There are lots of countries around the world to visit, and most of us won't be able to visit them all. This means that we will have to prioritize the best places we want to travel to. Spain is a popular holiday destination, but is it really worth visiting? For those of us with limited budgets and time, how high on our list of places to visit should we put Spain. The following are just my views, and in no way represent the views of the Spanish Tourist Board - or probably any Spanish person.

Spain has a lot of old buildings and a long history. If you are interested in the past then you will certainly be spoilt for choice in this country. Spain has been influenced by many different cultures. It is the closest European country to Africa, and it was once ruled by Muslim invaders. It was also invaded by the Germans, the French, and anyone else who happened to be in the area. Despite this they become one of the major world powers during the sixteenth and seventieth century. It is now one of the most powerful countries in Europe. If you visit Spain you will see plenty of evidence of their history and the mix of cultures that make the country what it is. Due to the fact that Spain has been the home of so many diverse groups it now has a culture that is a hybrid of all these influences. Different areas of the country have their own unique culture

As well as having lots of architecture of historical interest this is also a really modern country. Spain has the ninth largest economy on the planet. It is a member of the European Union and uses the Euro as its currency. If you visit the big cities like Barcelona or Madrid you will find all that you would expect to see in a modern city.

Spain offers a really diverse climate. If you go down south you can enjoy a Mediterranean climate and if that is not hot enough for you there is also the option to travel to one of the Canary Islands where you can enjoy a sub-tropical climate. If you love the beach and the sun then you will not be disappointed in Spain. It is the second most popular tourist destination in the world and a lot of this has to do with the great beaches. In the north of the country you will find an Oceanic climate which offers cold winters and summers that don't get too hot; this is similar to the climate you would find in places like the UK and Ireland.

So why would anyone want to visit Spain? Well, it does seem to offer quite a few nice things for the traveler. If you are interested in culture or history then it seems well worth a visit. If you like the beach in sun then this too seems readily available. This is the second most visited country on the planet so it would seem worthwhile to go visit and see what all the fuss is about.