Sun, sea and beach are the images that usually come to mind when we think of Alicante. We could therefore mistakenly think that it’s not a very interesting destination in autumn. But it sure is, as Alicante has many hidden surprises during this time of year. Like to come along to see them?

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First of all, we should not forget about the beach. Even if we can’t go for a swim, we can always enjoy a relaxing along the sand or, if the sun is still shining, organize a little picnic on the shore. And best of all, you can even do it by yourself.

If you’re a history buff, you’ll be surprised by the five castle routes in the province of Alicante. This region boasts of several castles and fortresses that date back to the time when the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon where frontiers. Routes with such evocative names as the Key to the Kingdom, the Mountain, Vinalopó, Tudmir, the Frontier of Fear… These routes will make you feel like a true medieval knight visiting amazing castles and palaces like Castillo de la Atalaya, in Villena; Castillo de Biar or the Palacio de Altamira! Venture beyond Santa Barbara Castle!

Autumn is the perfect time to hike in Alicante: temperatures are mild, there are hardly any tourists and the trails are tinted with precious golden and orange hues. Alicante has so many routes to walk, revealing its natural charms. And with the myriad to choose from, we want to highlight a 10-kilometer route very close to Alcoy, which takes you from a place called Preventori to Barranc del Cinc. It’s beautiful, simple, and at the same time stunning. The perfect example of Mediterranean landscape.

Autumn is also an ideal time of year to visit museums: The Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Volvo Ocean Race interactive space... you already know these. We can only tell you that at this time of year you’ll find very few visitors and will almost have the museums to yourself. But if you go a little outside the city, in particular to the town of Villajoyosa, you will find one of the sweetest museums in the world... It’s dedicated to chocolate!

Although we love fideuá (similar to paella, but with noodles), black rice and arroz a banda (rice cooked in a fish broth), there are many specialties to savor in Alicante, and autumn is the ideal time to try something different. Game meat, mushrooms, marinades... are all added to paellas and soups. Our favorite dishes? Undoubtedly arroz caldoso (rice soup) and the olleta (a hearty stew). Ideal for the weather that’s just beginning to chill! Ah! And don’t forget, autumn is also the time the oranges are being picked. Imagine making juice with oranges almost straight from the tree!

And these are just a few suggestions. As soon as you walk out of the classroom you will see that, even in autumn, there are many options to have fun and enjoy the city. With so much on offer, Alicante is very much the ideal city!

Valencia is a city that never gets old, but for those moments when you’re yearning for a change of scenery, check out these can’t-miss day trips.

For our students studying in Valencia, we have two words for you: lucky you! Valencia has everything you could ever desire: beautiful beaches, perfect climate, bustling metropolitan life, and a unique charm that’s part contemporary, part traditional, but all Mediterranean. And for when you’re yearning to step out of city life for an exciting day trip, you’re only a quick car or train ride away from some amazing sites, impressive naturescapes and idyllic towns. Here are some of our recommendations for some of the best day trips from Valencia.

Altea

Looking for that super quaint, charming village to remind yourself why you fell in love with Spain in the first place? If so, Altea is a must-see. This adorable town, located on the Costa Brava approximately 1.5 hours south of Valencia (by car), is known for its labyrinthine cobblestone streets and picturesque white-washed houses. In the heart of the historic center is the beautiful La Mare de Déu del Consol Cathedral, topped with its iconic dome of bright blue-and-white tiles. Take a walk through Altea’s streets and narrow alleyways, and you’ll catch breath-taking glimpses of dazzling blue: the sparkling clear waters of the Bay of Altea. The town is also known as an increasingly popular destination for artists; their presence can be felt in the bursts of bright color that adorn pristine white facades and the quirky, artisan boutiques.

While Alsa Bus Company does have direct trips from Valencia to Altea (3 hours and 15 minutes), a shorter bus trip would require you to make a transfer in Benidorm. The quickest option just might be renting a car with some friends, rolling down the windows and enjoying the ride!

Elche

Elche is Spain’s incredible gift to lovers of palm trees and pre-Roman history. This city, considered the third largest in the Valencian Community (after Valencia and Alicante), is a true trove of hidden treasures. On arriving to the city, Elche looks a bit like a godforsaken desert -- but enter the city and you’ll find a vibrant green oasis. Be dazzled with its lush overgrowth of palmeras, or palm trees. In fact, Elche has to so many palm trees and orchards that it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The Palmeral de Elche is a must-see palm orchard, and the Huerto del Cura Garden is home to lovely tropical plants, peacocks and the main attraction: the Imperial Palm, a striking one-of-a-kind palm tree with seven branches growing out of one trunk!

But Elche isn’t just about its surface beauty – beneath its city grounds are thousands of years of priceless pre-history. Elche’s roots are known to date back to the 5^th century B.C.; the territory has been occupied by Iberians, Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans. Get a history lesson in any of Elche’s various museums, or better yet, see it for yourself at the impressive and vast archaeological site, La Alcudia!

You can get from Valencia to Elche directly by bus: the trip is a little more than 2 hours and you’ll only pay around €13 roundtrip. The Renfe high-speed train will also take you from Valencia to Elche in 2.5 hours for about €22.

Xàtiva

Xàtiva is another stunning Valencian city that will amaze you with its antique charm and fascinating history. First off, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: that castle. Majestically perched atop a hill, visible for miles, the Castell de Xàtiva is second-to-none in its regal beauty… and, of course, its breath-taking views!

Make sure to allocate enough time in Xàtiva for the other sights, though: the Collegiate Basilica of Santa María is a 16^th century haven for ancient religious art; the Hospital Reial is renowned for its striking blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture; and the Iglesia de Sant Domènec for its contributions to medieval culture during the Middle Ages… and the list goes on. Located just an hour away from Valencia by car, why not hop in a Bla Bla Car? Or if you prefer public transportation, you can get there by Renfe’s high-speed train or Cercanías.

Albufera Natural Park

Albufera Natural Park is the perfect last-minute city escape; just 20 minutes away by car and under an hour by bus, the pristine tranquility of Albufera will leave you speechless. Disconnect from Valencia´s bustling urban life and come recharge your batteries; take a scenic boat ride on the largest lake in Spain, have a picnic while taking in the area’s unique bird and wildlife, or explore the sleepy nearby town of El Palmar, known for its amazing cuisine (especially paella). The park offers guided tours, bike rentals and other organized events so that visitors can take full advatange of Albufera’s splendid landscapes and rich ecosystems. What better place to relax, play and reconnect with nature? Check out Visit Albufera for more information.

Valencia is a destination that is overflowing with beauty, culture and history – both within and outside its city limits. So why not spend your day off discovering everything Valencia’s nearby towns, cities and parks have to offer? Take a day trip and have an adventure!

When you arrive at a new place, or are introduced a large group of people, one of the first things you need to do (without anyone noticing, of course) is to find out who corta el bacalao (cuts the cod).

But don’t worry, this doesn’t mean that, upon arriving, you have to sit at the table and try this delicious fish. Not even close. Knowing who “cuts the cod”, as heard in Spanish, is a saying that refers to the fact that there’s always someone in charge, who makes the most important decisions.

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This adage originated in the 16^th century, when refrigerators, as we know them, didn’t exist. To conserve food and be able to take it on long journeys, meats and fish were heavily salted, kept as cool as possible and then desalted when it was time to cook.

Around the same time, in Spain cod was becoming more and more popular. As meats were scarce, this fish was one of the few that was abundant enough to be normally available in the marketplaces. Thus, little by little, it began to be taken to the colonies in the Americas by boat from Spain.

In these areas, pieces of cod were given out to the slaves as they finished their hard day of work. So, when they finished the last of the many tasks they had for the day, they stood in a long line before the foreman or the leader of the group. He was the boss and decided how much each one ate, and was the one who would cut the cod in strips to hand out to the slaves. And, if someone got on his bad side, he risked receiving the worst part of the fish, a smaller portion, or even going without.

So, over time, referring to a person as one who cuts the cod means this is the person who calls the shots.

Another explanation for this same expression points to the old grocery stores of yesteryear. Cod was common fare in these shops, but it only the boss or shop owner would cut it for the customers, because he was the one with the proper knife skills.

In any case, be it the foremen in the Spanish colonies or the shop owners, it has always been important to have the person who corta el bacalao on your side.

The University of Salamanca will soon celebrate its 800th year. Eight centuries go a long way and if we keep in mind that this institution has seen periods such as the Middle Ages, the Baroque, the Spanish Empire and Romanticism, it’s only natural that numerous legends are contained within its walls. Here are just a few.

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The first one, although it has to do with the university, takes place in the chapel of Santa Barbara, inside the Old Cathedral. Originally the students had their classes on the temple’s premises and this chapel served as a classroom in which to prepare and defend dissertations and doctoral theses. These days, a procedure like this would likely make your hair stand on end: the student would spend the night reviewing his books and notes in front of Bishop Lucero’s tomb in complete solitude, dimly lit by a few candles. The next morning, still in front of the bishop’s tomb, he would defend his work before the examining board. To pass the examination after a sleepless night in the sole company of a deceased dignitary must have been, at the very least, challenging.

Another legendary component that has to do with the fleeting nature of life is the famous frog which, to pass all courses, must be found on one of the skulls that adorn the facade of the university. It is not known who started this legend, but it is one of many: some say that the frog is the stonemason’s signature, others that it warns students of the danger of leading a careless life, still others that it is an uneasy message telling us that the dead will rise “when frogs grow hair” (a common Spanish saying).

Let's move on from these dark and gloomy legends to a brighter, shinier one. Surely you have marveled at the beautiful architecture of the Casa de las Conchas (House of Shells), a true artistic treasure that was once the home of Rodrigo Maldonado, Professor of Law back in the sixteenth century. Well, some people say that each of the shells that decorates the facade hides a gold coin. Could this be the real reason for its recent restoration?

Another artistic detail full of mystery is the sky that can be seen in the Escuelas Menores (High School). It is a map of the firmament created between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries which then occupied the ceiling of the University’s old library. These paintings were covered over when the library was renovated as a chapel. In the mid-twentieth century they were rediscovered and brought to light again in the Escuelas Menores. Imagining a multitude of wise men, researching ancient and secret knowledge under a map of the sky has its charm.

Several streets below there is a corner of Salamanca that, although it has nothing to do with the University, was a classroom ... or so they say. According to the legend, the Cueva de Salamanca (Cave of Salamanca) was used as a classroom where the devil himself taught magicians and wizards. They say the classes ended because one of the students deceived the teacher by selling him his shadow instead of his soul. But it is also said that there is no trace of a school, and what we see today are the remains of a medieval church.

We have many more to tell and invite you to come and learn Spanish with us and discover more. We can tell you with certainty that if you walk through its streets you will not only feel the legends. You will also be tempted to create your own.

Just imagine...

A stormy night. A castle in the middle of an immense field. Just one way to get to your destination. Walking. You know you must stop somewhere to rest and all you can find is a castle at the end of the road.

Little by little, and completely soaked by the storm, you arrive at a drawbridge that passes over a moat. You knock at the grand entrance with more fear than shame, and you are received by a pleasant receptionist who invites you in to her "enchanting" hotel in Topas, Salamanca.

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It is the Villanueva de Cañedo Castle or the Fonseca Castle, better known as the Castillo del Buen Amor (the Castle of Good Love- only its walls know what really happened to qualify for that moniker).

This fifteenth-century castle was constructed after the fortress that occupied the same land four centuries earlier. In times when this imposing fortification was still young, daily life inside revolved around the warriors who came and went between battles. Knights astride their horses tired from their travels, yearning to relax and refresh in the stables. Meetings of kings and emissaries in their halls, and many more goings on…

After the Catholic Monarchs and the Duke of Alba, its owners were the Fonseca, a famous line of bishops. In fact, it is said that the name of the castle arises from the romance bishop Alonso de Fonseca held with Maria de Ulloa. Gossiping tongues recount that, since he was bishop and thus his romance had to be in secret, she died from her melancholy inside that castle. And, for that reason, his soul still wanders errant throughout the places he walked in life. Now it is at this point that the story which really matters to us begins.

Today, the Castillo del Buen Amor is a hotel in Salamanca that takes in many curious tourists. And the most perplexing thing is they all agree that there is something mysterious shut away within the stone walls. Some receptionists will tell that on more than one occasion, they have received calls from a room where no one was staying. Calls in which only deep breathing could be heard, as if from beyond the grave. Moreover, not only did they confirm that there was no one in the room, and thinking it might be a joke in bad taste, they had the phone disconnected to put halt these calls. Yet to everyone's astonishment, the calls continued to come in from the same room, the same telephone... and the same profound breathing.

Many guests maintain that, day and night, continuous blows emanating from a particular room resound around the estate. Others even say that they have seen the shadows of warriors moving up and down the stairs.

This "enchanting" hotel-castle is open to the public and always well prepared for its visitors. In addition, it was declared a National Monument in 1931. The only thing you need to do is visit our school in Salamanca and try to spend a night in this hotel... if you dare.

They say that in the late-nineteenth-century two cafés on Matheu Street, France and Paris, competed to attract the most customers. The manager of the first one came up with something simple to have more clientele despite the small size of the local: take out several tables into the street. The manager of the second café wasted no time in imitating him.

You’ll see if the initiative was successful walking through any street in Madrid on a hot summer’s day. A few meters on you will surely find a bar that has placed several tables and chairs on the sidewalk, inviting you to sit down and order a refreshment or a beer. You have reached one of the city’s many terraces.

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Trying to define or classify the terraces of Madrid is impossible. What we can say is that the terrace has the "philosophy" of the bar that owns it. There are ones that give you great tapas, others that only offer a small bowl of peanuts to accompany your drink, those in which a waiter saturated with orders can take a lifetime to bring you the check, ones in which the waiter treats you as if you were the only customer... and we have even come to know some where they’ll take the glass out of your hands if its past closing time.

What is usually common to all of them is an increase in the price. This hike may be a small percentage of the total amount or a fixed amount of cents per customer seated at the table.

Terrace in a historical monument atmosphere of old Madrid

Terraces are the ideal place to chat with friends or try the local specialties. But what happens when it comes to an ornately designed one? Until recently the terraces of the simpler bars and those with more class hardly differed: round, chromed chairs and tables. So, one couldn’t enjoy the atmosphere or decoration of a café or – say the gossiping tongues - justify the raise in prices.

These days many locales have turned their terraces into areas with a studied aesthetic and distinct decoration. Some good examples can be found in streets such as Ponzano and Paseo de la Castellana or neighborhoods like Chamberí, La Latina and Malasaña (the latter, by the way, very close to our Spanish school in Madrid).

Others have gone a step further and have adapted patios, rooftops and even gardens creating the concept of a "secret terrace", successful because it unites the best of several worlds: the intimacy of an interior space, the design as an extension of the locale and the pure taste for exclusivity. Some are in places as atypical as the top floor of an accessories’ shop (Tienda Salvador Bachiller, Calle Montera, 37), in the headquarters of the Official College of Architects of Madrid (Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Madrid, Calle Hortaleza, 63) or the rooftop of the Fine Arts Circle (Círculo de Bellas Artes, Calle Alcalá, 42). Although our favorite "atypical" terrace is still the garden of the Romantic Museum (Museo Romántico, Calle San Mateo, 13), a true jewel of the 19th century!

However, if you want to have a little of each - good prices and a designed environment - we recommend you walk around and remember the names of the squares. It's for sure that one, two or more bars have established their terrace there. Good examples of this? La Plaza del Dos de Mayo, la Plaza de Olavide, la Plaza de la Platería de Martínez and the Plaza de Santa Ana.

As you can see, there are terraces for all tastes, budgets and even for all types of conversations. And it’s no exaggeration. We can guarantee that during your stay you will be able to have something in one - or several - different terraces every day.

“Every curious traveler keeps Granada in his heart, even without having visited”. That’s what William Shakespeare had to say about this enchanting city.

That vision of the famous Alhambra, majestically poised on the hill, glowing in the evening light is something we all have in our mind’s eye, having been to Granada or not. And everyone should visit this treasure, but today we are going in search of some lesser known spots.

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Carmen de los Mártires

Our first one is a “secret” garden, a hidden treasure nestled in a neighboring hill near the Alhambra. A great place to take a break and cool off on a hot day. It’s called the Carmen de los Mártires, and because it’s tucked away there aren’t so many people. This two-level garden has amazing fountains and a beautiful house, open to the public. A perfect place to get away from the crowds and enjoy the tranquility. (You didn’t forget your camera, did you?)

The word Carmen is used in Granada to describe more than a garden. It’s a typical style of a granadina house, surrounded by walls around two meters high, which hide the pleasures of the garden with vegetables, trees, fountains…a paradise in the heart of the city.

For our next spot, let’s walk down the hill and along the river Darro to the Albaicín neighborhood.  Here we can look for another oft passed-by gem. It’s a convent, near the end of the street which has a sweet surprise for you. The sign on the door says “Dulces”, and they sure are a welcome pause in our search. Dulce means sweet, and these delicious, powdered sugar covered donut-like confections sure hit the spot. The intriguing part is that they are sold through a rotating door, so that the cloistered nuns who make and sell them can’t be seen by the public.

Rio Darro

Now that we have rested and refilled a bit, it’s time to search for our next hidden spot in the Albaicín. The Carmen de la Victoria (Cuesta del Chapiz, 9), even more secret than the last.

To get in, you must ring a bell by the door. Maintained by the University of Granada, you will find a wonderful garden with a spectacular view of the Alhambra that you can take in while having something to drink at the pleasant café.

Ok, we’ve hidden ourselves away in some fabulously relaxing gardens, so now it’s time to come out into the light. Since you are in the Albaicín, the best way to take advantage of being in this UNESCO World Heritage site, is to wander around its winding cobblestone streets, and just get lost! You will come across many beautiful sights, and glimpses of the Alhambra again through the buildings clinging to the hills. As you wind your way around these charming streets, you can start asking for the Mirador de San Cristóbal, an inspiring, lesser known lookout at the Alhambra across the valley from you.

Plaza Nueva

Hungry after all that walking? What isn’t a secret in Granada is that the tapas are free with your drink almost everywhere! And one of the best places for that, also a non-secret, is the area around the Plaza Nueva and Elvira Street. Your legs will be happy to know it’s downhill from the Mirador de San Cristóbal.

And as you sit in one of the bars or terraces, now bustling with people, savoring the tapas and the busy atmosphere, you’ll look back at the varied experiences you’ve had in Granada, and keep them in your heart, as Shakespeare said…with the advantage that now you have been there.

Many cities in the world are described in superlatives with the intention of being grandiose, until they seem almost inaccessible: the tallest building, the largest stadium, the largest statue, the most extensive museum ... highlights that astound and overwhelm us, make us feel small. Fortunately, however, there are other cities where those superlatives are cozier, more welcoming, make life easier for us and make us yet another citizen. One of these cities is Quito.

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For example, do you know that Quito has the most pleasant temperature in the world? With an average of 20ºC during the year, it has earned the nickname "city of eternal spring".

This temperature invites you to go for a walk ... and why not do it in the best preserved historic center of America? And that’s according to UNESCO.

In addition, to reinforce this idea of cozy grandeur, we must tell you that you will find low, multicolored houses, wide and shady streets, refreshing and charming gardens ... The only building that dares to defy the sky is the neo-Gothic Basilica of The National Vow; and does it with humility, at only 115 tall.

Quito is the second most populated city in Ecuador, with 2,671,191 inhabitants. Think of other cities like Mexico City or Bogota that have more than 8 million. So you will find the dynamism of a great capital without the agglomerations of a megalopolis.

But Quito has that flavor of the big cities, especially at night. It’s a festive city, full of places to have a good time, of joyful hubbub, of a great diversity in which we find venues specializing in Latin rhythms next to others where rock is a religion, restaurants that range from traditional Ecuadorian cuisine to that of Mongolia... a tapestry that filters the many vivid colors of light and delicately illuminates the monuments we pass.

Quito is at the center of the world, and knows it. Maybe that's why it does not make the fuss that other so-called "world" cities do. It does not need skyscrapers or disproportionate monuments ... only a road that leads precisely to the center of the world.

We have talked about Quito as the center of the world and so we would have to talk about what the true center of Quito is, and perhaps of all Latin America, its Independence square. The place to see and to be seen, the place of the cry that gave provenance to independence... was a square in which there was a humble fountain. It’s food for thought, a David and Goliath, but a David faithful to his roots, a square in which the Goddess of Freedom is always close, and accessible.

As you can see everything in Quito is pure simplicity, hospitality, warmth ... a place where a Spanish class is as close as a chat between friends.