CAPITAL MADRID - POPULATION 40.4 MILLION - AREA 504,782 SQ KM -OFFICIAL LANGUAGE SPANISH
Good old Spain. Despite a robust euro it's still great value – and more aware than ever that we don't all want to bake on beaches. Themed itineraries are booming, such as Rioja wine-and- truffle trips, concerts galore at Palau de la Musica (celebrating its 100th year in 2008-2009), and nature tours in an Ibiza keen to shed its hedonistic reputation. Ecotravellers will be happy, too. High-speed trains now link Madrid and Barcelona in 2 1/2 hours (down from six), while walking is the new black – 200,000 pilgrims follow the long-distance Camino de Santiago across the country's in-vogue north. New hotels en route are planned to house them in greater comfort.
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