Slow Travel Through Spain Q&A
Spain is a beautiful country, the fourth largest in Europe, and the only European country with territory in both Europe and Africa. Spain has a rich cultural heritage, welcoming residents, and magnificent scenery. Let's take a deeper look into what Spain has to offer for travelers and remote workers.
What is the history of Spain?
Spain is a country in southwestern Europe. It has a long history of being ruled by different people and empires, including the Romans and the Moors. The Spanish language, which is spoken by more than 400 million people worldwide, has its own unique history as well.
The Spanish language developed from Vulgar Latin, spoken in the Iberian Peninsula after the fall of the Roman Empire. It was influenced by other European languages, including Germanic and Celtic languages that were brought by invaders into Spain during the Middle Ages.
The first written record of any language resembling modern-day Spanish dates back to 1250 A.D., when King James I wrote a letter in Castilian (the dialect spoken in Castile). During this time period, Castile was one of three kingdoms that made up Spain (the other two being Aragon and Navarre).
In 1469 Spain united with Aragon when King Ferdinand II married Isabella I of Castile—this union would last until 1609 when their grandson Philip III died without an heir, ending their rule over both countries."
After the fall of the Spanish Empire, Spain was divided into three regions: the North, which was under French control; the South, which was under Spanish control; and the Basque Country, which was autonomous and free from both French and Spanish rule. The Republic of Catalonia was established in 1873, but after it lost its war with Spain in 1939, Catalonia became another region of Spain.
Spain was once one of the most powerful countries in Europe, and it still has a rich cultural history. Spain's recent history is more complicated than that, though.
After the end of World War II, Spain became a democracy with a parliamentary monarchy. But this didn't last long—there were several military coups during the 1960s. During this same period, Spain lost its colonies in Africa and Asia.
In 1978, Spain transitioned to a constitutional monarchy with democratic elections. In 1981, Spain joined NATO, but there were many terrorist attacks against Spanish military bases in the Middle East during the 1980s.
In the 1990s, Spain had an economic boom that led to significant immigration from Latin America—particularly Brazil and Morocco—and Eastern Europe. This continued into the 2000s and resulted in large population growth for Spain; by 2010 it had become Europe's fourth most populous country after Germany, France and Britain .
What is Spain known for?
Spain is known for its Moorish architecture, flamenco music, and paella.
The Moorish architecture of Spain dates back to the 8th century when the Moors ruled over Spain. The Moors brought with them their own style of architecture that involved elaborate decorations and patterns on walls, ceilings and floors. Many of these buildings still stand today including the Alhambra in Granada and La Mezquita in Cordoba.
Flamenco is a form of music that originated in Spain in the mid-19th century. It is based on traditional flamenco guitar playing but incorporates influences from other cultures such as gypsy music from Eastern Europe or Latin American rhythms like salsa or merengue. Flamenco music became popular worldwide after artists like Pablo de Sarasate toured Europe during the late 19th century with their performances.
Paella is a Spanish dish made up of rice mixed with meat or seafood (usually chicken) along with vegetables like peas or green beans. Paella is traditionally cooked in a large pan called an "olla" over an open fire but can also be prepared on an electric stovetop using a paella pan or cazuela (a wide-rimmed pot).
What is the cost of living in Spain?
Spain is known for its beautiful beaches, delicious cuisine, and rich history. If you're considering moving there, you're in luck—it's also one of the most affordable countries in Europe!
In fact, according to Numbeo data, Spain's cost of living index is nearly 30% lower than the average European country. If you're looking at getting a studio apartment in Madrid or Barcelona, expect to pay around $750 per month on average (and that doesn't include utilities). That's about half of what you'd pay for a similar space in New York City.
The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Madrid is about $1,000, whereas in London it's $2,500.
You can buy a meal at most restaurants for under $10, and public transportation (subway) is only about $20 per month.
Is Spain good for remote working?
Spain is great for remote working! The country has a highly developed infrastructure, which includes high-speed internet, reliable electricity, and a good road system. It also has a flexible labor market, so you can find jobs easily, even if you're not fluent in Spanish.
In addition to the general advantages of being able to work anywhere in the world, Spain offers some unique advantages:
The weather is great all year round—it's warm enough to go outside without freezing or melting into a puddle of sweat when you're working from home.
It's close to both Europe and Africa, so if you need a break from your home office or just want to take advantage of the opportunity for travel, it's super easy!
Does Spain have co-working spaces?
Yes! Spain has over 900 co-working spaces. The majority of them are in the capital city, Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.
A co-working space is an office space shared by a group of people who work for different companies. It's not just for freelancers—it's also for people who work for startups or small businesses that can't afford their own office space.
The benefits of these spaces are that they're usually cheaper than renting your own office, and you'll be working alongside other entrepreneurs who are all trying to make it big in their own way!
What are the best things to do in Barcelona?
Barcelona is a great city with lots to see and do. Here are some things you should definitely check out:
La Sagrada Familia: This church has been under construction for over 100 years, but it's finally nearing completion! You can get a tour of the building and see how far along it is.
Park Güell: This park was designed by Gaudí himself, so it's full of fun surprises like mosaics and benches that look like animals. It's also right next to Sagrada Familia, so you can visit both in one day!
Picasso Museum: Picasso lived most of his life in Barcelona, so this museum has tons of his work on display—you'll be amazed at how many different styles he mastered over his lifetime!
Take a tour through Casa Mila: This Gaudi-designed house is famous not only for its amazing architecture but also because it has been used as a movie set multiple times over the years—it was used as X-Men headquarters in X-Men: First Class!
Take a scenic walk along El Maresme coast: The El Maresme coast offers beautiful views of both mountains and sea from every angle. You can even get there by taking a train ride along the coast.
What are the best museums in Barcelona?
Barcelona has a ton of museums, so you'll want to do your research before planning your trip.
The best way to get started is by looking at the culture and history of the region. You can do this by checking out the following museums:
Casa Batlló: This museum is dedicated to Gaudi's architecture and design. It's one of Barcelona's most popular attractions, so it's definitely worth a visit!
Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya: This museum showcases Catalan art from the 10th century until today. It also includes architectural elements from across Spain and Europe. The museum itself is an architectural masterpiece!
Fundació Joan Miró: This museum hosts a variety of works by Joan Miró, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, and more! It features both permanent exhibits as well as temporary ones that change every two years or so.
Fundació Antoni Tàpies Foundation: This museum was founded by Antoni Tàpies himself in 1988 after he donated his entire collection of artwork to Barcelona city council. It houses over 1,000 pieces from various artists including Miró himself as well as Picasso and Dali among others!
What are the best things to do in Madrid?
Madrid is a city that's full of life, culture and history. Here are some of our favorite things to do in the city:
Eat tapas at any one of the dozens of bars throughout the city that serve them.
Take a tour of Madrid's Royal Palace, which was built in 1738 by Felipe V and is still home to Spain's royal family today.
Go shopping on Calle Serrano, which is known as Madrid's answer to Fifth Avenue because it has high-end boutiques and department stores like Zara and Mango as well as international brands like Burberry, Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton and Chanel!
The Prado Museum: This museum houses one of the most famous collections of art in the world, including works by Goya, Velázquez, El Greco, and others. There are also galleries for modern art and architecture.
El Rastro: This flea market has been around since the 18th century, and is one of the largest markets in Europe. It's located on Sundays from 7am-3pm in Plaza de Cascorro, but if you're going during the week, you can find similar items at Mercado de San Miguel or Plaza Mayor on Saturdays
Puerta del Sol: This square is right in front of the Royal Palace (Palacio Real), and it's the center of all activity in Madrid—it's where everyone gathers for festivals and protests alike! There are plenty of restaurants around here too if you want to grab a bite before heading off to another spot on this list; we recommend Barrio Alto because they have amazing views.
What are the best things to do in Valencia?
Valencia is a city full of art, culture, and history. If you're planning a trip there, we've got some recommendations for the best things to do in Valencia.
First off, you should definitely check out the city's Museu de Belles Arts (Fine Art Museum). This museum has been around since 1874 and houses over 6,000 works of art from artists like Picasso and Dalí. There's an entire room devoted to the work of Picasso alone! You can spend hours here admiring all the beautiful paintings and sculptures—and even better: it's free!
Another thing you should do when you're in Valencia is visit its City of Arts and Sciences complex. The complex is made up of three museums: the Oceanografic Aquarium; the Science Museum; and CCCB (home to modern art exhibitions). These museums are all connected by an underground walkway, so it's easy to see them all in one day.
Finally, make sure you check out Valencia Cathedral while you're there! This cathedral was built in 1364 and is considered one of Spain's most important Gothic cathedrals. It's also beautiful inside: there are stained glass windows above each altar depicting various saints.
Which airlines have direct flights into Spain?
There are a lot of airlines that have direct flights into Spain, but we'll give you the top five.
- Ryanair: This airline has flights from over 200 different airports in Europe and North Africa to Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia.
- Vueling Airlines: This airline has flights from over 100 cities in Europe to Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia.
- Easyjet: This airline has flights from over 60 airports in Europe to Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.
- Norwegian Air: This airline has flights from over 50 airports in Europe to Alicante, Ibiza and Malaga (and more).
- British Airways: This airline has flights from 19 cities in England to Alicante and Malaga (and more).
