Looking
to experience a luxurious lifestyle on your terms? Head to Spain. Read on for
our guide…
Big decisions need big deliberations and
there are few decisions bigger than choosing to up sticks and move to a new
country. If you're thinking about settling down to a new life abroad you'll
want to get a taste of the country before you take the plunge.
These tasters come in different forms so
take a minute and have a think about what you need to get out of the next trip
to your destination of choice. Are you going to go for a nibble-like weekend
away, or will it take something more substantial to sate your curiosity?
The relaxed lifestyle and fantastic weather
of Spain has made it a popular location with British holidaymakers and expats
for years. The well-trodden path leads many to glitzy locations and popular
seaside resorts but the truth is Spain has a remarkable range of great spots,
from unspoiled paradises to glitzy, culture-packed cities. To help you get your
perfect Spanish experience, we've put together this quick guide. Think of it as
a tasting manual for your future life.
A
long weekend in Granada
Barcelona and Madrid are the most popular
cities in Spain with visitors – and for good reason. Both are exciting,
cosmopolitan cities that are packed with culture and excitement. For a slightly
less well-known location which boasts just as many exciting leisure
opportunities, head for a
long weekend to Granada, the southern city which prettily sits in the
shadow of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
What
to see: The streets of this inspirational city are
packed with fantastic architectural wonders that speak to Granada's deeply
interesting history. The gloriously extravagant baroque styling of the
Charter house are a feast for the eyes, and you'll be blown away by the towering
Cathedral of Granada but even these attractions pale slightly in comparison to
the towering Alhambra.
This imposing palace, built on a thickly
wooded hill is a spectacular testament to the Muslim history of the region, and
one of the true wonders of the world. The castle complex offers a glimpse of
the luxury of the ancient world and is packed with intricate elements of
Islamic design which catch the eye and hold the attention. You'll find there's
more than enough to fill your time during a stay.
For a truly enjoyable weekend, stay in one
of the many hotels in the center of the city and enjoy your weekend at a gentle
pace. You'll find the food of the region is delicious and sipping cool drinks
in the warm Granada evenings is an experience like no other.
A
week exploring Galicia
If you've got a bit longer then you can
spend some time discovering an area you may not be familiar with. The rugged
Atlantic coastlines, beautiful cities and towns, and delicious food of Galicia
in the north west of Spain may well be such a place. The province has a wealth
of hidden delights waiting to surprise travellers willing to go looking for
them.
What
to see: If you've got a week to spend in the area
you'll be able to spend a little bit more time traveling around and seeing a
few of the amazing sights in Galicia. Inland, the country is lush and blanketed
in a dense blanket of vegetation. Along the coast the clean, quiet
beaches and dramatic, craggy cliffs are more akin to the wild rugged Cornish
coastline than the overdeveloped beaches with which Spain is often associated.
Start your trip in the north and spend a
night or two in the state's biggest city A Corina. Use your first two nights to
get introduced to some of the delicious wine and seafood this area is famous
for before heading south.
Make sure to stop off in Santiago de
Compostela and enjoy a trip to the spectacular cathedral at the heart of
the city. The holy building is a popular place of pilgrimage with people and
can be found at the heart of the Old Town – which is so impressive that it's
been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Take the journey further south slowly and
stop off in towns like the wine making center Cambados and the ocean facing
location of O Gove where you'll find some incredible seafood. Finish your trip
at the exceptional town of RiasBaixas which is surrounded by golden beaches and
Atlantic breakers which glitter in the Spanish sun.
A
month in the Catalan sun
If you're getting serious about a move to
Spain them you might want to spend an extended break in the region that you're
tempted to move to. A month will give you the chance to experience the
lifestyle of an area properly – and one of the best areas you could choose in
Spain is the north eastern region of Catalonia, home to Barcelona and some of the
most relaxing and enjoyable experiences in Spain.
What to see: There's no shortage of great
sites for you to see, from the extravagance of Barcelona to the beautiful
coastline which fringes the warm Mediterranean Sea. However for this extended
stay you might want to consider coming at your holiday from a different angle.
You'll find that there are some incredible resorts in Spain
that are designed for both holidaymakers and those looking to move to the
country and Catalonia has many such locations. These places take the difficulty
out of your prospective move and work hard to offer exceptional accommodation
amid scenic landscapes.
This long break will allow you to
experience some of the pastimes available in your location of choice too. If
you are settling down into a new country then you'll want to find things to
fill your days and Catalonia has plenty of these, including options such as
horse riding and golf. They'll give you the opportunity to build up an appetite
before enjoying some delicious tapas and a glass or two of the local wine.
Are
you thinking about moving to Spain?
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