Spain is an evergreen destination for tourists. It may be viewed by many as merely a place to get some sun and sand but it is also popular for backpackers who want to see a little bit more of the country than the beach. Here are some tips for those intent on backpacking round Spain.
So the first thing you want to take on board is that speaking the language will make your stay more enjoyable. I'd say it is essential if you want to get away from the usual tourist haunts but even in the big cities, speaking Spanish will make your time there easier and better.
Plenty of people in the cities and on the Costas will speak English but you shouldn't rely on this fact. If you want to see interesting parts of Spain that not many people visit then you need to get some basic Spanish phrases under your belt. Even simple phrases will help you get by on a day to day basis. You will relate to people if you have a conversational level of Spanish too and this will make your time more enjoyable because you will be able to interactive with people.
Next, try to get a plan of your travels together. Whilst it is more romantic to be spontaneous and travel here and there on a whim, it will also be more expensive. If you are back packing, your money may be tight so you want to limit the expensive. If you have a plan of where you will be on such a date you can pre-book trains, planes and buses. You can save upwards of 50% on advance bookings if you do this. Saving money means more time can be spent in Spain which is even better.
Don't let the weather ruin your stay in Spain. Spain is one of the better parts of Europe for weather. Indeed, parts of southern Spain get more days of sunshine per year than most parts of the world. Try to begin your travels in the spring or early summer. The north is more likely to be cooler and have inclement weather so try starting in the north and work your way down to the south. This should limit the extent that the weather plays in your travels. Although a bit of rain never harmed anyone anyhow.
It goes without saying that Madrid and Barcelona are must do venues. You could spend more than a few weeks in each place and still not see everything they have to offer. But if time is not a luxury, write down all the places you want to see in these two cities and get organized. You don't want to leave Madrid with seeing the Prado or Leave Barcelona without seeing the Sagrada Familia.
But Spain has much more to offer than Madrid and Barcelona. From North to South and East to West you can get all over Spain on the fast train. This can get you from Madrid to Gibraltar in a few hours. It might not have the time on a plane but you get to see the country as you travel and it is much more relaxing than a plane.
Spain is a wonderful place to visit and you will have the time of your life if you just plan for your trip properly.
So the first thing you want to take on board is that speaking the language will make your stay more enjoyable. I'd say it is essential if you want to get away from the usual tourist haunts but even in the big cities, speaking Spanish will make your time there easier and better.
Plenty of people in the cities and on the Costas will speak English but you shouldn't rely on this fact. If you want to see interesting parts of Spain that not many people visit then you need to get some basic Spanish phrases under your belt. Even simple phrases will help you get by on a day to day basis. You will relate to people if you have a conversational level of Spanish too and this will make your time more enjoyable because you will be able to interactive with people.
Next, try to get a plan of your travels together. Whilst it is more romantic to be spontaneous and travel here and there on a whim, it will also be more expensive. If you are back packing, your money may be tight so you want to limit the expensive. If you have a plan of where you will be on such a date you can pre-book trains, planes and buses. You can save upwards of 50% on advance bookings if you do this. Saving money means more time can be spent in Spain which is even better.
Don't let the weather ruin your stay in Spain. Spain is one of the better parts of Europe for weather. Indeed, parts of southern Spain get more days of sunshine per year than most parts of the world. Try to begin your travels in the spring or early summer. The north is more likely to be cooler and have inclement weather so try starting in the north and work your way down to the south. This should limit the extent that the weather plays in your travels. Although a bit of rain never harmed anyone anyhow.
It goes without saying that Madrid and Barcelona are must do venues. You could spend more than a few weeks in each place and still not see everything they have to offer. But if time is not a luxury, write down all the places you want to see in these two cities and get organized. You don't want to leave Madrid with seeing the Prado or Leave Barcelona without seeing the Sagrada Familia.
But Spain has much more to offer than Madrid and Barcelona. From North to South and East to West you can get all over Spain on the fast train. This can get you from Madrid to Gibraltar in a few hours. It might not have the time on a plane but you get to see the country as you travel and it is much more relaxing than a plane.
Spain is a wonderful place to visit and you will have the time of your life if you just plan for your trip properly.
About the Author:
Learn about Rocket Spanish, a popular Learn Spanish course with the review of Rocket Spanish and see how it ranks to others in Pimsleur Spanish compared to Rocket Spanish.