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Spain

Destination guide

Barcelona

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Barcelona - a hop-on, hop-off bus can help you get a feel for a city.
The ceiling at the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia.

After 144 years, the ‘greatest modern building on Earth’ passes a new milestone

Here it is as if architectural modernism never happened, and we kept creating places with joy, natural patterns and a whiff of the sacred.

  • Nicholas Boys Smith
Jaen is home to 66 million olive trees.

You may not have heard of this place, but you’ve probably tasted its produce

It’s home to one of the world’s largest man-made forests, but this Spanish region remains under the radar. Blame Italy’s superior marketing.

  • Shaney Hudson
The long and luxurious train, all 450 metres of it, with two locomotives to move the 15 cars.

This lesser-known luxury train journey exceeds all expectations

I’ve travelled on better-known luxury trains around the world, but I can say with absolute confidence that the Al Andalus exceeds all my previous railway adventures.

  • Shaney Hudson
Towers are abundant in the old city.

Inside the ancient walls of a city unlike anywhere else in Europe

The tide has carried explorers, traders, conquerors and crusaders to Cadiz, and each empire has left an indelible mark.

  • Shaney Hudson
Norwegian Viva at sea.

Everyone’s a winner: You’re spoilt for choice on this big ship

With staff, crew and passengers hailing from all over the globe, this cruise giant is a microcosm of the world.

  • Kate Armstrong
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Evening light at Alhambra.

World’s first influencer: How an American writer put Spanish castle on the map

I’m standing in the hallway of one of Spain’s most visited attractions, curious as to why there’s a plaque dedicated to an American.

  • Shaney Hudson
The Camino path takes walkers to pretty fishing ports such as Zumaia.

It may be your idea of hell, but I loved this famous European hike

The Camino del Norte is first and foremost a religious pilgrimage and, if done in full, starts near the French border and ends about 830 kilometres later.

  • Karl Quinn
Pa amb tomaquet is a Catalan dish but is now popular throughout Spain.

There are just two ingredients in this dish, but there’s nothing better

It’s a key building block upon which an entire cuisine is based – a simple, incredibly tasty dish that you will find everywhere across north-eastern Spain.

  • Ben Groundwater
Gaudi’s masterpiece … La Sagrada Familia pierces through the uniform city blocks.

After seeing this city on two wheels, I want to move here

With about 230 kilometres of dedicated lanes, this Spanish metropolis’ bike network provides a fabulous way to visit the city sights.

  • Kate Armstrong
Tolosa market, Spain.

The one thing you must always do in Spain

There’s something better than lunch in Spain, and that is a high compliment, because there are few things on this entire planet better than having lunch in Spain.

  • Ben Groundwater