Study and Travel in Spain

The grandeur of Spain is one of the world’s sought after travel experiences. Its majestic history, magnificent castles and monuments, romantic cities, and very warm people make it a favorite destination in the world. SpainExchange travel guide makes it easy for visitors to know more about Spain without reading articles with hundreds of lines. Topics are categorized to suit the kind of information you need. From arts, culture, gastronomy, history, places to visit, government and politics, religion, to economy. Name it SpainExchange has it. No more browsing of seemingly endless web pages without getting the information you want.

SpainExchange features a unique Spain Tour – personalized educational tours for high schools and colleges. The tours consists of exciting and remarkable sights and experiences such as discovery of Spain, history, the Al-Andalus legacy, landscapes and civilizations and so much more… Here are 5 reasons why choose SpainExchange Educational Spain Tours:

• You get the tour you want
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Who says learning and traveling don’t go together? SpainExchange Educational Spain Tours makes it all possible. Mo more worries on itineraries, lodging reservations, transpirations, travel guides and other services, they got it all covered. For more information visit http://www.spainexchange.com/spain_tours/index.php.

Spain has also remarkable list of schools and universities celebrated not only locally but also received international citations. Finding schools in Spain is very simple using SpainExchange search engine. The lists are grouped based on the following:

• Universities in Spain
• Graduate and Professional Programs
• Spanish Language and Culture Programs
• Career Colleges and Vocational Programs
• International Primary and Secondary Schools
• Spanish Language Schools in Spain
• US Study Abroad Programs in Spain
• Online and Distance Learning Courses

Students can also narrow their search by specifying the type or area of study, province where to study, and type of school – public, private, language school, etc. Studying in Spain has never been this easy. With SpainExchange, its hassle free and you get more than what you deserve. Just follow this link http://spainexchange.com/users/register.php?user_lang=en and fill up all the necessary information and you are ready to go…

Transportation

Various airports are found in many cities of Spain such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Bilbao, Murcia, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca. Madrid and Bilbao boast of their modern and stunning airports designed by prominent architects. If you are a little tight with your budget you can try some of their low cost carriers such as ClickAir, easyJet, Blue Air, Sterling Airlines, Vueling and RyanAir.

The RENFE, Spain’s official rail carrier, and FEVE are rail systems connecting major cities of the country. They are considered to be the some of Europe’s finest because of its modern design and amenities, reliability and punctuality.

Buses, boats and car renting are also common for most people traveling and touring Spain. They are highly recommended if you want to avoid the volume of people using the train systems. You can also enjoy more the view and sceneries of the cities when riding in one these transport vehicles.

Lodging

There are various types of accommodations you can choose from when traveling Spain. Small villages located near the coasts are popular because of the warm welcome and friendly environment they give to tourists. Casa Rural or the counterpart of B&Bs in other countries is also a recommended option since it is strictly regulated by authorities, plus quality and price varies greatly. The Parador, a prominent state-owned hotel chain in Spain, can make your stay a unique since its locations are mostly found in historical places such as Moorish castles, convents, and haciendas.

Food and Dining

Spaniards are known for their exquisite taste in food and wine. They usually eat light with a lot of vegetables with a mixture of meat and fish. Lunchtime normally starts between 1:30pm to 2pm and ends before 9pm. Dinner is served at 8:30pm or 9pm. Between these times, nearly all restaurants and cafes are closed except for big cities that serve until midnight. To make your travel a memorable one, you could try one theses Spanish dishes: Mariscos (popular shellfish in Pontevedra); Pescaíto frito (mouth-watering fried fish served in southern Spain); Paella (rice dish that can be served with seafood, chicken, or rabbit); and Tortilla de patatas (egg omelet mized with fried potato).

Festivities

Since more than 75% of Spain’s populations are Catholics it is no surprise that many of its local and national festivals are celebrated in Catholicism to the religion such as the Holy Week, Fiesta de San Isidro (May 15 in Madrid), and Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos (parade for the 3 Kings, celebrated in the 5^th of January). Other local celebrations you should watch out for are the Festival de Patios (2-week event when some locals open their houses to visitors to show their old Patios), Fallas (held in March in Valencia), Seville’s April Fair (consist of flamenco dancing, drinking of sherry and bullfighting), and the world-famous La Tomatina (a massive tomato fight in Buñol.

Shopping

For people who love shopping while traveling, you can find designer brands such Zara, Mango, Camper and Bershka in major cities and it could save you some cash. Popular department and specialty stores in Spain include the El Corte Ingles, Casas, Camper and For. The Kukuxumusu t-shirt is a favorite souvenir for many tourists that have funny designs and various subjects about Spain.

Over time Spain has established itself as one of the most visited country in the world. Hundreds of cities in Spain reflect its vast history, vibrant culture and contemporary lifestyle. Aside from Madrid other cities that are worth your time includes the following:

· Barcelona – is Spain’s second largest city and the capital of Catalonia. It has many modern structures, colorful and lively night life and famous beaches and resorts. You should also try visiting the musical fountains in Placa d’ Espanya, Casa Batlló and Torre Agbar office tower, it offers a magnificent view at night.

· Bilbao – is the city capital of Vizacaya in Basque Country. It is famous for various museums such as the Guggenheim Museum, Museo de Bellas Artes, Basque Museum, La Ria Maritime Museum, Museo Taurino, Museo Diocesano de Arte Sacro (Museum of Sacred Art) and the Museo de Reproducciones Artísticas (Museum of Artistic Reproductions)

· Córdoba – located in the region of Andalucia with a population of 350,000. the city of Cordoba is famous for its La Mezquita, the 3^rd biggest Mosque in the world with a cathedral built inside of it. other places to visit include the Calleja de las Flores, La Sinagoga, Medina Azahara, Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos and Plaza del Cristo de los Faroles.

· Seville – the capital of Andalucia, the financial and cultural district of southern Spain. Never miss to drop by at the Sevilla Card, this special card provides free admission to a good number of museums, monuments, unlimited use of public transportations and other freebies. The Cathedral of Seville, Real Alcazar, the Jewish Quarter, Torre de Oro, Parque Maria Luisa, Plaza de España, Universidad de Sevilla, The Museum of Fine Arts at Plaza del Museo and Casa de Pilatos

· Valencia – considered to be the birthplace of paella, Valencia is the capital of the Old Kingdom of Valencia. The best places to visit are the City of Arts and Science, Barri del Carme, the Seu, the Llotja, Mercant Cathedral, and the old Turia river bed. It also recently hosted the 2007 America’s Cup.

Second to Italy, Spain has the most number locations declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site with a total of 40 found all over the country such as the Historic Walled City of Cuenca, Monastery and Site of the Escorial, Palau de la Música Catalana and Hospital de Sant Pau, Burgos Cathedral, Old Town of Segovia and its Aqueduct, Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin on the Iberian Peninsula, Vizcaya Bridge and many more.

The cities of Granada, Santander, León, San Sebastian, Cadiz and Jerez de la Frontera are also much recommended. Each city offers a unique and diverse culture that every visitor will surely find remarkable and something to make you keep coming back for more. There would no dull moments in Spain once you stepped in any of these cities. Exploring each city will be a new and exciting experience you will never forget.