Spain lies on the Iberian Peninsula on the far southwestern edge of Europe. Occupying an area of 504,788 square kilometres, it is home to 39.2 million people. Situated at the crossroads between Europe and Africa, Spain has long been a target of invading races and civilizations. The Greeks, Carthaginians, Visigoths and Romans all invaded Spain at various times. The Moors arrived from Africa in 711 and were to occupy southern Spain for 800 years. The country developed a huge empire in the New World in the wake of Columbus’s arrival in the Americas in 1492. Its empire stretched from Mexico and Peru to Cuba and Bolivia. Spain made the transition from dictatorship to democracy in 1975 when the right-wing dictator Franco died.

The glorious sunshine in which the country basks has long made it a mecca for sun seekers from chillier climates. There is far more to Spain, however, than bronzing, beer and beaches. It is soaked in the historical pageantry of empire and conquistadors and has a fantastic artistic legacy in the shape of painters like Goya, Picasso, Dali and Velazquez. Don Quijote by Cervantes is one of the world’s greatest works of fiction. The sophisticated, elegant and exciting cities of Barcelona, Sevilla and Valencia are well worth a visit. See a fiesta, dine late into the night as is the Spanish custom, enjoy glasses of Rioja accompanied by the great Spanish invention tapas. These are small savoury dishes served up with your drink to tide you over until the late evening meal. Sun-kissed, spirited and stylish, Spain will charm you time and again.