Eating and drinking in Madrid

Lunch is never served before 2pm, and often they eat lunch later than that. Restaurants often don’t finish the lunch shift until 4.30pm. Consequently, don’t expect to find anywhere to eat your evening meal before 9 or 10pm. If you are wanting to eat earlier then you will have to eat in a more touristy restaurant which of course won’t be as nice.

So dinner from 10pm. Here you can choose a restaurant and enjoy a couple of courses, or you duck into a lively tapas bar (to be found throughout Spain) and join in with the locals. This is always good fun and the tapas bars tend to always have the best atmosphere. The area around the Plaza de la Paja is a good place to find a lively tapas bars full of locals enjoying themselves.

What about drinks in Spain? Sherry of course is native to Spain is popular amongst the locals. There are a variety of different sherries to choose from. For a good aperitif try fino which is dry or if you want a stronger variety then amontilado is the one to choose. There are also plenty of wines produced in Spain, red and white. Red wine is called rioja. If you ask for vino tinto, you may be given a tinto verano which is a twist on the well known Sangria drink, a mixture of red wine and lemonade. Spanish beer is served in small glasses generally known as a cana. A large beer is called a jarra. Coffee lovers should go for a cafe solo which is a very strong expresso served in a small glass.

You can never get bored of the food and drinks of Madrid. The tapas culture allows you to sample anything and everything in small quantities and it can all be washed down with a delicious drink of your choice.

Susana Herrero

Buenos Aires Festivals

January is all about the Cancha de Boca Stadium, also known as “The Sweet Box”. This national stadium begins to come into its own in January each year when the Argentine football season kicks off. The stadium was built in the shape of a horseshoe and fans from all over the country turn out to watch their heroes play.

The Argentine Crafts & Traditions Fair takes place every Sunday and on bank holidays in January opposite the cattle market (mercado de Hacienda). Here you can find free dance, music and even craft workshops. There are many stands with local crafts and produce to buy.

February sees a Buenos Aires Tango Festival. Over 150 Tango performers take part and provide free shows, concerts and of course lessons. The festival is also when the Metropolitan Ballroom Tango Championship takes place.

The Women’s Marathon takes place in March and coincides with the International Women’s Day. The marathon starts at the University of Buenos Aires Law Faculty Building.

For book lovers out there, the Buenos Aires Book Festival is in April and draws more than a million visitors to the La Rural Exhibition Complex.

A Military Parade takes place in May
In 1999, a military parade marking the 189th anniversary of the Revolucion de Mayo (May Revolution) took place after a 10-year absence, to once again become an annual tradition with soldiers parading past the Casa de Gobierno.

June is when tango is used to mark the anniversary of vocalist Carlos Gardel’s Death.

There is a bit of a mixture in July as The International Video-Dance Festival takes place as well as La Rural International Exhibition which is a livestock and agriculture fair. Also in this month there is the Argentine leg of the FIA World Rally Championship .

August sees the popular Snow Carnival take place where the ski resorts of Argentina come alive. There are parades, ski jumping and contests.

The International Guitar Festival is held in October which sees artists of different genres come to the city from all over the world to play for the public for free.

November is the month for the world-class Argentine Open Polo Championship and furthermore, is also the month of Pride. This weekend marks the 1969 formation of the city’s first ever gay assembly. There is a flamboyant parade with floats and drag queens beginning at Plaza de Mayo and progressing to Plaza Congresso, finally ending at Avenida de Mayo.

Susana Herrero

Rome Nightlife

If you are not too much into the pub scene however, even just taking a stroll through the city when the sun has gone down is a pleasure. With so much to look at like the romantic restaurants, beautiful streets and of course all the people, you can spend hours just getting lost in the city which is lit up after dark.

If you are looking for a Bar to sit and rest in, Bar del Fico is an excellent choice for a few pre dinner drinks and a spot of people watching! You can purchase reasonably priced drinks and there are even some free bar snacks on offer. It is situated near Piazza Navona and has a large outdoor terrace that is perfect for relaxing on after a long day strolling around the city. Jonathan’s Angels is another bar of note which is owned (and consequently decorated) by an ex-circus acrobat! There is plenty to look at in this extraordinary bar although you can expect to pay a lot for your drinks.

A recommended restaurant is definitely the Vineria il Cianti where you can enjoy a selection of delicious local wines and traditional Italian food. The little courtyard outside is a pleasure to sit and eat in and enjoy the sites of Rome by night.

For any clubbers out there, there are plenty of places to choose from. Amnesia is a popular choice amongst both tourists and locals. Everyone knows it as the club with the glass floor! Ice Club is another good choice- a night club made entirely of ice! On arrival you are offered a warm up wrap, but once the drinks start flowing you pretty soon don’t notice the cold! Definitely well worth a visit.

Susana Herrero

Sitges Car Rally

A real cultural epicenter, there are a wide range of cultural events that take place in Sitges every year. Among them are a great number of international events such as The International Film Festival, The International Jazz Festival not to mention the Barcelona-Sitges Vintage Car Rally.

The Car Rally first began in 1959 and was the brain child of a Sitges tourism promotion. Participating cars are privately owned vehicles made before 1900 and up to 1924. Understandably it is a popular event and attracts a great number of visitors to the area. The title of winner goes to those who not only are the fastest but who are participating in the most original automobile and who are dressed in most accordance with the times of the car they are participating with. A lot of fun is had by all! It usually takes place on the first Sunday of March.

If it is theatre and music you seek, look no further than the Teatre Retiro and the Casino Prado. Here you will find a selection of film screenings, jazz as well as theatrical performances throughout the year. Additionally the Sitges Meliá Hotel’s auditorium is home to a number of musical and theatrical performances. The Summer Concerts Series that is hosted by Sitges is of particular importance as it attracts musicians and visitors from across the globe.

If lying in the sun if more your thing then you can samples some of the 17 beaches- all of them sand. Four beaches can be found on the east side of the town, two are on the west side, and the remaining eleven are urban beaches. The beaches on the west have slightly difficult access however the others have all been award blue flags by the EU so you can be sure they are clean and a lovely place to spend a few days.

With so much to see and do in Sitges, the visitor is spoilt for choice. If you are visiting Barcelona, a trip to Sitges is well worth the effort, and just 35km away, getting there takes no time at all.

Susana Herrero

Anyone for a dip?

Playa las Arenas / Cabanyal
This beach is neatly divided into 2 parts. The southern end of the beach is part of the city itself and is alive with activity and things to do. Promenades, restaurants and bars litter the edge and whenever there is an event or activity being held, it happens here. Further north more sunbathing gets done as the beach gradually evolves into the Malvarossa beach, another popular spot with locals and tourists alike.

Playa de Malvarossa
This is the beach where generally the crowds flock to if wanting a bit of sunbathing time. It is considered the main beach in Valencia and consequently can get rather busy at weekends. The water is clean and clear and the sand is fine. The summer is a particularly busy time for this beach which explodes with life. There is also plenty of nightlife to be enjoyed here during the summer.

Playa de Patacona
There is much more space and tranquility to be found at this beach. It is much less crowded than Malvarossa because the beach is wider and there is more space. The two beaches are separated by a stream with a bridge which also partially obscures the view of Malvarossa giving the impression of more tranquility. It is still a popular beach however and attracts the crowds during summer.

Playa de Pinedo
This beach is not situated in Valencia itself, but it is very nearby. There is a nudist section here also. The quality is not nearly as good as that of El Saler however which is situated only another 5 min down the road by the same bus.

Playa de El Saler
The best beach by far goes to the Playa de El Saler which even holds a blue flag for its quality and cleanliness. Only a half hour bus journey outside the city, it is well worth a visit. Of course it comes with the drawback that it gets very busy during the summer months but that is true of most beaches in Europe.

Playa de la Devesa
The final beach to mention is that of Playa de la Deyesa which is the same high standard of Playa de El Saler but for nudists. It is not developed and is extremely peaceful. There is an area however where you can remain clothed if you prefer - simply turn left at the entrance to the beach.

You can see from this list that there are a great number of beaches to choose from in Valencia. The clean sandy beaches and clear blue waters combined with the hustle and bustle of city life make this a lovely holiday destination for many.

Susana Herrero

Seville Spanish Course

The schools generally offer a range of accommodation. There is the choice of staying with a family, or with other students on the same course in a flat. It is even possible to stay on your own. Lessons can be as intensive or relaxed as you require with group lessons and individual tuition offered. Below is a brief guide to some of the more popular and well known language schools in Seville, although there are a great many more to choose from.

Giralda Center Spanish House-4 week Spanish Course: 465 €
An independently owned and operated school, Giralda Centre is one of the oldest language schools in Seville. There is a choice of Standard, Intensive, Business, DELE prep, Private (One-to-one) and Special group courses. There is also the possibility of doing Spanish Teacher prep. Giralda Center is situated in the barrio Santa Cruz and has seen over 10,000 students through its doors since the early 1980’s. The facilities are located in a renovated Sevillian house virtually at the foot of the Cathedral, Alcazar and other important monuments.

Linc-4 week Spanish Course: 450 €
Linc can be found in the shopping district of Seville. Also independently owned and operated, they offer Intensive, Small Group, Business, Medical, Tourism (Spanish language), Private (One-to-one) and DELE prep Spanish courses.
Smaller than many of the schools, it has modern facilities and is only a few minutes walk from barrio Santa Cruz, the Cathedral and the Alcazar.

Alhambra Institute-4 week Spanish Course: 450 €
The Alhambra Institute is part of a chain of language schools throughout Spain. They offer only Spanish language and it is situated in the Arenal neighborhood. Standard, Intensive, Commercial (Business), Private (One-to-one) and DELE Preparation courses are offered here.

Open School of Languages-4 week Spanish Course: 500 €
This language school is a chain that operates throughout Europe. Apart from Spanish, it is also possible to have language classes in German, Italian, French and Portuguese. They offer Standard, Intensive, Private (one-to-one), and other Spanish classes.

Susana Herrero

San Sebasian twilight

During the summer months, many Spaniards flock to San Sebastian to escape the intense heat of the cities. Relaxing on the beach and enjoying lazy evenings in this elegant resort appeal to many. It is thought of as the cultural capital of the Basque country and is well situated to allow good access to the rest of the towns and cities found in the area. It is also home to a university that around 16,500 students attend.

The beaches of Ondaretta, Playa de Gros and Playa de la Concha are ideal for spending the day sunbathing or enjoying some water sports. This resort is separated from many of the other tourist beach resorts so a more laid back and traditional atmosphere prevails. Playa de la Concha is the most popular beach and is surrounded by lush rolling countryside. There is a romantic atmosphere to the beach as the evening rolls in.

In addition to the beaches, the old quarter in the town is teeming with cafes, bars and restaurants. The heart of the old town is Constitution Square which is home to a large number of balconies that date back to the Middle Ages. Traditionally the Square was used for bullfighting and the balconies were rented by spectators in order to get a good view of the action.

The Baroque Church of Santa Maria, the Gothic Church of San Vicente, and the Museo de San Telemo, a former 16th century convent are three popular attractions that are well worth a visit. There is also the Miramar Palace complete with park, gardens and several outbuildings that offers an alternative to lazing on the beach.

With so much to see and do in San Sebastian, one visit it generally not enough. Whatever time of year you visit, the city is alive with activity and a lot is going on. If you are watersports fanatic, keen skier or just want to relax on a beach, San Sebastian has a great deal to offer. The summer months can become quite busy, so if it is a more tranquil holiday you are after, late spring or early autumn are recommended.

Susana Herrero

Shop till you drop in Madrid

Xanadu is a multi level sports and shopping center located to the south of the city on the side of the A-5 highway. Easily reached by Car, Bus or Taxi it is also provides for disabled people and young children. Besides the huge array of shops that can be found here, Xanadu also contains the largest indoor ski slope in Europe! Your kids can be entertained whilst you get down to some serious shopping maybe.

The largest shopping complex in Madrid houses the PlazaNorte2 and can be found to the North of the city. The whole complex is enormous and holds a great number of independent stores. There are a number of supermarkets and Department stores located here. PlazaNorte2 is just one part of the complex but holds itself over 200 shops. You really need a whole day for this complex due to its sheer size. A number of bars and restaurants can be found at this shopping centre, great for relaxing in after a hard days shopping.

The Sexta Avenida is so-called because of its location at the side of the A-6 highway. This strategic loaction means that can be reached by Car, Bus or Train very easily. Over 100 stores are located here and the inside “Terraza” (terrace) that has bee built inside the centre means you can enjoy Spanish food whilst undercover all year round.

There are the biggest shopping centres to be found in Madrid, however there are some smaller places to visit. Las Rozas Village is a popular outlet village close to The Sexta Avenida, and El Jardin de Serrano is the only place in the centre of the city, close to many of the hotels. This makes it very popular with tourists. If shopping centres and department stores are not your thing however, there are numerous shops and boutiques within the bustling shopping district. You will find all the major high end designer brands here if you really would like to get down to some spending!

Susana Herrero

Madrid fiesta

The first festival to mention is Carnival. Culminating on Ash Wednesday and to mark the beginning of Lent, parades and costume parties take place throughout the city lasting for several days. On Ash Wednesday there is the traditional burial of the sardine which officially signals the start of Lent.

The Fiestas del 2 de Mayo are popular as it is a time when concerts, sporting events and open air dancing takes place. Bullfights are also a common occurrence during this festival of the Community of Madrid.

Hot on the heels of this fiesta, on May 15th celebrations begin surrounding the month-long Fiestas de San Isidro who is the Patron Saint of Madrid. First comes a traditional Romeria, a pilgrimage to the Saint’s Meadow in order to drink from the miraculous water at the fountain of the hermitage. Locals all wear traditional Castizo dress for this occasion and there are plenty of traditional barquillos (rolled wafers), buñuelos (fritters) and rosquillas (doughnuts) for sale.

Truly a party season in Madrid, there is also the Feria Taurina held in May until the middle of June. This is the world famous bullfighting fair held at the Plaza Monumental Las Ventas bullring. Accompanying the bullfights during this Feria are concerts, open-air dances and plenty of other outdoor celebrations.

June 13th sees the Day of San Antonio, where young girls go to the the hermitage of San Antonio de la Florida. According to the tradition of dressmakers, a single girl must place 13 pins in the baptismal font, and if one of the pins sticks to her finger, it is said she will marry during the year.

From the 6th to 15th August, the individual districts within the city of Madrid hold fiestas. The Fiesta de San Lorenzo, San Cayetano and the Virgen de la Paloma all take place with processions, dancing, and concerts in the park of the Vistillas and vicinity, held just on pavements.

So as you can see, Madrid truly holds its own in the Spanish Fiesta calendar. All of the celebrations are well worth joining in with as they are truly great fun. The processions are remarkable and the parties go on well and truly into the night.

Susana Herrero.

Lisbon's Vasco de Gama bridge

The city is littered with museums where you can discover the secrets to the city and the country’s past. Additionally, there is a wealth of gardens, monuments, and plenty of events through which the rich historical past can be brought to life.

Lisbon is the most westerly capital city in Europe. The climate is good and short mild winters are followed by long and hot summers. Between December and March there is rainfall, but as you saunter through the long, narrow, winding streets, even the rain can feel pleasant and romantic. The warm summers have given rise to a cafe culture that exists throughout the city that buzz with life throughout the year. What better way is there to spend a lazy afternoon soaking up the rays in a pavement cafe. Alternatively, a gentle stroll by the river is an enjoyable way to spend an hour or so.

The centre of it is situated on seven hills. Some of the streets are so steep that cars are unable to scale them! It is no wonder that a funicular service serves the city and is heavily used. To the west of the city the Monsanto Natural park can be found. This is one of the largest urban parks found in the entire world and a peaceful and relaxing place to sit. All in all, Lisbon is a fantastic city to explore. A rich past gives the city character and charm, whilst the vibrant and buzzing atmosphere of the present ensures there is something for everyone to enjoy here.

Susana Herrero.