Sports and Outdoor Activities

Switzerland is heaven for outdoorsines of all kinds so it is no wonder that the Swiss are among the fittest, healthiest and most active people on the planet. There is something in the Swiss air that makes you want to go outside and play and children as young as toddlers hit the slopes and start skiing. Swiss grandparents also are a common sight on the Alpine trails where they hike and cycle and enjoy the great outdoors.

The luge and bobsleigh were invented in Switzerland and sledging its oldest winter sport. Grindelwald has a sledge run 15km long and is very popular with Swiss families. Almost every Swiss village has an outdoor ice-skating rink so ice-skating is also especially popular. Most resorts have indoor rinks for figure skating and hockey games. The Swiss also enjoy the game of curling, a kind of bowling on ice. One of the best winter sports destinations in the world, Switzerland also attracts skiers and snowboarders. Alpine skiing is very popular and there are more than 250 skiing areas. Zermatt and Saas Fee even have underground metro trains. Swiss ski passes can be very expensive but families with children can enjoy good discounts. For cross-country skiing, the Loipen trails are laid on signposted routes fanning out from most resorts. Snowboarding is also massively popular. Other winter sports include mono-skiing which is similar to head-on snowboarding, ski-joring where one is pulled along by galloping horses,  snow-biking where you cycle on snow and spectator sports like horse racing, cricket, polo and golf tournaments all conducted on frozen lakes. Dog-sled races held across the country is also fun to watch.

Walking is a great activity in Switzerland as the country is blessed with some of the best walking terrain in Europe with a lot of variety. The Jura hills in the northwestern part of Switzerland provide amazing views of the flatlands and the highlands. Another popular walking terrain is found in the Bernese Alps, where you will find idyllic ridges and valleys as well as enchanting hamlets. Trails here are well-marked like in most of Switzerland. In Ticino, the mountains there have trails linking the modest lake-jewelled peaks which are completely without ice or snow in summer. From flat strolls through parkland to risky ledges and glacier crossings, Switzerland, with its vast distance of marked trails has something for everyone.

Spas

Switzerland is a favourite destination for recovering from illness or seeking to improve their health. With its pure alpine air and therapeutic hot springs, it offers all kinds of relaxing treatment courses that range from traditional methods to the latest in cutting-edge technology.

The country’s most famous spa is Therme Vals. The Thermal pools are of cutting-edge quartzite design and its wellness centre provides aromatherapy, kelp wraps and acupressure among other treatments. Switzerland also has spa towns that combine ancient traditions and modern comforts. In Bad Ragaz, the mineral-rich water is piped down from a hot spring in a nearby gorge and used in the treatment of rheumatic, neurological and circulatory disorders. The waters in Lenk are strong in sulphur and good for treating respiratory disorders. The highest spa in Switzerland is St Moritz, which has sparkling carbonated springs. Yverdon-les-Bains has a large modern spa complex with both indoor and outdoor thermal pools, fitness facilities, Turkish baths and mud baths while the village of Leukerbar boasts of being Europe’s largest alpine spa, with 65 thermal springs, 22 thermal baths and a large hydrotherapy/balneotherapy treatment centre.

Festivals

This is a country of numerous and colourful festivals that can be religious, cultural and local. The rich cultural calendar is exciting and visitors can enjoy the age-old markets, the traditional fairs, performing arts and music festivals, gastronomic feasts, village celebrations as well as Alpine rites of passage. Yodelling events are held in the springtime and in July, the Swiss Alpine Yodelling Championships are held. Swiss wrestling is also popular in rural areas where in the weekends spectators enjoy the sport locally called Schwingen that is accompanied by traditional markets, beer-drinking and hearty sausage-feasting. These are held in central and eastern Switzerland in the summer months. Carnival is also exciting and colourful and celebrated in the Catholic cantons where parades are held in the streets with music and funfairs all around. The fasnacht is held in February and popular in Lucerne, Basel and Bellinzona.

Sometime between the end of May and June, farmers with their families and neighbors dress up for a festive occasion in embroidered vests, knickers, blouses with puffy sleeves and alpine hats. The farmers then lead their cows up into the hills for the summer. The cows are usually richly adorned with lavish bouquets and wear a large ceremonial bell, with each one wearing a bell that has its own unique ring. It is possible to visit an alp and see how the farmers live while they are in the high pasture. A convenient choice is in Moleson-sur-Gruyeres, located near Gruyeres. Visitors will be able to see how the Gruyere cheese is made here. Some farmers even offer a program where you rent a cow in the summer, which you can visit and milk and you can worth together with the farmers before enjoying a snack on the alp. If the cows have been brought down to the valley, you can then join in the festivities when the most beautiful cow in the village is chosen and purchase some of your cow’s cheese.

Switzerland Weather and Climate…

For such a small country, Switzerland offers an astonishing variety of climates: the chilly mountain weather is quite diverse from the milder temperatures encountered near Lake Geneva or the balmy Swiss-Italian Lake District. The varied seasons that Switzerland experiences are all lovely: Spring bringing forth its burst of colours, blooming wildflowers and glorious weather, Summer with its mild and cheery sunshine, Autumn and its mellowing vineyards with their red and gold and Winter, wrapping villages in blankets of snow.

The climate can therefore be very diverse, with temperatures reaching 36 degrees Celsius in July at low levels of altitude and snow in the Alps. On the flip side, it can be snowing heavily in early October in the west in Graubunden but quite pleasant in Basel in the east. Wherever and whenever you go to Switzerland, you are likely to encounter many climate changes although generally, in the summer months, you can expect the lower altitudes to be pleasantly warm during the day. Jura is the coldest area which can be extremely cold in winter. Ticino, in the south has a hot Mediterranean climate but Switzerland generally has a central European climate with daytime temperatures hovering between 18 and 28 degrees Celsius in the summer and -2 to 7 degrees Celsius in winter.

The cities of Geneva, Zurich, Bern, Lucerne, Basel and Lugano and the smaller regional towns are best visited in the summer months of June, July, August and September as at other times of the year, they can get quite chilly and receive their own generous share of snow in the winter. With its glittering sunshine and frozen lakes and rivers, the cities can also be a romantic winter wonderland where you also are spared from the rush to find accommodation that can happen during the more popular summertime. Spring and autumn are quieter and excellent seasons for exploring the countryside as the mountains are particularly beautiful in the spring, with blooming wild flowers. The folk festivals also take place usually in spring or autumn. However, watch out for the Fohn, a hot and dry wind that sweeps down into the valleys and can be uncomfortable as it strikes most frequently in spring and autumn.

The two main seasons for winter sports run from June to October and from mid-December to mid-April. Between these times, most mountain resorts close down altogether. In the ski resorts, a good covering of snow and ice is expected till the end of March, with the high season being Christmas and New Year and February to mid-April. The Easter holiday weeks are also a very crowded period on the slopes. The best-known Alpine region is the Bernese Oberland focused around the tourist hub of Interlaken, while to the south, in Valais, lie Verbier, Crans-Montana and at the foot of the emblematic Matterhorn is Zermatt. Justifiably popular, all these places boast some of the west winter skiing and summer hiking in Europe. For less touristy regions, head to the Jura mountains in the northwest where in the summer, the gorgeous landscape is ideal for long lonely walks and bike rides. The wild valleys of Alto Ticino in the south lace the southern foothills of the Alps and also offer scenic and less-known hiking trails perfect for walks.

Handy Switzerland Travel Guide…

Switzerland is a truly beautiful country with more than 70 per cent of its land covered by the Alps. Its ski resorts and winter sports opportunities are unrivalled in the world. However, Switzerland offers visitors much more than just mountains and snow. It is true that it renowned for its craggy mountains framed by ethereal, delicate clouds. But visitors can also delight in the burst of green meadows dotting the ledges of the mountains; gushing rivers rushing through thin gorges; sparkling blue lakes and picture-perfect villages. It is no wonder Switzerland has been land that has inspired many with its natural beauty.

Known as Helvetia to the natives, Switzerland is made up of 26 cantons, each maintaining its own autonomy and a separate identity and three of those cantons are half-cantons, each with their own constitutions and elected regional assemblies. Because it is a relatively small country, it is one of the easiest countries in Europe to travel around. It is 323 kilometres wide and 161 kilometres long and it takes just eight hours to go from east to west by train. The public transport system is fully integrated and is clean and efficient.

Switzerland has much to offer to visitors from the breath-taking alpine scenery or the serene lakes, to the cultured cities and towns and all kinds of adventure and winter sports. There are delightful restaurants and cafes and elegant hotels and spas. However you decide to spend your time in Switzerland, you can be guaranteed of wonderful memories.

The city of Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is a great place to start as it has a beautifully preserved medieval centre. The arcades, colourful fountains, ornamental clock and the famous Bear Park BarenPark have been known to delight visitors from all over. There are magnificent views from the city to the vast mountain peaks of the Bernese Oberland. Geneva, the country’s most cosmopolitan city also attracts visitors who are fascinated by its history. There is definitely a kind of sophistication in its beauty and nationalities from all over the world can be found here. In fact, this is where the European headquarters of the United Nations is located and Geneva is considered an international center for banking and commerce with splendid hotels, fine restaurants, interesting museums and splendid shopping. On top of that, it also has one of the most attractive medieval sections in Switzerland and is home to the symbolic Jet d’Eau fountain on the lake.

Other great Swiss cities to visit include Zurich and Basel which are crammed with world-class museums and galleries. In Zurich, there is a flourishing arts scene and underground club culture for an exciting and vibrant nightlife. Basel, dominated by the river Rhine has charming little wooden ferries that cross the river. Its unique location – at the junction of three countries – is also a featured attraction for visitors.

There are almost limitless possibilities for exploring the great outdoors in Switzerland. The Alps run across the center and south of the country with both huge and tiny resorts and gorgeous scenery. The village of Zermatt, dominated by the massive Matterhorn mountain is a world-famous resort for you to take in Switzerland’s most iconic landmark. There are nice restaurants, luxurious hotels and designer shops in this car-free village. The best-known Alpine region is the Bernese Oberland, home to the most diverse range of mountain experiences in Switzerland. It features lake steamers and a revolving restaurant at almost 3000 metres high.

More Information About Switzerland…

Switzerland has a unique geography that is breathtakingly beautiful. The Jura Mountains, in the northwestern section of Switzerland provide a majestic backdrop to the towns and cities while more than half of the southeastern regions are dominated by the Alps. In between these two mountainous areas the lush lowlands sweep from Lake Geneva diagonally across the country to Lake Constance. This is a truly scenic country with its picturesque villages, deep mountain gorges, awe-inspiring Alpine peaks, gleaming glaciers, beautiful blue lakes and quaint chalets.

This picture-perfect country is also known for its policy of neutrality in foreign and defence policies. One of the utmost principles of Switzerland’s foreign policy is the non-participation in wars between other countries and the permanent state of neutrality. Since the early 16^th century, the Swiss has undertaken a policy of neutrality and it maintained social harmony in a country comprising citizens with cultural ties to neighboring countries and speaking German, French and Italian. German is spoken all over central and northern Switzerland, Italian to the South and French in the west while Romansh is spoken by a small group of people in the southeast. English is widely spoken in the bigger cities.

The foundations of the Swiss Confederation were laid down in 1291 when three small cantons formed an alliance against their foreign overlords, the Habsburgs. The legend of William Tell is known all over the world as this famous hero in Swiss history won a reprieve from his death sentence (he refused to acknowledge Habsburg power) by shooting an apple off his son’s head with a crossbow. The initial three cantons were then joined by other cantons and the alliance expanded. However, it was not until 1848 that a central government was established and modern Switzerland came into being. Switzerland is not a part of the EU and retains its own currency, the Swiss franc (CHF).

The Swiss are known to be very efficient, hard-working, extremely clean and organised, orderly, obedient and overly cautious. The UK’s Guardian newspaper wrote that the Swiss are “probably the most fortunate people on the planet” as they are “healthy, wealthy and…wise”. The Swiss indeed enjoy an excellent quality of life and standard of living as this country is one of the world’s richest and its citizens can expect excellent health services, all-round security and efficient public transport. The Swiss have the greatest life expectancy in Europe and it is no wonder as the population pay attention to their diet, are concern about the environment and spend a great deal of time in sporting activities. They also take part in one of the country’s many festivals which can include folk-dancing, street-barbecuing and general merriment. The country’s biggest music festival is the Montreux Jazz Festival that does not just concentrate on jazz. It also features blues, rock, dance and world music in Bern, Nyon and St Gallen. In Lucerne and Basel, carnival is celebrated in mid-February and spring festivals in Zurich and Lausanne. Together with autumn festivals celebrated all around the country, these festivals keep traditions alive with its costumes and cuisines stretching back to the Middle Ages.

Getting around Switzerland is a breeze as there are plenty of modes of transportation to choose from. This land of lakes and rivers has river boats and lake steamers to give you an enchanting ride. The buses are well-known for their dependability and excellent service and the rail systems one of the most remarkable in the world. Trains depart on the dot and all connections are integrated and scheduled to synchronise both efficiently and conveniently. Taxis can be very expensive however so you might want to avoid these.

Shopping in Switzerland

As in many other countries, souvenirs and trinkets can be found in most places but for an exceptional selection of art and handicraft items from the surrounding region, look for Schweizer Heimatwerk, an upmarket and exclusive chain selling Swiss-made, beautifully crafted games and wooden toys, ceramics, jewellery, textiles and ceramics and other things. While in Zurich, on the Limmat Quai just across the train station, visit the Schweizer Heimatwerk boutique there as it is a marvellous crafts store that features works from all over the region. You can also find their boutiques at Zurich and Geneva airports and in the town centres of Zurich and Basel.

Switzerland is known for many products and is also sometimes dubbed the land of brands. Unsurprisingly, it offers plenty of shopping opportunities and perhaps one of the best products this efficient country is known for are its watches. With names like Cartier, Patek Philippe, Tag Heuer, Rolex and Rado, it produces high quality, exclusive and extremely upscale watches sought after worldwide. The regulatory body for the Swiss watches industry is the Federation de l’Industrie Horlogere Suiss (Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry) and has links to every Swiss watchmaker found on its website www.fhs.ch. The most famous company selling watches in Switzerland is Bucherer which has branches in Bern, Basel, Geneva and Zurich, among other cities. If you’re looking for a Swiss brand of watches that might be more affordable, Swatch is a great buy with its exciting and colorful designs.

Besides watches, the Swiss army knives are also world-famous and the original and leading brand is Victorinox, which has become a design icon. Since supplying knives to the Swiss army in 1893, the the Swiss army knife has been continuously redesigned, with new features added to meet the changing needs and preferences of both military and private consumers. There are even knives with memory sticks these days. Another brand, Wenger is also well-known and produces official Swiss army knives. Knives cost around CHF 7.50 to CHF 200, depending on its design and functionality.

Women will love the Swiss brands like Akris and Bally. Akris is Switzerland’s largest clothes manufacturer that has only recently forayed into making handbags. In 2010, it released the Ai bag and the Amata clutchbag, both made of woven horsehair. For footwear, Bally is known all over the world for providing quality and comfort in its elegant footwear and another brand that is lesser known but nevertheless a Swiss favourite, is Navyboot, a national chain that has great boots and shoes.

Other things you might want to buy in Switzerland include cuckoo clocks and the hand-carved ones at Lotscher in Brienz are very attractive. Brienz is famous for its woodcarvers and Huggler produces most of the beautiful pieces on display in the souvenir shops. The Saint Gallen lace is exquisite as are other hand-embroidered Swiss items and in terms of clothing, some good buys include fine cottons, ski wear and children’s clothing. The world’s first water colour pencils were made by Swiss brand Caran d’Ache and Sigg water bottles with aluminium-coated flasks in bright colours are also Swiss-made. For food, the internationally popular Swiss cheese is a favourite buy as well as mouthwatering Swiss chocolate like those made by Lindt and Suchard.

More About the Food in Switzerland…

Switzerland is bordered by Austria, Italy, Germany and France and the culinary specialties from each of these countries have been absorbed into the Swiss kitchen. There is a wide range of local cuisine to choose from besides the national staples. Regional dishes that rely on local ingredients and interesting preparation styles and technique will be sure to delight and there are all kinds of restaurants to choose from, ranging from the Michelin-starred exclusive dining places to mountain hurts that offer simple and hearty dishes.

Swiss cooking is firmly rooted in dairy products and most dishes contain either cheese, cream, butter, milk and/or yoghurt. Swiss specialities include fondue and raclette melted cheese dishes and of course the rosti, the crispy, fried shredded potatoes served with sausages or the like. The Swiss-Germans cook it in butter or lard, while the Swiss-French use oil to fry the potatoes. Cheese fondue is French Switzerland’s star dish where a cast-iron pot is used to heat the cheese and small pieces of meat, bread, vegetables and fruits among other things, are dipped into the melted cheese. The classic style found in Fribourg and the Vaud countryside uses Gruyere and Emmental cheeses while other regions use different alpine cheeses. A winter dish designed to be shared with friends and family, the Swiss also have a ritual to be followed when consuming the fondue which involves using a special long fork to spear the item of choice and twirling it through the cheese. However dropping your bread in the fondue usually means that the drinks are on you so try to not be too vigorous with the dipping!

Other Swiss specialities include the bratwurst, delicious plump grilled veal Swiss hot dogs smothered in onions, topped by mustard and accompanied by fried potatoes. Down this with a glass of cold beer for a memorable meal. Bundnerfleisch is a delicacy in the Grisons area in southeastern Switzerland and is an air-dried beef or ham cut into wafer-thin slices. Veal or Geschnetzlets is also very popular in Switzerland, and perhaps the most famous and delicious method of preparing it is cooking small pieces in white wine sauce with mushrooms. Friture de perchettes, found on most summer menus in the Lake Geneva area is also a tasty gourmet delight with small fillets of fresh perch deep fried in oil. The French-speaking regions have their rotisserie which specializes in grilled food and the brasseries which serves buffet meals at lunchtime. German Switzerland has the Stubli, the rustic dining place that usually specializes in one type of dish.

In Ticino, the Italian-speaking canton south of the Alps, the cuisine is quite different from the rest of Switzerland. Here, the Swiss kitchen is heavily influenced by the northern Italian regions with dinner being an appetizer followed by a first-course that is usually a pasta dish, a second course, often a meat dish, cheese and then a dessert, finally ending with a grappa. The restaurant choices in Ticino range from the classic pizzeria to the trattoria and osteria which offers a smaller choice of dishes. A grotto is where you can dine outdoors or indoors in a cosy rustic tavern.

Wine is one of Switzerland’s best-kept secres as the country consumes 95 per cent of the wine it produces. The best vineyards are those in the cantons of Valais and Vaud, particularly on the sheltered hillsides around Lake Geneva. Valais produces a third of the country’s output and has a diverse range of grapes with the red Dole and the white Fendant being the most popular. From around Lake Geneva come the balanced wines of the Lavaux region, the aromatic wines of the Chablais and the refreshing wines of the La Cote, all excellent white wines that are traditionally served with fondue or drunk as an aperitif. Besides the Dole, other famous reds include the Syrah from the Geneva region, the Merlot from Ticino and Zurich’s Pinot Noir.

Switzerland is synonymous with some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes in the world. Visitors flock there to take in sights like the Jungfrau, Matterhorn and Eiger. Because the landscape is such an important part of Switzerland, many forget the wonderful architectural and cultural attractions the country has to offer. There are thousands of fine museums, castles, mansions and outstanding churches as well as delightful vernacular buildings. The cities hold their own charm and are a delight to visit. Switzerland is truly a paradise for those who prefer peace and serenity to noise and crowds.

Alpine wonders

The Bernese Oberland is a legendary Alpine area which offers classic Swiss scenery alongside famous destinations like Interlaken. This is one of the most spectacular of the mountains with its triple-peaked ridge of Alpine giants at its core: the Eiger, Monch and Jungrau. Located south of Bern and Lucerne, it offers high peaks, sheer valleys and cool lakes. Just below the peak of the Jungfrau is the site of the highest train station in Europe.

The Matterhorn is also one of the most recognizable mountains in the world and cannot be missed. The village of Zermatt will awe inspires with its breath-taking view of this massive mountain, which is simply mesmerizing. The old born chalets and atmospheric twisting alleys of Zermatt welcome visitors from all over the world and is busy all year round, although once in the wilderness, it is possible to be transported to a scenic tranquillity that leaves the world behind.

Zurich

The epitome of Swiss efficiency with its savvy financial center and dense public transport system, Zurich also has a post-industrial edge. It is Switzerland’s largest city with a population of 380, 000 and has an exuberant popular culture and vibrant arts scene. With a lakeshore setting and elegant quays, Zurich is also a beautiful city and the cobbled streets and squares of its historic centre are lined with many fine buildings. Highlights include the Grossmunster, Zurich’s “Great Minster”, from where Zwingli preached the Reformation, Lake Zurich which leads you to the “City of Roses”, Rapperswil and Kunsthaus, a world-class art gallery which also features the vast array of works by Alberto Giacometti. Bahnhofstrasse is Zurich’s most upmarket shopping street and the center of its commercial activity. There is also a “Walk of Fame” here, a pavement with the footprints and handprints of famous people from the film world. The Swiss National Museum has an outstanding display of Swiss history and culture from prehistoric times to present day and even a section devoted to the Middle Ages and artefacts from Switzerland’s rich archaeological past. Zurich is a wonderful place to be if you’re looking for world-class galleries and museums, fine dining, lively bars, atmospheric cafes and great nightlife.

Schaffhausen

The capital of the northernmost Swiss canton of the same name, Schaffhausen can boast one of the most captivating medieval town centres in the world of Switzerland as well as the mighty Rhine falls. The cobbled streets of Schaffhausen’s Old Town are lined with Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo buildings, some with frescoed facades and others with graceful oriel windows. The pastel-coloured houses lining the stone pavements and the city’s signature fortress (the circular Munot) are also delights that are sure to charm visitors. The Old Town is definitely worth exploration and walking tours as well as wine-tasting tours are some options to choose from. The Museum zu Allerheiligen is located in a former monastery and features prehistoric and medieval artefacts and a large collection of Swiss sculpture and paintings. The Knight’s House or the Haus zum Ritter is another interesting sight. The façade of this building is decorated with intricate Renaissance frescoes depicting aspects of knightly valour and date from 1568.

The Rheinfall nearby is of course a popular sight for visitors. Four kilometres downriver, it is a stunning sight and there are castles that you can visit that overlook the falls. The Schlossli Worth and Schloss Laufen are surrounded by restaurants, shops, small ferry wharves and information centres for tourists. During summer, you can ride ferries at the bottom of the falls where you can even climb to the top of a tall rock in the middle of the falls and watch the water rush all around you.

Must-see attractions

Spain has some of the best museums in the world and if you go there, you have to visit at least one of the many renowned museums it has. The Guggenheim in Bilbao’s Abandoibarra district is one such museum, which is the first of its kind in Europe. A modern art mecca, the architecture of the Guggenheim is an amazing conflation reflection Bilbao’s past and future, with its historic waterway featuring prominently in the design. It houses Picasso’s Guernica amongst its rotated collections of Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art. Salvador Dali’s museum Teatre-Museu Dali is another must-see in Catalonia. The surreal is what you can expect when you enter the salmon pink, egg-topped palace building complete with the brilliant and spectacular paintings and artwork on display. The museum is also a mausoleum as Dali is actually buried in the crypt right below your feet. In Barcelona, you have to appreciate Gaudi’s genius by visiting Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell, some of the strangest buildings in the world. Modernisme, the Catalan version of Art Nouveau and Gaudi’s contribution to it is particularly rarefied in the organic complexity of his works.

Running with the bulls in Pamplona is one of the many festivals in Spain that is truly a once in a lifetime experience. It is scary, loud and one of the most raucous party you will ever come across. La Tomatina is another festival that is not for the faint-hearted. Tomato-fighting happens on the streets of Bunyol. The fireworks of Las Fallas in Valencia and the mock battles of Moros y Cristianos in Alcoy are some other festivals you might want to catch when in Spain.

Eat, drink and be merry

No visit to Spain is complete with tapas crawling in the major cities of Spain. Where elsewhere in Europe, one would pub crawl, in Madrid, you can go for a tapas crawl, starting from the central Puerta del Sol and tucking into all the small dishes of ham and cheese or fried prawn, anchony canapes, fried potatoes in spicy brava sauce you can get as you wash them down with beer or the house wine. If you’re feeling the pinch then why not go for free tapas? In Granada and the assorted hinterlands, tapas are actually a complimentary courtesy.

Spain’s Galicia is also a seafood paradise and it is no wonder that the patron saint there was originally a fisherman. For some of the best seafood in the world, including scallops, eel, clams, mussels, prawns, lobster and crab, head to one of the many local restaurants for a sampling at a very affordable price.

Spain is also famous for its wines so another great way to spend your holiday would be to visit the vineyards. Marques de Riscal, Roda, Ysios and Muga offer tours of the vines, the oak casks and the aged Rioja for you to enjoy in the town of Elciego for example. You can even watch artisans crafting in-house barrels in Haro’s Muga, a wonderful old bodega by the town’s train station.

Shop till you drop and dance the night away

Spain is home to big named brands like Loewe, Zara, Mango and Desigual, well-loved by the entire world. So this is the best place for you to go Spanish and buy up the big Spanish brands that are cheaper and offer the latest pieces than back home. The malls like El Corte Ingles in Madrid and Barcelona are open almost all-year round and house all your shopping needs. For a more authentic experience, open-air shopping at flea markets and shopping at side-street stalls are highly recommended. El Rastro in Madrid is one such place where you can test your bargaining prowess.

Kick back, relax and enjoy the view

The Pyrenees has beautiful national parks where you can hike and enjoy the spectacular view. While perhaps not quite relaxing, you can definitely take in the beautiful sights of mother nature at its best here. Catalunya’s Parc Nacional d’Aiguestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici and Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido are two such parks where you can enjoy the unspoilt habitat. The glacial streams, high-altitude lakes, barbarous granite pinnacles and alpine canyons are just some of the more impressive natural splendors you can find here.

Spain is of course known for its beaches so a definite must-do when you have done everythine else is to take time off and laze at one of the many beautiful sunny beaches. From city beaches, to nudist beaches (yes, really!), to beaches where you can party till dawn, to pristine beaches where you can just relax and soak up some rays, Spain has it all.

Spain Weather Information…

The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain. Eliza Doolittle’s perfectly articulated sentence on Spanish weather is well-known. But does this very famous line from the movie My Fair Lady hold true? The rain in Spain actually does NOT stay mainly in the plain. When it does rain, it mainly falls in the northern mountains. In fact the Spaniards have translated the phrase to La lluvia en Sevilla es una maravilla, the rain in Seville is marvelous. And that is a big reason why visitors especially those from North Europe flock to Spain.

Spain does enjoy a generous amount of sunshine. Mediterranean weather prevails right down the east coast of Spain on the Mediterranean Sea. Summers throughout the country are usually sunny but especially so in the south with hot sunny days and clear blue skies. The typically summer months are June, July and August. However it can get very hot in Spain’s internal cities, in places like Madrid and Seville, where temperatures can reach up to 113ºF/45ºC. In fact in August, a lot of places in these cities will be closed except for the main tourist attractions because locals will be heading to the coasts to cool off. The northern end of the coast is typically less hot than the southern areas, which can get the very hot and dry North African winds. Generally, it gets hot and at times humid along the coastline but the afternoon heat is usually tempered by cooling sea breezes. Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca will be full of Northern Europeans in the summer. The Balearic Islands which include Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza which has a similar climate to that of southeastern Spain will also attract its own share of visitors during this time. Winters in these areas are generally mild and much warmer than in the rest of Spain. Heavier rainfall occurs in late autumn, winter and early spring. Late spring is probably the best time to visit the Mediterranean regions of Spain.

Because Spain is such a large country, it experiences different climatic influences. The large differences of altitude and the contrast between coast and interior give Spain a range of climatic and weather conditions. While Spain enjoys very hot and sunny summers as mentioned above, on the other extreme end of the spectrum, it can get cold and in certain parts of Spain, it even snows. High altitude cities like Madrid, Toledo and Salamanca and the countryside around these cities can get very cold in the winter. Spain’s mountainous regions are the most likely regions for snow. Being the second most mountainous country in Europe, visitors to Spain can also expect alpine weather, with the Pyrenean region in northern Aragon being, on average, the coldest region of Spain. The Pyrenees experiences a lot of snow and has a lot of popular ski resorts for ski enthusiasts.

On the southeast coast of Spain that includes the region of Murcia and the southeast corner of Andalusia, expect dessert weather. This area is usually hotter and much drier and clear skies can be expected almost throughout the year. Winters are slightly cooler but much warmer when compared to other regions. One of the warmest, sunniest and driest places in Europe can be found here in Almeria. The Atlantic Ocean influences the weather in north and northwest Spain, like Bilbao, on the northern Atlantic coast. Summers are warm but not too hot and winters are generally mild,where it is cold but not too extreme, although it does get colder further away from the coastline. Rainfall is fairly high and occurs throughout the year. Central Spain sans its mountains, experiences continental weather which means greater differences between the seasons. In Madrid, for example, summers are hotter and winters are colder than on the coasts. Rainfall is quite low here too compared to the coastal regions.

The weather in Granada is quite interesting as despite being in the south, it can get quite cold in the Sierra Nevada mountains. One can literally head to the beach in the morning and go skiing in the afternoon, especially in early May. The weather in the Canary Islands is also very unique and different from the rest of Spain. Here is where one can get subtropical weather with warm summers, very mild winters, low rainfall and plenty of sunshine. It is no wonder the Canary Islands are called the ‘islands of eternal spring’. The weather from island to island varies and can be said to be mini-continents as they all have very different microclimates.  Lanzarote and Fuerteventura to the east are typically hotter and drier than La Palma and El Hierro in the west.

Splendid Spain Travel…

Spain is a truly exciting country that conjures up exotic images of flamenco dancers and bullfighters. Sun-drenched beaches as well as the majestic Pyrenees offer a scenic backdrop for a relaxing vacation. Cities rich in culture and history transport you to another place and time. The key word for Spain travel is diversity. For Spain truly has it all.

The different regions that make up Spain each offers its own uniqueness and distinctive flavour to travellers. Those who travel to Spain for the beaches are spoilt for choice. The chic coastal city of San Sebastian is where you’ll find La Concha, reputed to be one of the best city beaches in Europe. Party on the beach till dawn to music by the world’s best DJs on the island of Ibiza. Be amazed by the spectacular rock formations on Playa de Las Catedrales, the most beautiful beach in Galicia. Stretch out in the sun with jet-setters and sultans in Marbella. It is no wonder that all over Europe, everyone flocks to Spain to enjoy the beaches.

City-vacationers are in for a treat as well. The capital Madrid is vibrant with fantastic museums, great food and nightlife. Barcelona, Spain’s second biggest city, has several architectural marvels by Anton Gaudi. Visit the awe-inspiring La Sagrada Familia to see Gaudi’s unfinished monument that has been under construction since 1882. Arabic influences characterize the monuments of Seville, a beautiful city rich in greenery, where horse-drawn carriages transport you to a different place and time.

Spain also offers breath-taking views. South of the Iberian Peninsula, inland Andalucia is dotted with glittering white villages, green hills, huge nature reserves and the Sierra Nevada, the highest mountain range on the Spanish mainland. The famous Alhambra, the 14^th Century palace and fortress complex exhibiting Spain’s most significant and well-known Islamic architecture is located here in Granada. The countryside of Catalonia provides scenic ancient villages like Rupit and Besalu which are surrounded by flat-top mountains.

There’s so much to do in Spain. Food enthusiasts have a wide array of cuisine to choose from as every region in Spain has its own speciality. In the East Coast, Valencia specialises in the famed paella, while the seafood in the South Coast is a must-try. To get a first-hand experience of the Spanish culture and interact with its people, why not take part in one of the country’s many festivals? Adventure-seekers and daredevils can run with the bulls in Pamplona or why not vent your frustrations out by throwing tomatoes at other people in La Tomatina in Bunyol? Football enthusiasts will not want to miss matches played by legendary football giants like Barcelona and Real Madrid.

The diversity of Spain ensures that it caters to anyone and everyone. Whether you’re looking for beautiful beaches and scenery, adventure or to immerse yourself in art and architecture, the many different regions of Spain will not disappoint as they have plenty to offer.