9 enticing reasons to travel to Spain soon

It's impossible not to fall under the spell of Spain 's beauty, especially after visiting Barcelona, Madrid, and the Costa del Sol. The Spain self-guided tour package is perfect for those who want to experience the country in its entirety: its rich culture, beaches, architecture, friendly locals, vibrant nightlife, and of course, its cuisine.

Spain is an extremely rich country in terms of cuisine. Each region has its own traditional dishes and cooking techniques, so you will be overwhelmed by the diversity of food you will find along your journey.

To make your future trip to Spain easier (and whet your appetite), here is the ultimate list for a successful gastronomic journey:

Paella

A classic! Paella is a traditional rice dish. It takes its name from the pan used to cook it. The best paella is said to be found in Valencia, the region where this delicious dish originated. There are, of course, many variations of paella, but they generally include saffron, peppers, tomatoes, seafood, and meat.

Iberian ham

While traveling in Spain, you'll undoubtedly come face to face with walls of Iberian ham, whether in a butcher shop or at the market. Jamón Ibérico is a dry-cured Spanish ham renowned in the country's gastronomy. Spain is, in fact, the world's leading producer of dry-cured ham, and it's still prepared using centuries-old techniques! It can be eaten on its own, with accompaniments (gourmet bread, tomato, soft cheese, figs, walnuts, etc.), or in a dish like duck liver.

Patatas bravas

Definitely my favorite. Who doesn't love potatoes? Patatas bravas are a Spanish classic. They're a tapas dish you can find practically everywhere in Spain. Basically, they're cubed potatoes fried in olive oil with garlic, and served with sauces like mayonnaise and hot tomato sauce. I challenge you to find the best patatas bravas in Madrid, where they originated!

Spanish tortilla

It's a kind of thick omelet pancake, filled with potatoes (they're everywhere!) and onions, served for breakfast... or even for lunch! After frying the potatoes and onions in olive oil, you beat the eggs to make this delicious dish.

Sangria

Another classic. Do I really need to explain what sangria is? If you can't drink red wine (or want to try something else), try Cava. It's the champagne of Spain and it's a light, sparkling wine—delicious!

Chorizo

We eat it in Quebec, but believe me: chorizo (sausage, for those who didn't know this food) is much better in Spain!

Churros with chocolate

You thought churros were a Mexican treat? Think again. Churros are Spanish pastries, and I assure you, you'll never have tasted any as good as the ones at San Ginés, a well-known chocolate shop in Madrid. They make the BEST churros in the whole world, and serve them with a gigantic bowl of hot chocolate. Not cocoa powder mixed with water or milk. No, literally chocolate. Melted. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water... Yum!

Calamari sandwiches

Imagine a Spanish baguette sliced in half. Fill it with fried calamari. That's a calamari sandwich. It's that simple! The calamari sandwich is a very popular Spanish specialty, especially in Madrid. You'll find them in most bars, but if you're lucky enough to go to Bar Postas, you won't be disappointed! Have a good caña (a glass of beer) with it.

PS: The San Ginés chocolate shop is 2 minutes from Bar Postas... Just saying!

Tapas

You can't go to Spain without eating tapas. Tapas are actually appetizers, snacks of all kinds (cured meats, cheeses, fish, vegetables, olives, etc.) which can also turn into a complete meal (if you eat enough).

Hoping we've convinced you to visit Spain soon, enjoy your meal!

You can find more information about the self-drive Spain tour right here.

Jessica Prudencio

Winner of the 4 destinations, 1 blogger contest.

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