Spain presents tourists and visitors with a unique dichotomy between old and new. On one hand there are the ancient and majestic monuments, castles and architecture reminiscent of the Roman and Moorish occupations hundreds of years ago. In addition, the culture of Spain is also firmly entrenched in celebrating their colorful history in festivals, traditional Basque cooking, colorful costumes worn on celebratory occasions and a profound sense of identity.

Compare this to the cosmopolitan nature of many of the larger cities, the ultra modern beach resorts with world-class restaurants and entertainment, shopping high-end international brands in prestigious boutiques and the ultra modern architecture and designer clubs of cities like Barcelona.

The blending of old and new has been carried out seamlessly and the result is a country that has maintained its cultural identity while remaining on the leading edge of all that is modern. This harmonious collusion offers tourists one of the truly unique countries of the world for exploration or relaxation.

One of the main draws for visitors to Spain is its beaches. Being a coastal country there is no lack of shoreline and many long swaths of coastline have been developed into resort destinations. The Costa del Sol is one such popular coastal area, though there are many smaller more intimate areas like the Costa de la Luz, Ibiza, and the stretch between Palamos and Begur. The nearby Balearic Islands offer some of the best beaches in the country. Populated or deserted, high end resort accommodation or quaint guest house; Spain has it all.

If a city vacation is more your style then Spain has many which are fascinating and well suited to a great holiday. Granada is home to the world famous Alhambra monument, the romantic palace from the days of the Moorish sultans. The Olympic city of Barcelona, on the leading edge of Europe’s cosmopolitan cities or Madrid that is a bustling and frenetic city full of live music, discos and wild nightlife. Either city is a great choice for a holiday. The mountainous villages of Las Alpujarras offer a glimpse at a more pastoral way of life and one that blends harmoniously with nature. Or choose to visit the myriad hamlets that dot the countryside of Spain, each with their own sense of rural charm.

From skiing in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the morning and then sunbathing on the beach in the afternoon, Spain is one of the few countries in the world where these can be both done in one day. The tapas, the flamenco, running with the bulls, attending festivals, visiting art galleries… a trip to Spain can be called many things but boring is certainly not going to be one of them.