Foreign tours are on everyone’s list of things to do, and why not? Travel is one of the most enriching experiences that a human can possibly have. Europe has been a favourite among travellers for several years, particularly because of the vast cultural and political history that pervades every aspect of the continent, and when it comes to culture, there are few nations that can match up to the beauty and idiosyncrasy of the Spanish people. If you’re planning on visiting Europe, you certainly want to keep Spain on the agenda, and if Spain is on the agenda, here are a few choice Spanish destinations to add to your itinerary.
Barcelona
The city of Barcelona is indisputably one of the world’s busiest cities; crowded, chaotic and bursting with treasures, some obvious and others hidden. Among the former, there are several architectural structures one can visit to gain a deeper insight into the Spanish identity, from the Park Guell to the Barcelona Cathedral and The National Museum of Art of Catalonia. On the slightly less obvious scale, Barcelona also hosts a range of music and arts festivals every year that attract several (albeit a smaller number of) tourists from all over the world. The Sonar Festival is one such extravaganza, celebrating the latest in cutting edge sound and visual art. You can’t possibly come to Spain and not indulge in a Barcelona holiday.
Madrid
Spaniards take their football very seriously, and Madrid is home to one of the world’s richest, and most reputed, football clubs. We’re talking about Real Madrid, of course, and if that name doesn’t ring a bell, Madrid is also home to its very racetrack, which last hosted Formula One in 1981. The Circuito del Jarama still hosts an array of motorsport events through the year. Bullfighting is another celebrated sport in Madrid, and the world’s largest bullring is present in the city. Needless to say, Madrid is a paradise for sport fanatics!
Ibiza
Forget sports or culture, if the purpose of your vacation is to party, drop everything else and head straight to Ibiza. Ibiza is a relatively small island, but it sure knows how to do things big. The world’s best DJs and electronic musicians have all manned the decks at Ibiza’s famous, sometimes notorious nightclubs. Partying at Ibiza can get expensive though, so be sure to handle your finances carefully. The nearby island of Mallorca hosts quite a riotous party scene as well, and is a great alternative to the Ibiza club scene.
Barcelona, Madrid and Ibiza are just three of Spain’s most beautiful destinations, but there are others that might appeal to different sensibilities. For some much needed peace and quiet, the coast of Costa Brava makes for a great escape, while if you are religiously inclined, the city of Santiago de Compostela will certainly soothe your soul. While it’s always confusing to pick a destination for your foreign, once you are in Spain you will probably forget why you were ever confused.
Ninad Chaudhari
