Tag: Spain

Camino de Santiago – Day 14, ultimate day from O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela

13 giorni di cammino senza sosta, 24km al giorno completati oggi di fronte alla maestosa facciata della cattedrale di Santiago, un’ emozione indiescrivibile arrivati nella piazza della cattedrale, senza parole, soltanto tante emozioni che possono essere esternate in lacrime di gioia, di felicitá e fierezza di aver raggiunto un traguardo che inizialmente sembrava impossibile. 310km di cammino da Leon a Santiago, tra pianure sotto il sole cocente, salite interminabili tra i boschi delle montagne di Leon per raggiungere O Cebreiro, paesaggi incontaminati abbracciati dalla nebbia mattutina e boschi incantati. Le mucche, le galline, i cavalli, la puzza di sterco che dopo un po di giorni non è piu puzza ma profumo di natura vera. La brina del mattino, il vento che ti sbatte in faccia, la pioggia che ti rende difficile il cammino, lo zaino che diventa sempre piu pesante kilometro dopo kimolmetro, le meravigliose persone che ci hanno accolto, consigliato, che ci hanno accompagnato che hanno condiviso con noi questo viaggio-esperienza unico al mondo. La natura, l’ anima che abbiamo riscoperto, la bellezza di ció che ci circonda, il cibo tipico e il vino di casa, l’architettura medievale, le case rurali, le chiesette di campagna e le stalle. I sentieri, i ruscelli, i fiumi, le montagne , valli e precipizi, la menta selvatica il rosmarino e i fiori di mille colori. I sentieri di terra battuta, di pietra, i percorsi lungo l’asfalto, tra i campi e le pitaggioni di mais. 310km di poesia, 310km che purtroppo sono finiti anche se non ci dispiace sapere di non dovere camminare ancora per ore e di non doversi svegliare prima dell’ alba domani mattina. 310km di vita, di riflessioni, di leggerezza, di risate felici, di sole e di luce di vita che speriamo porti novità positive una volta tornati a casa, nella realtà di tutti i giorni. Il cammino di Santiago è l’Esperienza della vita con la E maiuscola. Preparate lo zaino e partite ovunque voi siate…Y ahora fiesta 🙂


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A 13-day walk without stops, 24km a day completed today in front of the majestic facade of the cathedral of Santiago the Compostela, an unbelievable emotion once arrived in the cathedral square; no words to describe it, just a lot of emotions that can be expressed in tears of joy, of happiness and pride in having reached a goal that seemed impossible initially. 310km walk from Leon to Santiago, between plains under the scorching sun, endless climbs through forests on the mountains of Leon to reach O Cebreiro, dream landscapes embraced by the morning fog and enchanted forests along the way. Cows, hens, horses, donkeys and  dung stench whose smell after some days is no longer an issue, though the scent of nature. The frost in the morning, the wind that slaps you in the face, the rain that makes walking even more difficult, the backpack that becomes heavier kilometer after kilometer, the wonderful people who welcomed us, recommended us, who accompanied us who shared with us this unique experience. The nature, the soul that we rediscovered, the beauty that surrounds us, the typical food and the house wine, the medieval architecture, the rural homes, country churches and stables. The trails, streams, rivers, mountains, valleys and precipices, wild mint and rosemary, the flowers in many colors. The dirt paths, stone paths along the asphalt, between the fields and the green and yellow corn fields. 310km of poetry, which, unfortunately, we regret are over although we are pleased to know not to have to walk for hours and not having to wake up before dawn tomorrow morning. 310km of life, of reflections, of lightness, of happy laughter, sunshine and light of life that we hope will bring positive changes once back home, in every day life. The Camino de Santiago is the experience of life. Prepare your backpack wherever you are and go … Y ahora fiesta 🙂

Camino de Santiago – Day 10 from Portomarin to Palas del Rei

Giorno #10 sul camino, 24km da Portomarin a Palas del Rei. La giornata è molto nebbiosa, la nebbia ci accompagna per tutta la mattinata, fino alle 13:00 rendendo il cammino più difficile è monotono non potendo vedere il paesaggio sicuramente bellissimo come negli ultimi giorni. L’atmosfera degli ultimi due giorni è molto mistica a causa della nebbia, la sensazione di solitudine e l’essere soli con se stessi a meditare è ormai un’azione automatica. Il sole finalmente spazza via la nebbia per ora di pranzo, proprio quando ci fermiamo a 9km dalla fine della tappa presso un ristorante vicino a Gùntin dove veniamo serviti da una cameriera con un modo molto strano di attirare l’attenzione gridando il numero degli ordini con un tono di voce molto acuto. Penso che sia diventata l’attrazione principale dei pellegrini su questa tappa del cammino. Mangiamo un buonissimo bocadillo de jamon e una tarta de queso che ci danno la carica per continuare gli ultimi 9 km fino a palas del rei. Il paese non ha molto da offrirci in termini di attrazioni turistiche, quindi decidiamo di preparare una cena fai da te tra amici in ostello, in in atmosfera molto familiare.

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Day # 10 on the camino, 24km from Portomarin to Palas del Rei. The Day is very misty, fog accompanies us throughout the morning, until 13:00 making the journey more difficult and monotonous since we can not see the scenery around us. The atmosphere is very mystical, it feels like be alone having only the possibility to meditate while walking, having become now an automatic action. The sun finally brings the light in our journey as we stop for lunch at 9km away from the end of the stage at a restaurant in the area of Guntín. We are served by a waitress with a very strange way of calling orders shouting the table number with a very acute voice tone. She for sure has become the attraction of the pelegrinos. We eat a delicious bocadillo de jamon and a tarta de queso that gives us the charge to continue the last 9 km up to palas del rei. The town does not have much to offer in terms of tourist attractions, so we decided to prepare a home made meal among friends in the hostel, enhancing our familiar atmosphere.

Camino de Santiago – Day 8 from Fonfria to Sarria

Day #8 del cammino da Fonfria a Sarria, passando per il paese di Samos e il suo bellissimo monastero incastonato tra le colline di campagna. È una giornata di nebbia che rende l’atmosfera quasi mistica come camminare in un sogno tra sentieri dispersi nella vegetazione e piccoli borghi di pastori con i cani a guardia delle case. A quanto pare la zona è popolata da qualche orso, quindi è sempre buono che qualche cane sia pronto a fare la guardia. Facciamo poche soste per poter raggiungere prima Samos per ora di pranzo e poi proseguire per Sarria,durante il viaggio mangiamo qualche mela da un albero che sporge sui sentieri e le more che ormai sono presenti dappertutto sul cammino. Siamo stati del tutto rapiti dalla bellezza del Monastero di Samos, se non fosse per quegli affreschi degli anni 50 fatti al primo piano del chiostro…

La sera arriviamo a Sarria, il posto da cui la maggior parte dei pellegrini inizia il suo cammino, siamo a circa 100km da Santiago, ed è proprio 100km la distanza media da coprire a piedi per ricevere il riconoscimento della Compostela una volta arrivati a Santiago. Abbiamo ormai superato più della metà del nostro cammino.

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Stage # 8 of the camino from Fonfria to Sarria, passing through the village of Samos and its beautiful monastery nestled between the hills of the countryside. It is a foggy day which makes the atmosfere quite mystical like walking into a dream of trails scattered in the vegetation and small villages of shepherds with dogs guarding the houses. Apparently the area is populated by a few bears, so it is always good that a dog is ready to stand guard. We make a few stops to be able to reach Samos for lunch time and then continue to Sarria. We eat apples from a tree sticking out on the trails and blackberries which are now present everywhere on the road. We were totally overwhelmed by the beauty of the monastery of Samos, of it wouldn’t be for the frescoes of the 50’s put on the first floor of the cloister …In the evening we arrive in Sarria, the place from which the majority of the pilgrims began her journey, we are at about 100 km from Santiago, and it is 100km the minimum distance to cover on foot to receive the recognition of Compostela once you are in Santiago. Half of the Camino is over.

Camino de Santiago – Day 6 from Villafranca to La Herrerias

Giorno # 6 del camino, il per peso da Villafranca a La Herreria è in leggera salita per 21 km. Il dolore ai muscoli e tendiniti varie non mancano, ma la motivazione è più grande, alimenatata da un meraviglioso paesaggio di montagna fatto di campi verdi, mucche al pascolo, lo sciabordio dell’acqua di fiumi e ruscelli e il calore degli abitanti dei piccoli villaggi che attraversiamo a piedi. Lungo il percorso si incontrano e conoscono nuove persone ogni giorno. Il camino sembra una metafora della vita con nuove conoscenze, persone che incontrano di nuovo dopo giorni di cammino e quelle che non si incontreranno mai più. E’ come vivere una dimensione unica al massimo e in ogni momento. Ogni persona è un tesoro da scoprire. Si chiacchiera e ci si apre come se ci si conoscesse da anni. La mente è sempre più leggera e staccata dal corpo, il lungo viaggio e la natura meravogliosa intorno a noi aiutano a trovare una dimensione di sconosciuta tranquillità.

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Day # 6 of the Camino, the way from Villafranca to La Herreria goes slightly uphill for 21km, the pain in the muscles and various tendinitis is not lacking but the motivation is greater, nurished by the mountain landscapes, beautiful green fields, cows grazing, the lapping of the water and the warmth of the inhabitants of the small villages we cross during our walk. Along the way one get to meet and know new people every day, the way seems a metaphor for life encountering interesting people with their life experience, meeting some of them after several days of Camino and knowing that probably you’ll never meet again some others. It is like like living a unique dimension at its best. Every person is a treasure to discover. It comes very easy to chat and open your heart and mind to the other pelegrinos as if you knew your walking companions for years. The mind feels lighter and lighter and detached from the body, the long journey, wonderful nature and the atmosphere of small medieval churches help in finding a kind of unknown tranquility.

Camino de Santiago – Day 5 from Molinaseca to Vilafranca del Camino

Tratta #5 del camino, ogni giorno sembra più pesante anche le tappe che sembrerebbero più semplici risultano essere difficoltose, è difficile alzarsi dal letto la mattina presto, ma una volta in cammino le gambe vanno per inerzia. Incontriamo i nostri amici di viaggio per iniziare la tappa alle prime luci dell’alba con la nebbia che risale sulle colline e un freddo che ci entra nelle ossa. Durante il tragitto, ci si separa, ci si ferma in posti diversi, magari a visitare una chiesa per ricevere il timbro più bello sulla credenziale per poi incontrarsi di nuovo durante una pausa a immergere i piedi in uno dei tanti fiumi che costeggiano il cammino o la sera stanchissimi in ostello per cena. La tappa da Molinaseca a Villafranca inizia in modo leggero senza pendenze esagerate passando per deliziosi paesini come Cacabelos e Camponaraya con le loro chiesette medievali e le strade colme di persone vestite per bene che vanno alla messa della Domenica per poi riunirsi tutti per pranzo nelle piazzette principali. Sembra di tornare per un attimo a 15 o 20 anni fa quando la domenica ci si vestiva bene per andare a messa per poi pranzare insieme ai parenti a casa o al ristorante. È una bella sensazione malinconica che ha caratterizzato questa giornata, un ritorno al passato e all’importanza delle cose semplici della vita a cui non facciamo più caso e a quelle usanze che sono andate del tutto perdute, a quei momenti leggeri che la vita ci propone. Il tragitto che continua da Cacabelos a Villafranca è molto pesante essendo una lunga salita che va a stressare ancora di più le gambe che hanno già percorso 25km. Stasera si dorme all’Albergue la Piedra gestito da dei giovani è molto disponibili ragazzi, ancora una volta ci sentiamo come se fossimo a casa. Ma prima di tutto ci godiamo la nostra cena a base di Pulpo alla Gallega e Cecina de Astorga.

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Stage # 5 of the camino, each day feels harder, the stages that in the beginning seem easier are indeed difficult, it is hard to get out of bed in the morning, but once on the way your legs go by inertia. We met our traveling friends to start the stage at dawn with fog flowing over the hills and cold that gets into the bones. On the way, we separate, we stop in different places, perhaps to visit a church and receive the most beautiful stamp on our credential and then we  meet again during a break to soak your feet in one of the many rivers that run along the way or for dinner the night at the hostel. The stage from Molinaseca to Villafranca starts light through delightful towns as Cacabelos and Camponaraya through the it medieval streets filled with well dresserai people who go to the Sunday Mass and then all get together for lunch with their families and friends in the main squares. It seems to go back for a while to 15 or 20 years ago when in Sundays we dressed well to go to Mass and then have lunch together with relatives at home or at the restaurant. It is a nice feeling of melancholy that shapes this day, a return to the past and to the importance of the simple things in life that we are no longer used to and of those customs that have been entirely lost, of those relaxed moments that life offers us. The route going from Cacabelos to Villafranca is very step and long stressing the legs that have already traveled 25km. Tonight we sleep at the Albergue la Piedra run by young and very helpful people. Once again we feel as if we were at home. But first of all we enjoy our dinner of pulpo a la Gallega and Cecina de Astorga 

Camino de Santiago -Day 4 from Rabanal to Molinaseca

Stage #4 del camino, si comincia a salire fino alla cima del cammino di Santiago a piú di 1500m di altitudine. La salitá è dura per 5km ma fattibile, la discesa che ci spetta dopo lunga quasi 20km è molto più ardua per le nostre ginocchia e la nostra motivazione. Al quarto giorno abbiamo il nostro gruppetto di pellegrini insieme a Francis e Guille e Remi che con il suo cucciolo Lola ci anticipano di circa 5km. La tratta da Rabanal a Molinaseca è molto pesante, tra salite, discese e tratti scoscesi perfetti per far nascere le prime ampolle e tendiniti. Una tappa che sembra non finire mai, passando per la cruz de ferro dove i pellegrini lasciano un peso, una pietra che hanno portato dietro per tutto il cammino a simbolo di un peso che portano nella loro vita di cui desiderano separarsi. È un momento speciale che ci fa pensare. Arriviamo a Manjarin nel rifugio templare che ha più di 1000 anni con bagno all’esterno e in aria veramente medievale. Chissà cosa dovevano provare i pellegrini 10 secoli fa. Durante il cammino si incontrano pellegrini che sembrano aver voltato le spalle alla vita moderna per vivere una vita molto più semplice. Oggi il cammino ci ha messo alla prova e abbiamo dimostrato di non mollare rispetto ai problemi che possono nascere. la sera è sempre un buon momento per conoscere nuove e interessanti persone e scambiare con loro esperienze e Stati d’animo. Abbiamo cenato in compagnia do Bob da Denver con un buon vino di fronte al ponte romano di Molinaseca

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Stage # 4 of the camino strats climbing to the top of the Santiago route at more than 1500m above sea level. The climb is tough but with a nice view of the surrounding hills for 5km. The descent of almo at 20km is much more tolgo for our knees and our motivation. On the fourth day we have our little group of pilgrims made by Francis and Guille and Remi who with her puppy Lola is faster than us of about 5km. The route from Rabanal Molinaseca is very heavy, between ascents, descents and steep stretches perfect to give start to the first blisters. A stage that never seems to end, passing through the cruz de ferro where pilgrims leave a burden, a stone brought back all the way long as symbol of a burden which one wants to get rid of in his life. It is a special moment that makes us think for some minutes. We get to Manjarin a Templar shelter that has more than 1000 years with bathroom outside and truly medieval atmosphere. Who knows what the pilgrims had to try 10 centuries ago. Along the way we have met pilgrims who seem to have turned their backs on modern life to live a much simpler life. Today the journey has put us to the test and we showed that we do not give up in front of the problems that can arise. The evening is always a good time to meet new and interesting people and share with them experiences and moods, we had the menu del Pellegrino at the Roman bridge of molinaseca with the good company of Bob from Denver enjoying a good wine on front of the wonderful roman bridge:

Camino de Santiago -Day 3 from Astorga to Rabanal Del Camino

tratta 3 del nostro viaggio a santiado de compostela da Astorga a Rabanal del Camino prima di intraprendere la salita di 5km per Foncevadon. Appena usciti da Astorga ci siamo fermati in una piccola chiesetta costruita sopro un pozzo in cui si narra che un bambino che stava affogando venne salvato dalle preghiere della madre che invocava Gesú. Dopo quell’avvenimento l’acqua del pozzo divenne benedetta e oggi i pellegrini ne possono riempire le loro borracce. Forse per l’acqua, forse perchè i nostri miscoli si abituano al cammino, i dolori di ieri si sono affievoliti e se ne sono creati altri. La meta di oggi è Rabanal del Camino, 15 anime in inverno e 40 in estate. Oggi ci spetta un concerto di musica celtica e i canti gregoriani nella chiesa del paese. Un tuffo nella cultura celtica del nord della spagna insieme ad altri camminatori e pellegrini provenienti da tutto il mondo. Tutti come se fossimo una grande famiglia

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Stage #3 of our trip to Santiago de compostela from Astorga to Rabanal del Camino before starting the 5km climb to Foncevadon. Just out from Astorga we stopped at a small church built on a well where it is said that a child who was drowning was saved by the prayers of his mother, calling upon Jesus. After that incident the well water became blessed and today the pilgrims can fill their water bottles. Because of the water, perhaps because our muscles get used to walking, the pains of yesterday have faded and others have started. Today’s destination is Rabanal del Camino, 15 souls in the winter and 40 in summer. Today it planned a Celtic music concert and Gregorian chants in the village church. A dip dive in the Celtic culture of northern Spain along with other walkers and pilgrims from around the world. All as if we were one big family.

Camino de Santiago -Day 2 from S.Martin Del Camino to Astorga

Seconda tratta del cammino da San Martin del Camino ad Astorga. Finalmente il cammino si allontana dalle strade asfaltate e si torna tra le campagne e i boschi vicino a Santibañes de Valdeiglesias e altri paesini tra le campagne. li si attraversa come paesini fantasma ci sono solo i pellegrini e qualhe bar ad offrire ristoro prima di inoltrarsi sulle colline di fronte Astorga tra salite e discese ripide che mettono alla prova la nostra motivazione. a 6km da Astorga ci accoglie una coppia che ha deciso di vivere di quello che la natura mette a disposizione, una capanna di mattoni e una bancarella in legno per offrire frutta fresca e bevande ai pellegrini. Offrire! non vendere! non pretendendo neanche un’offerta, seguendo il motto “la llave de la esencia es la presiencia” Un’altra lezione di vita del Cammino.

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Second stage of the Camino on the way from San Martin del Camino to Astorga. Finally, the path moves away from paved roads and we are back in the countryside and the forests near Santibañes de Valdeiglesias and other villages in the countryside. Despite they look like ghost towns, there are many pilgrims around and some bar to offer refreshment before advancing on the hills opposite to Astorga. 6km before Astorga we meet a couple who lives from what nature provides, a brick hut and a wooden stall is what they have, offering fresh fruit and drinks to the pilgrims who pass by. Not even pretending an offer, following the motto “la llave de la esencia es la presiencia” Another lesson of life of the Camino 

Ronda & Setenil de las Bodegas – Cliffs All-Aroung – Andalucia, Spain

Ronda
One of the oldest and most spectacular Andalusian city, on the top of a plateau divided by a 100m deep gorge called El Tajo. It is located in an area away from the coast once famous for its trade and for attracting in the 19th century many famous people, such as Dumas and Hemingway who have found their inspiration from the its landscape and folklore.
Start to visit from the south, the new town, going to the old part, the Ciudad crossing the spectacular Ponte Nuevo which offers a breathtaking view of El Tajo, surrounded by a row of white houses built over the cliff.
For the braves, the Casa del Rey Moro, in the vicinity of the Ponte Nuevo, has a stair of 300 steps leading down to the bottom of the gorge. Be very careful, the stairs is largely in the dark and very slippery being carved into the rock. Once was used as an escape, or as a way to source the water to the city as well as point to attack the city.
To the north of the new bridge you will find the Plaza de Espana in the neighborhood of Mercadillo, famous for one of the novels written by Hemingway on the Spanish fascist period.
Continue north to the real attraction of Ronda and whole Andalusia, for the nostalgic but also for the curious of bullfighting and its history. The Arena of Plaza deToros still used after 200 years, is characterized by the intense yellow of its sand and hand-painted wooden balustrades that surround the 5000 seats. inside the Arena is the museum Taurino, a dip in the history of bullfighting. There you can learn more about the legend of bullfighting: Pedro Romero. His clothes are still stained with blood, a little macabre but rich in folklore. The fear and tension of this environment was also the subject of an ‘other work of Hemingway “Death at noon.”
Leaving the Plaza de Toros and still continuing to the north, relax and enjoy the wonderful scenery and the tranquility of Alameda del Tajo.
But what is the most interesting thing of Ronda? certainly its inhabitants, mainly gitanos who will welcome you with great familiarity and drag you in pleasant chats about their private lives, marriages, children, grandchildren, festivities, perhaps in front of a cool glass of tinto de verano. You will be enchanted by this fantastic and almost mythological place.
Setenil de las Bodegas
A country dug in the rocky walls of a plateau crossed by the river Rio Trejo
Cave houses complemented by beautiful white facades on the narrow streets. Terraces and natural shelters built into the rock and tunnel whose walls are the white walls of houses and the roof made of a overhanging rock.
Differenently from the other white villages, Setenil is built in Caves. On the border between the province of Cadiz and the province of Malaga, it is reachable from Ronda driving approx. 100km northward. it is s part of the characteric white villages ranging from Setenil to Arcos de la Frontera. In the past is served much to defend the Christian inhabitants of these areas by the Moorish in 1400 and now become attraction for tourists, many of those homes are now restaurants and bars in which you should keep an eye to understand what it was like to live in caves hundreds of years ago. Setenil is a beautiful place to discover on foot through its narrow streets, stopping to savor the great offering of its tapas bars, grilled meat, patatas bravas, followed by ice cold beer to drink in the shade of a cool shelter carved directly in the rock.

Sevilla – The Flamenco Shrine – Andalucia, Spain

The colors of Seville dazzle through a game of reflexes that from the shimmering water of the river Guadalquivir go through the narrow streets surrounded by the white painted houses below the blue sky of Andalusia. Walking in this city is a real sensorial experience where scents, images and sounds characterize the discovery of the city, making it a journey through time and life of extraordinary vital people always open and hospitable to foreigners. Seville is a multifaceted beautiful city to be experiences around the clock.

The colors of Seville dazzle through a game of reflexes that from the shimmering water of the river Guadalquivir go through the narrow streets surrounded by the white painted houses below the blue sky of Andalusia. Walking in this city is a real sensorial experience where scents, images and sounds characterize the discovery of the city, making it a journey through time and life of extraordinary vital people always open and hospitable to foreigners. Seville is a multifaceted beautiful city to be experiences around the clock.
Do you want to experience the real atmosphere of Sevilla? then the best way to know the city is to walk and get lost in its streets and squares in the Barrio de Santa Cruz, whose name comes from the iron cross placed in the middle of the characteristic square of Santa Cruz. Between Tapas bar at the corners of whitewash houses and windows surrounded by beautiful plants and flowers, orange trees and typical churches which alternate with the typical houses of Flamenco that now populate the entire city offering shows around the clock.
Flamenco, the man suffering and passion transformed into powerful and exotic music and dance at the same time, powerful expression of what the strong but also tragic Andalusian feeling, from the intimacy of suffering to the happiness of life but also from violence to death.
Goethe wrote about Flamenco: “a physical force that everyone can hear but that no Philosophy can ever understand”.
The shows can be seen in many theaters and Flamenco schools such as the Casa del Flamenco (Ximenes de Engraved 28, Barrio Santa Cruz) but performances are also held in typical bars and concert venues as “La Carboneria” (c. 18 Levies, free entry) a former charcoal factory transformed into a concert hall with a bar attached and a beautiful entrance with a carved fireplace and a piano which possibly someone is already playing while others entertain themselves drinking Tinto de Verano, the Summer Wine ( red wine soda, ice and lemon slices)
From the Barrio de Santa Cruz, after a stop in one of the many authentic tapas place, you can easily reach the Cathedral Square, built in the 13th century with the intent, common for that time, to be a building so large that future generations would have considered their builders crazy.
Located right near the Alcazar, together with this one creates a mixture of Moorish and Gothic Christian style.
Entering the Cathedral you feel bewildered by its size and the beauty of the works of art such those preserved in the Sagrestia de los Calices as the painting of Santas Yusta and Rufin of Goya and various works of Murillo.
Inside the Cathedral is the grave of Christopher Columbus, whose remains were transferred from Havana to Seville in honor of the city from which Columbus departed to the continent that would have been America.
The monumental tomb consists of a coffin supported by four knights whose costumes representing the four great kingdoms of Spain. In reality is not yet known if the real remains are in Seville or Santo Domingo.
A little further away from the city center, in south direction, is the Plaza de Espana, built on the occasion of the Spanish-American exposition in the ‘20s.This is the place where the Sevillian love walking on the weekends between the balusters covered of azuleios and old trees and palm trees that hide the houses of ancient noble families around the Parque de Maria Luisa.
Just outside the park along the river Guadalquivir, is the Tower of Gold, formerly used as a watchtower and as a warehouse for the wares coming from the new colonies of Mexico and Peru. It is said that in times of wealth of the city, the dome of the tower was covered with golden tiles. Down the road heading north on Paseo de Cristobal Colon you reach the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza real where is one of the most important bullfighting arenas in Spain, as in Ronda also here was introduced bullfight without horses and is a symbol of almost religious importance for lovers of these events.
During Spring, the Semana Santa and Feria de Abril drastically change the atmosphere of the city passing from the sad but typical Holy Week atmosphere to the festive and colorful experience of the feria de Abril.
Just a little curiosity: the old ancient ruins and magnificence of Seville will be the setting of the new series of Game of Thrones.
Tapeando is the verb the Spaniards use to indicate the action to go and eat tapas, small portions of food served as an accompaniment to a beer on a nice glass of wine. Originally consumed as an aperitif and introduction to dinner, it has become in Andalusia the real alternative to dinner, giving a chance to try different flavors and aromas hobnobbing with friends over a glass of Estrella beer.
Order tapas can though be a hard challenge, especially in the most popular bars, where you must make room jostling in the crows to make your order.
Never lose an eye on your toothpicks with which tapas are served, at the time to leave they will be counted to calculate the bill.
Among the specialties of Seville try:
Torta de aceite: focaccia with olives
Huevos a la flamenco: made with morcilla sausage, garlic, onions, tomatoes and a cover of egg
Churros: the deep fried dough that are the best way to end the Sevillian nights out.