Spain - A Unique Culinary Experience

A gastronomical holiday

Spain is famous for its beaches, its mountains, and its natural parks that offer miraculous landscapes that please the eye and nourish the soul. It is famous for its impressive architectural and cultural heritage. Historical vestiges are at every step, in all the cities of Spain. But very few can imagine that Spain is the perfect destination for those who love food and enjoy tasting new dishes and flavors. One of the best places in Spain, one that blends the new with the old, the culture with the tradition, is the capital: Madrid. The region of Madrid is famous for its flavors, which are unique and full of passion or “encantadoras” (delightful), as the Spaniards would say.

The amazing cuisine of Madrid

After you visit the palaces, the cathedrals, and the museums, take your time to also enjoy the cuisine. You can’t say you have been to Madrid until you have tried the “cocido” and the “tripe”. The cocido is a stew, made of meat, chickpea, and potato. The dishes are not originally from Madrid, but Madrid is the city that made them famous. People come here just to taste the “cocido madrilène,” which actually brings together all the cocidos cooked in Spain and it never uses the same ingredients; they depend on their availability in the season. Chickpea occupies a place of honor in the cuisine of Madrid. It is used for the cocido, but tourists can also taste the chickpea stew, served with vegetables, cod, or spinach. Seafood is also very important for Madrid, as it is for the whole of Spain. If you visit Madrid around Christmas, you will definitely try the red bream, as it is always cooked this time of the year. If you love desserts, you will have the opportunity to taste the Aranjuez strawberries and the Villaco

nejos watermelons; these two fruits are very popular as ingredients served in desserts in Madrid. As a tourist in Madrid, you will also have the opportunity to taste the “torrijas,” which is a type of bread pudding, “bunuelos,” a fritter filled with cream and chocolate, and the “huesos de santo,” which are marzipan shapes.

Accommodation

If all these have determined you to visit Madrid, you should know that there is no better place to stay than in a villa. The accommodation conditions are similar to those in hotels, but you have the chance to really feel the spirit of Madrid in a private villa. You can ask for the owner to cook for you, so besides the multitude of restaurants that provide traditional dishes, you will also have the chance to taste wonderful homemade recipes. Enjoy!

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Spain - The best tourist destination

Spain comes in second place after France as the most visited country in the world. The country is just wonderful and this is evident by the increasing number of foreigners visiting it for leisure, business, or educational purposes. Tourism is thriving in this part of Europe thanks to its history and the many natural features that can’t be found elsewhere.

Spain has a wide variety of favorable tourist destinations well scattered in its cities and regions. It has 17 regions in total, all of which have uniquely memorable landscapes. Natural beaches and mountains are ready and waiting to be explored by all kinds of people. Besides the natural features, it has historical museums, monuments, and architectural buildings that are breathtaking. The natural habitations found here contain very rare flora and fauna species making it the ultimate destination.

Tourist destinations

Since Spain has a wide range of famous tourist destination, it is always advisable for visitors to have a laid out plan of places to visit to ensure that they end up in the place of their dreams. It is wise to know all the cities to make it easy to choose the destination best suited for you. There is always time to explore unknown grounds to see what they’ve got to offer.

Popular destinations such as Avila, Cuenca, Cordoba, and Salamanca are amazing. Other destinations include Segovia, Toledo, and Ibiza. These destinations will provide all you need from beaches to mountains, from landscapes to natural reserves and parks.

The coastal places in Spain offer great opportunities for those who love the sun and want to relax. Flourishing beaches will keep you entertained with all sorts of sporting activities, or you can just bask in the warm climate as you read a book. Beaches in Spain include Costa de la Luz, Costa Blanca, Costa Tropical, and Costa Valencia, which are scattered in the different cities or region of Spain. There is no better way to relax than to take a break in the cool waters or on the sandy beaches.

Parts of Spain have natural parks that are beautiful. National parks here include the national park of Nevada, Cabaneros, Donana, and los Picos de Europa. Famous museums include the Prado and Thyssen Museum in Madrid, and the Guggenheim, Bullfighting, and Maritime museums in Bilbao. These are just a few of the famous destinations in Spain that are worth checking out if you are looking to have the time of your life.

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Spain- Santiago De Compostela

What one should know about Santiago de Compostela

Tourists from all over the world come to Spain to visit Madrid and Barcelona, to see the bullfighting, or to watch the passionate flamenco dancers, but Spain has a lot more to offer than this. Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the Galician province and it is famous for being the end of the route that constitutes the Way of Saint James, which is a pilgrimage that attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. Santiago de Compostela shouldn’t be visited just for this. Santiago de Compostela is also known as the Camino; thousands of tourists set out on foot, some use bikes, others horse ride, but the final goal of all of them is the Cathedral in Santiago. This makes Santiago de Compostela one of the most sacred cities, well known by Christians from all over the world. Being the final destination in this road that blends spirituality with adventure, Santiago de Compostela has become one of the most visited cities in Spain. The Cathedral is the main attraction of the city: its majestic façade makes

it outstanding. Apart from the Cathedral, the city has a lot more attraction. The historical centre, just like the centre of Salamanca, has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. The streets and the squares host granite buildings that bring together centuries of history. Don’t miss the Santiago de Compostela Museum, the Museum of the Galician People, and the Galician Art Centre.

An active city

Santiago de Compostela is set in a very picturesque region. Surrounded by mountains and a valley, “green” is the word that best describes the city. Once you are done sightseeing, go visit the parks and the gardens; explore Alameda Park, the oak wood in Santa Susana, and the Belvis Park. For those who are very active individuals, a range of activities is at your disposal: water sports, adventure sports, and fishing. All of these are available in Santiago de Compostela. One can go kayaking or rafting, even scuba diving. For those who enjoy fishing, the rivers near Santiago de Compostela are rich in trout and salmon.

Accommodation

If you decide to go to Santiago de Compostela, choose a villa instead of a hotel. It is private, the owners can cook for you so you have the chance to taste the traditional dishes, and it is very comfortable. Choose a renovated historical house; you can find them in the Old Town, so you will be in the heart of the city.

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Palma De Mallorca

History

Mallorca is the capital of Palma, an island situated in the Balearic Islands. The island has had inhabitants ever since antiquity. There are still traces - burial chambers from the Paleolithic period that can be visited today. The island was even inhabited by the Romans around 120 BC; it is in this period that Mallorca blossomed. Salt mining, olive cultivation and even viticulture, have all led to what Mallorca is today. In 426 the island was occupied by the Vandals who were followed by the Byzantine Empire in 534. It is under the Byzantine Empire that monasteries and churches were built; many of them can be visited by today’s tourists. It was in 707 that the Muslims took control over the island, which explains the original and unique architectural heritage of Mallorca. Starting with the 1950s, the island’s aspect was changed because of the masses of tourists that came to visit it. The heritage was highlighted and Mallorca became an interesting and charming attraction for tourists.

What can one visit in Mallorca?

Besides the fact that Mallorca is an island with long coasts, delicate beaches and warm sun, the prehistoric settlements are an important attraction. Capocorb Vell, Novetiforme Alemany, Ses Paisses, Ses Talaises de Can Jordi, Sa Canova de Morell or Necropoli de Son Real host vestiges as old as the island. The landscapes in Mallorca are also worth seeing. If you go to the northwest, the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range dominates the landscape. Here, the pine forests and the olive groves, together with the small, coquette villages give a very special air of uniqueness and beauty to the surroundings that is highly appreciated by tourists.

Accommodation

The 250 miles of golden coasts that enjoy over three hundred days of sunshine every year are cobwebbed with hotels and villas that try to lure tourists. Of course it is wonderful to stay in a luxurious hotel, but the special atmosphere of the island is lost once you enter one. Tourists can choose from a wide range of villas that keep the tradition intact. Villa can Pax is a traditional villa situated in Polensa, built of traditional Majorcan stone. This lovely property has a pool of its own and extensive grounds covered with lush gardens, as well as spectacular views of the mountains. It is not the only villa in the region; there are thousands of them, and each has something special to offer, something that nourishes the soul and pleases the eye.

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Madrid Attractions

Madrid is the capital city of Spain, making it an immediate attraction for both foreigners and Spaniards living in other cities and regions. The city has several attraction sites that are impressive and memorable. You can’t afford to leave this city out of your list of places to visit.

Royal Park in Madrid

Retiro Park is one of the major attractions in the capital of Spain. It was created for the purpose of retreats by the Royal Family of the then King Phillips IV. The name Retiro means retreat in Spanish, expounding the purpose of the Royal Park and palace as well.

The park is home to a fascinating army museum, which depicts the military history of Spain and has an armor collection. There is a monument in the form of a cross that the famous explorer Christopher Columbus carried to the New World.

A large, artificial lake adorns the Northern entrance of the Park. People have fun here rowing boats, normally during weekends. There is a semicircular colonnade monument overlooking the lake. This monument was put up by the mother of King Alfonso, and it is a statue representing King Alfonso XII.

The park also has a Rose garden with a very peculiar statue dedicated to Satan. As weird as that sounds, it is true and this is probably the only statue of its kind in all of Europe.

Botanical Garden

The pleasant climate in Madrid has made it possible for this beautiful garden to be open throughout the year. It is a perfect spot to relax and have lunch. It is located in an area with many attraction sites in Madrid, including the Prado Museum. This fact makes the garden a popular ground for tourists who love the floral aspect of nature.

This botanical garden is home to a wide variety of shrubs, trees, flowers, and plants. Statistics clearly indicate that the garden has a whooping total of 30,000 flowers, plants, and trees. These include exotic plants and trees such as the Japanese raisin tree and the pomegranate.

During spring, the garden is a wonderful mixture of natural beautiful colors, and it acts as a favorite romantic spot and picnic area. You will find locals relaxing in the cool natural grounds, taking some time off from their daily routines. Carry a camera with you for beautiful photos that will always remind you of this place.

There are several attractions in Madrid that wait to be explored so take your time and head down there for a life changing experience.

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Places of interest in Spain- Alhaurin

Alhaurin de la Torre is geographically located at the mouth of the river Guadalhorce in a valley in the Malaga region at about 100 meters above sea level. It has an approximate area of 83 square kilometers. In a sense it facilitated passage from the valley of the river Guadalhorce to the coast. Its territory stretches between the mountains and the valley of Malaqa, across open country that rises to the edge of the Mijas and Cartana mountain ranges.

In the Alhaurin Grande there are marvelous  gardens, lemon . . . . . . .and numerous subtropical fruit plantations all blending in well with the new style housing developments that are going up in the area. The proximity of Alhaurin de la Torre to the capital of Malaga has resulted in it being chosen as a second home or a commuter suburb. Even though there has been an increase in population and development, the area has retained its originality, identity and traditions.

Places of interest include archeological sites from the Roman and Muslim eras, San Sebastian Parish Church, Sarto Cristo del Cardion niche, Arcos de Zapata aqueduct, El Alamillo heritage and the Refuges de Torrijos House de la Torre.

Alhaurin has a long history dating back to the Roman era. It was named Lauro Ventud and is mentioned in an old chronicle, therefore it must have been important. The Arab settlers called it Alhaurein. It received its final name after Christian troops conquered it and named it Alhaurin de la Torre, to distinguish it from Alhaurin el Grande.

Alhaurin el Grande is also located in the region of the river Guadalhorce valley adjoining the western Costa del Sol and Malaga regions. It is marginally smaller than Alhaurin de la Torre, having an area of 72.6 square kilometers. The people of this area are called Alhuarinos . Alhaurin el Grande is older than Alhaurin de la Torre, the latter being the more modern of the two.

Alhaurin el Grande has many markets, gardens and extensive plantations, olive gardens, orchards and wheat fields. The urban part of Alhaurin el Grande sits on the north slope of the Mijas mountain range. Due to its location, some of its streets provide picturesque views and turns that make climbing easier. The area is rich archeologically, dating back to the Neolithic Age. Peoples who have at one time or another inhabited this place include the lberians, Phoenecians, Greeks, Romans and Muslims.

The temperature in the region is at an average of 17° C which is why there is an abundance of fruits and vegetables. Alhaurin el Grande and Alhaurin de la Torre are both worth a visit not just for the archeological and historical treasures, but for the scenery and beauty as well.

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Places of interest in Spain- Alaior

If you love cheese, then you surely should visit ALAIOR. Two well known companies have their shops near the main road. You can easily reach these shops since there are signposts to guide you. The first of these is La Payesa, open 9am-1pm followed by a break, and open again from 5-8pm from Monday to Friday. The other outlet is comparatively bigger and far better, owned by Coingo; it has the same opening times except they are also open on Saturdays 9am-1pm. Both have the same products, which were originally exported from a port called Queso Mahon, and therefore are also named after the port.

If you have a craving for cheese, then Menorca is the stop for you. The cheese here is made from cow and from goats’ milk. For a distinctive flavor, they also add ewe milk. You can go to any shop and find cheese in four different stages: tiemo (young), semi curado (semi-mature), curado (mature) and anejo (very mature). This cheese is a bit on the expensive side, but it’s surely worth it. If you are a cheese lover, you shouldn’t miss out on this.

Every year in August there is a festival called Festa de Sant Llorenc, which takes place on the second weekend of the month in the streets on the hill just above these shops. All the houses there are white washed. You will also find the imposing Santa Eulalia Church above the houses.

If you are there to enjoy yourself and have the money to spend, you should stay at the La Noria De San Bou Hotel. It is the best and is at a walking distance from the beaches. It has a traditional design, more like a mansion, with a swimming pool which is quite large, as well as gardens all around where you could enjoy a walk in the evening.

But you need not worry if you are a bit short on the budget. Hotel Jeni is quite a popular hotel; its restaurant is located in the center. This would be best for you if you want to enjoy your holidays. You could step out onto the balcony for a view of the beaches, or even go and relax in the swimming pool. You can choose from a variety of dishes. You could indulge in various activities during your stay; cooking courses are available or you could enjoy nature as you wish.

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A Surprising Country

All about Spain

Wonderful beaches, imposing mountains good for skiing, a vast architectural heritage, impressing culture and traditions - they all come together in just one country: Spain. If you wonder when to go to Spain, autumn, spring and early summer are the best times of the year, but winter is also great if you like skiing. Although the weather varies from region to region (some regions enjoy a Mediterranean climate, while others enjoy a sub-tropical one), the temperatures are not extreme, so accommodating to them should not be a problem. Spain is famous mainly for its cities, Barcelona and Madrid, and for flamenco dancing and the bullfights. But Spain is more than that. Few know that Spain hosts the only place in the world where you can go skiing in the morning and bathe in the sea in the afternoon. It is possible in the Sierra Nevada mountain range; at its foothills tourists can bathe in the Mediterranean Sea.

Eating and drinking in Spain

The traditional cuisine is very varied; it is different from region to region, having a few flavors that coincide. It is mainly based on seafood, with different influences from the cultures that once ruled the country. A traditional breakfast is “chocolate con churros”, which is a long doughnut with thick liquid chocolate. “Tostadas con aceite, mantequilla y mermelada” is also very popular; that is, toast with olive oil, butter and jam. Bodegas, cervecerias, tascas and tabernas, these are the places where you can taste the local cuisine, which is very rich in flavors. As for drinking, Spain is famous for its wines; more than half of the vineyards in the European Union are found in Spain.

The bullfights

Spain’s bullfights are unique in the world. “Los toros” have become a big business. The bulls are present in any festival, being the main attraction. Some tourists go to Spain just to see the bullfights (las corridas) or the bull running. The annual bull running festival in Pamplona attracts thousands of people who come to see the bulls, charmed by the adrenaline that floats into the air. The corridas attract many spectators because the show is amazing: in addition to the adrenaline that pumps into your veins because of the dangerous position in which the matador is standing, a band accompanies the entire procession with “passo doble”. If all these sound interesting, don’t wait! Take your friends and family and go to Spain!!!

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Vitoria-Gasteiz - The other Spain

Vitoria - capital of the Basque Country and Girona (in Catalonia), another city with a very well preserved medieval quarter, are chosen every year among the Spanish cities with the best quality of life.

In the case of Vitoria, the reason lies in its nickname, the “green city”. It deserves the name not only thanks to the many parks and tree-lined avenues throughout the whole city, but also to its so called “green belt” (Cinturón Verde), a lovely preserved belt of forests and wetlands that completely encircle the town. The Salburúa marsh is a fascinating space for bird-watchers, a green oasis for aquatic birds; paradoxically very close to Vitoria´s industrial area. Starting from here, you will find more than 30 km. of walking paths through nature and around the whole town.

Two quite big interconnected water reservoirs engulf the land to the north of Vitoria, creating a lake area surrounded by an alpine landscape. They feed half of the Basque Country with fresh water and offer inland beaches to the region. You may also find excellent restaurants around the lakes.

So many activities have whetted your appetite? No problem, for you are in the Basque Country, meaning that eating out will be no problem at all. Try some tapas in the neoclassical quarter around the old town as appetizers. Later, you can continue with dinner in one of the many restaurants that serve Basque high cuisine or traditional Basque food, both in quantity and quality, in any of the many popular sidrerías in and around town. If you are lucky to pay a visit to Vitoria in late April, do not wonder if you find the masculine half of the town formed in groups, parading and wearing a chef´s uniform armed with enormous spoons and musical instruments. It is the San Prudencio Festival and it will give you an inside view of the Basque passion for food and lifestyle.

There are many hotels in and around Vitoria, of all categories. Very recommendable is the Parador Nacional de Argómaniz, completely refurbished and located in a nice Renaissance palace outside the town. You can also choose between many Casas Rurales around the town. These family inns are located in old, lovely restored village houses and cottages with all the comforts you may need. In both cases do not miss Vitoria´s surroundings; they will offer you a landscape and people you do not expect from Spain.

Vitoria and its surroundings can be easily reached from Madrid (360 km by highway or train) or Bilbao (60 km), also by highway.

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A Popular Tourist Destination – Malaga

Malaga is located at Andalucia, a Spanish province with high tourism popularity. Malaga is a preferred tourist resort that is synonymous to golden sand, sun bathing, beautiful beaches, great weather and perfect holiday. English and German are widely spoken and used in Malaga, besides the native Spanish, due to the vast number of tourists speaking English and German. It is easy to get by in Malaga as most tourist information and tourist-related activities like restaurants and services, are in English and German.

Malaga is a city part of the Spanish province of Benalmadena, Marbella, Torremolinos and Fuengirola with the idyllic Costa del Sol, a Coastal Spanish area.

Early Phoenician settlers in 700BC named Malaga as Malaka. Later, the Greeks as well as the Carthaginians came conquering Malaga but it was the Romans who developed Malaga in 200BC which set it as an important Roman Empire entity.

Then the Visigoths came, followed by the Moorish in 8th century to conquer the Iberian Peninsula and developed Malaga as a significant port for trading.

The Arabs came and conquered Malaga when it was first part of Caliphate of Cordoba, and later when it was part of Caliphate of Granada. The southern cities were the last to be re-conquered by the Reconquista, comprising Christians who fought to take back the Iberian Peninsula. However, the Moorish only managed to take back Malaga around 15th century.

Under King Fernando and Queen Isabel, Christians destroyed a lot of Moorish buildings to build Christian churches. However, the Arabic influence could not be totally wiped out and Arabic heritage and constructions remain in Malaga until today, as can be observed on the streets, structures and parts of the city.

For about 2 centuries, Malaga was beset by floods, earthquakes and illnesses from the 17th century, before rebuilding itself as an influential and rich region to become a popular tourist resort in the 20th century.

Malaga is considered the second biggest harbor in Spain with good connections to an international airport to cater to its tourism affluence, being one of the biggest cities in Spain. Tourists will find Malaga charming with not just the spirit of Andalusia, but also with the traditions, monuments and Flamenco imprints as well as the warmness of its locals.

Malaga developed its rich history from the varied cultures that have passed by it. It opens the door to Africa as an important communication point. This charming city connects well with other Andalusia cities. It is a wonderful place to start your tour of Andalusia with all the right Northern African ports and Madrid just close by. Malaga exudes with artistic culture as it was Picasso’s hometown; it boasts of a museum housing the artworks of the famous artist.

The city is alive with its busy port and streets, bars, eateries and shops. Its beaches are a popular spot for meet ups by young tourists; even the rich and famous in Spain can be spotted here. You will enjoy the calmer ambiance in the old city centre where awesome historic structures and churches will take your breath away. While exploring the city, discover its delicious local fare such as fried fish, and its local Andalusia white wines like manzanilla or fino, for a refreshing taste.

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Things You Can Enjoy At Sol & Gran Via, Madrid

The capital city of Spain is Madrid. It is a beautiful place where most of the tourists begin their journey of Spain. This city is located in the centre of Spain. There are many things that you can enjoy doing in this city. The best way to enjoy this beautiful city is to divide it into districts and then enjoy your trip accordingly. In this article, we will tell you about the things you can enjoy in the Sol and Gran Via districts of Madrid.

About Sol and Gran Via

The biggest tourist attractions of Madrid are Sol and Gran Via. They are centrally located districts of the city. There are many attractions of these districts that you will love. It is especially very interesting for those who are visiting Madrid for the first time.

Puerta del Sol

This is the centre of Madrid. In fact, it can be called the centre of entire Spain. It is located in the south of the Gran via. It is used as a reference point to find your bearings. There are some attractions of this place such as kilometer 0 stone, famous statue of bear and strawberry tree.

Gran Via

It is the commercial centre of Madrid. You will find big branches of the famous cloth houses of Spain at this place. It is located in the north of Sol. It is not just a shopping place; there is something more in this place. This place has superb architecture and is one of the most interesting streets of Madrid.

Cocido Madrileno

It is the most famous dish of Madrid. It is a stew that features many meats, chickpeas, potatoes and several other vegetables. This is served in two parts. First, a soup is served and then it is followed by the main course. Several restaurants serve this dish but one place that is famous is restaurant Dona Juana. It is a 30 seconds walk from the Gran Via.

Convento de Las Descalzas

It is a famous royal residence that has now been converted into a museum and convent. The most famous thing of this museum is the pieces of wood that are said to be from Christ’s crucifix. You can also find many famous paintings here. This place has different opening timings and it is closed on Monday and Friday afternoons.

Casa Labra

It is a small tapas bar that is about 100 years old. The specialty of this tapas bar is cod croquettes and cod nuggets. It is at just 30 seconds walking distance from the Puerta del Sol.

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Places of interest in Spain – Asturias

When you speak of most beautiful places in Spain, Asturias is in the forefront. Mother Nature glows in full colors in Asturias. Pleased with this beautiful nature, many tourists make it a point to visit this place again and again. The history of this province can be traced to the period of Roman Empire. Now let us take a tour of Asturias. En-route let us know more about Asturias.

We are now in the province of Cantabria. As you can see, the roads are beautifully laid. The most beautiful sceneries which you are seeing have made our tour exhilarating. For your information, Asturias is also very well connected by rail, sea and air.

Now we are in Oviedo; the capital city of Asturias province. The city is full of buildings which are architectural marvels. The pre-Romanesque church, San Miguel de Lillo and Santa Maria del Naranco are some of the most picturesque buildings in Oviedo. According to history, these buildings were built by the first king of Asturias.

The city of Gijon is our next place of visit. The beautiful Mediterranean Sea is the treasure of this city. The city is popular for beach tourism. The most immaculately beautiful beach with various types of water and beach sports is the first choice of tourists. Surrounding the beach is the stunningly beautiful natural beauty. The famous Asturias Cider is produced here.

Now we have reached the mountain range which runs parallel to the sea and as you can see, it presents a beautiful view of the place. Picos de Europa National Park is located here. The mountain range brings in lots of rain, helping vegetation in the National Park. Pico Urriellu is the peak mountain located at a height of about 8300 feet. Tourists are advised to witness the sunset from the mountain village called Camarmeña. Another place of attraction in this mountain range is the church where the image of Virgin Mary is located. According to legend, the Spanish army was able to fight the Moors because of signal from the Virgin Mary.

Another place of visit is the Ceceda village located very near to Oviedo. This most beautiful village is never missed by tourists. The technique followed in this village to preserve and protect the grain from mice is most interesting.

Where to stay?

Asturias has many luxury villas and apartments where the tourists can enjoy a luxurious stay at reasonable rentals.

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Check out La Coruna City

La Coruña is a region located north-west of Spain, with a Galician name, A Coruña. It spans of green landscapes and rich Celtic-Roman heritage, making it a mystical allure. Its neighbors are Lugo on the east, Atlantic Ocean on the west, Pontevedra on the south and the Biscay Bayon the north. Moderate temperatures with frequent rain embrace this province, which houses the Nature Park Atlantic islands.

La Coruña is a very old city which was founded by Hercules, as locals believed. Celts, Romans and Phoenicians came and traded at La Coruña port as early as 2BC when it was mineral-rich. This city even has the honorable Julius Caesar making a visit in 62BC. The Roman influence was high in language, culture and religion. With its strategic location, La Coruña grew in importance in fishing, textile manufacturing and commercial port. Many expeditions to chart new sea routes and territories departed from La Coruña port, when Spain became more renowned as a sailing nation.

La Coruña is enriched with history from the Spanish Armada (la Armada Invincible) to the Sir Francis Drake’s reprisal at the port. When La Coruña became a city in 1446, King Juan II’s authorization of free commerce between La Coruña and England caused the trade in this Spanish city to grow in leaps and bounds.

Modernistic architecture took form near the end of 19th century. Currently, La Coruña combines the old and the new; traditional industries like agricultural and fishing, and new industries like fashion and textile, all of which are successful and renowned.

La Coruña is easily accessible by the world through an international airport with numerous flight offerings by Iberia, Portugalia and Spanair, especially all over European and Spanish destinations. Football fans will be pleased with the city’s top division football club, the "Deportivo de la Coruña".

La Coruña enjoys a cool temperature of 14 degrees Celsius with more than 2,000 hours of sunshine annually, which makes it a perfect sun-bather’s location. Its beaches are the best locations for water sports like sailing, scuba diving, surfing and fishing.

Waking up to a new day in La Coruña is truly a memorable moment as you’d be watching the arrival of fishing boats packed with fish of the day followed by a daily fish auction, which is a rare sight and experience.

Touring one of the longest promenades in Europe at La Coruña along the beaches is so enriching with the many attractions along the way. Museums of various kinds, like Anthropology, Science and Natural History, exhibit interesting and interactive pieces that are historical and artistic. A city tour to the famous and world’s oldest lighthouse, the Roman Tower of Hercules, is worth climbing its 239 steps as it is about 2,000 years old, and is marked as a World Heritage.

There are several interesting landmarks to check out in La Coruña such as the Castle of San Antón which is a fortress from 16th century found on a nearby island, and a city castle, Castillo de San Diego, which is transformed to a local museum housing archaeological pieces, at the opposite bay.

Other interesting places of visit are the aquarium "La Casa de los Peces" which houses more than 300 species, churches and cathedrals with their beautiful structures and history.

There is a very hearty night life when the sun sets in La Coruña where bars fill its narrow streets. You’d need to check out La Coruña for yourself to satisfy your desire for adventure and new experiences at your own pace and time.

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Interesting Fuerteventura

Its name may seem a mouthful, but that’s because this city is full of surprises for your discovery. It is part of the Canary Islands which is closest to the African coast. The island surfaced from a volcanic activity about 20 million years ago. It is the natural forces of volcanic activity, wind, soil erosion and rain which have shaped the island of Fuerteventura to what it is today.

It is strategically located at the tropics to offer white sand beaches which spans around the island of clear turquoise waters. Blessed with an annual average temperature of 22º C or 71.6ºF, it is truly a surfer’s paradise and kite surfing with its consistently smooth Sahara dessert winds.

Fuerteventura is known to be the oldest island of the Atlantic island group; it experienced its last volcanic eruption 5 million years ago.

Its first inhabitants were presumably from North Africa due to the recent archaeological discoveries of finding earthenware and ancient tools in caves and semi-subterranean settlements.

Then the Phoenicians came around 11BC as recorded in Homer’s “Odyssey” in 850BC. Fuerteventura Island was greatly affected by adverse varied expeditions by the Spanish and Portuguese until 1405 when Jean de Bethencourt, a French conqueror, renamed the island to Betancuria after himself.

All remained status quo under military governors until Spain regained control. In the 1850s, Queen Isabel II announced a free trade zone standing on this island, making a change to its name, from Puerto de Cabras to Puerto Del Rosario.

Fuerteventura Island gained independence at the 20th century as it became part of Gran Canaria province. Its first airport was built in 1940 to set it on its runway as a tourist resort. Since 1960s, it has not looked back flourishing as a popular idyllic tourist preference. It is part of the Canary Islands Community.

So it is not surprising that Fuerteventura’s main industry is tourism. Its tropical temperature is felt throughout the year which is preferred by Europeans who can reach this idyllic destination by plane easily in two hours. Besides tourism, this island is packed with agricultural, fishing and business activities.

Another key tourist attraction on this island is the scuba diving activity; it is indeed not only a scuba diver’s paradise, it is also a fisherman’s paradise who is into big game fishing as the Atlantic waters swarm with all kinds of fish, such as whales, marlins, dolphins and rare turtles.

The island itself holds awe with its natural formation of vast plains, volcanic mountains and lava flow remnants which are open for visits although marked as protected sites.

Tourists on the island can enjoy windsurfing and kiteboarding from April till October, with its constant flow of winds and long stretches of famous beaches, like Corralejo, Gran Tarajal and Pájara.

Keen golfers will have their field day on the island too, as it comprised a fully equipped golf club designed by famed architect, Juan Catarineu, specifically catering to the wind conditions for the best of golf. The club boasts of a classic golf course of 1,500 km of green with a par of 70, with some great sea views.

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Barcelona City

Barcelona, capital of the Catalonia region, is Spain’s second biggest city located in the north east of the Mediterranean Sea, beside the Pyrenees Mountains. It has a population of more than 1.5 million people.

Although the capital of Spain is Madrid, Barcelona is the more renowned city. In fact, it is the most renowned city in all of Spain. Catalonia is a polemic spot which has its own language although the official languages in Spain are Spanish and Catalan. Catalan is not difficult to understand since it is similar to Spanish.

Barcelona was originally named Barcino, after a Carthaginian ruler, Hamilcar Barca. It is said to be established by Carthaginians and Phoenicians. It is rich in history with the Romans present at 1BC, the Visigoths at 5 AD and the Moors at 8 AD before the Franks.

From counties to territories, the region expanded to be known as Catalonia. Barcelona gained importance as a city during the 19th century Industrial Revolution. Catalonia managed to restore its political power to make Barcelona a relevant and interesting part of Spain.

Barcelona became more famous after hosting the 1992 Olympic Games successfully, with several other successful hosting of international events along the way, such as the 2004 Universal Forum of Cultures. Its city streets are well planned with organized housing and buildings. The city centre has its main avenue “La Rambla” running from its famed Square of Catalunya, all the way to the enchanting Mediterranean waters and Old Port.

Barcelona has a string of thrilling offerings for every visitor or local; enchanting sights aside, Barcelona established itself as an important and relevant business centre due to its strategic location as well as its historical links with surrounding regions. The beaches are excellent destinations for all in Barcelona as the mild climate all year through, is very encouraging for a day out. Its temperature of 10 degrees Celsius during winter and 25 degrees Celsius during summer makes Barcelona a preferred destination of fun, thrills or relaxation, even if rains are expected frequently.

There’s never a dull moment in Barcelona, as there’s so much to see, do and taste. Besides the awesome Holy Family cathedral mentioned, Sagrada Familia, which is incomplete till this day, there is the renowned Gaudi's works of Park Güell, which are eccentrically shaped monuments of unique stones and ceramic that represent elements of nature. For a time of fun and thrills, there is the serene park with a colorful terrace for a breath-taking view of the city. Since there is no entrance fee to visit the park which is open daily, it is a worthy visit to relax and enjoy the greens and serenity of a park in the city.

For art lovers, the famed Picasso Museum with Spanish modernism masterpieces, are right at the city centre, close to a few mediaeval palaces. The number of museums in Barcelona will occupy your time worthily. Barcelona is also renowned for its culture and arts inspiration with outstanding music, dance and theatrical events with the second largest Opera theatre, “el Liceu” on “La Rambla” street.

Nightlife is a unique experience in Barcelona which must not be missed out, with the numerous restaurants and bars offering delectable dishes and wine selection. 

It’s never enough time to explore Barcelona as its offering is varied and vast; so drop by and discover its treasures by wandering through its streets, day or night.

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Toledo – the most important tourist spot of Spain

If one wants to spend his holiday in one of the most beautiful environments on the earth, then his first choice would be Toledo. Located at just about 70 kms from Madrid, Toledo is considered to be the most beautiful place of Europe.

History of Toledo can be traced to the Bronze Age. Thereafter many civilizations like the Greeks, Romans and Moors left an indelible impression on the people of Toledo. As a matter of fact many religious practices followed by these civilizations are being followed in Toledo even to this day. Now let us go round this city and see how beautiful the city is:

Castillo de San Servando:

This castle is believed to have been built in the year 1088. It is located in the midst of beautiful environment on the banks of the great river Tagus. The Christians who overtook the castle used this castle to fortify the city from a possible attack by the Moors. Unfortunately after the threat from Moors decreased, the castle received little or no attention. It was very recently that the Government of Spain took initiative to preserve this castillo de San Servando. Now most part of the castle is restored. The tourists will be certainly mesmerized by the imposing building of the castle.

Monastery:

Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes is one of the most popular monasteries of Toledo. People from all parts of Spain and Europe visit this monastery because it is one of the most revered places by people from these countries. The Monastery is lavishly decorated. The most imposing structure of this monastery is a challenge to the modern experts of architecture. From the time it was built, the Monastery has undergone several changes. Many works of art and artifacts from some of the leading artists of Spain are displayed here.

Church Santiago del Arrabal:

This church is believed to have been built in the year 1245. Even this church has undergone several changes since it was built. Many tourists from far and wide visit this church. The church is also popular for its most stunningly beautiful works of architecture.

Church Santa María la Blanca:

It would be very difficult to describe how beautiful the Church is. Only a visit will convince the visitor about the beauty of this church. Rich interiors and exteriors and stunningly beautiful works of painting are some of the interesting aspects of this renowned church. Even this church receives the highest number of visitors throughout the year. It has a long history.

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Tibidabo amusement park

Introduction

Tibidabo is a mountain located on the northwestern side of the city of Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain. Magic Mountain, as it is also called by the common tourists, represents one of the most splendid views of the entire city and the beauty of the sea.

The amusement park on the top of the mountain, at more than 500 m height, is the oldest in Barcelona and welcomes visitors with original rides, some of them dating from the beginning of the 20th century.

Content

Tibidabo is usually and traditionally reached by a funicular railway. It was built in 1901 and represented a premiere in Spain. At the beginning of the 20th century, locals began to work on the development of the park and started a tram - the Blue Tram. During this development, on the mountain, improvement was taking place with the landscape and the construction of the restaurants and cafes. At the end of October 1901, the site was formally inaugurated, and surprisingly, the access- the funicular became the main touristic mark because of the innovation that was brought to the means of transport of that time.

1901 also represented the beginning of the entertainment activities and automatic scales. Room was also made for postcard vending machines. The park does not look like a modern park with any rollercoaster rides, but the landscape and the warm atmosphere with people dressed fancily to amuse the visitors, convert a day out to a great one. In the beginning, the park was a site of insignificant amusements such as the shooting gallery, telescopes and binoculars, swings, bowling, mirrors, messenger pigeons and automatons. Also, little events and small shows were taking place such as choirs, balloon rides, military bands and orchestras. Nowadays, fresh buildings have been built such as a large events hall, Gran Café Restaurant Tibidabo and the Coll hotel and Restaurant.

Access

To get to the park and the mountain, take brown line from Plaza de Catalunya Metro. Car is also a way to reach the theme park. Tibibus is also a way - a bus from Plaça Catalunya. It runs from 10.30 a.m. when the amusement park is open.

Accommodation

Accommodation available in the region is offered at all kinds of villas and apartments with terraces at the base of the mountain with prices starting from € 25 per night for a person. Hotels are also available with rates starting from € 45.

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Toledo city in spain

Undoubtedly Spain is a paradise for tourists. This is a hard reality which every visitor to Spain has experienced. The country is blessed with beautiful nature, pleasant climate and buildings which are unbelievably challenging works of architecture. The number of places which are of interest for tourists is highest in Spain compared to any other country in the entire Europe. Now, let us visit the province ‘Toledo’ and visit some of the places of interest for tourists.

Toledo is an amazingly beautiful city. It has a rich tradition and is a popular pilgrimage too. The festival of Most Holy Corpus Christi attracts huge number of devotees from Europe and other parts of the world. The city has many churches and mosques which receive many visitors throughout the year.

The city is very well fortified by huge walls. There are three gates representing the city cultures namely Jews, Arabs and the Christians. Each gate is named after one of these three religious faiths. These gates were built centuries ago. The entrance to the city is luxuriously decorated. Once you enter the city, the amazingly beautiful picturesque nature offers you a warm welcome.

Now we are in the market place of Toledo. This is a very busy location of Toledo. If you have a fascination for shopping, there is no better place than Toledo to shop. Fabulous textiles, works of art and artifacts, intricate works of sculpture are some of the many products that are available in the Toledo market.

The other place of interest is the Mosque. The Cristo de la Luz mosque believed to have been built in the year 999 has the most stunningly beautiful structure. This mosque is a replica of the mosque in Cordoba. In the 12th century, Mudejar sanctuary was built as an annex to the mosque. Both the exterior and the interior of the mosque are beautifully decorated in the traditional Arab style with most intricate works of art and sculpture.

Now we move further to visit the Mudejar Cathedral. Although there are no records to establish when the cathedral was built, it is believed that it has been built on an existing mosque. The tower of the cathedral which resembles a minaret of the Mosque suggests this presumption. The cathedral is a beautiful structure with an eye catching bell tower. The interior of the cathedral is lavishly decorated. Most of the visitors never miss visiting this cathedral and its museum. The five naves which were added during the 15th century is another interesting area which should never be missed.

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Places in Spain

Let me start with a word of caution! If you are planning to visit Spain on a sight seeing trip and to enjoy your holiday, then plan your itinerary very well. This is because in Spain there are plenty of places of tourist interest. As you know, Spain is blessed with most beautiful picturesque sceneries of Mother Nature which are not found anywhere in Europe. Historical buildings which are estimated to be more than 10000 in number are spread over entire Spain. In fact, most of these buildings built centuries ago are architectural marvels and every visitor who visits Spain simply falls in love with these buildings.

The enormous mountain range is a gift of nature to Spain. These majestic mountains run parallel to the Mediterranean Sea. The vast beach and the plain land in between the sea and the mountains is something which should be seen and experienced rather than being explained. There are huge parks in every province and town and many of these parks have a history of their own. Spain has a very long sea coast running to almost 220 kms. This entire coastal region is known for its beauty. The beaches are so clean that many of the beaches have been decorated with the ‘blue flag’ title in recognition of their perfect maintenance. Every city and even many of the villages have museums depicting the history of the place and these museums have collection of works of art and artifacts from some of the most renowned painters and artists and artisans. 

Therefore in order to visit Spain, plan your visit depending on your taste and budget and the time at your disposal. If you are the one who wants to spend your holiday in a quiet environment, there are numerous beaches like Costa Blanca, Tenerife, Cadiz, Ibiza, Galicia, Mallorca, etc. There are mountains like Pyrenees, Andalucía, Sierra Nevada, etc. which are also excellent places to enjoy a quiet holiday in the midst of stunningly beautiful nature. If you are the one who wants to enjoy your holiday staying in a city and visiting beaches, mountains, historical buildings, parks, museums, etc., there are plenty of places like Madrid, Barcelona, Algar, Valencia, Cadiz, Malaga, Extremadura, etc. which offer places of varied interest for the tourist.

So plan your tour well. Take the help of professional tour operators in Spain. They will give you the right advice to suit your specific area of interest and budget. Be assured that once you visit Spain, you tend to become a regular visitor to this country.

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Meet Madrid through the films of Pedro Almodovar

The Rastro flea market

Almodovar was 16 years old when he left the unperceptive city of Cáceres and came to modern Madrid. It was a time when he made eight short films.


To financially support his film hobby, he would sell secondhand goods on the most famous Madrid flea market - Rastro. In each film, Almodovar incorporates part of himself; each of them has an autobiographical line, so is the case with the Rastro.

In the movie Labyrinth of passion (Laberinto de Pasiones, 1982) young Cecilia Rot and Antonio Banderas walk down this flea market. In addition, in the movie Dark Habits (Entre tinieblas, 1983), nuns sell miracle cakes made from the blood of Jesus at the same market.


The market is open every Sunday and every national holiday from 9 a.m. till 3 p.m. About 11 a.m. there is complete chaos. Stalls are located along the square, Plaza de Cascorro and Ribera de Curtidores.

Dirty quarter Chueca

Chueca has always been a place known for prostitutes and drug addicts, as it is shown in the  movie tie me (¡atam!, 1989 ), in which Rick is trying to get some opiates for Marina.


Today Chueca has grown as a hyper-popular gay district with numerous shops, restaurants and bars. There is also a 150 years old tapas bar. Almodovar says that it is one of the best anti-depressants he knows.


Nearby is the La Bardemcilla, a restaurant owned by Javier Bardem, who acted in 3 of Almodovar’s films.

The area is concentrated around Plaza de Chueca and Chueca metro station. Every year strong gay scene organizes pride parade through the streets of this neighborhood.

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas is the famous bullfight place in Madrid. It is shown in the TV commercial in the movie tie me.


Bullring is built in the Moorish style and it gathers the strongest and bravest matadors.  You can see more details of it in the film Talk to her (Hable con ella, 2001).


The heroine of the film is Lydia; for her last bullfight she dresses in her matador’s costume: pink socks, trousers embroidered in gold, stiff jacket. She struggles with a 500 kg bull and gets stabbed.

Corrida is located in the Salamanca district. It is located in the eastern part of the city and the best option is to use the metro.

It has 25000 seats. Season starts in March and ends in December. Matches begin at 6p.m. or 7 p.m. and they last for 2-3 hours. Ticket prices vary in relation to how close you are to the arena and whether you are on the sunny side or in the shadow.


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Las Fallas Burning

Burning

Burning or “Crema” of Las Fallas of Valencia takes place on the 19th March. First they burn children’s fallas (about 10 p.m.) and then fireworks announce the burning of large fallas. Fallas are burnt by a constructor after or during the fireworks. Sculptures burn up very quickly, spreading considerable heat around. Particularly high temperatures force people to go meters away from the sculptures. During the burning, security measures are rigorous. Fences are set up around the sculptures and if the streets are narrow and the heat can reach the buildings, firefighters wash facades, windows, traffic signs and other sensitive facilities and in that way prevent melting. The process of burning takes about an hour and while extinguishing, fire brigades from almost the whole of Spain are engaged.

Valencia during the festival

During the festive week, Valencia lives all day and night. Restaurants and bars are open again after winter; therefore the streets are literally flooded with people. The last three days of holidays are non working and then the fun culminates in a great outdoor party. The city nucleus is transformed into a vast stage for street performers of various profiles, a wide boulevard into the promenade. People of all ages, the old city streets with many amenities and a distinctive Mediterranean atmosphere offer refreshments for the soul and body.

La Desperta

The usual seasonal day begins at eight o'clock in the morning, called the rising “La desperta”. From then until the end of the day, you can hear the brass players, who march through the streets and play lively music. They are followed by “fallaros” who are dressed in traditional costumes. They also practice traditional throwing of firecrackers. Firecrackers are used every time and everywhere, and they are enjoyed by virtually everyone, from babies to the elderly.

Maskleta

Firecrackers have the main event - Maskleta, which begins each day promptly at 2 p.m. It is, in fact, a large firecrackers event that at a given moment takes place in almost every corner of the city. Moreover, it is characterized by coordinated activity of several firecrackers in successive waves of explosions. The largest, most spectacular and most visited is the one held at the central square, Placa de Ahuntament, where Valencia’s masters make a spectacle of pyrotechnics, burning hundreds of kilograms of various types of pyrotechnic materials in a specially fenced part of the square. Firecracking starts from the balcony of the Town Hall and the whole show lasts about ten minutes. Each wave of the explosion is greater and stronger than its predecessor. Fire cracking is not the only explosive event during the holidays. In fact, everyday, around midnight, a fireworks show begins.


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Las Fallas through history

Satirical aspects of Las Fallas through history

Satirical Las Fallas was meant to show a certain social position. Depicted scenes related to events, individuals or social phenomena were considered by their creators to be on the edge of criticism or ridicule. This led to the ban by the authorities. Thus, in 1858 the mobile Falla that openly pointed to social inequality was banned, while Las fallas in 1866 which showed the downside of marriage witnessed a sharp condemnation from the Archbishop. From that time dates the term "erotic fallas" or "anti-marriage tendency". During the nineteenth century, the city authorities wanted to prevent making such fallas at all costs, so they used various kinds of repression. That is why they introduced high taxes for all public celebrations and carnivals that practically were means of their prohibition. Fortunately, at the persistence of citizens in defense of their tradition, sculptures were again placed at squares and the whole festival returned under the aegis of the city.


Rivalry

In 1887, a prize was announced for the best Las Fallas. After that great rivalry between the districts appeared. This led to the sculptures increasingly becoming objects of artistic expression. Preference was given for aesthetics, though satirical content had not disappeared.

Almost all local associations and citizens were involved in their promotion and development. There was also a change in the composition of the sculptures, which is held to date. So instead of pyramid statues, today’s fallas are made from several platforms based on the structure used to display the scene, the central part that bears a sculpture and the top. Allegorical sculpture describes a scene shown in its foot that is thematically linked into a single entity. The sculptures were always luxurious and impressive, and moreover they could be seen from great distances. Above all, the competitive spirit forced artists to create more complex parts.

Festival train

In 1927, the first festival train that transported settlers back to Valencia during the festival was organized. The success of this train was unexpectedly huge. Citizens became more committed to this holiday; the number of sculptures grew, just like the number of people who came to see this "miracle". Today this festival attracts about two million, mostly local visitors. However, the number of sculptures is also impressive. There are close to five hundred fallas of all sizes, set mainly in the city center. The number of sculptures shows the grandeur of the whole project, which makes all Valencia into ”Ciudad Faller”.


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Las Fallas –Festival of Fire

Las Fallas –Festival of Fire

This holiday is celebrated in the east of Spain, in the area and the city of Valencia. It is dedicated to the arrival of spring and continues for five exciting days with the culmination on the 19th of March, which is the day of St. Joseph. Las Fallas tradition dates from the mid-18th century. For a long time, Las Fallas was related to all aspects of events; fire, arson, rag dolls and platforms, but in time differentiated only on the satirical sculptures, whose popularity quickly spread.

On that day, around midnight, begins "Crema" with the burning of many Fallas, beautiful sculptures made of cardboard and Styrofoam in the magnificent Requiem flame and light. Although it is its central part, the festival offers a lot of unusual content, and moreover it is rightly classified as the most bizarre and incredible festival on the planet. However, for the rest of the world this holiday is still a pretty well kept secret.

History

Las Fallas tradition dates from the mid-18th century. During the holiday morning, in the windows of houses stood out rag dolls and the vertical walls of the raised platform had figures that showed the events or individuals that had attracted the attention of the entire community. At midnight, they were burnt at the stake as part of a larger celebration. It was believed that in this way they destroyed the evil spirits that were previously trapped in the dolls.

Prohibitions

The first document that mentions this festival is the letter from Valencia’s mayor that prohibited installation of dolls and platforms in the narrow streets close to facades in order to prevent fire. With these measures, the city police had to force the residents to burn their dolls and platforms only in wide streets and squares, this formula is held up to the present day. In order to comply with it, citizens have the platform raised to the point. Since the platform with the sculptures was no longer on the walls, it could be observed from all sides, which led to changes in its design.

Symbols

The sculptures are now pyramidal, wooden based, decorated with drawings and paintings that are concealed from combustible material. Along with the sculptures on the nearby walls or the pedestal, were hanging records that explained their significance in Valencia’s language. Since the mid-19th century, they are printed and connected into the book called “llibret”.

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La Rambla

Introduction

La Rambla is much more than a street in the center of Barcelona, Spain. It is popular among all the tourists that have been to Barcelona. It is in fact a promenade filled with Barcelona action at the highest standards. It links Plaça Catalunya in the city centre and Christopher Columbus monument which sits in Port Vell. La Rambla or Les Rambles represents, in fact, a number of streets linked together, each called variant. If the tourists want to explore the street, they should leave from Plaça de Catalunya heading to the harbor and explore Rambla dels Estudis, Rambla de Canaletes, Rambla de Sant Josep, Rambla de Santa Monica and Rambla dels Caputxins. After the construction of a mall, with movie theaters, IMAX theater and an imposing  aquarium - the Maremàgnum in the early 1990s, La Rambla was extended into the harbor with the new Rambla de Mar.

La Rambla is usually a crowded area mostly during the peak of the tourist season but this is part of the beauty of the street. Pedestrians are the rulers of this area because the city council decided that no car should disturb visitors in the area. The tourists are usually more than the locals. This fact transformed the shopping nature of the site.

Las Ramblas represents one of the first landmarks that Barcelona visitors identify with the city. It is the most important and known Boulevard in the capital of Catalonia region. It cuts the city centre and up towards Catalunya along the Ramblas on the left hand side is the Raval area and on the right side is the Barri Gotic or Gothic Quarter. Another important mark is located at the northern part of the Ramblas - Liceu theatre.

Access

The area is serviced by subway stations. At the southernmost end of La Rambla is the Green Line. At the northern side, the area is serviced by both the green Line and the Red Line. The bus service to and from the airport, known as Aerobus, offers the opportunity to come from the airport and visit the area. The site is included in the Barcelona Tours Bus.

Accommodation

Hotel Villa Emilia Barcelona and Eixample Arenas are the recommended hotels in the area, with rates starting from € 108 per night. Apartments of locals are also an option to spend the night in the area.


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Spain – Valencia

Valencia is a city of autonomous community and is considered to be the third populous city of Spain. It may be said that Valencia is one of the cities which have been responsible for putting Spain on the tourist map of the world. The city is blessed with buildings which are known for their unparallel works of architecture. These ancient buildings are immaculately beautiful. The popularity of the city does not stop at that. It is considered to be a city of Arts and Science. Apart from this, Valencia has many other places of interest for tourists. Let us visit some of the places of interest in this great city:

We begin our tour with a visit to the city by name Gandia. The city has a historic palace called Borjas. This impeccably beautiful palace is believed to have been built by Visigoths. The palace is luxuriously decorated. Surrounded by stunningly beautiful environment, this beautiful structure is a feast for the eyes. The other place of interest is the Santa Maria Church. The beautiful building of this church speaks of the professionalism of Gothic architects in designing buildings. The beach near Gandia is another place which every tourist would certainly like to visit. The resorts on the beautiful environment of this beach are the most ideal places for those who wish to enjoy their holiday.

Now we move to the town called Xativa. The city is surrounded by most beautiful mountains. This historic city is also called as ‘city of two popes’ because it was here the two revered Popes Alexander VI and Calixto III were born. The castle in this stunningly beautiful mountain with narrow streets and historic churches is a place which welcomes every tourist. The view of the city and the surrounding places is something wonderful.

From Xativa we now move to a valley called Va e Gallinera. The valley is rich in vegetation. The valley is being cultivated since several centuries. According to historians, the land around the valley Xativa is being cultivated since Arabic times. The houses are built in traditional architecture and there are many olive groves and fruit orchards. It is a pleasure to see this beautiful city of Xativa which is located in a picturesque environment.

Valencia has many villas and apartments which are located in the midst of beautiful environment. These luxurious apartments and hotels offering continental cuisines at most reasonable rates are the other factors which are responsible for attracting large number of tourists to Valencia.

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Places of interest in Spain – Cordoba

A city of Andalusia, Cordoba is filled with marvelous works of architecture. Many of the heritage buildings are found in Cordoba. Apart from historical buildings, the city has many parks and museums which attract large number of tourists all through the year. Now let us go round this city.

Brief history:

The earliest human presence in this area according to experts can be traced to 32000 BC. The Romans, Moors and Christians left their indelible impression on the life of people here. Some of the religious practices followed by these ancient civilizations are practiced even to this day.

How to reach?

It is about one hour drive from Malaga Airport. The place is very well connected by road from Zaragosa, Madrid, Barcelona and Malaga. Fast train services are also available from these cities.

Boarding and lodging:

There are plenty of villas and apartments where the tourist can stay comfortably. Accommodation is available to suit all categories of tourists. There are plenty of hotels, restaurants and bars which provide most delicious food.

Places of interest:

Tour operators are of the opinion that at least about three to four days are required to visit all the major tourist spots in Cordoba. The mosque of Cordoba which was constructed during the period of Ummayad civilization and later converted into a Cathedral is one of the main attractions of this city. The Mosque is an outstanding example of Roman and Visigoth architecture. The city has many churches of fame  like the Church of San Agustin, Church of San Miguel, Church of San Pedro, San Andres church to name a few. Apart from this, there are many monasteries. Tourists are advised to visit Walcha cave which is believed to have been built in 1489. Some of the outstanding works carried out during Roman Empire like Roman Bridge, Roman Mausoleum and Roman temple are other places of interest in Cordoba. Tourists have a wide range of museums to visit in Cordoba. Some of the popular museums are Dioceses Museum, Three culture museum, Bull fighting museum, Julio Romeo de museum and Archeological and Ethnological museum

There are plenty of parks like Park of Miraflores, Park Cruz Conde, Garden of Agriculture, Garden of the victory and Garden of the Conde de Vallellano.

Festivals:

May festival is one of the most popular festivals of Cordoba. Patios festival is celebrated during this period. Private people can compete by decorating the patios. Many people from far and wide take part in this festival.

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Spain- Museum Prado

The official opening of the museum Prado was organized on 19th November 1819. At that time the museum had only 311 paintings from Spanish painters. The number of works is constantly growing. Paintings from the Italian school were brought in the large gallery, so after six years the museum had 755 paintings.

MUSEUM OF FERDINAND VII

German painter Anton Raphael Mengs had a prominent position at the court of King Charles III and under his influence the king got interested in science and art. The King made a decision to equip a building that belonged to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts to place artistic and scientist collections there and to raise a museum next to it.

The construction of the museum Prado (Spanish Prado - "Meadows") from the 18 century was not very smooth. The reason for the delay was the death of Charles III in 1788. However, in the early 19th century plan of building the museum began to receive an official form.

When the Museum Louvre in Paris was established in 1791, Spanish government ordered the transfer of Murillo paintings from Seville to Madrid. The tendency of opening museums next to palaces was followed by all European countries. This idea was widely accepted in high government circles. Napoleon's intervention in Spain and the appropriation of the Spanish throne had an impact on the achievement of this plan. Thus in August of 1809 the Museum Prado was founded in Madrid. 

Nationalization of the Museum

Architectural building of the Museum Prado also deserves special attention because it is a bright example of Classical art in Spain.

Elegant lines, harmonious proportions, the height of the walls, dimensions of the hall are exactly as they should be in one magnificent museum area. In 1930, a magnificent rotunda was constructed in the basement of the Museum Prado. This outstanding architectural achievement is with no natural light. Additional parts of the building built in the 19th and the 20th centuries have not violated the harmonious appearance of the building.

Until 1868 the museum was getting most of the works from the royal collections. However, when it was nationalized after the revolution, painters were in charge of it. The most significant event in the life of the Museum Prado is the creation of the patronage in 1912. This patronage decided to extend the building with additional 24 rooms. The expansion was completed in 1920.  The main gallery was changed, the central stairway was built and two new buildings with 16 halls were attached.

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Spain- Menorca

Menorca is the least crowded of the three main islands of the Balearic Islands, maintaining the balance between preservation and development of environmental tourism. This is a small island but it has many attractions.

Numerous conquerors

Menorca was the crossing point of the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs and Christians.

Furthermore, Menorca was invaded by the Turks in the sixteenth century, later it was occupied by the British and French during the eighteenth century. It is a good traveling destination due to its rich history. It is also an interesting option for those who like small white sand beaches, green fields dotted with cows and prehistoric monuments. Menorca is the second in size among the Balearic Islands; the island does not measure over 50 kilometers long - the distance between the capital Mahon and the city "Venetian" of Ciutadella varies between 10 and 19 kilometers.


Biosphere reserve


It was declared by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve in 1993. Menorca has a discrete infrastructure to accommodate visitors. Now nearly 50 percent of its area is a national park, the Albufera Es Grau and it has more than two dozen areas of special interest.

Menorca has a lot to offer, from the beaches of the North surrounded by pine trees to the peaceful South. Moreover, there are many interesting sites such as a port of the capital, the cobblestone streets of Ciutadella, prehistoric settlements and the villages of whitewashed houses. The traveler must provide himself with a map and set his itinerary according to the means of transport available. A combination of a good walk, car and a boat would be ideal for exploring all the corners of this Mediterranean island.

Access to the coast is often on private land, so getting to some beaches can be an adventure.

Son Saura, Talaios, EnTurqueta, Mitjana, Macarella and Macarelleta have amazing pristine beaches (but no desert), which are integrated into new areas of nature reserve. Accessing these little havens may include the payment for a vehicle. However, Menorca also has many beaches that are easily accessible. 

Festivals and gastronomy

The most interesting festival of Ciutadella is Los Jaleos in June, where the horse is the principal protagonist. The celebrations, which date back to medieval times, are based on games and the usage of the techniques with a stick at full gallop.

The festivities with horses are typical for the whole island.

In July, the maritime procession of the Virgin del Carmen takes place in Mahon. In addition, the celebration of the Virgin de Gràcia is held in September.

Food is another treat for visitors of Menorca. The offer is varied and of good quality, so this is a good destination for pilgrims of good food. Lobster caldereta is the island's best known dish. Other local specialties are aubergines in the oven and rabbit with figs or oliaigo (a stew of onions, sometimes with figs, garlic, green peppers and tomatoes).

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