ENTERTAINMENT

Restaurants
When eating out in Spain the general meal cost is reasonable according to the type of restaurant. In most major Cities there is a selection of different levels of national and international food in surroundings that vary from the worker's cafe to the sophisticated fine dinning. Visitors to the country should make note that the dining hours only start around eight or nine o'clock in the evening. Spain is also known for its fish cuisines and the "Paella" is probably the most popular dish and normally resonably priced. Each region in Spain has it's own specialties and experimentation is usually well rewarded. Unless otherwise stated on the bill it is normal to leave a 10% tip.

The world famous Spanish tradition of "Tapas" is to be thoroughly recommended. These are small dishes of cooked tasty food and normally found as accompanying drinks in small Bars and some types of Cafés.

They are made from various ingredients from seafood to meat or just all vegetables. The origin of the word "Tapa" is questionable but it has been said to use originally in the Cafe de la Iberia in Seville. A popular habit is to visit several Bars and accompanying the drink with different Tapas until one has had enough to make a good dinner. Another favorite is a slither of "Serrano" or "Jabuga" ham from Andulucia accompanied with a slice of bread and a beer or Dry Sherry. Spain is reputed to be the biggest and one of the best producers in the world of dried ham.

Drink
Spanish traditionally drink wine with each region producing its own wines. There are several large breweries within Spain producing the light lager type beers. The principal table wines are the "Riojas" and "Valdepeñas", named after the regions where they are produced. "Rioja" wine is to be found in around Logroño in the northeast and can be slightly likened to the French Bordeaux whilst being less delicate in flavour. Valdepeñas is a rougher wine to the palete and found at its best in the region where it is grown, midway between Madrid and Cordóba. The Jerez de la Fronteira area is famous for it's sherry. Jerez is the place where Sherry was born and first exported to the UK. There are four principal types of Sherry, "Fino" which is pale and dry, "Amontillado" dry and richer in body and slightly darker, "Oloroso" a medium and golden Sherry, and finally "Dulce" which is very sweet tasting.

To the north and in the Basque Country a green wine known as "Chacoli" is very popular with its slightly sparkling and tart flavour. The majority of Spanish sparkling wines tend to be sweet and fruity. ("Click Here" to see our section on wines.)

Popular Spanish Brandies are 103, Magno and Carlos, all of which are cheap and sweet.

Dinking black coffee is a national habit in Spain. "Cafe solo" is served in small cups and is strong and thick black coffee. "Cafe con leche" is the same coffee with hot milk. Spaniards also drink a great deal of bottled water and there are two types, the "con gas" with fizz, and the "sin gas" still water.

Fiestas and Traditions
Spanish towns and cities have their own special celebrations as well as the National Holidays. The manner in which the events are celebrated also varies from town to town but all are based on religion.

Nightlife
Spaniards often start the evening with the "el paseo". This is a leisurely stroll along the main streets or along the "paseo maritimo" in the coastal resorts. Much of Spanish life is lived in the streets and the atmosphere is especially vibrant at Fiesta time. On most warm evenings the street cafes and bars are full of people sitting and enjoying company. The nightclubs only start being busy after midnight.

Customs
As in every corner of the world the habits of people are changing with modern life. The Spanish are formal by culture and the handshake is still the customary form of greeting but a kiss on both cheeks is normal reserved to those known well. When invited into a private home a small gift (but not flowers), is always is always appreciated. Flowers are reserved for very special occasions! Dress code is basically formal and very casual wear is reserved for holiday areas and frowned at in towns. A shirt should always be worn in public places and on public transport. Smoking is very much the habit and practiced in commercial establishments but not on public transport.

Restaurants
When eating out in Spain the cost is generally reasonable according to the type of restaurant. In most major Cities there is a selection of different levels of national and international food in surroundings that vary from the worker's cafe to a sophisticated “fine dinning”. Visitors to the country should make note that the dining hours only commence between eight or nine o'clock in the evening. Spain is also particularly known for its fish cuisine and Paella is probably one of the most popular dishes. Each region in Spain has its own special dishes and experimentation is usually well rewarded.

Unless otherwise indicated on the Bill it is normal to leave a 10% tip.

The world famous Spanish tradition of Tapas is to be thoroughly recommended. These are small portions of tasty food eaten with a slice of bread and normally taken as an accompaniment to drinks in small Bars and Cafés.

Tapas are made from various ingredients and can be either seafood, meat, or just all vegetables. The origin of the word Tapa is questionable but it has been said to have been originally brought into use in the Cafe de la Iberia in Seville. A Spanish popular habit is to visit several Bars and accompanying the drink with different Tapas, sometimes until the person has had enough to make a good dinner. A favorite Tapa is a slither of Serrano or Jabuga ham from Andalucía accompanied by a slice of bread, and of course a beer or Dry Sherry. Spain is reputed to be the biggest and a leader in the production in the world of cured ham.

Drink
The Spanish population traditionally drinks wine with each of its regions producing their own wines. There are also several large breweries within Spain producing the light Lager type of beer. The principal table wines are the Riojas and Valdepeñas, named after the regions where they are produced. Rioja wine is to be found in around Logroño in the northeast and can be suggestively likened to the French Bordeaux but being less delicate in flavour. Valdepeñas is a rougher wine to the palette and found at its best in the region where it is grown - which is midway between Madrid and Córdoba. The Jerez de la Fronteira area is famous for its Sherry. Jerez is the place where Sherry was born and first exported to the UK. There are four principal types of Sherry, "Fino" which is pale and dry, “Amontillado" dry and richer in body and slightly darker, "Oloroso" a medium and golden Sherry, and finally "Dulce" which is very sweet in taste.

To the north and in the Basque Country a green wine known as "Chacoli" and is very popular with its slightly sparkling and tart flavour. The majority of Spanish sparkling wines tend to be sweet and fruity. ("Click Here" to see our section on wines.)

Popular Spanish Brandies are 103, Magno and Carlos, all of which are rather cheap and sweet.

Drinking black coffee is a national habit in Spain. "Cafe solo" is served in small cups and is strong and thick black coffee. "Cafe con leche" is the same coffee with hot milk. Spaniards also drink a great deal of bottled water and there are two major types, the "con gas" with fizz and the "sin gas" still water.

Fiestas and Traditions
Spanish towns and cities have their own special celebrations as well as the National Holidays. The manner in which the events are celebrated also varies from town to town but all are based on their Catholic religion.

Nightlife
Spaniards have a charming habit of often starting the evening with the "el paseo". This is a leisurely stroll along the main streets or along the "paseo maritimo" in the coastal resorts. Much of Spanish life is lived in the streets and the atmosphere is especially vibrant at Fiesta time. On most warm evenings the street cafes and bars are full of people sitting and enjoying each others company. The nightclubs for the young and the “young at heart” are only worth normally frequenting from midnight onwards!

Customs
As in every corner of the world the habits of people are changing with modern life. The Spanish are formal by culture and the handshake is still the customary form of greeting but a kiss on both cheeks is reserved to family members or to those persons who are known well. When invited into a private home a small gift (but not flowers), is always appreciated as a polite gesture of appreciation. Flowers are reserved for the very special occasions! Dress code is basically formal and very casual wear is reserved for holiday areas and definitely frowned at in the towns. A shirt should always be worn in public places and in public transport. Smoking is very much a national habit and practiced in commercial establishments - but not on public transport.