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If you're doing research before attempting to travel Spain, this is a great place to get started. This page has plenty of information about Spain flights, Spain cruises, Spain trains and Spain rental cars. We've also gathered useful info about Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. You'll find a map of Spain and the Spain flag at the bottom of the page. Take a look around and allow Travel Toucan to serve as your Spain travel guide. You're going to have a great time as you travel to Spain!

Spain Air Travel

Spain flights are cheapest out of other European cities. Milan Italy, London England, Paris France and Lisbon Portugal are all close enough to allow for short flights and affordable plane tickets to Spain. Ryan Air is one good provider that specializes in intra-European travel, while Travelzoo is good for cheap flights to Spain from outside of Europe.

An important consideration is where to fly into, and it will probably depend on your initerary. Marid Barajas Airport (MAD) is the most popular, situated as it is in the middle of the country. Other important Spain airports are El Prat Airport in Barcelona, Noain Airport in Pamplona and Manises Airport in Valencia. Transportation to and from the airport when you fly to Spain is easy and efficient, with buses and trains well-marked. By and large, any Spain airport is well equipped to handle international travel.

Spain Sea Travel

To cruise Spain is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There are plenty of resorts along the Spanish coast that cater to tourists and locals alike. The most famous of these are located in Malaga and Palma. Spain cruise lines are modern and well-run. The biggest include Costa Cruise Lines and Iberocruceros. Finding a Spain river cruise is more difficult, since the Mediterranean Sea is such an attractive destination. That said, there are plenty of cheap Spain cruises in the Atlantic as well.

Spain Train Travel

As expected, trains in Spain use Madrid as their hub. For travel by train Spain has great infrastructure. Spanish train tickets are often bundled with other passes to amusement parks, museums and aquariums. The Madrid train schedule and Spain train schedule can be found here. Train travel in Spain is one of the great ways to enjoy the countryside with beautiful panoramas and interesting travelers.

The Spain rail system is linked to the Portugal rail system, with a strong connection existing between Lisbon and Madrid. For trains to Spain from other countries and trains in Spain, a Eurail pass can be an invaluable asset. Though the upfront cost is expensive, you can get a customized ticket for the exact length and breadth of your journey. Through some travel angencies, Spain travel packages are available that include rail travel. For train travel Spain is a great choice. So get your Spanish rail passes and enjoy!

Spain Car Travel

The search for cheap car rental in Spain is frustrating for many travelers. For care hire Spain has a variety of options including AmigoAutos. For finding car hire Spain is one of the easier nations, and getting a rental car once you arrive is not a problem as kiosks are available at travel hubs such as airports and train stations (Madrid car rental, for instance). Possibly the biggest downside to Spain car rental is the difficulty foreigners might have with the traffic, which is considerable around Madrid and Barcelona. However, Spanish car rental will give you the freedom to dictate your own schedule, which may be worth the traffic and expense.

Spanish rental cars tend to be small and efficient, unlike American rental cars. The small size is largely beneficial, though the limited trunk space in Spain rental cars can be a hindrance. Be advised that you'll need a driver's license from your own country for car rentals in Spain. You can find out more about specific questions regarding Spanish car rentals with Google.

Spain Travel Tips

Spanish culture and customs are rich and varied across regional lines. The central area of the country, called Castille, tends to be more conservative politically, while Cataluna and the Basque Country are more liberal. This division dates back to the Spanish Civil War. The main difference in Spain customs from other countries is the use of time. Spaniards eat late and stay up late. It's not unusual for dinner to start at 10PM or later. Because of these Spanish customs, the pace of life is more relaxed than elsewhere, which most visitors find charming. You'll find similar customs in France and Italy.

The welcoming nature of Spanish culture is one of the keys to its suitability as a travel destination. A few days is enough to become accustomed to the basic workings of the country, but it could take years to explore the peculiar customs in each region of Spain. The differences in language, food and personality are surprisingly robust between regions. Besides Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, other interesting places include Coruna, Sevilla and Granada. Plus, there's also travel to Morocco right across the Strait of Gibraltar.

Madrid Spain

No travel to Spain would be worth it without a few days in Madrid. The city is one of Europe's great capitals, and staying in a Madrid hotel will allow you to experience all it has to offer. From the Prado Museum to the Bernabeau stadium, Madrid travel is a true highlight. Madrid hotels range from 1 to 5 stars but all have safe drinking water and a basic level of cleanliness. There's no surfeit of Madrid hotel options, but it's still best to arrange reservations before starting your trip. That should help you find the best deals and avoid a hassle.

In Madrid transportation options are plentiful. Planes, trains, buses, taxis and rental cars are always available to get you need to go, and the city's location allows you plenty of choices. Take along a map of Madrid and a map of Spain to plan your route and you should be fine.

Spain Facts

We've found some interesting facts about Spain and Madrid for your to impress your friends with. These fun facts about Spain include Madrid facts and will help you appreciate all the country has to offer.

1. Miguel de Cervantes wrote Don Quixote, widely considered the first "modern" novel.
2. The country consists of several regions, many with their own dialect and culture. These include Galicia, Catalonia, the Basque Country and Castille among others.
3. The story of El Cid is the oldest Spanish poem.
4. Muslim Spain was famous for its learning, with Cordoba in particular a center for medicine and literary knowledge.
5. Spain is the nearest European country to Africa

Spain Map

This map of Spain highlights the major cities. However, the Spain map is to scale, so not everything would fit. There's plenty more to see! For other maps of Spain, take a look at the CIA World Factbook and search Google Images for Spain maps.

Spain Flag

The Spanish flag has flown for years in several continents, and is a great source of Spanish pride. We posted a flag of Spain below. The Spain flag has bands of red and yellow with the country's crest in the center.

Good luck to you as you travel Spain! We hope information was helpful to you in your Spain travel planning!