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Featuring stretches of long, sunny beaches and rugged coastline; Catholic cathedrals combined with a distinct Islamic influence; and narrow, winding narrow streets leading to huge urban plazas - Spain is one adventure after another.

Regional diversity within the country includes the cosmopolitan atmosphere of its capital, Madrid, where visitors can take a trip to the world class Prado Museum, the must-see Royal Palace of Madrid, followed by a refreshing walk through lovely public gardens of the Parque del Buen Retiro.

Within an easy train ride of Madrid lies medieval Toledo, dominated by its magnificent cathedral and museums boasting works by native son El Greco.

A 3-hour trip from the capital lies Spain's funkiest city, Barcelona, a walker's paradise with its alluring main street, La Rambla, which leads to Barcelona's medieval quarter, Barri Gotic -- in sharp counterpoint to the wild and way-out 20th century architecture of Gaudi including his world-famous Sagrada Familia.

Top tourist attractions in Spain include spectacular Costa del Sol beaches (left); the incredibly beautiful
Alhambra palace in Granada (center); and Gaudi's world-famous Sagrada Familia cathedral in Barcelona.

And, sun worshipers shouldn't miss a trip down to the "Spanish Riviera", Costa del Sol, featuring more than a hundred miles of sand, surf, and balmy breezes at some of Spain's most popular beaches. Further inland, a visit to Alhambra, the crown jewel of Moorish architecture throughout Spain is a mind-blowing day tour from the shore.

Another southern Spanish gem in the Andalucia region is Seville -- with its centuries of history that come alive in the spectacularly beautiful Alcazar of Seville palace (originally built as a Moorish fort), followed by the city's equally stunning Seville Cathedral.

Southern Spain is also home to many of the top Spanish wineries and vineyards for any wine lover who wants to linger in the area for a classic taste of the grape.

also see ->Christmas in Spain

DID YOU KNOW? Spain Travel Fun Facts

Food fight!

• Spaniard's internal clock is different from the rest of the world. They often take long midday siestas, and eat late lunches, followed by dinner at 10PM.

• While writer Ernest Hemingway brought renown to the running of the bulls in Pamplona, almost as famous is the annual La Tomatina in Buñol which hosts the largest tomato fight in the world each August.

• Art lovers can get surreal at Salvador Dali's fantasy castle in Figueres that showcases the Spanish artist's eccentric taste in art, sculpture and furnishings.

• Available for touring, abandoned spaghetti western movie sets ("The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly", "Once Upon a Time in the West" and "For a Few Dollars More") from the 1960's and '70s still stand in Spain's Tabernas Desert.

More about Spain travel & tourism around the Web:

Tour Spain - Check out a Spanish travel extravaganza - including video clips and picture gallery, virtual tours of top cities and attractions, feature stories, trip planners and online booking services, practical travel tips, maps.

Meet Barcelona - How to get there, and get around, plus extensive guides to the waterfront, museums, neighborhoods, seeing Barcelona by bike or on foot, architectural and gastronomic wonders, and lots more.

Seville - Excellent online guide featuring the main tourist attractions, museums and galleries, churches, nightlife, shopping, hotels and event schedule.

Go-Toledo - Toledo, Spain City Guide - Tourist information on the city center, hotels, museums, monuments, excursions and much more including history and culture, suggested itineraries and walking tours, maps and pictures.

Spain Summer Vacation Calendar: