Are you going to have leisure holidays? Then Spain is a destination for you! Budget airlines and affordable fares have turned Spain into a beach resort haven for northern Europeans wishing to escape their own damp climates. You will have real leisure holidays with sun-bleached beaches, crystal water and fragrant flowers!

Spain is extremely hot during mid-summer, in July and August. The rest of the year the climate is generally temperate in the north, but warm in the south. The best time to visit is during spring or autumn, except for the Atlantic coast, which has heavy rains in October and November. August is the busiest month, while May and October are the best times for both ideal weather and fewer crowds. Madrid and the high central area can get very cold during winter. Therefore, to have leisure holidays in Spain you have to choose time of the year that suits your preferences.

Spain is comprised of numerous autonomous regions, offering great variation within one country. During your leisure holidays in Spain you may decide, whether to explore rich nature and sandy beaches, visit museums and galleries in big cities or travel to provinces and, maybe, participate in numerous fiestas. The hundreds of miles of Mediterranean coastline provide many opportunities to get off the beaten track, and the country's vibrant cities and colorful festivals will amaze and delight even the most seasoned traveler.

There is the Spain of Gaudy, Dali and Picasso, of Goya and Velazquez, proudly displayed in Madrid's museums and galleries. Spain's Pamplona is a unique experience of thundering streets that vibrate to the rhythm of man and beast during the annual running of the bulls. Barcelona is Spain's showcase of the unique architectural style of Gaudy's bizarre organic turrets and balconies. For a more provincial experience, the Valencian town of Bu?ol goes wild every year with the La Tomatina festival, a time when the region's surplus tomatoes, following the annual harvest, are dumped on the streets and pelted about in a friendly riot. Spain is also a country rich in heritage and the historic cities of Toledo, Salamanca, Seville and Granada promise a wealth of early Christian and Moorish buildings and monuments, as well as the remains of some incredible medieval sites. Spain has six cities that have been declared Unesco World Heritage sites  more than any other country in the world. You leisure holidays in Spain will be a great pleasure!

There are no health risks associated with travel to Spain, and no vaccination certificates are required for entry. Spain has a reciprocal health agreement with most EU countries, including the UK, providing free emergency health care at State run hospitals. Most visits to Spain are trouble-free, except for street crime, which is common in the big cities, and travelers are advised to take precautions to avoid theft of passports, credit cards, travel documents and money. Be wary of strangers offering or asking for help of any kind, as it is often a distraction for accomplices. Therefore, knowing these facts and taking simple precautions will provide leisure holidays in Spain.

In case not to spoil your leisure holidays, you should know that from 1 January 2006, laws against smoking in public places came into effect. Stiff fines will be imposed for smoking in areas such as enclosed public spaces, areas where food is prepared and sold, public transport, designated areas of bars and restaurants, and any places that cater for children.