All You Wanted To Know About Spain

Summary: Spain is located southwest of France in southwestern Europe, bordered by the Bay of Biscay, the Mediterranean Sea, the North Atlantic Ocean, and the Pyrenees Mountains. The majority of the land is big, flat to separated plateaus bordering the rough hills and the Pyrenees in the north. Spain has invested its time in adapting its monetary and other economic policies of a unified Europe.

Madrid: In the 16th century, Spain made Madrid its capital, and is proud of its nightlife which can cause traffic jams at 5am. Enjoy the Moorish quarter close to the Royal Palace, then continue on to the Centro Reina Sofia museum that features paintings by Dali, Picasso, and Bacon. Next, visit the Museo del Prado to browse the art, then retire to the Parque del Buen Retiro, a serene area with a large artificial lake in the center. Toledo, which dates from the fourth century, and is known for its fabulous cathedral, and quiet nightlife, is about 45 miles to the southwest.

Barcelona: Barcelona has remained popular since playing host to the Olympic Games in 1992. It is known for the narrow alleyways in its Gothic quarter, the Sagrada Familia cathedral, the renowned Museo Picasso that focuses on Picasso’s blue period art, and narrow walkways through the shopping area Passeig de Gracia or Montjudc, which is a hill close to the city center. You can frolic in the sun, sand and sea if you take a side trip to the Balearic Islands of Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca. You can also take in some archaeology and architecture.

Pamplona: The San Fermin Festival is a yearly, week-long event of bulls and partying, that has been going on for over a century. Parties and celebrations can continue throughout the night, and you’ll often come across someone asleep either alongside, or even in the middle of the street. It’s wise to run with the bulls on the first day, if you want to risk it, as there is safety in numbers, and be aware of your exits!

Seville: Located in the western area of the Moorish Andalucia province, the Rio Guadalquivir courses through Seville, where one can find fiestas, flamenco and bullfighting. Begin sightseeing at Alcázar, the royal complex. The Mudejar Palacio de Don Pedro is located at its center. Nearby is the Cathedral which houses Christopher Columbus’s tomb and the Islamic La Giralda minaret towers over it. The Archive of the Indies is also located here, which houses books about restoration projects dating back to the 15th century.

Tips

1. Wind Farms: European countries, including Spain, are moving toward renewable sources of energy. Thus, it is possible to see amazing views of some of these wind turbines. Sometimes hundreds are located in one area, particularly along the eastern areas.
2. Basque Movement: Spain consists of many different cultures and each one is special and independent. Of these, the Basque ETA has created some international concern, although they pursue their separatist agenda by focusing on political targets.
3. Local Traditions: Only tourists typically wear shorts, and it’s customary to dress a little nicer for churches and shrines. Usually people greet each other with two kisses, after expressing dos besos. The weather grows warmer and the natives are more friendly the farther south you go.
4. Food: Tapas are small meals that use a variety of ingredients like small fried fish or local sausage. A few famous dishes include gazpacho, which is a type of cold tomato soup, and paella, consisting of rice, chicken and shellfish.
5. Common words: Si = Yes, no = no, hola = hello, por favor = please, gracias = thank you, usted habla inglés? = do you speak English?
6. Tipping: Hotels will add a service charge to the bill, however maids and bellhops typically expect small tips. Tipping is not required, but it is customary to leave a small tip at bars, pubs, and restaurants, and a larger tip at higher-class restaurants. The usual tip for cab drivers is less than a Euro.

12 Responses to “All You Wanted To Know About Spain”

1. Leia Uehara says:

   October 12, 2010 at 10:09 pm

   Hello there, very good blog that you’ve got. It seems as if we have now identical hobbies about Mallorca as well as Spain. If you please don’t mind, please allow me to invite you to check out the Mallorca and also Spain Fan Portal Web site: Mallorca Community I normally always like to use. Hope you benefit from such as I was pleased with your blog Site and in any case I wish you a nice day. Will keep returning rapidly, or even view your own comment on my personal blog much better? Kind Regards from Mallorca/Spain

   Reply
2. GEMINIJETSGJARPTB says:

   October 13, 2010 at 1:35 am

   Useful information shared..Iam very happy to read this article..thanks for giving us nice info.Fantastic walk-through. I appreciate this post.

   Reply
3. rieves says:

   October 14, 2010 at 7:13 am

   Hi there! I really love reading your blog today! Keep making great posts and I will come back every day to keep reading!

   Reply
4. masrawy says:

   October 14, 2010 at 7:39 am

   I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz reply back as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know wheere u got this from. thanks

   Reply
5. Stefan Stemmer says:

   October 14, 2010 at 3:58 pm

   Hi, maybe this post is off topic but anyhow, i’ve been browsing about your blog and it looks really superb. evidently I’m building a new blog and hard put to have it appear good, and provide really good content. I have learned a lot here and I look forward to additional updates and will be returning.

   Reply
6. kurschner says:

   October 15, 2010 at 12:23 am

   Hi there! I really love reading your blog today! Keep making great posts and I will come back every day to keep reading!

   Reply
7. Joe says:

   October 18, 2010 at 4:50 am

   very good web. Good info congrats. This is one the best Aricles and info I have seen this year

   Reply
8. Anita Bernbeck says:

   October 18, 2010 at 12:46 pm

   Your post is really good thanks for this great article. That was an excellent post! I found this very informative and useful.i truly appreciate this. I am hoping BlogEngine.NET team will be great site in the worlds

   Reply
9. Andrew says:

   October 19, 2010 at 10:14 am

   Hello, I just wanted to take some time today to make a comment and say I have really enjoyed reading your blog. Thanks for all your work!

   Reply