Currency:

Euro (€)

When to go:

April/May or Sept./Oct.

Known for:

Scenery, nightlife, seafood, art, culture

Languages:

Spanish, with Catalan and some French

From the sunny Atlantic coast to the Pyrenees and the busy Mediterranean, Spain packs in mountains, beaches, nightlife, seafood, art, culture, foot-stomping music, and some of the friendliest, most lighthearted people on earth.

Spain's comprehensive national railway is run by RENFE. Sleek, modern trains reach everywhere on a typical map and several places not big enough for a dot. Regionales trains make all the stops on a given line, while cercanias are more communter-type trains to and from major cities and surrounding areas. Between the larger cities and major tourist hang outs are the high-speed, long-distance AVE, Talgo, and EuroMed trains. They cost a little more but will get you between Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Valencia, and Alicante.

If you're behind the wheel of a rented car fear not: Spain's roads are well paved, and thoroughly marked with signs. Invest in a good map published by a reputable company. Autupistas are the main highways that link big cities, but they charge steep tolls along certain routes. Other roads are cheaper and prettier, but can take longer, especially with a traffic tie up. Wear your seatbelt (Es la ley!) and keep your headlights on during the day.