The architecture in Spain is very diverse, and so are the palaces. The Spanish palaces were all built in a different century and thus have a different architectural style.

Madrid

The Royal Palace of Madrid is one of the many famous buildings in Spain. The palace is not used as a residential palace, it is the working palace of the king. The palace is also used for official ceremonies. The palace in Madrid is the largest royal palace in Europe and has 3,418 rooms, 16 of which are open to the public. In the 9th century, the Islamic kingdom built a fortress that was expanded in the 16th century with the Alcázar. In 1734 the Alcázar was lost in a fire and this prompted King Philip V to build a new palace in 1755, this is the palace as it is found today in Madrid. There are 16 rooms open to visitors and a tour lasts 2 hours. Surrounding the palace are beautiful gardens that are also well worth a visit.

Granada

One of the most beautiful palaces in Spain is the Alhambra in Granada. The Alhambra is an Arab palace and was built by the Moors. The name Alhambra is translated from Arabic and it means "the red castle." The Alhambra consists of 4 buildings located on a hill 200 meters above the city, providing a magnificent view of Granada. The four buildings were all built in different centuries, including the Alcazaba, which has a courtroom and rooms for the women. The Alcazaba was built in the 11th century. Then the Palacio de Generalife was built in the 13th century; this was the summer residence of the rulers. In the 14th century Casa Real was built which was the royal palace of the rulers. Last after the reconquest from the Moors, the Palace of Charles V was built in the 15th century. In addition to these magnificent buildings, the Alhambra also features beautiful Moorish gardens.

Seville

The Alhambra is not the only magnificent palace in southern Spain. Seville is home to the magnificent Real Alcázar. Alcázar is the Spanish word for castle, which is exactly what it used to be. In the 11th century the fortress was expanded into a palace, and in the 16th century the palace was further expanded. Because the palace was expanded by the Christians in the 16th century, there are features of Mudejar architecture, which is a building style of the Christians with many influences from the Moors. The royal family stays at the Real Alcázar when they visit Seville. Besides the beautiful palace with its many patios, the Alcázar also has beautiful gardens built in different styles. You can find beautiful fountains and pavilions that make these gardens the ideal place to unwind when the temperature rises in the afternoon hours.

The University of Salamanca released “HiHola” earlier this month, an innovative videogame that is designed to build players’ Spanish language skills as they enjoy interactive game play. The entertaining and educational game’s designers assert that while the best way to learn a language is by living it, the second best way is by virtually living it”. HiHola is a 3-D virtual game, similar to the Sims, set in Salamanca, Spain, where users are immersed in the town’s youthful energy, its impressive historic scenery, and most importantly, the Spanish language.

Playing the game

Players take on the role of study abroad students, making their way through Salamanca using Spanish they’ve recently learned in class to communicate with others in everyday situations. Players can attend class in the park with their teachers, hang out with friends, hit the clubs at night, or just take in cultural attractions such as the Plaza Mayor, la casa de las conchas and the monumental New Cathedral. A chat system allows students to talk to one another and set up study sessions with their teachers.

The current version of the game is designed for intermediate-level Spanish learners and players must already have a basic command of the language to follow instructions. Versions of the game designed for other Spanish levels are scheduled to be available in the future. 

With a budget of 2.8 million Euros, HiHola is the product of a joint collaboration between the University of Salamanca and digital animation companies. It also received support from the local Department of Industry, Energy and Tourism, and Education. The game has first been released to Spanish language schools and the University of Salamanca’s summer course program, but it is planned to be distributed internationally to schools also.  

A learning and teaching resource

Teachers can use the game to complement the material they’re teaching and even to evaluate students’ progress after they’ve finished playing. It’s already being used at the University of Washington, where students seem to be responding positively. Teachers confirm that using the game as an engaging study tool seems to encourage more “study” time.

HiHola offers students the unique opportunity to experience Spain and learn Spanish in an ideal study destination. The game effectively captures the lively university atmosphere and historic air that characterize Salamanca and have traditionally made the city popular among Spanish language students from around the world. Founded in 1218, la Universidad de Salamanca is one of Europe’s oldest universities.

HiHola effectively transforms the traditionally passive learning format of a videogame into an active learning experience, which allows players to not only improve their Spanish but to also gain valuable insight into Spain’s rich cultural heritage.  

Watching television is not as popular in Spain as it is in the Netherlands. Spaniards, thanks to the climate, mostly live outside and if the television is on at all, it is usually during dinner. Spaniards do not slouch on the couch in front of the television.

Until 1975, Franco's regime imposed strict censorship on the Spanish media. This caused few good films to come from Spain until then. In 1956, the television channel TVE came into being. TVE is similar to the Dutch NOS. Mostly documentaries, news lectures and sports were broadcast. Until 1974, all programs in Spain were in black and white. In 1977, all TV channels were in color.

The Spanish way of watching television is very different from the Dutch way. Where the Dutch often watch television on the couch after dinner, Spaniards mainly watch television during dinner. This is why most televisions in Spanish households can be found in the dining room or kitchen.

Spanish films

Spanish films are a reflection of Spanish culture, diverse, raw and passionate. Abre los ojos is considered the most successful Spanish film. Made in 1997, this film is about the beautiful man, Cesar who lives in Madrid. Because of his outward appearance, he gets enough attention from women, much to the jealousy of his girlfriend. This jealousy has caused his girlfriend to cause a car accident in which Cesar gets disfigured in his face. This accident changes his whole life and this film is about Cesar's search for a new love.

Penélope Cruz

One of the leading roles in Abre los ojos is played by Penélope Cruz. She also played the same role in the American film adaptation Vanilla Sky. She is one of Spain's most famous actresses of all time. Before studying theater in New York, Penélope Cruz studied ballet in Madrid. To this day, Penélope Cruz is one of Hollywood's most famous actresses and, among other things, has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Penélope is married to Javier Bardem, also a celebrated Spanish actor. Among other awards, he received an oscar for his role in No country for old men, in which he plays a cold-blooded hitman.

Antonio Banderas

Finally, we must not forget Antonio Banderas! Who doesn't know him? He has sidns 2005 star on the Hollywood walk of Fame and he is known, among other things, for his role in Spy Kids, but really broke through in America with his role in Philadelphia in 1993. After his breakthrough in America, he played in many films. His most famous role he played in the movie The Mask of Zorro in which he plays Zorro. This puts him, along with Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem, at the top of the Spanish film industry!

Marbella - the pearl of the Costa del Sol

Marbella is a well-known seaside resort in Andalucía, southern Spain. Marbella has more than 140,000 inhabitants, making it the second largest city in the province of Malaga. Marbella is mostly known for its jet set and the many celebrities who visit the city every year.

Marbella is located in the autonomous region of Andalusia between Gibraltar and Málaga. Marbella is easily reached by car or by bus from the airport of Málaga which is located about 50 km away. With an average daily temperature of 18.7 degrees Celsius per year and its 320 days of sunshine per year, the Costa del Sol, the Sunshine Coast, is an excellent destination to visit all year round. This is also one of the main reasons that many Spaniards and other Europeans have a vacation home in Marbella.

With its pleasant temperature and many days of sunshine, Marbella is a good place to play sports such as golf or tennis. Marbella has as many as 10 golf courses, and every year the WTA women's tennis tournament is held in Marbella.

The name Marbella means "beautiful sea" and derives from the name the Moors gave the city, Marbil-la. In the city you can still find many things from the time of the Moors. For example, the Moors built a castle and walled the city. Parts of this fortification wall are still present. The old part of town consists of small narrow streets where the real Spanish atmosphere can be found.

Puerto Banus

The new part of Marbella is mostly known for its glitz and glamour, jet set and the many celebrities who visit the city every year. Puerto Banús is the most prestigious pleasure port in the Mediterranean. Many celebrities or Middle Eastern leaders have their boats here, including the king of Saudi Arabia. Near Puerto Banús is also the famous Boulevard of Fame, this boulevard has the same idea as the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Parks in Marbella

The new and old parts of the city also have many parks and gardens. Located in the center of the city is Parque Arroyo de la Represa. This park includes several sports fields, two ponds and the Bonsai Museum. Parque de la Alameda is a park very popular with locals. People come here for a walk and events and markets are regularly held in this park. In addition to the parks, in the area of Marbella, just outside the city you can also find a botanical garden, Jardin botanico el Angel. This botanical garden has been one of the oldest botanical gardens in Spain since the 18th century. 

2013 World Scrabble in Spanish Championship

Airan Perez  (from Venezuela) clenched the title of World Scrabble in Spanish Champion last Saturday after facing  two time world champ Enric Hernandez (from Spain) in a dramatic final match of the popular word game.

International competition was intense at the 17^th annual World Scrabble en español Championships held in Buenos Aires last week; 92 players from 23 different countries (including the US, Israel and Switzerland) entered the 4 day event, many with visions of bringing Scrabble glory to their home countries and earning major bragging rights. Some observers and participants felt that Argentina had dominated on-board Scrabble action for too long, with Argentines having won the title 4 years running.  President of the Federación Internacional de Scrabble en español (FISE), Santiago Rosales stated before the tournament: “Argentina has won so many world titles that they must be stopped any way possible”.

Horacio Moavro, president of the Asociación Argentina de Scrabble and last year’s world Scrabble champ describes the game as “a sport of the mind”, and says that “to play, you have to know a lot of words, but most importantly, you must employ a strategy that allows you to use those words in a way that scores the most points”. Mr. Moavro stated at this year’s competition that “there’s great camaraderie here that goes beyond countries and rivalries, we’re rivals on the board, but when the game’s over we all go have lunch together”. It’s no surprise that Argentina make a strong presence at the event, as an estimated 10,000 Argentines play the game regularly in clubs and associations across the country. Buenos Aires’ city legislature officially declared this year’s World Scrabble Championship an event “of special sporting interest”.

Spanish Letters

The English version of the game only allows for the use of 120,000 words, while Scrabble in Spanish recognizes 660,000 words. 105.000 of those Spanish words appear in the latest edition of the Royal Spanish Academy’s dictionary, while the rest are the 34 to 35 conjugations for each verb and gender differences (feminine versions of nouns generally don’t appear in the dictionary). Among the accepted words are 87 two letter words and 450 three letter words, which are essential knowledge for savvy scrabblers. Small words that score big points include “ox” technically meaning “sound used to scare away chickens”, along with za  ño, and lle. You don’t have to know what the words means though to use them in play, and even world ranked players admit they don’t know what many of the words mean. Spanish Scrabble also has letter tiles you won’t find in the English version, such as the Ñ (worth 8 points), CH (5 points), and the LL and the RR that will each score you 8 points.

Scrabble in other languages

World Scrabble Championships are currently held in 3 different languages around the world: English, French and Spanish. The board game is produced in 29 different languages including Arabic, Hebrew, Icelandic, and the latest language addition Welsh.

The 2004 documentary Word Wars – Tiles and Tribulations on the Scrabble Circuit explores the curious world of competitive level Scrabble competitions. The film was shown at the Sundance film festival and was nominated for an Emmy. 

Next year’s World Scrabble in Spanish Championship is scheduled to be held in Cuba.

The Spanish costas have been one of the most popular vacation destinations for years. The Spanish coast is very diverse and therefore has much to offer. Where in the North of Spain the coast is rugged and has a very green hinterland, the costas in the Southeast of Spain consist mostly of white sandy beaches and clear blue seawater.

The Spanish word for coast is Costa. For years, the Spanish costas have been one of the most popular beach destinations in Europe. The coast of the Spanish peninsula is a whopping 4964 kilometers long. Portugal's location on the Iberian Peninsula has caused the Spanish coastline to be divided into two parts. One is the southeast coast of Spain, most of which faces the Mediterranean Sea. The southeast coast is also divided into 12 costas. The second part of the Spanish coastline is located on the north side of Spain on the Atlantic Ocean, this part is divided into 6 costas.

Costa Brava

In the far north of Spain lies the Costa Brava. Costa Brava also means the "rugged, wild coast. This costa is about 200 km long and is a popular vacation destination especially with young vacationers. South of the Costa Brava in Catalonia is the Costa Dorada and consists mostly of well-known seaside resorts and small fishing villages. The Costa del Azahar is located on what means the 'Orange Blossom Coast', is 120 km long and owes its name to the many orange fields in the area

Further south is the Costa de Valencia and the Costa Blanca. The main city on the Costa de Valencia is Valencia, this along with Barcelona is one of the few cities that have a city beach. The Costa Blanca is a 250 km coastline located south of Valencia and is best known for its beautiful bays with white sandy beaches. This costa gets its name from the many almond trees that grow in this region. Even further south we encounter the Costa Calida, "the warm coast." This region is also home to the largest natural pool in the world, "Mar Menor.

One of the costas not yet overrun with mass tourism is the Costa Tropical. This costa owes its name to the many tropical fruits that grow here. The Costa Tropical is located in southern Andalusia and is a paradise for peace seekers, nature lovers and because of the clear water also for diving enthusiasts.

Costa del Sol

South of this tropical paradise is the Costa del Sol. This costa is very popular with tourists and here you will find many busy places often used by winter visitors. The Costa del Sol characterizes itself by its beautiful beaches, warm weather and wide boulevards. Besides the busy places, there are also fishing villages.

Thus, on the southern coast of Spain one finds many winter destinations. In contrast, for those who like active beach vacations, the Costa Verde is an ideal destination. Located in northern Spain on the Atlantic Ocean, Costa Verde has extensive beaches interspersed with rocks and cliffs that extend into the sea. Because this region also experiences occasional showers in summer, there is plenty of greenery. In the immediate vicinity of the Costa Verde are some beautiful cities and also the mountain peaks of the Picos de Europa. Therefore, the Costa Verde is the ideal destination for hikers, climbers or cyclists who want a great diversity of nature at their fingertips.

Home to some of the finest landscapes in Europe Spain is definitely a top destination for both beginners, intermediate and advanced triathletes looking for a different sort of physical challenge. Most Triathlons happen between February and September throughout the year. The weather in Spain varies massively between these times but below I have highlighted a few events which are sure to be an eye stopper for those looking to get into doing a triathlon or semi professionals alike.

Types of triathlons

Triathlons are usually split into the following types:

Sprint Triathlons – 750m Swim, 20KM Bike, 5KM Run
Olympic Triathlons – 1.5km Swim, 40KM Bike, 10KM Run
Long Triathlons–1.9KM Swim, 90KM Bike, 21.1 KM Run
Ultra long – Known commonly as the ironman

As you can see the distance varies massively. Nowadays there are slight variations on these such as Cross Triathlons, triathlons over a rougher terrain such as a beach, forest, mountains etc. These are sometimes more physically enduring than an Olympic triathlon on road because it requires you to focus significantly more regarding which direction and speed you are travelling in, and as the terrain requires more effort these are very difficult. They are however a great place to start from if you are looking to get into triathlons.

There are several brands and organizations when it comes to triathlons in Spain. Most are part of the Federation of Triathlons in Spain. The most common in Spain are: Gescon Chip – offer a broad range of duathlons, triathlons, aquathlons and cross sprints etc. all over Spain. Easy to sign up, cheap and all information is uploaded onto your account.  ICAN – This is the equivalent to an IRONMAN. The distances are tough and challenging and entry fees are a lot more expensive. These courses are for true triathletes. Then there are other organizations like: TriStar, TriSur, AviaMan, IronCat and Ironman (in the Canary Islands).

Cities also organize their own private triathlons without major companies so bare that it mind. So if you’re looking to get involved or take advantage of Spain’s ideal climate and geography than here are a few stand out triathlons in Spain to look out for. Have a google if you are unsure, there are normally a lot smaller:

TIMANFAYA TRIATHLON

Located in the Canary Islands, this is a great early year triathlon blessed with great African weather. This is a Sprint triathlon and a top spot to get some early year experience and practice ahead of the bigger events. Intermediate and advanced.

ICAN MALAGA APRIL

Definitely a top triathlon for the elite. This is a long triathlon located in the south coast of Spain that is not one for the faint hearted. You have to sign up quite early and prices are quite high but definitely worth trying. Advanced

TRISUR SEVILLA

This is definitely a great event for everyone. They do sprint, Olympic and Long triathlons. Fine landscape but very, very hot so make sure to drink a lot of water. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.

TRIATLON DE CARTAGENA

Great event and in a nice location, located on the south east coast of Spain. This is a sprint triathlon and a good one to do. Good for all levels, and a great place to start. Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.

TRIATLON VILLA DE MADRID

Located in the heart of the city this is definitely a recommended triathlon. Level is normally quite high but they offer both sprint and Olympic triathlons. Definitely worth a look. Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced.

That’s about it, let me know if you have any experience with the above or if there are a couple crackers I might have missed out on!

The Maya

The Maya lived in an area what is now southeast Mexico (Yucatan) to parts of what is now Belize, Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, among others.

One of the wonders of the world

1.2 Million tourists visit the ruins of Chichen Itza every year. Chichen Itza is ideal as a day trip from one of the many resorts in the area such as Playa del Carmen. Chichen Itza was founded between 600 and 900 AD by the Mayans. However, it was not until the 10th century AD that the city became important to the Maya. From then on, Chichen Itza was one of the most important Mayan cities. In 1850, the city was discovered by archaeologists. Since 1988, the city has been listed on UNESCO's World Heritage List. On July 7, 2007, El Castillo, located in Chichen Itza was listed as one of the wonders of the world.

El Castillo is the most famous Mayan monument in the world. El Castillo is a pyramid that is also a calendar, the Mayan calendar. The pyramid consists of 18 levels, these levels equal the 18 months that make up a year. The number of steps of the pyramid, together with the upper platform makes a total number of 365, which represents the number of days per year in the Mayan calendar. Finally, the pyramid has a total of 52 separate planes on the sides of the pyramid, which equals the number of years in a century in the Mayan calendar. El Castillo is 30 meters high, unfortunately it is no longer possible for the public to climb the pyramid.

In addition to its function as a calendar, the pyramid has another wonderful effect. On March 21 and September 21, the beginning of spring and autumn, the position of the sun creates a beautiful shadow play. The position of the sun and thus its shadow makes it appear as if a 34-meter-long snake climbs up the pyramid's steps, and slides back down the other side of the pyramid. This phenomenon attracts hundreds of visitors from all over the world every year.

Furthermore, there are many other monuments in Chichen Itza. For example, there is the largest ball court in the Mayan world. There are also several temples present including the temple of tables, the temple of warriors and the temple of jaguars. You can also find an observatory called El Caracol. This observatory was used by the Maya to make astronomical observations through the slots in the roof of the dome.

Spanish Wines

As a salute to wine harvest season, we're listing our top ten wines that bear the prestigious label of Denominación de Origen, an official classification granted by the Spanish Department of Food and Agriculture to the country's finest food products and particularly to its wines.

The labeling guarantees quality and that the product has originated from the region of its designation. Here are ten ideas, ten places, ten exceptional wine regions. They may not be as well known as other Spanish wines such as Rioja, Ribera de Duero, and Sherry, but these wines and their places of origin are no less delightful.

Top ten Designation of Origin wines

1. D.O. Navarra

The Navarre region is well known for its running of the bulls festivals and its bountiful orchards that produce top quality fruits.

The excellence of Navarre wines often takes tasters by surprise, and wineries in this region have clearly evolved.

A visit to a local bodega and a hike around Sierra de Urbasa Park make for a "round" experience.

2. D.O. Chacolí de Guetaria

This refreshing white wine with a bit of a bite goes perfect with "txikitos" you can order in bars all over the Basque country.

This is a social, upbeat wine that's also a great complement to the endless fish dishes on offer in the region.

The town of Gueteria holds a unique appeal for many: it's got some of the best waves in the world for surfing. Other area towns with beaches and fishing ports worth visiting include Zarautz, Deba and Motriku.

3. D.O. Bierzo

This region sits nestled in the northeastern corner of Castile and Leon, near the border of both Asturias and Galicia. It produces robust red wine that perfectly complements the mountain cuisine.

The mountainous landscapes that await your hiking boots are also the place of origin of exceptionally fine meats and cheeses. From Ponferrada, you can first head to Las Médulas to take in impressive scenery.

Next we recommend visiting the Asturias area of Los Oscos, just an hour by car and just a short drive away from Galicia.

4. D.O. Ribeira Sacra

In the province of Ourense, embraced on either side by the Sil River, there's a community of winegrowers that insists on cultivating vineyards and producing wine on rugged river banks that are often only accessible by water.

Like the famous Galician wines Albariño and Ribeiro, wines from Ribeira Sacra are offering surprising new quality white and red wine flavors that go nicely with the wonderful meats and stews of the region.

A boat trip to the Sil River canyon is a must.

5. D.O. Ribera del Guadiana

Extramadura is known for its ham and its cherries from the Jerte Valley. Some also call the cheese from here "Torta del Casar", but not many people know about the wine of Ribera del Guadiana, a wine that's been produced since the age of the Roman Empire, but which has only had a regulatory council for the last ten years.

The white and red wines of these regions, most notably Montánchez, have obtained "very good" classifications in the last few years. Enjoying a nice wine and strolling about Merida while soaking in the enchanting historic ambience are highly recommended activities.

6. D.O. Sierras de Málaga

Although Malaga is most associated with stunning beaches and not with the drink of Baco, the region's inland areas such as Competa and Frigiliana offer a pleasant surprise.

Frigiliana and the mountains surrounding Ronda will provide the dynamic setting for our tour of the region's most palette pleasing wines.

7. D.O. Alicante

The Spanish Mediterranean coast is home to a wine that is listed by the European Union as one of its five "luxury wines".

Fondillon is made with over-ripe monastrell grapes and aged for a minimum of 10 years.

Only 10 bodegas in Alicante have the privilege of making this wine.

8. D.O. Pla i Llevant

White wines are produced in this eastern, inland area of Mallorca that make notable use of Chardonnay grapes.

Mallorca's mountain scenery and the cozy coves tucked away along the island's coastline provide a perfect excuse to make your getaway to this Mediterranean paradise, an ideal backdrop to your wine tasting adventure.

9. D.O. Lanzarote

This is a place where volcanoes make the ground so hot you can cook without making a fire, a place where the earth's force is in constant movement, and where an excellent wine is produced:

Malvasía, which delighted Shakespeare himself four hundred years ago and continues to be made among the cones of ash that protect the vineyards huddled within the prairie lands of La Geria on Lanzarote Island.

10. D.O. El Hierro

For centuries, this small island marked the end of the known world for Europeans. It was called "Isla del Meridiano" because the prime meridian passed through here for several centuries until it was redrawn over Greenwich. El Hierro is a model community in terms of its use of sustainable energy, its respect for nature, and friendly residents, many of whom produce flavorful white wines that reflect the character of the island.

The La Restinga area in the south is required visiting, where the sea floor continues "fabricando isla" (creating island) as the islanders say.

Spaniards love lotteries, and there are dozens of lotteries to mention. Spain has several daily, weekly, monthly and annual lotteries. Also, "the fattest" lottery in the world is a Spanish lottery! Every Christmas, the Loteria Nacional has the biggest jackpot in the world. This special Christmas draw is called "El Gordo," meaning "the fat one" or "the fat one. It is not remarkable when the prize money of this lottery reaches up to 66 billion euros!

Let's start with the cheapest lottery in Spain. This is the Bonoloto, the draw takes place Monday through Wednesday and on Friday. Lottery tickets can be bought from €0.59 cents per day. However, one can also buy a lottery ticket valid for the whole week, which costs €2.37. The prize money can reach up to 66 million euros. However, this prize money is divided among all Bonoloto draws that take place in the same week.

In Spain, you can also play EuroMillions, which is a European lottery in which several international lotteries work together into one big lottery. The EuroMillions draw is every Tuesday and Friday. The big advantage of this lottery is that the prize money from all the countries is added together, giving you a huge jackpot. Also, if the top prize does not fall, then this amount is added to the jackpot of the following draw.

The Loteria Nacional is a lottery in Spain similar to the Staatsloterij in the Netherlands. It is a state lottery and therefore tax-free. There are several variants of this lottery. One is the "El Gordo de la Primitiva," which is a weekly lottery. Also in this lottery, the prize money can reach up to 66 million euros. However, the tickets for this lottery are a bit more expensive than the Bonoloto. Lottery tickets are sold in 10 parts, each part is called a "décimo. Each décimo costs €20 and a whole lot costs €200. The prize money is therefore divided among the 10 winning lots. Many Spanish groups of friends or families therefore buy a whole lot together to reduce the cost and in this way the money is divided within the circle of friends or family.