Rail Holidays In Spain

With every region having its own special dishes, Spanish cuisine can’t (and shouldn’t) be confined to a short and sharp excerpt. This is the land where you can taste the best mountain produce and the freshest seafood in a meal, or pick vine-ripened tomatoes from a farm and make your own cava in a day. Having said that, many locals would probably tell you that enjoying tasty tapas and drinks between meals is perhaps the best part of Spanish cuisine. By the way, you should always say ‘yes’ to tomar el vermú – the literal translation is “to drink vermouth”, but in cultural context, it refers to spending quality time with friends and family while enjoying tapas and drinks.

Spain is among the top global wine producers, and wine regions like Rioja and Ribera del Duero require little introduction, thanks to the Tempranillo grapes that thrive so wonderfully in the moderate climate here. In Catalonia, sparkling cava and dry white wines dominate the scene, while in sunny Jerez de la Frontera, prized sherry is produced and remains largely underappreciated by foreign drinkers. Of course, there are many more wine regions that most outsiders haven’t heard of, like Toro and Rías Baixas. The latter is known for growing the Albariño grape, said to be introduced to the area by Cistercian monks.

Covering a land area of 498,980 km2  (or a total of 505,370 km2 ), Spain is about twice the size of the United Kingdom. The weather here ranges from oceanic in the Basque Country, semi-arid in the south-eastern part of the country, to Mediterranean in most areas in the Iberian peninsula. The best time to visit Spain is generally spring or autumn when the temperatures are comfortably warm but without the excessive heat experienced in the summer months. 

The Basque Country in northern Spain has a strong reputation for surfing – thanks to the coastal wind that blows frequently from the ocean and helps to generate excellent swells. Bilbao, the largest city in the Basque Country, receives over 1,120mm (44in) rainfall a year. The months from October to January are cool and wet. 

Barcelona, a coastal city in north-eastern Spain, is characterised by long, hot summers and mild winters. On the other hand, Madrid, located in the interior at a reasonably high altitude (667m or 2188ft), has very dry, hot summers and cold, rainy winters. 

As you move further south to the Andalusian plain, you get a warmer climate. Seville, for instance, is warm and (relatively) sunny even during the winter months – the coolest month here is January with an average high of 11°C (52°F). With such warm weather, you’d be forgiven to think that you’re in northern Africa.

If you visit during the warmer months, pack sunglasses, comfortable footwear and light clothing, but add a jacket for the cooler evenings. Having a raincoat or umbrella is also recommended.

However, if you’re heading to the mountains, warm clothes will be needed.

Due to its mountainous terrain and political turmoil in the 19th century, Spain had a slower start in developing its rail system in comparison to other countries in western Europe. The first railway line was built in 1848, connecting Barcelona and Mataró. Back then, Spain decided to build a broader track gauge measuring 1674mm or 6 Castilian feet instead of the standard gauge of 1435mm that several European countries had adopted. The apparent reason was to avert another French invasion. 

Fast forward to today, high-speed trains, regional express trains, city metros and trams all combined to offer reliable and affordable transport options to locals and tourists alike. Of course, we shouldn’t forget about the few remaining classic lines too. You can now join PTG Tours to check out the classic line to Mérida, travel on a private charter train with vintage carriages to Zaragoza, or board a luxury train through Andalusia – call us today on +44 (0) 1235 227288 to find out more.

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