2008 - A Great Year To Visit Spain

Despite the economic downturn, the strength of the euro, the increase in mortgage rates and the many other factors that can cause one to put on hold or to shelve their travel plans, one should think again and they should think about Spain.

Spain is still one of the most inexpensive countries in Europe to visit. The relationship between price and quality of product is still very much in favour of the client who is nearly always assured of a great deal in Spain. Take hotels for example, a top class 5 star centrally located hotel in Spain´s cities can cost on average between 160€ to 250€ per room per night while in other major European cities you´d be lucky to get a 3* or decent 4* hotel for the same price. Terrific 4 star hotels are readily available from 100€ to 150€ euros per night in most major Spanish cities and a 7 night self drive tour staying in 4 star Spanish Paradores can be had for a mere 528€ per person.

Dining in Spain is incredibly good value for money. In Northern Spain for example, a tasty 3-course lunch with wine and mineral water will cost on average 8€ to 12€ per person. You´d be lucky to get a sandwich and a coke for that in London. A proper cup of coffee costs on average 1€ in Spain, the same price as a pretty decent glass of red wine which may even come with a free tapa included and which you can sip while admiring a stunning 16th century plaza. And you can take your time too. No one is going to pressure you to move on even if you´re not consuming.

World class cultural attractions such as the Prado Museum in Madrid or the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao cost less than 10€ to enter and for just a couple of euros extra you can spend a magical day at the UNESCO World Heritage Alhambra Palace & Generalife Gardens in Granada or attend an exciting flamenco performance in Seville. Incredible value for money at truly rewarding and important cultural attractions.

Spain boasts an amazing variety of natural parks, walkways and hiking and biking trails which are all free to access. Many of the older railway lines in Spain have been converted into a network of Vias Verdes or Green Ways which are an ideal and safe way to discover the Spanish countryside on foot or on a bicycle. The beaches of Spain are renowned and to those who have only ever experienced the Costa del Sol, then some amazing stretches of sand await their discovery along the rest of Spain´s magnificent coastline to the mountaineous north, rugged east and breezy south west.

Spain has something for everyone. 2008 is the perfect year to discover or rediscover just what a wonderful country it really is.

Concerts in Spain - buying tickets

Did you ever think about attending a concert while in Spain ? Maybe your favourite band are playing while you are travelling in Spain. A good website for checking which bands are playing in Spain as well as other musical events and performances is General Tickets. The site is in english too and allows you to purchase your tickets online, later collecting them from designated ATM´s.

The New Bilbao

I´m often amazed at how many people (and guidebooks) still believe Bilbao city to be an industrial eyesore hardly worth spending a night in. Nothing could be further from the truth.

This year the Guggenheim Museum located along the Bilbao River in the heart of the city centre celebrates it´s 10th anniversary. A lot of controversy surrounded the building of this costly titanium masterpiece with many locals objecting to its construction. They did not get the futuristic design of architect Frank Gehry and who could blame them. On paper it looked weird but the finished structure is simply spectacular and it has won the heart of every Bilbaino.

Like a sown seed that takes root and begins to blossom, the Guggenheim was the seed that spawned the complete regeneration of the Bilbao River and the entire docks area that surrounds the museum. It´s remarkable what has been done. Even the fish have returned to the river. Where once there was cranes, chains, grime and grease there is now a pleasant walkway with palm trees. There is a very stylish shopping centre with bars and restaurants, a hip Sheraton hotel, a superb conference and concert venue called the Euskalduna and an eyecatching bridge designed by Santiago Calatrava (Zubi-Zuri bridge) connecting both sides of the river. The new city tram runs by the river too with green grass rather than gravel between the lines. It´s really lovely.

Bilbao has attracted some terrific new hotels too, the aforementioned Sheraton being just one of them. The Gran Hotel Domine is another gem of a hotel designed by Javier Mariscal. It is situated in front of the Guggenheim Museum and is certainly one of the most desirable 5 star hotels to stay in the city. The rooftop terrace is a great spot to enjoy a beer or to dine (if you can get a reservation) while enjoying views of the Guggenheim. I also like the newly opened Hotel Hesperia Bilbao. It´s just across the river from the museum and the perfect location to discover both the old and new parts of Bilbao. If you feel like splashing out they have several riverview rooms with a terrace overlooking tree-lined Campo Volantin that leads down to the Old Quarter.

The Old Quarter of Bilbao is extremely pleasant to stroll in. There are lovely independent shops, great bars and wonderful cafes such as Victor Montes in the plaza to tempt one. Everywhere feels safe, clean and well looked after. It´s easy to find an attractive corner that will draw you in to sit for awhile, enjoy a drink and watch the world go by.

Later you might cross over the river and continue down the Gran Via where some of the bigger stores in Bilbao can be found. The architecture in this area is impressive too.

Bilbao is an ideal city to walk in. It´s easy to get from place to place on foot although there is a tram and an award winning metro - Norman Foster design - should one feel tired. For relaxation, you can´t beat the Doña Casilida park full of trees and flowers and fountains. The Museum of Fine Arts is here too - a good spot for a coffee.

Dining in Bilbao is wonderful, as it is throughout the Basque Country. The local bar tapas known as pinchos are mouthwatering and immense in their variety. Excellent restaurants abound in the city but one especially worth trying is Zortziko. Their tasting menu, which costs around 75 euros, is to die for.

Bilbao is now definitely one of the top Spanish cities to visit and is worth doing so all year round.


More information about hotels and travel to Bilbao and the Basque Country.

Wineries of Castilla La Mancha

I had the pleasure of spending the last weekend of October discovering some of the amazing, smaller wineries to be found in the Castilla La Mancha region, the biggest wine region in Spain and perhaps the least known or least appreciated as a producer of quality wines. They do produce many excellent wines here although the majority of the wineries struggle to compete in the national market in Spain. My trip started in Madrid from where I took the high speed train to Ciudad Real. Remarkably it´s only 40 minutes to get there and well worth keeping in mind as another ideal daytrip or overnight stay from Madrid.

The first winery I went to see was Pago del Vicario near Ciudad Real. In fact I stayed here as they have attached to the winery a lovely 4 star hotel, very modern and chic. The winery´s restaurant was terrific too, one side of it being a glass wall with pleasant views of the interior of this modern bodega. I didn´t get a chance to try the pool but it did look inviting. In summer they have live music and dining outdoors. A great modern approach by this winery looking to open it´s doors to the world. I´d recommend staying here for a night, perhaps en route from Madrid to Cordoba. You won´t be disappointed. And the wine, simply wonderful.

Next I went to see the Dionisos winery in Valdepeñas. This was an incredible experience. Known as the Winery of the Stars this family winery dates back to the early 19th century and practises biological farming. All the decisions regarding the cultivation of grapes, harvesting, etc are taken based on the stars, the cosmic rhythms and lunar cycle. Inside the winery they even have an inflatable globe large enough for 12 or more people to sit inside and contemplate the universe which they have projected on the walls of the globe. The wines produced here have won a number of awards. I highly recommend visiting Dionisos. It´s unique.

I next went to see the Bodegas Real another marvellous modern winery with an excellent restaurant where I enjoyed lunch. Here too they are planning to build a hotel which will make this a very attractive place to stay. While at this winery I had the opportunity to enjoy some additional activities including a flight in a hot air balloon followed by a very unique guided tour through the vineyards on segways. Great fun.

My next stop was at Bodegas Castiblanque another family run winery but what a winery. It was a pleasure to visit. The people here eat, drink and sleep the world of wines. They have even started courses in wine appreciation for children. Before getting concerned, they do this with the non-alcoholic grape juice known as mosto. The children really enjoy themselves and get a chance to experience the workings of a tradional winery. I loved this very welcoming winery and our host while there, Miguel Angel Castiblanque, was charm personified. Later I was delighted to discover that on the outskirts of the town where this winery is located, Campo de Criptana, you can visit the famous white windmills made so famous by Cervantes in Don Quixote. Miguel Angel informed me about this and took me for a trip up to see them.

My last stop on this whirlwind tour was in Toledo at the Viñedo Cigarral Santa Maria situated in an unforgettable location in the hills above Toledo. This small yet impressive winery is owned by Adolfo Muñoz, a famous restaurateur who has a string of successful businesses to his name including a fine 5 star hotel. They produce just 4500 bottles of wine a year here but each bottle is much sought after. I enjoyed an incredible lunch here while soaking up the views of Toledo city. Later I took the high speed train from Toledo to Madrid which now only takes 30 minutes.



Learn more about Castilla La Mancha and find out about visiting these and other unique wineries in this region.