San Sebastian's La Concha Beach - Photo: © Ben Savill

From more convenient travel options to a host of cultural events, there are manifold reasons to visit Spain this year. When planning a trip, it’s helpful to take a look at upcoming local festivals, attractions, and transportation options to maximize your Spanish holiday.

Semana Grande in Bilbao

One of the best ways to experience Spain is to take part in its highly varied cultural festivals, celebrating the history and tradition of each region. One of the best is the Big Week, or Semana Grande, in Bilbao, which draws 100,000 visitors each year. Taking place in the third week of August, it features the best of Basque culture, with everything from a strong-man competition to giant puppets parading through the streets.

Attractions of the Costa Blanca

A highlight of Spain for many visitors is the Costa Blanca, the long stretch of golden sandy beaches in the Alicante province. Flights to Alicante drop you off in the center of the Costa Blanca’s scenic capital city, from which you can explore all of the surrounding historically rich towns and tranquil beaches. For an alternative view of this region, you can visit some of the lesser-known areas such as the ruggedly beautiful Calblanque nature reserve and the quaint hilltop village of Guadalest to get away from it all.

An increase in flight options

There are now numerous budget airlines offering cheap flights to Spain, and the number of destinations is set to increase this year. For example, the Spanish low cost airline Vueling is adding new routes from Cardiff to Spain beginning in 2012, and Ryanair is rolling out a flurry of new flight options to destinations including Barcelona, Ibiza, and Madrid beginning in March. Jet2 is also adding budget-friendly flights to their roster this year, including a route from East Midlands to Malaga.

Music festivals in Barcelona

The Primavera Sound Festival takes place from May 30th to June 3rd in Barcelona’s spacious Parc del Forum. With the sea as your backdrop, you can shake it to numerous international rock and pop acts. Past performers include The White Stripes, Pixies, and Lou Reed. Only two weeks later, there is Sonar Festival, on 14-16 June. This festival is mainly dedicated to multimedia art and electronic music. It also draws in big names such as Orbital, The Chemical Brothers and Beastie Boys.

High speed AVE trains

Spain’s new high speed AVE trains can barrel through the countryside at a speed of up to 193mph, allowing you to see more of the country in less time. For example, it now only takes 2.5 hours to get from Barcelona to Madrid. New routes in 2012 will include a line from Seville to Cadiz and extended service throughout the Northern corridor in Basque country.

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The breathtaking Nærøyfjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photo: © tupungato

As one of the three Scandinavian countries, Norway has the unusual distinction of being both the westernmost and easternmost of the group. Embracing Sweden and Finland, Norway is a vast country where the land is both harsh and beautiful and the rocky wilderness hides amazing natural landscapes.

While the oil and seafood exports are the backbone of the Norwegian economy, nature explorers and tourists with an eye for beautiful geography are drawn in year after year. The tourism industry revolves around this variety of landscapes that extend across the cold of the Arctic Circle. Most consider the main attraction to be the fjord coastline but many visitors also enjoy staying at ski resorts and exploring the lakes and snow covered woods. Norwegians take pride on keeping fit and enjoying sports so visitors can expect a variety of options for their trip. In winter, you can try cross-country or alpine skiing and snowboarding. In the summer the climate is gentle and both hiking and biking become a great way to enjoy an outdoors vacation.

The Fjord Coastline

Norway enjoys the highest concentration of fjords in the entire world. These are long and narrow inlets surrounded by steep cliffs; passageways carved into the stone and rock by glacial activity during successive ice ages. Fjords can be considered nature’s own works of art, formed as the glaciers retreated and the sea water flooded the valleys that remained.

Flåm is an excellent choice for those who wish to sign up for a visit to the Norwegian fjord coastline. The area surrounding this village enjoys some of the most extreme and beautiful fjord scenery and offers a variety of “fjord safaris.” These experiences get you right into the thick of things, as you explore the fjords at close range in rigid inflatable boats. During the trip, there will be frequent stops when you’ll be able to appreciate some of the local wildlife and see the old settlements perched on the high mountain sides.

Visiting the fjords is an excellent option for travellers who like to appreciate natural marvels and are willing to get out of the crowded cities to enjoy the humbling visage of towering cliffs and thundering waterfalls. If you would like to experience Norway for yourself, we recommend going during either Autumn or Spring. While Summer enjoys the most stable temperatures (and long warm days) it is during these two seasons when the country blooms with colours and you can enjoy most of its natural charm. Regardless of your choice, remember that climate is always fickle on mountain country and be prepared for an adventure.

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Hiking in the beautiful Pirin National Park - Photo: Exodus Travels

Bulgaria, a country in the Balkans hugging the Turkish Straits, is a gateway to the Middle East and the Asian territories that lie beyond. Having regained its independence in 1878, Bulgaria can be considered a new state; regardless, it’s certainly an old country that traces its roots to the final years of the 7th century when a branch of Slavs merged with the first proto-Bulgarians to form what would then be the first Bulgarian state. It is this historic legacy that has become one of its most (though certainly not the only) compelling reasons for would-be tourists to visit this popular country.

There is a lot that Bulgaria can offer for visitors old and new. Besides the aforementioned cultural heritage, this gem of the Balkans offers an array of attractive natural landscapes which make it one of the most popular destinations in South-East Europe. The tourism industry has been a potent workhorse for the country’s economic growth and, only a few years back, managed to attract almost 9 million tourists per year. Cultural tourism delights on the ancient cities and towns (e.g. Sofia, the country’s capital, is one of the oldest cities in all of Europe), the beaches receive sun-hungry tourists every summer and the winter ski resorts take advantage of the terrain to produce some truly chill-inducing tracks.

Trekking at the Pirin

As mentioned, the natural landscapes are one of the most important crowd magnets in Bulgaria. Winter tourists flock to the steep hills of the many ski resorts while summer is the time of hikers and nature explorers; for those who prefer the later, the Pirin National Park is the best choice with a variety of landscapes and routes that will entertain even the most avid hiker. After being enlarged several times throughout its history, the park now spreads over a wide area (over 27,000 ha) and comprises an eclectic mixtures of landscapes that include: limestone mountains, glacial lakes, waterfalls, caves and even coniferous forests. Sitting on the South-West section of Bulgaria (between the valleys of the rivers Mesta and Struma), it is one of the most beautiful locations country-wide and was added to the World Heritage List during 1983.

The government is putting its resources at work to develop the park as a nature-friendly outlet for tourism. In the past years an integral information system to aid tourists was developed and a total of 13 tourist routes (one of them international) have been marked. The routes vary in difficulty and length (usually from 2 to 8 hours tops) and are constantly being maintained. New routes and paths are currently being developed, including special treks for people with specific needs. This special care makes the Pirin one of the best hiking locations throughout Eastern Europe and a sure bet for any nature lovers deciding to pay Bulgaria a visit.

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Northern Lights in Inari, Finland - Photo: P. Sanders

Finland is a country of roguish weather and striking beauty; sitting on the colder reaches of Northern Europe, it is a welfare state that provides one of the highest living standards in the world. This is a land of lakes and islands, of organized cities and striking landscapes, where technology’s bleeding edge exists side by side with unspoiled nature.

Finland is an excellent destination for tourists who dare climb out of the warm comfort of Europe’s warm Mediterranean destinations. Unlike neighbors such as Norway and Sweden, Finland is a land of rolling plains filled with lakes and adorned by low hills. The land rises up on the cold North (reaching its highest point on Mount Halti) but never manages to provide awe inspiring heights. Most of the appeal comes from the myriad of lakes (around 188,000 throughout the country) and over 179,000 islands, which make Finland a superb boating destination.

There is plenty to do in Finland, though one would be wise not to expect the classic winter sports paradise usually associated with anywhere chilly. Cross-country skiing is definitely popular among the Finnish locals (who would have to travel to the northern reaches to try their hand at anything resembling downhill skiing or snowboarding) who also enjoy canoeing in the lakes during the summertime. You can join in on the fun or try your hand at some of the more esoteric sports popular in this little pocket of the world; activities such as such as air guitar tournaments, swamp soccer matches and wife carrying races are quite popular and brave visitors can try to best the locals.

The Magical Lights of Lapland

A huge number of tourists coming to Finland flock to this icy land hoping to see the Northern Lights, a natural phenomenon which is also often called the Finland Aurora Borealis. The best place for catching the Northern Lights at their finest lies in the North, on the Lapland region which is almost entirely located within the chilly realm of the Arctic Circle. It is during the dark winter months when the sun shies away and the freezing cold and rain makes the land harsh and unforgiving that these lights are seen with the most regularly. First time spectators and usually spellbound by the twist of the light as swirling shades of blue, green and red flare across the sky. Luckily, braving the freezing winter months is not mandatory, as other peak seasons exist during the months of February through March and September through October.

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Mont Saint-Michel is one of the most iconic sights in France - Photo: Harry Sols

The south of France is renowned for its beautiful beaches, Mediterranean climate and a clientele made up of the rich and famous. Whilst for some the summertime bustle is all part of the south’s charm, others may prefer to take a more laidback approach to France. The northern region, with its rolling countryside, historical sites and a more manageable climate, offers the perfect destination for a care-free, continental break. Get your holiday off to a great start by looking for great deals on ferries to France, and taking a look at our list of the best places to visit in the area.

Normandy

Renowned for its seaside cliffs, rolling hills, delicious cheeses and apple orchards, Normandy is a great place to visit all year round. During your stay, take a trip to Mont Saint-Michel, to view one of the most iconic sights in France. The structure consists of a village and monastery built atop a rocky mound that lies in the middle of a tidal flat. Considered one of the wonders of the western world, this magnificent abbey is one not to be missed.

Lille

Once a grimy, industrial hub, Lille is now known throughout the country as an attractive city with a vibrant cultural scene. Attractions include the renowned Fine Arts Museum, second in size only to the Louvre, and the quaint Old Town, which comes to life on Sundays and is made up of beautifully restored buildings and charming narrow streets. For some fun at nightfall, head to Rue Massena, where you’ll find an abundance of bars, clubs and restaurants.

Calais

Taking the ferry, this charming port town will be your first stop in France. Instead of passing through en route to your next destination, why not stay and explore what Calais has to offer? One of the best things about Calais is the vast array of excellent restaurants found here and, if you’re a fan of seafood, you’re in for a real treat! Make your way over to La Sole Meuniere for a delicious seafood dinner, with views across the yacht basin.

Nantes

The former capital of Brittany, Nantes is brimming with history. This is none more present than in the city centre, where you’ll find the grandiose Castle of the Dukes of Brittany. The oldest parts of the castle date back as far as the 13th century, whilst other sections have been recently restored to great detail. After a day soaking in the history, Nantes offers a vast array of bars and restaurants serving up delicious food and drink, as well as a lively nightlife.

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