Famous People from Spain
Spain has many well known and famous individuals in the arts, sports, TV and film worlds, as well as various other fields of study. Many historically significant artists have either come from Spain or have studied with the Masters within the country. A brief list of the most famous people from Spain and their accomplishments include:
- Antonio Banderas – born in Andalucia in 1960, Antonio Banderas quickly became a household name through his Oscar winning acting in a variety of films. He is perhaps best known in America for his roles in movies such as the Zorro movies, Spy Kids, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, The 13th Warrior and Desperado. He has recently been heard as the voice of Puss in Boots in the Shrek movies.
- Penelope Cruz – born in 1974 this actress and model and television star is from Madrid and is famous the world over. She has started in such movies as Gothika, Sahara, Woman on Top and Volver. In addition she has won awards for her performances both in English and Spanish speaking productions.
Tags: famous people from spain, spain famous people, spain-information
April 15, 2008
Nightlife in Spain
The nightlife in Spain is really one of the defining features of the culture. Even taking into consideration the nightlife of other European countries, Spain is the best known country for the variety of events available to residents and visitors alike. Most people in Spain are very late eaters, with the average time to eat the evening meal around 9:00 pm, much later than other areas where 6:00 to 7:00 pm is the average final meal time.
The nightlife in Spain starts before dinner, however, with people stopping in at a local tapas bar to have a drink and sample some of the freshly prepared appetizers. It is customary to move from tapas bar to tapas bar having a small drink and a bite to eat at each one. This is the place to meet old friends and plan the rest of the evening. (more…)
Tags: nightlife spain, Vacations Spain
April 13, 2008
Salamanca
The western Spanish city of Salamanca is known as the University City due to the presence of the prestigious and ancient University of Salamanca that was first established in 1218. The University of Salamanca is an international learning center attracting students from all over the world. The town of Salamanca and the surrounding areas are considered to be the best area to learn the pure and original Spanish language and this makes it a popular spot for language scholars as well as students interested in other academic pursuits.
The weather in both the city and province of Salamanca is very seasonal with cold and snow covered landscapes in the winter and hot and dry days in the summer months. This change in temperature makes it a popular spot in the winter and summer for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers and trekkers. There are many outdoor festivals, markets and events year round in the city and surrounding areas, and outdoor restaurants and cafes that serve an outstanding variety of local and international cuisines make Salamanca a wonderful place to visit. (more…)
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April 11, 2008
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean, are really a group of seven islands that are volcanic in origin. They are actually located south west of Spain and north west of Africa and enjoy the mild weather patterns that exist through the coastal areas off Morocco. Historically they have served as a stopping off point for explorers from Spain that were heading for the New World and were also a resort type location for traveling dignitaries and famous people throughout history. The actual name of the Canary Islands is not believed to be from birds as may be expected, but rather from canines or dogs, which in Latin is Insula Canaria. Early Roman explorers likely were referring to the large wild dog populations found on several of the islands in the group. It is also believed in legend and myth that the lost city of Atlantis is located within the geographic area of the Canary Islands, further adding to the mystery of the location.
The seven islands that make up the Canary Island chain are La Palma, Hierro, Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. Each of the islands has its own cultural influences and special attractions, but in general the year round weather and beautiful scenery make all the islands popular tourist destinations. The average yearly temperature in the islands is between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit, perfect for year round outdoor swimming, hiking and enjoyment. Most of the islands have moderate to light rainfall during the year with no typically rainy seasons or poor vacation times. (more…)
Tags: canaries, canary islands, regions-of-spain
April 9, 2008
Spanish Culture
Spain is well known for its cultural diversity as well as its historical acceptance of various cultures within the cities and rural areas. Many of the ancient cities in Spain are designated World Heritage Sites simply because they had communities of Muslims, Jewish and Christian inhabitants all living together in peace.
There are several different regions in Spain that adhere very strongly to specific languages and cultural practices within these regions. Some of the most well known of these regional areas include the Basque region, Anadalusia, Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic Islands. Each of these regions identify themselves very strongly as individual regions but within the larger country of Spain. Regional foods and even dialects are most common within these areas and special festivals, events, foods, wines and even traditions will clearly identify them. (more…)
April 7, 2008
Cruises in Spain
A wonderful way to see the beautiful countryside and cities along the Mediterranean coast is to take one of the many cruises that are offered either as an international or national type of cruises. By traveling via ship, tourists are able to literally live on the ship while still having the opportunity to stop in at various port cities and explore the surrounding areas. Many of the larger cruise lines have several day stopovers allowing travelers the opportunity to look around.
River cruises throughout Spain are geared to allow travelers to experience life along the fertile river valleys throughout the country. These tours may include trips to different vineyards and historical sites along the river’s course. River cruises, just like ocean cruises, provide stops at different villages and towns along the river. Guests can either stay on the river and enjoy a relaxing time of the ship or they can take time to explore the countryside, shop in local stores and markets or attend cultural events within the different areas. Most of the ports of call will have tour guides, taxis and other transportation available at the port so that guests can immediately start to enjoy their time on land. Some of the more organized river cruises will coordinate with local cities and villages to allow guests to attend traditional festivals and cultural events. (more…)
Tags: cruise spain, Vacations Spain
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