The not-so-little, yet the beautiful country of Spain is undoubtedly one of the best countries of the world which is well-known for its beautiful landscapes, exquisite cuisine, and passionate people. Spain is well recognized for its bullfights, architecture, beaches, and other things in addition to its football. TravelJingles in conversation with Elisa Robles Fraga, Director of Spain Tourism.
TravelJingles in conversation with Ms. Elisa Robles Fraga, the Director of Spain Tourism to know more about this beautiful country.
There are 48 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Spain. Tell us about the three places one must visit when in Spain
As you correctly mentioned, Spain boasts of a rich variety of World Heritage Sites. In fact, Spain is the country with the fourth most UNESCO World Heritage sites. So, it is indeed very difficult to name only 3 places. From civil constructions like the Aqueduct in Segovia and the Roman Theatre in Mérida to religious monuments like the Cathedral in Burgos and the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona – the list goes on! Additionally, there are 15 entire cities that have been declared as World Heritage Sites, which is something unique. Some of them are quite close to metropolitan cities too, like Alcalá de Henares, Cuenca, Segovia, Toledo being close to Madrid. This way you can experience a variety of touristic activities during a single trip to Spain.
Spain produces more than 40% of the world’s olive oil. Tell us about the cuisines of the country.
Spanish cuisine is as rich and vibrant as its culture. Of course everyone is aware of Paella which is an iconic Spanish dish around the world. But that Spain is also pioneer in the tapas culture. Tapas are essentially the small side dishes that accompany your drinks while you are having fun conversations with your family and friends. And tapas also offer plenty of veg., non-veg. and vegan options! Besides, every region adds its own customs and flavors in tapas preparation which makes these small dishes an ideal way to taste the diversity of Spain in one single bite. In Spain you can find excellent popular restaurants and the best fine dining experiences, with more than 250 Michelin starred restaurants.
La Tomatina is a well-known festival of Spain. What are the other festivals of country?
India and Spain share great similarities when it comes to festivals. You can experience the Spanish festivals almost throughout the year. For example, in May, Córdoba holds the Courtyard Festival and it is possible to visit the indoor courtyards of the private houses, which are decorated with plenty of flowers. Then there is the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in February, Las Fallas de Valencia in March, or San Fermin in Pamplona in July, just to name a few. Each festival is celebrated in its own colorful traditions and it is indeed a joy to experience these events – both as a local and as a tourist.
Indian Bollywood block buster movie ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’ was shot in Spain. What makes Spain locations ideal for filming?
Spain offers so many advantages for the film community. It offers some of the best tax incentives and rebates for audio-visual sector. Moreover, the budgets in Spain tend to be quite moderate. Besides, there’s a ready availability of cutting-edge studios and state-of-the-art network of infrastructures. And of course, the destination is full of a great variety of locations – mountains, beaches, cityscapes, modern urban locations as well as historical and cultural settings. Spain is one of the sunniest destinations in Europe that offers excellent natural light conditions and 13 different climates. Spanish film producers and studios are firmly committed to sustainable shooting as well. All these factors indeed make Spain one of the top European audio-visual content producing countries. It is worth mentioning that some scenes/songs of the recent Bollywood films Pathaan and Tu Jhoothi Main Makkar were in fact shot in Spain.
Which is your favourite travel destination in the world and why?
At this moment, having been in India for almost 4 years, I would like to say India itself has become one of my favorite destinations. This diverse country has many things to offer to the visitor: culture, spirituality, landscapes, mountains, beaches, gastronomy, festivals and music, among many others. I have had the opportunity to visit many UNESCO World Heritage Sites and I would strongly recommend those experiences to my friends in Spain.
Picture Credits- “© Turespaña”