“España is different!“ That is something not only the Spaniards will tell you, but something anyone who has visited the Iberian Peninsula for themselves will say. For Spain is a country that you are not likely to forget again in a hurry. It is spirited and full of life – just like its inhabitants.

There are lots of differences between Spain and Germany. The language and the weather are the least of these. Unlike Germany, for instance, Spain still has a real royal couple. And there are major differences in the times people eat their meals, too. Spaniards do not generally eat their evening meal, la cena, before 10 pm.

By that time, most Germans are already relaxing on the sofa. And although the two countries are not worlds apart when it comes to the small matter of football, they are separated by two whole steps on the World Cup winners’ podium.

Spanish love of life

The biggest difference between Germany and Spain, however, is the passion with which the people of Spain approach their everyday lives. That is another area in which they are world champions! If anyone knows how to enjoy life then it’s the Spaniards. It doesn’t matter how badly off they and their country are at any particular time: Only very rarely do the Iberian live wires lose their optimism, their smile, and their zest for life.

Which is not to say that Spaniards don’t ever lose their temper. For that is one thing they certainly can do very well! You shouldn’t ever mess with a Spaniard. Old men will happily swear and enter into a battle of words with someone in the middle of the street for giving their wife a funny look. Anyone who calls a caballero’s honour into question should be prepared for trouble. Because that is one thing that Spaniards do not consider to be a laughing matter.

A passionate nation

The Spaniards can celebrate, shop and cook with just as much fervour as they can argue, however – three more disciplines in which they are world champions. Shopping at Zara, Mango, Sfera or at Corte Inglés until the doors close at 10 pm on Sunday? No problem for around 43 million Spaniards between La Coruña and Málaga. Preparing paella and tapas to die for? They could do it with their eyes closed. Washing down those delicacies with a vino tinto or blanco?

A little luxury that Spaniards like to enjoy daily. Irse de tapas – a merry tapas tour with good friends – is just good manners here. Each of the 17 administrative districts, better known as comunidades, has their own specialities – ranging from all kinds of fish delicacies and varieties of cheese through to variations on the tortilla. And when their bellies are full they hit the clubs and dance the night away until the entire country is bathed in sunlight once again.

Spain has much to offer

It is no surprise, then, that the Spaniards are not a nation of holiday lovers. Reasonably-priced coaches take visitors to all regions of the country every hour. And that country has plenty to offer – from mountains, two adjacent seas, and green fields through to artistic Oriental-style buildings dating back to the times of the Moorish occupation. Spain is a country that you can rediscover time and time again. A country that infects you with its zest for life and one that it is not difficult to fall in love with.