Spain is Culture!

No matter where you go in Spain you will find history, museums, arts and music - coupled with beautiful cities, monuments, gardens, religious buildings and more. In fact there is so much heritage, it is fair to say - Spain is Culture!

Alongside this incredible depth of arts and culture, Spain is also blessed with beautiful landscapes. Snow-capped mountains from the Pyrenees in the north to the Sierra Nevada in the south. Breathtaking coastline from Mediterranean Islands like Majorca and Ibiza to jet-setting beach resort such as Marbella. No wonder it is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.

Spain has 55 UNESCO World Heritage sites, which makes it the country with the second largest number of UNESCO sites in the world. These treasures reflect the variety and cultural richness of Spain: monumental buildings, historic quarters and architectural sites as well as landscapes, nature reserves, routes of religious pilgrimage and ethnological traditions.

You will find everything from Pre Roman pottery to the religious architecture of the Sephardic times when synagogues, mosques and churches stood together in peaceful coexistence. And from the explosion of music, art and learning during the Renaissance to today’s hub of modern artistic expression in all forms.

Next year is the 400th anniversary of the death of painter El Greco. El Greco combined Greek tradition, Venetian colour and Roman design – but it was in the Spanish city of Toledo where he was to flourish until his death. There are special exhibitions in Toledo and at the Prado Museum in Madrid to mark his achievements. But Spain’s artistic treasures span the centuries. In Madrid there are upcoming major exhibitions of Salvador Dali and Surrealist art, as well as works by Cezanne at the Museum Thyssen-Bornemisza.

Madrid is one of the world’s great cities. Founded in 1202, it was in 1561 that Philip II moved the Imperial Court from Toledo to Madrid, creating it as the capital city of Spain. Phillip II ruled over an empire "where the sun never set" - and commenced the construction of the awe inspiring monastery-palace of El Escorial.

Interestingly, in 1580 the king commissioned El Greco to paint an altarpiece of The Martyrdom of St Maurice for the church of El Escorial. But when Philip saw it, he relegated the painting to an obscure place in his collection and commissioned Romulo Cincinnato to paint a replacement for the altar. El Greco never worked for the king again. You can still see the two paintings today at the Escorial and judge for yourself which you prefer.

A cosmopolitan European centre with exciting nightlife - there is so much to explore in Madrid! One travel tip is that there are walking and biking tours every day of the year. Madrid also has distinctive and succulent cuisine – including the famous Tapas. Tapas are snacks, canapés or finger food served in restaurants, bars and cafés. Tapas can be anything from a chunk of tuna, cocktail onion and an olive skewered on a long toothpick, to piping hot meat with sauce served in a miniature clay dish - or anything in between.

To complement the food there is, of course, Spanish wine! Major Spanish wine regions include the Rioja and Ribera del Duero - known for Valdepeñas (the wine drunk by Hemingway). Jerez is the home of the fortified wine Sherry.

And the folklore and festivals of Spain are virtually limitless! From the famous Sanfermines bull-running festival in Pamplona, to the Fallas bonfire festival in Valencia and the religious processions of Easter week. Spain even celebrates “World Tapas Day”!

Spain Trip Showcase

Spain is very accessible with seasonal direct flights from Canada. Once there - the fabulous hi-speed train network is a great way to explore, and tourists benefit from special fares with the Renfe Spain Pass.

Or – if you want to see as much as possible with no stress – consider an escorted journey with Insight Vacations.

Insight Vacations offer carefully curated itineraries with the ideal balance of included sightseeing and leisure time. Travel in comfort in a smaller group of maximum 40 in a luxury coach. You can relax in the care of your knowledgeable tour director, who is the expert in the region and your “traveling concierge”. There are plenty of opportunities to engage with the local people and artisan producers so you truly experience the destination, its history and culture. Plus you will enjoy memorable dining highlights and local restaurants.

The 10 day “Highlights of Spain” escorted journey is true to its name with all the high points of this fascinating country; the Alhambra in Granada, the Modernist architecture of Barcelona, Madrid’s Prado Museum, the Andalusian capital of Seville and Cordoba’s Mezquita to name but a few. For the full itinerary – click here.