Phenomenon of Botellón

 Botellón is a Spanish way to spend nighttime. The name comes from word botella which means big bottle. During this night young people drink alcohol on the street, squares, listen to the music and talk to each other.



Spanish buy alcohol in supermarkets. There are plenty of shops which sale ice cube for them as well. Everybody knows this kind of place in their city. So they meet without arranging. They usually spend there time from 11pm till 3am and later go to the clubs.
This customs comes from Andalusia but students from Extremadura make it more common in the '90s.
Most of the participants are men but every year come more girls. The most popular drink is beer, mixed drinks and calimocho. The less common is wine and cider. They also smoke cigarettes and cannabis.

Opponents of botellón talk about bad sides of effect. Major problems are: noise, vandalism and health issues. 

Some locals governments set special area for this entertainment.  In Granada is square which capacity is 20,000 people. In Alicante is a square on a pier.

Some of online botellón were reported having half million of users e.g. macro-botellón which happened on March 17, 2006.

San Fermín

I like Spanish festivals because are very exuberant and many people from abroad come to take part in them. Even one million tourists come to see them. One of that festivals is San Fermín from Pamplona in Nevarra. It is a catholic holiday but one of the most important event is the running of the bulls (encierro). 

  Encierro

The festival begins on 6th of June and finish on 14th of June. People wear white clothes with red scarves. After that all bulls die during the corrida which is organized for participants.

Tradition of San Fermín was born in the 14th century. It was connected with the beginning of the summer, sale of cattle in town on the square and holiday in church.



What do you think about Spanish style of life and culture?

Santa Bárbara castle

One of the most popular place in Alicante is Santa Bárbara castle on the Mount Benacantil. It is a fortification from 9th century and significant place for Muslims and Castilians. At the beginning the Arabic name was Banu-IQatil  which comes from word pinna (peak) and laqanti. 

  Castilia conquered it in 1248 and changes name for Santa Barbara (day when castle was conquered by Alfonso of Castile). From XVIII century there was a prison and from 1963 tourists can visit castle and admire Alicante from the pick of the mountain.




   Nowadays you can get there by lift (from the Postiguet) or by walk. There is a wonderful park (Parque de la Ereta) with olive trees.

Equality Parade in Alicante

Last week I saw Equality Parade in Alicante. Many people took part in it. They demonstrated against homophobia. Many Spaniards supported them in their fight about equality.

Visit Tabarca

 I spent nice time on the island Tabarca which is 20 km from Alicante. Wonderful place for people who like quiet places. You can get there by catamaran which leaves Alicante promenade a few times per day. Also you can reach Tabarca from Benidorm and Santa Pola. It is small, astounding island which is visited by tourists every year.

 The island's waters are officially declared a Mediterranean Marine Reserve for their excellent quality and for the biodiversity of their flora and fauna.
  You can enjoy there palm trees, crystal water, beaches and coves.
There is island' museum, restaurants which offer typical dish caldero. If you want you can stay there for  night thanks to the hotels.
So visit Tabarca!

Holiday in Alicante

If you want to spend a nice holiday in Alicante (Spain)  now you have an excellent opportunity. Cosy inexpensive vacations rooms in familiar atmosphere to let for one person or two.
If you want to visit one of the most beautiful city in Spain and enjoy Spanish cuisine and culture you have your chance now. Beautiful beaches, warm sea, sunshine all day long and friendly people are waiting for you!!!

Send email to alicante.vacations@gmail.com and get more information.  

La Tomatina

I can not wait for la Tomatina. It is hold in Buñol near Valencia and many people from abroad come to take part in this festival (last Wednesday of August). It is very interesting and amusing. People fight using tomatoes as weapons.

 Tradition of la Tomatina was born in 1945. Young Spaniards came to see parade of gigantes and cabezudos. During this festival they took tomatoes from stands and started to fight for fun. Police had to intervene. Many people were imprisoned for a short time. Next year they brought tomato and started fighting again. 

Until in 1975 local government accepted la Tomatina and started to organize it. Nowadays tomatoes are brought from Extremadura and houses are protected by owner. It lasts about one hour and starts at 10am in the Plaza de Pueblo. Citizens preparing palo jamón and everybody tries to take jamón which is on the top of it. If they get it la Tomatina begins. After one hour festival is over and the service start to clean the town. Also people can take a shower which are prepared for them by local government. 

   If you want to take part in Tomatina you have to register online on web The Town Hall of Buñol and buy ticket. There are limited number of people who can fight using tomatoes. 

 Palo jamón