Traveling To Spain - The Spanish Regional Travel Guide

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Traveling To Spain - The Spanish Regional Travel Guide


Up to 60 million visitors travel to Spain every year to delight in the country's 315 sunny days and its rich and diverse history and culture. As a result the Spanish government spend millions of Euros per year on the travel and transport infrastructure to service the country's growing population and its ever growing numbers of visitors.

Therefore Spain has to be one of the easiest and most affordable of the world's popular destinations in terms of its accessibility - particularly from the UK and Northern America. For example there are cheap flights available from all British airports to main and regional airports across Spain daily and direct flights from the main Spanish hubs to the US daily. As an alternative for British and European travelers there are fantastic countrywide train, coach and ferry links and great access for those who prefer to travel by car.

This article breaks down the main Spanish travel options by region.

Northern Spain - The easiest way to access this region is by plane from one of the main UK airports flying directly to Bilbao or from the US to Malaga with transfer to Bilbao. It's possible to connect with Iberia flights for connections across the North and throughout Spain. Alsa and Eurolines have sophisticated coach networks and it's possible to travel all the way across Europe to Bilbao or San Sebastian and then pick up local coaches or rail connections. You can also sail from the UK port of Plymouth to Santander with Brittany Ferries, or you could take the P & O route from Portsmouth to Bilbao.

Castile and La Rioja - The cheapest way to access these regions is possibly to fly to one of the main Spanish hubs - Barcelona, Bilbao or Madrid for example, and then either drive or get connecting flights. You can connect with Iberia for flights to Logrona in La Rioja or Valladolid in Castile. Castile, Rioja and Navarre are serviced by an excellent road network which makes getting around simple and again, Alsa coaches will connect you with major and minor destinations across the regions and the entire country.




Central Spain and Madrid - Central Spain's main airport is Madrid and it welcomes direct flights from all the major UK and US airports and some of the smaller ones as well. As Madrid is such a major city you can imagine it acts as an important travel hub for the whole of Spain. Coach and rail networks and main auto routes all radiate from the city. Madrid has two main stations with trains departing for regional and international destinations, and the city has an underground metro system as well.


Costa Blanca - Most visitors for this region enter via Alicante airport. With the Costa Brava well serviced by roads and Alicante airport offering great car hire opportunities many people prefer to access the rest of the region by road, though RENFE, Eurolines and Alsa offer excellent rail and coach alternatives.

Costa de Almeria - You're spoilt for choice when it comes to airports serving this region, you can fly to Alicante or Murcia and travel by road or rail into the region or you can fly direct to Almeria airport. The cheapest flights are often to Alicante. RENFE have mainline train services from Almeria to the city of Granada, Eurolines, Alsa and Enatcar all offer coach services across Costa de Almeria. The major routes in the region are the N340 which runs from Costa Calida through the town of Almeria and on south to the Costa del Sol, the A92 which connects with Granada and the A348 which connects Almeria with the Alpujarras. In terms of sea access, Transmediterranea have ferries from the port of Almeria to Northern Africa.

Costa del Sol and Andalucia - If you can't get a flight to this region of Spain you must be doing something wrong - or maybe just hoping to travel during peak season! The main airport is Malaga and nearly every single airline you can think of flies from almost every UK and US airport you can think of! If you can't get a flight and you're in the UK you might consider driving to the Costa del Sol! In which case your best bet would be to sail from Plymouth to Santander or from Portsmouth to Bilbao and then travel the 900 or so kilometers south. If you start off in Bilbao you'll need the A68 and A1 to Burgos, or from Santander take the N623 to Burgos - then from Burgos travel via the N1 to Madrid. From Madrid head to Granada, from Granada head for Malaga ... phew! Alternatively get a Euroline coach all the way from the UK to Estepona or Malaga or travel from Paris on the fast night train to Madrid and connect with the AVE fast train to Cordoba which in turn connects up with regional Costa del Sol services.


Whatever your final destination you should be able to find cheap flights to some of Spain's main airports and then use local and regional travel services to access your destination of choice; as I hope I've shown, the whole of Spain is incredibly easily accessible.
Traveling To Spain - The Spanish Regional Travel Guide Originally published in Shvoong: http://www.shvoong.com/f/humanities/5482-traveling-spain-spanish-regional-travel/

Spain Travel III - Cordoba - Best places to visit

Review:Iulia

Cordoba La Mezquita - the most beautiful and original building of all Spain. The Cathedral Puente Romano: Roman bridge over Guadalquivir river, consisting of 16 arcs and once forming part of the Roman Via Augusta. In the central part of the bridge was added a monument to San Rafael, the town's patron, in 17th century. Torre de Calahorra: Arabian fortification at the Southern end of Puente Romano, originally consisting of two towers connected by an arc, to which was added a third tower in 14th century. Along the river there are rests of Moorish mills, most important being the mill of Albolafia, which was pumping water up to the gardens of the Alcazar. Vis-a-vis there is a Baroque monument to San Rafael of 1781. Alcazar de los Reyes CristianosXI (very beautifull) The Palace of the Christian Kings, built in 1328 by Alfonso, was residence until the reconquest of Granada. Here was kept prisoner the Moorish caliph Boabdil. In the interior of the palace there are remarkable Ara bian baths, Roman mosaics and a sarcophagus of of marble from 3rd century. Originally there were four towers at the corners of the Alcazar, three of which can be seen still today: the Torre de Los Leones, the oldest, which forms the entrance to the palace, the octagonal Torre del Homenajeand the round Torre del Rio. The fourth tower, Torre de la Vela, was destroyed in 19th century. What to eat: Gazpacho and Salmorejo, delicious and refreshing cold soups made mainly of mashed vegetables and olive oil is the indispensable first dish during the hot season. Equally indespensable is Jamon, cured ham, which is produced in extraordinary quality especially in Valle de los Pedroches. Salchichon de Pozo Blanco, a typical sausage, Caña de Lomo and Morcilla, blood sausage, are more specialities.

Despite of the hot climate, there are of course as well warm dishes: you should try specially the ragouts of oxtail, Estofado de Rabo de Buey, and of lamb, Cordero en Caldereta. The typical desserts mostly show Arabian influences: Alfajores, made of almonds and honey, Pestiños, a sweet fried in oil and covered with honey, and Pastel Cordobes are the best known. Cordoba: Excursions The Ruins of Medina-Azahara (8 km out of Cordoba) In 936 caliph Abdul Rahman decided he needed a new residential town, and had built Medina Azahara, at that time the largest town in all the region, by 10.000 workers within 25 years. 4.300 columns, all of them originating from older buildings in all the Mediterranean area. On top of a hill there was the palace, Alcazar Califal, below the administrative district with parks and gardens, while the actual town was located in the flat land. Chroniclers tell us about the extraordinary beauty of the palaces "Throne Hall" and "Golden Salon", both with arcs of ebony and ivory and ornaments of marble, gold and precious stones. In the center there was a basin filled with mercury, which reflected the rays of sunshine. This colossal work existed for only 74 years - then it was conquered and destroyed by the Bereberes. Most of the artworks were stolen, and many of them were lateron integrated in the many palaces of Cordoba. Medina-Azahara was all but forgotten, until archaeologists started to excavate it in 1910.
Spain Travel III - Cordoba - Best places to visit Originally published in Shvoong: http://www.shvoong.com/internet-and-technologies/392522-spain-travel-iii-cordoba-best/

Spain Travel Trip - Zaragoza - Best places to visit

Review:Iulia

Zaragoza - It was founded some 2000 years ago, and Old-Iberians, Romans, Goths and Arabians equally left their heritage. Zaragoza as well includes important buildings of Spanish baroque. Zaragoza, capital of Aragón, is often said to be the most Spanish city in Spain. The city's appeal lies in the fact that it has been left relatively untouched by tourism: most travellers know it only as a train station on the way from Barcelona to Madrid. Attractions include the Aljafería, the greatest Moorish edifice outside Andalucía, the Roman Forum of ancient Caesaraugusta, The Basilica de Nuestra Señora del Pilar. This church is one of the most visited places of pilgrimage in all Spain, consecrated to the "Holy Virgin of Pilar". Palacio de la Aljafería This splendid king's palace of 11th century is one of very few remaining Moorish buildings of the dynasty "Taifas". La Audiencia, in the street Conde de Aranda, was built in 1551and served as residence to the Counts of Morata. It is considered one of the most beautiful palaces in Aragón. The Roman Town-Walls The rests of the Roman fortifications, of 3rd century, are a landmark of Zaragoza. Very well conserved parts you can find close to the Tower of Zuda and to the church Iglesia de la Magdalena, alongside Ebro river. Excursiones: 24 kilometer from Uncastillo is located Sos del Rey Católico, another town which seems to be a medieval museum. It is surrounded by impressive town-walls with seven doors, and has a fortress that is well worth seeing. When you walk through its picturesque narrow lanes you may think that time really has stood still here for 700 years. Finally you arrive to Yesa, in a great landscape with an impressive storage lake, known as "Lago de los Pirineos".

The Route of Wine Cariñena is the home of the well-known wine D.O. Cariñena. Apart of offering the possibility to try this great drink at the place where it is produced, this small town is worth a visit also for its colossal town-walls, its town-hall in typical aragonesian style of 16th century, and its fortificated baroque-church. The church Santuario de Nuestra Señora de las Lagunas, at 7 kilometers from Cariñena, is certainly one of the most beautiful baroque buildings in all the region. In Fuentetodos you may visit the birth-place of great artist Goya. Daroca is enclosed by town-walls of 4 kilometers length, with beautiful doors you have to pass still today to enter the town. Its skyline, with at least 100 towers in Arabian style, is truly breath-taking. What to eat : Some of the best known regional specialities are: Bacalao al Ajoarriero, cod-fish with garlic and eggs, Huevos al Salmorejo, eggs with a sauce of asparagus, Longaniza de Fuentes", a highly appreciated kind of sausage, Ternasco Asado, roasted veal, Pollo a la Chilindrón, chicken in a sauce of cured ham, tomatoes, onions and paprika, Cordero a la Pastora, "Lamb Sheppard's style", Lomo de Cerdo a la Zaragozana, cutlett, and Recao, made of beans, potatoes and rice. The excellent wines of the region, Cariñena, Borja, Paniza, Lecera and Valle de Jalón, are a perfect company to the recipes mentioned above. Traditional sweets are Turrones, Roscones and Mostillo.
Spain Travel Trip - Zaragoza - Best places to visit Originally published in Shvoong: http://www.shvoong.com/f/internet-and-technologies/392527-spain-travel-trip-zaragoza-best/

Spain Travel Trip - LA MANCHA - Best places to visit

Review:Iulia

La Mancha This region, made famous by Cervantes in his "Don Quijote", presents itself exactly as the visitor expects. In Illescas, located half on the way between Toledo and Madrid (at 35 km from each), we find traces of a very old history, from Palaeolithic to middle-ages. The most important monuments are: the Hospital Nuestra Señora de La Caridad, founded by Cardinal Cisneros. In its interior there are exposed 5 paintings of El Greco; the church Iglesia de Santa Maria, of 13th and 14th century, with its well-known tower called Giraldilla de Sagra; the church Iglesia de las Terciarias, with its Puerta de Ugena, an 11th century Arabian door. Esquivias was the home-town of Cervantes. Ocaña is worth a visit because of its Roman rests, its elegant Renaissance palace and its beautiful main square, Plaza Mayor, of 18th century. Tembleque , very typical in its regional style, offers an original Plaza Mayor, with beautiful galleries. The Route of the Castles A large number of old castles you can find in this region.

To visit the most important of them, start your journey in Guadamur, with one of the most beautiful medieval fortresses of all Spain. Barciense has a gothic castle, and in Torrijos, the old residential town of Pedro I. the Cruel you will see the Colegiata with its extraordinary plateresque portal. The castle of Maqueda , of 15th century, was built over an old Arabian fortress. It shows beautiful elements of Mudejar-style. This town was of great strategical importance and so a lot of famous battles were fought here. In the manorial Escalona , hometown of Infante Don Juan Manuel, there are the ruins of its impressive Alcazar. What to eat – Perdiz Estofado – con beans Perdiz con Pochas; Potato omlette –Tortilla a la Magra; Queso Manchego (cheese); Marzipan cheese. Wines: D.O.C. La Mancha y Mentrida.
Spain Travel Trip VI - LA MANCHA - Best places to visit Originally published in Shvoong: http://www.shvoong.com/f/internet-and-technologies/392531-spain-travel-trip-vi-la/