Majorica pearls or Mallorca pearls are the hand-made pearls, especially manufactured in Spain using a century old method developed by Eduardo Hugo Heusch....
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Archive | Culture
Spanish Cheese Fair in Galicia
Deep in the heart of “Green Spain” is Galicia, renowned for its ancient forests high atop mountains and green pastures as far as the eye can see. ...
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Spains Best Natural Food Products. Denominacion de Origen
You may well have thought that the concept of Denominacion de Origen only applies to wine but you will be well and truly wrong! The increased awareness...
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Dia de Andalucia
You may well see all over Andalucía new streets and urbanisations called 28 Febrero. This is the “Dia of Andalucía” and is a holiday all over Andalucia....
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Spanish Sherry
The Spaniards definitely know how to enjoy life – good music, good friends and most importantly good food and wine. Spanish sherry is not universally...
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Local Elections – The General Issues
Spain has more elections than the UK for the simple reason that there is another main level- that of the Autonomous Community. So for a Spanish citizen...
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Introduction to Andalucian Polictal Parties
Andalucia is a large Autonomous Region of Spain and, as such, has politicians with a national viewpoint and those with a more regional viewpoint. Think...
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Marbella Feria History
La Feria de San Bernabé is a festive week long fair that brings peoples (and work!) are cast to one side for the locals. Schools are on holiday, from...
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Isabel Pantoja
Isabel Pantoja (María Isabel Pantoja Martín), born on August 2-1956, is a prominent Spanish singer known for her distinctive Andalusia style music. Coming...
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Antonio Banderas
Born as José Antonio Domínguez Banderas on August 10, 1960, he is one of the eminent Spanish faces known for his acting skills in many native and Hollywood...
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Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal, nicknamed “Rafa”, with six Grand Slam singles titles thus far, is currently the World No.2 tennis player after ruling the No.1...
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Spanish Brandy and Spirits. What is Pacharan?
One of the pleasures of settling in Spain is becoming familiar with the bewildering range of odd-looking spirits and liquors all with exotic names and...
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Goat Throwing in Spain
Saints are highly revered and celebrated throughout Spain in special days of “fiesta” – Saints Days. Some saints are celebrated nationally in Spain...
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Regional Spanish Language Differences
The diversity of cultures within Spain is one of Spain’s greatest assets and also what makes Spain so interesting historically and culturally. It is...
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The Three Kings (Tres Reyes)
Children in Spain are, without doubt, some of the most indulged in the world when it comes to Christmas! Tradition dictates that presents are given when...
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The Spanish Royal Family
The present day King of Spain, Juan Carlos I. was proclaimed King on November 22nd 1975 after the death of the generally disliked and feared dictator Francisco...
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Spanish Police and Guardia Civil. How do they Operate?
We have it easy in the UK. There is the Police and that’s about it (well, I know there are the Specials, but they aren’t a day to day force, and who...
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Arabic Influence in Spanish Language
We all know that that most of Southern Spain formed part of the Arab Al-Andalus empire between 711 and their final defeat and evacuation in 1492 but are...
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Arabic Influence in Spanish Food
We know we are only 15 kilometres from Morocco when you take the coast road to Tarifa. There looming in front of you in all its glory is Gibel Musa. No...
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Art Museums in Spain
Museo del Prado Madrid
Visitors to Spain always come armed with handy guidebooks leading to all the historic landmarks, so many that one can hardly keep...
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Traditional Surviving Artisan Skills in the Marbella Area
Spain, and Andalucia particularly, are large rural areas which, at times, seem to have only just entered the 20th century, let alone the 21st (excluding...
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Semana Santa – Spanish Easter
Throughout history Spaniards have been a people of great faith and pride. For most countries, the days (and significance) of Holy Week has been whittled...
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Public Transport in Spain
Public transport in Spain is not as developed as in some other European countries, so some journeys without a car can be difficult to say the least! Rural...
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Sangria – a Spanish Refreshing Drink
There are few things more famously Spanish than Sangria. It is the archetypal Spanish summer beverage, the delicious thirst quenching chilled red wine...
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Healthcare in Spain
Spain has a deserved reputation as one of the healthiest countries in the world to live in, due to its friendly climate and superb Mediterranean diet....
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Spanish Theatre
The Ministry of Culture in Spain is very supportive of all the arts and actively works towards making the performing arts accessible to Spaniards throughout...
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Spanish Cafe Society
The average Spaniard spends far more time in cafes and bars during the week than their counterparts in the UK. It’s not just because the coffee and the...
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Spanish Cinema
In the long history of Spanish cinema, Spain has produced a wealth of exciting and distinctive filmmakers and films. Though the road was been laden with...
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The Spanish Film Industry – An Introduction
The Spanish film industry has always been one of the world’s most successful despite the Franco years when individualism and creativity was somewhat...
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Modern Spanish Music
Top of the Pops may have just been killed of in the UK but in Spain the “Cuarenta Principales” (top 40) is going from strength to strength with several...
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Spanish Football
The beautiful game here in Spain as well as in England and we all know that “Engerland” got to the quarter finals but Spain lucked out a bit earlier!...
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Cycling – The Spanish Obsession
The Spanish are a sports mad race and cycling plays a very close second to football in a lot of men’s mind. Yes, it’s still a men’s thing really...
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Traditional Spanish Music
Spain has always been a very musical country and many families still have the tradition of music making in the home. The rural nature of the country probably...
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Pablo Picasso
The province and town of Malaga, located deep in the heart of Southern Spain, has been home to many legendary historical figures. One such legend is Pablo...
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Spanish Paella
The absolute essence of the feast during a family day out in the country and the original dish for sharing, the paella epitomises Spanish cooking at its...
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Spain and Tennis
Spain is a complex country full of many wonderful surprises. Spaniards have a zest for life that cannot be matched, taking advantage of all that Spain...
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La Feria de San Bernabé en Marbella
One of the most popular beach destinations on the Costa del Sol in southern Spain is Marbella which is home to many of the rich and famous. The wonderful...
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Weddings in Spain
Spain is still a traditional country and the marriage rate is very high compared with that of the Uk-most children are born in wedlock and the number of...
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The Spanish Siesta
This year even the most youthful among us may admit to having dozed off on the sofa as the temperatures have soared right up to forty degrees (and that’s...
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Spanish Children
First question is why do you need to read an article about children? Spanish children are the same as British aren’t they?
Well, the answer to that is...
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The Ayuntamiento. Its Role and Function
It is one of the first things that we have to do once we have moved to Spain – visit the town hall for some or other administrative procedure or nightmare!
The...
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The Marbella Feria
The Marbella fair is better known as the “Feria de San Bernabé”. If you are coming to Marbella in the first two weeks in June you won’t be able...
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Spanish Primary Schools
Education is an intensive and fairly prescriptive experience in Spain but an indulged, privileged and enjoyable experience too.
Children come tops so although...
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Spanish Communion
Church going in Spain has suffered a fairly drastic decline in the 30 years following the death of Franco and the coming of Democracy (1978). People no...
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Ways to Help your Child Learn Spanish Quickly
Ok, you have made the move the house is fab, the climate is superb and the only nagging doubt is how to improve your Spanish and how to get the kids speaking...
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Spanish Gypsies
Legends of gypsies, bandits and bullfighters make Spanish folklore what it is…. exciting, mysterious and intriguing.
Gypsies (Gitanos) are an important...
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Spanish Flamenco
The essence of Spain, the life and soul of Andalucía!
Flamenco is a vibrant musical style loved by millions in Spain, from children as young as 3 up...
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Fiestas and Ferias Across Spain
Spaniards know how to live life and from their example you can get a true flavour of the Spanish culture in its full form through their annual fairs and...
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Traditional Feria Dress
Bring out the flamenco dress and head for the Old Town – it’s Feria time in Marbella! Those from Andalucia or, in fact, anyone who really wants to...
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Christmas in Spain
The charm and magnetic draw that Spain has to its visitors is not surprising. The Spaniards are an extremely loving, familial and traditional people with...
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Marbella Old Town
Marbella is not just a crowded town for its natural ambiance and luxury life, but a medieval city that holds a deep-rooted past with much significance...
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