Spain is a vast and beautiful country packed with great food, wine, beaches, and culture. If you’re planning a visit, consider one of the following destinations or train routes, all of which can show you a side of Spain that tourists don’t always get to see.
Valencia
Located on the eastern edge of the Iberian Peninsula, Spain is often overlooked as a holiday destination, deserving more attention than it receives. It is the third largest city in Spain and provides easy access to the Balearic Islands and popular destinations like Ibiza. It’s a modern city, lacking the historic and quaint charms of some other Spanish destinations, yet packed with great restaurants, bars, and festivals. Among them is Las Fallas, a multi-day festival that kicks off in mid-March and combines parades, parties to fireworks.
You can get the train to Valencia from most other major cities in Spain, and there are also routes from France. So, even if you don’t start your Iberian adventure in Valencia, you can still travel there for a day or two.
The Transcantábrico
The Transcantábrico operates as a train service in northern Spain. It’s the oldest of the country’s tourist trains and was created to provide an alternative to the famous Orient Express, offering travellers a variety of amenities and luxuries as they travel across the Spanish countryside:
-
Luxury rooms
-
Free Wi-Fi throughout the train
-
Private bathrooms in every room
-
24-hour room service
-
Restaurant cars and delicious meals for all travellers
The luxury train leaves from San Sebastian, which is a glorious destination in itself and provides the perfect base for your Spanish vacation. It takes 8 days to reach its destination in Santiago de Compostela, and you can also take the reverse journey. There is no better way to travel, which is why the Transcantábrico is regarded as one of the best luxury trains in the world.
Galicia
Galicia, located in north-western Spain, is a community famed for its beautiful landscapes and great wine, where a number of tourist trains run throughout the holiday season (from May to October). These trains show you all that the region has to offer—you can even sample some of that famed Galician wine on board. As it’s a coastal region, Galicia has its fair share of seafood—some of the best in Spain. It also sits on the northern border with Portugal, so you’re always a short train or bus journey from crossing into Portugal.
Canfranc Estación
This famous railway station is long since abandoned, but it’s a historic site that was used heavily during the Second World War, ferrying passengers and cargo between France and Spain. There are tours available for visitors, and as it’s a stone’s throw from France, you have plenty of options if you need to hop over the border.
Montserrat
A short train ride from Barcelona, Montserrat is a gorgeous location filled with natural beauty. It showcases a side of Spain that you won’t see in the big cities or coastal destinations. There is a wealth of greenery and majestic cliffs, as well as a breath-taking Benedictine monastery. Make sure you take your hiking shoes and camera, as both will get plenty of use here.
Montserrat is a popular religious retreat, but it’s also a great location if you’re looking to escape the chaos of the big cities and get back to nature.
Andorra
Although it’s technically not Spain, the tiny principality of Andorra is easily accessible from Spain and it’s a must-see if you’re looking for a unique destination. Its capital city sits in the Pyrenees mountains and is one of the highest cities in the world. There are scores of great restaurants and bars, as well as plenty of hiking routes. Andorra is the perfect destination for a day trip, but you can easily spend a couple of weeks here without feeling like you’ve truly seen and experienced everything that it has to offer.
There is even a ski resort in Vallnord, so it’s not just a summer destination.
Summary: Visiting Spain
Spain is one of the most-visited countries in Europe, second only to its neighbour France in the popularity stakes. There is much to see and do in Spain, from world-beating sports teams like Barcelona to its great food and wine As this guide shows, Spain offers more than just Ibiza and other popular tourist destinations. So, the next time you plan a holiday in Spain, consider one of the above routes/locations.
Source: Story.KISSPR.com
Release ID: 941416