There are many opportunities to try some of Spain’s famous wines with wineries and wine tasting tours organised all over the country. The largest winery, Enocircuit Club, is on the west side of the capital and it offers a programme presenting Spain through the aroma of traditional wines. The club looks at five wines that are grown in Spanish vineyards. The Madrid Vineyard is most famous for Tempranillo and Garnacha wines. Another niche pursuit is a relaxing visit to a spa resort. Spas are very popular throughout the major cities and they are often found in hotels. The Salux Spa in the Hotel Meliá Altea Hills Resort in Alicante is one of Spain’s most popular and offers treatments such as facials, massages, saunas and Jacuzzi.

Spain has many cultural festivals, many of which are rooted in religious origins. One of the most important festivals is the Semana Santa Cáceres, the Easter Holy Week Festival held in Cáceres in March or April. This festival is marked by numerous concerts and processions. Religious icons are paraded through the city centre and people sing saetas, which are songs about the icons. The International Folk Festival in El Segura held annually in Cieza brings people from all races and religions together to promote a message of tolerance and respect. There is a large craft market, plenty of street entertainment and a variety of concerts.

Families will enjoy the country’s many aquariums parks and zoos. Amusement parks are located in most major cities and many of them are water parks; the biggest park, Water World, is located in Barcelona. The park is suitable for whole families and has water slides of all sizes, 2 miniature golf courses, swimming pools and picnic areas. Spain has one of the largest aquariums in Europe called Finisterrae Aquarium in A Coruña Madrid. The aquarium has over 5,000 fish and recently celebrated the birth of the first gray shark born in captivity. The safari park in Aldea del Fresno provides a great outdoor experience and allows visitors to travel among elephants, rhinoceros, hippopotamuses and giraffes. If you like to be outdoors, then visit one of Spain’s 11 National Parks. The biggest is Doñana National Park located at the mouth of the Guadalquivir River. The park is home to over 150,000 birds. The smallest park, Maritimo-Terrestre National Park, is home to wall lizards and flocks of sea birds.

Water sports are available all along the coast of Spain from windsurfing to sailing. The most famous place to sail is along the coast of Benalmadena. Other outdoor sports include horse riding along the beaches, golfing in the golf resorts of Torrequebrada and hiking in Monte Calamorro, where you can enjoy the scenery and countryside. There are several cruises available around the Meditierrean Sea, but the Tarragona cruise is the most popular; passengers travel to the Medieval walled village of Montblanc and see the site where Saint George killed the legendary dragon.