Archive for 'Must See Attractions in Spain'

When we travel, we want to see things that differ from our normal surroundings and experiences of the world and for many of us, that means escaping the hustle and bustle of the modern towns, suburbs, and cities in which we live to explore beautiful places steeped in heritage that make us feel as though we have somehow stepped back through history. A famous destination that fits this particular criteria to a tee is the city of Girona, in Catalonia. Utterly picturesque and maintaining a storybook historical appearance, this charming city is a must-see for those who have found a vacation rental in Catalonia and who are looking to discover a world and time beyond our own.

There is a reason why lots of different production companies have chosen to shoot in Girona, with “The Monk,” and, “Game of Thrones,” both having filmed various scenes in the city, among other films and television shows. The largest city in northern Catalonia, Girona is characterised by Roman origins, medieval walls, winding little streets to get delightfully lost in snaking about the city, one of the best-preserved Jewish Quarters in Europe, and distinctive historic palaces picked out in bright colours lining (and reflecting prettily in) the riverside. A decadent feast for the eyes, it is the type of town that greatly rewards idle wandering around without a purpose but also boasts plenty of specific attractions to pencil into an itinerary too.

The Basque Country of Spain is located to the north and centre of the country and is famous for being one of the best foodie destinations in the world, for its incredible art, architecture, and culture (boasting international film festivals, world-leading art institutions like that at Bilbao, UNESCO World Heritage sites aplenty), and for its truly beautiful beaches and stunning scenery. In the north of the region, you will find the province of Guipúzcoa, which is particularly famed for its food and is home to the Basque Coast where the region's most outstanding beaches are located. One such beach fronts the incredibly pretty capital of Donostia-San Sebastián.

Donostia-San Sebastián (or Donostia in Basque and San Sebastián in Spanish) is located in the Bay of Biscay, not far from the border with France, and is one of the most famous and popular tourist attractions in Spain. Put on the map by the San Sebastián International Film Festival, this very charming city in the Basque Country of Spain is a hub of culture and a serious looker. Surrounded by lush green hills and then clustered around a large and golden crescent-shaped beach lapped by aquamarine waves, the city is a jewel where stunning natural surroundings and landscapes meet exceptional architectural gems.

Thinking of a holiday in Spain when travel is possible once more but unsure of where to go? We completely understand because you are kind of spoiled for choice! No matter what sort of holiday you want, when you're going, who's going with you, or what kind of budget you have, there is something for everyone in Spain and a pretty endless list of stunning towns, resorts, and areas to choose from. Here is our guide to finding the right option for you!

Travelling solo?

If you're thinking about going it alone, one of the best Spanish destinations to choose is Barcelona. As it is a bustling metropolis, a cultural hot spot, a foodie heaven, and a seaside city, you'll hardly have the time or space to feel lonely and will find plenty of places to go out and mingle, if you so choose. Whether you want to sit alone with a good book sipping coffee or want to explore the party scene, you want to take in all of the attractions or just lie out on the beach and work on your tan, Barcelona can offer all of that and more.

Barcelona at sunset; a sea view in which sky and water alike are pastel dreams, a gentle breeze over the water cooling your skin after a long and sunny day of exploration, a great glass of wine in hand, a belly full of delicious local tapas, the night stretching long and full of possibility for partying, dancing, bar-hopping, or simply wandering the pretty streets of the city ahead of you.

This is the kind of image, the kind of moment that many of us, no doubt, are craving right now, in need of a break and relaxation given the stress and uncertainty of the current state of the world. Yet, unfortunately, for the time being, such an escape is yet a while away. However, that does not mean that we cannot indulge in some dreaming, advance planning, and adding of things to bucket lists.

All over the globe, we have had to adapt, as humans do so well, and have learned to do more things virtually in lieu of the real thing for the moment. And what a time in history to need to do that! While being unable to leave our homes is not ideal, at least we are safer when we have the luxury to do that and, if you have an internet connection, you have access to all sorts of incredible tools and resources to help stave off your wanderlust even just a little bit for now. From virtual tours of the world's best museums to regional recipes accessed in seconds at home to allow us to travel with our tastebuds, there has never been a better time to explore the world from your own sofa.

The town of Enciso is a tiny little gem, a historic and utterly picturesque little village with a permanent population of only around one hundred people, in the southern part of La Rioja in Spain. Little though it may be, it is, however, rather famous for some former occupants from a long, long time ago....dinosaurs!

You might not expect it but this tiny village, that you have likely never even heard of and that is very much off the regular beaten path for tourists, is actually a great place for dinosaur-lovers to come and see traces of those magnificent beasts from around 120 million years ago.

It was during this period in pre-history that this part of Spain was actually a swamp with a mild climate and incredibly dense vegetation. The dinosaurs that roamed the landscape in the area and walked the swampy lands had their footprints immortalised in stone due to the unique and perfect environment for preservation that existed there.