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.

A nature reserve of about 130 islands that is home to unique animal species and is a feast for the eyes of volcano lovers. Together, the Galápagos Islands (Spanish: Islas Galápagos) are one large natural park with a special character and is located in the Pacific Ocean, 1,000 kilometers off the west coast of South America. The literal translation of Islas Galápagos is "Turtle Islands".

A protected natural area with a fragile ecosystem and yet home to over 25,000 people. The Galápagos Islands have their own special character. Created only a few million years ago and visited by Charles Darwin for his research to develop a new theory, the islands have a short but interesting history.

The group of up to 130 islands in total were created by a series of volcanic eruptions. There is a hot and dry climate. The archipelago belongs to the Latin American country of Ecuador and is considered a province of the country. There are 13 major islands, one of which (San Cristóbal) possesses the province's capital Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Furthermore,'Isla Isabela' is the largest island with 50% of the total area of the archipelago and has no less than 5 volcanoes. Other well-known large islands are Santa Cruz, Fernandina, San Salvador/Santiago,Floreana, Marchena, Española and Pinta. 

Fernandina is also best known for being in the news relatively often with eruptions of its active volcano. The total population of the islands is about 25,000 and the official language is Spanish. The Galápagos Islands are the perfect getaway for a vacation in Ecuador because not only are the islands themselves special, but they also have interesting sights. You really can't miss the capital Puerto Baquerizo Moreno for a unique experience in the city of a protected nature reserve. There is also the "Galápagos National Park" and you can visit the "Charles Darwin Research Station. A few islands are not accessible to tourists, such as Pinta, this island only allows researchers. The population lives mainly from the cultivation of agricultural products such as cotton, sugar cane, vegetables and fruits and from fishing. In addition, tourism brings a lot of income, for example, Santa Cruz is the island where many cruise ships have their departure and docking base and almost all residents work in the tourism sector.

The islands were discovered in 1535 by a Dominican bishop whose ship accidentally veered off course and ended up at the islands. Geologically and compared to other islands, the islands are only young; they were formed several million years ago by a series of eruptions of volcanoes. In 1835, some of the islands were visited by Charles Darwin. With his research ship, he spent considerable time on the islands to study biology and geology. The research on the Galápagos Islands, among others, eventually led to the famous theory of evolution. His findings are now a fundamental basis for the knowledge of animal species in places like the Galápagos Islands. Around 1960, the islands were considered a national park, and since 1978 they have even been on UNESCO's World Heritage List. In the late 1990s, a strange and flora-threatening problem appeared; a group of feral goats caused serious damage to the beautiful and unique flora and fauna of the islands of Isabella and Santiago. Removal of the more than 150,000 goats allowed nature to recover and left its unique character largely intact.

As mentioned earlier, the Galápagos Islands have a unique composition of flora and fauna. Having never been in contact with the mainland, they contain a number of special animal species. These species have been independently evaluated according to the climate and environment of the islands, making them unique. Some examples are the galápagos giant tortoise, the marine iguana, the galápagos albatross and the frigate bird. Of course, many more species live on the islands. Nature is protected as it is a fragile ecosystem. The landscape is made up of hundreds of volcanoes, the oldest of which are 4-5 million old, and these volcanoes provide an unprecedented fertile soil that allows unusual plant species to be found on these islands.

Cherry Blossom in Spain

Cherry blossoms are usually associated with Japan or even Washington D.C. but Spain also has its own particular cherry blossom festival.  In a corner of Spain between Salamanca and Cáceres, close to the town of Plasencia, is a valley tucked into the mountains of the central system. Within this 70 kilometer long valley—Jerte Valley—is a growing region home to the Picota cherry, one of the sweetest cherries on earth. This cherry comes with a Denominación de Origin (Denomination of Origin) certificate that classifies this fruit as being of the highest quality and coming from only this area of the world.

Every year in spring this valley comes to life with the blooming of the trees and arrival of thousands of Spaniards that come to see a beautiful, fleeting event.  The region prepares an agenda of activities that range from bird watching to participating in the actual picking of the cherries. This area wakes up from a winter hibernation to a calendar of activities that is actually pretty dizzying.

More than 1.5 million cherry trees occupy this basin with many growing up steeply rising hillsides. These trees pertain mostly to small family farms (there are 3,737 registered growers) and are grown in a very traditional and sustainable manner. For example, it is very common to see during picking season the cherries laid out on beds of fern leaves which protects the fruit while it is being gathered.  Unfortunately for most Americans, tasting these incredibly delicious cherries is practically impossible: 60% of the productions is consumed domestically while the rest is exported principally to Germany and the United Kingdom.

Right now the trees are starting to bloom and the second act of a three-act play of nature is happening.  The locals have given a name to these three moments: Despertar el valle (the valley wakes), Cerezo en Flor (Cherry trees in bloom), and Lluvia de Pétalos (shower of flower petals). This is the moment when most people come to the valley to take in some incredible views and walk along the numerous paths that wind between the trees and the different villages within this area.

If you want to come and take part in an incredible show of nature, you better hurry because by the beginning of May the flowers will be gone and the fruit will be start to be growing on the tree. Not all is lost, though, if you come after the flowers have gone since the fruit will be ready and picked in June and July. You will then be able to taste some the best and rarest cherries in the world. I’d say that would be worth the trip.

How to get to the Valle del Jerte

To get to the Valle del Jerte from Madrid you can go north through Ávila or west, by way of Plasencia—either way the trip takes about 2 1/2 to 3 hours making an overnight stay in a casa rural an excellent option. In spring, the weather is usually warm during the day with cool nights without the extremes of the neighboring areas due to the excellent micro-climate the valley creates.

In Dutch we call them appetizers and they are eaten on birthdays or when there are visitors. In Spain, appetizers are nothing special. In fact, it is part of the Spanish way of life! Spanish tapas are not eaten on an occasion but as a snack. From slices of chorizo to whole works of art, but tapas are tapas and the Spanish cannot live without them.

• Tapas have not always been as elaborate as they are today. In fact, it all started very simply with olives, bread or chorizo. It was only later, when different cultures came into contact with each other, that tapas were influenced and more ingredients and thus more variety appeared.
• The fact that Spaniards eat tapas makes sense in principle; they have a lot of time between meals when there is no eating and then tapas is a good substitute.
• There are countless recipes for the tastiest tapas. It is therefore not for nothing that there are many websites with tips and explanations for making tapas. In addition, each region in Spain has its own specialties.

As mentioned earlier, it started very simply with bread, olives and chorizo. That tapas are now so vastly expanded is because of the influence the Romans, Arabs and Columbus had on it. The Romans discovered olive oil, which gave them the means to preserve meat while adding flavor to various products. The Arabs brought nuts and spices, but the best was what Columbus brought with him: vegetables. Tapas often used to be free. It was a snack you got with your glass of sherry. The sherry drinkers of Andalusia, for example, got a slice of chorizo with their sherry. The saucer with the snack was placed on top of the drink to cover it to keep out flies and other critters. To cover is 'tapar' in Spanish, hence the word tapas. When the bars realized that when they gave the sherry drinkers tapas they drank more (because of the salt content of the tapas), the bars developed several types of tapas to offer with the sherry and other drinks so that sales of the drink increased.

“Ir de tapas”

Spaniards are known as late eaters. People dine between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. and sometimes not even until midnight. This means that there is a lot of time between lunch and dinner. A good solution to this is tapas. In Spanish, it is called ir de tapas: consuming snacks in a bar and taking time for friends or family. It is part of the social life of Spaniards. A bar that serves tapas has about 8 to 12 kinds of tapas that are visibly kept under glass heat showcases that make the tapas look scrumptious. Almost all of them contain garlic, peppers or paprika, salt and pepper. In addition to the vegetable and meat tapas, mariscos (seafood) are also very popular; fish such as anchovies, sardines, marbel or squid are often used to make delicious tapas. In northern Spain and some other areas such as Salamanca, tapas are also called pinchos (Basque: pintxos).A pincho is a small skewer and is inserted into the snack to hold the creation together and to keep track of the number of tapas a customer has had in a bar. The average price for one tapa is about 1 to 2 euros, depending on where you consume the tapa. Yet these days tapas are not just appetizers; they can be made into half dishes or meals. That's why on restaurant menus you often see raciones (tapas meals). It is a larger portion of appetizers.

There are countless tapas recipes with different ingredients and variations so there is a bite for everyone. In Spain, each region has its own specialty. For example, the coastal provinces specialize in seafood and the bars and restaurants in inland Spain make amazing creations with mostly meat and vegetables.

The Spanish Bijenkorf, that's how we could call this Spanish department store chain. El Corte Inglés is one of the world leaders in department stores and has been around for more than 70 years. As small as they started in the late 19th century, they are now so big. El Corte Inglés has everything from makeup to a hand blender and from a can of beans to a stylish outfit.

• Since its founding in 1940, the department store has accumulated a lot of experience and you can find almost anything you need. The literal translation of El Corte Inglés into Dutch is De Engelse Snit.
• Besides the department stores, the Spanish distribution group El Corte Inglés also has other chains, including "Viajes Corte Inglés" and the well-known Sfera. Some of these chain are located only in El Corte Inglés itself, while others also have their own branches.
• With 87 branches of El Corte Inglés in total, the department store is not to be missed. Every city in Spain has one anyway and they are all located in a prominent place in the city. The department store now also has 2 branches in Portugal.

The first Corte Inglés

It all started with a small store on the corner of the street "Calle Preciados" in Madrid in 1890, founded by Ramón Areces. The store focused on clothing for children and tailoring. Only in 1940 was it officially named El Corte Inglés S.L., which in 1952 was transformed into Sociedad Anónima, S.A. (Limited Liability Company). Still, it took another 22 years before the second branch was opened. In 1962, El Corte Inglés also decided to overthrow Barcelona with this new type of store, and it caught on. In no time, new department stores sprang up in several cities in Spain. The goal was and still is to offer the target group a complete assortment in every area: from physical care and fashion to home accessories and groceries. 

It is not for nothing, therefore, that the department stores of El Corte Inglés all have more than 4 floors. The largest have 9 floors and even include a parking garage and foreign currency exchange offices.Pharmacies, chop shops, opticians, tobacconists, clothing stores or a supermarket; you name it, El Corte Inglés has it. All to give customers everything they need. Recently, the department store came up with a method that allows customers to store on all floors without having to checkout at each brand individually. The Carta de Compras booklet allows customers to checkout all their items at once through a sticker system.

El Corte Inglés department store sells many brands through a kind of store-in-store system. Makeup brands such as L'Oreal Paris and Maybelline New York, for example, have their own department with their own cash register and representative to sell the brand. The same happens with clothing brands and stores that sell their products in El Corte Inglés. For example, Desigual, Mango and Tommy Hilfiger also have their own departments. In addition to the various brands that El Corte Inglés sells, it also has its own brand. The most famous is probably "Sfera," a brand that sells not only clothes, but also makeup and body care products and has its own branches in addition to departments in the department store. There are also the Telecor (telecommunications) chain, Hipercor (hypermarket chain), Supercor (supermarket chain), Opencor (convenience stores), Viajes Corte Inglés (travel), Bricor (hardware stores), Informática Corte Inglés (software)and Óptica2000 (Opticians and audiciens).

With 87 branches in total, El Corte Inglés is the largest group of department stores in Europe. As of 2001, it also has 2 branches in Portugal: Lisbon and Porto (2006). In Spain, every autonomous region has at least one branch of El Corte Inglés, except the autonomous region of La Rioja. Almost every city in Spain owns the crowd-pleaser. Major Spanish cities even have two or three. Spain's largest cities, of course, have quite a few more: Madrid leads the way with as many as 11 Corte Inglés department stores, followed by Barcelona (5) and Valencia (4). The El Corte Inglés department stores are fun to look around alone, so definitely worth a visit!

The city festival of the beautiful city in northern Spain, San Sebastian, is without a doubt the loudest party among Spanish celebrations. But why really? The quiet but touristy city of San Sebastian makes its presence felt on Jan. 20 when hundreds of people walk the streets of San Sebastian with drums.

• The city's celebration is called the "Tamborrada," because it's all about the drums. This is also the immediate reason for being the loudest party in Spain. For an entire day you hear nothing but rhythmic beats on the drum.
• Although San Sebastian pretends to be a small town in terms of size, it is still one of Spain's most famous tourist destinations. The city is located in northern Spain, in the autonomous region of the Basque Country. Its distance of only 20 kilometers from the French border and its beautiful location on the coast makes San Sebastian a must-see of Spain.

Tamborrada

The "Tamborrada" is the city festival of San Sebastian, but it also attracts many tourists. In addition to rhythmic beats to the music, you get to beat the drums like crazy and make as much noise as you can. It started with a procession from Santa María Church to the church in the old part of San Sebastian in the "Antiguo" district. This procession ended with a festive dance accompanied by flutes and drums from the military band. Since that day, the military has been imitated by almost everyone. People dressed as soldiers march through the streets of San Sebastian with drums. Children are dressed as little soldiers from the time of Napoleon and merrily march along. It has become a tradition to dress up as soldiers or cooks. The latter comes from the tradition of dining as adults in sociedades gastronómicas. This used to be open only to men, but today even the strictest clubs allow women in as well, making it a dinner for all adults.

The event begins at noon when the flag is raised on "Konstituzio Plaza" in the old part of town (Parte Vieja). From then on, you will hear nothing but drums for 24 hours. Everyone marches through the city to music in special costumes that often present a country. For example, the special costume of the military in Scotland consists of a red or blue skirt with matching shirt. Thus, each group of people has a different costume. There are basically two programs during these 24 hours: the regulated program, where processions of people make the streets unsafe with their rhythmic noise, and the part where people beat their drums as arrhythmically and unregulated as possible. The music is often marching music to make the feeling of the military as real as possible. Well-known music includes "March of Sebastian," composed especially for the event, "Erretreta," "Tatiago" and "Iriyarena. The celebration ends 24 hours later at 12 a.m. when the flag at 'Konstituzio Plaza' is lowered again.

San Sebastian

San Sebastian is a small city made big (famous) by the city's international film festival and the "Tamborrada. In terms of size, San Sebastian does not really look like a city, but with more than 186,000 inhabitants, it may well be considered a city. San Sebastian is located in the autonomous region of the Basque Country, so people speak Basque and Castilian (just Spanish). It has many city districts, including "Parte Vieja," "Antiguo" and "Amara Zaharra. So in addition to a beautiful coastline, San Sebastian has a great inner city that is definitely worth visiting....