The Romeria Del Rocio is one of Spain’s largest festivals and is celebrated at Whitsunday, the fiftieth day after Easter Sunday. Up to one million people join in the pilgrimage to the Andalusian countryside to pay homage to the Virgen Del Rocio, the patron saint of Almonte.

The Romeria Del Rocio is a blend of Catholic and local tradition. There are two parts to the celebration which are the festival in Almonte and the pilgrimage which takes place a few days later. It has been celebrated at the same isolated site in the countryside of Andalusia for over eight hundred years and is a very traditional affair. The Virgen Del Rocio has been the patron saint of Almonte since the fifteenth century, when a hunter from the village of Villamanrique is believed to have found a statue of the Virgin Mary in a tree trunk near the Donana Park. She is thought to be able to cure all kinds of disease, as well as mental disorders and infertility.

Thousands of people join in the pilgrimage to the marshes at the mouth of the Guadalquivir River, coming from all over the country to pay their homage to the saint. Hundreds of processions are organised in the neighbouring villages and towns and join together in their pilgrimage.

No motorised cars or vehicles are allowed, so travellers are on foot, horseback or carriage. The ‘romeros’ or travellers are dressed in brightly coloured traditional clothing; with many women wearing beautiful flamenco dresses. Men traditionally wear large wide-brimmed ‘bolero’ hats and the short-cropped jackets that are famous to Andalusia. It is a colourful and unique procession that attracts people from all over the country as well as the world.

The travellers all arrive at Almonte before dawn, when the festivities begin in the El Rocio fields. The processions join together and walk to the El Rocio shrine in the marshes carrying a large effigy of the Virgen. The people join together to cry blessings to the patron saint and cries of “Viva la Reina de la Marisma” can be heard in far distances. This chant means “Long live the Queen of the Marshes” and is taken up by the thousands of people performing the pilgrimage. Singing and dancing begins all over the Andalusian fields, in honour of the Virgen Del Rocio.

Fireworks light the skies, and the fields resemble a carnival as people from around the country enjoy the fiesta. Hundreds of food stalls selling traditional tortillas and other snacks appear on the countryside, and wine and sherry flow freely.

The climax of the Romeria Del Rocio is on the weekend before Pentecost Monday, when the Virgin is brought out of the church in the early hours of the morning. Thousand of people await this moment, and rush eagerly to see her and to touch her if they are lucky. The Romeria Del Rocio is a very special celebration in Spain, and for those who have been lucky enough to join in, it is a remarkable and memorable experience.

La Tomatina is the world’s biggest food fight that takes place in the Spanish town of Bunol every year on the last Wednesday of August. Bunol is a small town that is situated in the Valencia Province, approximately thirty kilometres inland from the Mediterranean Sea. Bunol is famed for its tasty produce of tomatoes and notorious for wearing its produce at the La Tomatina Festival.

The Tomato Festival has become so popular with both the locals of Bunol and its visitors, that the festival now takes place over the entire week, with the La Tomatina as the finale on the Wednesday. The festival is in honour of the town’s patron saints, Luis Bertran and the ‘Mother of God of the Defenceless’, a title of the Virgin Mary.

During the fiesta the town is filled with festivities; parades, fireworks, food stalls and street parties spread throughout the whole town. Food stalls serve traditional Spanish foods, and wine flows freely through the night with dancing and music playing in the streets. Many people dress up in Spain’s national costumes and the fiesta is colourful and vibrant. The night before La Tomatina, many people participate in a paella cooking contest, which people can try and rate.

The Tomato battle or ‘batalla’ takes place on the Wednesday and starts with a ham-on-a-stick contest where competitors race up a pole to retrieve the leg of ham on the top. This is a two-storey high, greased-up pole so it can be a very difficult task. Once the ham is cut down, trucks filled with tomatoes roll down the streets and pelt the crowds with tomatoes. More than 20,000 revellers join in by throwing tomatoes at the trucks and each other, and the streets are soon covered in squashed tomato juices.

More than one hundred metric tons of over-ripe tomatoes are thrown in the streets during La Tomatina. After an hour water cannons are fired to signal the end of the battle. The contestants go down to the river to wash off and continue enjoying the last day of the festival.

It is believed that La Tomatina originally began in 1945 when a fight erupted between some boys in the town square of Bunol. A tomato stall was close at hand, and someone threw a tomato, which resulted in the entire town throwing tomatoes at each other. The following year, citizens of Bunol tried to instigate the same food fight again, this time with their own tomatoes, but were banned by the police.

Due to popular demand, La Tomatina was officially recognised in 1959 and has been growing larger ever since. The holiday was banned for a short time during the Spanish State Period under Francisco Franco but returned in full force after his demise in 1975.

Seville or Sevilla is located on the banks of the Guadalquivir in Southern Spain, and is the fourth largest metropolitan of Spain. It is the capital of Andalusia and of the Sevilla Province, and is the financial capital of southern Spain.

Seville is Andalusia’s largest city and administrative centre. It is known as an artistic and cultural centre, and is home to Europe’s largest historic quarter. Seville is home to several beautiful archaeological and architectural sites which attracts visitors every year. It is also renowned for its small winding streets, multitudes of tapas bars and its charming atmosphere.

Much of Seville’s landscape is dominated by the Rio Guadalquivir River, one of Spain’s major rivers. The city of Seville is located in the heart of the fertile river valley, and many other settlements are scattered around the river plains known as La Campiña, which has an average elevation of 7 metres above sea level.

Seville has a mild Mediterranean climate with warm summers and cool winters. Temperatures often reach 36 C in the summer, with the two hottest months being July and August. The coldest months of the year are typically December and January, with maximum daytime temperatures around 15 C. Temperatures cool down at night, with lows of 6 C reached in January.

Autumn and winter are the wettest months of the year, with thunderstorms often present in September and October. Most people prefer to travel to Seville in the spring time when temperatures are moderate, but still pleasantly warm.

Seville is home to one of Europe’s largest historical quarters which attract many visitors every year. The city’s cathedral is one of the largest of all Gothic and Medieval cathedrals and homes the famous minaret ‘the Giralda’ which was later converted into a bell tower. The elaborately ornate Palace of the Alcazar is found facing the cathedral, and is one of the best remaining examples of Mudejar architecture in the world.

There are several sections to the palace, all featuring different Islamic architectural influences. Seville’s town hall was built in the 16th century in Plateresque style and houses varying architectural influences. The facade of the plaza was built in neoclassical style in the 19th century.

The Torre Del Oro (Tower of Gold) is a military watchtower that was built during the Almohad dynasty in the 13th century, and is today a naval museum. There are many museums found throughout Seville, featuring ancient Roman artefacts, antiques, crowns, paintings and jewellery.

Seville is not only famous for its historical sites, but is also renowned for its social aspect including a rich and varied nightlife and some wonderful fiestas. There is a big nightlife scene along the river, with several bars and clubs all within walking distance to each other.

The people of Seville put on great performances several times a year, and are famed for their annual Feria de Abril which is a week long festival in the province. The men and women dress up in their traditional costumes and enjoy dancing and singing in the streets. Seville is often referred to as a joyous place, and this can be testified to when joining one of their famed festivals.

The Running of the Bulls in Pamplona is one of the most famous and well known festivals in Spain. ‘El Encierro’; literally translated to ‘the enclosing’ in Spanish, is a practice involving people running in front of bulls that have been let loose in a sub-sectioned off part of a town for approximately 750 metres. The most famous running of the bulls is held during the nine day festival of San Fermin in the city of Pamplona, although they are held in other cities throughout Spain.

The Pamplona Encierro is the most renowned bull run in Spain, and thousands of visitors flock to the city to witness and participate in the event every year. The Pamplona Bull Run takes place every morning at 8 am from the 7th to the 14th of July during the San Fermin Fiesta. The run starts from the Corral at Santa Domingo where the bulls are kept and ends at the bull ring where they will be fighting that same afternoon. The length of this run is approximately 825 metres, and takes around three minutes to complete.

All of the runners traditionally dress in white shirts and trousers with red waistbands and a neckerchief. Before the run begins the participants say a prayer to a statue of Saint Fermin to ask for his protection and blessing for the run. A rocket is fired to signal to the runners that the corral has been opened and to get ready. Six fighting bulls and two herds of bullocks are released when a second rocket is fired to signal to the runners that they have left the corral and that it is time for them to start the run. Participants race for their lives to the bull ring where the bulls are cordoned off and a rocket is fired to signal that the race is over.

The Pamplona Encierro is a popular event, and people arrive at the race early in the morning to ensure a good spot for watching. There are fences that mark the route of the Bull Run, and it is possible to stand behind these to watch the race. Many people choose to stand on overlooking balconies which offer unhindered views of the participants. The bullfights are held in the afternoons after the race, and tickets are sold at the ring or by individual sellers at the Plaza de Toros. The arena holds 12,500 people and tickets sell quickly.

The history of the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona is not entirely clear. It is believed to have stemmed from the transport of bulls to off-site corrals back in the sixteenth century. Youngsters would jump amongst the bulls to show off their bravado, and in the 17th century, a few daring spectators jumped in front of the bulls and ran for the first time.

Today, the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona is a world renowned event that was immortalised in Ernest Hemingway’s novel ‘The Sun Also Rises’. Thousands of locals and tourists participate in the event and join in with the nine day festivities.

Malaga is a port city in Andalusia, and is located on the Costa del Sol coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the south of Spain. Malaga City is in the centre of the province’s coastline, dividing the area into the Eastern and the Western Costa Del Sol. It is the commercial centre of Andalusia and ranks as the fifth largest metropolitan area in Spain.

The province of Malaga occupies an area of 7276 square kilometres making it the smallest province in Andalusia. It is the second most mountainous area, with the ‘Montes de Malaga’ (mountains of Malaga) lying five kilometres north of the city, and the city lying at the base of the Axarquia Hills. There are two major rivers running through Malaga; the Guadalhorce and the Guadalmina. The capital is located by the mouth of the Guadalhorce and is the geographic centre of the coastline.

The combination of the Mediterranean Sea and the protective barrier against cold winds by the Malaga Mountains gives Malaga the mild temperatures seen throughout the year. The hottest months are July and August, and the coldest months are December through to February. Daytime summer temperatures reach up to 29 C, with evenings typically cooler at about 22 C. Daytime temperatures in the winter are around 16 C with the nights cooling down to approximately 9 C. The highest rainfall is seen in the winter months, with hardly any rain during the summer.

The sun and the beautiful beaches is what first attracted visitors to Malaga and the Costa del Sol. The 161 kilometres of the Malaga province coastline is mostly beach, attracting people from all over the world to enjoy the clean beaches and the various water sports and activities on offer. Malaga is an area of high contrasts, and offers the sea, mountains, rivers, national parks and varying landscapes that are also becoming of interest to visitors. Not only are different water sports on offer, but people can enjoy mountain climbing, rock climbing and hang-gliding in the surrounding mountains.

The geography of Malaga makes it an ideal place for activities such as potholing, trekking, horseback riding, cycling and golfing. There are over 23 protected areas in the Malaga Province, which is also attracting nature lovers to the area.

Malaga is also renowned for its cultural heritage, with a long and varied history. The Costa del Sol was conquered and colonised many times throughout its history, which has left behind a rich archaeological and architectural legacy.

Many people want to visit the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, one of the most famous artists in the 20th century. The Picasso Museum features over 200 pieces of his work, and is said to be one of the best Picasso museums in the world. Visitors can choose between several routes to walk in Malaga to see various architectural sites to which Picasso was associated.

The Church of St. James is a fascinating church from the 15th century where the young Picasso was baptised, and the Plaza de la Constitucion is a famous square with buildings dating back to the Middle Ages visited by Picasso as a youth.

Malaga is one of the most visited places of Spain for many reasons. The beautiful landscape and beaches appeal to people looking for both adventures and tranquillity. The archaeological and architectural finds all over the city and the rich and varied culture appeal to visitors looking for the real Spanish charm.

Madrid is the capital of Spain and is located in the heart of the Iberian Peninsula. It lays on the Manzanares River in the middle of the Castillian Plain over 640 metres above sea level. Madrid is famed for being a historical site, as well as a lively metropolis city, and has an increasing amount of visitors every year.

Madrid has a temperate Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool winters. Temperatures in the winter can drop down to 0 C, and it generally snows a couple of times a year. Summer temperatures are typically around 30 C, but can exceed 40 C on occasion. Evenings are characteristically much cooler. Precipitation in Madrid is low, with most rainfall occurring in the autumn and the spring.

Madrid is the cosmopolitan hub of Spain and is characterised by its lively cultural and artistic centres. Madrid is an important business centre, as well as the home for the Public Administration, the Government, the Spanish Parliament and the Spanish Royal Family. Most of the industries are located on the southern perimeter of the city, with several textile and metal working factories found in the area. Madrid has historically been the connecting point of all areas of Spain due to its central location, and is easily reached by all parts of the country.

There are historical buildings and monuments found all over the capital of Madrid. It is still possible to visit the remains of the ancient Arab town wall that dates back to the 9th century. There are many churches found in Madrid that date back several hundreds of years, with one of the oldest ones being the San Nicolas de los Servitas Church. This church was built in the 15th century and still houses the Mudejar Mosque from the 12th century.

Madrid is alive with beautiful architecture which can be seen in the Royal Palace, the Segovia Bridge, as well as other old buildings. It is a fascinating place that is rich in cultural history. Museums are spread all over the city, of which the El Prado is the most famous. This museum has more than 18,000 paintings, sculptures and other works of art. The museum itself is a work of art, and was built in 1875 by the orders of Carlos III.

Despite the numerous museums and UNESCO world heritage sites found in Madrid, it is still a very modern city. It is very international, with many foreign students and tourists visiting the city every year. Madrid boasts a great range of international and national cuisine with numerous restaurants all over the city. Nightlife is rich and varied, with bars and discotheques open all through the year. Entertainment is abounding in Madrid, with numerous options available.

Madrid is an exciting cosmopolitan city; boasting a spirited and lively atmosphere. It is home to an amazing historical and cultural centre, as well as to a modern and functioning commercial centre. Madrid is an exhilarating city where you can experience modernity mingled with an amazing history to make this city the unique place it is today.

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain in both size and population. It is the capital of Catalonia; one of the autonomous communities of Spain, and is located on the northeast coast of the Iberian Peninsula, facing the Mediterranean Sea. Barcelona lies on a plateau with an area of 170 square kilometres, of which over 100 square kilometres are occupied by the city itself. Barcelona is located between the two rivers Llobregat and the Besos.

The Collserola Mountain range shelters the city to the northwest, and most of the city is scattered with small hills.

Barcelona has a typically Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and mild winters. The coldest months are January and February; with temperatures averaging about 10 C. July and August are the two warmest months, with temperatures of about 30 C.

Barcelona is a very modern city that still retains many historical buildings, architecture and traditions. The city is believed to have been founded as a Roman colony in the second century B.C. and Barcelona’s rich culture has evolved from this long history. The Gothic Quarter; located in Catalan, is the centre of the old city of Barcelona and is almost intact. It is home to buildings that date back from medieval times, and some from the times of the Roman settlement. The architecture found in this area have left a long lasting legacy in Barcelona, and is visited by thousands of people from all over the world every year. There are a great range of museums found all over the city which are homes to some amazing arts and buildings from different eras of the history of Barcelona. Roman ruins, Gothic Arts and Architecture play an important role in showing visitors the history of the city.

Barcelona is a bilingual city, with Catalan and Spanish being the two official languages spoken. The Catalan language is a Romance language that was developed in the 9th century, and the Eastern Catalan dialect spoken in Barcelona is very close to the standard Catalan. Since the arrival of democracy in Spain, the Catalan culture has been promoted in Barcelona with a revival of its history and past. During the previous dictatorship, the Catalan language and arts had been suppressed.

Barcelona is not only famed for its history and architecture, but for its beautiful landscape and beaches. Barcelona has over four kilometres of beaches that are frequented throughout the year. It is a modern and vibrant city, with beautiful walks along the coast, as well as around the old and new parts of the city. Small charming cobble stoned roads are dotted all over the city, and are surrounded by colourful shops and restaurants. Barcelona is a popular destination, and is often said to be one of the most romantic cities in Europe.

Barcelona has a great deal to offer people looking for history, architecture, beaches or mountains. Its beautiful location along the Mediterranean coast attracts people from all over the world. Barcelona is a charming city that boasts some amazing architecture and sites that are guaranteed to impress anyone.

The long and varied history of Spain has played an important role in the cultural heritage of the country. Spain’s history spans from pre-historic times, to the days of the Spanish Empire through to modern day Spain after the dictatorship of Francisco Franco.

The Iberian Peninsula was first inhabited over 35,000 years ago, with waves of different colonizers occupying the areas of Spain over the following millennia. These invaders included the Celts, the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians and the Greeks, and by around 200 BC the area was controlled by the Roman Republic. After the Roman control, the Visigoths took over followed by the North Africans. Muslim states were established over the next 750 years in areas known as Al-Andalus between the years 711 and 1492. Most of this period also saw the Reconquista, the Christian re-conquest of Spain, and concluded in 1492 with the conquest of Granada.

The last Muslim ruler of Granada surrendered his kingdom to the Catholic Monarchs, thus ending Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula. Christian kingdoms and principalities developed throughout the country during this time, of which the biggest were the Kingdom of Castile and the Kingdom of Aragon. These two kingdoms merged to create the Kingdom of Spain.

The Spanish Empire was the forerunner of European exploration of the New World and opened up trade routes to the Americas. Spanish conquistadors laid claim to vast stretches of land in North and South America, and the empire was one of the most important global powers in the world. During this time, arts and literature flourished in Spain, and times were stained only by the Inquisition and the treatment of the indigenous people in the Americas. The Spanish Empire remained in high power for several centuries, expanding their colonisations and becoming involved in several continental European wars in the process.

Spain engaged in wars with the Netherlands and Italy, gaining and losing assets to the countries. Wars with France and England ensued, and the next few centuries saw a decline in Spanish power. The Spanish-American War began in 1898 when Spain refused to peacefully resolve Cuba’s fight for independence. The war raged for 109 days resulting in many Spanish colonies being handed back to the Americas. By the end of the 19th century, the Spanish Empire had diminished and lost nearly all of her empire.

Political instability followed in Spain, and the country was devastated by the three year Civil War between 1936 and 1939. The war ended in the founding of a national dictatorship led by Francisco Franco, and the country experienced a rapid economic growth in the 1960’s and early part of the 1970’s. During his rule, Franco promoted a united national identity by repressing Spain’s cultural diversity. He promoted traditions such as bullfighting, but would forbid many other cultural activities that were too specific to one area.

The death of Franco resulted in the return of the Bourbon monarchy, and a return of many fiestas that were previously forbidden. Spain’s cultural heritage is now in full blossom, with different festivals held weekly throughout the year.

Sun, water and fire play the leading roles in the San Juan Fiesta. Bonfires are prepared in the afternoons and light up the cities by night. According to tradition, people who jump over a bonfire three times on San Juan night will be cleansed. All their problems will be ‘burned’ away by the bonfire, and their future will be bright. Another tradition is for the women of Spain to prepare perfumed water out of seven different plants, including Laurel, Rosemary and Roses. Washing their faces in this water will cleanse them for the start of a new season.

In towns and cities along the coastline of Spain, the Fiesta de San Juan is very important. Bonfires are lit all along the beaches, and can be seen for miles in the distance. As the clock strikes midnight, it is tradition for people to jump into the sea, where the evil spirits will be washed away and bathers will be granted eternal beauty.

In Alicante, thousands of people join in to celebrate the arrival of summer, with hundreds of bonfires to pay homage to fire. Traditionally, people would meet on the 23rd of June for a festive dinner, light bonfires and dance around them before going for a swim in the sea. This custom endured over many years, and in 1928 the Fiesta de San Juan was formally constituted. In Valencia, hundreds of cardboard statues and monuments are made prior to the fiesta, and set alight on the night of San Juan. The cardboard statues are made weeks prior to the fiesta, and are judged by the people for its creativity and style.

On the night of the San Juan fiesta, the statues are burned in a colourful display of fireworks, and music that light up the night. The best cardboard statue is saved from its fate and stored in the Fallero Museum. Alicante pays homage to fire in a similar way with great works of cardboard figures going up in flames on the night of the San Juan fiesta.
The Fiesta de San Juan is an important festival for the people of Spain, and is a colourful and celebratory occasion. Many cities offer dance shows, firework competitions, and feasts for the people to enjoy.

Large tents, fairgrounds, and parades are also an integral part of the Fiesta de San Juan in Spain, with many activities and shows on offer. This is a very busy week in Spain with thousands of people flocking over from all over the world to join in with this vivid and vibrant occasion.

Population: 40.5 million
Capital: Madrid
Area: 504, 780 sq. km

Borders: Spain borders the Bay of Biscay on the north, the Mediterranean Sea and the Balearic Sea on the south and south-east, and the North Atlantic Ocean on its southwest. Spain has land borders with Portugal on the west, and Andorra and France to its east along the Pyrenees Mountains. Spain also borders Gibraltar on its south, and Morocco, through its cities in North Africa (Ceuta and Melilla).

Language: Spanish
Currency: Euro
Time Zone: CET (GMT+1 standard time/GMT+2 summer time)
Dialling Code: + 34
Electricity: 220 V
Political Structure: Parliamentary Monarchy
Mean Altitude: 600 metres
Highest Altitude: 3719 metres (Pico de Teide in Tenerife)

Geography: Most of mainland Spain is made up of a high plateau known as the Meseta Central, which is divided by several mountain ranges. Other landforms in Spain include coastal plains and lowland river valleys of which the Andalusia Plain in the southwest is the most prominent. Spain can be divided up into ten natural regions or sub regions, which are the Meseta Central, the Cordillera Cantabrica, the Iberico region, the Pyrenees, the Penibetico region, the Andalusia plain, the Ebro Basin, the coastal plains, the Balearic Islands and the Canaries.

Climate: Typically Mediterranean climate in most southern and central regions with warm summers and cool winters. The northern coast is typically colder with an Atlantic climate. Alpine temperatures are found in the mountainous parts of Spain with snow common in the winters.

Religion: Roman Catholic
Measurements: Metric System
Economy: 8th largest economy in the world.
GDP was $1.35 trillion in 2007
Emergency Numbers: General Emergency: 112
Ambulance: 061
Fire Brigade: 080
National Police: 091
Municipal Police: 092
Civil Guard: 062

Opening Hours: Most of Spain enjoys a siesta in the afternoon although times vary between regions. Stores generally open around 9 am, and then close at around 1 pm for the siesta during the hottest parts of the day. They reopen around 5 pm.

Bank Times: Banks are generally open between 9 am and 2 pm from Monday to Friday and between 9 am and 1 pm on Saturdays.

Pharmacies: Pharmacies are marked with a green cross and located in all big cities and towns. Some pharmacies are open 24 hours a day.

Transport: Spain has an extensive travel network throughout the country. Buses, trains, and domestic air travel are all quick and efficient options to get you from one city to the next. Hiring a car is another option. You have to be 18 to drive in Spain, but 21 to hire a car. Spain has good motorways and roads, and driving is on the right side of the road.