Ibiza; the island for anyone who wants to escape the daily grind and let the magic of this special island wash over them. Around the 60s and 70s it was the place to be for the elite and sun worshippers. Luxury, party and enjoyment were the keywords of this island. Ibiza became famous because of the big rise of the hippies. This and its image as a party island lasted until the 1990s when it experienced a small decline in the number of tourists. Fortunately only short-lived, because after a few years, life on the island of Ibiza began to pick up and people returned en masse to relive that feeling of luxury, party and enjoyment. Nowadays, this Spanish island is all over again and shows it in its full glory.

• More than 160 kilometers of coastline and 50 beaches surround this Spanish island.
• Ibiza has become a spiritual island thanks to the hippie movement. Much of this can still be seen today.
• 'Playa d'en Bossa' is the most famous beach where you can be entertained day and night, thanks in part to the famous club 'Bora Bora' located nearby.

Ibiza is part of the Balearic Islands group and is popularly known as "Eivissa. Part of the autonomous region of the Balearic Islands, it has a total area of 572 ^km2 and is about three times the size of Texel. The island is located in the east of the Spanish peninsula and is easily reached by boat or plane. The image that Ibiza formed thanks to the hippies in the 1960s and 1970s is still present to some extent today. The many alternative healers who have lodgings here, the hippie markets and the relaxed atmosphere here only confirms this. Besides, it doesn't matter how you are dressed, or who you are. The tourists and locals have an open attitude, because everyone comes here with the same goal: to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and have a good time. This place is also very popular with famous Dutch people.

Clubs in Ibiza

The capital of Ibiza, Ibiza Town is best known for its many bars and clubs. It is the best place on the island when it comes to going out. Here all the world-famous DJs have played the best records in one of the most famous clubs from all over the world. Armin van Buuren, Tiësto, Avicii and Calvin Harris are famous names. Surely the most famous club in Ibiza is the "Pacha. This world-famous club has five different halls where in each hall a different type of music is played. It is probably the most luxurious club on the whole island and can accommodate about 3,000 people. It is also the only club open throughout the year. After a lot of partying, you can rest during the day at the nearest beach 'Figueretas'. This beach is also perfect for families living around this area and for tourists staying in Ibiza town.

During the day, after partying, you can relax on one of the many beaches. Cala Salada is one of them. This place is surrounded by a green oasis of trees and is just outside the crowds. During the summer months, this is a busy spot among tourists and locals. Another crowded spot is "Playa d'en Bossa. Perhaps not the most beautiful, but certainly the most glamorous beach where there is something to do day and night. Several parties are held here thanks to the famous club 'Bora Bora' located nearby. In addition, this is the beach with the most services and amenities. Because the beach is almost 3,000 meters long, there are also some less crowded and child-friendly areas. For those who are really looking for the most child-friendly beach should go to "Talamanca. Here both the water and the surroundings are quiet.

A Special Month for Romantic Getaways

Valentine’s day is right in the heart of February, and it’s a day that makes this a special month for anyone with a special someone in their own heart. Allow us to suggest ten places where romance fills the air and mingles with Spanish… the perfect language for talking about love according to Bob Dylan.

Join don Quijote and immerse yourself in the real-life settings of these timeless tales of love!

• Spain is the land of excellent public transportation. The extensive network of trains in, to and from Spain is one of the main modes of transportation.
• The capital of Spain has a great subway network and many cabs that will take you anywhere for a good price.
• The second largest city, Barcelona, has numerous transportation options. From metros to buses and streetcars to cabs.

Travel in Spain: Public transportation throughout the country

If you think things are well organized in the Netherlands, you haven't been to Spain yet. First, there are multiple ways to travel throughout the country and second, they are not nearly as expensive as in the Netherlands. It is well arranged, reliable and convenient. Train transportation consists not only of a simple rail network, Spain also has a good number of lines of high-speed trains that race throughout the country at over 300 km/h. The most famous company is 'AVE' (Alta Velocidad Española). In addition, 'Media Distancia' trains from 'RENFE' are the most obvious trains to travel on. The buses in Spain are, in a word, luxury. When you travel with the so-called 'autocars,' you find yourself in a bus with air conditioning, a TV screen and access to electricity. Then, of course, there are the scheduled buses as you find in every country.

Public transportation in Madrid

Madrid is a large city, it therefore has a large network with many options for getting around. Public transportation in Madrid is subsidized by the government and this makes it pleasantly cheap to travel on. The subways in Madrid go everywhere. It is an extensive network that is still expanding daily. Waiting is almost non-existent, as a metro leaves about every 3 minutes. Madrid has about 185 bus lines throughout the city. Buses struggle in Madrid as they have to compete with the extensive metro network. Nevertheless, they manage to distinguish themselves by offering night services (frequency: every 30 minutes) that get everyone back home safely after going out. White cars with a red diagonal stripe on the sides, you see them all over the city. They are the cabs of Madrid. You can pull them over, but there are also a huge number of cab stands and parking lots. Cabs are cheaper than in the Netherlands, which makes it attractive to travel by cab.

Public transport in Barcelona

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain, and it also offers numerous options for getting around by public transportation at a good price. The most obvious option for getting around is the metro. It is fast, safe and cheap and with 9 metro lines, all hot spots are easily accessible. Barcelona's metro network is operated by two companies: 'TMB' and 'FGC,' but the integrated ticketing system allows you to travel with both companies on one ticket. On Saturdays, the subways run all night.

The bus is not the fastest mode of transportation since the city is a big fan of one-way streets. As a result, buses often have to detour. That said, it is a good mode of transportation. Like a real city, Barcelona also has streetcars. These streetcars mainly take you to the neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city. As in Madrid and countless other cities, there are more than a thousand cabs in Barcelona. They can be recognized by their black color with yellow doors.

Spanish winter

Spain is located on the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, further the country has several mountain ranges and is thirteen times larger than the Netherlands. Not surprisingly, the Spanish climate is very diverse by region. While the south of Spain is very pleasant in the winter, the northwest of Spain is "chilly" by Spanish standards.

Inland Spain has harsh winters versus dry warm summers. In winter there are pleasant temperatures and blue skies, a pleasant climate for getting out and about.

Due to the great diversity in the landscape, Spain has many different climates. In the northwest of Spain and on the Atlantic Ocean there is a maritime climate, which means that in winter it is around 6 degrees Celsius. With a maritime climate, there is a relatively high amount of precipitation throughout the year. The amount of precipitation in northwest Spain can be compared to that in the Netherlands.

In contrast, southern Spain, Andalusia has very mild winters and very warm summers with little precipitation. The average temperature in winter is around 15 degrees and in summer it is not exceptional if the temperature rises to 40 degrees.

Inland Spain has great differences in temperatures. For example, during the Spanish winter it can easily freeze in the higher elevations and in the summer the temperature can reach 30 degrees with little precipitation. In winter, one can ski in the Pyrenees and in southern Spain in the Sierra Nevada.

The Spanish Costas

The Spanish Costa's have mild but wet winters (the further south the drier) and pleasant summers. Summer temperatures are lower than in inland Spain which makes it more pleasant. Spain's Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol are pleasant winter destinations. This is because of the small amount of precipitation that falls and the pleasant temperatures of around 18 degrees. These temperatures make it pleasant to play golf, or to go out and explore the surroundings. For example, from the Southern Costas there are several cities to visit inland, the Alhambra in Granada and the Royal Palace in Seville are also well worth a visit. The Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol, like the Canary Islands, which is also a winter destination, have about 6 hours of sunshine per day during the winter. The Canary Islands have a constant annual temperature that averages between 22 degrees in winter and 27 degrees in summer.

The Balearic Islands also have mild winters and pleasant summers, just like the Spanish Costas. However, more precipitation falls on the Balearic Islands than on the southern Costa's. Typical of this archipelago is the amount of precipitation that falls all at once. The amount of precipitation makes this archipelago less interesting as a destination in winter.

Spanish Art: Broadening your cultural horizons

Although stereotypically associated with sun, sea and sand, Spain offers much more than just a summer glow. From Velázquez to Dalí, Ribera to Miró and El Greco to Picasso, Spain has produced some of history’s most influential, revolutionary and highly-esteemed artists. So why not mix things up this year during your holiday to Spain and replace a day of soaking up the rays with a day of cultural enrichment!? In alphabetical rather than preferential order, the featured Top Ten Spanish Museums below will simply give you a taster of a country proud to exhibit and celebrate the enduring talents of its internationally-acclaimed artists.

The architecture in Spain is very diverse, and so are the palaces. The Spanish palaces were all built in a different century and thus have a different architectural style.

Madrid

The Royal Palace of Madrid is one of the many famous buildings in Spain. The palace is not used as a residential palace, it is the working palace of the king. The palace is also used for official ceremonies. The palace in Madrid is the largest royal palace in Europe and has 3,418 rooms, 16 of which are open to the public. In the 9th century, the Islamic kingdom built a fortress that was expanded in the 16th century with the Alcázar. In 1734 the Alcázar was lost in a fire and this prompted King Philip V to build a new palace in 1755, this is the palace as it is found today in Madrid. There are 16 rooms open to visitors and a tour lasts 2 hours. Surrounding the palace are beautiful gardens that are also well worth a visit.

Granada

One of the most beautiful palaces in Spain is the Alhambra in Granada. The Alhambra is an Arab palace and was built by the Moors. The name Alhambra is translated from Arabic and it means "the red castle." The Alhambra consists of 4 buildings located on a hill 200 meters above the city, providing a magnificent view of Granada. The four buildings were all built in different centuries, including the Alcazaba, which has a courtroom and rooms for the women. The Alcazaba was built in the 11th century. Then the Palacio de Generalife was built in the 13th century; this was the summer residence of the rulers. In the 14th century Casa Real was built which was the royal palace of the rulers. Last after the reconquest from the Moors, the Palace of Charles V was built in the 15th century. In addition to these magnificent buildings, the Alhambra also features beautiful Moorish gardens.

Seville

The Alhambra is not the only magnificent palace in southern Spain. Seville is home to the magnificent Real Alcázar. Alcázar is the Spanish word for castle, which is exactly what it used to be. In the 11th century the fortress was expanded into a palace, and in the 16th century the palace was further expanded. Because the palace was expanded by the Christians in the 16th century, there are features of Mudejar architecture, which is a building style of the Christians with many influences from the Moors. The royal family stays at the Real Alcázar when they visit Seville. Besides the beautiful palace with its many patios, the Alcázar also has beautiful gardens built in different styles. You can find beautiful fountains and pavilions that make these gardens the ideal place to unwind when the temperature rises in the afternoon hours.

The Spanish costas have been one of the most popular vacation destinations for years. The Spanish coast is very diverse and therefore has much to offer. Where in the North of Spain the coast is rugged and has a very green hinterland, the costas in the Southeast of Spain consist mostly of white sandy beaches and clear blue seawater.

The Spanish word for coast is Costa. For years, the Spanish costas have been one of the most popular beach destinations in Europe. The coast of the Spanish peninsula is a whopping 4964 kilometers long. Portugal's location on the Iberian Peninsula has caused the Spanish coastline to be divided into two parts. One is the southeast coast of Spain, most of which faces the Mediterranean Sea. The southeast coast is also divided into 12 costas. The second part of the Spanish coastline is located on the north side of Spain on the Atlantic Ocean, this part is divided into 6 costas.

Costa Brava

In the far north of Spain lies the Costa Brava. Costa Brava also means the "rugged, wild coast. This costa is about 200 km long and is a popular vacation destination especially with young vacationers. South of the Costa Brava in Catalonia is the Costa Dorada and consists mostly of well-known seaside resorts and small fishing villages. The Costa del Azahar is located on what means the 'Orange Blossom Coast', is 120 km long and owes its name to the many orange fields in the area

Further south is the Costa de Valencia and the Costa Blanca. The main city on the Costa de Valencia is Valencia, this along with Barcelona is one of the few cities that have a city beach. The Costa Blanca is a 250 km coastline located south of Valencia and is best known for its beautiful bays with white sandy beaches. This costa gets its name from the many almond trees that grow in this region. Even further south we encounter the Costa Calida, "the warm coast." This region is also home to the largest natural pool in the world, "Mar Menor.

One of the costas not yet overrun with mass tourism is the Costa Tropical. This costa owes its name to the many tropical fruits that grow here. The Costa Tropical is located in southern Andalusia and is a paradise for peace seekers, nature lovers and because of the clear water also for diving enthusiasts.

Costa del Sol

South of this tropical paradise is the Costa del Sol. This costa is very popular with tourists and here you will find many busy places often used by winter visitors. The Costa del Sol characterizes itself by its beautiful beaches, warm weather and wide boulevards. Besides the busy places, there are also fishing villages.

Thus, on the southern coast of Spain one finds many winter destinations. In contrast, for those who like active beach vacations, the Costa Verde is an ideal destination. Located in northern Spain on the Atlantic Ocean, Costa Verde has extensive beaches interspersed with rocks and cliffs that extend into the sea. Because this region also experiences occasional showers in summer, there is plenty of greenery. In the immediate vicinity of the Costa Verde are some beautiful cities and also the mountain peaks of the Picos de Europa. Therefore, the Costa Verde is the ideal destination for hikers, climbers or cyclists who want a great diversity of nature at their fingertips.

Holidays in Spain

One thing you always have to keep in mind when planning a vacation is your budget. Many people save up all year to be able to splurge during their summer vacation. Summer doesn't have to be expensive though. Read on for a few ideas on saving this summer, all you'll have to pay is a little attention.

Granada In Granada, besides going to traditional monuments, you also won't want to miss Bañuelo, historic Arab baths located on Carrera del Darro that you can see for free. About 150 meters farther up the road, the Archeological Museum is free for European Union residents and only costs 1.50 € for non EU residents. After taking in all that rich cultural history, going out for tapas around the Plaza Nueva, Bibrambla and calle Elvira areas is an economic option for taking a relaxing break.

Valencia It's important to remember that museums in Spain usually close on Mondays, so plan on checking out other types of attractions on those days like parks, monuments, churches... In Valencia, you've got to go to the Fallas Museum (Museo Fallero) which is free from 10:00 a.m. until the afternoon. The Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno (IVAM) is free on Sundays and every other day it's just 2 € to visit. Right outside of Valencia, the Lladró Museum - if you like porcelain - has free guided tours after 9:30 a.m. It closes on Sundays.

Salamanca If you're in Salamanca, there are plenty of free places like the Gatsby night club or the Catedral Vieja (the old cathedral), where you can delve into the city's historic past. The Cueva de Salamanca is supposedly where Satan himself gave lessons on demonology to a group of 7 students over 7 years... you can visit the cave any day until 10:00 at night. Going out for tapas in Salamanca is also an attractive option: it's a great way to enjoy an authentic Spanish dining experience and get to know the people of Salamanca.

Barcelona In Barcelona, Runner Bean Tours offers free guided tours of the city's old town and Gaudí's architectural attractions. To contact the company, just send an email to info@runnerbeanstours.com. Sundays, after 3:00 p.m., you can go into the Picasso Museum for free, and the first Sunday of every month the museum is free all day. Parc Güell is also free to visit and remains open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Exploring by bicycle In flat cities like Barcelona, Seville and Valencia, there are public bicycle programs that let you explore the city by bike for an economical price. In Granada and Tenerife you may need a form of transportation with a bit more physical power to manage the hilly geography you'll come across in those cities.

Madrid Downtown Madrid offers you the chance to experience the fantastic Retiro Park, which is right next to the Prado Museum. The museum is free every day after 6:00 p.m., and if you're more into modern art, the Reina Sofía Museum is just 200 meters away and is free on Sundays. Exploring Madrid's old central quarter, known as El Madrid de los Austrias, is always a great free way to spend a morning in Madrid.

Tenerife Tenerife's stunning natural landscapes give you the chance to immerse yourself in diverse ecosystems: you can walk from a subtropical environment to a mountain one in just an hour. You can also hop on the guagua (how Canary islanders call the bus) for just a few euros to enter the island's lush laurel forest. On the north side of the island, and especially in Orotava Valley, you must try some local wine and traditional cooking in one of the island's famous guachinches (typical Canary taverns).

Finally, if you'd like an affordable place to stay, where you can meet new people, Spain's youth hostels offer travelers a comfortable bed, kitchen services, washing facilities and bathrooms for a price that ranges from 15 to 30 euros per night depending on which type of accommodation you choose. For more information, you'll find all you need to know about Spain's network of youth hostels on their website.

We hope these tips help you have a fun (and cheap) summer!

Photo credits by: El Jubilado (Los Bañuelos), Antonio Marín Segovia (Ivam), Santiago Sánchez (Orotava)

Besides beautiful beaches, great culture and magnificent nature, Spain has much more to offer. For example, how about the many museums with a variety of works from different periods of Spanish history. Many Spanish museums have found a good balance between combining ancient art with modern art and often beautiful architecture. The range of Spanish museums is enormous, so below is a very small sample of the Spanish museum guide.

The Prado museum in Madrid

The Prado museum in Madrid is one of the most famous and also one of the largest museums in the world. Among other works of Bosch, Albrecht Dürer, Botticelli, Velazquez, Gaudi, Michelangelo and Van Dyck are exhibited in this museum. In addition to paintings, the museum also contains and large array of fine art, coins and other works of art. In total, the museum owns more than 8,500 works of art. These artworks are not only exhibited in the same building, no these artworks are distributed in 2 buildings, "The Villanueva" and "Cason del Buen Retiro. During a trip to Madrid, a visit to this museum is definitely worthwhile. Every year millions of people visit the museum. In 2011, the museam had a visitor count of 2.9 million.

The MNAC in Barcelona

Besides Madrid, Barcelona also has a wonderful museum. The Museum Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, also known as MNAC. The museum is located in the Palou Nacional on Montjuïc hill. But from Plaza España, you can enjoy a great view of the museum. Many people find the Palau Nacional somewhat akin to the Vatican City. The museum's main collection is its collection of Romanesque art. Most of the works in this collection are representative of Romanesque art in Catalonia. In addition to this collection, the museum also has a large collection, Gothic art as well as works from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The museum also has several works by Rubens and Picasso, among others. In total, the museum owns more than 150,000 works. If you buy a ticket to this museum, you will have 2 days to see the museum. If you are not much interested in the art, just stop by to admire the beautiful architecture.

Dalí Museum in Figueras

North of Barclona is the town of Figueras. This place is the birthplace of artist Salvador Dalí. This is why the Dalí Museum is located in this place. The collection consists of thousands of objects from different periods of Dalí's life. More than 4,000 works of art result from Dalí's use of different techniques, materials and media. Coastal works include jewelry, paintings, drawings and sculptures. Most of the collection is on display year-round at the Dalí Theater museum. Two special aspects of the museum are its architecture, and the fact that Salvador Dalí is buried in the museum! However, a visit to Dalí's grave is not possible.

Beautiful culture and lovely people

So, you are travelling to Spain, the land of beautiful culture and lovely people. While your trip might give you butterflies in the stomach, the very idea of eating in Spain might not appeal to your vegetarian tastes. Of course, it isn’t impossible to find something to eat in a land known for its ham and meat. Nothing spoils a trip more than food that is below par. Worry not, because, contrary to popular belief, Spain is also the land of hidden delights for vegetarians.

Madrid, Seville, Granada, and Barcelona must be your top spots to visit. Fortunately, these are also the places where you can find good vegetarian restaurants to make your trip even more enjoyable. 

Madrid

The city of Madrid is breath-taking with its adrenaline charged bullfighting and the picturesque Manzanares River. The food isn’t far behind either. Here are some restaurants vegetarians should watch out for: 

1. La Isla Del Tesoro, Bilbao – Walking into this restaurant is like walking into your dream garden and having lunch in it. There is a lot of variety for vegetarians to choose from. One of the favourites is the “Jungle Burger” but that isn’t quite the most surprising item in the great menu. They take a national cuisine as their theme every day and centre their menu around it, which makes every day a surprise.

2. Restaurante Vega Viana, Chueca – Gorge on zucchini burritos that come with Manchengo cheese and carrot croquettes that are served with yoghurt cream and sultanas. The menu is in English, and it has options for your carnivore eating friends as well.

3. El Estragón, La Latina - Every vegetarian tourist swears by this restaurant and it is, undoubtedly, one of the best vegetarian places in Madrid to eat. Another great thing is the affordability of the restaurant that makes matters even better. They do use butter in their dishes, though, so vegans might need to ask if they can cook them in oil.

Barcelona

This colourful city and the gentle Mediterranean are slowly embracing vegetarian food. The little vegetarian places cropping up everywhere are an indication. There are a lot of fun options for you to explore here: 

1. La Bascula – This eco restaurant uses everything organic, from its juices to its food. The eating utensils and plates are bio degradable. The food is to die for as the desserts are homemade and the meals are immensely satisfying. 

2. Teresa Carles – It’s like walking into New York with its wooden tables and neat interiors. The restaurant has a huge variety for vegetarians as well as the meat eaters if you are in a group and the food is traditional and tasty. 

3. Vegetalia – This place is calm and when you’re in it, you want to do nothing but quietly sip your smoothie while standing on the terrace. However, if you do have time, the food is great and exotic. The vegetable paella has many fans and the tofu tempura is delicious as well. 

Granada

The weather is lovely here, and the mood is forever hippie. Just lay back and enjoy the small and lazy city with its gorgeous food. Most restaurants have options for both vegetarians and Vegans, and here are a few places to look out for: 

1. HICURI – A fully Vegetarian restaurant. There are also options for vegans on the menu. You can choose from the prix fixe and a-la-carte options. It is prudent for tourists working on a tight budget to choose prix fixe and their lasagne is a speciality. Beer and Tapa dishes combined are €1.80.  The cream soup and chocolate cake are a favourite for everyone and you should definitely try them. 

2. Muglia II – Are you missing Indian food in Spain? This restaurant serves authentic Naan and Indian curry for Indian food lovers who appreciate the spice palate. Even foodies who know Indian food appreciate this place for its great meals.

3. Hannigan & Sons – This is a nice Irish pub and you can hang out here with your friends and sip on an ice cold beer, or try their Veggie burger with fries, which is filling and delicious. For a list of vegetarian beers in Spain visit here.

Seville

You’ll find quite a few nice places here: 

1. Almanara Restaurant – The décor at this place is minimalistic and the food is anything but that. Treat your taste buds with gorgeous and fresh dishes and have generous helpings of goat cheese. 

2. Gaia Restaurant – The food used is organic and there are options for vegans. You must try the hummus and the cream tomato soup if you visit this place.

Knowing a few good vegetarian places to eat might make your trip better, if you would like to find more restaurants across Spain you can also use Happy Cow; they have a huge database of Vegetarian and vegan eateries.  Enjoy in Spain, the place that taught the world how to have fun and if you are a Vegetarian in Spain and want to venture out to a new country see these Vegetarian options around the world.

Preeti Vadgama is a lifelong Vegetarian who likes to write about the best Vegetarian places to eat around the world. She works for HostelBookers.com in London.