Spain

Spain is drenched in the historical pageantry of empire and conquistadors, the artistic legacy of Goya, Picasso and Dali, and the romance of Don Quijote, Papa Hemingway and the International Brigades. Spain has four official languages, two major cities of almost equal importance and a greater range of landscapes than any other European country. It is separated from the rest of Europe by the Pyrenees and reaches south to the coast of North Africa. It has both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines and incorporates two archipelagos - the Balearics and the Canary Islands. As the largest of the Balearics, Majorca holidays are renowned for fine sandy beaches, plenty of sunshine and lively nightlife. Despite its popularity, the discerning visitor can still step off the tourist track and discover tranquil villages and hidden coves that typify the real Majorca. Majorca flights take you to the island’s capital Palma. On an island whose name is associated with mass tourism, the capital surprises the visitor with its cultural richness, evident in the sumptuous churches, grand public buildings and fine private mansions that crown the Old Town. For many people, Andalucia is Spain - a heady mix of guitars and flamenco, matadors and fiesta, where whitewashed hill villages contrast with grand Moorish palaces. Its capital, Seville, houses one of Spain's oldest bullrings with a Baroque facade. From the hot sands of the Costa del Sol to the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Andalucia is beautiful and diverse, and waits to seduce you! Catalonia is a unique corner of Spain, bordered by the Pyrenees to the north and the Mediterranean to the east. The individuality of the Catalan people is irrepressible, as you will discover in the flamboyant architecture of Barcelona. Barcelona is more than just the capital: in culture, commerce and sport, it not only rivals Madrid, but also considers itself on a par with the greatest European cities. Central Spain is a land of castles, mountains and rich rolling plains providing a natural setting for some of Spain's most fascinating cities, magnificent palaces and picturesque towns and villages. This is both the geographical and spiritual heart of Spain, and raised on a plateau at the centre of a sun-baked plain, you'll find Madrid, Europe's highest capital city. Most tourists to Spain come for the beaches but, increasingly, foreign visitors are being drawn by its rich cultural heritage and spectacular countryside. Anyone who knows this country, however, will tell you that it's the Spanish people's capacity to enjoy life to the full that is Spain's biggest attraction.