CAPITAL MADRID - POPULATION 42.4 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.
CADIZ, SPAIN
Carnival Capital
When it comes to swashbuckling cities, few can complete with Cadiz. This is a city whose fortune was made on the high seas - from the port of Cadiz; the Spanish navy ruled the Americas, returning from the New World laden with treasure that attracted the attention of dastardly pirates. Connected to the rest of Spain by a narrow strip of land, it doesn't seem impossible that Cadiz might yet follow in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus, and break off and set sail across the Atlantic.
This year, however, the Americas are coming to Cadiz. Though it's far closer to Morocco than Mexico, Cadiz has found itself named Ibero-American Capital of Culture for 2012 - the first time a European city has held the honor. Events are planned throughout the year, with art, music and performances from across Latin America being staged at venues across the town.
Fortunately, the swashbuckling spirit has never quite left the city's veins and Cadiz remains a notorious party animal. Admittedly, this might normally look like a peaceful pocket of old-world Spain, complete with old men in flat caps shuffling about in cafe-lined squares, and crumbling battlements standing beside shady parks. But once a year, sleepy Cadiz undergoes a Superman-like transformation and hosts Spain's most raucous carnival - a 10- day bender of drinking, singing and dancing, all conducted in fancy dress. The Gaditanos (residents of Cadiz) are famed throughout Spain for their wit, and this is put to the test during February's carnival.
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