While the peak time to visit is summer, it’s worth keeping in mind that it can get hot and some businesses close as residents make an exodus for the holiday season. You’re guaranteed moderate temperatures if you travel in spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November). For obvious reasons, these are the festivals seasons too. You can keep an eye on the latest program of events throughout the year.
The capital of Madrid embodies the exuberance and excitement of modern Spain. If you have the time to escape the usual tourist haunts, there’s so much to discover as you get to know what lies at the heart of this city. In the back streets and suburbs, the tapas, market places, cafes and bars are full of the clamour of daily life and the essence of local culture. The people are embracing and fun-loving and quick to share their stories with you. You’ll always feel at home here, particularly if you know the lingo.
Mind you, there’s plenty to be said for spending time on the tourist trail as well. The parks, palaces, markets and museums live up to their reputation as worthy ways to enjoy your days. These are places that inspired the works of great artists such as Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali and before them, Velázquez, Goya and El Greco. Madrid is an international hub for fine art throughout the centuries with Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Museo del Prado and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza all clustered together in what has been recently dubbed and the ‘Golden Triangle’. Doing all three is a must, whether you’re a novice to history and the arts or an enthusiast. If you want to make the most of it or send someone the perfect while they are visiting Madrid, check out our Gifting Owl tours for this fabulous and non-stop city.
While Sunday can hardly be called a day of rest, it is a chance to kick back and take in the El Rastro markets and antique stores. This is a popular pastime for locals as well as visitors. Or if that’s just too much after a Saturday night out and about doing the rounds of the night clubs, find your way to a quiet corner for a hot chocolate and churros. This customary cup full of deliciousness is one of the great pleasures in life and should be enjoyed as frequently as possible!
Speaking of sleepless cities, of all those that Spain can lay claim to, Barcelona is right at the top of the list. Give yourself plenty of time to see and do all that the remarkable heart of Catalonia offers. As Spain’s second largest city, Barcelona prides itself on its opulent architecture thanks to the genius mind of Antoni Gaudí, Michelin hat restaurants, lively nightlife and sun-drenched urban beaches that line the Mediterranean coastline. If you think this all sounds too good to be true, be prepared to be convinced because Barcelona is truly fascinating.
There are a few famous places to add to your must-do list. These include the architectural feats Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló and Casa Milà. All from the wild imagination of Antoni Gaudí, Spain’s foremost champion of Catalan Modernism, most of Gaudi's works are found in Barcelona and you will never witness anything like them, anywhere in the world. Although leaving this world more than 90 years ago, his crowning glory - the Sagrada Família - is still a work in progress.
If you love the performing arts, choral and orchestral classics, a night at the Palau de la Música Catalana is a feast for the senses. The diverse program offers something for everyone, so don't think it’s all high brow, even though you will be seated in the richest of settings. The building is Gaudi inspired and every bit the part when it comes to Catalonia
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If you’re more of an off-the-beaten-track type or the person you’re buying the gift for is, there are plenty of sites outside the city that will give hours of pleasure. Gifting Owl has a great tour of Collsacabra Cliffs Hiking And Rupit Medieval Town or a half day hike of Montserrat Natural Park - a gob-smacking experience where fans of English rock band Pink Floyd will find the Stairway to Heaven! This mountain range, with its towering bald peaks, is a powerful combination of nature and the divine with the centuries-old Benedictine abbey all part of the tour. If the spiritual aspect doesn’t appeal a hike of the La Garrotxa Volcanic Zone and Besalú Medieval Town is a worthy substitute.
If you’re a foodie, you’ll love Catalan cuisine. If you are buying a gift for a special occasion you can book at any one of the Michelin hat restaurants within the city - there are several. Or you can buy a gift voucher for an authentic home-cooked meal hosted by a local family. These experiences are a great treat because your gift recipient will often help to prepare the meal while enjoying the company of their hosts. They will hear stories and folklore, learn local customs and more about the region as they dine on delicious food, cooked and served in the spirit of a new friendship.
The Spaniards pride themselves on their fresh produce, their little bite-sized morsels of goodness found in the tapas bars, swilled down with an exotic cocktail spiced with vermouth or a glass of locally produced wine. These are daily fare - little luxuries that make life even grander, no matter what time of the day. It’s noteworthy that wine should be selected by the region rather than the grape. This tip will ensure you get a good drop if you take the time to look into the wine varieties of each region. Gifting Owl has a few options for those interested in wine tasting tours.
Just a footnote, if you’re travelling on a budget and after cheap and cheerful, Granada - in the country’s southern Andalusia region serves its tapas free with drinks.
Before leaving Catalonia, take the chance to head to Costa Brava for some serious sun-loving fun. The beaches and resorts of the region are exceptional and world-renowned. From the terraced hillsides of the main beaches to the protected coves and rocky outcrops - the coastline is picture perfect with sandy beaches fringed by an azure coloured sea. This is holiday central for anyone who loves to spend their days lapping up the good life.
Ahhh, Seville! The capital of the Andalusia region and according to street legend, the best place in the country for Flamenco dancing. So, pack your castanets and get ready to party! This is a city passionate about its history and culture. While Madrid boasts supremacy for bullfighting and its Las Ventas bullring, Seville stands as equally impressive with its La Maestranza ring. For a relatively small city, Seville also has its fair share of resplendent cathedrals and castles to keep history lovers enthralled for days. The city is famously also the final resting place of one of the world’s most noted explorers - Christopher Columbus. While Columbus was Italian by birth, he was revered by the Spanish monarchy, who funded many of his expeditions.
There is so much to fall in love in Spain that like Columbus, no matter where else you travel, you’ll want to keep coming back. The vibrancy and sheer celebration of life are palpable. The more regions you visit the more reasons you’ll have to return.
