops and the active life of Barcelona all around you.
Your family will be excited to rent a chalet, an apartment or even a regular hotel in The Costa Brava or the Costa Dorado, where you’ll be able to relax on clean beaches and a tourist minded society who will cater to you, and treat you like family. This is the perfect vacation trip for your family, or for a couple who needs a getaway to celebrate a romantic anniversary, or better yet a first or second honeymoon.

As well, for you romantic couples don’t forget about the bed and breakfast lodging facilities as well as the four and five star hotel accommodations available to you. You will not regret a refreshing trip to Spain for your getaway.

Focusing recent findings in history of Spain, Peter J. Wilson works essentially for http://www.barcelona-information.com . His articles on Barcelona can be found on his site .

With the tremendous growth of tourism in recent years, there are quite a few options for cheap flights to Spain. There has been an increase in discount airlines to some of its local airports, with more discount airlines now flying into Spain. When taking advantage of these cheaper flights, though, you will have to sacrifice some of the conveniences that you may be accustomed to receiving with the larger, higher priced airlines.

Discount airlines offer lower priced fares to many locations throughout Spain. There is a greater choice of lower priced fares from airports in Europe from rather than from the United States, but you may be able to find lower fares nonetheless. Some of the airports with the best rates include Alicante, Barcelona, Madrid, Murcia, Valencia, Menorca, Malaga, Seville, Mallorca and Palma. If you are flying from the United States, direct flights are available through larger carriers but are more expensive. Direct flights may be available from New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Houston, Atlanta and Newark. Though you my find a lower priced ticket, the price will not be as low as fares with discount airlines.

The internet is a good place research flights and compare prices to find the best deal, but some discount airlines are not posted on the major travel websites. To include their fares in your comparison of flight costs, you will need to contact the airline directly. It may be less convenient than performing a simple online search, but taking the time to call the carrier may save you money.

One way to find lower priced fares is to consider flying on different days. For example, flights on the weekend are often more expensive than flights during the middle part of the week. Also consider the time you are flying, as early morning or late-night flights are often less expensive. It may be an inconvenience but, again, you could save money.

One reason discount airlines are able to offer cheaper flight is because of the lack of conveniences and extra services found on the larger carriers. Discount carriers do not offer meals to its travelers and most do not even offer snacks. You may want to bring your own snack and, with regulations limiting liquids allowed on planes, it may be better for you to pay for a beverage once you have boarded the plane. Additionally, discount carriers often have more restrictions regarding baggage with most carrying a limit of two pieces of luggage. You may be able to bring more baggage, but you will probably be required to pay a fairly large amount. Be sure to ask about the baggage policy so you can plan your trip accordingly and, hopefully, avoid any unexpected and additional charges. Finally, you are likely to have a significant layover with discount carriers. You may wait several hours before your connecting flight, but this inconvenience could also save you money. This time between flights could be a good opportunity to read a book, shop or eat meal since food is not served on the plane.

Peter J. Wilson wrote mostly for http://www.alicante-spain.com, a website on spanish culture. His comments on cheap flights Spain can be found on http://www.alicante-spain.com/faq/cheap_flights.shtml.

Spain is a tourists’ attraction and a popular travel destination favorite. It is a very popular country for tourist in Europe, with travelers flocking in to sample great food, friendly and fun locals, unique lifestyle, and not to mention the numerous tourists’ attractions such as beaches, historical sites, and breathtaking country sides. And with its excellent weather all year round, your perfect travel in Spain can offer you the once-in-a-lifetime vacation travel. Here are some of the well-known travel destinations in Spain you should check out:

Canary Islands Tours

Made up of 7 large islands, the Canary Islands are namely: Fuerteventura, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Palma, El Hierro, Lanzote, and La Gomera. The islands were formed due to volcanic eruptions, and are located near the African coast. The Canary Islands are great travel destinations if you are looking for beaches, sunny skies, and spectacular landscapes. It is practically summer all year round in this area. Each island is unique and is very different from the others, but equally beautiful and rich in culture, perfect for ultimate travel destination and one of the few tourists’ attractions in the country.

Valencia tours

In the eastern area of Spain lies the province of Valencia. It is noted for its magnificent landscapes, made up of mountains, rock formations, mountain ranges, and the coastal area, another ultimate must-see on your travel destinations list for your Europe tours. There are many wonderful beaches in Valencia, such as La Malvarrosa, Saler Beach, Gandia, where one can take a stroll to take in the view and select from the many restaurants a sample of authentic Spanish cuisine. There are also many cinemas, theaters, and museums to visit. Make Valencia your primary travel destinations and you’ll get the most of your adventure tours in Spain.

Tours in Madrid

For additional travel destinations on your adventure travel list, Spain’s capital, Madrid, is the center of business and commerce and is a metropolitan city. It has long been a one among the best and favorite travel destinations in Europe, known for the bullfights, flamenco shows, and many historical sites. Aside from the bullfights and flamenco dances and travel, destinations such as the popular museums and parks, such as Retiro Park, Queen Sofia Arts Center, Sobrino de Botin, El Rastro, and Templo de Debod should not be missed at all. Its nightlife and street life is also very much alive, so be sure not to miss any of these tourists’ attractions.

Basque Country tourists’ destinations

In the northern area of Spain, the Basque Country is also known for its splendid landscapes, the most popular of the travel destinations are the Basque Mountains. Its rich and diverse history can be experienced through many museums and historical sites, but don’t forget to visit the tourists’ attractions like the valleys, rock formations, cliffs, that will just blow your mind away. Great tourists’ attractions like the Bordering France, the Pyrenees is a must-see in the Basque Country. The farms, valleys, and fields in the country sides are a fusion of many cultures of which the area is a border of.

With this guide on the tours and travel destinations in Spain, you are sure to get the most out of your tours!

Alex J Smith writes for Datravelers.com It’s a website where travelers can host their own travel blogs, upload photos and find unbiased travel information.

Spain abounds with celebrations. Nearly every day, a religious holiday or historical event in Spanish culture is observed. The most common religion is Roman Catholicism, and the majority of the events have a basis in religion. Depending on when and where you travel, you have a great chance of seeing a street festival or procession.

Holidays in Spain

Good Friday, the Friday before Easter Sunday, is a very important holiday in Spain. Many cities, large and small, celebrate this holiday by having a procession or a festival. There are re-enactments of the crucifixion and Holy Week events.

Good Friday is second to Easter Sunday in importance. On Easter Sunday, the resurrection of Jesus is commemorated throughout the country, in villages near and far, in bustling cities and small villages.

In late spring, the holiday of Corpus Christi (“The Body of Christ”) is cause for another religious observance. The Catholic sacrament of the Holy Eucharist is celebrated, and there are events throughout the country that commemorate this. This event falls on the first Sunday after Trinity Sunday.

The Feast of St. John’s is observed on June 24. To prepare, bonfires and effigies are burned. The most widely held believe that people have is that if they jump over the fire three times, they will be cleansed of sins and cured of any disease. This day is celebrated differently throughout the country, with festivals held that are unique to each area.

Fall and Winter Holidays

Columbus Day, observed on October 12, is also the National Holiday of Spain or Hispanic Day. It honors Christopher Columbus and observes his discovery of the Americas in 1492. You’ll find a variety of celebrations going on throughout the country.

All Saints day is November first. This Catholic holiday celebrates saints and martyrs by offerings made by the people of Spain. Don Juan Tenorio’s play is traditionally performed on this day.

December 6 is Constitution Day This day takes note of Spain’s transition to democracy. This is a widely-observed national holiday.

January 6 marks the end of the Christmas celebrations. This day celebrates the Epiphany, or the day the wise men visited the infant Jesus. It’s also known by the name El Dia de Los Reyes, or “The Day of the Kings”. According to Spanish lore, the three kings represented Arabia, Africa and Europe. Many villages throughout Spain observe this holiday with festivals and processions.

This deeply Catholic nation celebrates religious holidays with much fanfare.

Johnathan Bakers regularly pens news stories on issues associated with Spain and spanish culture. His articles on holidays in Spain are published on his website .