Tapas and cava!

Spaniards enjoy late dinners, flamenco, beaches, and have some of Europe's best food. You should go if: You like eating tapas, drinking wine and staying out late You want architecture from Moorish palaces to Gaudí You want warm weather and easy trains Must-visit places: Barcelona: Sagrada Família, Park Güell and the Gothic Quarter - ask me how I ended up in Barcelona by accident... Also coolest architecture city! Madrid: The Prado, the Retiro and tapas bars Seville and Granada: The Alcázar and the Alhambra San Sebastián: Pintxos and beaches in the Basque Country Valencia and the Balearic Islands: Paella and sea Must-try foods: Tapas and pintxos Paella from Valencia Jamón ibérico and tortilla española Churros with hot chocolate Gazpacho, sangría and cava Fun facts: Spain has several co-official languages, including Catalan, Galician and Basque. Dinner usually starts after 9 p.m. Every August, Buñol holds La Tomatina, the tomato-throwing festival. Logistics: Best time: April to June and September to October; summer is hot inland Currency: Euro Getting around: AVE high-speed trains; book the Alhambra and Sagrada Família ahead Tipping: Small change is enough Good to know: Many shops close for the afternoon siesta Must-learn phrases: Hello: Hola / Buenos días Please: Por favor Thank you: Gracias Do you speak English?: ¿Habla inglés? The check, please: La cuenta, por favor Cheers!: ¡Salud!