How to Plan a Trip to Spain

Spain is so much more than a country of flamenco and bull fighting. It is a country of many languages, cultures, styles of life and food, full of art, architecture and history. From the sun soaked beaches in Andalucia to the rainy mountains and delicious cider of Asturias, one thing is guaranteed for any traveler to Spain: you won't be disappointed. At every turn you meet a different Spain, but each as welcoming as the last. But the more intriguing options you have, the more difficult it is to plan a trip. Here are some guidelines to planning your trip to Spain.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Guide Book.
• Internet Access.
• A bit of time.

1. Choose a Theme. If this is your first visit to Spain, then maybe you are looking forward to visiting the biggest, and most famous, cities: Madrid, Barcelona and Sevilla. If you've already seen and done the big cities, then your theme becomes important. Due to the size of the country and how much the regions vary, it is important to know what you are looking for. If you'd like a trip to discover Islamic architecture and the easy, warm life of relaxed Spain, then Andalucia is your place. If deep Spain is what you're after, including hearty meals, windmills from Don Quixote, castles and rural life, then try Castilla la Mancha and Castilla de Leon provinces. If you're looking for green hills, cave paintings and outdoor activities, try the north of Spain in the provinces of Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia. Each region has different food, different styles of architecture, and even different languages at times, but all are distinctly Spanish.

2. Choose a Path. After you have chosen your focused area of travel, you need to choose the path you're going to follow. Your guidebook can help you a lot here, giving you an idea of the things you want to see and how long it should take in each city. The guidebook should also be able to inform you about possible combination tickets which can include public transportation in Madrid and to a nearby town for a day trip, for example. Also, don't discount flying between major cities. There are many internal flights every day that can be much cheaper and faster than taking the train or the bus, but sometimes to get a good deal you must fly on a specific day. Be sure to check flight, train or bus schedules in order to plan the rest of your trip around these invariables.

3. Choose a Hotel. After planning the route and transportation, hotels seem like easy decisions. But you still need to be careful. Your decision should be based on more than the number of stars or price the hotel has. Instead, think of what you need from a hotel. If you are traveling by car and staying outside the city center, make sure there is convenient train or bus service near the hotel, both at night and in the morning. If you are staying in the center, ask about the parking. Don't assume that a hotel has parking or that it's free. Another consideration is the noise. Spaniards love staying out until the early morning hours (think 6 or 7 am). If you are planning to be out with them, then don't worry about a hotel in the center. But, if a good night's sleep is something you desperately need while traveling, you should research the location of your hotel carefully. Many times in Spain, the closer you are to the center, the noisier it is at night. However, most night clubs and bars will be focused in one specific area, so if you discover where that is, and avoid it, you won't have to sacrifice convenience for sleep.

4. Plan your sightseeing. Now it's time for the best part. Sightseeing. One important tip to keep in mind is that there are benefits in planning when you see certain things. Most museums offer an entire day, or at least an afternoon, when they are free. Most monuments and cathedrals, if they charge admission, also have a day when they are free or discounted. Conversely, museums and sights usually close a day during the week, and it's normally not on Sunday. Look carefully in the guidebooks or online for opening times or offers, as they can save you money and time.

5. Plan your day. Spaniards tend to do things a couple hours later than the rest of the world. This needs to be kept in mind for eating times (lunch between 1:30 and 4 pm, dinner between 8:30 to 11 pm), and shopping (except for in the largest cities, shops usually close for siesta, between 2 and 4 in the afternoon, give or take an hour depending on the location). This can be a blessing, however, if you are an early riser. By getting out to enjoy the city and the sights early in the morning (before 10 or 11), you will be free of the crowds and the heat of the day. Use the schedule of the Spanish to your advantage instead of fighting it.

[francisfour]

on 9/21/2009 Now I want to go to Spain. I love to travel but sometimes I just get scared of anything dangerous I might encounter but you just shook off my fears with this article. Thanks a whole bunch!!!!

[dlcass]

on 11/30/2008 My sister just went to Spain and she loved it. You make it sound so wonderful. I will mark it as one of the places I must see on this earth while I am here. Thanks for a great article.