Ibn Battuta — “Traveling—it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.”
At the end of working all day, sitting in our office cubicles for months, if there is one thing we all look forward to, it is Vacation. Humans crave new experiences; there is a different level of high one gets from exploring foreign lands and it’s no surprise that it’s a kind of addiction for many. One should never stop travelling, for it calms the soul and leaves us with enriching experiences.
If you are a Travel buff, then Spain is one country you should definitely add to your wishlist. With its vast cultural diversity and geographical beauty, one can never get enough of tierra de español, or the land of Spanish.
Things you should know?
Whether it is for the picturesque scenery or the glorious sunshine, one can never get enough of Spain. The country is an open book of breath-taking extravaganza, giving you vibrant nightlife experiences as well as a whole lot of cultural and traditional learning. So, make your trip worthwhile by keeping it for at least a week or more.
You should keep a few tips in mind before planning a vacation here. Firstly, Spain is a vast and diverse country, so visiting just Barcelona or Madrid isn’t enough. You should explore at least 5-6 destinations while you are there. The best time to visit Spain is spring or fall, as Spanish summers make it quite difficult to travel. You can also visit Spain if you already have a residence permit or long-term visa issued by another country in the European Union (with the exception of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Romania, Bulgaria and Cyprus), Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein.
Itinerary to carry
Here are a few things you should keep when travelling to Spain:
- Camera – it could vary from an iPhone to a DSLR, whatever you prefer.
- Umbrella – can help you in sunny and rainy days (depends on place and time of visit)
- Local map for all the places you visit.
- Power Bank – can help you to use your smartphone for various reasons, be it navigation or entertainment.
- Local currency- The Spanish currency is Euro, same as the European Union’s. Make sure you keep extra, for some shopping as well as emergency cash.
Places to visit in Spain
Bravura Barcelona
Located in northeastern Spain, Barcelona can easily be termed as the country’s cultural capital. From art and culture, to buzzing nightlife and shopping, Barcelona offers its visitors a handful of everything they came looking for in a typical European city, and more. The marvels of famous Spanish architect, Antoni Gaudi, which include Casa Batllo and Sagrada Familia Church, are located here, both extraordinary structures showcasing remarkable designs and beauty. This cosmopolitan city offers numerous activities to do like strolling along the scenic trails of La Rambla, a tree-lined pedestrian avenue, or leisurely walks in the romantic lanes of Barri Gòtic, and sunbath on Barceloneta, one of the city’s most popular beaches.
Marvellous Madrid
Being the largest city and capital of Spain, this one you cannot miss. Madrid is one city which knows how to show travellers the best time; along with its vibrant nightlife and party-hard rep, Madrid is also known for its state of the art museums, the world- famous Prado museum situated here, enviable shopping destinations, gourmet restro-bars, and picturesque neighbourhoods. The heart of Spain, the Royal Palace, the residence of Spain’s monarch is also located in Madrid. One must also visit the historic old town, Madrid de los Austrias and the city main square Plaza Mayor to see the remnants of Madrid’s heyday.
Serene Seville
The beautiful city of Seville is popular not only for its fairs and cobbled streets but also boasts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Reales Alcázares palace, the Santa Maria de la Sede Cathedral (containing the remains of Christopher Columbus) and the General Archive of the Indies. It’s a beautiful city to get lost in, enjoy the beauty of tiny courtyards filled with bougainvillea and orange blossoms and find your way into lanes with flamenco guitarists. April is the perfect month to plan a visit to Seville to witness it’s other main spectacle, the Feria de Abril, which is a top Spanish festival held for a week on the banks of the Guadalquivir river.
Glorious Granada
Located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains of southern Spain, Granada offers a perfect blend of traditional cultures and spectacular attractions including the world famous Alhambra, a pinnacle of Moorish art that encapsulates Andalusian history and also declared a World Heritage Site. Regarded as a top Spanish city for its impressive Moorish architecture, it won’t surprise you that this city has been described it as ‘a pearl set in emeralds’, alluding to the colours of the buildings and surrounding woodland.
Splendid San Sebastian
If you love basking under the sun, surfing and hiking, then Spain is the place for you, for it has some of the most beautiful islands in all of Europe. Located in the centre of the Basque area of Spain, this place has a killer nightlife and beaches. Moreover, the architecture makes it one of the most spectacular. Avoid going during the peak season like July and August as then this place is crowded and expensive.
How to reach the destination
The flight network between Spain and the rest of the world is quite expensive, there are numerous flights from India, both direct and otherwise, that take from 11 hours to up to 32 hours.
One should always do an extensive research on booking hotels and flight tickets before booking, as there are always ongoing discounts on some online store or the other and you can also learn a few tips and facts on the go. For instance, you can check flight offers to get up to 50% off on your bookings. So, it is advisable to always watch out for such deals before-hand.
While in Spain, one should try spending as less as one can on travelling from place to place, by using public transport like buses, or using local cab services. Cabs are a better mode of commute as they are exclusive to your service and will also provide you the comfort of easy travel. Spain has various cab services like Uber, etc, which are not only safe to use as they have verified driver information but are also fast and inexpensive.
Travelling is the best remedy for everything, whether it’s to mend a broken heart, or to find peace and tranquillity. To adventure is to make your heart sing, travelling expands your mental horizons and enriches your personality. It has been scientifically proven too that Travelling makes you healthier. So, travel to fill your soul to keep yourself happy and fulfilled.
