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.

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!

Miguel de Cervantes is one of the most famous figures in Spanish literary history, his greatest work “Don Quijote de la Mancha” is generally considered to be the first ever modern European novel; and such was his influence on the Spanish language, it is often referred to as the “lengua de Cervantes”. Given the prestige of his work, many of the circumstances surrounding his life, his death and his burial are somewhat surprising.

Although the don Quijote novel enjoyed some success at the time it was released, it did not provide Cervantes with the fame or recognition that he enjoyed posthumously when the work was re-discovered. This Spanish literary great ended up passing away at the age of 69 on April 23^rd 1616, on the same day as William Shakespeare, without a penny to his name. He asked to be buried within the Trinitarians convent in Madrid, a religious institution that had been responsible for paying the ransom needed to release him from slavery after his capture by pirates.

Cervantes' Burial Site in Madrid

This convent, which still exists in the literary quarter of Madrid, is to be searched by historians who have long been campaigning to look for the bones of Miguel de Cervantes. Ground-penetrating radar will be used by forensic archaeologists to investigate the area underneath the convent. The exact burial site’s precise place has been lost throughout the course of history, with it being almost four centuries since his death, because of various stages of development on the convent, but historians are confident that the quality of the technology is sufficient to find Cervantes’ bones.

Luis Avial, who has worked on a number of excavations of old Spanish Civil War burial sites, will oversee the work. The first stage of the process will be scanning the ground underneath the oldest section of the convent with the use of georadar. If the initial scans manage to reveal a likely location of the bones, then an excavation will take place to recover them. It is thought that Cervantes is not the only person buried here, however, injuries that he suffered in battle will make it much easier to identify his remains.

Cervantes sustained musket wounds during the 1571 naval battle of Lepanto. He was shot in the chest as well as in the arm, which left him with a withered left hand for his whole life. A historian, Fernando de Prado, stated that the injured hand and the damaged ribcage, alongside knowledge that Cervantes only had six teeth left in his mouth when he died, will make identifying the body a much easier process.

Madrid City Hall has commissioned the project and provided an estimated €100,000 to cover the costs of the exploratory work. The culture councilor Pedro Corral acknowledged that the operation was not guaranteed to be a success, but that it was essential to try and find the remains of the man who is recognized across the world as the creator of the modern novel, and that a discovery of Cervantes’ bones would prove to be a significant boost for the city’s tourism industry. 

Seville's colorful fiesta

In the second week after Easter, Seville traditionally celebrates its colorful fiesta for one week; the Feria de Abril. During this traditional fiesta, the immense grounds situated in the 'Los Remedios' district transform into a collection of everything Andalusia stands for such as tapas, flamenco, horses, bulls and much more. Wander through this special fiesta and be immersed in an extraordinary Spanish and Andalusian culture.

The origins of the Feria de Abril date back to the year 1847. This was the year the first Feria de Abril was held. Initially it began as a livestock fair where prizes could also be won. Small tents, also called ''casetas,'' were placed so that the trade in which people were interested could be realized more in a private atmosphere. These tents grew in popularity because of their cozy and festive atmosphere. Then more and more services were added in the form of selling entertainment and food and drinks. In the year 1973, the former location became too small and moved to the current site in the "Los Remedios" neighborhood. Each year the Feria de Abril gained more and more fame and grew in popularity. To this day, it has become the largest traditional fiesta in Seville, and one of the largest traditional fiestas in Spain.

Prior to Monday night, also called the night of fish "Noche del Pescaíto," it is a tradition to eat fried fish, pescaíto frito, at dinner. The Feria de Abril then traditionally kicks off on Tuesday at midnight, when the thousands of lights on the gate and grounds come on. The lights stay on for six days and turn off again at midnight on Monday, followed by a huge fireworks display along the Guadalquivir River.

The grounds are decorated with paper lanterns, and the ground is covered with a yellow-colored sand that is also traditionally used in Seville for gardens and bull arenas. During this week, the grounds consist of more than 1,000 private and public tents. These are scattered throughout the various streets that bear the names of famous bullfighters. The private tents often belong to wealthier families or are shared with the neighborhood. Therefore, no two tents look alike and each one is unique. There is also a large fairground on the grounds with more than 500 attractions for young and old. The "fiestas" therefore go on well into the night and freeze the ordinary life of Seville during this one week.

Sevillanas

 Walking through the streets of the Feria de Abril, you see people socializing, eating and drinking. Everywhere there is spontaneous Sevillanas dancing and in every corner a different flamenco song resounds. Tents have to stay open during the tour of the horses where horse and carriage, and riders ride by almost majestically. An atmosphere that feels Spanish.

The ladies look their best and wear the most diverse, colorful and striking flamenco dresses; green with polka dots, frills, purple and all equally beautiful. The flamenco dress goes extremely carefully with the flower in the hair, the jewelry one wears and the manila scarf (a large scarf with fringes used as a skip). The men wear what is known as a traditional short suit. The sombrero is also part of this, of course. The suit consists of a vest, vest, blouse with pleats or fringes and suspenders. The pants are long slacks under which boots with socks are worn. The colors of the suit consist mainly of dark shades because of the windblown dust of the streets.

Not only are the colors of the party overwhelming, but also all the food smells make the Feria de Abril a great success. It is common to eat tapas at the many tents, each with its own tapas specialty. One can enjoy many typical Andalusian dishes such as Andalusian gazpacho, the aforementioned fried fish ''pescaíto frito'', anchovies in vinegar ''boquerones en vinagre'' or many other tapas dishes. All this is done while enjoying a flute of beer or a glass of wine. Thus, the real atmosphere of Seville's colorful fiesta can be tasted.

Spring has sprung and that means Mother's Day is here again! In most countries, Mother's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May, but in Spain and Portugal, the celebration is on the first Sunday in May. So "Día de la Madre," the Spanish name for Mother's Day, is on May 4 this year. Nowadays, this day is more of a commercial thing, but the idea behind it remains the same in every country: to spoil mothers by having breakfast in bed, presents and taking over caregiving duties for a day.

• In the Netherlands this year, Mother's Day falls on May 11 but in Spain it is always celebrated a week earlier. This year, "Dia de la Madre" falls on May 4.
• The celebration of Mother's Day in Spain is more like a celebration of a family birthday. The whole family gathers and many gifts are handed out. The day is dedicated to mothers, of course, but socializing and being with family is equally important.

Mother's Day has several origins. In ancient Greece, worshipping mothers was already part of the ceremonies for "Rhea," the "Great Mother of the Gods," and in Great Britain the day descended from the Christian holiday "Mothering Sunday" which takes place on the 4th Sunday in Lent. It was not until 1644 that there was a Mother's Day in Great Britain with no church background. In America today, Mother's Day is a commercial thing. Here, the celebration dates back to the 19th century after a female judge from Philadelphia started a publicity stunt for Mother's Day, a day that was to be dedicated to appreciating mothers.

So on May 4, Mother's Day is celebrated in Spain. Many stores and boutiques are decorated weeks in advance and the shelves are full of the well-known Mother's Day gifts: chocolate, flowers and greeting cards. But homemade gifts and cards are much more appreciated by mothers. Therefore, school children also start making a Mother's Day gift a few weeks in advance. A few hours a day they spend crafting at school. Cutting, pasting, coloring and painting, everything is done to make the perfect gift. Of course, with a little help from their masters and teachers. When Sunday finally arrives, breakfast is often made by the father and children. While doing so, the crafted Mother's Day gifts are given and the Mother's Day poems are read.

In Spain, it is normal for Mother's Day to be celebrated with the whole family and not just the family. Therefore, mothers also receive gifts from other family members and it is a fun and festive celebration with the whole family. May is also the month when the Blessed Virgin Mary (the mother of Jesus) is honored, which often coincides with the celebration of Mother's Day.

Mother's Day in Spain does not differ that much from the Dutch celebration. Except that it is celebrated on a different day and is often combined with honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary, the intention is the same. This day is dedicated to pampering mothers, but most of all to coziness with family and relatives. The best way to celebrate Mother's Day is often by simply spending time with her.

When we think of museums in Madrid, the Prado and Reina Sofia are usually the first to come to mind. These are great museums, no doubt, but like any great European capital, Madrid has many more museums available for the visitor to see. If you don’t know what to do in Madrid and are avoiding going to a museum because the idea of large crowds turns you off, we have just the thing you’re looking for.  Among the many Madrid attractions available, I am going to propose 5 museums that will surprise you and give you the opportunity to know another side of the Madrid museum scene—and without the crowds.

Museum for the Blind

The Museo Tiflológico is a museum run by the ubiquitous ONCE; a Spanish non-profit and lottery empire that provides support and services to the blind and people with serious visual impairment. All the pieces on display (paintings, sculptures, and models) are displayed with the intention that every visitor can touch them. The museum is split into 3 principal exhibition halls: Braille and its evolution which includes machines and modern devices; models of monuments, both national and international and an exhibition of the works of visually impaired artists. One thing you will find is that this museum has something for everyone and for that reason alone this museum is worth a visit. You can find this museum in the Tetuán neighborhood near the Santiago Bernabéu stadium and 3 blocks from the Estrecho metro station.

National Museum of Romanticism

The Museo Nacional del Romaticismo is a state-run museum that focuses entirely on the daily life and customs from 19^th century Spain using the romantic style as the uniting theme. This movement emphasized fantasy, imagination and the irrational and was a reaction to the simplicity and symmetry of the neo-classical movement. Housed in an 18^th century mansion in the center of Madrid between Sagasta and Fuencarral streets, this museum will offer you a perspective of what Spain was like at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.

Museo del Traje

The Museo del traje—literally the dress museum—is a museum dedicated to Spanish fashion and costume. Here you will find exhibits that show you the evolution of clothing in Spain from the 18^th century to the present. You will also see examples of regional dress and costumes that illustrate just how culturally diverse Spain really is. There is also an important contemporary element that highlights modern Spanish designers and shows how they have influenced global fashion trends. This museum is housed in a modern building in the north-western part of Madrid close to the Faro de Moncloa and the Arco de la Victoria.

Royal Tapestry Factory

Tapestries have been an important part of Spanish art and culture since the middle ages.  With the treaty of Utrecht signed, Flemish tapestries became harder to come by and Spanish king Philip V needed to find a new source. To remedy this, he founded in 1720 the Royal Tapestry Factory. Today this factory is still producing works of art in its present location within a building that was constructed in 1889. The museum offers guided tours every 30 minutes that will take you through the workshops to show you the painstaking precision that these works of art require. You will also have the opportunity to see some incredible finished works on display and meet the artisans that make it all possible. A favorite stop for those who have gone, the museum is in the center of town near the Atocha train station behind the Basilica of our Lady of Atocha. The museum is only open Monday through Friday until 14:00 with the last guided tour at 13:30.

The Train Museum

The Museo del Ferrocarril is a museum dedicated to everything related to the history of rail transport in Spain housed inside the historic converted Delicias train station built in 1880. The museum has on display more than 4,800 pieces ranging from clocks to locomotives. Kids will especially love the idea of roaming between all the trains and exhibits. Especially entertaining is the Mercado de Motores. Every second weekend of the month the museum turns into a flea market full of stands selling everything from vintage clothes to soaps to model trains. You will also find an assortment of food stalls and a great terrace with tables and chairs to relax and listen to one of the many live bands that play throughout the weekend. This is definitely a great way to experience a bit of authentic Spanish living. The train museum is located 6 blocks south of the Atocha train station and next to the Delicias metro station.

If you are in Madrid remember: a museum visit is enriching, easy, inexpensive and you don’t have to feel like head of cattle in roundup. Here we’ve given you some ideas, but if there is a small and lesser known museum that you’ve visited in Madrid that isn’t mentioned here let us know!

A culture consists of several aspects, one of which is food. The customs and dishes of a culture are characteristic of a country or community. Mexican cuisine is now known all over the world, but once began with a little corn and influences from different parts of the world. The rich flavor and cheerful appearance of Mexican dishes have enriched cultures around the world.

• The Mexican chili pepper can be found in every dish and is the most typical ingredient for Mexican cuisine.
• Hearty, elaborate dishes are essential for a good meal in México.
• Tequila is not the only well-known drink from México.

Mexican cuisine is best known for its spicy dishes and sauces, and it is no lie when we say that the food is perhaps one of the spiciest. This culture loves the chili pepper; the sweet as well as the picante variety. It is therefore not surprising that this pepper can be found in almost every dish; if you don't see it, you will taste it. It is one of the main ingredients of a Mexican dish and also the most representative of Mexican cuisine. There is no Mexican dish without chili. A famous priest (Bartolomé de las Casas) once said, "Sin el chile los mexicanos no creen que están comiendo" (Without the chili, Mexicans don't consider it real food). Besides chili, corn is a basic ingredient in all Mexican dishes. It is known that corn has always been produced in México and today there are even 42 types of corn grown. It is indispensable in the cuisine of this culture. 

Not only corn, but also grain is widely used in México. It is mainly used to make bread, since Mexicans consider bread an essential side dish, but it is also a base for the tortilla de harina; a tortilla made of grains, instead of corn. Other well-known side dishes include vegetables, which of course include beans, and rice, which also really should not be forgotten in a typical Mexican dish. Chocolate, which is now available and popular all over the world, originated in México. It dates back to the era of the Olmecs (los Olmecas), but it is still an important ingredient in Mexican cuisine today and is mainly used as a flavoring in sweet dishes.

The eating habits of Mexicans are closely linked to the occasion on which the meal takes place, the origin of the people preparing it and even to the seasons. Overall, we can name four main moments of the day. During el desayuno, breakfast, you can enjoy a delicious muffin, for example, or try the chilaquiles; corn tortilla chips with scrambled eggs, sauce and sometimes even chicken. The most important meal of the day is la comida, lunch. It takes place between 1 and 4 p.m. and is traditionally very elaborate and filling. Soup is made as a starter, often with rice, noodles or pasta. The heartiest meal is the so-called stew with rice, beans and/or salad as a side dish. Several well-known recipes from Mexican cuisine also come into their own at lunch: the famous tacos and burritos and the universally popular chili con carne and nachos. 

Lunch concludes with a dessert that consists of something sweet, coffee or a digestif. When an early lunch is held, Mexicans take time around 5 to 6 p.m. for a merienda; an afternoon tea. It is often a reunion of friends or family where they consume mostly sweet things. Only after 8 p.m. does dinner, la cena, take place. It is a dish similar to the main course from lunch. It is often accompanied by roast meat (beef, pork or chicken) and a boiled/fried sweet potato. Nowadays, Mexican meals are lighter and less elaborate, but you can still enjoy, for example, quesadillas, chilaquiles or huevos rancheros just as much.

Not only is the food from Mexican cuisine typical of this culture, but the, especially alcoholic, drinks from México are also worth trying! The alcoholic beverages originally from Mexican cuisine can now be enjoyed anywhere in the world. However, there is one exception; el pulque. The places where you can get this drink are limited to México only. In addition, there are a places where you can worship the goddess Mayahuel (the goddess of el pulque). These places are so rare that nowadays they can almost be considered museums. The most famous drink from México is, of course, el tequila, the pick-me-up of México. Originally tequila was drunk as an aperitif and since then it is still drunk today with salt and lemon. In addition to tequila, another drink is also made in the state of Jalisco: el mezcal. An agave drink that, like tequila, has a typical taste and smell that makes the drink special. Finally, of course, we cannot forget Mexican beer with its soft, delicate taste for one kind and its strong, intense taste for another. Mexican beer is drunk from a bottle with a slice of lemon in the neck of the bottle. People believe this is to kill any bacteria, but nowadays it is done more as a tradition.

Some know Mexico only from tequila, sombreros or spring break parties that Americans love to go to. But Mexico has much more to offer. For example, the country is rich in Mayan culture, beautiful coastlines and colonial villages. Will you join us on a journey through the colorful villages, Mayan ruins and all the delicious Mexican food?

Maya ruins Chitzen Itza & colonial Valladolid

One of the most famous ruins in Mexico is Chitzen Itza. These ruins have as their highlight the Temple of Kukulcan, the tall pyramid proudly sticking out of the ground on a green lawn. You can easily visit this temple from Cancun, as many tours are arranged from there. But it is more fun to travel to the colonial town of Valladolid first. There you will find a nice central square, souvenir stores but also an underground pool in which you can swim. Moreover, you can also eat delicious food there, for example at the unusually designed Casona de Valladolid. Don't forget to walk to the garden, where you will find a special fountain.

The nicest coast in Mexico can be found at Tulum

One of the best places to enjoy sun, beach and sea during a vacation in Mexico is at Tulum. In fact, in some places you will find beach huts right by the sea, so you can spend the night here. Do you prefer to sleep in a hostel? Then you can book something in town, as many hostels have a free shuttle service to the beach. Tulum is much quieter than Cancun and the coastline is far from being filled with large resorts. You will find a few restaurants and plenty of palm trees so you can relax in the shade. When in Tulum, be sure to get up early and take a walk to the temple of the same name. This is located on the cliffs and is very special to see.

Souvenir shopping and hiking at San Cristobal

In Mexico it is sometimes far too hot in many places, if you want to escape the oppressive heat, your best bet is to travel to San Cristobal. This city is located higher in the mountains and is therefore pleasantly warm. Moreover, you will find cozy markets where you can buy the most beautiful souvenirs. Do bring your haggling skills, because the sellers like to ask a little more from a European tourist. Around San Cristobal you can make beautiful trips to all kinds of waterfalls. From San Cristobal you can then travel further to Palenque. There you will find the special Mayan city where you definitely want to be if you make a tour through Mexico.

Swimming in underground pools

Throughout Mexico you will find all kinds of cenotes, which are underground pools in which you can sometimes swim. Some impressive ones are cenote Xkeken, Ikkil and Dzitnup. If you are traveling in northeastern Mexico you should definitely visit one. But do not forget your swimwear, because it is more than tempting to dive in when it is hot.

Dancing on Isla Mujeres beach and swimming with whalesharks

Would you like to visit an island while in Mexico? Then go to Isla Mujeres and sleep there at the hostel PocNa. There you will find pleasant beach parties or performances of bands at night. Furthermore, you can take special tours around the island where you can swim with giant whalesharks!

Want to read more about Mexico? Check out the travel tips from online travel guide We Are Travellers!

It is the gate of the sun and the apple of the eye of the largest city and capital of Spain. 'Puerta del Sol' is the tourist attraction of Madrid. In addition to its public function today, the square also has an important part in the tourism sector.  Thus, the square possesses famous statues, beautiful fountains and is the zero point of Spain! La Puerta del Sol will take you to the most beautiful places in Madrid.

• Every city has its own beautiful square that gives the city character and appearance. Madrid has "Puerta del Sol"; a square with pure charm and bustle at any time of day.
• The literal zero point of Spain leads you to all the beauties of the city. Every little street shows you the charm of Madrid and takes you to the places the city is so proud of.
• Besides the fame of the square itself, it also holds a number of tourist attractions. For example, the old post office stands prominently in front of the square, the two famous statues have been photographed many times and the fountains are widely used to enjoy this beautiful square.
• 'Puerta del Sol' literally translated means Gate of the Sun and comes from the 15th century, when it served as a gateway to the old city center.

'Puerta del Sol' is a centrally located square in the beautiful capital of Spain: Madrid. The square itself does not have many famous buildings, but it does lead you to the most beautiful sights in Madrid. Besides its important public function for demonstrations and meetings, the square is the literal zero point of Spain. From Disney characters in the afternoon to genuinely good street performers in the evening; 'Puerta del Sol' is alive at any time of day. From 'Puerta del Sol' all distances are calculated to other places in Spain, it is the reference point of highways and the adjacent streets lead you to Madrid's attractions.

Sightseeing in Madrid

There are six streets adjacent to "Puerta del Sol. Two streets of these together are actually one street, running up the side along the square. This street is only accessible to buses and emergency services. Cars are not allowed into the square, which makes it possible for all pedestrians to quietly walk around and look around. The main street "Calle Mayor" takes you to "Plaza Mayor," Madrid's second famous square. The square is surrounded by 'houses' as you see in every 'Plaza Mayor'. If you continue down the street a little further, you will come to 'Plaza de la Villa,' where the Madrid City Hall is located. Return to 'Puerta del Sol', after all, it is the zero point! If you walk through 'Calle Arenal' you can't miss the 'Teatro Real'. 'Teatro Real' is located in the completely matching neighborhood of 'Opéra'. 

The theater is one of the largest stages for opera in the world. From the outside the building does not look spectacular, but inside it is an opera heaven. Behind "Teatro Real" is Madrid's largest square, "Plaza de Oriente. The square holds statues of several Spanish kings and has the 'Palacio Real' by its side. Spain's royal palace is not inhabited but is used for important occasions. A little further on is the impressive 'Cathedral de la Almudena' which took 100 years to build, but the result is impressive. Back to the zero point. The last important street 'Carrera Jerónimo' leads you to a small, quiet neighborhood where you will find many government buildings. As you can see, "Puerta del Sol" takes you easily to the best places in Madrid.

On 'Puerta del Sol' itself you will also find famous tourist attractions. Of course the fountains, which provide a coolness in summer and always have people sitting around them to enjoy the charm and bustle of 'Puerta del Sol'. 'Casa de Correos,' the city's old post office, of which the old clock on the building is especially famous. This clock is used only once a year; during the turn of the year. Like almost everywhere else in Spain, everyone gathers in the central square and counts down 12 seconds before noon until the clock strikes 12. Of course, one grape is traditionally eaten at each clock strike. "Casa de Correos" is the sight of "Puerta del Sol. In addition, the square has two famous statues. Surely the most famous statue is 'Oso y Madroño' (Bear and May Tree). The statue shows an upright bear with a maypole as tall as 4 meters. It is the symbol of the city and the meeting point of many Madrilenians. In the center of the square is the statue of Carlos III. It is a bronze, nine-meter-high replica was placed in the square in 1994.

'Puerta del Sol' was one of the gates of the enclosure of Madrid in the 15th century. It was the central gate to the old center of Madrid, was built on the east and decorated with a sun. This is why the gate was called "Puerta del Sol. Previously, the square had no important function except being a meeting place, but when in 1766 'Casa de Correos' (the post office)was finished, the square took on a more important function. Before 1986, traffic still passed through 'Puerta del Sol,' but this was abolished that year. When more space for pedestrians was created in 1986 and only buses and emergency services were allowed to enter the square, it immediately became much more attractive and cozy.

Spanish Patios

When we visit a city we are almost never able to see what’s behind the doors of the homes and historic buildings that we pass by and when we do, more likely than not, we’re paying for a ticket to get in. Spain has many hidden nooks and crannies and Salamanca is no exception. The patio or claustro is a typical element in the construction of the buildings in Spain; even today you will find blocks of flats constructed with an interior patio. This means that some of the best tourist attractions aren’t even on the map and the tourist don’t know that they are even attractions!  So I’m going to let you in on 5 hidden gems hiding behind the walls of some of the most historic buildings in Salamanca. If you’re looking to get off the beaten track and want to soak up some history, here is where you need to go when you are in Salamanca:

5. The patio of the Anaya Palace

This is one of the few neo-classical buildings found in Salamanca and was constructed at the end of the 18^th century. Four big ionic columns meet you as you enter this university building that now houses the department of Spanish Philology and as you pass through the doors you will be met with a patio that has two galleries and a lot of classic columns—32 to be exact. It may be hard to meditate here since this is a building that holds classes but the view and relaxed atmosphere are worth it.

4. La Universidad Pontificia

The Pontifical University has an imposing patio located behind the walls of the La Clerecía church. This building was completed in 1754 and took almost a hundred and forty years to build. The patio, called El Patio de los Estudios, is found within four 4-story high walls built with the famous yellow sandstone that decorates many buildings in Salamanca. Imposing with a regal tone, you will be able to imagine a very different time as you are standing next to the well in the center.

3. Claustro de los Reyes

The Cloister of the Kings forms part of the Convento de San Esteban in the old town. This building can lay claim to the fact that Columbus slept here when he came to defend his theory about sailing west to reach India against some reluctant academics of his time. This Cloister was constructed at the end of the 16^th century and has gothic and renaissance elements. Around the cloister there are some famous Spaniards buried here like Franciso de Vitoria or Domingo de Soto. Plus, in the center of the patio there is a beautiful shrine.

2. Have you seen the frog?

If you know what I’m talking about that means you’ve seen the façade to the old university building. This historic monument was constructed in 1553 and somewhere on the plateresque wall is a tiny frog and, no, I won’t tell you where it is. When you’ve finished looking for the frog be sure to go through the door and take in the patio that awaits you. Here you will find one of the few sequoia trees growing outside of the US right in the middle! Be sure to go upstairs to see the library that is located directly behind the façade. Although you can´t go in, there is a glass entryway that permits you to look inside.

1. The patio in the Colegio de Fonseca

This, for me is the most beautiful patio in Salamanca mostly because of the lawn and garden that is found here instead of the usual cobblestones found in so many others. The great thing about the Fonseca is that you can sleep here - but only if you are a visiting professor or have been invited by the university to visit. If you are lucky enough to be able to sleep here you will pay about  80 euros  (around $110) and that price includes all your meals. This building was constructed in the 16^th century and was founded by the Archbishop of Toledo, Alonso de Fonseca.  Like many other buildings, this one was constructed with the purpose of giving a home to students that didn’t have the means to support themselves while they were pursuing their studies. If you don’t have the chance to sleep here at least you can have something to drink in the cafeteria next to entrance and you can contemplate one of the most beautiful spaces in Salamanca.

One thing to keep in mind when you are in Salamanca is to check out the events calendar in the local paper. Many times there are concerts, plays or movies that are held in these patios especially in the summer months. It’s a great way to soak up Spanish history and culture at the same time.