With every airport in the world now seemingly built to the same template, it is all too easy to fall into the trap of not observing the culture and behavior of the people of the lands we visit.
But beware - this is how not to get the most out of your travels.
I know many of us just go anywhere there is sun, sand and cheap plonk, but believe me, you will be missing a lot of fabulous experiences if you don't look that little closer at the people and the culture of where you visit.
Also, if you are going to a 'foreign' speaking land, try to learn at least a little of the local tongue - you will be amazed how delighted people are when they hear you - perhaps very haltingly - respect them by trying to speak their language.
In fact, for those of you that go to my World Travel site, you will notice that I have provided the opportunity for people to view this site in eight different languages.
That being said, when traveling to Spain, be prepared to indulge in a variety of culture and traditions.
With its many regions, each with its different government and ways of doing things, travelers to Spain will sure be treated to a plethora of rich sights, sounds and experiences.
Within Barcelona, one the world's famous tourist destinations, travelers to Spain will find the openwork spires of the El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia or the Church of the Holy Family.
The neo-Gothic architectural masterpiece known for its undulating curves and flamboyant design was the personal obsession of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi y Cornet just before he died in a trolley accident.
Travelers to Spain's Barcelona will also find the paved thoroughfare Las Ramblas leading to Plaza de Cataluña fascinating.
In the oldest section of the city, travelers to Spain will get to see the Church of San Pablo del Ocampo and the Gothic Cathedral of Santa Eulalia, which is a monument to Christopher Columbus.
In Barcelona, the Barri Gotic and the red brick Arc del Triomf can be found.
Both were designed by Josep Vilaseca.
Travelers to Spain will love touring Barcelona's finest educational and art institutions.
Among them are the University of Barcelona, the Autonomous University of Barcelona, the Royal Archives of Aragon, the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Ancient Art, the Museum of Modern Art and the Contemporary Art Museum.
To repeat, when in Barcelona, be sure to walk La Rambla.
Sooner or later, every visitor joins the locals swarming day and night down La Rambla, the most famous walkway in Spain.
Start from one of Barcelona's beautiful Squares, and walk down a whole cacophony of little shops, bars restaurants, until you meet the magnificent harbor area.
Madrid, the capital of Spain, is a city known for its nightlife.
Travelers to Spain will be entertained with its bars and summer terazas.
Areas of note are the Chueca and the Circulo de Bellas Artes where travelers to Spain can enjoy relaxing and drinking in its many bars and discotecas.
Three of the finest museums in the world can also be found in Madrid.
Travel through Spain's art history as you view the country's art collection.
Museo del Prado is the most famous of the lot.
Travelers to Spain will be able to see in the museum Velazquez's Las Meninas and Goya's Las Majas.
The Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, on the other hand, houses Pablo Picasso's Geurnica, a depiction of the Spanish Civil War.
Other notable museums that travelers to Spain should visit are the Thyssen-Bornemisza art museum that houses close to 800 paintings; the Lazaro Galdiano Museum; the National Library, which houses every book published in Spain; Museum of Bullfighting; the National Museum of Decorative Arts; and the Cultural Center of Madrid, which contains a theater for zarzuela, Spain;s version of the opera.
Of course, no place will compare to the Royal Palace itself, where travelers to Spain can walk through the residential rooms of 18th and 20th century royalty.
With its Metro system, most of central Madrid is readily accessible without the hassle of cars and busses.
But be warned - pickpockets can be very active in some areas of central Madrid.
I had a leather handbag sliced with a knife, and did not even realise it had happened until I went to go for my (missing) phone.
Another sight that travelers to Spain should not leave without seeing is the Alhambra Palace, which is perhaps the greatest work of the Moorish art in Spain.
Consisting of several courtyards and patios, this Palace in Granada is a superb piece of architectural work with its intricate inlaid walls and ceiling designs.
I actually have a number of off-plan properties just outside Alhamba, which is close to one of the best and most southerly Ski slopes in Europe, as well as being just over an hour's drive from theCosta Del Sol tourist beaches.
Traveling to Spain will not be complete without visiting Cordoba, a city in the South.
Look for the Mezquita, Europe's grandest and most beautiful mosque.
Alcazar is another great tourist destination.
Now largely in ruins, this Moorish palace was the venue for the Inquisition.
So , although many thousands of tourists flock to Spain's fabulousand sprawling beaches - after all theydo offer the perfect tourist destination.
- there is far more to be enjoyed in Spain virtually at any time of the year.
The moralof this story then is- take in more than the tourist view when in Spain, and try to speak at least a little of their language, and see how much more you will get out of that wonderful country.
But beware - this is how not to get the most out of your travels.
I know many of us just go anywhere there is sun, sand and cheap plonk, but believe me, you will be missing a lot of fabulous experiences if you don't look that little closer at the people and the culture of where you visit.
Also, if you are going to a 'foreign' speaking land, try to learn at least a little of the local tongue - you will be amazed how delighted people are when they hear you - perhaps very haltingly - respect them by trying to speak their language.
In fact, for those of you that go to my World Travel site, you will notice that I have provided the opportunity for people to view this site in eight different languages.
That being said, when traveling to Spain, be prepared to indulge in a variety of culture and traditions.
With its many regions, each with its different government and ways of doing things, travelers to Spain will sure be treated to a plethora of rich sights, sounds and experiences.
Within Barcelona, one the world's famous tourist destinations, travelers to Spain will find the openwork spires of the El Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia or the Church of the Holy Family.
The neo-Gothic architectural masterpiece known for its undulating curves and flamboyant design was the personal obsession of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi y Cornet just before he died in a trolley accident.
Travelers to Spain's Barcelona will also find the paved thoroughfare Las Ramblas leading to Plaza de Cataluña fascinating.
In the oldest section of the city, travelers to Spain will get to see the Church of San Pablo del Ocampo and the Gothic Cathedral of Santa Eulalia, which is a monument to Christopher Columbus.
In Barcelona, the Barri Gotic and the red brick Arc del Triomf can be found.
Both were designed by Josep Vilaseca.
Travelers to Spain will love touring Barcelona's finest educational and art institutions.
Among them are the University of Barcelona, the Autonomous University of Barcelona, the Royal Archives of Aragon, the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Ancient Art, the Museum of Modern Art and the Contemporary Art Museum.
To repeat, when in Barcelona, be sure to walk La Rambla.
Sooner or later, every visitor joins the locals swarming day and night down La Rambla, the most famous walkway in Spain.
Start from one of Barcelona's beautiful Squares, and walk down a whole cacophony of little shops, bars restaurants, until you meet the magnificent harbor area.
Madrid, the capital of Spain, is a city known for its nightlife.
Travelers to Spain will be entertained with its bars and summer terazas.
Areas of note are the Chueca and the Circulo de Bellas Artes where travelers to Spain can enjoy relaxing and drinking in its many bars and discotecas.
Three of the finest museums in the world can also be found in Madrid.
Travel through Spain's art history as you view the country's art collection.
Museo del Prado is the most famous of the lot.
Travelers to Spain will be able to see in the museum Velazquez's Las Meninas and Goya's Las Majas.
The Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, on the other hand, houses Pablo Picasso's Geurnica, a depiction of the Spanish Civil War.
Other notable museums that travelers to Spain should visit are the Thyssen-Bornemisza art museum that houses close to 800 paintings; the Lazaro Galdiano Museum; the National Library, which houses every book published in Spain; Museum of Bullfighting; the National Museum of Decorative Arts; and the Cultural Center of Madrid, which contains a theater for zarzuela, Spain;s version of the opera.
Of course, no place will compare to the Royal Palace itself, where travelers to Spain can walk through the residential rooms of 18th and 20th century royalty.
With its Metro system, most of central Madrid is readily accessible without the hassle of cars and busses.
But be warned - pickpockets can be very active in some areas of central Madrid.
I had a leather handbag sliced with a knife, and did not even realise it had happened until I went to go for my (missing) phone.
Another sight that travelers to Spain should not leave without seeing is the Alhambra Palace, which is perhaps the greatest work of the Moorish art in Spain.
Consisting of several courtyards and patios, this Palace in Granada is a superb piece of architectural work with its intricate inlaid walls and ceiling designs.
I actually have a number of off-plan properties just outside Alhamba, which is close to one of the best and most southerly Ski slopes in Europe, as well as being just over an hour's drive from theCosta Del Sol tourist beaches.
Traveling to Spain will not be complete without visiting Cordoba, a city in the South.
Look for the Mezquita, Europe's grandest and most beautiful mosque.
Alcazar is another great tourist destination.
Now largely in ruins, this Moorish palace was the venue for the Inquisition.
So , although many thousands of tourists flock to Spain's fabulousand sprawling beaches - after all theydo offer the perfect tourist destination.
- there is far more to be enjoyed in Spain virtually at any time of the year.
The moralof this story then is- take in more than the tourist view when in Spain, and try to speak at least a little of their language, and see how much more you will get out of that wonderful country.
Source...