Welcome to the Spain Tour blog!

 

 

Here are a few quick tips to start you off. We say to pack your bags light. Both summer and winter have moderate temps. ^^Here is an average temperature chart for Spain in Celsius^^. In Spain, it hardly goes below freezing during the winter, so excessive winter clothing is unnecessary, although the weather can be very unpredictable sometimes. In the summer it is usually a maximum of around 89F, so shorts and a swim suit will do the trick. While in Spain, the best way to travel when in large cities is by Subway, but when traveling between cities, use the trains.

The Five Locations:

The Red Dots = Discussed Locations



1. Madrid
2. Segovia
3. Pamplona
4. Barcelona
5. Ibiza

Have a Fun Trip!

Start in Madrid

Welcome back to your tour guide for Spain! When going to Spain, flying into Madrid, the capital, is the best bet.

When in Madrid you must go to a Real Madrid futbol game, futbol is a religion there. The game against Barcelona, their rival, is always the best. A ticket can cost up to $375, which is a little costly but it is definitely worth the price.

The best dinner restaurant to eat at is Restaurant Zalacain. At $200 for two, it is definitely on the expensive end of the food spectrum (More than $50). If you are near the Tirso de Molina subway station, you can find a Menu del Dia for lunch, which will include a two course meal and coffee or dessert for about ten euros (Less than $30). Make sure that if it doesn't come with a drink, that you ask for tap water, or else the waiter will bring you bottled water and charge extra for it. For breakfast, the best option is the Sal. It's a department store with a supermarket where you can by bread, cheese, and fruit for an easy 5 euro breakfast (Less than $30).

Exploring Segovia

The thing that Segovia, right outside of Madrid, is known for is it's spectacular architecture. Here are three structures in descending order from least to most famous:

Segovia Cathedral:

This massive building was constructed in the mid 16th century. This catholic church in the center of the square was dedicated to the virgin Mary.

Alcazar of Segovia

This huge castle stands on the top of a large hill. In this way, it is both pleasing and magnificent to look at and to look from. Built in 1120, this castle is even older than the Segovia cathedral.

Aqueduct of Segovia

This large stone bridge was built in the first century AD. The earliest reference to the 94' (28 m) tall wall was in 311.

Next Stop is Pamplona!

While in Pamplona you have to see the Running of the Bulls at the Festival of San Fermin. They happen every year, July 7-14. You have to  go to Spain on these dates or you will definitely miss out on a time of your life. To participate, if your crazy enough, you have to be at least 18, not under the influence of alcohol, and you must run in the direction with the bulls. When you run there is a wood fence on the side where there are no walls and each time you can see people trying to hop over the fence and out of the death pit! When Bull running was first invented and still today, young adults try to show off their skills and show off their machoness when in the race. When in Pamplona you must go to Rodero, which is a nice lunch place at a reasonable cost.

The Coastal City of Barcelona

Although there are many things to see in Barcelona, the main thing we are going to focus on is La Sagrada Familia a shown bellow. This is our "Pic worth 1,000 words":

The full name is  "Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família" (Translated: Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family). This huge Church began construction in 1882 and is still under way. The 2026 dedline is highly anticipated. This building represents Spain in so many ways. The new building techniques combined with the old world style represent how Spain has both old and modern attributes. Plus, the large catholic church rising from a community of small houses represents spain's rise to power in the colonial era.

The Final Stop In Ibeza

Our Final stop can be accessed from Barcelona by boat. The most important thing to do in Ibiza is to hit the beach. Your trip is done and all you get to do now is relax and enjoy the crystal clear waters of an island vacation. The best time to visit is in middle to late June, when it's not to the busy season yet.

 Basic Information

Cultural Dish

Here is a little extra info about the food.

One of Spain's native dishes is Gazpacho, which a cold tomato soup. It is normally eaten during summer months when it is very hot outside and is used to cool people down. Gazpacho is not hard to make at all and the ingredients and recipe will follow.

The ingredients are stale bread, tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, onion and garlic, olive oil, wine vinegar, and salt.

The recipe is:

1. The vegetables are washed and the tomatoes, garlic and onions are peeled.
2. All the vegetables and herbs are chopped and put into a large container (alternatively, the tomatoes may be puréed in a blender or food processor, pounded with a mortar (the traditional way of making it) or strained and de-seeded with a food mill
3. The soaked bread is then added (optional)
4. Some of the contents of the container are then blended until liquid, depending on the desired consistency.
5. Chilled water, olive oil, vinegar and salt are then added to taste.
6. The remaining contents of the container are added to the liquid, then briefly puréed until there is some texture remaining for garnish. (optional)
7. Garnishes may be made with fresh bell pepper slices, diced tomatoes and cucumber, or other fresh ingredients.

Key Phrases

1. Thank you.                                                      Gracias.
2. Thank you very much.                                    Muchas gracias.
3. You're welcome.                                             De nada.
4. Please.                                                             Por favor.
5. Yes.                                                                 Sí.
6. No.                                                                  No.
7. Excuse me.                                                     Con permiso.
8. Pardon me.                                                     Perdone.
9. I'm sorry.                                                        Lo siento.
10. I don't understand.                                         No entiendo.
11. I don't speak Spanish.                                    No hablo español.
12. I don't speak Spanish very well.                    No hablo español muy bien.
13. Do you speak English?                                 ¿Habla inglés?
14. Speak slowly, please.                                     Hable despacio por favor.
15. Repeat, please.                                               Repita, por favor.
16. What's your name?                                        ¿Cómo se llama?
17. How are you?                                                 ¿Cómo está?
18. Do you speak English?                                  ¿Habla inglés?
19. Where is the subway?                                   ¿Dónde está el metro?
20. Is the tip included?                                       ¿Incluye la propina?
21. How much does that cost?                           ¿Cuánto cuesta?
22. Is there a public phone here?                       ¿Hay algún teléfono público aquí?
23. Can I get on the internet?                             ¿Puedo conectarme con el internet?
24. Can you help me?                                        ¿Me podría ayudar?
25. Where is the bathroom?                               ¿Dónde está el baño?

Customs

Greetings

Hola                                        Hello

Como estas                             How are you

Polite Phrases

Mucho Gusto                         It's nice to meet you

Lo pase de maravilla             I had a wonderful time

Languages

Main: Spanish (aka Castilian)

Co-official: Aranese, Basque, Catalan/Valencian and Galician

Recognized: Aragonese, Asturian/Leonese, Catalan

Unofficial: Cantabrian, Extremaduran, Eonavian, Fala, Riffian, Caló, Portuguese as well as some distinct varieties of Spanish and the Gomeran whistled language

Main Immigrant Languages: American Spanish, Arabic, Romanian, English, French, German, Italian, Bulgarian, Chinese, Portuguese

Appropriate Gestures

1. When introduced expect to shake hands. 
2. Once a relationship is established, men may embrace and pat each other on the shoulder. 
3. Female friends kiss each other on both cheeks, starting with the left. 
4. People are often referred to as Don or Dona and their first name when in formal occasion as a general rule. 
5. Many men use a two-handed shake where the left hand is placed on the right forearm of the other person.

Cultural "No-no's"

 The Corna

Meaning: Your wife is a W****