Welcome to Seville

Seville is Spain's 4th largest city with a population of some 710,000. It is a city with soaring summer temperatures which have approached 50ºC on occasions during the last two summers so avoid July and August if possible.
There is nowhere else in Spain that complies so closely with the foreigner's perception of stereotypical Spain as Seville. For it is here that flamenco, bullfighting and fiesta are a way of life. Never more so than during the Feria de Abril (2 weeks after Easter Sunday) when everyone seems to hit the streets for a week long party.
Seville Culture
As with any foreign country, customs and culture will often differ from what travelers are accustomed to. In Seville, and in fact in Spain as a whole, there are a few things that travelers should be aware of before they go in order to make their stay as enjoyable as it can be.
The Spanish do several things that people from other countries, especially Americans, may find strange. In some bars for example, not the nicer ones, people find it perfectly acceptable to throw bits of trash and cigarette butts on the floor. While someone generally comes by and cleans the mess up every so often, the stuff is seen better to be on the floor than on the counter or tables. Another thing that is common in Spain is smoking. Almost everyone seems to smoke and they pretty much ignore no smoking signs, which don't seem to be enforced anyway. Pushing and shoving in line is also commonplace, especially at the train station or while waiting for taxis. Spainards do not mean it rudely, however, so Americans should not be perturbed.
One of the beloved and admired Spanish traditions is the time schedule. Shops usually open around ten (with the exception of a few coffee shops here and there) then close for a short break during the morning, reopen, and close again from around 2:30-5 for the siesta. The city usually settles down during siesta when school children go back home for lunch, employees go home to rest, and even hotel staff take a break. Restaurants are generally still open as it is lunch hour...but it is a slow-paced lunch. Take your time should be the motto in Spain. Also, after this late lunch, you will see Spainards bustling around shopping from 6-8. At nine, dinner is served. Expect to stay out until about 11, at least, every night. Most travelers come to appreciate the relaxed lifestyle in Spain.
www.tripadvisor.com

Seville Weather
In summer the Seville weather is hot, hot, hot particularly in July and August. In these months the streets tend to be empty during the day with people leaving their houses in the early morning and then not leaving them again until late in the evening. This makes for quite a nocturnal life during these months. There is very little rain from June to September.
The winter temperatures tend to be very pleasant and although there can be some rain there are still lots of clear and sunny days.
There are lots of terrace bars and restaurants around Seville where people can sit out most months to have a drink or some food.
www.spanish-fiestas.com

Barcelona Spain Tourism

Barcelona Spain tourism is offers lots of heritage sites blended with traditional significances like museum, theaters etc. the most popular and populous tourism destination of Spain, Barcelona is situated in an important geographical location. It is placed on the north-eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula and on the Mediterranean coast.
The bi-lingual state of Spain, Barcelona uses two languages of similar official priority are of the following type.

Language 1 spoken in Barcelona, Spain is Catalan
Language 2 spoken in Barcelona, Spain is native language Spanish

Spain Tourism offers following types of Transport in Barcelona ,
To getting around the thickest city of Barcelona it is advisable to move through the fastest subways within no time at all, but if you want to enjoy the view of Barcelona city of Spain then you must avail the bus ride in Barcelona which may take a longer time to move on but will compensate the delay with the crystal view of the city.

Features of Barcelona, Spain tourism
Barcelona is a colorful destination of Spain. The lifestyle of Barcelona includes lots of shopping, hanging around the latest restaurants and bars, taking a scroll around the city museums and theaters. The night is always young at Barcelona, anyone wishes to enjoy the night life at Barcelona would not be deprived. Another attractive feature of Barcelona tourism is its local music festivals, as Barcelona is well known for its musical heritage from ancient period.

The magnificent architect of the historical buildings and the museums of Barcelona are the essential look out during Barcelona Spain tourism. Following are some of the greatest attraction of Barcelona,
- Museu Picasso
- La Sagrada Familia
- La Rambla
- Barri Gotic
- Montjuic
- La Pedrera
- Tibidabo

Welcome to Barcelona

Barcelona is the second largest city of Spain and the capital of Catalonia region. Barcelona is situated on the Mediterranean coast, beside Llobregat River. The city is quite old and has important historical significance in Spain. During middle ages it was referred with multiple names like Barchenona Barchinona, Barchelona, and Barcalona etc.

Barcelona Health & Safety :
Be alert, as in any large city. The central part of Barcelona, especially always crowded La Rambla, is renowned for petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, so be watchful when sightseeing, taking pictures or watching street artists. Pickpockets are known to be crafty when devising ruses to dupe tourists out of their money. One popular method is fixing supposed games of chance. An example is the "shell game," where a con artist will have a ball and three boxes. He will show you the ball under one box, and then move them around quickly and have you try to guess which box the ball is under. Two of his accomplices will be betting on the game, apparently winning large amounts of money. When someone else tries to play, though, they never win, since the con artist will pocket the ball so that it isn't under any of the boxes.

The safest thing to do is to not respond to anybody unknown to you who comes up to you on the street, no matter how safe they appear to be. Seemingly benign people can turn dangerous in a heartbeat. Criminals are known to pretend to be hurt, and even dress up in women's clothing, asking for assistance in the street. When the unwary tourist approaches them, however, they will rob him and run off.

Don’t take any valuables with you, keep your bags closed and don’t carry money in your pockets. Also be cautious when using public transportation. In restaurants always keep your bag or backpack beside you or between your legs on the floor so you can constantly see it. Overall, Barcelona is a safe city where violent crimes are rare.

Barcelona Weather :

Mild Climate
Barcelona, benefiting from its location on the Mediterranean, enjoys warm summers and cool winters. Summer is ideal for sunbathing on the city's ample public beaches, with temperature climbing into the 80s (27 C) most days during the hottest months of July and August. Some residents consider August to be too hot, and leave the city in favor of coastal resorts. Expect beaches to be packed with tourists during the summer. Winters are cool, but temperatures rarely dip below freezing. Average lows in December, January and February hover around 40 degrees (4 C) and highs can climb into the fifties. Consider visiting the city during the off-season months of October or April, when Barcelona is less crowded, but temperatures are still relatively warm, although probably not beach-worthy. The wettest months are September and October, which each receive between three to four inches (75-95mm) of rain on average. Averages for the other months are between one to two inches (27-47mm).

Festivals
Special festivals occur in Barcelona throughout the year to celebrate the various seasons. The largest of these is Festes de la Mercè, a week-long party that happens around the 24th of September. The festival commemorates the patron saint of Barcelona, La Mare de Dieu de la Mercè. Events take place around the clock, such as concerts, plays and celebrations in the streets. One popular event is the construction of 'Castellers,' or human towers, which can climb to a height of nine people.

Welcome to Andalusia

Andalusia Culture :

The culture of the Andalusia region of Spain was most highly influenced by the Muslim Moors who governed the region for almost 800 years until the late 1400's. During the time of the Moors' reign, the region flourished culturally with new music, art, and theatre. Technological advances were made, and a tradition of intellectual growth and nurture was founded. Many of these cultural advances laid the groundwork for Andalusia's culture today which is known for its art, dance and music in particular. In 1790 the guitar was invented in Andalusia when innovative musicians added an extra string to a Moorish lute. Less than 100 years later Flamenco music and ballet was born, showcasing the new instrument. Andalusia has also been home to many famous artists including Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali.
The Moors also introduced several new ideas to Europe through their universities in Seville, Granada, and Cordoba including the mathematical concept of zero and several other concepts in physics and medicine that were so influential that they eventually led to the founding of Europe's first universities.

Andalusia Health & Safety :

Many people visit Andalusia each year and return home safely without incident, but most recently the region has experienced an increase in the number of crimes reported there, especially those which are aimed towards tourists. This tourist crime seems to be most prevalent in tourist-friendly cities, like Seville and Malaga, and at attractions such as museums as well as at beaches, resorts, and train stations--all of which attract large numbers of travelers. Most of the crimes reported are petty thievery and pick-pocketing, though some assaults have been reported as well. According to Frommer's, many of these crimes seem to be aimed at elderly travelers and Asians, who are perceived by thieves as having greater amounts of money than other travelers.

To protect yourself from tourist crimes while visiting Andalusia be sure to carry as little cash as possible and avoid wearing expensive jewelry and watches. Leave all valuables in your hotel's safe, including your passport. Carry a photocopy of it on your person instead of the real thing.

Thefts from cars are also common so be sure your doors are always locked and that you do not leave items in view where thieves will see them and be temped to break in.

Andalusia Weather :
Andalusia, Spain's southernmost region, has a relatively mild Mediterranean climate that attracts visitors throughout the entire year. Its southern coast, or La Costa del Sol, also known at the The Sun Coast, is somewhat warmer in the winter than Andalusia's Atlantic coast and attracts winter visitors from northern Europe and North America. During the spring, summer and fall months Andalusia is full of tourists visiting its many beaches and historic attractions.

As Andalusia is a large area, its average temperatures can vary from region to region, with the coldest areas during the winter and the coolest in the summer being in the mountains. Many of Andalusia's coastal areas can reach temperatures of over 100 degrees F during July and August. The region as a whole gets more rain during the winter than in the summers, which are generally rain-free, with the rainiest months being December through March.

Andalusia Tourist Board :
Andalusia's official government tourism office has a web page, Andalusia, which provides travelers and would-be travelers to the region with a variety of helpful tourism and travel information and advice. The site provides a nice map of Andalusia's provinces as well as a searchable map and direction feature that allows travelers to choose their destination by street address. Travel brochures can also be ordered via the site as can Andalusia Magazine, the official tourism magazine of the region. Weather reports, travel planners, and transportation information are also available, as well as dining listings and and hotel information.
Another of the site's useful features is its routes planner, featuring several travel routes through the region for driving, hiking, and biking as well as through rural and flamenco territories.

Andalusia Arriving & Departing :
Andalusia is a large area in southern Spain, encompassing many cities. Traveling to the Andalusia region can be accomplished in a variety of ways due to the region's size and the number of major airports, seaports, and roadways found there. Depending upon where one wants to go in Andalusia, one can fly into airports in Seville, Málaga, Almería, Córdoba, Granada or La Parra. Major sea ports are located in Algeciras and Cadiz. Good highways are available to drive to any of these Andalucian cities, or other areas of the province, from any other point in Spain.
The Adalucia tourism website has an excellent transportation page where travelers can go to to search for the best transportation options for them. One simply puts in their destination and preferred mode of travel and the search engine provides information on the nearest airports, seaports, and roadways.

Welcome to Madrid

Welcome to Madrid, the capital of Spain. The city is famous for its Museums, for its classical architecture and for its night life. The best Museums in Madrid are the "Museo del Prado", with Spanish and foreign masterpieces from 1400 to 1700; the "Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia", with a vast a collection of 20th century works; and the "Museo Thyssen-Bornemizsa", with 18th to 20th centuries masterpieces from the Thyssen private collection. But Madrid has many other interesting things to offer. If you come with me, I will take you on a Photographic Tour of this wonderful city.


Madrid Culture :
In Madrid, the art and cultural scene is not limited to museums. Art galleries, cultural centers, public spaces of exhibition and foundations also house incredible shows and exhibits with the latest works of contemporary art.
- At Castello, 77 (Metro Station Nuñez de Balboa), Fundación Juan March is one of the oldest institutions in Madrid that funds exhibitions of Modern and Non-West ern Art including Chinese and Japanese. It was the first to house exhibits of international art.
- Fundación "La Caixa" (Serrano, 60, Metro Serrano) has the best calendar of temporary exhibitions in Madrid.
- Casa de América (Paseo de Recoletos, 2; Metro Banco de España) is a space for the study, research, and exhibition of the Iberoamerican culture. Latin American artists and writers make art and book presentations.
- Círculo de Bellas Artes ( Marqués de la Casa Riera, 2; Metro Banco de España) houses temporary exhibitions of contemporary art and feature music concerts and theater presentations. There is a nice cafe that you can visit at any time of the day.
- Fundacion Arte y Tecnologia ( Fuencarral,1, Metro Gran Via) is a space for new and multimedia exhibitions. It is one of the few in the city and it is part of the Museo Telefonica. source: tripadvisor.com

Madrid Weather :
Spring and Autumns are perhaps the best times of the year to visit Madrid. The weather is mild and the air is crisp. But the two seasons present some differences that you may want to consider when you are planning your trip to the city.

During Spring, that goes from March through May, the days are warm, and the nights, cool. Unlike Winter, people swarm into the streets for the popular "marcha" (the walking across the city, stepping in bars, chatting on the streets, having fun outdoors). A good time to visit Madrid is Holy Week when madrilenos leave the city on vacation. There is some rain and some wind, but it is generally OK.

Autumn (September through November) marks the beginning of the school year and people return to work after the August holidays and there are lots of cultural activities. The days are very enjoyable compared to August high temperatures (although being a dry city with little rain, condition that makes the heat no that oppressive, it can be really, really hot).

In Winter (December to March), there are not so many tourists and it can be a good time to visit if you don't mind some snow and some cold (temperature can go below 0). It is low tourist season and you will find great bargains at hotels and trips outbound Madrid.

And the feared Summer (June through August) is not so bad as publicized. It has a kind momentum in June, and a harsh one in July and specially August. June is the best! Nights are warm and long and you can really enjoy the party atmosphere on the streets. But, July brings temperatures that hit the 40's (over 100 Fahrenheit) and it doesn't cool down very much at night. One good thing is that madrilenos leave the city for their yearly long vacation and there is less traffic, although some restaurants close, the open are less busy and you can appropriate the city in a more leisurely way.

Spain Culture

This segment is about culture with a small "c" emphasizing customs concerning food and meals.
Cultural items- Sometimes travelers are upset that there is no butter with their bread or that someone is sitting forever at the sidewalk café, long after they are done with their snack or meal. These observations reflect lack of understanding of the Spanish culture, and although cultures are blending and becoming more global and international, there still are some differences.

A Spanish breakfast is simply bread, toast, or roll with marmalade. Drink is usually either hot chocolate or coffee with milk. OJ, bacon, sausage, etc. would be served in a hotel that caters to more international taste. Churros are another breakfast item often eaten on the weekend although there are cafes that serve this stick-like pastries daily with a very chocolately hot chocolate. Almost liquid fudge.

The “noon” meal is served between 2 and 3. Many stores close during the siesta to accommodate that tradition. This is the main meal of the day, which consists of three courses plus a dessert of fruit or cheese. Ice cream or cake is a special treat although it’s easy to buy ice cream on the street. Coffee is served at the end. Bottled water is often served, but there is no problem with the drinking water.

Eating on the street traditionally is for children only. Drinking soda and eating ice cream may be done in parks but appears out of place for adults in the city, who are usually dressed in city attire. City attire means long slacks, leather shoes, polo or dress shirt rather than baggy or short shorts, tennis/sports shoes and t-shirt. Although as the world becomes smaller, some Spaniards have adopted these heretofore foreign customs, i.e., eating on the street and wearing casual city dress.
The menu del día will be posted at a restaurant. This is today’s special which is usually a good value. It’s a three or four course meal, often with several choices for each course, all for a fixed price. It usually included bread and wine or mineral water. It does not include coffee, butter or soft drinks.

The evening meal is eaten between 10 and 11 pm. Unless one goes out for dinner, it is usually a lighter meal of huevos (fritos o tortilla) or leftovers.
At the restaurant or café, the customer has the right to stay until he is ready to leave. Then he asks for the bill. If there are many people waiting, that doesn’t interfere with the customer’s privilege. The waiter will give you the bill when you ask for it…not before.

Spain History :
Spain is a country that is rich in history and has been influenced by many cultural groups, which makes this country an amazing and fascinating place. Spain has some of the oldest cultural groups in Europe. The Basque people of the region that is named for them (Basque country) have a language that is said to be one of the oldest in Europe. Their language Euskara has been compared to other European languages and non common origins have been found.

Spain is unique in that it has been a mixing pot for cultures for thousands of years. First the Iberians from the south came, followed by the Celts, the Phoenicians, the Greeks, Romans, and the Moors. Today you see the remnants of many of these cultures in every parts of Spanish life. From the Spanish language itself, to the architecture Spain shows its history. Most notably is the Spanish language which is a Romantic language that has been influenced in many ways by the Arab influence of the Moors. Words and phrases still make reference to the Moorish time period of 711-1492.

When the country of France was able to push the Moorish invasion from their borders thanks to Charlemagne, the Spanish were not. For over 700 years the Moors occupied the Iberian Peninsula. During this time there was a constant struggle for power and control and eventually the Moors were pushed into what is now Andalucía. This time was called the Reconquest and took hundreds of years to accomplish, for example Cordoba fell in 1236, but it was not until 1492 that Granada fell. Today this is most notable in the architecture. In the Northern areas of Spain you see influence from the Romans and very little in the way of the Arab influence. When you travel farther south you begin to see more signs of the Arab influence in cathedrals, baths, etc. Granada is the best example of this influence with its centerpiece of the Alhambra.

Spain was a peninsula of many smaller kingdoms in the years before 1492. It was with the marriage between Isabel I of Castile and Fernando II of Aragon in 1469 that essentially united Spain. Called the Catholic Monarchs their goal was to bring the entire country under the Catholic religion. In 1492 they accomplished their goal by conquering the last Moorish kingdom, Granada. It is in Granada today that you will find the burial place of the monarchs that in many ways changed the world. Shortly after the January conquering, the Monarchs sponsored Christopher Columbus in his quest to find a route to the orient by traveling west. Later that year Columbus found the new world.

Welcome to Spain

Dear visitor, welcome to my Spain web pages. Here you will find tourist information, photographs and travel tips about Spain's main destinations: I consider this site only a starting point.
Spain, with its variety of landscapes, cultures and languages, is one of the world's top tourist destinations. Cosmopolitan cities, beach destinations and historical sites, make of Spain a prefect place to travel.
The main airport in Spain is Madrid (MAD), which links many Southamerican destinations. The second aiport is Barcelona (BCN). Spain's main cities are well comunicated by road, train and air.
Spain is a diverse country, and so it is its climate. The south is very hot in Summer; especailly in July and August. The central part is dry; hot in summer and cold in winter. The north is wet and green, it can be visited all year round, summers are mild.