Spain is considered to be one of the top holiday destinations in Europe, and in my books, any nation who takes a break in the middle of the day to enjoy a snooze has to be alright. For those heading to the country of sunshine and siestas, keep a look out for the following activities and attractions.
Barcelona – Culture
One of the most prominent Spanish cities is Barcelona, home of the intricately carved Sagrada Familia. This Catholic Church towers above visitors, and though it was started in the 1800s, it is still under construction and is only expected to be completed in 2026. If you climb it, you’ll get a great view of the city, and from below you can see the numerous alcoves with intricately carved statuettes. While in Barcelona, ensure you check out the Gothic church of Santa Maria del Pi, and the Arc de Triomf. Then head back to your hotel for a well-deserved siesta.
Once you awaken refreshed, head out to discover the wonderful museums in town, such as the National Museum of Art of Catalonia. This museum has a large collection of works that range from the Middle Ages right through to works produced in the 21st century. For the next leg of your journey, catch a bus through to Andorra. The ride will take you on a journey through the Pyrenees Mountains, which affords travellers beautiful views over the country.
Andorra – Sangria
Welcome to Andorra, home of one of the two crown princes; one French, and the other Spanish. It is here you’ll discover the rumoured birthplace of sangria. For those not in the know, sangria is a red wine cocktail with fruit and rum, though rum is often substituted for a non-alcoholic beverage such as fruit juice, or Sprite. Kick start your day by having breakfast at a local café, then take a 45 minute ride out of town to Seu d’Urgel. Here, you can visit the Romanesque Cathedral, which is free to enter, and afterwards browse the market that adorns the street outside it. If you’re an art fanatic, then stop in at the Diocesan Museum which has a large collection of sculptures and artworks that date back to ancient times.
Return to Andorra and spend the afternoon enjoying a pizza at Vesuvio Pizzeria, along with a glass of sangria, of course. Once you’re done, head to the famed thermal baths of Caldea to soothe your tired muscles. After a peaceful night’s sleep at one of the local accommodations, take a scenic four-hour drive to the famed city of Pamplona, which hosts the annual running of the bulls in July.
Pamplona – Restive Stop
This isn’t one of the main destinations on this siesta, sangria, seaside trip, but it’s a city full of heritage, and as mentioned above, is known for the annual tradition of running with the bulls. While here, visit the heart of Pamplona – the Plaza del Castillo – and see the beautiful 18th century buildings that surround it. Once you’re done admiring the scenery, take a walk to the bronze statue of Encierro, which is a very life-like creation depicting the famous bull run. Now that you’ve stretched your legs, it’s time to continue on to San Sebastian. If you have time, another great attraction here is the Monasterio de Leyre, which has beautiful views of the area and an interesting history.
San Sebastian – Seaside Living
Congratulations, you’ve reached your last leg of the journey and can take a well-deserved siesta on warm seaside sand. Many visitors will agree that La Concha in San Sebastian has one of the best urban beaches. Surfers rule the waters beyond the rock, beautiful bodies adorn the beach when the tide permits, and a walk along the promenade will put you in a holiday mood. There are plenty of restaurants dotted about, so pick one and order a chilled glass of wine and some tasty paella to complement it.
Author Bio: Roseanna Elizabeth McBain is a writer for TravelGround, a Cape Town accommodation and booking website. She has a love of cultures from around the world, and enjoys reading up on various myths and legends.
Image resources:
A look at the intricte figurines on the sagrada familia. By ctsnow (Flickr) – http://www.flickr.com/photos/ctsnow/356419391/sizes/l/in/photostream/
The thermal baths at Caldea. By palooja (Flickr) – http://www.flickr.com/photos/palooja/4547993117/sizes/o/in/photostream/
Sangria at a Barcelona beach cafe. By allthingschill (Flickr) – http://www.flickr.com/photos/allthingschill/7191451322/sizes/l/in/photostream/
