ANDALUCIA
If any region could be said to represent Spain, then that region would be Andalucia, matching the popular image of Spain of bullfights, sherry and flamenco. With the narrow winding streets of its towns, relaxed pace of life and lively cities where you can either explore art, enjoy a tapas crawl or catch some live flamenco, Andalucia offers tremendous variety. Highlights include the stunning Moorish architecture in Granada, Cordoba and Seville, the incredible gorge at Ronda and its pretty surrounding white towns. Also worth experiencing is a tour of a sherry bodega in Jerez.
MADRID AND AROUND
In the centre of the country the capital Madrid has an excellent selection of art, ranging from some staggering works by Velasquez, Goya and El Greco in the Prado to Picasso’s masterpiece Guernica, which when seen in the flesh amazes with its emotional power and sheer size. Madrid makes a great short break destination, with a number of fine restaurants and plenty to do, from relaxing in the Parque del Buen Retiro to shopping in the huge Sunday flea market, El Rastro. There are also a number of day trips that can be taken from Madrid, including the medieval city of Toledo, the Roman city of Segovia with its impressive aqueduct, and the majestic palace and monastery of El Escorial.
NORTHERN SPAIN
Although receiving fewer visitors than many other parts of Spain the north has many delights: The medieval city of Santiago de Compostela, the end of the road for pilgrims following the Camino de Santiago the fine beaches and award-winning restaurants of San Sebastian and the beautiful Picos de Europa and rugged coastal cliffs of Asturias.
BARCELONA AND SURROUNDINGS
A modern and cosmopolitan city which has some superb museums, Barcelona is also renowned for its outstanding gothic architecture. The beach towns of the Costa Brava offers some smaller isolated beaches and tranquil low-key fishing villages.
VALENCIA AND THE EAST
The area around Valencia is one of the country’s most fertile regions and is crowded with orange and lemon groves. Home of the paella, Valencia is emerging as a modern city thanks largely to the impressive new Arts and Science Park and the city has a noisy and boisterous nightlife.