Flamenco dancers and bull-fights, paella and Picasso - Spain boasts a rich cultural and culinary heritage, but this fascinating country on the Iberian Peninsula has so much more to offer. Explore historical cities such as Toledo and Granada; visit the modern metropolises of Madrid, the capital, and bustling Barcelona, the second largest city in Spain; and discover a diversity of landscapes that range from the moonscape of Almería to the beach dunes of the Costa de la Luz, the volcanic archipelago of the Canary Islands to Majorca's idyllic beaches on the Mediterranean sea. Tourists will be able to uncover the country's captivating past through its medieval villages and megalithic monuments; and then step back into the present with visits to the country's Science Museums and galleries housing some of the finest contemporary art works in the world. Spain will scintillate your every sense as you sip on its sherry, soak in the Mediterranean sunshine, take in the sounds of Flamenco music and the sights of cutting edge architecture, and breathe in the invigorating scent of the country's fertile olive groves.

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When to travel Due to its large size, Spain's climate varies considerably between the different regions. Overall, however, the country has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The central plateau has cold winters and hot summers; the northern coastal regions are characterised by cooler weather (with temperatures averaging 14°C); and Madrid is known for its unpredictable weather because of its high altitude, but can become so hot in summer that many of the locals depart en masse in July and August. Andalusia and the Levante enjoy a temperate climate, except for the sweltering summer months when temperatures can soar above 40°C. Easter is a busy period in Spain, with many Spaniards themselves traveling around the country, so booking accommodation in advance is essential. To avoid high season - when crowds flock to coastal regions - it's best to visit the country in May, June and September, as well as April and October in the southern regions, when the weather remains pleasant and the throng of summer tourists have returned home.

What to pack Pack light, comfortable and loose-fitting clothing for the hot summer months, and wear layers in the winter months that can be easily removed. Even Andalusia's short winters require warmer clothing, such as jackets. Pack waterproof rainwear for the wet season and remember that conservative dress is required when visiting some of the churches. Don't forget a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses for UV protection, as well as any prescription medicine, and a good pair of walking shoes. Other useful things to include in your bag are a small first-aid kit (aspirin, flu medicine, travel sickness pills etc.), money bag or waist bag, and insect repellant.

Costs in Spain The currency in Spain is the Euro, divided into 100 cents or centimes. Credit cards are widely accepted at hotels, shops and restaurants (although smaller stores and restaurants, especially outside of large cities, will only accept cash). Keep in mind, however, that Visa and MasterCard are more easily accepted than American Express and Diners Club. ATMs - cajeros automáticos - are also widely accessible in Spain, even in smaller towns. You can exchange traveller's cheques in banks, exchange offices and some of the larger hotels, and it is advisable to take traveller's cheques in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars to avoid additional charges. Banking hours in Spain are generally between 09:00-14:00 (Mon-Fri), with some branches in the larger cities open on Saturdays between 08:30-13:00 (except in the summer). It's always a good idea to keep some cash or small change handy for daily necessities, such as snacks, taxis and public transport. Most establishments add a service charge to the bill, however it is customary to leave some coins for good service.

Health and Safety No vaccinations are required for entry into Spain. If you suffer from minor ailments during your trip, you can visit one of the many ‘farmacias' (usually open from 09:00-13:30 and 17:30-20:00), where most pharmacists will be able to give you advice in English. It's important to take out comprehensive travel insurance in the event of a medical emergency as treatment at private hospitals can be very expensive. It's also a good idea to carry a note translated into Spanish should you have specific dietary requirements or medical conditions that could cause problems during your holiday. Stick to bottled water to avoid possible stomach upsets and keep well hydrated, especially if you're drinking coffee and/or alcohol and spending time in the sun. Finally, Spain is generally a safe travel destination although petty crime, such as pick-pocketing, is common in the tourist areas of large cities, including Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Seville. So exercise some caution and minimise the amount of cash you carry around with you. It's also a good idea to keep photocopies of your passport separate from the original document.

What to buy From markets to upmarket malls with the latest designer labels, shopaholics will be spoilt for choice during their visit to Spain. Shops are generally open from 09:00/10:00-13:30, when they close for siesta, and then from 16:00-20:00/21:00 (Mon-Sat). Larger shops and malls are usually open all day. The different regions are known for specialising in various products: Catalonia has a long lace-making tradition, you'll find exquisite handmade jewellery in Cordoba, beautiful pottery in Granada, and antiques in the galleries near Plaza Santa Anna in Madrid. Besides ceramics, paintings and embroidery, Spain is also a good place to buy leather goods - particularly suede jackets - which are not cheap but still offer good value for money. Andalusian leatherwork in particular is known for its excellent quality and contemporary designs. Other handicrafts not to be missed on your shopping trails include Toledo's ‘damascene' - metal inlaid with gold using a painstaking engraving technique; as well as glassworks from La Granja made from finest crystal. If you're in Madrid on a Sunday

(07:00-14:30), be sure to visit the massive El Rastro Market in a historic part of Madrid. You'll find clothing in the stalls at the market's starting point at the top of a hill, art and handicrafts in the streets winding to the left, antiques and other second hand goods in the streets to the right, and books as well as electrical goods as you make your way to the bottom of the hill. Most large towns will have there own market, or ‘mercado', where you can also buy fresh produce, flowers and other knick knacks - a pleasurable way to spend a morning like the locals. Handy hint: If you're in search of leather shoes, look for a label that says ‘Cuero'. For women, the shoe sizes can be worked out as follows - SA size 4/ Spanish size 37; 5/38; 6/39; 7/40; 8/41; and for men - 7/40; 8/42; 9/43; 10/44; 11/45

Food and Drink Eating is a favourite social past time for the Spanish, who like to take their time savouring their meals with family and friends. Spain has a long and rich culinary heritage, characterised by great regional diversity. The Moors, for example, came with recipes from North Africa; and explorers brought back tomatoes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, vanilla and chocolate from the New World. While Spanish cuisine varies from region to region, olive oil and garlic are staple ingredients across the country. Spaniards also love cured ham, or Jamón serrano; in fact, they are so fond of ham that there is even a museum dedicated to this prized food. Seafood is also popular and plentiful in Spain, thanks to the country's geographical location surrounded by water on three sides. And then there are sausages, which come with regional variations but constitute a firm favourite across Spain. The chorizo-type sausages are sold soft, smoked or aged but keep in mind that most contain pork. The Spanish omelette, or Tortilla Espanola, is another common Spanish dish, made with eggs, onions and potatoes. And you certainly cannot visit Spain without indulging in authentic paella - a Valencian rice dish traditionally

made with Spanish short-grained rice that is coloured and flavoured with saffron and mixed with a range of other ingredients that might include chicken, seafood, pork, beans, tomatoes, peppers and beans. Then there are tapas - sometimes also referred to as pinchos - which are Spanish appetisers that can be enjoyed either hot or cold. Their origins can be traced back to Andalusia where they were served with sherry. Choose from salt-cured ham, chorizo, sheep's cheese, olives, potatoes in spicy tomato sauce and prawns to name just a few. Enjoy your tapas with a glass or two of sherry, another of Spain's most famous exports. Try the famous chilled sherry from the Jerez region in Andalusia, or the richer amontillado and oloroso sherries that make for a delicious accompaniment to cured ham. Beer is also becoming increasingly popular in Spain, where people like to sip a light-coloured lager with their tapas. And, as the third largest producer of wine in the world, Spain offers a wide variety of fine wines to try out on your travels, such as Rioja wine.

Restaurants Most towns have tapas bars, which are packed on Sundays and public holidays as family and friends come together. Visitors to Spain will find that restaurants here are usually closed on Sundays or Mondays, and tend to stay open later than in other parts of the world. Enjoy affordable meals at family-run restaurants, ‘posadas' or ‘mesones'. Besides tapas, cheaper restaurants will also offer a fish/meat dish with chips and vegetables, called ‘platos combinados'; and most restaurants offer a fixed three-course menu at reasonable prices. Madrid is home to some of the finest fish restaurants around, such as the Restaurante La Dorada. This is where you'll also find the old Sobrino de Botín, made famous by Ernest Hemingway in his novel The Sun Also Rises. Founded in 1725, the restaurant is famous for its suckling pig and roast lamb, as well as its tasty sangria. El Bulli on the Costa Brava in Catalonia has been voted ‘Best Restaurant in the World' for an unprecedented three times

on the San Pellegrino's list of the World's Best 50 Restaurants (it's only open from April to September and you need to be quick - bookings are only taken on a single day in October); the Mugaritz Restaurant in the Basque country ranked seventh on the list in 2007 and is a great place to sample mouthwatering foie gras. Spaniards are not big vegetarians but there are some good vegetarian/vegan restaurants around, such as Biomenu Restaurante Vegetariano in Alicante that offers a set menu and salad bar; or Vegetalia in Barcelona, which offers veggie burgers, tofu kebabs, hummus and quiches and has an adjoining shop that sells organic produce and wheat-free products. The Fast Good restaurant chain across Spain offers healthier alternatives to traditional fast food options, with quick meals made from high quality ingredients. But for those with a hankering for more familiar tastes, McDonalds, Burger King, Pizza Hut and Starbucks can also be found in Spain.

Religion Roman Catholicism is the main religion in Spain, with over 75% of the population identifying themselves as Roman Catholic. As a result of increasing numbers of immigrants to the country, there is a growing number of Muslims, with Islam constituting the second largest religion in Spain today. Religion has played a pivotal role in Spain's past. When the Moors invaded the peninsula in 711, they brought the dominance of Christianity to an end, which had been made the official religion by Emperor Justinian in 400 AD. The small kingdom of Asturias and later the Basque kingdom of Navarre resisted Muslim domination, however. It was these Christian kingdoms that attempted to regain control from the Muslims in a series of crusades - the Reconquista - that spanned several centuries, until 1492 with the fall of Granada, which was the last stronghold of the Muslims. The Spanish Inquisition began in the 15th century (right up until the 19th century when it was definitively suppressed) at the request of King Ferdinand V and Queen Isabella I. The purpose of the Inquisition was to deal with Marranos - Jews who were coerced into converted to Christianity - followed by converts from Islam and Protestantism.

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