Thursday, August 11, 2011

Sizzling Spain

Spain is a beautiful mosaic of art, culture, geography, history, music, festivals and cuisine. Its charm lies in its diversity of sun-soaked beaches, heritage cwouldities and forgotten villages.
Spanish beaches are amongst the best in Europe. But if lolling on the beach is not your idea of a holiday, then head off to Spain’s beautiful cities that are packed with history, and are an art-lover’s dream. Enjoy the beautiful parks, open space, great shops and pulsating night-life.
Soak in marvellous Madrid with its Royal Palace and the famed Prado Museum - a museum and art gallery which features one of the world's finest collections of European art, from the 16thcentury through the early 19th-century. The heritage city of Toledo, with it unique Christian, Jewish and Moorish cultures, is a short drive from Madrid.


Visit bustling Barcelona - a Mediterranean city of great cultural and heritage. Check out the awe inspiring works of architect Antoni Gaudí, including the Sagrada Familia or the Basilica of the Holy Family. Visit the bustling Boqueria market, a fabulous food market. The stylish city of Barcelona has fashion, opera, nightlife, street theatre, art, food, and much more.


Savour the delights of other romantic Mediterranean cities like Valencia and Alicante. Or journey south to the exotic cities of Cordoba, Seville, Granada, and Málaga. Immerse yourself in their haunting Islamic palaces, the brilliant colours and sounds of flamenco, and in the birth-place and works of Picasso.


For those love the nightlife, a stay at Ibiza is a must. Ibiza is one of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea. It is well-known for its summer parties and big summer club nights. The days are relaxing, spent by the pool or on the beach. The place is alive come nightfall what with its endless pubs and nightclubs.


Should you yearn for peace and quiet then head off to the unspoiled villages, bursting with medieval castles, and colourful flora and fauna. These quaint Spanish villages are ideal for a relaxed holiday – peaceful walks, photography or just plain ‘get away from it all’ holidays. You could check out the skiing opportunities at Spain’s snow-capped peaks.


Travelling around Spain is quite easy, what with its many airports, good train service, and robust national bus and coach system. Besides that, Spaniards are friendly people that are ready to help you and they will make you feel at home. You could choose to stay at the Paradores, which are castles, palaces, fortresses and monasteries converted into hotels. The best of local cuisine is served at the Paradores restaurants.


Across the country, enjoy scrumptious Spanish food of a wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables and an abundance of seafood, all washed down with the choicest wines. This traditional Spanish diet, with the liquid gold of its olive oil, fruits, vegetables, seafood and wine, all mean that it is extremely good for the heart. Even the local speciality of cured hams ‘Jamón Ibérico’ - has fat, unusually high in oleic acid, which is known to lower cholesterol levels! Of course, between meals you can indulge in tempting ‘tapas’ – a healthy snack with its origin in the southerly region of Andalucia.


Andalucia brings to mind the exotic flamenco dance and the Spanish guitar. Can a Spanish holiday be complete without visiting an authentic flamenco show or dancing the night away to the beat of romantic Spanish music? Come and visit Spain where the warmth of its climate is only surpassed by the warmth of its people.


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