Summer Vacations 2009 – Spain
2009 has undoubtedly been a difficult year for Spanish tourism, the number of visitors are down on lst year, and it’s only now that there’s any sign of a pick up in people opting for a holiday in Spain this year.
Spain has many different regions, so where’s a good idea to visit for those who are considering a holiday in Spain for this summer?
Catalonia is Spain’s Number One Destination
Catalonia is located in the northeast corner of Spain. It is divided into four provinces, Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona. Each province holds the attention of a different crowd of tourist. Barcelona often attracts beach goers and sight-seers. The capital city is Barcelona, home to some of the most impressive architecture in the world. A simple walk through the streets of Barcelona is a history lesson.
Catalonia’s nearest neighbors are France and Andorra to the north and the Mediterranean Sea to the east.
Paris, France is also a very popular European tourist destination with millions of tourists per year.
Andorra is one of the most popular ski areas in the world and is quickly becoming a year-round vacation spot for extreme sports fans.
The Balearic Islands are situated south of Catalonia in the Mediterranean Sea and rank number two in Spain’s most popular tourist destinations.
The Balearic Islands Tourism Hotter than Ever
As the second most popular vacation destination in Spain, the Balearic Islands welcomed nearly ten million tourists last year.
The Balearics are comprised of four islands – Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera. The capital city is Palma, also called Palma de Majorca. Each of the Balearic Islands offers a new, exciting experience to all who visit. Due to their location, the Balearics are a very popular year-round vacation destination.
Package tourism officially began in Majorca in May of 1952. Prior to that the medical profession in Europe would often send patients to the islands to unwind, de-stress and keep warm during the winter months. A good, long holiday away from the stress of everyday life was as the old saying goes ‘just what the doctor ordered.’ Since the introduction of mass tourism, Majorca has grown in popularity with holidaymakers around the world.
The Balearic Islands Appeal For Family Holidays
Mass tourism opened the floodgates for less expensive travel opportunities and great deals. In recent years, budget airlines have boosted tourism to an all new high. Several European based airlines offer lowered fares in effort to gain more business. In the actual swing of things, these airlines opened a plethora of holiday possibilities for Europeans and tourists from around the world. Some famous families who call Majorca home include Catherine Zeta-Jones and husband Michael Douglas, Claudia Schiffer, Julian Lennon and now retired England footballer Steve McManaman.
Many of the resorts on the islands offer great opportunities for children, teens and parents. Children’s activities and teen clubhouses give mum and dad time to relax and enjoy time together. The variety of resorts allows families to choose the best location for their specific needs. Some areas have a very vivid nightlife, while others may have an almost non-existent nightlife. The variety of holiday options available in Spain is one of the many reasons to be one of the millions of visitors to vacation there for summer 2009.
