In the middle of the city of Cordoba in Spain, among all the other monuments of Cordoba, stands a veritable mosque-cathedral called: "Mezquita-catedral". Today, this is also considered the tourist sight of Córdoba and one of the most visited tourist sights in Spain. It has as rich a history as the city itself and with a total area of more than 23,000^m2, it is the third largest mosque in the world. In addition to Cordoba's historic center, then, the Mezquita is included in UNESCO's Cultural World Heritage List for good reason. Gilded bronze doors, mosaics, symmetry and wooden decoration characterize this special place. Diving into this fascinating history is therefore extremely noteworthy.

• The cathedral in Cordoba is located in the center of the city and has a Renaissance architectural style.
• Influences of the Moors and Christians are still visible.
• The columns in the prayer hall shape the space and create a timeless symmetry.

Construction of the mosque began around the year 786 AD. In total, it took more than two centuries to finish and was therefore built over the centuries by several architects: Hernán Ruiz I, II and III, Diego de Praves and Juan de Ochoa. The mosque was built on the spot where an ancient basilica previously stood and is located right in the center. The style in which it was built can be seen as Renaissance. In its first years, the Mezquita, which is Spanish for mosque also served as a mosque. At the beginning of its foundation, it was the largest in Europe and the second largest in the world after Mecca. Over the years, the mosque went through quite a few renovations. For example, it received a new minaret (tower to call the faithful to prayer).

After the Spanish conquest ("Reconquista") of the Christians from the Moors, the Mezquita served as a cathedral in the year 1236. However, renovations were only done much later in the year 1523 after permission from Emperor Charles V. Space was made in the middle of the immense hall for a Baroque cathedral in the shape of a large cross. As a result, as many as around 400 pillars had to give way for the arrival of the cathedral. In addition, several chapels were added to the sides of the prayer hall. Upon seeing the rebuilding and the change in construction, the emperor regretted it and said to the architect, "Something was built that is unique in the world, but you destroyed it by (re)building something that could have been anywhere.

Today it serves as a Roman Catholic church, but still reflects the influences of the Moors and the Christians. Despite the renovation that did not go to the Emperor's liking, it does send an important image and message to humanity: an interweaving of cultural and artistic styles that blend in harmony. As a result, it is considered one of the most impressive Spanish cathedrals in Spain.

Before entering the cathedral, you first enter a beautiful courtyard called "Patio de los Naranjos. The name derives from the many orange trees neatly lined up next to each other. When you then walk into the mosque you first enter the prayer hall; a hall with as many as 800 pillars neatly placed symmetrically next to each other. These pillars are each connected by white and red colored columns that shape the space. Surrounding this immense open space are several chapels. Between the chapels is an angular dome, which is also better known as 'Mihrab.' The 'Mihrab' is a prayer niche in the wall that indicates the direction of prayer. At the exit, you walk through an immense bronze door and close this history again. However, not forever, for the memory of this visit remains....

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On the west coast of Latin America lies a very special country with three distinct climates. It is a country very popular among travelers and especially one type of traveler: the backpacker. At the very mention of the name Machu Picchu, it is already clear which country we are talking about: Peru. Peru is one of the world's most popular backpacking destinations. And for good reason, because the options are endless for a perfect backpacking vacation. From the snowy peaks of the Andes to the arid desert of Huacachina - Peru will take you from one extreme to another. Traveling to Peru is a bit more expensive, but the experience you get in return is unforgettable.

•  Backpacking in Peru is an adventure in itself. The many opportunities and sights are each worthwhile.
• There is no need to book accommodation in advance, as there is often room available.
•  The diversity of this country graces to the fullest. From the Andes Mountains to the deep jungle of the Amazon, Peru never ceases to amaze.

Peru officially bears the name Republic of Peru and lies on the land borders of Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia. The Inca culture is world famous and many have heard of it. Because the country consists of three climate zones, namely desert steppe climate, tropical rainforest climate and tropical savanna climate, no two landscapes are the same. The best travel time to go backpacking does not matter much in terms of temperature, as it remains fairly stable throughout the year. This is due to the fact that Peru is located pretty close to the equator so there are fewer temperature changes. However, if you would like to be assured of a sunny stay, it is best to travel between May and October, as that is the dry season in Peru. In preparation for backpacking in Peru, it is advisable to read more about the rich history of this majestic country in advance. This way you can experience and witness the trip even more intensely.

An ideal starting point to begin your trip is in Lima, the capital of Peru. As a backpacker, you don't necessarily need to spend days on the road, as there are also simply day hikes just a few hours' drive from the capital itself. The cost in Peru is relatively cheaper than in the Netherlands, and the average spending per day comes to just over 20 euros per day. In addition, the price of an overnight stay is very cheap. Indeed, from about 8 euros per night you already have a double room. It is not necessary to book everything in advance, because there is almost always room. Throughout the country there are several thousand routes you can follow. Some of these popular routes are the Colca Canyon route, the Canopy route, the Inca route and the Gringo route.

This popular Gringo itinerary is ideal for those who are still complete beginners in backpacking. This itinerary takes you from the Andes Mountains to the Amazon and shows you all the famous attractions of Peru. The trip duration depends entirely on the time you have available and what you want to see, but on average it will be between 2 and 4 weeks. The itinerary generally starts in Lima and then descends towards the south of the country. The places visited are Pisco, Paracas, Ica, Nazca, Arequipaen and Puno. Eventually, after Puno, you will join the Inca route via Cuzco and end the route in the hidden Inca city: Machu Picchu.

This Inca trail is very special. Through the 45 kilometers of trails you will go from Cuzco to Machu Picchu in three or four days. It is recommended that you stay one or two days in Cuzco before you go, so that you can get used to the low oxygen levels in the mountains. What is good to know is that every year during the month of February the Inca trail is closed for ecological recovery. In addition, it is advisable to make reservations well in advance because these famous tourist sites often have a daily limit. Nevertheless, it is definitely worth it, because one thing is certain: a visit to this area will open your eyes.

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Buenos Aires is flooded with film lovers in April - that's because it's film festival time! The Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Film, is also known by its Spanish acronym BAFICI: "Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente". 

The 11-day film festival showcases the very best independent films and projects in cinemas and theaters in the cultural center of Buenos Aires, the downtown neighborhood of Recoleta.

• The films are for 18+ visitors but since 2009, the organization has added the BAFICI category to the festival. This category offers children's films so that children also have the chance to attend the festival.
• Argentina is the leader in the South American film industry and Buenos Aires is therefore a very important film city. Because of this, many film and media students can be found in the Recoleta neighborhood during BAFICI.

BAFICI has been around since 1999 and is growing more and more each year. Last April was its 17th edition and as many as over a million people attended the festival. This film festival is known as one of the most important film festivals in the world by promoting independent film productions so that the most innovative, risky and dedicated films can be shown to the world. Especially for Argentine and Spanish films, BAFICI is a very important event.

BAL, the Buenos Aires Lab is one of the main institutions during the festival. This institution belongs to the city's Ministry of Culture and has a very strong international jury. The winner of BAL, gets to go to the Cannes Film Festival. This has been a tradition between the organizers of the Cannes film festival and of BAFICI for many years. BAL strives to support projects that have a unique character and a link to Latin American cinema. Films and projects that did not make it to the festival are also given a chance during CineMart, the Rotterdam film festival.

The BAFICI is a very popular event in Argentina but also among international film lovers. For visitors who do not speak Spanish, the festival offers Latin American films with subtitles. The festival also offers the chance to speak with producers, directors and actors about their films. During the Buenos Aires cinema event, several awards are handed out for best film, best director, best actor/actress and best script. There are also awards for "Film of The Future," Best Children's Film and a UNICEF human rights award. For many visitors, it is a sport to visit as many films and projects as possible during the festival. Consequently, it is completely planned out what is going to be seen. Tickets can often be bought online in advance, so be there on time. For true film and culture lovers, the Buenos Aires film festival is definitely recommended!

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Mendoza, located in western Argentina and known for its wine production. The area produces as much as 80 percent of Argentina's total wine production. The capital of Mendoza province of the same name hosts the "Fiesta de la Vendimia," also known as the Harvest Festival, every year during the first week of March. A popular festival in Argentina in which 400,000 visitors celebrate the harvest of local grapes and shake up the northern city.

• Fiesta de la Vendimia, Mendoza's harvest festival is number two on the World's Top 10 of Harvest Festivals according to The Guardian. This festival is one of the largest and most popular festivals in Argentina and Latin America.
•  The festivities consist mainly of beautiful parades where each chosen queen parades in an outfit based on characteristics of their region.
• The highlight and conclusion of the festival is the choosing of the Queen of the Harvest. Each of the 18 regions elects a Queen of the Harvest in December and the winner is chosen from among them during the first week of March.

The first week of March is very important in the city of Mendoza. The whole community celebrates together the harvest of the grapes and that the long year of hard work with many efforts is over. For those who suffered from the hail storms and lost their grape harvest as a result, it is time for their hope to be reborn. The harvest festival is not just a week-long celebration. It is a long process and begins as early as the Argentine summer (December). Each of Mendoza's 18 regions first selects a "Queen of the Harvest," who will represent the region during the festivities in the city of Mendoza.

The festival officially begins on the first Friday of March with the first event "Via Blanca. The 'Via Blanca' is a parade in which symbolic vehicles from each region transport their queens through the streets of downtown Mendoza. In decorative outfits, they show the character of their region to more than 200,000 visitors. Be sure to catch one of the bunches of grapes thrown by the queens! The next morning, the "Carrusel Vendimial" takes place. It is a daylight parade where the queens are accompanied by men on horses dressed in Gaucho outfits. The parade is followed by wagons and carriages from colonial times, dancers representing different Argentine and South American regions and musicians. The celebration ends with the "Acto Central," at the famous Frank Romero Day theater, a Greek theater in downtown Mendoza. It is a spectacle with many dancers, lights and folk music. At the end of the show, the Queen of the Harvest is chosen and it concludes with a beautiful fireworks show.

The Mendoza Harvest Festival in Argentina is one of the most famous celebrations of wine and the wine industry worldwide. According to National Geographic's Top 10 World's Harvest Festivals, the Mendoza Harvest Festival ranks No. 2. As such, it is one of the most popular festivals in Argentina and in South America. The atmosphere, the people, the folkloric music, the Harvest Festival in Mendoza is definitely worth a visit. Especially for people who are into wine; it is a carnival party for wine lovers!

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A country on the west coast of Latin America, a rich culture and diverse gastronomy; Peru amazes everyone with its dishes. To let everyone enjoy these dishes, Peru has the world-famous and largest culinary festival in Latin America: the Mistura Festival! With the most traditional and all new Peruvian dishes prepared in all kinds of ways, Mistura is a festival that you really must have experienced once to understand its atmosphere. Besides the food, you can also enjoy traditional dance performances that will show you the real Peru.

Peruvian Cuisine

On the west coast of cultural Latin America lies the Spanish-speaking country of Peru. Peru is the land of abandoned Inca cities and spectacular biodiversity, as well as unique and varied cuisine. Peruvian cuisine is a mix of Indian, Spanish and African cuisine, complemented by the best of Asian cuisine. The country is known for its varied cuisine as it consists of as many as 491 dishes. One of the most popular dishes of Peruvian cuisine is ceviche, a dish that consists of a raw fish dish where a variety of fish can be used. The fish is marinated with sour orange, lime or lemon and onions and peppers are added. The fish dish is often eaten with a rich salada, corn, avocado and potatoes. Another popular and traditional dish is ocopa, consisting of potatoes topped with a sauce of green peppers, herbs and cheese. Almost every dish is eaten with potatoes and a drink. The drink can range from the commonly consumed pilsner beer to a popular drink of Peru: Inca Kola. This yellow-colored soft drink with a little pungency is made from lemongrass and chamomile and tastes like bubble gum.

To celebrate the culinary tradition and allow everyone to enjoy what Peru has to offer, a festival is organized every year that today already attracts half a million people from all over the world. The festival is called Mistura and is held in Peru's capital city of Lima. In Spanish, it is also called La Feria Gastronómica Internacional de Lima. In 2008, Peruvian cuisine was first shared with the world in this special way and 23,000 people were able to enjoy Peru's flavorful and varied food. The festival lasts an average of 10 days, but this varies from year to year. Peru is very proud of its Mistura and rightly so, as the Mistura is the largest culinary festival in Latin America and culturally very important to Peruvians. The increase in the number of visitors in 5 years has meant that the number of restaurants has also increased, especially in Lima.

The festival has a theme every year, September 2013's theme was "water," where the best chefs went wild on all the fish and made amazing dishes out of them. In addition, the Mistura is divided into different worlds: north, south, east, Andes and the Amazon. There are also sections that focus specifically on certain dishes, such as popular Peruvian dishes like ceviche, quinua and anticucho. The Mistura festival brings everyone together; bakers, cooks, waiters, cooking schools, restaurants, food vendors and all cooking enthusiasts. Everyone engages in the delicious food found in Lima for 10 days. Although the food is the most important part of the Mistura, attention is also paid to traditional dance performances. Peru's cultural, culinary Mistura festival can be found every year in Lima and will be even more elaborate and better each year.

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Oranges are popular all over the world, but where do the tastiest oranges come from? Spain is a major exporting country of oranges, with the city and region of Valencia in particular. Its Mediterranean climate allows these fruits to be grown here at the right temperatures. The sweet flavors of the perfect-looking Valencian oranges come out best this way. Moreover, different varieties are grown, each with its unique characteristics.

• Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins for a human being and you can find it in an orange!
• There are even different varieties of the Valencian orange.
• Visit one of the many fields around Valencia to experience the unique taste sensation in the place itself.

That fruit is healthy, everyone knows. But that oranges, especially Valencian oranges, are good for various ailments of the body and your mood? Valencian oranges contain vitamin C, which is the tool to ward off your body from flu, colds and winter weather. On top of that, they are good against digestive disorders, headaches, rheumatism, stress and depression. So with a Valencian orange, you will always be in good spirits! They are used for a variety of purposes. Not only can you simply make juice from it or make it totally come into its own in a summer fruit salad, Valencian oranges are also used for Dutch jam because of its sweet-sweet taste.

Oranges are descended from a citrus fruit. The fact that the orange is related to the lemon is therefore no surprise. This delicious, orange fruit gets its best flavor when cultivated at a temperature averaging 23 degrees Celsius; the perfect place for this is the Valencia area! This is because Spain has a Mediterranean climate in the east of the country, long, hot summers and mild winters. This is perfect for growing oranges. An orange is smaller but sweeter than grapefruit and larger than a tangerine. The smell of an orange is not as strong as that of a tangerine.

There are different varieties of the famous Valencian orange. Not all oranges are round and orange. La Naranja Navelina is medium-sized, often just round but sometimes slightly oval, bright orange in color and has very juicy flesh. The perfect example of a Valencian orange is the Naranja Salustiana, the excellent fruit is very sweet and has lots of juice. Then you have the Naranja Navel lane late and the Navel late, they don't differ much, but just enough to separate them from kind. The Navel late is smaller and less popular because of its elongated shape and less thick but consistent skin. Its color is additionally less pleasant for an orange: light orange. However, this has nothing to do with the taste of an orange. The second perfect example of a Valencian orange is the Naranja Valencia, quite surprisingly.

The fruit is medium-sized, a little oblong and has a fine, thin skin. The taste is to write home about, Naranja Valencia has a very pleasant flavor; nice and sweet with a slight hint of acidity. It is the newest variety grown in Valencia and is considered one of the best. A distinct variety is the Naranja Sanguina. There cannot be much more different about an orange, yet this variety has something special; it differentiates itself from others by its red pigments in the skin as well as in the fruit itself. In addition, it has a little raspberry or cherry flavor in it, making it a unique type of orange.

Valencia has its fields for oranges in the area around the city and some of these can be visited. The orange trees in the city of Valencia are mostly just for ornamental purposes and these fruits do not have the real, distinctive taste of Valencian oranges. It is recommended to go to the largest fish, meat, fruit and vegetable market in Europe in the middle of the city, where you can buy the most delicious oranges!

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Every year at don Quijote we welcome thousands of students who want to learn or improve their Spanish, but there is no greater compliment than students who come back to learn Spanish with us. To introduce you to these students, we would like to introduce one of them to you. Bernd Pappenburg is a Spanish teacher in Germany and because of his job he needs to have a good level of Spanish to be able to teach it well to his students at home.

Bernd has visited our schools all over Spain, in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and since 2006 he has been coming regularly to our school in Tenerife. It seems that in Tenerife Bernd has found his ideal place to combine work and vacation, and when Bernd refers to work we think he is referring to taking our Individual classes. These classes give Bernd the opportunity to address specific topics in a customized course. Bernd also said that one of the reasons he likes coming back to Tenerife is the family atmosphere (it is one of our smallest schools in Spain) and the fact that don Quijote's teaching method has been continuously improved over the last 25 years.

By combining his vacations with this customized course, Bernd not only has a high level of Spanish, he also improves his teaching skills to give his students the best learning experience possible. At don Quijote we are proud of all our students who come to take a course, but students like Bernd are special to us. Not only is Bernd a returning student, he is also a co-teacher who shows his confidence in don Quijote to best prepare him for all the challenges he may encounter while teaching Spanish in a high school.

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Carnival in Spain: Tenerife and Cadiz

Everyone in the Netherlands knows the concept of carnival. Either because they have celebrated it themselves in the south of our country, or because of the summer carnival in Rio de Janeiro. But carnival is also a well-known celebration in Spain. Carnival is celebrated throughout the country but especially in Cadiz and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, carnival is celebrated in a big way.

• The third largest carnival in the world is in Cadiz.
• In 2015, carnival takes place between Feb. 12 and 22.
• The Santa Cruz de Tenerife carnival is the second largest carnival in the world after Rio de Janeiro.

Carnival in Spain is celebrated in almost the entire country. This celebration takes place in the 10 to 14 days before Ash Wednesday. This is on the same date as the Dutch carnival. This year carnival took place between Feb. 28 and March 4.

The two most famous places where carnival is celebrated in Spain are Cadiz and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The world's largest carnival takes place in Rio de Janeiro. However Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Cadiz host the second and third largest carnivals in the world.

From home and abroad, many people come to visit the Carnival in Cadiz. Every day is a big party. Carnival in Cadiz is all about the singing, humor and irony. Even weeks before the carnival begins, carnival groups are practicing their songs. These songs make great use of humor and sarcasm. On the Friday of carnival, a carnival group that has won is announced. This is followed by partying until the early hours. On Sunday and Monday, it is then the honor of the choirs to perform their songs. In addition to all the singing during Carnival in Cadiz, several parades also take place. For example, the largest parade takes place on Sunday and the humorous parade on the last weekend.

Tenerife carnival opens with a big parade on the first Friday of carnival. Tenerife carnival is most similar to the Brazilian carnival. Exuberant costumes, floats and rhythm are several features of carnival in Tenerife. The election of La Reina, that year's carnival queen is one of the many highlights during carnival in Tenerife. Throughout the week there are several parades throughout the city. Carnival ends with "El Corso," which is the largest and most beautiful parade during Carnival. This parade takes place on the Tuesday of carnival and after this, carnival in Tenerife comes to an end.

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In the Netherlands, everyone has heard of the term "carnival. Either because you have celebrated it in one of the southern provinces of the Netherlands or because of the spectacular summer carnival in Rio de Janeiro. But carnival is not only known there. It is also exuberantly celebrated in Spain and the rest of Latin America. Around February, Carnaval de Oruro is the biggest annual event that takes place in Bolivia's folkloric capital, Oruro. Since 2001, Carnaval de Oruro has been listed on UNESCO's List of Masterpieces and Oral Intangible Heritage of Man.  

• Bolivia's biggest event and one of the largest carnival celebrations in Latin America.
• In 2014, the carnival took place between Feb. 28 and March 3.
  The Carnival of Oruro has a unique, religious nature.

Carnival is celebrated in many ways in Spain and Latin America, but the Carnaval de Oruro is different from other carnival events. This folkloric celebration is special because of its religious nature: the adoration of the Virgin (Holy Virgin) Morena (dark-colored) del Socavón (the mine shaft). Also called Virgin de la Candelaria, the guardian saint of the mine shaft.

The event officially begins 8 days before Ash Wednesday with the same devil dance every year, the "Diablada. Unlike Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, where a different theme is chosen each year.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday are the three main days of the carnival. Friday is the day the ch'alla ritual is performed. This ritual is very important for the miners of Bolivia. During this ritual, the Tío de la Mina, the mythological god of the mine, is honored and thanked for its protection. After this ritual, the miners celebrate a big party. Saturday is the day of pilgrimage and the parade "La Entrada," in which as many as 50 dance groups from the area participate and then present various Bolivian dances. The 'La Entrada' continues into the early hours, until the first rays of sunshine appear on Sunday. During these early morning hours, all the groups mingle with the crowd to greet the Virgin de Socavón.   

Carnival de Oruro is a popular attraction every year. Many visitors arrive from home and abroad. Accommodation prices rise during the event and bookings often fill up early. The city is equipped with benches and bleachers, and tickets can be purchased on the spot from various vendors. Day trips to Oruro are even organized from La Paz (the capital of Bolivia). An excursion to a ch'alla ritual is also very popular with tourists.

After this ritual, there is a grand celebration that involves lots of water and foam. Tourists are often targeted, so be prepared!

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Spaniards are known as late eaters. Because there is a lot of time between meals, Spanish Tapas is convenient as a snack. Tapas is part of the Spanish way of life and there is no thought that it will ever disappear.

• Every February a tapas fair is organized in Seville. This is where many bars and restaurants participate and compete against each other to create the best tapa.
• Many of these traditional tapas served during the fair are made up of the Spanish cheeses and hams.
• In February, Seville has a pleasant temperature and is a good month to visit the city!

Tapas in Seville

More than 50 restaurants and bars officially participate in the Tapas Fair. At the "Palacio de Congresos" and the "Exposiciones Center" located on Avenida de Alcalde de Luís Uruñuela, varied, famous, traditional and flavorful tapas are offered. It is a popular Spanish tradition for restaurants and bars to compete with each other and creatively serve their unique, homemade tapas of up to €2.50. Home-town visitors as well as tourists are welcome to sample these Spanish delicacies. In addition to the many tapas offered at the fair, drinks are also very popular. From Sherry to wine and beer, anything that can be combined with tapas is present. Traditional wines from Seville and its surroundings, such as white wines and the so-called Sevillian "fino" (a dry sherry consumed as an aperitif) are also available during the fair.

Many of the traditional Spanish tapas sold at this annual fest are based on Spain's popular hams and cheeses, regional delicacies such as duck or kidneys in Pedro Jimenez sauce, roasted figs wrapped in bacon, tortillas de camarones and shrimp fritters. Participants serve about 8 to 12 different tapas that include "cocina casera" (homemade dishes), "chacina" (meats), "marisco" (seafood), "caracoles" (snails), "pescadito frito" (fried fish), "revueltos" (scrambled eggs) and "ensaladas" (salads). The tapas are kept under glass heat showcases that make the tapas look scrumptious. Almost all tapas contain garlic and often paprika and, of course, olive oil.

Visiting Seville in February is the chosen time for a city break to enjoy the city as well as the traditional tapas offered in bars, restaurants and hotels. Also, the temperature in February is very pleasant and not as extremely hot as during the summer.

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