As we all know, one of the things Spain is known for are its famous painters and beautiful art. The most famous Spanish painter is Diego Velázquez. He is one of the greatest painters ever! With his individual style and technique, Diego Velázquez had a huge influence on European art. The young Velázquez once said, "I would rather be the best painter in normal everyday things than the second best in higher art." For those who like a bit of culture, this interesting painter is definitely worth knowing more about!

Diego Velázquez had a pretty impressive life. The painter was born in Seville June 6, 1599. In 1611 he starts painting with Fransico Pacheco. This is not a great painter, but he does teach Diego Velázquez the intricacies of the trade. It is also through this man that he meets the woman he will marry in 1617. This, in fact, is Pacheco's daughter. That same year, Diego Velázquez also became a member of a painters' guild, allowing him to start his own studio.

Philip IV: 5 years later, in 1622 Diego Velázquez leaves for Madrid for the first time. There, in 1623, he receives his first commission to paint a portrait of King Philip IV. This is a great success and he is appointed court painter and the only person allowed to paint the king.

Surrender of Breda: Later in 1634 and 1635, Diego Velázquez collaborated on the decoration of a new palace called Buen Retiro. One of its most important works is ´The Surrender of Breda´. This work of art, which consists of 12 paintings, is considered the best historical work in the history of Western Europe. It was created by several painters. This painting shows battles. After 12 months, the besieged Breda gives up the siege. The 12th painting shows the taking over ceremony in which the keys of the city gates are handed over.

The Pope and ´Las Meninas´: Velázquez also paid occasional visits to Italy. On his second visit, he was allowed to paint a portrait of the Pope. This famous portrait is called ´Pope Innocent X´. However, the Pope himself considered it too ´truthful´. Once back in Spain, Diego Velázquez painted his most important painting: ´Las Meninas´ a portrait featuring members of the royal family and court. The central figure in this portrait is Infanta Margarit with her ladies-in-waiting, and dog. The actual main figures, the royal couple, is depicted only in a mirror.

Style: Diego Velázquez is also called the ´painter of painters´. This is because he paid attention to light, space, lines and color in such a way. He mainly painted landscapes, scenes of ordinary life, religious paintings, genre pieces and portraits of the royal family. He influenced many other painters such as Corot, Manet, Goya, Courbet and Whistler. Spain should be very proud of this piece of history!

In Spain, you can admire his work in Madrid and Seville. Highly recommended viewing!

The landmark of Barcelona... Who doesn't know it? La Sagrada Familia. The gigantic church is the showpiece of Barcelona due to its unique appearance. The church is admired by thousands of tourists every day. La Sagrada Familia literally means "The Holy Family. The church, which has been under construction for 130 years and is still unfinished, is definitely worth seeing if you are in Barcelona!

The church is shaped like a cross and is located in the middle of the city. La Sagrada Familia contains a total of 18 towers. Twelve of these towers represent the appostles, four represent the evangelists, and the other two towers represent the Blessed Virgin Mary and Christ. Furthermore, there are three facades, depicting the life of Jesus Christ. To get the best picture of this church, the map of the Sagrada Familia can be viewed. This floor plan shows exactly what the original plans were for this church. But not only the outside is impressive! Inside, the church is at least as special. With its unique shapes and renewed Gothic style, the church is beautiful to see.

The first stone was laid in 1882. La Sagrada Familia was commissioned by the Roman Catholic Church in honor of the Holy Family. At first, Francisco de Paula del Villar was the architect of the church, but he soon called it quits due to religious disagreements. The project was taken over by the architect Antoni Gaudí. For 40 years he worked on this impressive church. Unfortunately, he died in 1926. During the last years of his life, he worked exclusively on the church. Designing this church was the biggest project of his life. Gaudi was very dedicated. In fact, he was so dedicated that at one point he went to live on the construction site! In the crypt inside the church is the tomb in which the world-famous architect Gaudí is buried. After his death, several architects continued Gaudí's work following his original ideas.

Gaudí did not design the church according to a set pattern. He wanted to create a new architecture, with balanced and self-sustaining structures. These innovative ideas can all be seen in the church. While building the church, Gaudí often changed his ideas. This was one of the reasons why the building of the church was delayed. Furthermore, there was also a lack of financial resources. La Sagrada Familia was only allowed to be financed through donations. In fact, the church was originally planned as a "cathedral of the poor.Tegenwoordig wordt er nog steeds aan la Sagrada Familia gewerkt. De verwachting is dat de kerk in 2026, precies 100 jaar na de dood van Gaudi, af zal zijn. Of dit gaat lukken kan niet met zekerheid worden gezegd. Wat we wel zeker weten is dat deze kerk, ondanks dat er nog aan wordt gewerkt, prachtig is om te bezichtigen!

Visits: You can also visit La Sagrada Familia! The address of la Sagrada Familia is Calle Mallorca, 401. Barcelona 08013. During the summer months (April to September), the church is open daily from 9am-8pm. During the other months, the church is open daily from 09.00-18.00h. The normal entrance fee to this admirable church is €13,00. But please note! Students, persons under 18 and pensioners pay €11.00. The church is funded by donations. In the past, those generous enough to donate were promised to enter heaven. The entrance fee is also considered a kind of donation. So who knows, it may also bring you good luck when you visit the church....

Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes (1547 - 1616) is world famous for his novel ´don Quichote de la Mancha´ or "The ingenious nobleman don Quichote of La Mancha. The first part of the book was published in 1605 and the second part in 1615.

By reading many chivalric novels, the ingenious nobleman becomes under the delusion that he is the chosen one to confront evil in the world. He experienced the first failure of his imagined mission after being knighted. After being beaten black and blue at an inn, he was brought back home by a peasant. However, he did not let himself be known and found a farmhand ´Sancho Panza´ willing to go with him, together with his horse ´Rocinant´. Together they experienced many imaginary adventures and became involved in one battle after another, including the fight against windmills. We all know the story of don Quixote mistaking windmills and their sails for soldiers waving weapons in their hands.

Love in a knight's novel cannot be missing, of course, and don Quixote makes the peasant girl ´Dulcinea´ his lover. When the knight and his servant return to their native village after many travels, don Quixote is felled by fever and dies.

This book by Miguel Cervantes is the most widely read book in the world after the Bible. Think before you begin because it has 1117 pages. Not surprisingly, even stamps with the image of don Quijote were issued (1998) and there are many drawings, posters, figurines, etc.

Like many other artists, Miguel Cervantes became famous and loved for his work after his death and you can find his image on the Euro coins of 10, 20 and 50 cents, for example.

Do you love music and art? Then the Sónar Music Festival in Barcelona is definitely for you! Ever since 1994, this 3-day festival has taken place in the third week of June at various locations in Barcelona and attracts more than 80,000 visitors every year. 

Sónar is a unique festival, especially in form and content. An intriguing mix of performances and events that blur and sometimes eliminate the boundaries between music, technology and art. To cite one example: The highlight of last year's Sónar Festival was the performance by Daito Manabe. A Japanese artist who creates music by moving the muscles of his face in certain ways.

The program consists of Sónar by Day and by Night. Sónar by Day is dedicated to the search for new talent. There are concerts, exhibitions and performances by professional artists. During Sónar by Night, as the name suggests, the party really gets going and you can enjoy great shows with performances by famous artists from the international music world. An example: Deadmau5, Lana del Rey, The Roots, Hot Chip and Fatboy Slim, are part of this spectacle.

Tickets for this festival sell out in no time every year, so that indicates its popularity. If you will be in Barcelona on June 14, 15 or 16, 2013, try to get tickets through the official website and be sure to check it out and enjoy the atmosphere and creativity around you! Various clubs and bars in the Barcelona area also host parties and performances by well-known international DJs throughout the week.

Not in Spain around that time? Since 2002, this festival has also been held in other countries. In recent years, the Sónar festival has also taken place in London, New York, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Chicago and many other world cities, among others.

Mexico is an enormous country, where cultures with thousands of years of history live together with a modernity that keeps an eye to the north while continuing to treasure its traditional values. It's a country to get away to and enjoy: dreamy beaches (on the Caribbean and the Pacific coasts), impressive pre-Columbian era archeological ruins, and unique traditions. Also, Mexican folklore is widely known and appreciated, not to mention its cooking!

Let's take a look at ten recommendable places for relaxing and enjoying weather and the friendliness of the Mexican people, in Spanish of course. Creating a list of recommended places always presents the problem of where to begin. That's why in our attempts to be fair, we're relying on good old fashioned alphabetical order...

1. Acapulco

On the coast of the state of Guerrero, 390 kilometers from Mexico City, this is one of the most internationally known vacation destinations in Mexico. The Acapulco Bay, in all its magnificent beauty, invites us to dive into its warm waters. (Nearest don Quijote Spanish School in Mexico: Oaxaca).

2. Cancun

This is without a doubt the number one vacation destination in Mexico. Located in the state of Quintana Roo, (the eastern-most state of the country) this city has quickly developed from a small isolated fishing town into the most important tourism center in Mexico, which guarantees an international atmosphere and first-class hotel facilities.

An example of just how popular this destination is; the airport here receives an average of 200 international flights per day. White sand beaches, modern hotel resorts and a subtropical climate with an average temperature of 270 C. all year round, all invite us to relax here.

3. Guanajuato

We find this colonial gem, capital of the state with the same name, in Mexico's interior. The city of Guanajuato reached a high level of development in the colonial age due to gold and silver found in the region. In the beginning of the 19th century, Guanajuato witnessed a great victory for revolutionary insurgents, headed by the priest Father Hidalgo, over Spanish troops when they took over the Alhóndiga de las Granaditas and massacred troops and civilians who'd taken refuge inside the building. It's one of the most relevant moments in the country's history.

Today, Guanajuato is an important university city and home to the Festival Cervantino, probably the most important artistic presentation in Mexico, and even in all of Latin America. This is the perfect place to study Spanish and enjoy tradition, art and culture in all its dimensions.

4. Mexico City

The capital of the republic is also the oldest metropolis in America and the second most populated city in the Americas after Rio de Janeiro. The Distrito Federal (or deefe as Mexicans refer to the city) features two areas that are listed as UNESCO world heritage sites: the Historic Center, where for example we find: the Metropolitan Cathedral, an American archeological treasure, the National Palace, where we can view Diego Rivera's frescos, offering observers the story of the Mexican Revolution in images.

The second area is the Ecological park Xochimilco. The park is like a small Venice-turned-garden. The city also has many museums: the National Museum of Anthropology, The National Museum of Art and the National Museum of History. All of Mexico can be found in el deefe, as long as you know where to look. (Nearest don Quijote School: Oaxaca)

5. Monterrey

In the state of Nuevo León, in the north of Mexico, we find one of the most important cities in the country due to its strong economy, trade and industry. Its tourist attractions are not just limited to its architecture, which joins colonial and modern styles, Monterrey is known as "the city of mountains", as the city is like a fortress surrounded by mountains... and by impressive sites such as the Cascada Cola de Caballo National Park and the Cumbres de Monterrey National Park, one of the biggest in the country. The balance of urbanism and nature makes Monterrey an ideal place to visit in Mexico. (Nearest don Quijote School: Guanajuato)

6. Oaxaca

The capital of the state with the same name, on the isthmus that unites the body of the country with the southern peninsula of Yucatan, this is one of the most beautiful colonial cities in Mexico. It has maintained its ancestral traditions, its vibrant arts and its way of life. Rich in archeological sites, we'll make our way through baroque temples, 16th century convents, colonial era buildings and numerous museums... it's a city of calmness and culture, a city that invites us to experience customs and traditions with its residents, chatting with them in Spanish. (Nearest don Quijote School: Oaxaca)

7. Playa del Carmen

In the state of Quintana Roo, just a few kilometers from the tourist center of Cancun, we find a place that offers the best of the Caribbean coasts, with endless white sand beaches and emerald blue waters where you can touch bottom with your eyes and observe its gorgeous natural marine life on the sea floor. The city maintains the advantages of a small town. It's a place where you can sit back on a terrace and enjoy wonderful weather and a sense of peacefulness floating in the air. Or you can take a short boat trip over to the Island of Cozumel, an island that invites us to go diving in its tropical waters. Playa del Carmen is a place for relaxing, and concentrating on Spanish in a quiet environment, a nice contrast to the hyperactive commotion of mass tourism destinations. (Nearest don Quijote School: Playa del Carmen)

8. Puerto Vallarta

In the heart of Banderas Bay, on the Pacific coast of the state fo Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta is "laid back" center for tourism and eco-adventure. The beaches here remind us of movies like the classic "la noche de la iguana" (Night of the Iguana), especially if we take a walk on Playa Mismaloya. Enjoying the stunning sunsets that have made it famous is one option for way to cap off our Spanish class at the school Solexico. At night we can go for walks on the lively Playa de los Muertos, to the south of the pier and the Cuale River. (Nearest don Quijote School: Guanajuato)

9. Santiago de Querétaro

This is the capital of the state of Querétaro, whose name comes from the Tarascan Querendaro, later adopted by the Spanish and used in its current form. The city, declared an official UNESCO world heritage site in 1996, offers the visitor a perfectly preserved baroque area with perfectly arranged clean streets and proverbial peace and quiet. Along with the harmony and safety of the old town, Santiago de Querétaro is also a successful city: the University of Aeronautics in an international leader in its field and the booming economy make this the third wealthiest city in Mexico, only behind Mexico City and Monterrey. (Nearest don Quijote School: Guanajuato)

10. Xalapa

For many, this city located in the state of Veracruz, with its engaging cultural activity, is the most beautiful in Mexico. The vibrant culture here has lead many Mexican people to know the land of the jalapeño chili peppers as "the Athens of Veracruz", not due to any architectonic similarities, but due to tireless, unstoppable and nearly permanent cultural activity. Culture is everywhere in Xalapa: numerous museums, omnipresent art exhibits, constant concerts, libraries, bookstores, theaters, movie theaters... This is one cultural center we won't want to miss. (Nearest don Quijote School: Oaxaca)

We may not think of Spain as the basketball country par excellence, but the national team has achieved many successes. The team has won silver in the past two Olympics and even became world champions in 2006.

One of the most important players on this team is Pau Gasol. He has also put basketball in Spain on the international map and has become a national hero. For example, he was even allowed to carry the flag for Spain during the opening ceremony of the London Olympics.

When he enrolled in 1998 to study medicine at the University of Barcelona, his career lifted as well. In 1999, Pau Gasol began his professional career with the club FC Barcelona Bàsquet and put his studies on hold. In the two seasons he played for this club, he won the national league, the Liga ACB, both years. A move to America was in store for him, and so in 2001 he was enlisted at the Memphis Grizzlies club in the United States. At this club, Pau Gasol was active until February 2008. His younger brother Marc Gasol also followed him to this club.

After almost 7 years, the star basketball player joined the famous team of the LA Lakers. With this team, he even became champion of the NBA in America in 2009 and 2010.

Connoisseurs of Spain and lovers of hiking have undoubtedly heard of it, ¨El Camino de Santiago de Compostela¨. Located in the province of Galicia in northwestern Spain.

Making the trek on foot is a top feat, from the Netherlands it is about 2,500 kilometers and if you start from the Pyrenees 800 kilometers. In days that would be 100 days of walking from the Netherlands and a month from the Pyrenees! Every year 100,000 pilgrims undertake this journey. To know why this pilgrimage route is so popular, a little history.

According to tradition, it is the place where the mortal remains of the Apostle James the Greater, the patron saint of Spain, lie, so it is the ideal place to pray. After James was beheaded in Palestine, his body was placed in a boat and this boat reached the Galician coast by itself. The two disciples who traveled with him buried the body at Mount Libredón. Until the hermit Paio rediscovered the tomb in 813, the tomb of James had fallen into oblivion.The tomb has since become an attraction for Christians from around the world and not least for the ¨ordinary¨ hiker, who sees the trek as a challenge.

There are many roads that lead to Rome, including Santiago. From Europe there are several ways to Santiago, from the Netherlands the obvious way is via France. There is a pilgrim's pass in which the pilgrim can collect stamps from the villages he visits during the route. Once you arrive in Santiago de Compostela, you receive the ¨Compostela¨ a certificate that the pilgrimage route has been completed. In the Middle Ages, criminals could get a reduction or remission of punishment through this certificate.

You can see the great cathedral of Santiago from afar, then you know you have almost completed the route! In the square in front of the cathedral, pilgrims from all over the world gather and visit the cathedral. Inside the cathedral the air of incense hangs and an organ plays. And then, of course, there is the statue of St. James that you can hug. You sometimes have to stand in line for it, but it's worth it after the long trip! Outside in the square you can get the coveted certificate, the ¨Compostela¨, the crowning achievement of the pilgrimage, the Camino de Santiago.

Those who think that Spain only has something to offer on the famous, crowded Costas are wrong! If the nature on the coasts is already fantastic, inland Spain is overwhelming. For the Spain lover who wants to get away from the masses and wants something completely different from sun, sea and beach, there are no less than 10 national parks and 700 protected natural areas.

The island groups of the Balearic and Canary Islands also offer beautiful natural areas. For example, did you know that the highest mountain in Spain is on Tenerife? Of course, you can discover all this beauty with organized excursions by bus, but much more fun is to do it on foot.

Besides being very relaxing, hiking in the mountains is the way to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and get in touch with nature. There are beautiful hiking trails all over Spain, but Andalucía is the province par excellence to practice this sport. For the beginners there are short and easy routes and for those who have been hiking for some time there are longer and tougher routes.

All the trails are beautiful and some feature a theme. Like the shepherd's walk, for example. For about 3 hours or so, you will slip into the skin of the shepherd and be absorbed by the flock. Feel the energy of simplicity, unity, romance and take a peek into the world of the shepherd. There are further mountain walks in the Sierra Tejeda where you will encounter mountain goats and king eagles or the culinary routes where you will make stops to taste the local wines, cheeses and hams.

And, even in hiking, modern technology cannot be left behind and GPS routes are now available. This may not seem like the most adventurous solution, but it does have some advantages: getting lost is a thing of the past and you hardly ever look at the map to determine your route. So you do enjoy the hike much more. Another great thing about this type of hiking is that you can keep track of the distance you have walked, how fast you are walking or how high you have climbed.

All in all, well worth thinking about a hiking vacation in the beautiful surroundings of Sierra Nevada in Granada, Sierra Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama in Málaga, Sierra de las Nieves in Málaga above Marbella, Sierra Grazalema in Cádiz...

Red from HEAD to tomaTOES

A whole city beyond control. Windows, storefronts and cobbled streets of the historical Buñol coated with squishy red pulps and tomato guts. Struggling crowds in the centre of the city.

You have no chance to hide from this weird spectacle! According to the motto: fight, otherwise you’re going to be the target of attack...but against whom? It doesn’t matter, simply join the show and throw yourself into the tumult of the largest tomato fight in the world!

Hereby, it’s neither a matter of joke, nor have I cooked up this story. A scene like this is taking place every summer in the Spanish city of Buñol, close to Valencia. I swear! More than 20,000 people from all over the world are getting together on the last Wednesday of August to take part at La Tomatina, the largest festival in the world dedicated to a very particular kind of vegetable fight. The only aim permitted: tomatoes, with an amount of ammunition of about 90,000 pounds! This year the Tomatina festival, held on 29th of august, expects around 40,000 participants.

Story behind “La Tomatina”

The historical background of the tomato festival is by no means religious. The annual tomato furor rather started by coincidental reasons during the carnival parade “Gigantes y Cabezudos” of 1945 in Buñol. For pure anger, a group of young people began to throw tomatoes and infected other visitors of the parade that joined the spectacle until the police intervened. After several years of turn taking between acceptations and prohibitions, the spectacle was able not only to establish itself, but also to earn an international reputation.

Beside countless festivities and celebrations like fireworks and street parties, the visitors can enjoy typical Valencian food and participate in the so called ham pole climbing. The goal of this competition is to reach the top of a wooden pole rubbed in with soap and get a piece of Spanish ham.

The day of the Tomatina starts with a water cannon shot as a start signal for the tomato fight around 11 o’clock. Once the huge trucks filled with plenty of “red weapons” arrive at the Plaza de Pueblo, you can feel free to join the crazy tomato battle for at least an hour and a half. My experience tells me, that it’s recommendable to wear REALLY old clothes, special glasses and closed shoes instead of slippers, which you could lose easily while running from your combatants. In consideration of this dirty event you better use a water resistant camera, if you want to take some photos of the spectacle.

The second shot of the water cannon changes everything...the fight is over and you can get rid of the tomato guts by using the public showers placed at your disposal on the riverbank.

How to get to Buñol

Are you curious? Get on a bus from Valencia or Madrid and come to Buñol that day! Find accommodation details or further information about the festival on the official website of La Tomatina.

What are you waiting for? Ready-steady-THROW!

The school year's kicking off soon, and if you're considering the possibility of taking a course in a Spanish university, it may help to have a little information on the most interesting university locations. Remember, university life is not just about classrooms and libraries. This is a time to get out, meet people and explore the "cultural" life the city has to offer...

The following is our list, in alphabetical order (so we don't hurt any sensibilities), of the top ten Spanish university destinations, where you can enjoy a productive year… on all different levels.

1. Barcelona

The cosmopolitan center is on Las Ramblas

Ever since the mythical Hercules founded this city, Barcelona has been a Mediterranean hub, and its wide variety of universities (public and private) covers all options imaginable. The city's cultural and animated social life speaks for itself: a stroll down Las Ramblas, a vistit to Parque Guell or a drink with friends in the Puerto Olímpico area will open up the doors to an enjoyable city and a unique atmosphere in which to study Spanish.

2. Granada

Incredible tapas

Considering the size of the city in which it's located, the University of Granada is among the top schools in Spain. The city itself is a giant campus, where the students, the monuments, and the places to hang out in all come together in a unique mix of life. Granada also offers something unusual: here you can go skiing in the morning (the Sierra Nevada ski station is just 40 minutes away), have tapas in the city (they're free!), and later that afternoon go down to the tropical coast (Motril, Almuñécar or Salobreña) to take a dip in the Mediterranean. The international flavor of Granada makes it a perfect place to learn Spanish, meet people and feel at home.

3. Tenerife

Endless salsa dancing

The old capital of the island of Tenerife is set on top of the depths of the old lagoon. This is a perfect city for taking relaxing walks along its colonial style streets, where you'll find plenty of spectacular monuments. The University of La Laguna brings together many students, who come not only from the Canary Islands, but also from the rest of Spain and Latin America. La Laguna is one of the most prestigious international astrophysics centers in the world. The permanent connection between the Canary Islands and the Caribbean produces the friendliness, the sweetness of the accent and the warm musical rhythms that all invite visitors to stay and learn Spanish while Salsa dancing in the bars of the Cuadrilatero neighborhood, right in the center of town.

4. Madrid

Terraces and monuments

The capital of Spain is in the geographic center of the peninsula. It's also a place where people from around the country come together to study in its many universities and other learning centers. The Complutense University, la Autónoma, la Politécnica... Madrid is a political, economic and cultural center. The Madrid of the Austrias invites us to explore this metropolis which still retains the characteristics of a small town, where going for walks through parks and neighborhoods is still an enjoyable experience. The fact that in Madrid, almost everyone comes from somewhere else, guarantees that Madrileños will make you feel comfortable and welcome to chat in Spanish with the "gatos" in its many historical and charming cafés.

5. Malaga

Internationality and pescaíto

One of the main Mediterranean port centers, Malaga has permanent connections to northern Africa, and a colorful population that joins the jet-set with less exclusive visitors. The University of Malaga offers a great variety of attractive options, most notably in marine science studies. This is the home of Picasso, whose imprint can be seen all over the city. A short walk up to the Alcazaba (Arab fortress) offers us views of the port, which gives us the perfect excuse to head right down to the port on Palo Beach to chat with Malagueños over a nice plate of fresh sea food. Later, hop over to Marbella (a drive away) to have coffee among the economic elite, and take a few Spanish classes in an international atmosphere.

6. Pamplona

Healthy and direct people

The University of Navarra is one of the most prestigious private centers in Spain for health sciences. The old town area, with the aura of Hemingway floating about its streets running ahead of a raging bull, and the good natured Pamploneses are features of this city. You'll also find a combination of studies and the perfect simplicity of the most delicious vegetables you can imagine (Lodosa peppers, asparagus, artichoke…) and wine that describes the nature of the people of Navarra: robust and tangy, with a memory not easily forgotten, like the magical beech trees of Irati.

7. Salamanca

Bars with style

Style, that's Salamanca. A city dressed in the elegance of the Villamayor stone. Here you'll find one of the most famous universities in the world, not only for its age, but also for its prestige, and its distinction of having been the home of Spanish as a second language studies that it is today. Imagine an enormous museum, where you can walk through and discover hidden gems within the surprising monumental city's detailed decoration, which remind us that we're in the city of the Tormes. Here, bars seem to have come right out of a decoration and design contest, where contact with Salmantinos is not only easy, but inevitable.

8. Santiago de Compostela

Seafood and albariño

If all roads lead to one place, that place is Santiago. For more than a thousand years, this wonderful city has been joining people on pilgrimages to different sights of interest: The Cathedral and the saint's tomb, the university and a jar of Ribeiro. The peacefulness here, along with the musical tone of the Galician way of speaking invite us to drift along the rúa Raíña and the Praza Roxa to meet these friendly people. After a long history of migration, they know how to take in outsiders better than anybody.

9. Seville

The very best flamenco and tapas

During spring time in Seville the aromas of incense and orange blossom speak of Holy Week, gardens in bloom and the Feria de abril. The University of Seville echoes the sounds of Carmen la cigarrera. The royal tobacco factory is one of the most evident buildings in the landscape of the capital of Andalusia. The benevolence of winter in Seville provides a great reason for studying Spanish in this city, which houses the Indias Archive and the main port connection with the New World. Flamenco music appears on every corner of the Triana neighborhood (almost an independent city) on the other side of the river, and in the bars in Santa Cruz. Here, cantaores fine tune their voices with a sip of fino or manzanilla while gazing out the window, taking in views of the Giralda, the magnificent bell tower of the biggest gothic cathedral in the world.

10. Valencia

The Mediterranean and modernity

This is the capital of the Turia, crossed because of the spectacular vision that R. Bofill had of the riverbed, now the heartbeat of the city and the center of a university known for its architectural and technical studies. We can admire the talent the university produces by exploring the works of Santiago Calatrava in the City of Arts and Sciences. By going to la Albufera, checking out la Malvarrosa or wandering about El Carmen we will get to know Valencia, a town that's always been open to the sea –and to other people-, where if there's anything more impressive than the raucous ringing of firecrackers during festivals, it's the friendliness and smiles of the people.

Take advantage of the options that a combination course offers Spanish students. don Quijote allows you, if you like, to enjoy an almost entirely complete panorama of the most important university cities, while experiencing the esthetic and cooking pleasures that a richly diverse country like Spain has to offer.