ON THE TOWN

Restaurants and bars, movies, theater, dance, sports arenas, even the home… Keep abreast of what’s going on where, and how you can have the greatest fun.

A GUIDEPOST REPRINT: “Spanish Fashion Holds Its Own,” 24 July 1970

In the summer of 1970, GUIDEPOST reports: "Spain’s fashion designers bowed to the applause of buyers and members of the press who came from all over the world this week to preview what you might be wearing come September. Of all the collections, Pertegaz’s was the most expensive; Pedro Rodriguez’s, the most conservative, Elio Berhanyer’s, futuristic and Lino’s, the most elegant. However, Marbel Jr.’s collection seemed to demonstrated how to dress to look like a tart. And Herrera y Ollero’s collection was one hundred pieces of general unexcitement."

CORRAL DE LA MORERÍA, the Cathedral of Flamenco Where the Palate is Pleasured to the Hilt!

EL CORRAL DE LA MORERIA: World's best flamenco tablao. Star-studded flameco shows fused with haute cuisine, and with remarkable success too. The only tablao in the world with a Michelin star. Awardee of Repsol Guide's three stars. Celebrities from different fields flock to the Corral, fame begetting fame. One of the "1000 Places to See Before You Die." You've just got to be there and see for yourself!

SNAPSHOT: THE SAN ISIDRO ANNUAL FIESTAS & FOURTH CENTENNIAL!

Madrid is having one of its most beloved fiestas, the fiesta honoring its patron saint, San Isidro Labrador. But this year it isn't just the annual celebration. It's, more importantly, the fourth centennial of the Madrileño saint's canonization (1622-2022). The Holy See has declared that the Holy Year of San Isidro (Año Santo de San Isidro) be celebrated from 15 May 2022 to 15 May 2023.

HOLY WEEK IN BANDUXU WHERE NOTHING EVER HAPPENS

There’s a remote village in central Asturias (dubbed “Paraiso Natural”) where you could leave behind your boringly busy life for a while and literally do nothing! Away from everything except a cow or two and the spectacular views of the mountains. No bars. No wi-fi connection. No facilities. No nothing. Except your own wits. No bars. No wi-fi connection. No facilities. Except your own wits.

THE PUY DE FOU PARK IN TOLEDO OPENS ITS DOORS AGAIN WITH EVEN MORE SPLENDOR

Recognized as the "Best Theme Park in Spain" and one of the best in the world, Puy du Fou is coming up with new spectacles that will complete an exciting and colorful review of the history of Spain. Inaugural show is on on the 1st of April. The highlight of the new season is "the greatness of that Visigoth Kingdom" which and ‘recovers’ the royal crown, that has been missing for more than 1,300 years."

SUNDAY, GRIM SUNDAY

The leftist parties suffered a debacle in the recent local elections thay they were not prepared for. The elections were a dress rehearsal for the upcoming parliamentary elections which were advanced by President Pedro Sanchez to 23 July of this year and from which a new President of the Government will emerge. As such, it's not quite likely that the "pregressives" could rise from their ashes even when that second defeat could mean the dismatling of Spain's welfars state.

Can’t Stop Binge Shopping? Take a Soul-Searching Look at the Impact of Wasteful Textile Production on the Environment!

The global textile and clothing industry used 79 billion cubic metres of water in 2015, while the needs of the EU's whole economy amounted to 266 billion cubic metres. Textile production is estimated to be responsible for about 20% of global clean water pollution. And the fashion industry, 10% of global carbon emissions – more than international flights and maritime shipping combined.

EL BULLI, ONCE THE WORLD’S BEST RESTAURANT, MORPHS INTO A MUSEUM!

Surprise surprise. El Bulli is opening its doors as a museum, El Bulli 1846, where visitors can "eat" knowledge. It is no longer a restaurant but a place to ponder, to know why gastronomy creates humanitarianism. The museum's 4.000 square meters reflect and safeguard El Bulli´s DNA, as well as El Bulli´s Bullipedia.

FASCINATING BULGARIA: WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED

It is a good idea to stray off the beaten path and follow a route less traveled but no less fascinating. An endeavor that falls well within the propitious motto "More Spain in Bulgaria and more Bulgaria in Spain."

JOIN THE EUROPEAN YOUTH EVENT2023 COMPETITION AND WIN A FREE TRIP TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT!

On 9-10 June, thousands of people aged 16 to 30 from across the EU will take over the European Parliament in Strasbourg for the European Youth Event (EYE) to discuss and share ideas on how to shape the future of Europe. Shoot your best picture and win a trip to the EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT'S EYE2023!

SEVE & JON,THE POWER OF AN OLD INSPIRATION OVER THE NEW SPANISH GOLFING HERO

Rahmbo paying tribute to Seve Ballesteros on the former's win at Masters: "Spaniards like winning on Easter Sunday and Seve's birthday!"

A GUIDEPOST REPRINT: “La Granja: Spain’s Little Versailles”, 21 August 1970

La Granja with its formal gardens, arranged with geometrical precision, its statues depicting mythological figures, its serene, ordered beauty, is often called the "Little Versailles" for it bears a marked similarity to the famous gardens created by Lenótre for Louis XIV of France.

HOW I LONG TO WALK THE STREETS OF SPAIN

As I cross the plaza, I watch the children play and listen to their happy squeals of laughter. So many places to visit. Many wonderful parks and museums that house “old friends”. A church where I can feel the quiet beauty inside But it is only a dream. It is telling me how much I love Spain, and how much I long to walk its streets again.

TERUEL LOVE STORY 2: The “Wedding of Isabel Segura” Attracts Thousands of People in a Truly Unique Setting

There are many love stories with tragic endings. Some are real, others border on legend, still others are based on fact such as the story of the "Lovers of Teruel". This romantic tragedy draws extra special attention in the Aragonese city of Teruel where The Wedding of Isabel Segura, which is celebrated yearly, has been declared a Festival of National Tourist Interest.

THE CROWNING OF FOOTBALL QUEEN ALEXIA PUTELLAS

"By 2022, Putellas has won all major club and individual awards that a European player could win. For which she is widely regarded as the world’s best contemporary female footballer, and one of the greatest of all time"

THE REAL MADRID

Any and everything about the fascinating capital city of Spain — and the Autonomous Community of Madrid — from its rich history through its vibrant present to what the future holds, recounted from every angle imaginable.
This category, however, goes beyond Madrid; it embraces stories of what occurred, are occurring, and will probably occur in the Spanish nation whose capital is Madrid.

  • SUNDAY, GRIM SUNDAY

    The leftist parties suffered a debacle in the recent local elections thay they were not prepared for. The elections were a dress rehearsal for the upcoming parliamentary elections which were advanced by President Pedro Sanchez to 23 July of this year and from which a new President of the Government will emerge. As such, it's not quite likely that the "pregressives" could rise from their ashes even when that second defeat could mean the dismatling of Spain's welfars state.

  • A GUIDEPOST REPRINT: “The Valley of Lozoya: Rascafría & El Paular,” 14 August 1970

    The pine forest of El Paular in the Valley of Lozoya is the most beautiful of all Spain, so the people who live there claim. Thousand-year-old tales, as romantic as any ever told in Spain, originated in the valley which lies just behind the Guadarrama Mountain Range, visible from Madrid. Not only tourists and historians find a store of history here, but fishermen, hunters, hikers, skiers, bird watchers, swimmers and mountain climbers too. The visitor’s first surprise is a luxuriant green valley dotted with vegetable gardens, a contrast to the bleak Castilian plateau. But there was a time in the long history of Lozoya when, despite the prodigious gift of beauty from Nature itself, the valley lay in ruins.

  • MADRID’S MACHISMO ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

    Madrid is reputed to be the Capital of the Land of Machismo, home to the hotheaded Latin Lover who, self-serving, acts as though -- if not thoroughly convinced that -- he knew what was good for women and expects his womenfolk to take note. Whether this is pure myth in today’s modern Madrid or there’s a lingering truth to it, it should be interesting – elucidating –  to see how Madrid celebrates International Women’s Day.

  • SNAPSHOT: NATURE TURNED INCANDESCENT FOR THE HOLIDAYS

    Here's an option for you this Holiday Season: spend an evening among Nature (the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid really). Could be enchanting!

  • CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WAY UP HIGH!

    Looking for Christmassy fun up in the clouds? You’re in the right place if you’re in Pozuelo de Alarcon, northeast of the Autonomous Community of Madrid. Because that’s where Madrid’s tallest Ferris wheel goes round and round this Season. On descent, it whirls at the heart-stopping speed of 126 km/h. And you get a memorable view of Madrid for miles around into the bargain. Who knows, you might even bump into Santa, with sackful of gift on his sleigh, when you're up there in the sky!

  • BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, CHRISTMAS IS HERE! Free worshop on Ceramic painting for Christmas Decor

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  • SNAPSHOT: PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA & CHORUS, MADRID-BORN!

    Meet Filarmonía de Madrid, an orchestra and chorus ensemble of the highest standards of professionalism AND a social conscience to top it off: This is the Philharmonia that went out of its way in 2021 to render homage to the victims of COVID-19 at Spain’s Auditorio Nacional de Música, in celebration of the first anniversary of the State of Alarm that faced down the pandemic with amazing courage and efficacy.

  • FRUIT ATTRACTION 2022: AS FABULOUSLY FRESH AS YOU’D WANT YOUR FOODSTUFF TO BE!

    Fruit Attraction is held every October and has become the indispensable sales component for the demand cycle for fresh products, providing a major platform and meeting point for fruit and vegetable operators, growers and agriculturists. Breaking all past records, Fruit Attraction 2022 has enshrined Madrid as the World Fruit & Vegetable Capital.