Travel Articles

Traveling Spain

Traveling Spain – An Endless Fascination of Landscape and History

When you travel to Spain you may want to consider that there are four official languages, two major cities of almost equal importance and a greater range of landscapes than any other European country. These remarkable contrasts make traveling in Spain an endless fascinating country to visit.

When you’re traveling Spain you will see that it is separated from the rest of Europe by the Pyrenees and reaches south to the coast of North Africa. It has both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, and includes two archipelagos – the Balearics and the Canary Islands.

Before you travel Spain, take note that the climate and landscape vary from snow-capped peaks in Pyrenees, through the green meadows of Galicia and orange groves of Valencia, to the desert of Almeria. Madrid is the highest capitol in Europe, and Spain its most mountainous country after Switzerland and Austria. The innumerable sierras have always hindered communications.

When you decide to travel Spain, you may want to realize that Spain has a population of 41 million and receives more than 57 million travelers each year. It covers an area of 194,900 square miles. Madrid is the largest city, followed by Barcelona and Valencia. The country is dominated by a central plateau drained by the Duero, Tagus and Guadiana rivers.

How to Travel In Spain without Hassles

Spain’s regional capitals and islands are linked by regular flights and there is a shuttle service between Madrid and Barcelona. The TALGO and AVE high-speed trains provide fast rail services between many provincial cities and are backed up by regional and local rail networks. Some motorways have expensive tolls, but are fast. Other roads range from rapid, modern highways to scenic, but often rough, byways. The Balearic and Canary islands are served by regular ferries from the mainland.

Where to Stay While Traveling In Spain

Medieval castles turned into luxury hotels and mansions converted into youth hostels typify the variety of places to stay when you travel in Spain. The tourists who sustain Spain’s economy have almost 10,000 establishments to choose from. Suites in once-royal palaces are at the top of the scale. Then there are luxury hotels on the Costa del Sol and in the Balearic and Canary Islands. Travelers can also stay on remote farms, or in villas and old houses let for self-catering.

All of Spain’s hotels are classified into categories and awarded stars by the country’s regional tourist authorities. Hotels indicated by an H on a blue plaque near the hotel door are awarded from one to five stars. Spain’s star-rating system reflects the number and range of facilities available – whether the hotel has air conditioning, for instance, or a lift – rather than the quality of service.

Most hotels have restaurants that are open to non-residents. Spanish law requires all hotel managements to display their prices behind reception and in every room. As a rule the higher the star-rating, the more you pay. Prices usually vary according to room, region and season. You may want to book a room several months before you travel in Spain.

For budget travel in Spain there are pensions, family-run guest houses, camp sites, and refuges with stunning views for mountaineers.

Take some time to look into travel information and get detailed maps to make your trip as pleasurable as it can be.