Burden of work and final deadlines increase towards the end of the year thus the need to party and have some fun. Though everyone may dream of going somewhere abroad, in Spain itself there are many interesting and worthwhile things to do, which will organically complement the year-end festivities. Here are ten marvelous tourist plans which you can have in Spain along with some free-of-cost tours which may attract you.
1. Free Tour in Madrid
This is the rather beautiful city of Madrid – the capital city of Spain and a city that is filled to the brim with history and culture. The first time I went to Madrid, I felt the eternal momentum, and the city’s history inspired me; A free walking tour in Madrid is considered one of the top ten things to do in the city by both visitors and inhabitants. This tour led by professional tour guides consists of a visit to important places in Madrid including the Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Royal Palace, and the Opera. The tour takes about two hours and bookings are made per van which has a capacity of up to six people. People feel the presence of past and present when moving along the existing streets and even more – one can hear the voices of ancestors.
This way arranging of Madrid also gives a beautiful and enchanting look of the place by combining both ancient and modern architectures. The active street selling pattern together with splendid architecture presentations make Madrid city a joy to tour. I loved walking in the square called Plaza Mayor: to believe that I was surrounded by buildings that witnessed the history of this country!!! This made the narration of the guide especially exciting as he was able to give me so much more than the bare details of each scene; he gave me history.
2. Snow Getaway
Joy of skiing, however, travels along with the winter itself, which starts in Spain from December. While there may be fluctuations in the operational hours that some may have, there are normally six of them prepared to accommodate winter sport lovers. Out of all of these stories, I remember with much warmth one snow vacation in the Pyrenees of Catalonia. Not only skiing, I met amazing opportunities to try something like climbing, rafting, or hang gliding. It was marvelous to observe the fascinating snow coverage on the ground; the topical excitement from the activities made it such a befitting way to close the year.
These mountains are one of the most beautiful places both in terms of nature and tourism activity. Every morning was fresh, the mountain air woke me up and watching the sun come up over the mountains covered in snow was enchanting. Fellow skiers and the common joy in managing the slopes was very appealing and actually promoted unity and oneness thus making it even more fun. Apart from skiing, the pleasant mountain villages that were newly developed served to give a cultural spin to the trip and also the opportunity to taste traditional foods.
3. Sleigh Rides
There is no doubt that sleigh rides cast a rather magical spell. On one of my winter trips, I visited Baqueira Beret and Masella both in Catalonia. The feel of the sledge moving over the snow was a kind of fascination. The overall feeling of being glided smoothly over the snow paths was quite enchanting. At the same time, the availability of slopes in other zones, for example, the Cantabrian Mountains or the Central System, provide perpetrators for alpine and Nordic skiing. These are regions that are embraced by winter which allows for a somewhat adventurous break from the everyday grind.
Sleigh rides transfer you directly into a fun and playful snowy landscape, where all that can be heard is the sliding sound of a sleigh and hopefully, the ringing sound of bells. The equation of fresh strongly chilled air, bracing whiteness of trees’ branches, and silence of the surroundings are thrilling and come close to the fairy-tale ones. Traveling with other people, wrapped in scarves and hats, with warmth in a car with friends or beloved people, while the exotic views of nature in this time of the year is a warming sight for a traveler.
4. Private Tour in Palma de Mallorca
Palma de Mallorca can be safely considered the island of marvelous experiences that concern safe beaches, combined with the urban environment, and the delicious Mediterranean food. I once booked a private tour in Palma and immediately I felt like I was in a different civilization. Over two and a half hours, our personal guide took us through the historic area and the appearance of gothic architecture and the Cathedral of Santa María. Some of the stories accompanying the stone sculptures that decorated buildings’ exteriors were particularly interesting, especially the gargoyles. With our own driver guide, we were to move at our own pace during the tour thus making it private.
The city has a lot to offer and the centuries-old history, the cultural life, and the atmosphere all combine to make Palma de Mallorca a fascinating place to discover. Strolling along the small, stone-paved streets of the town, I could feel the actuality of timelessness; or, in other words, the town was radiating the spirit and energy of people who occupied the place hundreds of years ago. The guide was full of energy and I would have never thought the history of the city could be so engaging; being able to set the pace was the best experience of self-guidance.
5. Walking Among Beech Trees
For nature lovers few things can be more refreshing than just walking through a beech forest. For as long as I can remember, I have taken comfort in the idea of nature and thus, hiking through beech forests of Navarra, Madrid, Asturias, Catalonia, the Basque Country, and La Rioja was heart consoling. The regions of these forests containing a rich supply of fauna and flora could be considered as a place of relaxation from the noisy city. Subsequently, walking on the forest floor was like tracing the history of the earth as if nature was slowly telling its history.
To move through these trees, beech trees, is to touch them with your senses. The sound can be heard of moving leaves, the smell of the trees, and the rays sneaking through the trees give the mood of relaxing and calming forest. The scenery increased with beautiful wildlife, and there were some streams and clearings that made me as a hiker feel like I was discovering something. Most of these walks offered not only exercise but a deep relevance of man within the environment.
6. Dinner and Flamenco Show in Barcelona
Barcelona is one of those cities that glorify life. Once on New Year’s Eve, I went for none other than a luxury dinner at Tablao Flamenco Cordobés to watch a flamenco show. The meal was a buffet dinner: there were such dishes as shrimp, caviar, Iberian ham, and more. Watching the flamenco was stimulating, therefore dancing to the rhythms of traditional songs in the partner’s company made the evening unforgettable. Besides, it was an opportunity to welcome the new year and at the same time dive into the cultural experience of Spain.
Of all the styles of dances, flamenco with its constantly beating impulse and demonstrating temperament underlines the unique Spanish spirit. Thus, the energy of performers; the artistry of choreography with complex and tasty footwork; the richness of the musical score engulfs the audience into a mesmerizing spectacle. Enjoying this cinematic classic in the company of friends, fellow cinema mates, and the same fellow revelers, made the occasion communal. The dinner prepared with various kinds of food was both opulent, as it paved the way for joyful dancing in the night.
7. Bittersweet Year-End Tradition: Canary Islands
The Canary Islands for instance are characterized by rather moderate weather and would be ideal for a holiday during the colder parts of the year and still one wouldn’t need their winter coat or scarf. One time for New Year’s Eve, the place was really lively, and it felt so good to be there. Other than the festivities one can engage in varying activities such as going for whale and dolphin watching in Tenerife, camel riding in the Maspalomas dunes, and swimming with sea turtles. All of the activities offered different views on the appearance and international character of the islands.
The other advantage of the Canary Islands is in the fact that the weather is good almost all year round and thus best suited for winter vacations. Being a variety of geosites, I admired the landscapes of the islands including volcanic craters, forests, and sand beaches. One of the most impressive activities which I had a chance to participate in was whale watching in Tenerife; it was a stunning feeling to watch those giants of the ocean in their natural surroundings. This kind of experience that the islands offer: adventure and relaxation, celebration and vacation is therefore the best way to end the year.
8. Free Granada Tour
Granada is one of those cities where you will never run out of things to do and places to see. Once, I for example went for a free guided tour in Granada, and it was quite insightful. Thus, we visited a palace such as the Alhambra and districts that are rich in history. This deal for visiting the Cathedral of Granada and we walked through the Alcaicería and visited the Royal Chapel. The Albaicín district could be characterized as one of Renaissance-style streets and squares that open one’s mind to a story from different epochs at once.
It can therefore be said that the cultural history of Granada bears the marks of various civilizations and epochs. One would definitely never forget the Alhambra, with its beautiful Moorish structure and the beautiful gardens. Additional information given while the guide was describing places helped to understand them even more and feel proud of the heritage. Albaicin with its narrow cobblestoned alleys and painted in white houses give a touch of vivid Moorish heritage of the place.
9. Jijona, Christmas Tradition
During Christmas, the nougat town of Jijona is a must-visit due to its international title. Seeing Jijona at Christmas felt like moving to a completely different world with a snowy atmosphere. They love their nougat, which is quite interesting as the town has successfully continued the tradition for centuries. At the Turrón Museum and an artisanal nougat factory, I got to know about the specific recipe that includes honey, sugar, and almonds. This small town in the province of Valencia is perfect for visiting due to its architecture and history: comfortable and picturesque.
Jijona Christmas tradition is tradition in every sense but not one directly opposite to cuisine and yet it is a feast. The scent of nougat being freshly made is in the air; the town preparing for Christmas gives it a brilliant atmosphere. The trip to the nougat factory and the museum was very informative and interesting to know and understand how this sweet was made and how it has evolved. To crown it all, the several points of interest within the town enshrine the beauty of the town’s architecture, the warmth and cheerfulness of the people we met during the tour only added to the beauty of the whole experience during the visit makes the holiday season more rewarding.
10. By Boat in Ibiza
While Ibiza is particularly known for young nightlife, it also provides quiet places for year-end tranquility. While I was there I was able to travel around Ibiza on a boat. Because I wasn’t trained to sail, I was able to handle a stable motor catamaran along the coast without much trouble. We went sightseeing to suitable places such as the cove of Cala Salada, the Cala Bassa beach, and the islands of Del Bosque and Conejera. The water was still, the weather clear; beautiful sceneries the environment offered a perfect atmosphere for reflecting on the year that was coming to an end.
The use of water body transport was an interesting way of understanding Ibiza differently. There is scenic beauty on the coast that makes one feel very relieved and to add on to this there is very active nightlife on this Island. We spent many days in secluded bays surrounded by dangerous cliffs and beautiful seas; thus, I was feeling a sense of harmony with the surroundings. The ability to go through our own pace and the company of friends makes this boating adventure a perfect way for the year to end.
11. Retreat in a Monastery
For those who are willing to be introduced to a more spiritual type of New Year’s experience, which is rather freed from everyday concerns, one can easily go to monasteries and convents for this purpose. I went to the Monastery of Piedra in Zaragoza for several days and really it was an astonishing experience for me. Promoting spirituality in patients’ lives and offering a beautiful location that is free of stress-inducing stimuli seems to work for the patients’ benefit. Other monasteries such as the Parador de Chinchón in Madrid and the Monastery of San Miguel in Cádiz also organize such retreats. Such places are very helpful as they enable one to seclude oneself, and develop a healthier mental status.
The monastic retreats are interesting for a stay owing to the chance to evacuate from the everyday world. The peaceful environment and a rather monotonous lifestyle in a monk’s monastery guarantee an opportunity to think about life and find a new peace inside oneself. During my retreat, I also obtained comfort in the serenity and aesthetics of the Mas monastery. Praying and having morning walks were of immense use in calming the mind and preparing the vision of the year.
Conclusion
There is much to do in Spain and without leaving the country in order to start enjoying the final months of the year. Whether you’ve come for a few days to discover Madrid’s vibrant nightlife, a week to ski in the Pyrenees, or perhaps you wish to spend some time finding solace in a monastery, every moment of the traveller’s experience is distinct. To help you organize your year-end parties, these are the versatile and fulfilling choices you can consider. Experience the charm of Spain and have fun discovering its uniqueness and richness that will enable you to have memories that would last a lifetime.
Spain offers beautiful scenery from the great cities to the great fields where people spend most of their special occasions including the end of the year. Each destination brings out the best in the aspects of cultures, adventures, and relaxation so everyone is set to have fun. Therefore, bring your luggage, organize your travels, and prepare for an enchanting Spain travel experience in the last days of the year.