Schooling in Spain is state funded and is compulsory between the ages of six years and sixteen, given that no courses are repeated. Although non-university education in state-funded schools is free in Spain, parents must pay for books, materials, and sometimes uniforms for their children. Once the required schooling is finished, a student can then opt to continue on to high school (bachillerato) or move on to a vocational school. Only those who finish …

The pilgrims, scallop shells dangling from their backpacks, are up before the sun. In the cool of the dawn I watch from the balcony of my parador, itself a former pilgrims’ hostel, as these doughty hikers cross the old San Marcos Bridge and make their way out of León. This ancient seat of the Reconquista, eponymous capital of the kingdom which famously had 24 kings before its upstart neighbour Castile even had laws, has long been a major way-station …

Every once in a while, usually during a domestic Spanish scandal, Spain decides to kick up a fuss about British rule of Gibraltar. Eventually it all comes to nothing. Nevertheless, it s worth going through the main reasons why Gibraltar is not Spanish, and won t be anytime soon. 1. It is British in perpetuity Lets be clear from the outset. Spain s legal claim to Gibraltar is weak. It does not dispute the Treaty of Utrecht of 1713, the document which …

While growth is back on track, employment and savings continue to struggle amid rising inequality By and It has taken the Spanish economy a decade to claw back lost output after its worst crisis in modern history, but the wounds are far from healed. While gross domestic product is this quarter on track to finally reach the level registered in 2007, employment is almost 12 percent lower, wages remain subdued and social inequality has risen even as …

Trails note- Trails in the Mines of Spain can be affected by water depths of the Mississippi River. Catfish Creek which runs through the park consists of back waters of the river and its depth varies with the rivers depth. Please check water depths of the river by going to River Gages Website Flood stage in Dubuque is 17 feet. The portions of the Calcite Trail and Mesquakie Trail are affected when the river stage is at 15 feet. The Catfish Creek Trail …

We stayed in Murcia for two nights, and it would have been great to stick around longer. This is a city–and region–that’s largely unknown to Americans, but it should definitely be on your radar. It’s affordable, easy to get around, and chock full of all of the mandatory things a Spanish destination should have: we visited cathedrals, did a tapas crawl, shopped at Veronicas market, shopped at the legendary El Corte Ingles (they have everything!), wandered …

I have been living here for the last 7 months and I have had ongoing issues with the management staff, specifically the property manager, Matt. There have been a few issues that I needed the management team to address only to be met with little to no response. The most recent episode is the most upsetting. I cam home on Tuesday from a weekend trip over Labor Day to discover a leak in the ceiling of my second floor apartment. It was after hours and …

Flights to Ibiza arrive at the Ibiza Airport, which is located only 7 km from the center of Ibiza Town. The airport caters to tourists with travel agency desks, tour guides, and duty-free shops, as well as the typical restaurants and cafés. There are banks with ATMs and a bureau de change, and guests have access to a pharmacy, first-aid clinic, and chapel. Passengers arriving on Ibiza flights can hire special taxis or rental cars upon arrival. There …

The medieval town of Pals is located on the Costa Brava, to the east of the city of Girona. 
Situated on top of a hill, overlooking Platja de Pals, this charming town with its cobbled streets, craft shops, traditional restaurants and bars is a great place to visit in Catalonia. The airport just to the south west of Girona is approximately 45 minutes drive. Playa de Pals is situated within a crescent shaped four kilometre bay; it isn t so much a resort …

Sample prices It is always a good idea to budget for a trip so you don’t run out of money. Here are a few sample prices so you have plenty of dosh for your Spanish vacation: Spanish Cordobes hat = €5 Sangria (drink made of red wine, sugar, fruits and ice) = €10 Flamenco show plus drink = €25 Spanish soccer jerseys eg Ronaldinho = from €65 Average room prices = you’ll pay around €15 for a hostel bed, €50 for something mid-range, and €150 and upward …

Coca Castle is unique among Spanish castles: It has only three sides since it is built into a hillside that provides a defense from invaders who attack from the rear. Coca Castle also is unique because its architecture was influenced by the Moors though it was built by Christians in the mid-15th century .Much of the castle’s interior was destroyed in the last century, but the exterior still retains Moorish touches, such as the turrets. Coca Castle …

A few miles away from the bustling beaches of Malaga on the Costa del Sol is Nerja, a charming coastal destination located at the foothills of the Sierra Almijara Mountain Range. Once a traditional fishing village, Nerja has grown to be top tourist destination in Spain, but it retains an authentic Spanish atmosphere. For spectacular views over the water, head to Nerja’s Balcony of Europe, where you can look down at the sea at the site of an ancient …

• Comments Off If you are in Spain at the end of October, you will get the opportunity to celebrate a very unique holiday with a fascinating heritage… the Day of the Dead… ‘Dia de Muertos’ is a holiday that originated in Mexico 3 years ago when the Aztecs held annual ceremonies to honour deceased loved ones and celebrate the return of their spirits. The Spanish conquering of the Empire in the 1500s brought the Catholic element to the holiday in the …

Looking to explore the beauty that is Spain? The AVE is a high speed train in Spain that allows travelers to experience all that the illustrious region has to offer. Plan on breathing the fresh air of Madrid, Seville, Malaga, Barcelona and Valencia. Effortlessly travel by train from Madrid to Barcelona or Madrid to Seville inside one of the window-lined, high-tech AVE cars. Known for its speed, reasonable fares and flexible schedules, the AVE train …

Sarah Lilley is a student at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and was an ISA Featured Blogger. She studied abroad with ISA in Malaga, Spain. For me, the most overwhelming part about studying abroad is the culture shock. I have a unique experience in which I’m not in class […] Hannah Baird is a student at Wright State University and an ISA Featured Blogger. She studied abroad with ISA in Malaga, Spain. As my time in Málaga, Spain, comes to …