2009 - 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. 2009 is the perfect year to discover or rediscover just what a wonderful country it really is.