What motivated Europeans to travel to Spain during the period of cultural exchange?

The motivation for Europeans to travel to Spain during the period of cultural exchange primarily centered around the intellectual and scientific advancements that were happening in the region. Spain, especially during the time of the Reconquista and thereafter, became a melting pot of cultures where Christian, Muslim, and Jewish scholars collaborated and shared knowledge. This exchange included significant contributions from classical Greek texts that were translated into Arabic and then into Latin, as well as new discoveries in fields such as medicine, mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy that were brought to Europe through these interactions.

This period in Spain facilitated the dissemination of knowledge that helped spur the Renaissance in Europe, making the desire to learn about these classical sciences and Arab discoveries a powerful motivation for scholars and students alike. This cultural transfer not only enriched European intellectual life but also laid the foundation for advancements that followed in the subsequent centuries.

Other motivations, while present, were not as central to the cultural exchange aspect represented in the question. For instance, escaping political unrest or seeking economic opportunities were more about individual circumstances and might not have directly contributed to the cultural exchange itself. Likewise, participation in the Crusades was more focused on religious objectives rather than the exchange of knowledge or culture.