Things to do and see in Spain

The Wine Routes of the Spanish Association of Wine-Producing Towns and Cities (ACEVIN) lead you into the heart and the way of life of some of Spain’s oldest wine-growing regions. Visit a winery, find out how wine is made, stay in beautiful wine-growing countryside, enjoy your first tastings, and discover the delights of matching food and wine. An experience that will awaken your senses to all the joys that Spain and the wonderful world of wine have to offer.

Throughout Spain the food is influenced by the geographic situation and also by its long and interesting history. Many elements in the Spanish kitchen today have its origin from the Moorish occupation or even go back to the Roman occupation. The most famous dishes in Spain are La Paella (world famous rice dish), El Jamon Serrano (Spanish Ham), El Gazpacho (cold vegetable soup) or La Tortilla (Spanish Omelette) and the many different types of sausage.  Not to be missed are Spain’s Tapas, appetizer foods that are offered before lunch and again after dinner in thousands of bars and tavernas across the country. Tapas come in endless varieties and provide the opportunity to ‘graze’ in casual and spirited surroundings. Those with a sweet tooth will have a great time in any part of Spain, thanks to their characteristic desserts. Some of the most representative desserts are: "Crema catalana" (like crème brûlée), delicious and typical in Catalonia; "ensaimadas", smooth pastries native to the Balearic Islands; ice creams and "horchata" (tiger nut milk), refreshing and especially typical in the Region of Valencia; "tocino de cielo" (a rich crème caramel), originally from Andalusia. If you travel in the region of Green Spain, we would recommend, for example, the traditional "Tarta de Santiago", an almond cake from the Galicia Region; if you are in Asturias, however, you should try the delicious "filloas" (pancakes) or rice pudding: delicacies that make dessert an ideal way to finish an excellent meal. Other regions, such as Extremadura, are outstanding for their traditional Easter desserts and sweets, such as "pestiños" (honey fritters).

Madrid, the capital of Spain is a vibrant city. It is the centre of the country’s government and commerce and is bubbling with raw creative energy. Puerta del Sol is Madrid’s heart and the city opens up from there; from the cosmoplotian, fresh and new Madrid to the stunning and captivating historical sites within a city that also boasts beautiful parks and gardens that invite you to spend a while just soaking up the wonderful atmosphere. The lavishly decorated Palacio Royal (Royal Palace) with its 2,600 rooms is a sight to see and has taken on new meaning since the restoration of the monarchy. Madrid houses one of the greatest and most important art galleries in the world, the Museo del Prado; yet another stunning example of beautiful architecture, it also exhibits a fine array of Spanish, Flemish and Italian art from the 15th to 19th Century. 

Barcelona is Spain’s second largest city and the capital of Catalonia; it is an incredibly sophisticated and dynamic city. All year round this bustling city sizzles with style, fashion and good times, yet it is the sculptural forms of Barcelona’s modernista architects that define this city. Antoni Gaudí, an eccentric genius is famed for his inspiring and unique work, evident in his works at Parc Güell and the Sagrada Familia Church (Church of the Holy Family). This shell of a church, one of the landmarks of Barcelona, occupied Gaudí throughout his career. He inherited the project from the original architect and transformed the conventional Gothic-style cathedral into a surrealistic forest of imaginative shapes resembling natural objects. His work, described as the three-dimensional dreams of a madman, contains bulging facades, swaying pillars, and weird protuberances. The work on this masterpiece cathedral has continued after his death and is expected to be completed by 2080 when it will have 12 towers symbolizing the 12 apostles.
Barcelona is always on the cutting art of cuisine, design and art; it was home to the Surrealist painter Dali with much of his work being within the numerous galleries for you to luxuriate in. There is so much to do and see in Barcelona, you will be busy for some time.

What about taking part in the world’s biggest food fight?  The small town of Buñol hosts a week-long festival with the highlight being La Tomatina. During the week leading up to this fun world famous tomato war, parades, fireworks, music, dancing and the paella cook-off contest draw visitors to Buñol for their annual fiesta. When the day of the great battle dawns, local shopkeepers diligently cover their shopfronts with sheets of plastic and twenty thousand locals and tourists take to the streets, as trucks loaded with around 125,000 kilos of ripe ammo roll into the Plaza del Pueblo. Between 11am and 1pm, the streets are awash with juice, pavements are spattered with pulp and the participants transformed into walking, talking Bloody Marys. The first Tomatina took place in 1945 and now traditionally takes place on the last Wednesday of August.