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Spain boasts long stretches of sandy beaches and once you leave the spurious glitz of the tourist resorts, you’ll find the real Spain which shimmers to the strum of flamenco guitars.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of Spain hotels.

Madrid: the city that loves art

Madrid is not a sightseeing haven like Paris or Rome but there are a host of attractions like the Prado museum, Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace. Sit at one of the many cafes and observe the passing procession and the street artists.

Transport: how to get there and around

Madrid’s large airport, Barajas, is accessible by metro from the city. Once downtown you can walk around as the area is quite compact. Transport options include the bus, metro and taxi.

Weather

As a whole, Spanish weather is glorious from April to November. Madrid’s summer reaches 30 C where as the winter can drop to 0 C.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Madrid.

Attractions & Events

Spanish people love to celebrate, Festivals are part of their culture. You can enjoy the best of the festival fun during Semana Santa and also from Sept to Oct.

*The popular Carnevale is held from February to March.

*During May there are two main events to mark in your diary – 2 May, The Fiesta de la Comunidad de Madrid and 15 May, Fiestas de San Isidro.

*The bullfighting season starts in February, Madrid hosts the world’s largest bullfighting ring.

Barcelona: vibrant metropolis

An increasingly popular destination, Barcelona’s modern face is fashionable and vibrant but still holds the Spanish traditional spirit. Parts of the city are haunted by the spirit of the eccentric genius Gaudi who fantastic architecture dazzles the imagination.

Transport: how to get there and around

Barcelona’s international airport is located only 7.5 miles out of town. It is also possible to travel internationally to Barcelona by train. If coming from Italy or the Balearic Island another options is the ferry.

The town is pedestrian friendly which helps when exploring the sights on foot. If you want a faster way to get around, the metro is an easy option.

Weather

Summer temperatures can reach a simmering 34 C. The most pleasant weather is between May and July. When October comes around it starts to cool off with a little rain.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays

The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Barcelona.

Attractions & Events

With 15 official holiday days annually, Barcelona likes to celebrate.

*There are 10 days of fancy dress and dancing parades during Carnaval in Feburary-March.

*Catalunya’s patron saint, Sant Jordi is celebrated on the 23rd April.

*For dancing, music and theatre don’t miss Festival del Grec, from June to August.

*For something a little different, Festes de la Merce, has a swimming race and a fire race on the 24 September.

If you are planning to go on a vacation, you may wish to consider countries like Spain, France or Italy. In each of these countries, there are beautiful cities, towns and settlements. Each city has its own heritage, history, and story to tell. It’s easy to fall in love with the destinations once you get to know the place, the people, and the culture. Here are some highlights of the 3 countries.

Traveling in Spain.

Spain has many major cities that you can consider visiting. Some must see cities include Madrid, Barcelona, and Seville or Costa Blanca. Compared to other major cities, Madrid may not have the same beautiful architecture. However, it is rich in art culture, and is endowed with beautiful natural scenery. If you would like to visit magnificent churches and cathedrals, Barcelona would be a better option. This city started off as a tiny settlement surrounded by a defensive wall. It has evolved into a city that is bustling with activity.

Traveling in France.

When you think about France, you can’t help but think about Paris. Paris is the capital of France, and it’s also the largest city in France. This city is well known for the artwork that is produced by numerous famous artists. You must have heard of the famous landmarks – Eiffel Tower, the Cathedral of Notre Dame and the Louvre Museum.

The Eiffel Tower is perhaps the most well known among the three. It is often seen in movies, magazines, and books. Everyone is saying that if you haven’t seen the Eiffel Tower, you haven’t been to Paris.

If you are into musical performances and plays, France has Moulin Rouge to offer. This is a world renowned venue for top class musical performances. Every night, two performances are scheduled. Be sure to book your tickets early so as to avoid disappointment!

Traveling in Italy

There are many cities in Italy that are worth visiting. Some examples are Venice, Rome and Florence. Powerful citizens once lived in Rome. In ancient times, it was a city that was without electricity or cars. Because many affluent families live in Rome, slaves were a common sight. Today, many of the magnificent manors, villas and sculptures still remain. The slaves are long gone though.

In Florence, the highlights are the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia. These places are usually flocked with visitors though. You may have to make reservations to ensure that you are granted permission to enter. Tourists visiting Florence like to visit the museums as well as the town center and markets.

Venice is relatively small compared with the other major cities. St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace are usually crowded by mid day. When in Venice, you can choose to explore the city in a tour boat.

To get around these cities and visit more destinations, you may wish to hire a car. Car rental services are available at the airport. You can hire a car way in advance so that upon arrival, a rented car would be waiting for you.