travel to spain in pics

Spain is a beautiful and diverse country located in the southwest of Europe. It shares the Iberian 

Peninsula with Portugal, Gibraltar and Andorra. To the Northeast it borders with France and the tiny principality of Andorra. To the West its limits are defined by the Balearic Islands located in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea. Its Southern most territories are the picturesque Canary Islands, in the Atlantic Ocean and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla located in the North of Africa. This is why travelling to Spain is likely to be a enriching experience since tourism in the country offers a wide variety of destinations, activities and landscapes.

Spain is a country of large geographical and cultural diversity, often a surprise for tourists who are expecting to find a country mostly known for beach tourism. Travel to Spain and you will find everything, from lush meadows, green valleys, hills and snowy mountains in the Northern regions to almost desert zones in the South. Its beaches are also famous and worth visiting, small and charming creeks in the North and wide white sand beaches on the South and Western parts of the country, without forgetting the exotic black sand beaches of the volcanic Canary Islands.

Every year millions of tourists decide to travel to Spain, the country has been one of the most important tourist destinations of the last decades becoming the third most popular travel destination in Europe.

One of the better known cities is Madrid, capital city of Spain. Due to its central location, in the heart of Spain it has excellent communications with the rest of the provinces and is seat to the Spanish government and to the Royal Palace where the kings of Spain usually dwell. The city features distinctly winding streets, all of which seem to be heading either up or down and gather in the central square in the centre of the city.

Barcelona is probably one of the favourite destinations for tourists, a worldwide known city whose name recalls the awesome art of the architect Gaudi, the celebration of the 1992 Olympic games, and the cosmopolitan atmosphere of its streets. Tourism in the city offers also the possibility of enjoying its beaches and water sports.

Spain is a country rich in history and culture, inhabited by Romans, Arabs, Celts, and many other cultures who have all left their imprint in the country.

From North to South Spain has received influence from neighbouring countries. But also, as the Southern most frontier of Europe, it has been a bridge between the European continent and Northern African cultures.

Today, Spain is known by its Flamenco, bullfighting, gastronomy, literature, paintings, architecture, etc.

Flamenco refers both to the dance and the music typical from the South of Spain, characterised by guitars, clapping, expressive lyrics, colourful long dresses in women and sober black costumes in men. Flamenco music has its origins in the gypsy communities, and has probably received influence from Arabic and Jewish music.

One of the delights of Spanish culture today is its gastronomy. The country is famous by its excellent wines such as Rioja, Jerez (sherry), Ribera del Duero, among other.

Spanish food is also popular worldwide. Traditional cuisine is based on the Mediterranean diet, considered to be one of the healthiest of the world, since the country is an important producer of fruits, vegetables, meat and fish. Typical dishes vary from one region to another, we may mention: the paella, Fish dishes, seafood preparations from the north of the country, potato and onion omelette (tortilla), cured ham with its different varieties: Serrano, Iberico, etc.

Leaving aside traditions, Spain is also rich in art and history. Painters like Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Joan Miró or Goya portrayed different images of the country.

Gaudi's architecture has added colour and expression to cities like Barcelona opening new horizons for modern architecture.

In literature we may mention writers like Cervantes, author of El Quijote, the second most translated book in the world after the Bible, Camilo José Cela, nobel prize for