However, Spain is more than just art work and sun. Spain is an experience. A place where the culture and the history (the complete history, not just the infamous history of Spain) truly enrapture the tourist. Where the tourist can experience the friendly charm of some of its cities, or the warmth of some of the people.

   Many people do not know it but there was not always a Spain. As recently as 500 years ago another culture occupied this great land. The Moores. The Moores were Muslims from North Africa. They occupied Spain and Portugal from 711 until almost 1500 when crusaders “drove them away.” The Moores spread their culture and their knowledge through Spain and Portugal but they did so in a benevolent way. They allowed other cultures (namely the Christians and the Jews) to retain their culture. In fact, the Moores blended influences from these groups into their culture. They also realized that some things, such as wine production, which were forbidden for their culture, were good for trade and therefore allowed them to continue. The last Moorish stronghold fell in the sixteenth century and they were forced to flee. Which was a shame because in some way their culture and their advancements were quite a bit more advanced than the Christians that drove them out. What is important about them is that their culture rings forth in some of the towns, especially Cordoba, Granada and Sivilla.