With the wind through your hair and the sun in your face, feeling free and safe: that's what cycling in Seville gives you. Thanks to its many amenities and the fact that it is a relatively flat city, Seville is known as a city of cycling. While cycling, you can pass by the monuments and most special places that once seemed unreachable, but are now suddenly within reach. Long distances become short and short distances are more often covered by bicycle. Even in the heat of the day, a bike ride becomes child's play thanks to the pleasant addition of a light breeze. With the arrival of "Sevici," Seville's public bike rental service, cycling has never been easier.

• In July 2007 at the station of 'Ponce de Leon' the first public bike rental in Seville was opened.
• When using the 'Sevici' the first 30 minutes are always free.
• 'Isla de Cartuja' and 'Parque de Alamillo' are great locations to visit by bike.

Cycling in Spain

The municipality has agreed to the plan to offer an energy-efficient mode of public transportation to the public. Thus, in July 2007, the first public bicycle rental in Seville opened at the 'Ponce de Leon' station. Other major Spanish cities such as Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia have also adopted this form of public transportation. Today, the 'Sevici' is fully integrated into Sevillian life and the word is considered normal. Seville has 2,500 bicycles parked in 250 different places throughout Seville. This enormous popularity is partly due to Seville's good facilities and amenities when it comes to bicycles. The city was even ranked fourth as the most bike-friendly city by a survey by a renowned magazine in 2013.

The bike itself is fully adjustable and designed so that its sturdy appearance gives and emanates a safe feeling while still retaining its charm. On the bike's fender is the infinity symbol in the form of a piece of rope woven together. This is part of Seville's own logo. The colors also reflect this, as they are red and yellow. The slogan of the "Sevici" reads: Sevilla a tu ritmo. This means that you can discover Seville at your own pace.

The great advantage of "Sevici" is that you can effortlessly maneuver anywhere through the city. Once arrived at your destination, it is then only a matter of finding a stand to place the bike in and you have your hands free again. An annual or weekly subscription is required to use this service. You then receive a pass that you can insert into one of the vending machines at "Sevici" to access the bikes in the bike rack. It is also possible for teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18 to use this service, although parental permission is required. A nice bonus is that the first 30 minutes are always free! Because most facilities and tourist attractions are located in and around the old city center, 30 minutes is often enough for small rides.

Sightseeing in Seville

For the sights that are a bit further away, biking in Seville is also ideal. The public bicycle makes it easy to get to some less accessible destinations. An example is the site "Isla de Cartuja" where the 1992 World's Fair was held. This is about a 30-minute walk from the city center. Here stands a number of extraordinary pavilions designed especially for the world exhibition. This is the ideal starting point for a bicycle tour. In fact, you can then cycle on to city park 'Parque de Alamillo' to enjoy a quiet day in the park. During the day and in the evening, small open-air concerts or theater performances by local artists are often held here. After spending the rest of the day in the park you can bike back to the center when evening falls. The best way to do this is across the "Puente de Alamillo" bridge. This bridge was built especially for the World's Fair and was designed by the famous Spanish architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava. 

Cycling between the giant white bars of this rigged bridge illuminated by artificial light has something special about it. It is well worth stopping here to enjoy the scenery: illuminated houses and street lamps create a slight reflection and glint in the Guadalquivir River, while evening traffic quietly passes by and the moon is high in the sky. Having cycled all the way down the bridge, it only makes sense to cycle along the Guadalquivir as a conclusion.

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Tenerife is a volcanic island. The island's rich flora, volcanic landscapes and vast valleys, pine forests and deserts are characteristics that make hiking on Tenerife so special. It is totally different from the Dutch landscape. Hiking can be done in various ways: guided, with GPS, on your own, etc. In any case, whoever sets foot on this earth will be able to walk around here for hours.

• Tenerife has a volcanic landscape and also possesses Spain's highest mountain, “Pico del Teide.
• Those who hike in the Teno Mountains should definitely visit the village of Masca. This indigenous village can only be visited since a few years and is really worth a visit.

Hiking obviously involves the hiking facilities that are there. Because this exercise is so popular in Tenerife, the hiking facilities there are excellent. With a map handy, it seems almost impossible to get lost here. There are information points located at each nature reserve where they know all about the area, including useful information and tips on the various hiking routes and sights. Hikes can vary from one day to three days or more and the difficulty of the tours depends on various conditions, such as length, altitude and surface. In terms of temperature, Tenerife is pleasant all year round and therefore ideal for hiking; not too cold and not too hot. For true floral lovers and sun worshippers, the most ideal period for hiking in spring is between April and June. Everything is then in bloom and colors the island with the most spectacular spring colors. Well-known flora are the beautiful endemic Tijanaste and the Canary bellflower. These plant species are found only on this island and have beautiful colors.

Las Cañadas del Teide is by far the most famous hiking area in Tenerife. The area consists of several routes with different levels of difficulty. However, a good condition is important for all routes. It is a mountainous area with many ascents and descents where there are also many loose stones. Some caution is therefore always requested. The area is protected and belongs to the National Park. It is the sunniest place on the entire island and was declared a World Heritage Site in 2007. Also located here is the striking rock Roque de Garcia. This rock is the figurehead of Tenerife and has a particularly unique shape. This national park was created from the remains of an ancient primordial volcano. 

This one was still many times larger than the present volcano Pico del Teide. The old primordial volcano blew up part of itself by a large eruption. Landslides occurred and a new volcano arose from the remnants of the old volcano. There have been no eruptions since 1909. This last small eruption covered the volcano with several lava layers. Each layer is different with different shades of color. This is also the highest mountain in Spain and for good reason, because here at the foot of the mountain you can see a veritable sea of clouds. This sea of clouds is better known in the locals' vernacular as panza de burra (donkey belly). It is the result of rapid and steady gusts of wind that, with the combination of moisture and rapid airflow, form a thick dense layer of clouds. This particular phenomenon can be seen almost every summer.

One of the other hikes is in the Teno Mountains. This is the oldest part of the island and is known as the wildest area of Tenerife. With high mountains, deep ravines and dizzying views, this is well worth the effort. The area has six routes, all of which are available at the information point. Because the area is so rugged, there are some mountain villages that were not really accessible until recently. The village of Masca is an example of this. This is also the starting point of a beautiful hike that goes along the famous Masca ravine towards the sea.

Besides the Teno Mountains, the Anaga Mountains are a beautiful area for an interesting hike. The starting point for hiking routes starts from Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava. It is advisable to walk downhill, though, because the routes are sometimes very steep and long. During one of these tours, you also have the chance that you will walk in the fog for part of the tour. This just makes it extra exciting and is one of the reasons why hiking in Tenerife is also such a true adventure.

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The Costa del Sol, most probably one of the most famous seaside resorts in Spain among Dutch tourists. It is the place for winter visitors, sun worshippers, people over 50 ... basically for every beautiful weather lover! Besides sun, sea and beach tourism, it is also a popular place among young people to spend their vacations. This is partly due to the many entertainment venues, stores and the international atmosphere it exudes. As its name suggests, the Costa del Sol is the sunniest coastline in Spain, as costa del sol stands for solar coast. This is not for nothing, because with more than 325 days of sunshine, you can wear this name with honor. You can go sunbathing in the sun, of course, but the Costa del Sol has much more to offer than just sunshine. In fact, its beautiful landscapes and excellent climate also make the Costa del Sol a preferred destination for sports activities.   

Beautiful gardens, unique museums and delicious food can all be found along the 150 kilometers of coastline along the Costa del Sol. The coastline is located on the southern side of Spain in the province of Málaga, in the autonomous region of Andalusia and is situated on the Mediterranean Sea. It lies between the regions of Gibraltar and Almería and includes the provinces of Málaga, Cadiz and Granada. Due to its excellent location, a large percentage of Andalusia's accommodation is also centered here. White villages, miles of sandy beaches, wide rivers and mountains characterize the region along the Costa del Sol. The people are also part of the Costa del Sol. The open and friendly appearance of the people makes you feel right at home. Furthermore, it is also a popular destination for a reason, as it is the complete opposite of what the Netherlands has to offer. This is the ultimate place to unwind in a completely different environment.

The sandy beaches along the Costa del Sol are most probably the most famous of the Spanish coasts. They are very different from each other: from the noisy and touristy beaches full of facilities, to the quiet and almost deserted sandy beaches with only sand and beach. Along the coastline, besides sunbathing you can also achieve active activities, thanks to the many sports clubs located here in the area. One popular activity in the region is golf. Cadiz is known for having the finest golf clubs in all of Spain. This is partly due to the various factors that influence this. The climate, location, design, facilities and maintenance are very important. Besides golf, tennis is also a sport that is widely practiced here.

Over the years, golf and tennis have often come to be known as truly elite sports. Of course, they are not just for the elite. However, the fact is that all these excellent facilities have attracted the elite. In the smaller mountain villages a few hundred meters away from the beach, there are often many villas and luxury houses where the elite of Spain (and other countries) like to settle temporarily or permanently. It is a place where the luxury lifestyle can be realized with ease. This elite image is maintained in part by various luxury events held annually in the area, such as the "Marbella Luxury Weekend," the "ILTM" fair ("International Luxury Travel Market") and the "Arabian Travel Market. Many international stars have also traveled to this true luxury haven. The cruise ships and luxury yachts are certainly not lacking here.

In addition, just a few kilometers away there are beautiful famous places of Spain to visit, such as romantic Ronda and palace-rich Granada. In short, the Costa del Sol is a place where many can stay longer.

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It is the second largest festival in South America and very popular with tourists. Hundreds of thousands of people from Peru, South America and the rest of the world come to the Peruvian city of Cuzco to usher in the traditional new Inca year. This festival is also called the Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun. Every year the sun god Wiracocha is worshipped in Cuzco and at the archaeological Inca fort "Sascayhuaman" and celebrates the beginning of the new solar year.

• Every year on June 24, the Festival of the Sun takes place in Cuzco and the surrounding area. The Peruvian name is Inti (sun) Raymi (festival) and during this festival the solstice is celebrated. The solstice represents the beginning of the new Inca year.
• The Festival of the Sun is the second largest festival in South America and very popular.
• The festival begins early in the morning when the Sapa Inca thank the sun for all its blessings. The second part is at the ancient Inca fortress Sascayhuaman where a reconstruction of the ancient tradition is enacted by 500 extras.

The Inti Raymi is an ancient tradition of the Inca religion. Quechua is the language of the Incas and is still spoken today by much of the Inca Indian population in the Peruvian mountains. In this language, Inti means sun and Raymi means festival. Hence the name "Festival of the Sun. According to official tradition, the first Inca created this celebration to celebrate the solstice (also called winter solstice). The solstice represents the first day of the new year according to the Inca calendar and officially begins on June 21 and ends on June 24 because, according to the Incas, the sun stays in the same place during these days. Therefore, the festival of the sun is only really celebrated on June 24.

The celebration of the Inti Raymi begins at 8 a.m. in the main square in the city of Cuzco. The rainbow flag that symbolizes the Inti Raymi is raised during mass in the cathedral. First, the Sapa Inca (the leader of the Inca people), thanks the sun for all its blessings. Then the whole procession goes to the Inca fortress "Sacsayhuaman," about 5 kilometers from Cuzco. At the Inca fortress, also called the sacred house of the sun, the second part of the Festival of the Sun is celebrated. The celebration consists of a huge spectacle with 500 extras portraying a reconstruction of the ancient ceremony. This entire spectacle is also entirely in Quechua, and the Sapa Inca is the main speaker. During the spectacle, various extras pay homage to their leader and, of course, to the sun god through various dances, rituals and music.

The Festival of the Sun is an important and popular spectacle during the month of June in Peru. Many activities are organized during these days such as live performances, exhibitions and shows. People from all over the world, mainly from South America and Peru come to Cuzco to enjoy brilliant performances, swinging music and, of course, the theater of the Inca ceremony. Entering the Incafort is free and it is possible to rent seats in advance. The Festival of the Sun really should not be missed if you are traveling towards Peru!

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Barcelona 2014

This year on Sept. 11, the Catalan city of Barcelona celebrates its 300th anniversary. The celebration is known in Spain as "Tricentenari," literally translated "three hundredth anniversary", and highlights the most important events that took place in Barcelona's history in 1714 during the month of September. In collaboration with the Catalan government, the city council has organized events, debates, seminars, walking tours, artistic exhibitions and official celebrations to rediscover 18th-century Barcelona.

• Taking a city break to Barcelona this year? Imagine yourself in the Barcelona of the 18th century and discover the city in a different perspective.
• The Catalan city's 300th anniversary will be celebrated extensively through a wide range of activities.
• The purpose of the celebration is to show what Barcelona looked like 300 years ago and the impact of the violent events of Sept. 11, 1714.

The city of Barcelona in the 18th century was an upbeat and dynamic city striving to become a prosperous city again. After the death of childless King Carlos II in 1700, Emperor Charles V declared himself a candidate for the crown of the Spanish monarchy. Unfortunately, Carlos II, had named Philip V as his successor, leading to the War of Spanish Succession. During this war, it was Catalonia, which supported Carlos II against Castilian Spain, which supported Philip V. After 13 months, the city of Barcelona fell to the French and Spanish armies on Sept. 11, 1714, and Catalonia took over the city. Today, this is a National Holiday of Catalonia, "Diada Nacional de Catalunya", and commemorates the most valiant defeat in Barcelona's history.

After the fall of Barcelona, the massive 'Castilinization' began: Castilian was replaced by Catalan in every official document and planned housing projects began. With the construction of the new castle, where Ciutadella park is now located, the inhabitants of the 'La Ribera' neighborhood were exiled and housed in 'La Barceloneta'.

Now, in the Barcelona of 2014, these events are open to the public with the opening of the impressive market hall "Born Centre Cultural," a new archaeological cultural center where exhibitions are held. Here are a few exhibits dedicated to the Tricentenari. During a city break in Barcelona it is fun to visit the 'Mercat del Born' and to see the huge 18 by 14 meter map of Barcelona from 1714. This stands between the 'Parc de la Ciutadella' and 'Arc de Triomf'. This map shows the main points of old Barcelona and through a mobile application you will receive information about the historical sites. Also, top Barcelona chefs will prepare typical Catalan dishes from the 18th century. Will you be in Barcelona this year? Then take a look at 17th century Barcelona and see the city from a completely different perspective!

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One of the most alive summer festivals in Spain: the International Music and Dance Festival that takes place every year in Granada. For three weeks, the festival is intensely celebrated and as many as 30,000 people come to the famous city of Andalusia to attend this festivity. The birth of this festival was in the year 1883 when a concert was held in the Palace of Charles the Fifth but also 9 years later, in 1992, when the flamenco song was performed in the Alhambra with the help of Federico García Lorca, Manuel de Falla and other intellectuals and artists of the time. This year is the 63rd edition and the festival will take place from June 20 to July 11. 

• The origins of the festival date back to 1883, to the first concert given in the Palace of Charles V and to 1992, when the first flamenco song was shown in the famed Alhambra with the help of famous artists and intellectuals.
• The Alhambra, Generalife and Albaycín in Granada are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and many festivities of the festival are given in one of these artistic creations.

The festival involves many different musical styles and genres, each held in an exceptional setting in the city. National and international artists gather in Granada's most notable neighborhoods to give dazzling performances. Past editions of the festival have been 95% occupied and nearly all sold out. The festival is not only popular for Spaniards. Thousands of residents from France, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, USA, Brazil, Finland and Colombia also visit Granada during this festival.

Many festivities are given in one of the artistic creations listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Alhambra and Generalife are originally from Islamic Spain of the 16th century. The Albaycín, on the other hand, has something of the Moorish influences. The concerts of the immense symphony orchestras take place in the "Palacio de Carlos V. The dancing and ballet performances are performed in the outdoor theater in the "Jardines del Generalife. These beautiful gardens belong to the Generalife Palace, which was originally the summer palace and mansion of the Nasrid Sultan of Granada. In the morning there are several concerts in Granada's ancient churches and buildings. At night, the characteristic neighborhoods of El Albaicín and El Sacromonte are transformed into "nights of Flamenco" and world music is played.

The International Music and Dance Festival in Granada joined the European Festivals Association in 1955 as the first Spanish festival and is one of the popular summer and music festivals in Spain and for people who love Spanish culture, this is the perfect summer festival. Granada is full of artists, orchestras, dance groups and much more during these three weeks. At the same time, you can enjoy the beautiful Spanish summer weather and this ancient UNESCO city with Moroccan and Moorish influences.

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Brazil 2014

On June 12, it's that time again! The 20th edition of the World Cup will take place in South America, in the host country Brazil. This year, 32 teams are participating and they will compete against each other in eight squads of four teams. The first two qualify for the eighth finals. From the eighth finals, play continues under the so-called “knockout system”: winners advance to the next round and for the losers, the tournament is over. After the World Championships in 1950, this is the second time the tournament will take place in Brazil. It will kick off at the new São Paulo stadium with the match Brazil v. Croatia.

• The World Cup is in Brazil early this summer. The games will be played in one of 12 stadiums in the host cities: Manuas, Cuiabá, Brasílía, Fortaleza, Natal, Recife, Salvador, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Curitiba and Porto Alegre.
• The Dutch soccer team's first match is against Spain and will take place on June 13 at 9 p.m. Dutch time. After the Netherlands lost to Spain in the final of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, this match will be very exciting.
• Of course, there will be a spectacular opening and a World Cup song again this year.

It was not entirely intended that Brazil would again host the World Cup. In 2003, FIFA decided that the tournament would be held in South America. After the withdrawal of Colombia and Argentina, it was announced that Brazil was the only remaining candidate. Still, a battle was struck by stating that Brazil must meet the required quality standards. In the end, it succeeded and the games will be played in one of Brazil's 12 host cities.

We all know that Brazil is known for its carnival and for its rythmic atmospheres. Therefore, the slogan of the FIFA 2014 is “all in one rythm,” or everything in one rhythm. Choosing the logo, a masscotte and the ball was done by an Internet poll. The logo is a typical representation of Brazil, it consists of three hands that together represent the World Cup. The hands are yellow and green, the colors of the Brazilian flag. The mascot also has the colors yellow and green. Its name is “Fuleco,” a compound of the words “Futebol” (soccer) and “Ecologica” (ecology). Many Brazilian soccer names also end in -'eco'. Fuleco is a three-banded armadillo found only in Brazil and a very funny detail is that the animal can roll up like a ba when in danger. The soccer ball will be called 'Adidas Brazuca'. Brazuca is a national word by which Brazilians denote the national pride of the way of life. It symbolizes emotion, pride and benevolence.

Spain - Netherlands

Spain and the Netherlands both managed to qualify for the World Cup. The Spanish and Dutch teams have soccer history. In the past, Spain and the Netherlands have played each other 10 times. Surely the most memorable match is the final match of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where Spain won against the Netherlands in reserve time. Now, 4 years later, the Netherlands will again play the opening game against Spain. Even though statistics show that the Netherlands has a small chance of winning, we believe that the Netherlands will win the match! This match will be played in the stadium of Salvador on June 13 at 13.00 (Dutch time 21.00).

So at the beginning of summer, the 2014 World Cup begins. The opening will take place on June 12. Make sure you don't miss it. This edition's World Cup song will be sung by Jennifer Lopez, Pitbull and popular Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte. The song is called “We Are One,” and expectations are that it will be as much of a hit as Shakira's World Cup hit “Waka Waka. Expectations for Spain's soccer and Latin American countries Argentina and Uruguay are also very high, so be sure to stay tuned!

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The Spanish team in Brazil

As we all know, Spain is defending the World Cup at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil this summer. By now it is known that Spain is in the same pool as the Netherlands. Together with Australia and Chile, they form Pool B and the first matches will take place on June 13. Even though "La Roja," the Spanish team, won both the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship, they still fear a bit for their opponents. Our Orange, of course, is fully focused on getting revenge for the lost 2010 final. But they also fear Chile, currently one of the most dangerous teams in South America.

• It is not yet clear who will be in the Spanish team's selection at the World Cup in Brazil, but there are bound to be many familiar names such as Ramos, Alba, Villa and Piqué.
• It remains to be seen if the older guard like Casillas and Alonso will be in the selection.
• If Spain wins the 2014 World Cup, it will become the third country besides Italy and Brazil to successfully defend its world title. 

This year la Roja is again under the direction of Vicente del Bosque, who was also the coach during the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship. Since 2008, del Bosque has been in charge of which players represent Spain in international matches and tournaments. And he does it well, given the successful results in recent years. Spain's soccer success keeps coming, including being in the history books as the first team to successfully defend its European title. In fact, Spain also became European champions in 2008, and again the team was led by Luis Aragonés.

It is not yet known exactly what La Roja's selection will look like during the World Cup, but many of the players will most likely be from Spanish soccer teams Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid and FC Barcelona. Notably, the regular players in the national team are Ramos, Alba, Iniesta, Valdén, Villa, Fàbregas, Piqué, Busquets, Pedro and Arbelo. Many of them will be seen during the World Cup in Brazil.

During the 2014 World Cup, the Spanish team will stay at the CT do Caju training center in Curitiba. The training center known as the largest and most modern in Brazil. By choosing Curitiba, the team is also fairly close to the cities where the first matches will be played.

Under del Bosque's leadership, the Spanish team has lost only eight of 85 games in international competition. But before the World Cup really begins, Spain will play one more game, a friendly against El Salvador at the Redskins' stadium in Landover, Washington. There are very many positive expectations from the Spanish team and Spain will of course do everything possible to bring in the cup.

¡Viva España!

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Equador, the Spanish name for the word Equator. As such, the country lies on the zero line that divides the world into the northern and southern hemispheres. It is surrounded by Peru, Colombia and the Pacific Ocean. The country has a thriving tradition of national holidays, festivals and celebrations. Colorful and lavish celebrations occur monthly and are part of Ecuadorian culture. These holidays often center on the country's history. Every year on May 24, the people of Ecuador celebrate their independence and commemorate the defeat of the Spanish in 1822. This event is known as the “Battle of Pichincha".

• The Battle of Pichincha is the last battle of the independence struggle between Spain and Ecuador. Every year on May 24, the people commemorate this battle and celebrate their freedom.
• The name “Battle of Pichincha” comes from the volcano Pichincha, which is located next to the capital Quito. The battle took place on the slopes of the volcano, hence the name.
• The celebrations on May 24 consist of parades with children or with military personnel in the larger cities. Through this parade, Ecuadorians honor the country's history and show their pride. There is also much partying, drinking and, above all, enjoying the day off.

Ecuador was first conquered by the Spanish in 1534 under the leadership of Francisco Pizarro. They founded the city “Muy noble y muy leal ciudad de San Francisco de Quito” the very high and very loyal city of St. Francis of Quito, which is now the present capital city of Quito. Through the Spanish occupation, Quito grew into a city of more than 10,000 inhabitants. Despite the growth, the city first proclaimed independence in 1809.

The battle of Pichincha dates back to the year 1822 when the Ecuadorian independence fighters defeated the Spanish army on the slopes of the volcano Pichincha. This volcano is located next to the capital Quito at 3,500 meters above sea level and is still active. After this military victory, the country joined the republic of Greater Columbia until 1830, when the republic fell apart. Officially, then, Ecuador became an independent republic in 1830, but the Equadorian people consider May 24 to be the true Independence Day.

On May 24 in Ecuador

On May 24, then, all of Ecuador and also the tropical Galapos Islands are in a celebratory mood. Schoolchildren march in their school uniforms through the smaller towns and honor the country's history. In the larger cities there are military parades and they are watched by tourists, visitors and the Equadorian people themselves. In the Galapos Islands, there is a special parade. This parade is also walked by school children in uniform, but the student with the highest average gets the privilege of carrying the Equadorian flag. This is quite an honor and people work all year for it.

Ecuador's Independence Day is not the country's most fascinating holiday, but it does showcase the country's history and the pride of its people. It is a perfect opportunity to mingle among the locals and if you do travel through Equador or the Galapos Islands during this day, find a hole in your itinerary and stop for a moment to enjoy this historic day.

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This Spanish Formula One driver Fernando Alonso was born on July 29, 1981 in the city of Oviedo, which is located in the northern region of Asturias.

Alonso is of course known for all his victories in karting and Formula One, but mostly for the speed with which he managed to find his way to the highest branch of motorsport.

• In Spain, a country with no Formula One tradition, his successes have led to a real “Alonsomania” and Fernando Alonso is a national hero.
• A funny detail is that the Asturian flag has the same colors as the Renault team, light blue and yellow. The grandstands were totally transformed into a sea of light blue spectators during the Spanish Grand Prix.

At age three, Alonso was already a fan of cars. His father built a little car for his eight-year-old sister, but she found it anything but interesting. For little Alonso, on the other hand, it was love at first sight. He started karting and by age six it was clear that it was not just a hobby. Then came his first victories: in 1988 in Pola Liviana where he won the children's championship and two years after that, the then nine-year-old Alonso won the youth championships in Asturias and the Basque Country.

Until 1998, Alonso was active in karting and by then had many victories to his name. In 1999, he made the switch to single-seaters and immediately became champion of Spain at the Nissan Euro-Open Series. A year later, Alonso drove for the Astromega team in the international Formula 3000 championship. After this season, Alonso signed a Formula One contract with the Minardi team and makes his debut in the Australian Grand Prix on March 4, 2001, as the third youngest F1 driver in history. During his time at Minardi he wins nothing, but he often outperforms other drivers during qualifying runs, so he joins Renault as a test pilot in 2002 and is promoted to full pilot in 2003.

As a Formula One driver with Renault, he gets his first podium finish at the Malaysian Grand Prix, third place, and a few weeks later he is second, behind Michael Schumacher at the Spanish Grand Prix. In August, he does finish first at the Hungarian Grand Prix and eventually scores points in 12 of 18 Grand Prixs which is ultimately good for fourth place in the final standings of the world championship.

The Youngest Formula One World Champion

2005 and 2006 were the heyday of the Formula One driver. In 2005, at the age of 24, Alonso became the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history. Starting in 2006, things don't go so well but in 2012 and 2013 Alonso finishes in second place in the world championship. Alonso has been driving for Scuderia Ferrari since 2011 and is currently fourth in the world championship. At the last circuit in Bahrain, Ferrari did not do very well. The next Grand Prixs are in China, Monaco and Barcelona. “From there we should do better and take podium places,” Alonso said. Ferrari has the resources, the potential and they control everything. We will see!

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