My Top Five Reasons To Visit Southern Spain

I'm going to Southern Spain this coming May and I cannot wait!  As I've been talking about this trip, it has surprised me that there are some people who are not sure why they should visit Southern Spain.  

If you are among this group and are not sure why you should travel to Southern Spain, read on for a few of my favorite reasons.

Food
This seems to be one of my top reasons to visit almost anywhere, and possibly the reason that my jeans are all super tight.  The food in Southern Spain is exceptional, with the flavors being influenced by Mediterranean cultures and Northern Africa.  A few of my favorites are:

• Jamon Iberico - this is Spanish aged ham that is similar to prosciutto.  There is a strict process to be labeled as an Iberico ham, which includes disclosing what percentage of the pigs parentage is official Iberian pig.  These pigs eat a diet of acorns to give the meat a unique nutty flavor and allowing the pigs to roam freely on farm ranges of up to 2,000 acres!
• Paella - a rice dish that originated in the Valencia area.  My favorite version of this fragrant, tomatoey dish has lots of shellfish!
• Seafood - Since so much of Southern Spain is on a coast, you can find fresh and delicious seafood.

Jamon Iberico - Yum!

Wine
Whether you like a sparkling Cava, a bold, red Tempranillo, a crisp, white Albariño, or a sweet sherry, Southern Spain has you covered.  Spain is one of the largest wine-producing countries so everyone can find a bottle to suit their taste and their budget.

Beaches
The entire Southern border of Spain is coastline, and there are some spectacular beaches.  Whether you are looking for a beach on a sprawling resort or a secluded and more natural spot, there is a beach for you in Southern Spain.  Prefer your beaches as a starting point for water sports instead of for lounging?  Southern Spain has that covered as well.  From scuba diving to wind surfing, you'll find options for water sports in many different locations.

Alicante Beach

Alhambra
Located on a hill overlooking the modern city of Granada, sits the medieval palace and fortress, the Alhambra.  This World Heritage Site was built by the Moors between the 13th and 14th centuries.  Since then, there have been architectural changes, including adding a church at the original mosque site.  With it's beautiful gardens and interesting history, the Alhambra is one of Spain's top sites for good reason.

Alhambra

 Flamenco
Flamenco is the song and dance of Southern Spain.  The beautiful music is accompanied by an even more beautiful couple dancing.  The dresses worn by the women are characterized by their bright colors and ruffles.  At the very least, you should see a Flamenco performance.  Those that want to learn the dance can easily take lessons while in Southern Spain.  

These are just a few reasons why I think Southern Spain should be on everyone's travel list.  If I've convinced you, consider joining my small hosted group in May.  You can see all of the details here.