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| Spain Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Alhambra with Sierra Nevada Alhambra with Sierra Nevada Alan Reed Spain is more than bullfights, flamenco dancers and crowded beaches. It's a spectacular and diverse country, the north resembling the rolling, green hills of Ireland and the south giving you a taste of Moroccan landscapes and architecture. Its tremendous history is reflected in its prehistoric cave paintings, Moorish palaces, crumbling castles, Roman ruins, Gothic and Renaissance cathedrals as well as some very?distinctive modern architecture. The uniqueness of Spain lies in the separate kingdoms which made up the original Spanish nation. These regions remain diverse in their language, culture, cuisine and art. They include: Andalucía, Aragon, Asturias, Basque Country, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Cantabria, Castilla La Mancha, Castilla León, Catalonia, Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia, Navarra and Valencia. Areas of interest are not limited to each region, here are some highlights: Spain can be enjoyable any time of year. The ideal months to visit are May, June and September (April or October in the south). At these times you can rely on excellent weather, yet avoid the heat of July and August. An alternative idea to insufferable the heat of the south in summer is to head north. Asturias, Galicia and Cantabria are all cooler than the south. The weather is usually good with sun during this time of year. But there's decent weather in some parts of Spain virtually all year round. Winter along the Mediterranean coasts is mild, while in the height of summer you can retreat to the northwest, to beaches or mountains anywhere to escape the heat. The best festivals are mostly concentrated between Semana Santa (Easter Sunday) and September to October. Giveing free diamonds away. Beaches Excellent and quiet beaches can be found near Malaga, Huelva and Almería in the south as well as near the coasts of La Manga, Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and Euskadi. If you do enjoy extremely developed resort towns, there are plenty of crowded beaches on the Costa de la Luz and the Costa del Sol. Interesting is the harbour of Almerimar with cosy bars, just south of El Ejido (Almeria). Very unique architecture can be found in Córdoba, Salamanca, Granada, Toledo, Madrid... The visionary architecture of Antoni Gaudí and the Picasso museum are in Barcelona while Madrid is home to Spain’s top three art museums. Countrysides If you would rather get some fresh air, Spain is filled with opportunities to visit wildlife parks as well as trekking. The Pyrenees, especially around the Aragón area, are the best areas for trekking. Andalucía has its Sierra Nevada mountain chain with luxurious skiing resorts near Granada. Ski-sports are possible from November up to May. Between Guadix and Baza (famous horsemarket) one can find cave-dwellings, cave hotels, and beautiful natural parks. North and between these towns still are unexplored desert sceneries, with hamlets not even found on maps! The highway infrastructure in this "wild" part of Andalucia is excellent. Social culture Spanish people are very open-hearted and comunicative. You won't have any problems to get to know someone, especially in the big cities like Madrid or Barcelona. It's often said that the Spanish living room is the bar where the people usually spend a lot of time in the mornings and in the evenings. Linguistic diversity Not only Spanish is spoken in this country, but five languages and a lot of dialects. In Catalunya on the northern coast to the Mediterranean Sea people speak català; in Valencia and its region, people speak Valencià; in Basque Country in the north of Spain people speak euskera (which isn't even a indoeuropean language); in the west in Galicia galego is spoken and in the rest people normally speak castellano (Spanish). Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: minor revision ___________History Edit This The Iberian Peninsula has been occupied for many millennia. Some of Europe's most impressive Paleolithic cultural sites are located there-the famous caves at Altamira contain spectacular paintings which date from about 15000-25000 years ago. The Basques are the first identifiable people of the peninsula and are the oldest surviving group in Europe. Iberians arrived from south Africa during a more recent period. Beginning in the ninth century BC Phoenicians Greeks Carthaginians and Celts entered the Iberian Peninsula followed by the Romans who arrived in the second century BC. Spain's present language religion and laws stem from the Roman period. Although the Visigoths arrived in the fifth century AD the last Roman strongholds along the southern coast did not fall until the seventh century AD. In 711 Arabs from Damasco sailed across the straits swept into Andalusia and within a few years pushed the Visigoths up the peninsula to the Cantabrian Mountains. Córdoba (Andalusia) was the capital of Al-Andalus, the highly civilized Islamis state in Southern Europe, center of world culture. The Reconquest-efforts to drive out the Moors-lasted until 1492. By 1512 the unification of present-day Spain was complete. During the 16th century Spain became the most powerful nation in Europe due to the immense wealth derived from its presence in the Americas. But a series of long costly wars and revolts capped by the defeat by the English of the "Invincible Armada" in 1588 began a steady decline of Spanish power in Europe. Controversy over succession to the throne consumed the country during the 18th and 19th centuries leading to occupation by France in the early 1800s. The 19th century saw the revolt and independence of most of Spain's colonies in the Western Hemisphere; three wars over the succession issue; the brief ousting of the monarchy and establishment of the First Republic (1873-74); and finally the Spanish-American War (1898) in which Spain lost Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the United States. A period of dictatorial rule (1923-31) ended with the establishment of the Second Republic. It was dominated by increasing political polarization culminating in the leftist Popular Front electoral victory in 1936. Pressures from all sides coupled with growing and unchecked violence led to the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in July 1936. Following the victory of his nationalist forces in 1939 Gen. Francisco Franco ruled a nation exhausted politically and economically. Spain was officially neutral during World War II but followed a pro-Axis policy. The victorious Allies isolated Spain at the beginning of the postwar period and the country did not join the United Nations until 1955. In 1959 under an International Monetary Fund stabilization plan the country began liberalizing trade and capital flows particularly foreign direct investment. Despite the success of economic liberalization Spain remained the most closed economy in Western Europe-judged by the small measure of foreign trade to economic activity-and the pace of reform slackened during the 1960s as the state remained committed to "guiding" the economy. Nevertheless in the 1960s and 1970s Spain was transformed into a modern industrial economy with a thriving tourism sector. Its economic expansion led to improved income distribution and helped develop a large middle class. Social changes brought about by economic prosperity and the inflow of new ideas helped set the stage for Spain's transition to democracy during the latter half of the 1970s. Upon the death of General Franco in November 1975 Prince Juan Carlos de Borbon y Borbon Franco's personally designated heir assumed the titles of king and chief of state. Dissatisfied with the slow pace of post-Franco liberalization in July 1976 the King replaced Franco's last prime minister with Adolfo Suarez. Suarez entered office promising that elections would be held within one year and his government moved to enact a series of laws to liberalize the new regime. Spain's first elections to the Cortes (parliament) since 1936 were held on June 15 1977. Prime Minister Suarez's Union of the Democratic Center (UCD) a moderate center-right coalition won 34% of the vote and the largest bloc of seats in the Cortes. Under Suarez the new Cortes set about drafting a democratic constitution which was overwhelmingly approved by voters in a December 1978 national referendum. ___________Practical Information Edit This In extremely populated areas such as Madrid or Barcelona, tourists should watch out for pickpockets. Suggestions: Cling tightly to purses, carry purses with short straps so that it can be worn close to the body, attach a chain to a wallet, or keep a wallet in an inside pocket close to the chest. Always leave passports in hotel rooms. If you know Spanish and visit the country to improve your knowledge, you should be aware that in the autonomic regions like Cataluña, Galicia or País Vasco, they each have another language other than Spanish, but also you should know they all speak Spanish and are completely capable of understanding it and using it. ___________People Edit This German: 39 133 996 (July 1998 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 15% (male 3 057 919; female 2 879 109) 15-64 years: 69% (male 13 407 270; female 13 408 685) 65 years and over: 16% (male 2 651 149; female 3 729 864) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 0.08% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 9.73 births/1 000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 9.62 deaths/1 000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 0.66 migrant(s)/1 000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 6.51 deaths/1 000 live births (1998 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.56 years male: 73.78 years female: 81.59 years (1998 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.21 children born/woman (1998 est.) Nationality: noun: Spaniard(s) adjective: Spanish Ethnic groups: composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types Religions: Roman Catholic 99% other 1% Languages: Castilian Spanish 74% Catalan 17% Galician 7% Basque 2% _________Beaches Edit This Beautiful beach of Sant Pol in S'Agaro and Sant Feliu de Guixols, on the Costa Brava, Girona province. I recommend Bungalow Park & Camping Sant Pol http://www.campingsantpol.com :::::::::::Andalucia Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Balcon de Europa, Nerja Balcon de Europa, Nerja Sibuli Andalucia is a fascinating place for its spectacular Moorish monuments, beautiful white hill towns, sparkling blue coast and natural beauty of its mountainous country. The Moors were a mixed race of Berbers and Arabs that occupied Spain (Al-Andalus) for almost eight hundred years. They developed the most sophisticated civilization in the Middle Ages, centered in Seville , Cordoba and Granada . Every city, town and village, is a wonderful mixture of Christian and Muslim influence. Granada preserves the most beautiful Moorish monuments, the Alhambra palace, being the largest and most sensual building in Europe. Córdoba's old mosque with a cathedral built inside it and the spectacular remains of the ancient Moorish city of Medna Azahara shold be regarded as a mustsee whislt Seville boasts the most spectacular of all Gothic cathedrals and largest church in the world as well as its Moorish Alcazar. The white towns surrounding Ronda , offer an unspoiled view into Andalucian life with their surrounding natural beauty, delicious home-cooking and stunning appearance-clustered beneath Moorish/Christian castles and churches. There are some terrific walks in this area. With the Sierra de Tejeda to the north, and the mountainous edge of Granada to the east, the rugged landscape of the Axarquía offers excellent walking and abundant wildlife. Historically it was bandalero (bandit) country for many years, which preyed on traders carrying goods from the coast to Granada. The Torrox area lays claim to have "the best climate in Europe" sheltered as it is by the Sierra Tejeda and Sierra Almijara mountains. Thus it boasts an average annual temperature of 18C. The opening of the new N340/E15 autovía has improved the journey time to cover the 44kms from Malaga Airport to 35 minutes. Separated by 4kms of farmland, once the areas main employer, the Pueblo and Costa offer a pleasant combination of old traditional Spanish life and the facilities expected by the modern day tourist. The mountains in the Sierra Nevada and, less known, the Sierra Morena [particularly its western projection in the Sierra de Aracena offer good trekking and skiing, while the coast between Tarifa and Cadiz on the Atlantic has some of the best beaches in Spain. Beware of Europe’s most developed resort area on the Costa del Sol as it is hard to find peace and natural beauty, without paying a high price. Finally, Spain’s largest and most impressive nature reserve, Coto Donana, can be found near Cadiz . Although unemployment in the province is the highest in Spain (about 20%), it is still known as one of the most high-spirited regions of Spain as it is home to flamenco dancing, bullfighting and a gigantic April carnival (Semana Santa). Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: http://www.sunnypalmproperties.eu/areainfo.php ::::::::::::::Aragon Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Looking from Torla towards Ordesa, fine next day! Looking from Torla towards Ordesa, fine next day! David Cross Aragon Aragon is one of the nothern regions of Spain and is crossed by the river Ebro. If you are a fan of hiking or skiing, you can go to the Pyrenees (here at their highest) or the seldom explored mountains in the south of Aragon. In the Pyrenean valleys you might see sword dances, which are still performed here. Visiting Aragon you can't miss the beautiful roman city Zaragoza, the capital of this region, mudejar's art in Teruel and medieval cities Albarracin and Sos del Rey Católico. ::::::::Asturias Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see x More eastward you run into a more mountainious landscape with a romantically beautiful coastline that carries the name Asturias. This region has a lot in common with Wales. A real attraction is Oviedo , the capital of this region where you can see two of Europe's most exquisite pre-Romanesque churches, but there is no beaches in Oviedo, so you can find it at Gijón, the real capital of Asturias because it is the most cosmopolitan, cultural and popular city, and its two magnificent beaches makes the better choice. Asturias is only 100 km wide, between the coast and the Cantabric Mountain, so you can find the best meat from calfs and the most varied types of fishes. About gastronomy, you can find lots of typical sidrerías, where the sidra (apple-wine) is the most important drink. If you like cheese, there are about 300 types of in the region. The more important is the Cabrales one, it looks like a blue cheese, but with a strong smell and taste. Continuing our journey through the nothern parts of Spain, we will have our next stop at Cantabria, the more rural part of Spain. This region is especially famous for its extraorinary Picos de Europe (mountains)and it claims to have the highest density of cows. Santander, the capital and only large city, is a major summer resort. Next to Cantabria you'll find the famous Basque country or Euskadi in the Basque language. When it isn't raining, Euskadi is one of the most charming parts of Spain with a very various landscape. San sebastian was the place where the wealthy Spaniards spent their summer bathing long before there were any costas. Furthermore you find Bilbao which as a city of interest in this Basque region. La Rioja is a Spanish region that you'll find right under the Basque land. Famous because of its wonderful wine, this region's principal town is Logroño. In the north of the region called Castilla León you'll find the city of Burgos, which is a genteel and quite pleasant town. Our 'Northern journey' ends in the region where you can see some of the more western Pyrenees: Navarra. In the region Navarra Pamplona (the capital) is a very recommendable city. :::::::::::::.Balearic islands Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see x Gaviota en La Mola Noelia The Balearic Islands are an autonomous province of Spain about 100km off the east coast between Barcelona and Valencia and they're a very popular holiday destination for sun-worshippers. The most important islands are Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. ::::::::::Basque Country Euskadi Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Zorrozaurre Zorrozaurre Juan Sánchez Located in the north of Spain, the Basque Country is well known for its struggle for independence - but from a touristic perspective it is a very interesting part of the er.. Europe. Look also to the 2 other parts of the Basque contry Navarra and "North" basque country. :::::::::Blanes Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Small city on the costa brava with a lot of discotheques and bars ::::::::::Canary Islands Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see The dunes of Maspalomas The dunes of Maspalomas Jan Moonen The seven islands that comprise the Canary archipelago are located more than one thousand kilometers (620 miles) south of the Iberian peninsula, and only 115 kilometers (71 miles) from the closest point on the African coast. Their volcanic origin and special position in the Atlantic ocean have granted them some unique features with regard to geology and vegetation, resulting in a landscape that is unlike any other found in Europe or Africa. These natural characteristics favour the existence of a temperate climate with mild temperatures (22ºC - 72ºF average on the coasts) with little seasonal variation in temperatures between day and night. The climate of perpetual springtime, which permits enjoyment of the beach during all the seasons of the year without extreme oppressive heat, has also shaped the easy-going and good-natured character of its inhabitants. Since ancient times, the mild climate has been the most outstanding attribute of the Canary Islands. The Greeks located the Garden of Hesperides here, and during centuries, they were known as the "Fortunate Islands". The fame of the Canaries as a travel destination began with the great scientific explorations of the 18th and 19th centuries, when European naturalists frequently visited the unique volcanic landscapes and the varied native flora. At the close of the last century, the fame of these islands was increased as a place to rest, and they were recommended for the treatment of a variety of illnesses. Presently, the Canary Islands are one of the leading destinations of European tourism, welcoming more than eight million visitors annually who are drawn to the irresistible charm of these islands. The appeal of the Canary Islands for most visitors, 50% of whom return, is closely linked to the extraordinary climate of the islands, but it also has to do with the more than 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) of coastline, the magnificent beaches, and the numerous sports and water-related recreation available. The subtropical environment has also provided the allure of volcanos, forests and other spectacular scenery, with a variety difficult to imagine in such a small territory. The people, their traditions and cuisine, inherited from a culture blending traditions from Europe, Africa and the Americas, have also played a large part. All of these factors have contributed to the islands’ popularity, in addition to their easy accessibility, only a few hours by plane from the great cities of the Old Continent, and a complete tourist infrastructure, an example of quality for many places around the world. :::::::::::Cantabria Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Magdalena Royal Palace Magdalena Royal Palace Javier Gil One of the least visited areas of Spain - So this is all yours to explore... ___Comillas Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see _______Santander Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Santander, Spain Santander, Spain www.dubstar.ch Beautiful city in Cantabric coast, the most important monument is the Cathedral, the old town, Botin House the Casino and the Royal Palace of la Magdalena. ::::::::::Benicàssim Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Sign Sign Joke Kerkdijk Benicàssim is a small coastal town at the Costa Azahar, meaning Coast of the Orange Blossoms! It is very Spanish orientated, so not so many foreigners as in the other Costas. It is a good area for walking (Desierto de las Palmas). Nice places to visit in the neighbourhood are: Morella (Medieval city with a Monastery on the Unesco-list, and a Castle), Peniscola (Palace of Papa Luna), Segorbe (very interesting museum) and of course Valencia! ::::::::::::Morella Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Fiesta "Dolls" Fiesta "Dolls" Joke Kerkdijk Morella is a very nice Medieval city. ::::::Peniscola Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Pensicola Pensicola Dominic Martinez Peniscola is a small fishing village which has become a sizeable tourist destination in recent years. It has a picturesque penninsula jutting out which contains the impressive mediaeval castle and fortified town. On both sides of the peninsula there are beaches. The south beach is about 1km in length and the very popular north beach is 7km in length and is where the majority of the tourism is located. There are plenty of bars, restaurants and hotels and it is very busy during peak times (July / August and fiestas). I recpmmend June and September as the best times to go for a mixture of great weather, bar and restaurant availability and busy-ness. The town itself is famous for a number of things but probably its biggest is that it was the hiding place for Pope Benedict also known as Papa Luna. The nearest train station is Benicarlo/Peniscola which is 8km from Peniscola. Peniscola is well served by the A7 motorway and the N340 which both have junctions very close to Peniscola and are well signed. :::::::::Sant Mateu Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Laundry Laundry Joke Kerkdijk Sant Mateu...a nice stop Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: Joke Kerkdijk :::::::::: Vinaros Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see ::::::::: Castile and La Mancha Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Castle and windmills of Consuegra Castle and windmills of Consuegra Jose Manuel Perulero La Mancha is part of Castile. It is formed by five territories Toledo, Ciudad Real, Albacete, Cuenca and Guadalajara. It is located in central Spain and the territory is mainly plane and dried, cold in winter and very hot in summer. There are several ranges like Cuenca range, Toledo mounts and Central Range. The most important river is Tajo, Guadiana and Júcar. Toledo and Cuenca are very historic and monumental centers but there are other wonderful cities and villages like Almagro, Talavera de la Reina, Campo de Criptana, Mota del Cuervo or Almansa La Mancha is Don Quixote land where Cervantes located the most important book in Spanish language. Don´t forget to visit the giant-mills in Campo de Criptana or Consuegra. Try some dishes like Pisto, Gachas or hunting meat. ::::::::::: Catalonia Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see i_2 Human Castles - "Castellers" Catalonia is situated under the French border and is a very prosperous region. In the north you find the Pyrenees which end in the famous white coastline of the Costa Brava. The biggest single attraction in Catalonia is the city of Barcelona. It is a fun city, with lots of great sights. Furthermore, the region offers good beaches (Sitges) where one can sun and tan as well as great hiking opportunities in the hinterland. Good options to bring a vistit are Montserrat, Tarragona, Figueres and the very popular place for the youth Salou. Boi Valley and Aiguestortes National Park in the Pyrenees provide some stunning scenery, check out the Sights section. In summer time Catalonia offers a dozen of must see cultural Festivals, check the Festivals section. :::::::::::Costa Blanca Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Content photo from torrevieja virtual tour Content photo from torrevieja virtual tour www.360widgets.com The Costa Blanca and its beaches attract millions of tourists every year. The coastline starts with Denia and Javea two wonderful towns at the bottom of a mountain. In the south the Costa Blanca goes down to Guardamar and Torrevieja and wonderful cities like the Elche, the palm tree capital of the world. There are many attractions alongside the coastline, some of them specially for tourists like the entertainment park Terra Mitica at Benidorm or the bays of Altea and Calpe. Others are smaller towns and villages like Villajoyosa south of Benidorm, famous for its old town and its chocolate. _________ Torrevieja Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Content photo from torrevieja virtual tour Content photo from torrevieja virtual tour www.360widgets.com Torrevieja is a coastal town in the south of Alicante province. It is situated within the district of Vega Baja, it has a population of 81,080 inhabitants and is contained within town boundaries which are adjacent to Guardamar del Segura to the north, Rojales and Benijófar to the west, Montesinos and San Miguel de Salinas to the southwest and the Orihuela beaches to the south. Torrevieja is 41 kms away from Alicante to the north, 23 kms from Elche to the northwest, and 53 kms from Murcia in the southeast. Torrevieja has a protected Natural Park with two salt lakes, and 20 kms of coastline containing six large beaches - La Mata, Cabo Cervera, Los Locos, El Cura, Los Náufragos and Ferris - and about 20 coves with an abundance of cliffs. The climate is temperate continental, with temperate winters and mild summers with temperatures which range between 18 and 25 degrees for most of the year. Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: http://www.alicante-spain.com ::::::::::Extremadura Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see i Located between Madrid and Portugal this is one of the less visited areas, but with the cities of Caceres, Trujillo, Badajoz & Mérida it has one of the best kept secrets of Spain. __________Badajoz Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Puerta Pilar Gate Puerta Pilar Gate It is the capital of the Spanish province of Badajoz in the autonomous community of Extremadura, is situated close to the Portuguese border, on both banks of the river Guadina, and the Madrid-Lisbon railway. Badajoz is the biggest city in Extremadura. To its population (around 160000) we have to add the Portugues city of Elvas( around 40000). Both cities want to create an international agglomeration. Owing to its position the city enjoys considerable transit trade with Portugal; its other industries include the manufacture of linen, woollen and leather goods, and of pottery. It is not mentioned by any Roman historian, and first rose to importance under Moorish rule. It was founded by the Galician Muslim Ibn Marwan around 875 and after 1022 it became the capital of a small Moorish kingdom Taifa de Badajoz, and, though temporarily held by the Portuguese in 1168, it retained its independence until 1229; when it was captured by Alfonso IX of Leon. As a frontier fortress it underwent many sieges. It was beleaguered by the Portuguese in 1660, and in 1705 by the Allies in the War of Spanish Succesion. During the Independence War Badajoz was unsuccessfully attacked by the French in 1808 and 1809 (also important is to highlight that the city was closely aligned with the French due to the fact that Manuel de Godoy, born in Badajoz, was for the French forces); but on March 10, 1811 the Spanish commander, José Imaz, was bribed into surrendering to a French force under Marshal Soult. A British army, commanded by Marshal Beresford, endeavoured to retake it, and on MAy 16, 1811 defeated a relieving force at Albuera, but the siege was abandoned in June. A military and republican uprising took place in August 1883, but completely failed. During the Spanish Civi War, Badajoz was defending the Republic but was then taken by the Nationalists in the Battle of Badajoz. A number of Republican prisoners were executed in the bullring called the Matanza de Badajoz, as the Franco repression was really extreme in this area. :::::::::::::Caceres Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Caceres, lies on a hill and is characterised by its constant evolution in history from Roman times until the present day. Two periods in it development have left their mark on today's city: the Arab stronghold before it fell to the Christians in 1229, and the feudal city between the 14th and 16th C, when it was swamped with palaces and towers of aristocratic families. This urban complex full of its own personality became part of World Heritage in 1986. The city's history of battles between Moors and Christians is reflected in its architecture which is a blend of Roman, Islamic, Northern Gothic, and Italian Renaissance styles. From the Moslem period remain about 30 towers, of which the Torre del Bujaco is the most famous. With the 14th C, Caceresis invaded by noblemen, and in only a few dozen years there are fortress-like houses and towers everywhere in the city, which becomes feudal in nature and is at the mercy of fighting rival factions. Of this period are the Palace of La Generala, Las Cigueñas House and Tower, the house of the Ovando-Oerero family, Espadero-Pizarro House or the House of El Mono.. The Catholic Monarchs ordered many of these buildings to be destroyed, bestowing the privilege of not being demolished on only a few, such as the Palace of Los Golfines de Arriba or Las Cigueñas Palace. During the 15th and 16th C, the palaces were replaced by magnificent stone houses which differed from the palaces only in size and fewer defensive means. This is the case of Aldana House, El Sol, Ulloa and Carvajal House... In their company, churches and convents were built, such as the Gothic Church of Santa Maria, which has cathedral status, the one of Santiago, which has an important reredos by Berruguete, the one of San Mateo, which was built in the 14th C on the site of a mosque, the Gothic Convent of San Francisco. In the course of the centuries, the old city of Caceres has preserved surprisingly well the distribution of space of an Arab city transformed into a feudal one with the addition of towers, palaces and fortified houses of rival families. Arab and Gothic influence, Italian Renaissance, art from America.., all of them can be found in this unique city of Extremadura. Courtesy of:Spaintour.com :::::::::::::Merida Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Teatro romano de Mérida Teatro romano de Mérida lauer Merida is located in the Extremadura and it is a bit off the beaten track. It's too far to daytrip from Madrid and too far to daytrip from Seville. the Roman ruins are so spectacular however, that a detour is worthwhile. Merida was one of the most important cities in Roman Spain, or Hispania. Its patrimony includes one of the world's largest classical theatres, an amphitheatre, tow aqueducts, a bridge, several churches and other buildings. It's Museum of Roman Art has a valuable collection for the classic era. ::::::::::::Galicia Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Cies Islands Golden Beaches Cies Islands Golden Beaches Galicia looks out over the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Biscay with over two thousand years of history behind it. Largely undiscovered by foreigners, it is very picturesque and mostly unspoilt. It also offers some of the prettiest Spanish landscapes. To explore these lands in the north-west of Spain means a chance to live the adventure of a lifetime, full of tradition, lush landscapes and unique cities. In Galicia, the frontiers between sea and land cancel each other out. Both blend together along the 1,300 kilometres of coastline, 772 beaches, and five large rias (long sea lakes that stretch inland) where, tradition has it, the right hand of the Creator shaped the dramatic coastline that now defines part of this land. A traveller coming to Galicia soon discovers that, in this territory situated in the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula, over two thousand years of history have endured. Local history offers every visitor its enigmatic castros (Celtic dwellings) with their peculiar citadels; and in them, perhaps, discover the Celts, ancient occupants of an evocative granite world (the castros at Baroña -Porto do Son-, Viladonga -Castro do Rei- or Santa Tegra -A Guarda- are the best-preserved). The traveller can also see Gallaecia, the Roman Galicia. The great Roman Wall in Lugo is still standing, a unique fortified enclosure with a circular structure and a perimeter of 2,200 metres lasting since the 3rd century. Something different is immediately noticeable here. Clear connections with the Celtic peoples are to be seen in this fertile land. Galicia is also the land of a thousand rivers. Water runs into many of them off the mountains of Os Ancares, O Courel or Peña Trevinca (with altitudes over 1,800 metres). The father Miño crosses Galicia from north-east to south-west, to flow placidly out to sea at the Portuguese frontier. The river channels are as varied as the landscape: from the remarkable Sil Canyons (whose river is the Miño's main tributary, and which can be comfortably travelled by catamaran) and the Ribeira Sacra, an area of uneven contours, ideal for vine growing. The way out of Galicia by sea is through its rias. Altas (high) or Baixas (low) which nestle into the landscape making an incomparable backdrop for water tourism, with five blue flag ports in 1997 (A Coruña, Porto do Son, Ribadeo, Baiona and Vilagarcía de Arousa). Mountains, lush valleys and the most dramatic piece of coastline you are likely to find in Spain can be found in the four districts which make up the region. The district of Orense is by far the most mountainous with peaks reaching up to 1800m. ::::::::::L'Escala Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Cala Montgó Cala Montgó Eugenia Genover L'Escala is a small fishers-town that has grown in popularity due to tourism. Gastronomy is almost as famous as its beaches and accomodation. From Empuries to Cala Montgo. Specially well-considered are some campsites, few hotels too. Landscapes are amazing. www.lescala-empuries.com :::::::::::::Madrid Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Catedral dela Almudena & Snow cap Mountain Catedral dela Almudena & Snow cap Mountain Marlon Uson Madrid is a lively city, meaning that Madrid activities are plentiful and readily available just about any time of the day. And according to just about every Madrid travel guide, the city really heats up at night and the frenzy continues into the wee hours of the morning. No one really knows when the Madrileños sleep. It may be the afternoon siesta that gives them the endurance to keep things going well after sunrise or maybe it's the multitude of fuel filled foods and dishes prepared in one of the thousands of Madrid restaurants. It's ok to book a room in one of the top Madrid hotels--if only for the memorable experience, but don't count on spending much time in your room. Remember, Madrid truly is one of the best cities to explore in Spain. Plan several hours to enjoy Madrid activities such as visiting San Nicolas de los Servitas – the oldest church in Madrid. Visit the Victory Arch, the Palacio Real, and the Plaza de las Cibeles and Puerta del Sol- And no Madrid activities list is complete without a visit to a Madrid flea market. Plan on leaving your Madrid hotel early one Sunday morning to head to El Rastro Flea Market. Located in La Latina, this is where you will find the Madrileño's real essence! And don't worry about running out of fuel. La Latina has a wide variety of tasty Madrid restaurants to choose from suited to just about any budget. Skim through any Madrid travel guide and you will also come across dozens of museums that shouldn’t be missed. Including the Royal Palace, Madrid has 15 significant museums, dozens of galleries, and several private collections. The three most famous Madrid museums are: the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza, and the Reina Sofia museum. You might end up spending more than just one day just exploring museums. In fact, you could spend days in the halls of the Prado alone. While this Mardrid activity is well deserving of a top spot on your to do list, it is, however, quite possible to grow tired of all the museums in the city. If this happens, take a break, sit down at a terraza (outdoor cafe), and watch the world go by. You can even visit one of the many beautiful parks and lakes in the city. One of the nicest parks in Madrid is Retiro Park near the Prado. For a panoramic view of Madrid take the elevator to the bar on the 26th floor of the Edificio de Espana, which faces the Plaza de Espana. Madrid is a city that never seems to close down. Madrid restaurants and bars are open very late and the city's Santa Ana district, in fact, never does close down. Dinner typically begins after 10 p.m., and with dinner out of the way, revelers usually head off to their favorite disco show, jazz club, or late-night cafe to party until dawn. Those who love traditional performing arts will want to go to the Teatro Real for Spanish light opera known as zarzuela. You can also find good flamenco shows in several nightclubs including Cafe Chinitas – a popular Madrid restaurant and flamenco club. If you're in Madrid during the second half of May be sure to book your Madrid hotel early so you can join Madrileños in celebrating the Feria de San Isidro. Feria de San Isidro features music, operas, concerts, bullfighting, dancing, and all-night entertainment. Also, in mid-August, Madrid celebrates the Verbena de la Paloma. Madrid hotels are stylish, plentiful, and downright cozy, but don’t be afraid to check out and leave the city for a night or two – especially if you’re planning to stay for two weeks or more. Outside of Madrid, day trips can be made to Avila, El Escorial, Guadalajara, Segovia, and Toledo. Top Ten Things to Do in Madrid Bullfighting Performances at Las Ventas – Not for the faint of heart, bullfighting is considered a form of art in Spain, not a sport. The bullfighting season runs from March-October and bullfighting performances are held every Sunday afternoon. Las Ventas is the largest bullring in Spain and it is located at Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, c/Alcala, 237, Ph: 91 356 22 00, www.las-ventas.com . Art Walk: The art walk covers the three most famous Madrid museums the Prado, the Thyssen- Bornemisza, and the Reina Sofia Museum. The Prado is located at Calle Ruiz de Alarcon 23, Ph: +34 91 330 2800, www.museodelprado.es . Thyssen-Bornemisza is located at Prado 8, +34 91 369 01 51, www.museothyssen.org , e-mail mtb@museothyssen.org . Reina Sofia Museum, Calle Santa Isabel, 52, Ph: +34-91-774-10-00, www.museoreinasofia.es. San Nicolas de los Servitas – San Nicolas de los Servitas is the oldest church in Madrid. The bell tower, built in the 12 th century, is one of the oldest structures in Madrid. Inside the church you will find sculptures by Nicolas Busi and paintings by Pedro de Mena as well as exhibits, which detail Islamic history. San Nicolas de los Servitas is located at Plaza San Nicolas, Ph: 91-559-40-64. Admission is free. El Rastro Flea Market - Located in La Latina, El Rastro Flea Market helps you get up close and personal with Madrileño's real essence! El Rastro takes place every Sunday from 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m., and it is located between Plaza Mayor, La Latina, and Puerta de Toledo. Tip: Prices are not set in stone so remember this phrase: cuanto cuesta? (kwan-to kwes-tah) – This means “How much is it?” Retiro Park – Located behind the Prado Museum (Calle Ruiz de Alarcon 23), Retiro Park is one of the nicest and most popular parks in Madrid. Highlights include: a Victorian greenhouse, Crystal Palace, and a small swan filled man-made lake. Rent a rowboat to explore the surroundings or for a panoramic view of Madrid take the elevator to the bar on the 26th floor of the Edificio de Espana , which faces the Plaza de Espana. Teatro Real - Perfect for those who love traditional performing arts, Teatro Real features Spanish light opera performances known as zarzuela. If you feel like a late bite or a vodka drink just pop into 1917 Blinis & Vodkas, a few meters from the theatre. Teatro Real is located Plaza de Oriente, Ph: 91-516-06-96, www.teatro-real.es , e-mail: info@teatro-real.com. Palacio Real (The Royal Palace) – The Royal Palace features 2,800 magnificent rooms. Highlights include: Salon del Trono (throne room), the Royal Library (Biblioteca Real), the Banquet Hall, and Salon de Gasparini -- King Carlos III’s private apartments. The Royal Palace is located at Calle Balien, Ph: 91-454-8800. A two-hour, one-mile guided tour is available. :::::::::::::Melilla Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Melilla is one of the two Spanish enclaves that lies on the coast of Morocco. It has been in Spanish hands since the late 15th century. There is not a lot to see but is is a convenient entry point into Morocco, there are ferries to Malaga and Merida. Among the major sights are the Medina Sidonia and the municipal museum. ::::::::::Murcia Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see 2003-08-09 Los Alcazares - Murcia - Spain 2003-08-09 Los Alcazares - Murcia - Spain Jesus Fernandez Espinosa - www.Murcia4U.net The region of Murcia, located between the Community of Valencia and Andalucia, was the site of powerful Carthaginian and roman settlements in antiquity, while the long presence of the Moors deetermined its history throughot the Middle Ages. Famous today for its excellent fruit and vegetables, its coast is another major Spanish tourist zone. Murcia, the capital of the region, is located inland. Cartagena is the leading port in Murcia. Founded by the Carthaginians in 221 BC and oriinally named Carthago Nova, Cartagena has maintained its importance through the centuries. Its museum has excellent pre-Roman and Roman collections that testify to the transcendence of the great historical role played by the city. La Costa Calida (The Warm Coast) rims the region of Murcia. Its climate is particularly temperate and it has fine-sand beaches. Of special interest are the Mar Menor, a salt-water lagoon that is part of the Mediterranean and is especially apt for certain water sports. Its most important tourist centres are: Santiago de la Ribera, La Manga del Mar Menor, Puerto de Mazarron, Aguilas and Cartagena. :::::::::Navarre Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Pamplona City Hall Pamplona City Hall Kamal H Karim First of the kingdoms of Spain, and almost the only one in Europe not created by germanic warriors, it has many interesting historic towns. Its kings had great influence on Spain and France. :::::::::Soria Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see The province of Soria is a plateau in North Central Spain, lying on the most easterly limits of the autonomous region of Castilla y Leon. Soria has over 10,000 sq km (3861 miles) of beautiful landscapes and diverse geography, which act as a backdrop to the large concentration of medieval castles, Romanesque churches and timeless villages. All of which lie in close proximity to each other. The province sits at an average height of 1000 meters (3280 feet) above sea level. Soria is known for its pure clean air, due to its expanse of forests, nature parks, grazing lands and lack of heavy industry. And is an excellent base for walking and hiking holidays. The province of Soria has a population of approx 93,000, of which 40% live in its capital, also called Soria. The rural exodus of the 1960’s resulted in a loss in the subsequent years of around 42% of the population. Currently Soria has 8.8 inhabitants per sq km compared with an average in Spain of 87.2 and 116 in Europe . This makes Soria one of the least populated areas of Europe and the perfect place to unwind. With its abundance of charm and tranquillity, Soria beckons you to explore its nature, medieval castles, forests, history and gastronomy. Valencia Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see City of arts and sciences City of arts and sciences Fred Valencia is the third largest city in Spain, but one of the least visited by tourists. This is mainly due to it being more of a working city. However,during the summer, Valencia is known for its beach during the day and the clubs and bars at night. One key thing to remember though if you want to partake in the night life is that it doesn't start until really late. If you get there too early (before about 1am) you will think that Valencia has the worst night life ever, as you will be the only one there. As for the dining experience in Valencia, a visitor must be sure to try the most famous Spanish dish, Paella. The Valencia regions is the home of Paella and makes the dish like no other place. Paella is a rice dish that does not compare to anything else, but if one must describe it in comparison to something it would be a stir fry similar to fried rice with a wide variety of seafood, chicken, rabbit and vegetables. Es deliciosa! Another absolutely amazing culturally rich experience of the Valenica Region is Las Fallas, "the fires." Las Fallas is a 5-day celebration of St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. This is an absolutely fascinating and overwhelming experience. You have constant firecrackers, flowers, parties, crowded street and much much more! If you are in town on the last day of the celebration, you can join in on the many block parties throughout the city. All the neighboorhood's cooks make their special paella, and don't be surprised if they ask you to "prueba," to try, their dish and comment on who's is the best. Be carefull if you take the challenge, Valencianos take pride in their paella. Durning Las Fallas the city glows with lighted streets and colorful ninots around every corner. The ninots, paper mache statues made of wood, cardboard, and plaster, are as tall as buildings. One way to grasp the local humor is to read (or have a Valenciano translate for you) the satirical inscriptions on the ninots. At the end of the festival, these statues are burned down at midnight in what is called "la Crema." As the beautiful statues are lit ablaze, the massive crowd stares in awe. Be careful you don't get singed with falling debris. While most of the statues go up in flames, the ones chosen as the very best in both the open and children's sections are reprieved and kept in the excellent Fallas museum. Anyone in search of the Holy Grail need not look any further than the Catedral de Valencia located on Plaza de la Renia, near the city center. Vistors can view the infamous chalice encased within the cathedral's gothic structure. If you are taking a day trip to the cathedral, make a stop at the Mercado Central nearby. One of the oldest in Europe, The mercado is 25,000 square feet of shopping heaven. You can find everything from Jamon Serrano (cured ham) to live eels. The creation of La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias with its magical 21st century architecture is intended to help the city attract tourists outside of fallas time in March. |
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| Spain Contacts Spain Addresses and Contacts - TravelPuppy.com Location: Western Europe. Country dialling code: 34. Dirección General de Turespaña Jose Lázaro 6, 28071 Madrid, Spain Telephone number: (91) 343 3500. Fax number: (91) 343 3446 or 3500. E-mail: infotur.spain@tourspain.es or info@spain.info Website: www.spain.info Spanish Embassy 39 Chesham Place, London SW1X 8SB, UK Telephone number: (020) 7235 5555. Fax number: (020) 7259 5392. E-mail: embespuk@mail.mae.es Website: www.mae.es Spanish Consulate 20 Draycott Place, London SW3 2RZ, UK Telephone number: (020) 7589 8989 or (0906) 550 8970 (recorded visa information, calls cost £1 per minute) or (0906) 526 6666 (to order visa applications, calls cost £1.50 per minute). Fax number: (020) 7581 7888. E-mail: conspalon@mail.mae.es Opening hours: Monday-Friday 0915 hrs-1200 hrs (closed on Spanish national holidays, visa information by appointment only). Monday-Friday 0915 hrs-1415 hrs (Spanish nationals only), Saturday 1000 hrs-1200 hrs (Spanish nationals only). By appointment only. Consulates in: Edinburgh and Manchester. Spanish National Tourist Office 2nd Floor, New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6XB, UK Telephone number: (020) 7486 8077 or (0906) 364 0630 (24-hour brochure request line, calls cost 60p per minute). Fax number: (020) 7486 8034. E-mail: info.londres@tourspain.es Website: www.spain.info Opening hours: Monday-Friday 0915 hrs-1615 hrs. British Embassy Calle de Fernando el Santo 16, 28010 Madrid, Spain Telephone number: (91) 700 8200 or 319 0200 or 524 9700 (consular section) or 9727 (visa section). Fax number: (91) 700 8210. E-mail: enquiries.madrid@fco.gov.uk Website: www.ukinspain.com British Consulate General Paseo de Recoletos 7-9, 4th Floor, 28004 Madrid, Spain Telephone number: (91) 524 9700. Fax number: (91) 524 9730. E-mail: madridconsulate@ukinspain.com Website: www.ukinspain.com Consulates are also located in: Alicante, Barcelona, Bilbao, Ibiza, Las Palmas (Grand Canaria), Málaga, Palma de Mallorca and Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands). Honorary Consulates in: Benidorm, Cadiz, Menorca, Santander, Seville and Vigo. Embassy and Consulate of the Kingdom of Spain 2375 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA Telephone number: (202) 452 0100. Fax number: (202) 833 5670 or 728 2302. E-mail: embespus@mail.mae.es Website: www.spainemb.org Consulates are also located in: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Puerto Rico, San Francisco and Washington. Spanish Tourist Office 666 Fifth Avenue, Btwn 52nd and 53rd Street, 35th Floor, New York, NY 10103, USA Telephone number: (212) 265 8822. Fax number: (212) 265 8864. E-mail: oetny@tourspain.es Website: www.okspain.org Offices also located in: Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami. Embassy of the United States of America Serrano 75, 28006 Madrid, Spain Telephone number: (91) 587 2200. Fax number: (91) 587 2303. E-mail: amemb@embusa.es Website: www.embusa.es Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain 74 Stanley Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K1M 1P4, Canada Telephone number: (613) 747 2252 or 7293. Fax number: (613) 744 1224. E-mail: embespca@mail.mae.es Consulates General in the cities of Montréal and Toronto. Spanish Tourist Office 2 Bloor Street West, Suite 3402, Toronto, Ontario M4W 3E2, Canada Telephone number: (416) 961 3131. Fax number: (416) 961 1992. E-mail: toronto@tourspain.es Website: www.tourspain.toronto.on.ca Canadian Embassy Street address: Calle Nuñez de Balboa 35, 28001 Madrid, Spain Postal address: Apartado 587, 28080 Madrid, Spain; Apartado 117, 28080 Madrid, Spain (commercial section). Telephone number: (91) 423 3250. Fax number: (91) 423 3251. E-mail: mdrid@international.gc.ca Website: www.canada-es.org Consulates located in: Barcelona and Málaga. Useful travel links _________________ Spain General Info Spain General Information - TravelPuppy.com Capital : Madrid Area : 505,988 sq km (195,363 sq miles) and includes Spanish North Africa. Population of Spain : 40,280,8780 (estimate 2004). Population of Madrid : 3,092,759 (2003). Population Density : 84.4 per sq km Geography : Spain shares the Iberian peninsula with Portugal and is bordered to the north by the Pyrenees, which separate Spain from France. The Balearic Islands of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera lie 193km (120 miles) southeast of Barcelona, and the Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa are part of Spain, as are the tiny enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla on the north African mainland. With the exception of Switzerland, mainland Spain is the highest and most mountainous country in Europe, with an average height of 610m (2000ft). The Pyrenees stretch roughly 400km (249 miles) from the Basque Country in the west to the Mediterranean Sea. At times the peaks rise to over 1524m (5000ft), the highest point being 3404m (11,169ft). The main physical feature of Spain is the vast central plateau, or Meseta, divided by several chains of sierras. The higher northern area includes Castille and León, the southern section comprises Castile/La Mancha and Extremadura. In the south the plateau drops abruptly at the Sierra Morena, beyond which lies the valley of Guadalquivir. Southeast of Granada is the Sierra Nevada, part of the Betic Cordillera, which runs parallel to the Mediterranean, rising to 3481m (11,420ft) and the highest point on the Spanish peninsula (the Pico del Teide on Tenerife in the Canaries is the highest peak in Spain). The Mediterranean coastal area reaches from the French frontier in the northeast down to the Straits of Gibraltar which is the narrow strip of water linking the Mediterranean with the Atlantic and separating Spain from North Africa. Government : Parliamentary monarchy since 1978 Head of State: King Juan Carlos I since 1975. Head of Government: José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero since 2004. Language : Spanish (Castillian), Catalan (in the northeast), Galician (in the northwest) and Basque (in the north). Religion : There is no official religion, but the majority of the population is Roman Catholic. Time : Mainland Spain and Balearics: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October). The Canary Islands: GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October). Electricity : 220 or 225 volts AC, 50Hz. Generally, round two-pin plugs and screw-type lamp fittings are in use. _____________ Spain Getting Around - Internal Travel Spain Internal Travel - Getting Around Spain - TravelPuppy.com Air Domestic flights are run by IBERIA (IB), Air Europa, Binter and Spanair. Scheduled flights connect all the main towns as well as to the Balearic and Canary Islands and enclaves in North Africa. Air taxis are available at most airports. Reservations should be made well in advance. Sea There are regular hydrofoil and car and passenger ferry sailings from Algeciras to Tangier and Ceuta (North African enclave), Málaga and Almeria to Melilla in North African. Barcelona, Valencia and Alicante to the Balearic Islands, and Cádiz to the Canary Islands. There are also inter-island services, including a catamaran service linking Barcelona with Palma de Mallorca, which takes 3 hours and runs twice a day. For further information, contact Trasmediterránea c/o Southern Ferries (telephone number: (020) 7491 4968; fax number: (020) 7491 3502). Rail The state-owned company RENFE operates the railway network which connects all the regions on the Iberian peninsula. It is mainly a radial network, with connections between Madrid and all the major cities. There are also some transversal services connecting the northwest coast with the Mediterranean coast. There are also services from the French border down the Mediterranean coast. The Principal trains are air conditioned, and many have restaurant or buffet service. Reservations for passenger services in Spain may be made in the UK through the Spanish Rail service (see above), European Rail Travel (telephone number: (020) 7387 0444; fax number: (020) 7387 0888; e-mail: sales@europeanrail.com, Freedom Rail (telephone number: (0870) 757 9898; fax number: (01253) 595 151; e-mail: sales@freedomrail.com, and Ultima Travel (telephone number: (0151) 339 6171, fax number: (0151) 339 9199). Discount Rail Travel The Spanish rail system is one of the cheapest in Europe and various discounts are on offer. Travellers under 26 years can purchase a RENFE Tarjeta Explorerail, which allows unlimited travel on all but some regionales and fast trains. It can be bought in Spain, or in the UK from selected travel agents, and is available for 7, 15 and 30 day periods. Travellers can also enjoy savings by using any one of the European passes available, such as the Euro Domino Freedom Pass, which enables holders to make flexible travel arrangements. The pass is available in 19 European countries, but must be bought in the country of residence for which a valid passport or other form of ID has to be shown. In the UK, this pass is available from Rail Europe, 178 Piccadilly, London W1, UK (telephone number: (0870) 837 1371; e-mail: reservations@raileurope.co.uk). The tickets are valid for three, four, five, six, seven or eight days within one month. Also available from Rail Europe, the Inter-Rail Pass allows up to fifty per cent reductions for second-class rail travel in 28 countries, the pass is now also available for those aged over 26 and is more expensive. The Rail Senior Plus card entitles senior citizens to 30 per cent discount on rail travel into and out of Spain, even during peak hours. This discount does not apply when only travelling internally. The card is available from most British Rail stations. Note: Seat reservations are required on all intercity trains. This ruling applies to the passes and cards mentioned above. High-Speed Trains The Ave service averages 300kph and connects Madrid and Seville in two hours 15 minutes, with twelve services each way via Córdoba. Some services also stop at Ciudad Real and Puerto Llano (La Mancha). The stretch from Madrid to Lleida has been in operation for several years. Planned completion of the Madrid to Barcelona leg is due in 2006, and the high-speed border connection with France in 2010. Also, in 2010, the stretches from Cordoba to Malaga, Madrid to Valencia and Madrid to Valladolid should be ready. The Talgo 200 connects Madrid and Malaga thrice-daily in 4 hours 35 minutes. Holders of most of the cards and passes mentioned above qualify for discounts, albeit less substantial than the rates quoted above. Tourist Trains The Andalus Express and Transcantábrico offer a pleasant way of discovering their respective regions. There are also a number of privately-run narrow-gauge railways located in Spain, mainly in the north of Spain as well as the Mediterranean coast and the Balearic Islands, which run at a leisurely pace through picturesque scenery. For more information on tourist trains, contact the Spanish National Tourist Office (see Contact section). Road There are more than 150,000km (95,000 miles) of roads. Motorways are well-maintained and connect Spain north–south. Tolls are in operation on some sections and have to be paid in Euros. Trunk roads between major cities are generally fast and well-maintained. Rural roads are of differing quality. Traffic regulations Traffic drives on the right. Side lights must be used at night in built-up areas. Spare bulbs and red hazard triangles must be kept in all vehicles. Traffic lights: two red lights mean ‘No Entry’. Parking laws are rigorously enforced. The speed limit for motorways is 120kph (80mph) in general, but for buses and lorries the limit is 100kph (60mph) and in built-up areas the limit is 50kph (30mph), for other roads it is 90kph (56mph). Documentation Most foreign licences including Canadian, EU and US are accepted. Third Party insurance is compulsory, plus maybe a Green Card if bringing your own car, and isavailable from insurance company. Bus There are buses which are efficient and cheap, operating between cities and towns. Departures are generally from a central terminal at which the operators will have individual booths selling the tickets. Most places have a bus link of some kind, even in the more remote villages. Bus tickets cannot be bought in advance though seats may be reserved locally 1 or 2 days in advance. Car hire All major car hire companies are represented in major cities. Motorcycles: No person under 18 may hire or ride a vehicle over 75cc. Crash helmets must be worn. Motorcycles No person under 18 may hire or ride a vehicle over 75cc. Crash helmets must be worn. Taxi Services are available in and between all cities. Urban Transport Traffic in Spanish cities is normally very heavy, and urban driving takes some time to adjust to. City public transport facilities are generally good. Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia have metros and buses. Pre-purchase multi-journey tickets are sold. Other towns and resorts are well served by the local buses. Metered taxis are available in most major cities and a two to three per cent tip is customary. Travel Times: The following chart gives approximate travel times from Madrid to other major cities and towns in Spain. Air Road Rail Barcelona 1.00 8.00 8.00 Bilbao 0.50 5.00 6.00 Canary Is. 2.30 - - Málaga 1.00 5.00 7.00 Mallorca 1.00 - - Palma 1.10 6.00* 5.00* Santander 0.50 5.00 6.00 Seville 0.55 6.00 7.00 Valencia 0.50 5.00 4.00 ______________- Spain Getting There - International Travel Spain International Travel - TravelPuppy.com Air Spain’s national airline is IBERIA (IB). Many airlines operate to Spain, including an increasing number of low-cost airlines from the UK. Spain boasts over 30 international airports. Information on the major airports follows, information on any of the others can be obtained from AENA (Aeropuertos Espanoles y Navegación Aérea) Calle Arturo Soria 109, Madrid 28043 (telephone number: (90) 240 4704 (customer service line), which is the organisation responsible for running all of the Spanish airports. Spain’s principal international airports are detailed below: Madrid (MAD) (Barajas) Madrid (MAD) (Barajas) is 15km (9 miles) northeast of the city. A bus service departs to the city around every 10 to 30 minutes (0700 hrs-2400 hrs) and underground services run every 4 to 7 minutes (0600 hrs-0130 hrs). Taxi service is available at the airport. Airport facilities include restaurants and bars, bank, several car hire offices, hotel reservation and tourist information desks, and outgoing duty-free shop. Barcelona (BCN) (del Prat) Barcelona (BCN) (del Prat) is 12km (7 miles) southwest of the city. Bus service to the city departs Monday-Friday every 15 minutes, Saturday every 30 mins and Sunday every 20 minutes (0600 hrs-2400 hrs). Rail service is every 30 minutes (0645 hrs-2340 hrs). Taxi service to the city is available, costing about €18 and travel time is approx 30 minutes. Airport facilities include a bank, restaurant, bar, several car hire companies, hotel reservation and tourist information desks and duty-free shops. Alicante (ALC) (Altet) Alicante (ALC) (Altet) is 12km (7 miles) southwest of the city. Bus service runs to the city (0655 hrs-2310 hrs) every 10 to 40 minutes, costing €1. A taxi service is available to the city, costing about €12. There is also a taxi connection between Alicante and Valencia Airport. Airport facilities include a duty-free shop, bank, bureau de change, car hire, tourist information and restaurant Bilbao (BIO) (Sondika) Bilbao (BIO) (Sondika) is 10km (6 miles) north of the city. Bus and taxi services to the city are available, travel time is approx 30 minutes, and cost about €1. Airport facilities include a restaurant, duty-free shop, tourist information desk and car hire. Málaga (AGP) Málaga (AGP) is 10km (6 miles) southwest of the city. Buses run every 10 to 30 minutes with a travel time of approx 20 minutes. Train service runs every 30 minutes and cost about €1. Taxi service to the city is available, costing €12. Airport facilities include duty-free shop, bank/bureau de change, restaurant and car hire. Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) is 10km (6 miles) northeast of the city. Buses and taxis are available to the city centre approx travel time 10 to 15 minutes. Airport facilities include bar, banks, car hire and shops Seville (SVQ) Seville (SVQ) is 8km (5 miles) from the city. Taxis and buses are available to the city centre, approx travel time 20 to 30 minutes. Valencia (VLC) (Manises) Valencia (VLC) (Manises) is 8km (5 miles) west of the city. Taxis and buses (0600 hrs-2300 hrs, every 15 minutes) are available to the city centre with approx travel time of 60 minutes by bus, 30 minutes by taxi. Airport facilities include several car hire firms, bank/bureau de change, restaurant, bar and duty-free shop. Sea Brittany Ferries (telephone number: (08703) 665 333) operates a service to Santander (on the north coast) from Plymouth (travel time – 18 hours), twice-weekly. P&O European Ferries (telephone number: (08705) 202020; ) operates a twice-weekly service from Portsmouth to Bilbao (travel time – 35 hours). Rail There are direct trains between Madrid – Paris and Madrid – Lisbon, as well as Barcelona – Paris,Barcelona – Zürich or Milan and Barcelona – Geneva. These services are called Estrella, Talgo or Train - Hotel. On other international train services to and from Spain, a change of train is necessary. However, work on the AVE (high-velocity train) route between Madrid and Barcelona is expected to be completed in 2006, after which the French border connection is expected to be fully operational in 2010 and it will be possible to connect with the French TGV (high-velocity route) and the rest of the high-velocity routes in Europe. Motorail services run between Paris and Madrid. For more information, contact the Spanish Rail service (telephone number: (020) 7224 0345; e-mail: enquiries@spanish-rail.co.uk). Travelling from the UK, the quickest way is to travel by the Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel to Paris, journey time is three hours, with a connection to Spain. For further information and reservations contact Eurostar (telephone number: (0870) 600 0792 (travel agents) or (08705) 186 186 (public within the UK) or (+44 1233) 617 575 (public outside the UK only), or Rail Europe (telephone number: (08705) 848 848). Travel agents can obtain refunds for unused tickets from Eurostar For Agents, 2nd Floor, Kent House, 81 Station Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 1PD, UK. Complaints and comments may be sent to Eurostar Customer Relations, Eurostar House, Waterloo Station, London SE1 8SE, UK (telephone number: (020) 7928 5163; e-mail: new.comments@eurostar.co.uk). Road The main route from the UK is via France. The main motorways to Spain from France are via Bordeaux or Toulouse to Bilbao (in northern Spain) and via Marseille or Toulouse to Barcelona (eastern Spain). A number of coach operators offer services to Spain. In the UK, Eurolines, departing from Victoria Coach Station in London, serves more than 20 destinations in Spain. For further information, contact Eurolines, 52 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1, UK (telephone number: (08705) 143 219) or National Express. Regulations Traffic drives on the right. Side lights must be used at night in built-up areas. Spare bulbs and red hazard triangles must be kept in all vehicles. Traffic lights with two red lights mean ‘No Entry’. Parking laws are rigorously enforced. The speed limit for motorways is 120kph (80mph) in general, but for buses and lorries the limit is 100kph (60mph); in built-up areas the limit is 50kph (30mph); for other roads it is 90kph (56mph). Documentation: Most foreign licences including Canadian, EU and US are accepted. Third Party insurance is compulsory, plus maybe a Green Card if bringing your own car (available from insurance company). Useful travel links ______________- Spain History Spain History - TravelPuppy.com For five centuries from 218 BC, Spain was under the rule of the Romans, and who left remnants of their culture throughout the country. Spain then came under the rule of the Visigoths, who rapidly integrated with the inhabitants until they were driven north by the invading Arabs. Muslim culture soon established itself, most notably in the south, where the region centred on Cordoba and Granada became a hub of Arabic culture and learning. The evidence of Arabic influence is still strong, particularly in the wealth of remaining Moorish architecture. During the Middle Ages, Christianity gradually gained ground. Many kingdoms including Aragon, Castile, Navarre, Leon and Portugal, were established, most of them constantly at war. The spirit of Reconquista, the fierce flame that burned throughout so much of the medieval period (roughly comparable to the Islamic concept of Jihad or holy war), produced heroes, legend, folklore, staggering architectural achievements and great acts of bravery and chivalrous folly. After centuries of intermittent fighting finally there was a triumph for Christianity. In 1469, Ferdinand and Isabella, respectively King of Aragon and Queen of Castile, then the two most powerful kingdoms in Iberia, united by marriage – captured Granada, the last Muslim stronghold on the peninsula. The same year saw Columbus’ discovery of America, financed by Castile, and the beginning of Spain’s Golden Age as the centre of the far-flung Habsburg Empire of Charles V (Charles, or Carlos I of Spain). The reign of Philip II during the late-16th century was also one of the most artistically fertile in the country’s history, with Cervantes, El Greco, Lope de Vega and Velazquez coming to prominence during this time. The Habsburg monarchy became progressively less able to deal with the serious political and economic problems of its empire during the 17th century, and the dynasty reached its nadir under the inept rule of King Carlos II. There was a revival under the Bourbons, notably Carlos III, but the late 18th and early 19th centuries saw Spain suffering from the protracted drain of the Napoleonic wars and internal political vendettas. The abdication of King Alfonso XIII in 1931 brought into being a left-wing republic. This was short-lived and was effectively crushed by General Franco in the Spanish Civil War of 1936-39. His fascist regime lasted until his death in 1975, when the monarchy was restored. By March 1978, a democratic constitutional monarchy had been set in place. During the 1980s and the early-1990s, domestic politics were dominated by the Partido Socialista Obrero Español (PSOE, Socialist Party), under the leadership of Felipe Gonzalez, an archetype of the new generation of Spanish socialists who favoured pragmatism and technocratic development in favour of ideology. The Socialists won four consecutive elections from 1982 onwards. Their main achievement in office was to establish Spain as a valuable and enthusiastic member of the European Union, which it joined in 1986 and from which it has benefited considerably. Spanish ratification of the Maastricht Treaty on European Union was completed in November 1992 and the single European currency was adopted upon its inception in January 1999. Gonzalez also took Spain into NATO in 1982 and continued membership was confirmed in a referendum held in 1986. Corruption scandals fuelled growing popular disillusionment with the PSOE, and during the early 1990s, it was able to govern only in coalition with Basque and Catalan regional parties. The withdrawal of the Catalan from the government precipitated an early general election in March 1996. At this point, the Spanish nation overcame its distrust of the right, a legacy of the civil war, and the PSOE was replaced as the largest party in the Cortes by the right-wing Partido Popular (Popular Party) under Jose Maria Aznar. After initial difficulties, the new government found its feet after several years in office and became a confident and reasonably competent administration. The expected outcome, a third consecutive term for the PP, was dramatically undermined in the aftermath of a horrific terrorist attack 3 days before the poll. A co-ordinated series of bombings of Madrid commuter trains claimed 200 lives and many more were injured. The Spanish government immediately blamed the Basque separatist group ETA (see below), although there were strong indications that Islamic extremists were responsible. It held to this position over the following days, even as evidence of al-Qaeda’s involvement mounted. This appears to have had a crucial bearing on the election result as voters registered their anger at the PP government’s apparent dissembling to gain electoral advantage. Many also felt that Spain’s official support for the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, and to which the vast majority of Spaniards were opposed, had provoked the attack. The PSOE (Socialist Party) forms the new government under party leader Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. Territorial problems have taxed successive Spanish governments, especially the Basque province and Gibraltar. Governments of both complexions have pursued a hard line against the Basque separatist paramilitary organisation, ETA. After undertaking spectacular attacks in its early years, notably the assassination of premier Admiral Carrero in 1973, ETA’s campaign has gradually been diminished by internal splits and attrition by the security forces. But while the Socialists were prepared to explore political options, the previous Azna government resolutely refused to seek any accommodation and was solely interested in a security-based resolution of the conflict. The pro-independence party, Herri Batasuna, which is seen by Madrid as the political affiliate of ETA, was banned by the Madrid government in 2002, after operating legally since the early 1980s. The political consequences of this are unpredictable and, although ETA has been relatively inactive of late, the organisation has been erroneously written off before. The problem of Gibraltar has proved just as intractable, for very different reasons. A British colony since the 19th century, Gibraltar’s single-minded attachment to the UK has consistently frustrated the most inventive schemes of the London and Madrid governments to resolve its status. The Spanish have a similar historical anomaly of their own, in the form of the Ceuta and Melilla enclaves on the north coast of Morocco, along with a group of tiny island possessions. One of these latter, Perejil, became the subject of an odd, almost comical dispute between the Spanish and Moroccan governments in late 2002. Relations between Spain and Morocco have since thawed and both governments now plan a sub-Mediterranean tunnel linking them. Spain’s wider historical relations with the Arab world have been somewhat set back, however, by Spain’s keen support for the Anglo-American invasion in Iraq in 2003. Across the Atlantic, Spain naturally enjoys substantial and deep-rooted ties with the Spanish-speaking nations of Latin America. ____________________- Spain Public Holidays Spain Public Holidays - TravelPuppy.com Year 2007 January 1 January 6 March 19 April 5 April 6 May 1 Auguest 15 October 12 November 1 December 6 December 8 December 25 New Year’s Day Epiphany San Jose Maundy Thursday Good Friday Labour Day Assumption National Day All Saints’ Day Constitution Day Immaculate Conception Christmas Day ______________- Spain Social Profile Spain Culture and Social Profile - TravelPuppy.com Food and Drink Eating out in Spain is often resonably priced and the meals are substantial rather than gourmet. One of the best ways to sample Spanish food is to try tapas, or snacks, which are served at any time furig the day in local bars. These range from cheese and olives to meat delicacies or squid and are priced accordingly. Most of the specialities of Spanish cuisine are based on seafood, although regional specialities are easier to find inland than along the coast. In the northern Basque provinces, there is cod vizcaina or cod pil-pil, angulas, the tasty baby eels from Aguinaga, bream and squid. Asturias has its bean soup, cheeses, fabada, and the best cider in Spain, and in Galicia there is shellfish, especially good in casseroles, and a number of regional seafood dishes such as hake à la Gallega. In the eastern regions of Spain , the paella has a well-deserved reputation. It can be prepared in many ways, based on seafood or meat. Catalonia offers, among its outstanding specialities, lobster Catalan, butifarra sausage stewed with beans, and partridge with cabbage. Pan amb tomaquet, bread rubbed with olive oil and tomato, is a delicious accompaniment to local ham and cheese. The Castile area specialises in roast meats, mainly beef, lamb, veal and suckling pig, but there are also stews, sausages, country ham and partridges. Andalucía is noted for its cooking ,which has a strong Arab influence, especially gazpacho, a delicious cold vegetable soup, a variety of fried fish including fresh anchovies, jabugo ham from Huelva and many dishes based on the fish that the coast provides in such abundance. Restaurants are classified by the Government and many offer tourist menus called menu del día. Many Restaurants and cafes have table service. Spain is essentially a wine-drinking country, with sherry being one of the principal export products. Its English name is the anglicised version of the producing town Jerez, from which the wine was first shipped to England. Today, Britain buys about 75 per cent of all the sherry exports. There are four main types, fino (very pale and very dry), amontillado (dry, richer in body and darker in colour), oloroso (medium, full-bodied, fragrant and golden) and dulce (sweet). Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Puerto de Santa María are other towns famous for their sherry and well worth visiting. Tourists are able to visit one of the bodegas (above-ground wine stores) in Jerez. In the Basque Country, a favourite is chacolí - a green wine, slightly sparkling and a little sour, rather than dry. The principal table wines are the riojas and valdepeñas, named after the regions in which they are produced. In general, rioja, from the region around Logroño in the northeast, resembles the French Bordeaux, though it is less delicate. Valdepeñas is a rougher wine, but hearty and pleasant It will be found at its best in the region where it is grown, midway between Madrid and Cordóba. In Catalonia, the ampurdán and perelada wines tend to be heavy and those that are not rather sweet are harsh, with the exception of the magnificent full-bodied Burgundy-type penedés wines. The Alicante wine, dry and strong, is really a light aperitif. Nearby, the Murcia region produces excellent wine. Often it makes a pleasant change to try the unbottled wines of the house (vino de la casa). It is much cheaper than the bottled wines and, even in small places, is usually quite good. Similarly, inexpensive supermarket wine is very acceptable. Among the many brands of sparkling wines known locally as cava and the most popular are Codorniú and Freixenet, dry or semi-dry. The majority of Spanish sparkling wines are sweet and fruity. Spanish brandy is as different from French as Scotch whisky is from Irish. It is relatively cheap and pleasant, although some brandy drinkers find it a little sweet. Spain has some good mineral waters. A popular brand is Lanjarón which comes from the town of the same name. Vichy Catalan is almost exactly like French Vichy. Malavella is slightly effervescent and Font Vella is still. There are no licensing hours in Spain. Nightlife Spaniards often start the evening with el paseo, a leisurely walk through the main streets. A cafe terrace is an excellent vantage point to observe this tradition, or enjoy street theatre in the larger cities. The atmosphere is especially vibrant at fiesta time, or when the local football team has won, when celebrations are marked by a cacophony of car horns, firecrackers and a sea of flags and team regalia. Tapas bars offer delicious snacks in a relaxed, enjoyable setting and it is fun to try several bars in one night. The nightclubs of Ibiza, Barcelona and Madrid have attracted the attention of the international media, but the variety on offer caters for most tastes. Things work up to la marcha, good fun, relatively late and it is possible to literally dance until dawn. Flamenco or other regional dancing displays provide an alternative for those who prefer to watch dancing. Shopping In Spain, the shopper can find items of high quality at a fair price, not only in the cities, but in the small towns and villages as well. In Madrid, the Rastro Market is recommended, particularly on Sundays. Half of the market takes place in the open air and half in more permanent galleries, it has a character all of its own. Catalonian textiles are internationally famous and there are mills throughout the region. Spanish leather goods are excellent and prized throughout the world, offering high-fashion originals at reasonable prices. Of note are the suede jackets and coats. In general, all leather goods, particularly those from Andalucía, combine excellent craftmanship with high-quality design. Fine, handcrafted wooden furniture is one of the outstanding products; Valencia is especially important location in this field, and has a yearly international furniture fair. Alicante is an important centre for toy manufacturing. Shoe manufacturing is also of an especially high quality; the production centres are in Alicante and the Balearics. Fine rugs and carpets are made in Cáceres, Granada and Murcia. The numerous excellent sherries, wines and spirits produced in Spain make good souvenirs to take home. Shopping hours: Monday-Saturday 1000 hrs-1300 hrs and 1600 hrs-2000 hrs. However, most commercial stores and malls stay open from 1000 hrs-2200 hrs. Special Events Throughout Spain, folklore is very much alive and there is always some form of festival occurring. It is almost impossible for a visitor to be anywhere in the country for more than a fortnight without something taking place. The Ministry of Tourism produces a booklet listing and describing Spain’s many national and regional feasts and festivals, of which there are over 3000 each year. Fiestas, Saints’ Days, Romerías (picnics to religious shrines) and Verbenas (night festivals on the eve of religious holidays) are all celebrated with great spirit and energy. Holy Week is probably the best time of year to visit for celebrations and it is then that the individuality of each region’s style of pageantry is best revealed. For further information, contact the Spanish National Tourist Office (see Contact section). The following is a selection of special events occurring in Spain in 2005: January 19th-20th Tamborrada, San Sebastián February 2nd-4th Moors and Christians (traditional festival), Bocairente February 3rd-9th Carnival in Sitges (gay carnival), Barcelona February 8th Carnival Tuesday, nationwide March 15th-19th Las Fallas, Valencia March 20th -27th Holy Week (religious celebrations), nationwide. April 12th -17th Sevilla Fair. May Festival of the Courtyards and May Fair, Cordoba. May 1st-3rd Cruces de Mayo, Granada May 1st-8th Feria del Caballo (horse market), Jerez May 15th-29th Fiestas de San Isidro, Madrid. June San Bernabe Fair, Marbella June 14th -24th San Juán Festival, Javea. July 6th-14th San Fermín (Running of the Bulls), Pamplona July 11th San Beneitino de Leire (traditional festival), Pontevedra July 16th Sea Festival, Fuengirola July 22nd-27th Jazz Festival, San Sebastián August 20th -28th Aste Nagusia, Bilbao August 31st La Tomatina, Buñol. September 24th La Merced, Barcelona October 2nd-3rd Moors and Christians, Benidorm October 6th -12th Fuengirola Fair October 28th-30th Saffron Festival, Consuegra November Benidorm Festival December 28th The Verdiales (popular music festival), Malaga Note: Carnival celebrations start around February 8th and last for up to two weeks. Although Carnival is celebrated nationwide, the most famous carnival celebrations are held in the capitals of the Canary Islands, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. For a full list of Carnival events and dates, contact the Spanish National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section). Social Conventions: Spanish life has undergone rapid change in recent years and many of the stricter religious customs are giving way to the more modern ways, particularly in the cities and among young women. Nonetheless, many old customs, manners and traditions have not faded and hospitality, courtesy and chivalry remain important. Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. Normal social courtesies should be observed when visiting someone’s house. If invited to a private home, a small gift is appreciated. Flowers are only sent for special celebrations. Conservative casual wear is widely acceptable. Some of the hotels and restaurants encourage men to wear jackets. A black tie is only necessary for very formal occasions and is usually specified if required. Outside resorts, scanty beachwear should be confined to beach or poolside. Smoking is widely accepted. The evening meal is taken late, generally 2100 hrs-2200 hrs. The Spanish have two family names, in conversation only the first should be used. Tipping: Service charges and taxes are usually included in hotel bills, however in addition, a tip should be left for the chambermaid and porters should be tipped per bag. It is also customary to leave a tip for the waiter. Restaurants often include service in the bill so a tip is discretionary. In cafes and bars, it is 5 to 10 per cent. Tip taxis 10 to 15 per cent when metered. |
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| Spagna Itinerario 1 Attraverso la vecchia Castiglia in 5 gg Testo e foto di Flavia Daneo Punto di partenza e arrivo: Madrid Lunghezza: 750 km circa Durata: 5 gg. Mezzo di trasporto: treno, pullman o auto Difficoltà: nessuna Prezzo: 300-360 Euro Primo giorno: Madrid - Avila (circa 111 km) La Cattedrale di Avila Interno della Cattedrale di Avila Uscendo a nord-ovest da Madrid se si è in auto e imboccando l'autostrada si giunge ad Avila, cittadina di aspetto austero soprannominata la "ciudad de cantos y santos" ossia la città delle pietre e dei santi in quanto terra natale di Santa Teresa. La visita richiede una mezza giornata se limitata ai monumenti più importanti: la chiesa di S. Vicente, fuori delle mura, con notevoli sculture dell'inizio del XII sec.;la cattedrale, al tempo stesso chiesa e fortezza che partecipava alla difesa della cinta muraria; i bastioni della città, uno dei più bei esempi di architettura militare medioevale. Una parte del camminamento di ronda è accessibile a pagamento ma, per apprezzare le murain tutta loro grandiosità, è meglio raggiungere la Cruz de los Cuatro Postes (circa 500 m sulla strada di Salamanca) da cui si ha una magnifica vista sulla città e sulle mura. (Attenzione: Avila è posta a 1127 m di altezza: anche a maggio la mattina presto può fare piuttosto fresco!). Prezzi economici e stanze pulite all'Hostal Residencia Bellas (Caballeros 19), un po' più caro l'hotel El Rastro (Plaza del Rastro) che però ha il pregio di avere un buon ristorante; prezzi più alti ma non eccessivi all'Hostaria de Bracamonte (Bracamonte 6) situata in una casa del 1500. Secondo giorno: Avila - Segovia (circa 65 km) Segovia è una delle più antiche città spagnole e il suo magnifico acquedotto romano ne è la testimonianza più convincente mentre l'Alcazar, arroccato su uno scosceso promontorio, evoca il passato moresco del Paese. La visita di Segovia, da compiersi a piedi per scoprire con calma le sue chiese e i suoi palazzi, non richiede oltre mezza giornata per cui avanza il tempo per arrivare fino a San Ildefonso de la Granja (11 km), ai piedi della Sierra Guadarrama. Qui si trova il Palazzo della Granja, una Versailles castigliana famosa per le fontane monumentali e per i bellissimi giochi d'acqua. A Segovia si può pernottare all'Hostal Residencia Don Jaime (Ochoa Ondategui 10) o all'Hostal Plaza (Cronista Lecea 11), entrambi con un buon rapporto qualità-prezzo; più caro ma più raffinato l'Hostal Las Sirenas (Calle Juan Bravo 30). Terzo giorno: Segovia - Valladolid (circa 111 km) Valladolid, antica capitale di Spagna, è una città in espansione che conserva numerosi monumenti rinascimentali e barocchi anche se i due edifici più rappresentativi dell'architettura civile cittadina (collegio di Santa Cruz e collegio di S. Gregorio) sono della fine del XV sec., in uno stile gotico ormai trasfigurato da una sontuosa decorazione rinascimentale. Ampie le possibilità di alloggio: dall'ostello (Cementerio 2) alla Pension Maria Cristina (plaza de los Arces 3) con camere comode e spaziose, a buoni alberghi situati in edifici storici come ad es. l'Hotel Imperial (Peso 4) o l'Hotel residencia Mozart (Menendez Pelayo 7). Quarto giorno: Valladolid - Burgos (circa 174 km) Le mura di Avila La cinta m |