Spain Tourism Monocle
Spain has been a leading travel destination for so long that it’s easy to assume that it’s a known quantity. Yet it’s a country that has an inexhaustible capacity to surprise. From its rich cultural traditions to its landscape that encompasses mountains and beaches, it’s a place of many wonders for people of all tastes and interests. In partnership with Spain Tourism, we rediscover and reimagine Spain.
TRAVEL ––––––––––– REIMAGINING ESPAÑA
01 SAVOUR –– Food, drink & hospitality
A country whose cuisine offers almost infinite regional variation, Spain boasts far more than just paella and gazpacho. And whether you crave urban conviviality or the serenity of nature, a perfect Iberian bolthole awaits.
Few countries can equal Spain when it comes to home-grown produce. This abundance of delicious ingredients informs countless regional cuisines that have been perfected over centuries. Across the peninsula, chefs delight in reinventing traditional recipes for foodies craving fresh flavours. Lunches last all afternoon, dinners often start at 10pm and sobremesa, the lively post-meal conversation between family and friends, remains the bedrock of society. Fill your glasses with vermouth or pour yourself another caña because here in Spain you’ll be in it for the long haul.
But where will you stay? In the centre of the old town with the clink of glasses below your balcony? Or deep in wine country, where the lodgings are as ancient as the vines and dishes are designed around native varietals? With 5,000km of coastline, beaches abound and it’s easy to avoid the crowds by choosing a rural town where the welcome is as warm as the weather.
02 DISCOVER –– Culture
Wherever you find yourself in Spain, you won’t be far from an expression of the country’s deep commitment to its culture – and it’s never been easier to soak up its music, art, literature and traditions.
Is it any wonder that some of the world’s greatest artists, writers, film-makers and performers have been inspired by a country that so dearly holds culture to its heart? In Spain art is present at every turn and culture is taken seriously; people invest in it both financially and emotionally. Museums, galleries and cinemas are cherished parts of almost every town and city. Great lumbering sculptures prowl the streets and stand watch over the beaches. Vast museums house priceless works by Goya, Velázquez and El Greco. Alongside giants such as Picasso, Miró and Dalí, new artists are nurtured in galleries that serve their cities with cutting-edge contemporary art. And music, oh, the music. Guitars and traje de gitana make for a fine spectacle but there is far more to Spain than castanets and flamenco. Spaniards know how to throw a party and some of them last all summer. With a festival for almost any taste, just book your tickets and get stuck in.
03 EXPLORE –– Design & architecture
Spain has always been a country of makers. Today it is home to leading designers who marry time-tested traditions with fearless innovation, informed by a sunny outlook that prizes the art of living well.
Spanish design continues to thrive, with brands such as Gandía Blasco and Kettal leading the outdoor furniture sector and the likes of Marset and Santa & Cole illuminating hotels, restaurants and homes with their timeless lighting. Handcrafts are a mainstay of Spain’s creative output; lately young artisans have been raising the stakes with a renewed commitment to age-old traditions, resulting in spectacular work in leather and other natural materials.
The country’s architects are also wowing the world with commissions that demonstrate an innate understanding of how to live well. Fashion designers are flocking to the capital and home-grown brands are finding their way onto an international stage that is hungry for their well-conceived, well-made wares. Spain is a global leader in shoe-making; slip on a pair of espadrilles and wear it all summer, taking it off only to take a dip. Spain, we tip our sombrero to you and your healthy, 03 happy world of design.
04 EXPERIENCE –– Leisure & sport
Want to amble from hotel room to urban beach and while away a summer’s day? Or take in the view from atop a Mallorcan mountain? The Spanish landscape offers a wealth of activities to suit any taste.
From the icing-sugar sand of Formentera to the wild waves of the Costa de la Luz, beaches abound. The coves of the Costa Brava, the endless stretches of Andalucian shoreline, the verdant coasts of Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country – there is a seaside style to float anyone’s boat. Enjoy a spot of pelota vasca or surfing in the northeast; alternatively, head southwest for some of the world’s best and most consistent winds for watersports. Sometimes only a boat trip will do: so head out on a treasure hunt around the hidden coves or explore caves in southern Menorca. For those who prefer to tour on two wheels, Mallorca’s Tramuntana mountain range is unmatched for its beauty. Try your hand at something new, whether it’s kayaking, canoeing, climbing, camping, fishing, sailing or even birding. But if all of this activity seems a little too much, Spain is home to some of the best spas and retreats in Europe. Bienvenido and enjoy your stay.
