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What you can buy – be impressed with the quality of goods on offer in Spain. The prices are reasonable and the service is courteous. Be sure to buy
some of the fine Spanish fans, shawls, umbrellas and canes. Good quality leather shoes and boots are a must too.
Where you can buy – in Spain the shopper can find items of high quality at a fair price, not only in the cities, but in the small towns as well. In Madrid
the Rastro Market is recommended, particularly on Sundays.
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With a triad of truly great art museums that include the Museo del Prado, and buildings like the Palacio Real that span the centuries, plus lively
plazas, mighty boulevards and neighbourhoods brimming with character, Spain has plenty of sights to keep the eyes, ears and mind occupied.
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Throughout Spain, folklore is very much alive and there is always some form of folk festival occurring. It is almost impossible for a visitor to be
anywhere in the country for more than a fortnight without something taking place. La Tamborrada (Festividad de San Sebastián) in San Sebastián on
19 January, a short but rowdy event where the whole town dresses up and goes berserk. Carnivals take place throughout the country in late February;
the wildest are said to be in Sitges and Cádiz. In March, Valencia has a week-long party known as Las Fallas, which is marked by all-night dancing,
drinking, first-class fireworks and colour ful processions. Semana Santa (Holy Week) is the week leading up to Easter Sunday, and is marked by
parades of holy images through the streets; Seville is the place to be if you can get accommodation. In late April, Seville's Feria de Abril is a weeklong
party counterbalancing the religious fervour of Semana Santa. The last Wednesday in August sees the Valencian town of Buñol go bonkers with
La Tomatina, in which the surplus from its tomato harvest is sploshed around in a friendly riot. The Running of the Bulls (Fiesta de San Fermín) in
Pamplona in July is perhaps Spain's most famous festival.
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Widely known for Flamenco, music and dance, bull fights, fantastic beaches and lots of sunshine, Spain has a lot to offer. Barcelona is one of
the most dynamic and stylish cities. The beautiful mountainous northern area of Las Hurdes is a must see. As is Alhambra, one of the greatest
accomplishment for Islamic architecture. The Alcazar is a castle to inspire fairytale adventures. Don’t miss out on the truly awe-inspiring La Sagrada Familial, the unfinished Cathedral of Antoni Gaudi.
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Football is one of Spains obsessions. Golf can be played at various places but Golf Park is open to all. Out door swimming pools are available in the
summer, as well as a few aqua parks. Tennis is a favourite in Spain and can be played, expensively, at scenic lake side courts.
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Being a country of immigrants, Spain is a stronghold of Austrian, Andalucian, Basque, Navarran, Catalan, Valencian, Murcian and Galician lifestyles. It
also offers international cuisines from French to Indian to North African. Try the outstanding seafood and fabulous tapas in any of the many cafes or
restaurants available. Or enjoy the night out via a plethora of bars, great nightlife, all-night-long dance clubs, and a whirl of flamenco, jazz, salsa and
rock venues. And there’s plenty of old-fashioned entertainment for opera, theatre and dance buffs.
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