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So you’ve decided it’s
time to seek out some fun in the sun?
Here are some off-the-beaten
track suggestions to get the most out of your trip to Spain!
Barcelona
If you find yourself sick of
gazing at Gaudí’s oeuvre and traipsing all over Barcelona to take
your happy snaps of la Sagrada Família, Casa Milà (La Pedrera),
and Park Güell, then here’s a great suggestion. The wonders never
cease in Barcelona, and especially not at El Bosc de les Fades (Fairy Tale
Forest) a unique bar that caters for both the young and the young-at-heart.
Situated next to the wax museum (Museo de Cera) in an alley that twists
and turns, it’s well worth the search when you emerge in a woodland setting,
complete with a waterfall, all indoors at perhaps one of Europe’s most
magical cafes. Don’t fret if the lights go out and a thunderstorm blows
through, it’s all part of the hourly theatrics.
Madrid
Watch a football match. Not
that this is really a creative cultural experience, everyone knows about
the Spanish passion for the game. But a hidden hint, just try your luck
sweet-talking at the ticket counters of Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
– and who knows? You might even be able to score yourself a free ticket
to the match! A working knowledge of Spanish isn’t even necessary for this
feat, just a bit of courage and a lot of luck!
Seville
Treat yourself to an affordable
pair of top quality flamenco shoes in the city that’s arguably Spain’s
flamenco capital, but whatever you do – don’t eat the oranges that grown
in abundance along the streets! They are incredibly bitter, despite their
deceptively sweet smell!
Granada
You’d be excused for thinking
that buying your tickets to the
Alhambra was akin to searching for the Holy Grail. This renowned world
heritage site is also renowned for its exceptionally long queues, and only
those who wake up at the crack of dawn are able to acquire the entrance
passes. Hence there are a lot of haggard-eyed tourists dumbfoundedly trying
to take in all the magnificence of this former Moorish palace and fortress
complex. But there’s an easier way – don’t wait in the line if you’ve got
a credit card with a P.I.N and are willing to pay a slight surcharge. If
you’re waiting in the line for three or more hours and you hear a repeated
multilingual announcement, clear in Spanish but then masked by static in
all other languages, what it’s saying is that the cash machines are located
to the right of the counters. Just make sure you know your P.I.N and you’ve
won yourself an extra hour of sleep.
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