Spain Vacations

The English writer and avid traveller, George Orwell, wrote: “How easy it is to make friends in Spain.”  He was right. Travellers who immerse themselves in Spain’s social culture will surely have a rich experience, especially if you follow the Spanish schedule of “delaying the day” as Earnest Hemmingway said of the Spanish custom of staying up late and getting up late. The Spaniards seem to instinctively know how to balance work and play.  Stores close midday for a break, restaurants often begin their dinner service at 8PM and there are more bars per square mile in Madrid than any European capital city, placing social connections on top. All this makes for a wonderful vacation for the visitor who can succumb to the Spanish way of life.

Regardless of region, fútbal/football is a unifying sport. Knowledge of what soccer teams Real Madrid or FC Barcelona are up to will undoubtedly lead to fun interaction. Locals wildly cheer at their neighbourhood bar or get into the spirit of the game at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

Most people in Spain are Catholic. There are thousands of churches all of shapes and sizes across the country, where candles are lit and people attend mass, although only 20% of the population go to church regularly.  Islam is the county’s second largest religion, expanding 10 times in the last 30 years to three million Muslims.

The passionate dance of the country is the flamenco, which is enjoyed by the people of Spain as much as by visitors. Part Latin, part Gipsy with Jewish influences, this dance which embodies the Spanish spirit, is showcased at flamenco festivals and performances across the country.

Just as passionate but more brutal, the tradition of man subduing beast continues to this day in Plaza de Toros. Bullfighting was inspired by the invading Moors and this symbolic challenge continues to run from the spring to the fall in most cities on Sundays.

Spain in the fall and springtime, like many places in Europe, are lovely times to visit.  The sun beats down hotly in the summers and can be overwhelming while the winters are damp and chilly. However, there are advantages to being in Spain in the winter; fewer tourists and fresh walking weather in the cities and a well-timed sherry down a side street to warm the belly between museums goes a long way. Skiing in Spain is a special pleasure and in the Sierra Nevada which sits at 2100 meters and slopes as high as 3300 meters, you might even catch some powder.  

The summers are busy everywhere in Europe, and Spain is no exception. Get into the spirit of island or beach life, maybe off Costa Brava where people in skimpy bathing suits are jovial and water activity enthusiasts such as scuba divers, kite, wind or traditional surfers enjoy warmer water temperatures. The heat in cities like Madrid can be very dry so it is wise to take on the local custom of a siesta to avoid intense heat. Most stores are closed midday and with dinners beginning after 8PM, putting your feet up or sipping on a cold pitcher of sangria while the sun moves across the sky are fine ways of spending a summer afternoon in España.

The fifth largest country in Europe has a lot to offer; Roman aqueducts, medieval castles, endless vineyards, fairy-tale architecture, throbbing night clubs and packed or empty sandy beaches; it is hard to see it all in one go. Spain’s location on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, bordered to the south and east by the Mediterranean Sea; to the north and northeast France and Andorra; to the west and northwest Portugal makes for endless opportunities for adventure to suit every interest.

With both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines gracing its coasts, the Spanish territory also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the African Coast, with all the islands easy to get to from the mainland by ferries.  Visiting surrounding countries is relatively easy as Spain is part of the European Union. High-speed trains connect Spain with Portugal and France and are relatively inexpensive and comfortable, without the stress of getting lost driving on the motorways.  Pack as lightly as possible; the shopping in Spain is excellent. People dress well even when they are going for a stroll, or el paseo. You’ll have your best people watching opportunities in the early evening as couples and friends take to the streets in their favourite threads. Tipping is not essential in restaurants, but if you like your service, 10-15% is appreciated.

Food is celebrated and rarely rushed. Sunday lunches unfold unhurriedly. Dinners are eaten after the sun sets. The culture of Spain is personified on the dining table with family and friends talking for hours over favourite dishes and aperitifs, wines and coffee. The service is often slow, but no one seems to mind.  Hard, salty cheeses, dried black olives, almonds in paprika, green olive oil with crusty freshly baked bread, fruity sangria and the meal hasn’t even begun.  The Spanish like to take their time and enjoy the bounty of their agriculturally rich land. Fast food still hasn’t taken a hold on this country where hours are wiled away on patios in ancient squares over endless courses.

The style of cuisine; more seafood by the water and more meat inland, is also dependent on the history and traditions of the region. Spain is diverse and the food reflects this beautifully. In the Basque country, grilled tender meats and codfish; in Catalonia wild mushrooms and smoky eggplant pairs with a meaty tempranillo from Rioja. On the islands, sauteed artichokes fill platters and grilled cuttlefish with lemon are simply prepared but perfect.  Paella, a saffron infused rice and seafood dish can be found with regional modifications the country over. Gazpacho, a fresh tomato and vegetable could soup is so much part of the Spanish diet, MacDonald’s in Spain sell their own version.  For the very opposite of tradition, explore la nueva cocina, a style of avant-garde cooking invented by visionary chef, Barcelona born, Ferran Adrià. Molecular gastronomy involves freeze drying, liquid nitrogen or dry-ice, in an entirely modern take traditional Spanish fare.

Beer is not nearly as popular as wine in Spain, however Madrid’s brew, Mahou, is tasty. Wines are big and bold and even the whites are full bodied in this land where more vineyards exist than anywhere in the world. With 13% of the country planted with grape vines, it’s no wonder the Spanish drink their own.