Page 46 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Spain

44  INTRODUCING SP AIN

SPAIN THROUGH THE YEAR

Festivals, cultural events and sports Music, dance, drama and film festivals are
competitions crowd the calendar in Spain. held in Spain’s major cities throughout the
Even small villages have at least one year. Meanwhile, the country’s favourite
traditional fiesta, lasting a week or more, outdoor sports – football, basketball, cycling,
when parades, bull fights and fireworks sailing, golf and tennis – culminate in several
displays replace work (see pp42–3). Many national and international championships.
rural and coastal towns celebrate the It is a good idea to confirm specific dates
harvest or fishing catch with a gastronomic of events with the local tourist board as
fair at which you can sample local produce. some vary from year to year.

Spring
Life in Spain moves outdoors
with the arrival of spring, and
terrace cafés begin to fill with
people. The countryside is at
its best as wild flowers bloom,
and irrigation channels flow to
bring water to the newly sown
crops. The im portant Easter
holiday is a time of solemn
processions throughout
the country.
March
International Vintage Car Rally
(usually first Sun), from Barcelona
to Sitges. More than 60 vintage
cars make this annual 45-km Feria del Caballo (Festival of the Horses) in Jerez de la Frontera
(28-mile) journey.
Las Fallas (15–19 Mar), Valencia Religious Music Week April Fair (2 weeks after Easter),
(see p259). This spec tacular fiesta (Easter week, from Seville. Exuberant Andalucían
also marks the start of the bull- Passion Sat), Cuenca. fiesta (see p437).
fighting (see pp40–41) season. Trofeo Conde de Godó Feria Nacional del Queso
Fiestas (end Feb or mid-Mar), (mid- to late Apr), Barcelona. (late Apr/early May), Trujillo
Castellón de la Plana. All in Spain’s international tennis (Cáceres). A festival celebrat ing
honour of Mary Magdalene. championship. Spanish cheese (see p411).
Moors and Christians
April (21–24 Apr), Alcoi (see p262). May
Spanish Motorcycle This colourful costumed event Dos de Mayo (2 May), Madrid.
Grand Prix (Apr/early May), celebrates the Christian Music, fireworks and dancing
Jerez de la Frontera race track. victory over the Moors in 1276. in the streets in remembrance
of the 1808 rebellion against
Napolean’s occupation.
Feria del Caballo (first week),
Jerez de la Frontera. Horse
fair showing Andalucía at
its most traditional, with
fine horses and beautiful
women in flamenco dresses.
Fiestas de San Isidro
(8–15 May), Madrid (see p294).
Bullfights at Las Ventas
bull ring are the highlights
of the taurine year.
Spanish Formula One
Grand Prix (May/Jun),
Montmeló circuit, Barcelona.
Onlookers lining the street during the Vuelta Ciclista a España (p46) International motor race.

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