Spain Guide
Beyond the flamenco, paella and party resorts, Spain is a rich mix of distinct regions with strong identities. Delve beneath the clichés to discover the weathered Basque Country, volcanic Canary Islands and orange blossom-filled Andalusia.
Fly to Madrid for the Hapsburg grandeur of the Plaza Mayor, and head west for baroque and Renaissance Salamanca. The titanium Guggenheim steals the limelight in northern Bilbao, Gaudí's eccentric Modernisme has left its stamp on east-coast Barcelona and the space-age City of Arts and Sciences catapults Valencia into the future. Moorish Granada and Seville's Gothic cathedral dominate the sultry south.
The rugged northern Basque coast boasts the Pyrenees as a backdrop, while Galicia's Rías Baixas fjords are brimmig with fish. Climb the peaks of the Picos de Europa and cross volcanic Timanfaya National Park by camel. Swim in the shallow waters of the Mar Menor salt water lake and ski in the Sierra Nevada.
Seek smoked ham from Jabugo and paella kits from Valencia. Treat yourself to jet-stone jewellery in Santiago de Compostela and designer labels in Madrid. Take home flamenco music from Seville, hand-painted ceramics from Talavera and mosaic wall tiles from Granada. Wines from La Rioja and Ribera and sherry from Jerez bring back memories of hot Spanish evenings.
Tuck into Galician-style octopus or Andalusian gazpacho (cold tomato and garlic soup). Nibble on olives, Serrano ham and Spanish omelette and feast on Valencia's seafood paella or suckling pig in Navarra. Wash down with Basque country cider, Catalonian cava, Mahón gin or wines from La Rioja to Canarias.
Bask in the night illuminations of Jean Nouvel's bullet-shaped Agbar Tower. Admire Emilio Ambasz' angular white House of Spiritual Retreat in Seville.
