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There's a good reason Spain's second largest city after Madrid is one of Europe's (indeed, the world's) most popular cities - famous and beloved for its art, architecture, culture, cuisine, and nightlife ever since hosting th
These days, Spain is one of the world's most socially progressive countries - for example, it was the third to legalise same-sex marriage, back in 2005 - and has legal safeguards in place for marriage equality, same-sex adoption rights, a
Read more…Catalans are traditionally a bit scatological, and they’ve got not one but two traditions to prove it. First is a Christmas log called Tió de Nadal or Caga Tió (“pooping log”), a hollowed-out bit of rustic wood – usually around
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A remote set of islands off the coast of northwest Africa, they're a beach destination hugely popular with Europeans, and offer lots of ecoutourism and history as well. From the hopping beaches of Gran Canaria, Tenerife and La Palma to the lower-key,
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Notre Dame in Paris, London's St. Paul, St. Peter's in Rome - some of Europe's greatest cathedrals are justly famous and huge tourist draws. But of course Christian Europe offers myriad other cathedrals which are lesser known but als
Feet firmly planted on the ground, left elbow out, forearm straight, hand and wrist covered with a thick leather glove, I looked apprehensively at the master falconer standing by my side. He had just sent a magnificent Harris's hawk into
With just over a week to go before Christmas, cities across Spain, as many other cities in the world, are pulling out the stops and decking the halls with boughs of jolly. This blog has covered the festivities in biggies like Madrid and Barcelona
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It’s that time of year again. In Spain, practically every day is the “feast day” of at least one Catholic saint. But the most famous of all is today, the Feast of Santiago (St. James the Greater), a disciple of Jesus Christ whose relics after his
Yesterday marked the 528th anniversary of the fall of Islamic Granada to the armies of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, marking the culmination of the Reconquista from the Moors - whose Umayyad Caliphate forces had swept into the Iberian Penins
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Turrón, Spain‘s traditional holiday sweet, is as iconic here as the Reyes Magos (Three Wise Men) who bring presents to children each 6 January. Spaniards won’t ask you where you spend Christmas, they will say, “where do you eat your turrón“? If it
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The city most popular with visitors to Spain (and one of the most popular in the world, in fact) holds that status for very good reason. The capital of Catalonia is a truly terrific trove of history, culture, architecture, dining that's unique in
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Iberian mountain system resorts offer a fantastic opportunity to holidaymakers looking for something a little different. With 27 kilometres of slopes on offer, there’s no shortage of skiing available, as well as a wealth of other great activities. T
When I visit Madrid, I always make a point of stopping at least once for a drink or a feed in one of the focal points at the heart of the historic downtown – aka Madrid de los Austrias, Habsburg Madrid. The cobblestone Plaza Mayor (which means simp
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Barcelona is awash with fantastic museums and galleries. So, if you find yourself in the Catalan capital, then be sure them out. Here's a high-powered half dozen to get you started.
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Who hasn't heard about the nightlife in Ibiza? People partying until the morning, the sun beautifully shining above the crystal-clear water – all the elements of this mesmerizing place make people add it to their travel journal in an instant. Even t
In its central area, Spain''s capital has many characteristics that make it stand out among other important cities, which by 2012 made it the thirty-first city most visited worldwide by international tourists, nothing more and nothing less than 4.1 m
During my first visit to Madrid way back in 1978, strolling out near my family’s hotel near Plaza de España, I was gobsmacked to suddenly spy, of all things, an ancient Egyptian temple – right on downtown Calle Ferraz, on a platform in a reflecting
What lovelier and more vivid way to learn the nuances of a foreign culture than rubbing shoulders with the locals, tasting the flavors of their land? Well yes, there is literature and art and music, but we certainly can't appreciate those on an empty
