Part of the appeal of Spain is that it is just a short flight away from the UK, with Majorca and Menorca, two of the popular Spanish islands, taking under two hours from London’s Gatwick Airport. Fares have dropped dramatically in recent years with the advent of low cost airlines flying to Mallorca, Menorca and mainland Spain, making the possibility of more than one visit a year to the island by many tourists a reality. Such was the appeal of Spain and the opportunity to holiday abroad in the 1960′s and 70′s parts of Spain saw a rapid hotel and holiday complex building programme, with some areas changing from quiet coastal villages to concrete jungles, but despite this the tourists still flocked in, later to consider other areas that hadn’t been developed as much.

Emerging holiday destinations view the development of Spain in the early days of mass tourism with caution, and Spain itself has introduced tougher building and planning regulations to ensure their initial errors aren’t repeated by developers ever anxious to build a new hotel resort. New competition from Eastern European countries is a threat to Spain’s holiday market dominance, and the decision has been made to spend some money on advertising the Balearics in particular to the British and German markets.

The three Balearic Islands of Menorca, Majorca and Ibiza might be close to each other, but they are all different in character and the type of tourist they typically attract, making the advertising campaign necessarily a diverse one to reach the different markets for the three different Balearic islands. A surprise for example is that the amount of time spent on Ibiza by each tourist is longer than on Menorca and Majorca – destroying the myth that Ibiza is primarily for long weekends or short trips for a couple of nights in the club. But one thing does bind the three islands – the number of tourists from Germany, UK, and the Spanish mainland – which together make up over 80 per cent of their visitors. The UK advertising campaign for Majorca holidays includes a team distributing information at London’s Victoria Station.

Trains from Victoria run several times an hour to London’s Gatwick Airport, allowing easy access to Mallorca for Londoners. One spin-off from sustained tourism in Spain has been the number of Brits and Germans moving to the country and her islands, bringing with them the money they have made from selling their businesses and homes plus a pension, boosting the local economies further. And the tourists who decide to call Spain home are becoming more involved with their new local governments and politics. Spain seems to be the new frontier for many weary inhabitants of the crowded towns and cities in the UK and Germany. While this trend bodes well for the Spanish economy, no one yet knows what sort of impact the influx of expatriates will do for Spain’s political destiny.

Today, in 2007, nearly one million former British citizens call Spain their new home, and nearly a quarter of those are eligible to vote in Spanish elections. While they are allowed to vote on national issues, they are still curtailed from voting in local or regional elections, but that may change in the near future as more immigrants arrive on the sun-soaked sands of islands like Majorca, where British voting trends have decided the results of some elections already. The San Fulgencio area, located in the Alicante province of Spain, currently heads the lead in foreigners calling Spain home now, with three quarters of them being British. Majorca and Menorca continue to be the most popular destinations for many Britains looking for new homes, new horizons and new destinies, and only time will tell what this means overall for Spaniards.

Madrid Spain has always held a position of dominance in the sectors of politics and culture. Though Madrid has put on contemporaneity, but its rich tradition of art has never ceased to endure Madrid Spain . Travelers to Madrid always are in look for the rich heritage in Madrid. Few of the visits of interest in Madrid are:
- Teatro Real (Royal Theater)
- Royal Palace of Madrid
- Buen Retiro Park
- Prado Museum
- Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
- Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
- 19th-century National Library building

The museums in Madrid have a good collection of the rare artworks by Pablo Picasso.
Being the capital of Spain, Madrid is frequently visited by tourists for various purposes. Few come here to bathe in the historical tradition and natural beauty while some turn out for business. A large number of immigrants from European Union nations cater to Madrid Spain to find lucrative job offers. The populated city of Madrid is well equipped with transportation facilities like airways, roadways, railways.

Madrid Spain is served by the Barajas International Airport where flights from most of the important countries do their business. The Red Nacional de Ferrocarriles Españoles (Renfe) maintains a smooth railway system in Spain Madrid. A recent mode of fast communication operating in Madrid is its metro network. The province of Madrid gets the service of an extensive commuter rail network called Cercanías as well.

Restaurants in Madrid Spain are offering a service of international standard with modern amenities and rich cuisines. Its night life is a vibrant one.

Travel in Madrid offers you the scenic beauties draped in seas and mountains alongside the nature parks and trekking routes. But what has attracted visitors down the ages is its rich tradition of art. Museums in Madrid are visited by tourists at every point of time in the year.

The climate in Madrid is moderate that offers the visitors to explore this capital of Spain comfortably. But anyone with an intense interest to travel in Madrid should tour it in the season of spring from the month of March to May. Tourists flock to Madrid in the month of October as well.

Travel in Madrid starts at the Plaza Mayor which is the main square in the heart of Madrid. Once you start at the Plaza Mayor that took its shape in the 16 th century, you will head along to following places of interest in Madrid:
- Casa de la Panadería – A bakery house with fresco paintings in the front.
- Casa de la Carnicería – Municipal office in the modern times although a butcher shop in the earlier days.
- Palacio de Santa Cruz – This is the building dedicated to Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Casa de la Villa – It was designed by Juan Gómez de Mora in 1640 for the Town Council and jail.
- Basilica de San Miguel – It is a 18th century Baroque building designed with a curious curve in the front.
- Capilla del Obispo – It is the sole Gothic cathedral in Madrid.

The rich culture of art in Madrid can be well felt if you visit the 3 museums when you travel in Madrid . These 3 museums are together known famously as the Golden Triangle of Art. The museums are:
- Prado Museum
- Thyssen Bornemisza Museum
- Reina Sofia Museum

When you travel in Madrid few of the parks showered with flora and fauna that you should not miss are:
- Casa de Campo
- Parque del Retiro
- Jardín Botánico
- Rosales and the Parque del Oeste

If you can afford a big vacation and own an interest in trekking you can take the trekking routes from Madrid to Alcalá de Henares, Aranjuez, Manzanares el Real, El Escorial, Ávila, Segovia, Toledo. Your travel in Madrid can be a memorable one if you explore these sites. Madrid is full of natural reserves. So, you can find something new at every corner.

Restaurants in Madrid serve traditional cuisines with a fine blend of international dishes. Sea food is prepared in a unique manner that allures the guests to ask for more. Most of the Madrid restaurants serve non-vegetarian dishes but vegetarian restaurants in Madrid are opening up in recent times.

Night life in Madrid is splendid. There are a number of bars and night restaurants in Madrid . Renowned DJs play music till late night and the visitors keep dancing to their tune. These restaurants are open throughout the night. The police protection in these night restaurants keep the visitors at ease with no fear playing on their part.

If you are visiting Madrid for the first time and own the taste for traditional dishes, you should search for the most traditional dish of Madrid, ‘Cocido’. Cocido is served as a side dish with meals at all traditional restaurants in Madrid . It is priced 25 Euro in most of the restaurants.

Few of the classic restaurants in Madrid are:
- Restaurante El Bodegón Address : 15, Pinar
- Restaurante Zalacaín Address : 4, Alvárez de Baena
- Restaurante La Broche Address : 29, Miguel Angel
- Restaurante El Chaflán Address : 34, Avda. Pio XII

Names of few reasonable and charming restaurants in Spain are:
- Restaurante El Séptimo 7, Diego de León
- Restaurante La Favorita Covarrubias 25,
- Restaurante Prada a tope. 11, Príncipe
- Restaurante Teatriz 15, Hermosilla
- Restaurante Centro Riojano. 25, Serrano
- Restaurante Bice19, Génova

The best of the international restaurants in Madrid are:
- Restaurante Annapurna 5, Zurbano
- Restaurante Thai Gardens 5, Jorge Juan
- Restaurante la Fondue de Tell 12, Divino Pastor

An ideal place to observe the rare natural activities of the wild animals, the Barcelona Zoo is located in the Parc de la Ciutadella. It contains more than 7,000 animals from all-over the globe. Very few cities in the world can boast of a zoo that houses animals that are unique. Barcelona is just one of these rare cities which takes in its pride to house the unique Snowflake, the Albino Gorilla Floquet de Neu Other inmates occupying the different chambers of the zoo include dolphins, penguins, snakes, elephants and the long necked giraffes.The animals are kept in the open and are not caged which allows some wild life enthusiasts to go near and even touch the animals. There is an infant zoo where children can enjoy observing different animals in their natural surrounding. You can take a round of the Zoo in the train or even hire an electric buggy. There are restaurants, shops, Ponies, Electric cars and a Mini-train within the Zoo. There is an artificial mountain set up as well within the Zoo. The mountain is built somewhat similar in shape and size of the mystical Montserrat sierra.

This zoo takes pride on the humane facilities and the habitat it offers to the wild animals. There is a special display of reptiles such as chameleons and iguanas in the Barcelona Zoo. The dolphin shows and the killer whale shows are the main attractions of the zoo. The dolphins give a wonderful performance at the glass windows of the pool. One can visit the zoo at any time between 10 am to 5 pm in the winters. In summers, it is open from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm. Barcelona and Arc de Triomf are the nearest Metro stations. Barcelona Zoo is a good spot to spend the whole day. Other then observing the wild animals, the children can enjoy riding on the ponies. They may even take rides in the electric cars or in the mini-train.

Art and Culture
Opera theatre like Gran Teatre Del Liceu, concert hall like Palau de la Música and Sonar Music Festival represent the Music and Art loving community in Barcelona. This city offers the Music with variety. Contemporary Art, Catalan Art and Spanish Art are exhibited in the well-known National Museum of Art of Catalonia.

Architecture and Monuments
Spanish culture has a great importance of skillfully designed Monuments and Architecture. The masterpiece of Antoni Gaudi called ‘Sagrada Familia Church’ is a renowned Architectural work in the city of Barcelona which is still under construction. It is really astonishing. Park Guell, Palau Guell, Casa Mila, Casa Vicens are Casa Batllo are some of his other Heritage sites, built in the city. The architecture is influenced by Roman Art.

Beaches and Coasts
Barcelona is situated on the coastal region. Thus the beautiful beaches add in the beauty of this city. There are seven beaches in Barcelona. ‘Barceloneta’ is one of the famous beaches in Barcelona. All the facilities for sports are provided on the beaches. Thus the seafront golf courses are also made on the coastal area of this city.

Flavors of Barcelona
Catalonian recipes are the specialty of Barcelona’s cuisine. It has Mediterranean flavors which make the cuisine unique. Local dishes like Catalan stew, bread rubbed with tomato and sausages with white beans are offered in this city. The meal of Barcelona’s cuisine ends up with the delicious dessert ‘Crème Catalana’.

Barcelona Tourist Attractions
Barcelona is considered as the second largest city in Spain.
It is located on the Mediterranean coast. Thus the weather in Barcelona is humid and warm in summer. However winters are not so cold in Barcelona. The hills and mountain range like Catalan Pyrenees is a popular tourist spot. It houses several Tourist Attractions inviting the tourist to come and feast on its heritage.

Barcelona is a real pleasure for tourists. The city offers wide variety of destinations to tourists from all over the world. Barcelona Tourist Attractions can be clubbed in the following heads:

Shopping:
Shopping constitutes a major part of any tour. Barcelona is a place where one can shop for any kind of products. There are three big shopping areas in Barcelona. ‘Centro’ is a centre for buying clothes and interior designing items. For buying birds and flowers, ‘La Rambla’ is the perfect place. ‘Eixample’ is occupied with prestigious shops and exclusive Architecture and ‘Diagonal’ has luxurious shopping centers. Thus shopping in Barcelona definitely gives relaxation and pleasure. Street markets and craft stalls offer antiques, books, craft and toys of glass or ceramics. It is sited in ‘Espanyol de Montjuic’.

Barcelona is blessed with several world heritage sites and classic Architecture. It is a city, which offers beautiful beaches and adventure on mountains and hills. Barcelona is a blend of all of these and much more!

Madrid
It is the capital city of Spain. There are many museums in this city. The collection of painting in the historical time can be found in the Museo Nacinal Del Prado of Madrid. The contemporary art is exhibited in the Museum called Reina Sofia National Art Museum. King’s palace, Fountain in Paseo Del Arte and Plaza de la Cibeles fountain with beautiful light arrangements are some of the other must to visit destinations in Madrid.

Barcelona
It is the second largest city of Spain. Barcelona is famous for its beaches and coasts. Barceloneta is the most popular beach. Here people can relax or play sports with all facilities on the beach. Architecture adds in the beauty of this city. ‘Sagrada Familia Church’ is the renowned architecture of Antoni Gaudi is in Barcelona. ‘Centro’, La Rambla’ and ‘Exiample’ are the big three shopping destinations in this city.

Valencia
Principe Felipe Science interactive science Museum and L’Oceanografic aquarium are attractive destinations in this city.

Seville
For the celebration of Spanish festivals, Seville is the perfect place. The Flamenco Dance is the main attraction in this city.

Malaga
This is city is famous for beautiful castles. In addition it is the birth place o f Picasso. Thus his selective masterpieces are exhibited here in a Museum.

Bilbao
Guggenheim Museum and old monumental square called Plaza Nueva are the tourist destinations in this city.

Granada
The palace of the last Muslim ruler of Spain called Alhambra is situated on the hilltop. It is one of the landmarks in the trip to Spain.

Salamanca
Here, one can see the unique exhibition related to the discovery of cars and Automobiles. It is displayed in the unique Automobile Museum which reveals the history of cars and vehicles till the date.
Cordoba
The streets of this city are full with Typical Souvenir Artworks and Crafts. It offers all Kind of things in the small sized shops opened in the city.

Tenerife
This is an island which is a part of Spain. It offers wide variety of Cuisine like Seafood, dishes and desserts from fruits, pastries, eggs with gofio etc. This Island is included in Spain tourist destinations to have the taste of real Spanish cuisine.

Toledo
It is a city of three cultures because of namely Christians, Arabs and Jews. The beautiful palaces, churches, mosques are found here and open-air museum in Toledo is listed in the world Heritage sites

Spain houses several interesting tourist destinations. All these destinations are famous for different aspects and exhibit this diversity in the surface for the tourists to come and relish for long.