by Katharina Giesler | Feb 20, 2019 | Andalusia
2019 marks the fifth centennial of an event that changed our view of the world forever: the first voyage to completely circumnavigate the globe, proving that the Earth is indeed a sphere. This expedition set out from Seville in 1519, and to commemorate the great...
by Katharina Giesler | Dec 28, 2016 | Spain generally
The chiming of the New Year bells in Spain – be it via the local church bells nearest TV set – heralds a unique, and hilarious tradition. From Madrid to Murcia, Badajoz to Bilbao, Spaniards and visitors the country over hurriedly eat twelve grapes to mark the final...
by Katharina Giesler | Sep 21, 2016 | Catalonia
Pass through a plaza in Barcelona or Tarragona, or any number of Catalan towns and villages during a local festival and you could be in for a breathtaking sight: local men, women and children standing on each other’s shoulders up to ten tiers high. The human tower or...
by Katharina Giesler | Aug 31, 2016 | Levante
La Tomatina is a festival unlike any other. It culminates when – for a couple of crazy hours – the small town of Bunyol (near Valencia) becomes a battleground for the world’s biggest food fight. Tens of thousands of people gleefully hurl ripe tomatoes at each other,...
by Katharina Giesler | Mar 22, 2016 | Spain generally
Those visiting Spain during the week before Easter will witness a country in complete transformation with one of its most spectacular and traditional events. Semana Santa, or Holy Week, fills the streets all around Spain with the beating of drums, masses of colorful...
