For most tourists, the Alhambra is an essential pilgrimage and, as a result, predictably crowded. At the height of summer, some 6 visitors tramp through daily, making it difficult to pause to inspect a pretty detail, much less mentally transport yourself to the 14th century. Schedule a visit in quieter months, if possible; if not, then book in advance for the very earliest or latest time slots. The Alhambra takes its name from the Arabic al-qala’a …

At the time I’m writing, near the winter solstice, Madrid’s sunset is around 17:55, more than an hour later than the sunset in, for example, Naples, which is at a similar latitude. The same difference holds at the summer solstice and around the year. Just because it applies to most places I’ve been, a time like that in Naples feels more natural to me, and probably to most non-Spanish people. But is it? Looking for other regions of the world having …

I have a problem when I travel. Just like I can’t sit still normally, I also can’t just travel to one place. Going to just one place and returning home again seems like a waste to me. What if there’s somewhere else close by that’s worth seeing? I’d have to travel all the way back again which might never happen. I never noticed until I started blogging about some of my travels and a pattern started to emerge. When I went to Norway for Easter it was …

Of all the crazy Spanish fiestas that take place throughout the year there is nothing wilder than the Carnival celebrations in late February. The week leading up to Lent is a time for wild partying in some parts of Spain when the country plays host to Europe’s biggest and best Carnival festivals. There are a few speculations on the origins of Carnival in Spain. Most popularly it is believed the term Carnival derives from the words “farewell to the …

We have put together a hand selected list of the most important things to do and see in Hondarribia. Everything from eating pintxos in the Marina to visiting the Old Town – if it deals with Hondarribia tourism, we’ve got you covered. Santa Maria Gate & medieval wall Interior of the Santa Maria Gate Hondarribia s Old Town Balcony in Hondarribia s Old Town Plaza Guipuzcoa Kale Nagusia - Main Street of Hondarribia s Old Town Inside Hondarribia’s …

Depending on how you count, there are 22 Spanish speaking countries in the world. The five most populous countries where Spanish is the official language are Mexico, Colombia, Spain, Argentina, and Peru. The 22 Spanish Speaking Countries of the World = CIA World Factbook, = National Geographic, = NationMaster, = Wikipedia, = Lonely Planet, = Wolfram Alpha, = If It Were My Home The United States? Should the United States be considered a Spanish speaking …

The airline, Iberia, defended the test in the name of safety. Government and union officials decried the practice as sexist. Iberia said this week that it would drop the practice after being fined for discrimination. The airline required potential employees to pass a series of tests before being hired, including a medical examination, which for women meant a pregnancy test. Iberia described it as a routine step used to ensure the safety of employees …

If you’re sick of tricky calling cards when calling Spain, you should check out our handy dandy “How To Call Spain” guide just below. To call Spain from the U.S., just follow these simple dialing directions: First dial 011, the U.S. exit code. Next dial 34, the country code for Spain and finally the phone number (9 digits). Need more help with how to call Spain? Here is a list of some major city area codes and city calling codes: SPAIN AREA CODES …

The Palacio Real (Royal Palace) of Madrid is the official residence of the King of Spain although it is only used for state ceremonies. The Royal Palace was built between 1738 to 1755 and King Carlos took up residence in the palace in 1764. Pamplona is a city in Navarra, famous for its San Fermín festival held each year from July 6th – 14th. At the heart of the festival is El Encierro, the Running of the Bulls, an activity that involves running in …

Muslim supremacy over the region began in 713 when the Visigothic region of the Extremadura, and its commercial capital of Mérida, capitulated to Muslim Governor Musa ibn Nusayr in a pitched battle. At this time Plasencia was not a major settlement, and as the Islamic rulers learned, most of the Extremadura was sparsely populated and peppered with only minor fortifications and castles. While elite Muslim Arabs stayed in the more fertile lands in Iberia …

Santa Pola – madinga vieta, kuri turistus vilioja paplūdimiais ir jūros pakrante. Čia taip pat yra akvariumas, pramogų parkas. Jūsų laukia itin didelis barų ir kavinių pasirinkimas. Istorinį ir kultūrinį šio krašto paveldą geriau pažinsite apsilankę tokiose žymiose vietose kaip Šv. Marijos bazilika, Altamiros rūmai. Daug turistų pritraukia ir tokie lankytini objektai kaip Elčės palmių plantacija ir Santa Barbaros pilis. Santa Pola turi ką pasiūlyti …

Internal divisions within Moorish rule largely explain why the Moors didn’t conquer the whole peninsula in those early days. Had they done so Spain may well have remained a Muslim state until today. Instead an Asturian mountaineer called Pelayo led a band of Christians to the first victory over the Moors at Covadonga in 718. The reconquest had begun. Strangely Moorish Spain wasn’t really ruled by Arabs. It is true that many high positions were taken …

The minimum wage in Spain is known as SMI (Salario Mínimo Interprofesional) and applies to all workers regardless of their age, gender or employment contract, including casual and temporary work or personal work within the service of a household. The Spanish minimum wage (or salario, wages in Spanish) is revised and set each year by the government through a Royal Decree. A variety of factors come in to play when deciding the minimum wage, including …

Question : What is the cheapest round-trip ticket you can get to Madrid? Answer : Ticket costs are hitting as high as $7, 602 over the next three months when flying to MAD from LAX. Check out Delta Air Lines, as they have been booking customers at just $441. Question : If your plans are flexible, have you considered changing your departure day? Answer : The lowest-cost day to fly in August is Tuesday. Flexibility is paramount when booking travel plans …

Scientific evidence concerning e-cigarettes is still very limited, particularly in Europe. This is the first study to estimate the correlates of use of e-cigarettes in a representative sample of the general adult population in a Mediterranean city. The main limitation of our study is attrition of the cohort used, which could lead to a possible no participation bias. This is a cross-sectional study and it is only possible to assess associations, but …