Spain
Spain Welcomes You With Open Arms
Spain’s popularity with gay and lesbian travelers keeps growing.
What draws gays and lesbians to Spain? They are attracted to its world-renowned art and stunning architecture, its inventive cuisine, the high quality of its accommodations and its sizzling nightlife.
Madrid is a true art lover’s paradise with the Museo Nacional del Prado, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza having double their size a few years ago and ten minutes of each other.
However, Spain’s capital is not just about serious artistic pursuits. Lately, the city has seen a boom in trendy new boutique hotels offering cutting-edge design along with all the latest technological amenities. And with some of the world’s hottest nightlife, Madrid rocks until dawn.
Barcelona, the country’s most popular destination for gay and lesbians, was home to Dalí, Gaudí and Picasso. A cosmopolitan Mediterranean city, it offers Roman ruins, medieval districts and arguably the world’s most beautiful Modernist architecture. The vibrant Catalonian capital has fabulous dining and exciting nightlife.
Since hosting the America’s Cup and redesigning its waterfront, Valencia has always been known for its gastronomy and as the birthplace of paella. Calatrava’s futuristic City of Arts & Sciences and its new Bioparc are also welcoming visitors.
Andalusia, the cradle of flamenco, tapas and sherry, is home to monumental Moorish cities and charming pueblos blancos. Everybody is talking about Córdoba, Sevilla, Málaga and Granada.
For beach lovers, Spain has long stretches of white sand lining its Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. One of Europe’s most popular gay resort destinations is the charming town of Sitges. And across the Mediterranean waters, the Balearic Islands, especially Ibiza, have been attracting club goers and trendy fashionistas for years.
Spanish wines have been receiving accolades from both experts and visitors. Wine tourism has come to Spain in a big way as well as the country’s fabulous food. Tapas are everywhere – and have become the world’s new way of eating. While the country’s celebrated chefs experiment and gather Michelin stars, regional restaurateurs continue to prepare superb traditional fare.
So this year come to Spain and be ready for a warm welcome. Just follow your hosts’ relaxed approach to life and feel free to be yourself wherever you go.
Visit www.spain.info for more information.
Festivals till you drop
There are many music festivals for young people in the summer. Some are international in scope. Make a note of them, because this summer you will feel that there are not enough days for dancing.
- Rock city, Rock in Rio, is moving this year to Arganda del Rey, only 25 kilometres from the city of Madrid and perfectly connected by metro and bus lines from the Spanish capital. In all more than 200,000 square metres are available to demonstrate the power of music to transmit values. The area has three large stages which will be the setting for artists from around the world.
-Monegros Desert Festival: a desert, good music and thousands of enthusiastic lovers of the most up-to-date, non-stop dance rhythms in Fraga, Huesca province, in the region of Aragon. Would you like to join them? They’ll be waiting for you in July.
-FIB Heineken, the Benicàssim International Festival in the Region of Valencia, has a particular appeal because of the atmosphere among the thousands of people attending who dance to the best music in a paradise with a great climate and pleasant beaches. This year the event is held in July.
Other festivals such as Sónar and Primavera Sound in Barcelona; Festimad Sur in Madrid; and the Bilbao BBK Live in Bilbao, and Viña Rock in Albacete, also take place between May and July. So Spain has everything you need to guarantee a great time this summer: the best music, ideal weather and the perfect atmosphere. Check the complete line-up for each festival on the official websites and don’t wait to organise your trip. The music’s already playing.
Visit www.spain.info for more information.
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