A Christmas Getaway to Barcelona ?

Spain is one of the best countries to be during public holidays and festivals. Christmas is no exception. Here is a guide to their traditions around this time: (Don’t forget to buy a loved one some red underwear on New Years eve and eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight) www.idealspain.com/pages/information/ChristmasInSpain.htm

Barcelona has got to be one of the coolest cities in Europe especially when there are festivities to be had. The picture here is of Barcelona at Christmas and it is certainly a lively place to visit in the festive season. Here is a complete guide to what shops, restaurants and tourist attractions are open during Christmas in Barcelona, including interactive map:
www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/barcelona-christmas.html

Get an idea from a couple’s journal from last Christmas doing the Barcelona tour thing: realtravel.com/barcelona-journals-j1582480.html

On the other hand how about incorporating a language course over the festive season with all the trimmings thrown in: www.cactuslanguage.com/en/book/course.php?course_id=337

If you want a flamenco Christmas maybe Jerez is the place to be:

“Christmas is here. Jerez dresses up for the festivities. Thousands of light bulbs illuminate the downtown area. The town is decked out. It is a time for celebration. Despite the low winter temperatures, thousands of Jerez inhabitants take to the streets. It is a dearly loved time, a time for family. Encounters and re-encounters. Indelible moments. Zambombas. Yes, that so peculiar festival belonging to Jerez's popular heritage which is held every month of December. The magic of a genuine tradition. Gatherings of Christmas songs, of Christmas carols to a flamenco beat.”
Flamencoworld.com

Hotels in Jerez and more at Christmas:
www.timeout.com/travel/jerez/seasonal.html

For latest offers to Spain:
travel.guardian.co.uk/readeroffers/spain

Spain - Top holiday destination

Spain attracts more than 45m tourists each year. With incredible Moorish architecture from centuries of Arab rule, such as the Alhambra in Granada, Spain offers history and culture as well as a warm climate and sandy beaches.
Spain can be extremely hot in the summer, often reaching and exceeding 30C, as well as cold in the winter especially in the mountains where temperatures drop to below freezing and it can snow.

Expect to be served little snacks in the bars and restaurants called “tapas” which include tortilla de patatas - potato omelette, calamares – fried squid, paella – rice with vegetables and seafood, gazpacho – cold tomato and vegetable soup which is often served chilled in the hot summer.

The Spanish have a siesta – an afternoon nap, which helps them stay up in the cooler evenings. They tend to eat very late in the evenings with lunch as the main meal of the day.

The Spanish usually drink wine with their meal - rioja, penedes and sparkling cava - and sherry from Jerez.