FROM cheap holidays in Benidorm to holidays in Majorca, there’s a huge range of great deals for anyone looking to travel to Spain this summer.

A melting pot of Mediterranean and Atlantic influences, Spain is a hugely diverse country and it’s important to understand the local traditions and customs before choosing your holiday destination.

If you’re planning a Spanish getaway in 2012, take a look at our quick guide to the country’s fascinating culture.

Language
Whilst Castellano is the official Spanish language of Spain, there are many other regional dialects spoken across the country.

Cheap Ibiza holidays will introduce you to the Catalan dialect of Ibicenco, whilst in north-eastern Spain you’ll find the locals conversing in the ancestral Basque language.

Food
The Spanish structure their day around eating. Lunch, taken around 1.30pm to 3.30pm, is the most important meal of the day.

You may find that many shops are closed around this time of the day, as the locals leave work to enjoy a meal with their families.

The evening dinner does not normally happen until around 10pm, when you’ll see groups of friends enjoying tapas and tortillas together.

Drink
Bars are an integral part of daily life in Spain. They provide a vital meeting point for locals to discuss the day’s events over a glass of wine or beer.

Smoking is also still allowed in many bars, which only become busy after midnight.

Religion
Muslims, Christians and Jews have all lived side by side in Spain and left their mark on the cultural calendar.

Evidence of the country’s religious history is felt in every small town, where you will find at least one remarkably preserved church.

If you’re considering travelling further afield on a holiday to Tenerife, you’ll continue to find the Roman Catholic influence in the tiny villages dotted across the volcanic landscape.

There’s at least one fiesta in each community across Spain and the Canaries during the summer months, so you’ll never find yourself far from a lively celebration!

Sport
After winning the World Cup two years ago, Spain are now champions of Europe, proving to be the best football team in the world today.

Tennis is also a popular sport and many locals enjoy to cycle through the country’s rugged landscape.

One Spanish sport that divides opinion is bull fighting. Yet locals and tourists alike continue to flock to the city of Pamplona every July to see the running of the bulls and the bullfights during the festival of San Fermín.