Holidays in Spain

Spain is an amazing combination of Western restraint and Eastern impulsiveness and passion. Here, modern trends successfully coexist with the observance of the traditions and customs of the ancestors; people of different religions and with different outlooks on life get along well.

The country’s beaches are officially recognized as some of the cleanest and are among the most beautiful and well-maintained.

Spain is famous for its wines all over the world, and not without reason. Spanish wines are unique bouquets with a special astringency and strength.

How to get there

By plane

Several airlines operate direct flights Kyiv – Barcelona (Spain) and Madrid (Spain): UIA – at a price of 160 u.e., and low-cost carriers Ryanair – at a price of 160 u.e. and Vueling Airlines – at a price of 355 u.e.

It is also possible to fly to Barcelona from the regions with a connecting flight via Kyiv. UIA offers tickets at a price of 175 u.e.; a flight via Vienna on Austrian Airlines starts from 260 u.e., with an overnight stay in Vienna. Turkish Airlines offers flights from 375 u.e.

• Tickets Odesa – Madrid will cost 295 u.e. on UIA aircraft and 360 u.e. on Turkish Airlines aircraft with a connection in Istanbul.
• Tickets for the Kyiv – Madrid flight will cost 255 u.e. A connecting flight on Air France-KLM aircraft will cost 210 dollars.
• Flights Kyiv – Palma de Mallorca in the summer period are operated by charter flights. Ticket price from 350 u.e.
• A flight to Tenerife from Ukraine is possible via Madrid, or from neighboring Poland by direct flights.

By car

Setting off by car is an excellent journey that will be remembered not only for the beauty of Spain as the final destination, but also for all the countries you pass through.

By bus

Modern tour operators offer numerous trips to Europe on favorable terms.

What to see

• Catalonia (Spain) is an autonomous community of the country. There are many castles, ancient ruins, and architectural landmarks here. A unique monastery
• Montserrat is the calling card of Catalonia. A popular resort in Catalonia is Tossa de Mar with its magnificent landscapes and gentle sea.
• Barcelona with its numerous and varied entertainments and recreation centers. For example, one of the main attractions of Barcelona, and of all Spain as a whole, is the aquarium. It is located in the Old Port area. It is an important center for the study of the life of underwater inhabitants of the Mediterranean Sea. Be sure to pay attention to the mini-aquariums, which fully showcase the beauty of marine life. The 80-meter glass tunnel in the sea allows you to see the underwater inhabitants above your head in their natural environment, including large sharks. For holders of diving certificates it is possible to swim with sharks.
• The “PortAventura” amusement park in Catalonia. One of the best amusement parks in Europe. Rides for children and adults, roller coasters, a water park, a theme park, restaurants and cafés – all this will leave only the best impressions of your trip.
• The Balearic Islands are the perfect place for a luxurious beach holiday. They include Mallorca, Ibiza, Formentera, and Menorca.
• The Prado National Museum, located on the Boulevard of the Arts. Here are collected the works of the greatest painters. The museum houses more than 8,500 paintings and 700 sculptures.
• Spanish bullfighting is a spectacle for the brave. Bullfights start in March. There are arenas for the sport in almost every major city.
• You can listen to and watch flamenco in almost every city. But pay special attention to Barcelona and flamenco on La Rambla; in Granada, in Madrid, and in the recognized capital of flamenco – Seville.
• The Sagrada Família in Barcelona is an incredibly beautiful architectural monument. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• La Rioja is the land of vineyards. A unique place where you can get acquainted with the technology of wine production, taste it, and buy the best European wine at good prices.

What to try from the food

Traditional Spanish cuisine is a variety of dishes, ingredients, and different cooking techniques. Each region of the country is famous for its special dishes. But they are all united by jamón, tapas, gazpacho, olive oil, and paella.

• Jamón is world-famous cured meat prepared using a special technology. It comes in two types – ibérico and serrano. The main feature of raising pigs for jamón is free range and feeding them selected acorns. The cost of a front leg of the pig ranges from 90 to 300 euros.
• Paella is a national Spanish dish made from rice with saffron, with the addition of olive oil.
• Gazpacho. Served chilled. It consists of tomatoes, green onions, pepper, olive oil, and white wine. It is served with cubes of white bread, toasted over an open flame.
• Esqueixada Catalan-style. An original salad whose main ingredient is cod, along with green onion, tomatoes, pepper, olive oil, olives, pepper, and salt.
• Galician-style octopus. A refined Spanish dish chosen by true gourmets. Served with a side dish.

Where to stay

Before choosing the type and option of accommodation, you need to decide exactly where and for what purpose you are going to Spain. Ski resorts and beach holidays are optimal on the Costa del Sol. Some of the most beautiful, clean, and comfortable beaches are in Galicia, on Ibiza, on the island of Lanzarote, and also in San Sebastián.

• Excursions, architecture, history, and sights of Spain – in Valencia, Barcelona, Alicante.
• Hotels in the country are quite widespread thanks to a solid tourist flow. Room rates vary and depend on several parameters: the quality of services provided, the number of stars of the hotel, and its location relative to the sea.
• Hotels at ski resorts offer accommodation in comfortable rooms with half board (similar to a buffet) and high-quality service.
• Rental of villas and apartments. Good living conditions for those who prefer an environment as close to home as possible. Comfortable, spacious, cozy, and with plenty of room.
• Budget accommodation – hostels and campsites. Affordable, practical, and accessible housing.
• Accommodation in the mountains – an original way to spend the night in the Spanish mountains. This is relevant for small villages or towns where homeowners offer rooms for rent starting from 10 euros.

In order to be guaranteed a place to stay during your trip, it is advisable to book rooms in a hotel or guesthouse in advance, or contact a real estate agency and rent suitable accommodation online.

What souvenirs to bring back

• The Holy Grail. Fans of Dan Brown will appreciate such a souvenir, which is not only a special gift, but also a surprise filled with mystery and the spirit of past centuries. According to legend, it was brought from Jerusalem to Spain.
• Valencian porcelain will be appreciated by admirers of luxurious gifts. These are some of the most expensive and impressive presents.
• Football merchandise and clothing from the famous Barça football team will delight all football fans. Please your loved ones with such an original gift.
• Olive oil – beyond competition. Such a surprise will be appreciated by almost every homemaker.
• Original perfumes and cosmetics from the Alvarez Gomez brand. One of the oldest perfume houses in Spain.
• A Spanish guitar, which is not only a national pride of the country, but also an original souvenir for true connoisseurs of musical instruments.
• Souvenirs made of colored mosaic. The most popular is the mosaic bull figurine.

How to organize the perfect trip

Many tourists choose tours to Spain, and not only those who prefer to bask on the beaches, but also those who like to walk around famous places in search of interesting tourist routes and attractions. Spain is often chosen by lovers of yachting holidays, who know exactly how and when to organize the perfect trip for themselves and their loved ones.

Thanks to a well-developed transport infrastructure, traveling around the country by train is not difficult at all, and you don’t even need to rent a car. You can fly into Barcelona, take a train from there to Madrid, transfer to a bus or commuter train to Seville and Ronda, and fly out of Málaga.

The country is ideal for active entertainment for fans and enthusiasts of motorsport and Formula 1. Several race tracks for such events will not leave indifferent any fan of Moto Grand Prix, Moto GP, or Formula 1.

When choosing a tour to Spain from Kyiv for a holiday with children, pay attention to the resorts on the Mediterranean coast. The climate is milder there, the sea is calmer, and the holiday is more comfortable.