Spain is located in southwestern Europe, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, occupying a great territory of the Iberian Peninsula, which also hosts Portugal. The country also includes ones of the most beautiful islands in the world, considered by most visitors a touristic haven – the Kanuri and Baleares Islands. The Strait of Gibraltar, 14 km long, is in possession of Great Britain and separates Spain from Africa.
Information About Spain
Like most European countries, Spain is divided into 50 highly autonomous regions, among which Catalonia is known world wide as its history, language and specific culture offers it a distinct character against the rest of Spanish regions.
Spain’s currency is peseta, which equals 100 centimes.
Economy in Spain
Spain has been part of the EU since 1986 and the eight most important EU member. It is an agrarian-industrial country where the public capitalist sector plays an important role in the economy. Due to the international economic crisis, Spain was forced to adopt the harshest austerity measures in the past 30 years to reduce its budget deficits.
Culture in Spain
Spanish culture is a mixture of traditions with influences ranging from Iberian and Latin directions; it is an eclectic world of religious and cultural minorities, with a long and fascinating history.
The official language in Spain is the Castilian dialect. In some autonomous communities like Catalonia, Calicut, Valencia and the Basque territory, the majority of the population also speaks local dialects, and most of them are extremely different from Castilian.
When it comes to traditions, Christmas is celebrated throughout Spain by most its inhabitants. The celebrations last until the 6th of January, yet the most important day is December 24th, Noche Buena, when families gather to enjoy Christmas.
On the 6th of January, the Three Kings celebration is held in memory of the Three Magi, the streets being crossed by the crowd of people, and children receive sweets and gifts.
In a country full of contrasts, there is no better place to learn Spanish than the southern region called Andalusia, famous for its flamenco dances, pueblos blancos – the traditional houses panted in white, Mauro palaces, bull fighting and the sunny beaches in Costa del Sol.
La Tomatina festival in Valencia is an unusual event, during which participants are fighting in a genuine way, throwing ripe tomatoes at each other.
Cities In Spain
Spain is a beautiful country bordering both the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Mediterranean Sea. Its background goes all the way back to prehistoric times, as it has long been a well sought after country as far as location is concerned. Modern day Spain is a beautifully diverse country offering up Spanish culture at its best.
The cities within Spain each have their own unique stories and histories, each as interesting as the next. Spain is mostly a peninsula country; its geography is varied and almost entirely surrounded by water. There are many cities in Spain and they each serve different roles in the economic structure of the country.
Madrid
Madrid is not only capitol of Spain, but the largest city in all of Spain. Madrid is the heart of Spain, and is constantly bustling with tourism. It is said to be the most Spanish city in Spain. More people visit Madrid then any other city within Spain. This urban city brings great Spanish cuisine, night clubs and is the best place to experience Spanish live music.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the 2nd biggest city in all of Spain, with an economy that makes it the 4th richest city in the European Union. Barcelona is, among other things, the largest metropolis on the Mediterranean coastline. Barcelona’s International Airport receives roughly 30 million passengers per year, and remains on the most important tourist attractions in Spain. Great beaches, pubs, restaurants can be found in Barcelona. Barcelona is filled with rich history or arts and architecture.
Valencia
Valencia is the 3rd largest city in Spain, boasting a dense population and rich heritage. It is a beautiful city adorned with unique structures and lovely homes. Many people come from all over the world to sample some of the wonderful gastronomic foods that Valencia offers.
Granada
Granada is the capital of the province with the same name in Southern Spain. It is a beautiful, small city, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and it spreads all across the Darro and Genil valleys. The settlement is famous mainly due to its historical Moorish, Gothic and Renaissance heritage.
Seville
Seville is the fourth largest city in Spain and the capital of the famous region Andalusia. It is a large artistic, cultural and economic center, famous for its famous touristic attractions, such as the Giralda Tower and the Alcazar Palace. In fact, Alcazar, Seville’s Cathedral and Archivo de Indias have been included in the UNESCO World Heritage in 1987.
Bilbao
Bilbao is the largest city in the Basque Country and in the province of Vizcaya. It is an industrial settlement, located along the Nervion River. The city is mainly famous due to its City Hall constant efforts to renew and modernize it and also because of the Bilbao phenomenon – the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao has attracted an incredible number of tourists and has become a cultural, social and economic phenomenon.
San Sebastian
San Sebastian, also known as Donostia, is an important city in the Basque region in Northern Spain. Today, the city is in the top of the best beaches in the country, but it offers so much more to its visitors – traditional boulevards mixed among futuristic buildings, many bars and restaurants and also plenty of opportunities for shopping lovers.
Ibiza
Everybody has heard of Ibiza or even intended to once visit it. It is the most famous Balearic Islands, situated the closest to the east coast of Spain. Besides its famous beaches, tourists can enjoy open-air concerts, can walk around through the city surrounded with Renaissance walls, or attend theater and opera performances.
Malaga
Malaga has gained its popularity especially due to its inspired location, Costa del Sol, 100 kilometers away from the Gibraltar Strait. It is a wonderful destination for vacations or short visits, due to its incredible array of beaches, luxurious nature and gentle weather.
No matter which cities in Spain you choose to go, there will also be surprises awaiting for you…
Best of Spain
The Spanish cities and towns are breathtakingly beautiful and offer really old monuments and futuristic architecture. Spain has amazing climate and is truly a very fascinating country! It is an extremely popular location and has a lot more to offer than its fantastic beaches and abundant sunshine.
The Spanish bullfights and Flamenco music and dance are famous worldwide. Spain is a truly a beautiful country and is definitely one of Europe’s cultural centers. It is the holiday destination of a many a dream come true for all those who badly need a vacation.
Madrid and Barcelona
Madrid is the capital of Spain and it is the most popular destination in Spain. Great art galleries, fine restaurants, night clubs and live music are the main attractions in Madrid. Barcelona on the other hand offers a different experience. This cosmopolitan city has great beaches and Gothic architectures in bizarre forms. It is a city filled with art, architecture and style.
Spanish architecture
The cultural palette of Spain has no parallel. Spain is a treasure chest of fine architectural marvels and artistic talent. The monuments and historical buildings are beautiful and have been constructed to perfection. It contains Muslim palaces, roman relics, baroque cathedrals and also modern constructions. The best of Spanish architecture can be seen in Barcelona, Madrid and Bilbao.
Spanish Art
Spanish artists were greatly talented and played important roles in various European artistic movements. Spanish museums are very popular and house some of the finest pieces of art, which have been declared masterpieces by experts all over the world.
Bullfighting in Spain
Bullfighting is one of the traditions in Spain and millions of visitors flock to Spain to catch this spectacular show. The Matador will fight the bull and finish it off with his sword. A great place to watch bullfighting will be in Madrid.
Spanish Flamenco Dances
Spanish music is synonymous to Flamenco, which is a west Andalusia music genre and is not exactly popular in any other region of the world. The guitar originates from Spain and so do the bagpipes. Spanish dances are popular worldwide.
Spanish Night Clubs
Spain has the best of clubs in Europe and all those who love partying and dancing the night away frequent these clubs. The Spanish bullfights are popular worldwide. Most tourists visit Spain just to witness the bullfight.
Spanish Cuisine
Spanish food is absolutely delicious and mouth watering. Seafood is quite common owing to the several water bodies that surround the country.
Spanish beaches and Parks
Spain has several exotic and fantastic beaches. It is a perfect holiday spot and is the best place to be for all those who need a beach vacation. Spain also has several beautiful parks, which are breathtaking, and tourists love visiting the Spanish parks.
Things to do in Spain
Are you on a vacation trip to Spain and trying to find things to do there? There are plenty of activities and things to do in Spain from sightseeing of the beautiful architectural buildings to enjoying musical concerts. There are many bull fighting events as well as festivals celebrating many Spain cultures.
A trip to the theme parks, museums, zoos and parks can be quite enjoyable too. There are plenty of things to do in this beautiful country. Especially when the weather is good, you can enjoy the sun in the beaches of Barcelona.
Visit Theme Parks and Museums
There are several theme parks throughout Spain to enjoy. There are theme parks in Barcelona, Seville and San Bartholomew just to name a few. There are many huge museums spread throughout Spain. These museums have stored many arts, sculptures medals and cultural items on display. If you want to learn more about Spain, it is best to visit one of these museums.
Sightseeing and Shopping
There are so many sites to see and explore in Spain. If you are on a vacation, plan to Spain, you can visit many of these sites. There are many old shops to shop at and just walking through the old parts of some of the towns in Spain is fantastic. The architectural work in Spain is really terrific.
Zoos and Aquariums
The zoos and aquariums are very interesting places to visit with many different species of animals. There are shows with animals performing as well as teaching you about the different types of animals. Your family will love the zoo, especially the kids.
Visit the Alhambra in Granada
This Moorish fortified fortress is totally unbelievable. The compound is infinite and covers a large part of the city centre. You will spend even your whole day to explore this magnificent palace.
Skiing at the Sierra Navada Mountains
These mountains are located closely to the famous vacationer’s spots such as Malaga and Torremolinos. During late spring, skiing can be enjoyed in the morning and in the afternoon, enjoy sunbathing on the beaches. Strange natural set up that you would hardly find anywhere in the world.
Participate in Local Village Fiestas
There are several local fiestas taking place throughout the year in which you can take part. However, most of these village fiestas are of religious in nature, but still they offer a lot of fun. The colorful processions are worth to see and cherish, and then there are parties that usually go on throughout the night.
Running with the Bulls
If you are strong at heart, you can join in the bull runs in Pamplona. If you are not a good runner, it is best to let others run with the bulls. Many get injured in this risky but exciting Spanish festival.
Golfing at Valderrama
Valderrama is an 18-hole championship golf ground that is spread over an area of 6,356 sq meters. Besides Valderrama, the Costa del Sol golf courses are also fantastic. These golf courses along with the friendly weather delight any golfer.
Attractions in Spain
Spain has many beautiful cities and great attractions. Good climate and the scenery of the beautiful mountains are fabulous. Spain is best known for its bullfighting and music. You will discover lots of wonderful historic sites to visit in Spain.
This country is a vacation spot that many of us only dream of visiting. There are many beautiful architectural buildings to see in Spain as well as the beautiful art work in the many galleries.
Entertainment and food is just splendid. Bullfighting alone brings in a million tourists to this great country every year. If you dream to take a wonderful vacation, come to Spain and enjoy the beautiful beaches and parks. This is one vacation that you will not forget.
Sagrada Família, Barcelona
The Sagrada Família is the half-built Catholic Church. Architect Gaudí was its architect and it was his favorite project. The construction work stopped here with his death in 1926. Since 1979, the work has been in progress to finish the church according to the design conceptualized by Gaudí.
The Alhambra, Granada
Granada city is the most famous for being the old Moorish capital of Spain. This is also home to the great Islamic art and architecture. There are magnificent palace, patios and gardens to visit here. Alhambra’s ancient Muslim fortress is the greatest attraction here which offers great views of the city from the tops of its towers.
The Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
The Guggenheim Museum has been opened for public since October 1997. It is one of the most vital centers of modern and contemporary art in the world. The huge futuristic structure was designed by Frank O. Gehry and this outstanding building in Bilbao is one of the most important constructions of the 20th century.
La Tomatina Festival, Buñol, Valencia
This is perhaps the world’s largest food fight. ‘La Tomatina’ festival is the place where over 240,000 pounds of tomatoes are hurled at each other, every year on the last Wednesday of August. The streets literally get flooded with tomato pulp, juice, and seeds. All tourists will enjoy this event.
Cordoba
The Romans are said to be the founders of the city of Cordoba. The Romans built a majestic bridge across the Guadalquivir River. The bridge still exists today and is a remarkable piece of ancient architecture. The mosque of the Mezquita is also here, which is one of the largest and most remarkable mosques in the entire Islamic world.
The Feria de Abril, Seville
The Feria de Abril is a massive festival that features flamenco dancing and lots of celebrations. This festival is held yearly two weeks after the Easter Week. The festival commences with the official lighting of millions of lanterns. This is the perfect place to see the real of Spain.
The Picos de Europa
The Picos de Europa is a wonderful mountain range located in northwest part of Spain. One can reach here after two hours of drive from Santander. The Picos are the biggest single collection of mountain limestone in the whole of Europe and has a magnificent maritime range. This mountain range is a haven for hikers and climbers.
The Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands are located just opposite to the eastern Spanish mainland. They are a collection of four main islands – Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. Each of these islands has their own distinctive qualities and attraction.
Toledo
The city of Toledo has been included in the list of World Heritage Sites in 1987. The city is built on a rough cliff and is surrounded by the Tagus River on its three sides. One can visit the Army Museum here which has been accommodated in a huge 16th century Alcázar fortress. There are several ancient mosques, churches and synagogues in the city.
Spain Beaches
Spain has some beautiful beaches with over 5,000 miles of coastline; there are many Spain beaches to enjoy. Are you trying to decide where to take a vacation? Spain would be perfect with beaches and parks and many attractions to visit. Tourists like to visit Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol but there are many beaches that are just as beautiful including a few nudist beaches. La Concha is the best beach in Spain, actually it is the best beach in Europe. It is a very nice beach for being in a city; this beach sits in the north-east corner of Spain.
Playa de Las Catedrales
This beach is in Galicia, there are many rock formations that have been formed by the sea and they are an amazing site to see in Spain. This beach is also known as the beach of the cathedrals. It is located in the North West corner of Spain and, due to its naturally formed caves and arches, has been declared a Natural Monument. It is highly recommended to leave the caves before the water invades the beach, as the walls or roofs of the caves might collapse due to water erosion.
Ses Illetes, Balaeric Islands
If you love swimming in clear blue waters than this is the beach for you. This beach waters are beautiful you can actually see the ocean floor; the water is clean and clear. Ses Illetes lures its visitors with its beauty, and this is the reason why there are always plenty of tourists coming from Ibiza by boat, to spend several hours or maybe a few days on this wonderful shores.
Beaches of Sitges
Near Barcelona there are many beautiful beaches. This party town has many beaches to party on. This town has several nudist beaches. There are also a few gay beaches but the majority of the beaches are mixed. This area has become extremely trendy at the beginning of the 20th century, period that left as legacy a series of elegant villas and mansions, spread all across the shores. The seaside is made of a lot of small bays with golden sands. You can also find more quiet beaches near the old city of Sitges. On the other hand, if you have a more adventurous temper, you can always try out any of the various water sports offers – scuba diving, water skiing, windsurfing, boat excursions.
Tarifa, Andalusia
This beach is great for windsurfing in Spain. You can even see whales from the beach. And the nightlife scene is right here on the beach with drinking, eating and dancing the night away. This one thing about this beach is the wind; the wind can be very strong at times and sand blows everywhere. When you go home you will clean sand out from under your bathing suit. The wild coast of Tarifa equally attracts surfers and those who enjoy relaxing in the middle of nature. These beaches are highly appreciated by ornithologists, due to the large variety of bird species living here.
Food in Spain
Spain has a rich background of cultural foods that have been a staple of tourism as well as residential likeness. The native residents of Spain have always enjoyed their style of food, and keep the traditions alive even in present day Spain. Spain’s long history which has involved the country with many different cultures has lead to its unique and exceptional foods today.
The types of foods that are prepared in Spain are greatly due to the seafood which is abundant in the Oceans surrounding this peninsula country. Of course, Spain has very deep ties with Mediterranean culture, rounding out the food to be unique in every way.
Paella
Paella is a dish that originated sometime in the 19th century to its modern form that we know today. It is a dish made mostly of Valencian rice, and was created in Valencia itself. It is known that many non-Spanish people renown Paella as Spain’s national dish, yet Spain disregards this, opting to consider it a traditional dish of Valencia. It can be made with or without seafood, and there is also a type of Paella that uses seafood and other meats.
Potato Omelet
The potato omelets, or tortilla de patatas, are one of the most recognized foods in all of Spain. It has long been prepared by the native peoples of Spain and is well loved by nearly all who have tried it. It is, simply put, a fried omelets mixed with fried potatoes, making it thick and hearty.
Emputido
Empuditos are well known in many parts of Europe and are a favorite of many more. It is essentially a sausage made of pork which is traditionally wrapped in the skin of pig’s intestines. It may not sound so good, but it is incredibly tasty according to the locals who still make this traditional dish.
Getting Around In Spain
Getting around in Spain can be done easily with different modes of transportation. The transportation in Spain is compiled of an extensive network of Highways, freeways, passage by airplanes, rapid transit, railroads and ports. Each mode of transportation is key to the economic and general structure of the country, while offering different styles of comfort and speed.
Traveling by Train in Spain
Travel across different Spain cities by high speed trains or night trains. It is one of the fastest and cheaper way to reach different cities.
Highways
Highways in Spain cover much of the region, allowing for both civilian passage as well as cargo to be transported from nearly every corner of the country. Highways are popular among civilians traveling from one city to the next.
Freeways
Freeways offer the same type of transport as highways, but allow free passage rather then using pay tolls. Smooth paving and advanced networking make freeways a popular choice among residents and tourists alike.
Rapid Transit
Rapid transit systems are an extremely popular mode of transportation in the larger cities of Spain. They are typically found underground but can also be found suspended above ground. The purpose of rapid transit systems is to move large amounts of people in dense cities such as Madrid, in a short amount of time; without using much land area.
Airplanes
All great civilizations use airplanes as a means to move large distances in short amounts of time. Modern air travel has made it possible to fly across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in about a day’s time, sometimes less. Air travel in Spain offers transport around the country itself, as well as internationally to other countries in Europe and Asia and North and South America.
Ports
Ports have long been a crucial part of transportation in Spain, as well as crucial to all of the coastal cities in Europe. They offer passage by boat to other parts of the country as well as to Europe and Asia.
History of Spain
History of Spain goes all the way back to the days of the Roman Empire. The Romans invaded Spain in those days after a long enduring trek. After the Romans took over, they proceeded to name the region Hispaniola. It was in the middle ages that control of the region fell first into rule of Germans and later by the Muslim invading forces. Eventually, however, Christian influence rained down from the north until the Muslim impression was washed away. It was after this occurred in 1492 that Spain began to grow as the strongest kingdom in Europe, at that time.
The Celtics
It can also be noted that southwestern Spain and southern Portugal may very well have been the origination of Celtic culture. It can be traced back all the way to 500 years prior to any kind of recorded history in Europe. The region that is Spain today is also referred to as the Iberian Peninsula. During the 16th century, and much of the 17th century, Spain was the most dominant kingdom in all of Europe of much of the world.
Culturally Diverse
The history of Spain is rich and filled with many changes. The Country was under the control of many different empires until it finally became the country that it is today. Modern day Spain is a rich culturally diverse country that is an important part of the economic structure of Europe. Spain is now a democratic monarchy that has a king as well as a government.
A Unified Nation
Spain is now a unified nation, with 17 autonomous communities as well as two autonomous cities. It is noted that Spain has a King, Juan Carlos I as well as a prime minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. Spain is also a frontrunner in the fight for gender equality in government.
Best Restaurants in Spain
Spaniards love food. Proof is the slew of restaurants in every nook, cranny, and highway of their beautiful country. Tourists craving for a slice of Spanish life on a platter or in little cups or tazas of steaming chocolate drink should take to the gustatory delights that are definitely Spanish. Get ready to add more inches to your waistline because Spaniards enjoy four meals a day!
Maipi
Valencia is synonymous with paella. But the culinary expertise of top chefs is not limited to this rice dish. In the Russafa district, you will find Maipi along Maestro Jose Serrano 1. For 40 Euros you can have tapas or lunch for two. Imagine blood sausage and fresh artichoke delicately wrapped in super-thin dough. Or if you are one for fish dishes, try the grilled cod fish flavored with lemon and olive oil mixture.
Balansiya
Balansiya is a restaurant that keeps the tradition of Moorish influences in local cuisine. This restaurant is parked along Paseo de las Facultades, between Carrer de Ramon Llull and Poeta Artola Calle. The menu offers couscous and Andalusian pasta which is a mix of chicken, nuts and cinnamon. Try the grape leaves with cereal stuffing and the almond mint dressing gives this dish its fantastic reputation. Wash the meal down with a concoction of flowers, fruits, herbs and spices. A full dinner menu charges 20 to 30 Euros per person.
Casa Lucio
Where do the Royals go when they eat out in Madrid? Casa Lucio. The place serves food worthy of its royal guests – huevos estrellados or broken eggs over potatoes slowly cooked in olive oil until the edges are crisp and sizzling steak. This is Madrid’s favorite comfort food. It is robust, tasty and filling. You can find this restaurant in Cava Baja.
Pan de Lujo
Pan de Lujo is the meal stop of the well-heeled who favor Mediterranean cuisine. The place shows off modern dining rooms with infused lighting with clean yet bold décor. A glass wall serves as the entrance to a reflecting pool. What’s hot here? The eggplant. It is paper-thin and drizzled with olive oil served up with hummus, poached snapper and crisp baby veggies. The apple tart is homemade but stylish. You shouldn’t go there without a reservation. You can find the place in Jorge San Juan
Amayra
Paella fans flock to Amayra restaurant in Madrid. The place also serves the best of Mediterranean cuisine at affordable prices. The best are the Iberico ham, gazpacho and hake smothered with red prawn sauce. The restaurant is located in Hotel Regina. Its location is ideal for tourists wandering in the busy Alcala district. For a memorable dinner, book your reservations online in advance.
Café Chinitas
In the heart of busy Madrid, Café Chinitas is your place for hearty Spanish meals. This place is on its 40th year. The restaurant gives you a perfect backdrop of an 18th century mansion. The décor boasts of famous Spanish matadors or bullfighters. For entertainment, a fiery flamenco dancer furiously and amorously dances to the strains of a flamenco guitar.
If you want to discover what other restaurants have to offer, put on your walking shoes and bring along a map. You can also check out other restaurants online from credited websites. Spanish restaurants always require advance reservation but you can always drop by those little cozy cafes and restaurants that serve authentic tapas and Spanish wine.
Weather in Spain
Due to its interesting geographical position (only 14 km away from the African continent), Spain does not have the same weather across the country. Testimony of this is the fact that Spain has deserts, semi-deserts, wet river valleys, but dried corridors as well, rocky coastlines and swamps.
Due to influences from Africa, during summer, heat waves affect the entire Iberian Peninsula. These are the combined effort of the high temperature above 44 degrees Celsius, which affects mostly southern Spain (Andalusia) and warm air masses arrived from northern Africa.
However, due to the gentle Mediterranean climate, the touristic season lasts all year long and in this country sun shines for almost 320 days a year; the high season months are June, July, August and September.
Seasons in Spain
The warmest region is alongside the Mediterranean Sea, namely, the south and east of Spain. There is a Mediterranean subtropical climate, and most days are sunny and bright. Temperatures fluctuate around the values of 25 to 30 °C, so we can talk about pleasant summer temperatures that encourage tourists to practice water sports and tanning.
Winters in Spain are mild; it is not worth speaking of a real winter when there are temperatures of 8-15 °C. Most rains happen in spring and autumn, but they are rather rare. However, they are more often alongside beaches.
As you come further into the continental area, the weather gets harsher. In Castilia-La Mancha, Extremadura, Madrid and Aragon the winters are much colder and often accompanied by snow. There are higher differences of temperature between day and night than some tourists might be used to, so it’s recommended you bring both summer clothes and warm, thick ones. There are also significant differences of temperature between mountain and lowland areas, where the climate is Continental.
The warmest region of Spain is Andalusia in the south. In July and August, the Andalusian average air temperature varies between 27 and 29 ºC and the sea water between 22 and 23 ºC.
Interesting Facts about Spain
Known for the bullfights, the world-class cuisine and its intoxicating culture, Spain is considered to be one of the top tourist destinations in the world. The country caters to hundreds of tourists flocking its shores year after year. But before you head out to this part of the world, here are some interesting facts that you should know about the country and Spanish culture that will make you appreciate that visit even more.
Fun Fact #1: Spain is considered to be the second richest in the tourism industry. In 2006, Spain earned a whopping 60 billion Euros from its tourist industry alone. So when you head out to the country, rest assured that there will always be a establishment that can cater to your every wish and whim- from five star hotels, budget accommodations to every travel and tour offers that you can imagine.
Fun Fact #2: Spain should be called the olive-oil capital of the world. Why so? This is because the country produces 44% of the olive oil in the world. More than 25% of the olive oil produced in Spain comes from the town of Jaen. The olive cooking oil is considered to be one of the staple cooking ingredients in Spanish cuisine.
Fun Fact #3: Although the modern day paella – one of the most famous Spanish dishes – is largely made out of different kinds of sea food, the original version was actually made out of chicken, snail meat or pork. Paella originated from the town of Valencia where seafood is very rare. Snail meat was one of the most common ingredients for those who could not afford pork, chicken or rabbit meat. Today, the town of Valencia still makes one of the best Paellas in the world and regularly hold cooking contest during town fiestas. If you are a huge fan of the dish, then a visit during these times would be one great gastronomical experience.
Fun Fact #4: A common misconception: Tapas is not a kind of food but a way of eating. In local dialect, tapas literally mean “to cover”. Traditionally, this way made to refer to placing a piece of cheese or ham over a hot drink. Today, the term is used to referred to food – any kind of food served in pubs and bars – some free of charge, some not.
Fun Fact #5: The third largest plantations in Spain are the grape vines, accounting to more than 15% of the world’s wine production. But although Spain is most famous for its exquisite, world class red-wines, more than half of their vineyard productions are white wines. More than half of the wines produced in the country are considered to be one of the finest wines in the world today.
Fun Fact #6: Nudity IS legal in Spain. So when you head out to the beach, do not be surprised to see people skinny dipping or simply basking everything out in the sun. This is a completely normal and accepted norm in the country.
So there you have it, interesting facts that any traveler should know about the country. So why not put this in your next destination list and experience all these interesting sights and sounds first hand.
