Transportation
Various
airports are found in many cities of
Spain such as Madrid,
Barcelona,
Valencia, Seville,
Bilbao, Murcia, Malaga and Palma de
Mallorca. Madrid and Bilbao boast of their modern and stunning airports designed
by prominent architects. If you are a
little tight with your budget you can try some of their low cost carriers such
as ClickAir, easyJet, Blue Air, Sterling Airlines, Vueling and RyanAir.
The
RENFE, Spain’s official rail carrier, and FEVE are rail systems
connecting major cities of the country.
They are considered to be the some of Europe’s finest because of its modern design and amenities, reliability and
punctuality.
Buses,
boats and car renting are also common for most people traveling and
touring Spain. They are highly recommended if you want to avoid the
volume of people using the train systems.
You can also enjoy more the view and sceneries of the cities when riding
in one these transport vehicles.
Lodging
There
are various types of accommodations you can choose from when traveling Spain. Small villages located near the coasts are
popular because of the warm welcome and friendly environment they give to
tourists. Casa Rural or the counterpart
of B&Bs in other countries is also a recommended option since it is
strictly regulated by authorities, plus quality and price varies greatly. The Parador, a prominent state-owned hotel
chain in Spain, can make your stay a unique since its locations are
mostly found in historical places such as Moorish castles, convents, and
haciendas.
Food and Dining
Spaniards
are known for their exquisite taste in food and wine. They usually eat light with a lot of
vegetables with a mixture of meat and fish.
Lunchtime normally starts between 1:30pm to 2pm and ends before 9pm. Dinner is served at 8:30pm or 9pm. Between these times, nearly all restaurants
and cafes are closed except for big cities that serve until midnight. To make your
travel a memorable one, you could try one theses Spanish dishes: Mariscos
(popular shellfish in Pontevedra); Pescaíto
frito (mouth-watering fried fish served in southern Spain); Paella (rice dish that
can be served with seafood, chicken, or rabbit); and Tortilla de patatas (egg
omelet mized with fried potato).
Festivities
Since
more than 75% of Spain’s populations are Catholics it is no surprise that many
of its local and national festivals are
celebrated in Catholicism to the religion such as the Holy Week, Fiesta de San
Isidro (May 15 in Madrid), and Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos (parade for the 3
Kings, celebrated in the 5th of January). Other local celebrations you should watch out
for are the Festival de Patios (2-week event when some locals open their houses
to visitors to show their old Patios), Fallas (held in March in Valencia), Seville’s April Fair (consist of flamenco dancing, drinking
of sherry and bullfighting), and the world-famous La Tomatina (a massive tomato
fight in Buñol.
Shopping
For
people who love shopping while traveling, you can find designer brands such
Zara, Mango, Camper and Bershka in major cities
and it could save you some cash. Popular
department and specialty stores in Spain include the El Corte Ingles, Casas, Camper and
For. The Kukuxumusu t-shirt is a
favorite souvenir for many tourists that have funny designs and various
subjects about Spain.