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Posts Tagged ‘Spain’

It may not be on the top of your list when you think of shopping travel destinations, but Madrid has the best of Spain to offer in its shops. If you are looking for upscale chic shopping experiences, there are a number of exclusive shops available in the city. If more organic shopping is your style, there are flea market atmospheres or a number of quaint antique shops available for perusing.

The main shopping area in Madrid is the Gran Via. This street is full of shops that seemingly never close. Even when the night life kicks up, there is still shopping to be done in this area in many of the stalls around the Plaza Mayor. A word of caution, make sure you know how to bargain. Some of these booths are just looking to make a buck off those in the tourism market and are selling the same tourist junk you can buy at any airport kiosk. Look around, and look for a good deal.

If you love the idea of shopping in the open air visit El Rastro, the massive outdoor flea market in Madrid. In addition to the same touristy things you expect to find everywhere, there are treasures to be found including jewelry, old books, clothes and antiques that need new homes. If you are in the area on a Sunday there is also a coin and stamp fair nearby.

Check out the La Latina Metro Stop. This is located between the Ronda De Toledo and the Plaza de Cascorro and Ronda de Toledo. You will know you are there when you see the massive Eloy Gonzalo statue in the center of Cascorro Square.

This place is packed on the weekends, as it is a travel destination, but while the crowds are big, so are the deals to be had! There are many, many shopping opportunities. There is also some shopping potential during the week, but not nearly as lively an experience as on the weekend.

Want the latest in style and fashion? Then you want the Alcalá area. You will be able to roam from boutique to boutique filled with dresses, shoes, and all the latest accessories. If you are using the metro as your transport, get off at the Sol or Sevilla.  Read more...

About The Country

Spain is famous world wide for its flamenco dancers and bullfights. The architecture reflects the Moroccan style. Cave paintings, renaissance cathedrals, Moorish palaces prove the diversity of the country. Spring, fall and early summer are very pleasant here, though summers are hot.

Culture

Spanish is the regional language of Spain. English is also widely spoken here. Over the period of time, Spanish people have become modern in order to gel with the changing times and are no longer conservative. But that hasn’t changed the values, traditions, manners and customs of the locals. People here have two surnames; the first surname can be used to refer to the person. To greet someone, a handshake will do the job. Take a small gift along when visiting someone’s house. Save the flowers for special occasions. Dinner is generally taken very late in the night. People wear casuals most of the time. Men are expected to wear jackets at some restaurants. Swimsuits should be confined to the pools and beaches. Recently a ban has been applied on smoking in public places.

Shopping

Shops open quite early in the morning and stay open late in the evening. In the afternoon, they are closed for lunch or siesta. Porcelain and leather goods are famous and they will be good gifts for friends and family members back home. Bills are to be paid along with the service charges, so tipping is a matter of gratitude.

Electricity

Voltage is 220 volts and frequency is 50 Hz

Getting There

IBERIA is the national airline of Spain. Many other low-cost airlines offer services in the country. There are nearly thirty international airports in Spain, out of which Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante and Malaga are famous.
Madrid located at 13km away from the city has a good bus service every fifteen minutes. Underground service also works to transport passengers to their destinations. Other facilities offered at this airport are duty free shops, bank, restaurant, tourism information, and hotel reservations.

Barcelona is very close to the city, situated at a distance of 3 km only. Buses are available every 15 minutes and trains are available every 20 minutes. Taxis are available throughout the day. Duty free shops, restaurants, bank, car hire and tourism information are available here.  Read more...

Guide to Spain Holidays

Spain has not been a true world power since it was defeated in the famous naval battle against England in 1588; it is still an incredibly beautiful country and one that is rich in history as well as in culture. It is also not a poor or uncivilized culture, being the ninth largest country in the world in terms of economy, and has the fifth largest economy in the European Union.

So what do you like to do?

If you like sports, then a holiday in Spain is a perfect choice, whether you want to play golf or watch a football game or plenty of other fun sporting activities. Go on a hike, go scuba diving in the Mediterranean sea, take a day trip to the Canary Islands, which are a Spanish territory, or stay in Spain and enjoy warm, sunny beaches right outside your hotel.

History

If you prefer history, then Spain has a lot to offer, from ancient castles to World Heritage Cities, of which Spain has the most of any single country in the world. Go exploring historic buildings and learn all about the history of this country which came within a hair’s breadth of controlling most of Europe through taking England.

Adventure & Night Life

If adventure and night life are more your style, then Spain has plenty to offer you, as well, especially since the famous Spanish siestas make for extra energy for late nights. For families, though, Spain also takes great pains to make their country a perfect destination.

Family & Kids

You and your family will love Spain, which is full of all kinds of fascinating treasures from interesting and fun museums to zoos and even safaris. There are nature trails to be walked, natural preserves to be explored, and aquariums to visit where you can even watch the dolphins at play for hours on end.

If your family is into wild rides, there are theme parks all over Spain that offer the family setting that you want and rides enough to satisfy almost any adrenaline junky (at least young adrenaline junkies). These parks are fun and exciting, and have a lot to offer families, including the wild fun that you want in a relatively safe space.  Read more...