This massive stone structure has existed for almost 8 times longer than the United States of America has been a country and is nearly as old as Christianity itself. Depending on whether you listen to folktale or to historians, the Segovia Aqueduct was built by either the Romans or by the devil.

The Segovia Aqueduct is an impressive feat of both architecture and history

Although the exact dates aren’t known by historians, they estimate that the Segovia Aqueduct was built close to the year 100 A.D. after its construction was ordered by Roman Emperor Domitian. There isn’t much information surrounding the construction process itself, but the aqueduct consists of 166 arches made from finely-worked stone blocks called ashlars. Impressively, the Romans used no cement or mortar and instead used a complicated architectural process of using balancing forces. The aqueduct itself transported water from the relatively nearby Frío River to the city of Segovia and was used for this purpose up until the mid-1800s.

Local legend points towards a different builder than the Romans

Interestingly, the aqueduct is nicknamed the Devil’s Bridge as legend has it that the structure was built by Lucifer himself in one night in order to win the soul of a young woman. The tale says that Lucifer ultimately failed in his goal but that the holes in the rocks are marks of his fingers.

Travel to Segovia for a quick, cheap, and simple experience

Travelling to Segovia won’t be that much of a hassle to us as the city is 60 miles outside of Madrid. Despite a bus ride to Segovia being cheaper than the train, my recommended mode of transportation is to take the train as it is quicker and more comfortable (if you would prefer the bus, check out this article).

• The AVE high-speed train travels from Madrid at the Atocha Station to the Segovia Station and will take about 40 minutes.
• The AVE trains run regularly from Madrid from 6:40 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and for return trips out of Segovia between 7:00 a.m. and 10:16 p.m.
• The Segovia Station is located about 4 miles outside of the city and so bus number 11 can be taken between the station and the aqueduct and takes about 10 minutes.

An AVE ticket costs $11.97 one-way or $23.93 round-trip and the urban bus fare in Segovia costs $2.33. Tickets for the AVE train can be purchased at the Atocha Station or online, and tickets for the bus can be purchased from the bus driver. Once you arrive at the site, there is no additional admission fee or payment required to view the aqueduct.

Aside from the crowds, I expect the site visit to be a great experience

I think the aqueduct not only is an amazing site to visit, but it’s also an astounding monument of Roman history and architectural accomplishment. My initial expectations are that the area surrounding the aqueduct will be fairly busy and crowded, especially as my group will be visiting on the weekend. Other than that though, I’m very excited to observe the structure and don’t have any additional concerns.

There is no need to be nervous

Being a relatively inexperienced wine drinker, I tend to get a little nervous when thinking about going to wine tastings in Spain. I wonder what the crowds will be like, how serious the atmosphere will be, and whether I will be looked at weird for being a foreigner? However, when I came across Madrid Uncorked all those worries went away.

Madrid Uncorked is all about the consumer and wants you to have the best experience possible

The reason I want to go to this wine tasting venue is because I know I won’t feel nervous. Madrid Uncorked is all about the experience and that is what I love. You don’t have to be a big wine connoisseur to do this. It doesn’t matter if you love wine, want to love wine, or couldn’t care less about wine. If you like to hang out in a bar and have some fun, Madrid Uncorked is the place for you. Another reason for its strong first impression is that it won’t break the bank, Madrid Uncorked is only 20 euros per person! This also leads into my only concern with this place. The price is cheaper than other wine tasting experiences so it makes me question the quality of the wine and the experience in its entirety. With that being said, I feel that the overall lightheartedness and expertise of the wine expert will prove to make it a great time.

• 

• 

Uncorked is very close to the hotel

With just an 11-minute drive via taxi, which picks you up directly from the lobby of the hotel, Madrid Uncorked is so close it would be a shame to miss. A short drive means a low taxi charge and with a decent sized group you can even split the taxi amongst each other with Venmo. This makes for a very low-cost night while tasting a great variety of wine with friends.

What you need to bring

• €20 in cash
• Your palate
• Extra cash if you’d like to buy bottles of wine
• A great attitude and a willingness to try new things

RSVP is very important

Being that it is a social group, reserving your spot is crucial. The sign-up process is very easy and free of charge. You simply have to make an account with your name and email. Then all you have to do is click on which event you want and it will show the time that it is at. Once you are all signed up you are ready to go. Also, you pay the 20 euros at the door so there is no cancellation fee. Madrid Uncorked orders the amount of wine and tapas based on the amount of people that are signed up so make sure you get your name in. This is beneficial because you get to see the group that will be there before you actually get there. Personally, I like this a lot because it gives an idea of how many people will be in attendance and the demographics that you will be hanging out with.

Introduction:

La Boqueria has developed a rich history over the last eight centuries. It’s an incredible open-air market that is conveniently located in Barcelona and offers its visitors food, dining, cooking, and much more. This well-regarded tourist location is sure to provide a cultural experience we are unable to find in the U.S.

La Boqueria has origins almost as old as time itself

Back in 1217 there was a “presence of meat stalls on the Pla De la Boqueria, as part of a series of street market located on Rambla.” The document containing this information is the first confirmation of La Boqueria’s existence. Between the years 1777 and 1840 La Boqueria moved to a variety of locations within Barcelona due to politics and changes of power. However, in 1840 under the leadership of architect Josep Mas I Villa a stone foundation for the market was made and cemented its current location.

Getting to the best market in the world is only a short walk

If staying at the Hotel HCC Montblanc, you will be one kilometer away from the best market in the world. This twelve minute journey south of the hotel towards La Boqueria includes a scenic walk on the famous La Rambla. See below for a visual representation.

Go and get a free map at La Boqueria

Given the convenient location it should be a must on your trip to Barcelona. Plus, it’s free to visit. Here are the hours for La Boqueria: “Monday to Saturday: 8:00am – 8:30pm.” I would suggest attending on a Saturday at 10am because you can score yourself a sweet free Boqueriamap. Toilets are available free of charge for customers with a receipt, but if mother nature calls and you have no receipt expect to hand over 0.50 euros to relieve yourself.

Expect delicious food, a lot of people, and pickpocketing

I’m excited to visit La Boqueria and try the regarded fresh produce. The exotic fruits and edible flowers are sure to provide visually appealing displays worthy of an Instagram post. A stall that I am looking forward to visiting is Eslice Pizza, see below for supporting evidence. These are a few of the many things to look forward to at the market, but it does have some drawbacks. To put it nicely, I expect to be one of many at the market. Given the popularity of the market it’s crowded from open to close, which means I will have to be assertive as I push my way through the crowds. Also, I will have to be extra aware of my belongings as this crowded area is a hot location for pickpockets looking to do some damage.

La Boqueria provides more than just food in the market:

A great option for those wanting a unique experience is to sign up for a cooking class that includes selecting ingredients from around the market with a professional chef. Barcelona has modernized and La Boqueria has followed suit. They have expanded their presence online where you are able to place orders for pickup and delivery. They also have an incredibly well done website. Between the food, bars, and other services La Boqueria provides it should be evident that La Boqueria is a stop worth every second.

Madrid’s Bullfighting Museum is one of the best places in Spain to learn more about bullfighting’s long and unique history. It is located in the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, and is attached to the Las Ventas Bullfighting Ring. It showcases bullfighting using artwork and artifacts from throughout Spain’s history.

A Key Piece of Spain’s Culture

The Bullfighting Museum includes much of what you would expect to find in a museum, artwork depicting bullfights, as well as paintings of famous matadors from throughout the centuries. There are three main parts to the museum: the structure, which shows many works of art highlighting bullfighters and bulls, suits worn by fighters in the bullring and the meaning behind the designs, and a room that showcases 6 heads of bulls who played significant roles in bullfighting’s history along with other artifacts from famous matadors.

Showing Bullfighting’s History Through Costumes

The museum displays many different costumes and traditional forms of attire that matadors wear while they are in the bullfighting ring. One of the capes that they wear and use during the first stage of the fight is pictured above. The museum has specific pieces of attire worn by famous matadors throughout the years, including a vest worn by José Rodríguez “Pepete” when he was injured in a fight.

The attire featured throughout the museum shows the amount of detail and effort that goes into each piece. Many vests and hats are embroidered with gold and silk. These garments honor bullfighting’s rich history as an event that was once reserved exclusively for the wealthy and powerful.

Stepping Inside the Ring

The museum also features an immersive room that lets visitors experience what it is like to be in the ring during a fight. They have eight projectors in the room along with advanced technology to provide an immersive experience that shows you the inside of the ring along with other areas that are significant to bullfighting’s history.

Visiting the Museum

The Bullfighting Museum is located at the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas, which is just a couple of blocks from our hotel in Madrid. The museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm, and students can get into the museum for €11.90 and can receive a private tour for an additional €12.oo.

Do you ever wonder what it takes to get a bull up to the size and skill to be in fighting shape? Well look no further than the Giménez San Isidro outside of Madrid. I want to visit Giménez San Isidro because I grew up on a farm and want to see the differences in raising fighting bulls compared to typical cattle on a farm. I expect to see how the bulls are raised to size as well as how they are trained to participate in La Corrida, the traditional form of Spanish bullfighting. My main concern about this visit is actually getting to the farm as it is 50 kilometers outside of Madrid.

A History of Producing Spain’s Premier Fighting Bulls

Giménez San Isidro traces its roots to Giménez Indarte a bull farm founded in 1927 which became Giménez San Isidro when Raúl Tenorio bought Giménez Indarte along with its 400 cattle, brandring rights, colored ribbon, and age. Bulls from Giménez Indarte first fought competitively in 1932 at the Plaza de la Carretera de Aragón in Madrid, and have been fighting around Spain ever since.

Witness Bulls Become Fighting Ready

The process of raising fighting bulls has remained largely unchanged since the 1800s. The bulls are taken out to graze throughout the day, and when the grazing is over with the assistance of oxen, horses, and a head bull, called a Relojero, the bulls are led back to their enclosure.

In addition to seeing the day to day grazing of the bulls, visitors to Giménez San Isidro can see how the bulls are bred and how bulls are selected when they are deemed ready to fight. At Giménez San Isidro you get to see not just how the bulls are raised, but also how they become fighting ready.

Getting to Giménez San Isidro

Getting to the farm is easy. The farm offers a shuttle service from Plaza de Toros de las Ventas which is just a short 7 minute walk from our hotel in Madrid. Directions are in the map below.

Tickets and Pricing

Giménez San Isidro tickets can be pricey, if you chose to go alone, running around €300, however if you go in a group of 11 or more it is only €65 per person. These prices include the shuttle to and from the farm, a 120 minute tour of the farm, and refreshments of either wine or a soft drink and Iberian ham. This tour is with a working foreman or rancher with firsthand knowledge of the day-to-day operations of the farm. You can also pay an extra €10 for lunch or €16 for a round of practice bullfighting with a calf. Tours are offered Monday through Saturday from 10 AM until 5 PM. In order to tour the farm you must book your tour 24 hours in advance.

Links for More Information

Pricing- https://lasventastour.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ACTIVITIES-LVT-ING-2018-2019-web.pdf
Tickets- https://lasventastour.com/en/other-activities/bull-ranches-visits/
More Information- http://www.ganaderiasanisidro.es/en/attraction/the-ranch/

Ranging 60 miles down the coast of the Balearic Sea from Barcelona, the city of Tarragona is filled with Roman history. Tarragona is filled with ruins of Roman structures which are integrated into the rest of the city. Due to most tourists going north from Barcelona, Tarragona is not a high-volume tourist area. However, the city has plenty for tourists to see, all within walking distance of the city center.  

A Roman Amphitheater is a Must See in Tarragona

Sitting right on the coastline of the city is the ruins of a Roman amphitheater that is one of the most popular sites for tourists when visiting Tarragona. Built in the first and second century AD, the amphitheater is built into the side of a hill. It is in remarkably good condition, given the age of the amphitheater and the minor restoration efforts by the Spanish government. Seating about 14,000 people in total, the amphitheater was the location for many fights between gladiators and wild animals throughout its history. Public execution also took place in the center of the structure. The most famous of which was the execution of Bishop Fructuosus who was burned alive inside the amphitheater.

The Walls of Tarragona is a Reminder of the Roman Past

Aside from the amphitheater, the walls that surround the city are an iconic reminder of the Roman influence in the region. The walls were built in the second century BCE, making them one of the oldest Roman construction outside of modern-day Italy. Nearly 1.2 kilometers of the walls are still around the city, most of which has seen some restoration. Many of the walls have been converted into gardens to foster tourism. Other important structures in Tarragona include the Devil’s bridge aqueduct, the Casa Castellarnau Museum, and the Roman Circus.

Tarragona is an Inexpensive Day Trip

Admission tickets into the sites can be bought on location or at one of the Tarragona Municipal Tourist Offices. Tickets can be purchased for 3.30 Euros for each individual site. For large groups, people over than 65, the unemployed, and students, the ticket prices are reduced to 1.70 Euros. Finally, a ticket to all of the Roman sites can be bought for 7.40 Euros. 

Getting to Tarragona from Barcelona is a relatively simple task. There are two trains that travel the 60 miles between the two cities. Both trains stop at the Sants station in Barcelona and travel to the city center of Tarragona. The slower of the two trains takes roughly 45 minutes and the express train takes about 30 minutes. Both trains cost under 10 Euros for each trip. There are also bus options that travel between the cities however, the busses take longer and are no less expensive than the trains. 

Restaurante Sobrino de Botin is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest Restaurant in the entire world. Botin first opened in 1725, making it 294 years old, and still to this day, uses the same exact oven as it first did when it opened. Icons such as “Spanish painter Francisco Goya, American writer Ernest Hemingway, various European royalty and Spanish politicians all have made the visit to the world’s oldest restaurant”. If you are looking for rich history and great food, then Botin is the place to go while visiting Madrid.

300 Years Strong, the History of Botin

Sobrino de Botin, meaning “Botin’s Nephew”, first opened in 1725 and is located near Plaza Mayor in the La Latina district, one of Madrid’s most historical quarters. The restaurant was founded by Jean Botin and was initially named “Casa Botin”. However, the name was changed shortly after opening when Jean passed the family restaurant down to his nephew Candido Remis, hence the name change to “Botin’s Nephew”. The restaurant was first considered to be an inn, then a tavern, and then finally becoming a restaurant in the 19th century. The title of “restaurant” was reserved for higher end eateries during this time.

In the 20th century, the restaurant was bought by the Gonzalez family where they faced both successes and hardships. During the Spanish Civil War, Botin was operated solely by Emilio Gonzalez while the rest of the family fled the city. During this hard time, Botin primarily served military soldiers, but after the war, Emilio and his family renovated the restaurant, expanding it from one to four floors

Botin’s Famous Dish, Cochinillo 

Cochinillo, or suckling pig, is Botin’s signature dish that is a must eat if you decide to visit this amazing restaurant. Besides the deep history, one of the main reasons that I want to visit this site is because of this mouthwatering dish. I’ll let Thomas Rees of Culture Trip explain why I can’t wait to try it.

It’s from this carefully controlled inferno that Botín’s signature dish of cochinillo (suckling pig) arrives, its skin a rich shade of caramel, brittle under the weight of a knife. Breathtaking in its succulence, it’s accompanied by nothing but a brace of roast potatoes to mop up the juices.

Thomas Rees

Visiting Botin

Botin is open between the hours of 1:oo p.m. -4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 p.m. daily. If you wish, you are able to make reservations online. Botin is located at Calle de Cuchilleros, 17, 28005 Madrid, Spain, and is only a 5-minute walk from Plaza Mayor, or a 25-minute commute via the metro from our hotel. If you plan on taking the Metro from our hotel, depart from the Goya station and exit on the Opera station. Expect a fee of about €1,70 for the train, which arrives every 4 min or so.

Throughout its rich history, the Alcázar of Segovia (Castle of Segovia) has served as a royal palace, state prison, Royal Artillery College, historical military archive, and now as a museum to the public. It is a symbol of art and history in Spain, its most recognizable castle, and one of its most visited monuments. As someone who has never left the United States, my initial expectation is to be blown away by my group’s visit to Alcázar; a castle with a history much older than the United States itself. At the moment, my main concern is navigating from Madrid to Segovia, simply given my unfamiliarity with the area. However, upon further research, my traveling anxiety has quelled and my interest in the visit has grown.

Key figures bring Alcázar to the national spotlight

The first written references to Alcázar came as early as the 12th century before it was brought to fame as the primary residence during the reign of King Alfonso VIII (1155-1214). The Alcázar later served as a place of refuge for Queen Isabella after the suspicious death of King Henry IV. It was in Alcázar where Isabella was later throned and married to Ferdinand of Aragon, sparking the Spanish Reconquista. Eventually, the Royal Court of Spain moved to Madrid where it remains today.

Alcázar has served as more than just a palace/castle

Since the Royal Court’s move to Madrid, Alcázar has served many unique functions: as a state prison for nearly two centuries, the Royal Artillery School for another century, a military college some years later, until it was restored to its original state in 1896. Since 1951, the castle has served as a museum and archive to the memory of its triple aspect of Royal Palace, military precinct, and Royal Artillery College.

Fun fact: Alcázar rumored to be the inspiration behind Cinderella’s castle

In the 1960s, Disney ‘imagineers’ traveled throughout Europe, looking for the perfect castles on which to model Cinderella’s castle in Walt Disney World. Widespread rumors claim the Castle of Segovia was one of their chief inspirations, although no original source can be reliably cited.

Regardless, the Castle of Segovia does look good enough to be from a fairytale.

The Alcázar is cheap for students and easy to get to from Madrid

Segovia is northwest of our hotel in Madrid and easy to get to. You may either take an hour and thirty-minute bus ride for under €10 or a cheap thirty-minute high-speed train ride from the nearby Madrid Chamartín train station for around €13.

You may buy tickets at Alcázar’s ticket office the day of your visit. A standard ticket for complete entry is €8, however, students are given a reduced fair of €3,50.  Audio guide service, guided group tours, and other products are available as a supplemental purchase. Purchasing a ticket is quick and simple, with no availability problems or waiting queues, and the ability to pay with cash or credit card.

You may buy tickets at Alcázar’s ticket office the day of your visit. A standard ticket for complete entry is €8, however, students are given a reduced fair of €3,50.  Audio guide service, guided group tours, and other products are available as a supplemental purchase. Purchasing a ticket is quick and simple, with no availability problems or waiting queues, and the ability to pay with cash or credit card.

The museum’s summer hours  (April 1 to October 31) are from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, providing a large window of time to attend a 45 minute guided tour or conduct hours and hours of solo exploration.

Allianz Field is a soccer-specific stadium in Saint Paul, Minnesota, home to the Minnesota United FC of Major League Soccer. The 19,4000-seat stadium was designed by Populous and opened April 13, 2019, during the club’s third Major League Soccer Season. The Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is a soccer stadium in Madrid, Spain. With its current capacity of 81,044, it has been the home stadium of Real Madrid since its completion in 1947. The Santiago Bernabeu is one of the world’s most famous soccer venues.

History of Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

The stadium opened in 1947 under the name Nuevo Estado Chamartín. Its current name is honor of the man who was president at the club for 35 years, Santiago Bernabeu. After various remodeling projects, it is today classified as an elite stadium, and holds the UEFA‘s highest distinction of five stars. This is the second largest soccer stadium in Spain.

Santiago Bernabeu Stadium Tour

Real Madrid is one of Madrid’s three professional soccer teams. Holder of multiple European and international titles, the club opens its doors 363 days a year for soccer and sports fans to explore its historic stadium. The stadium is open every day of the year except December 25th and January 1st. On a non-match day, the stadium is open Monday-Saturday from 10 AM to 7 PM. On Sundays and general public holidays, it’s open from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM. On match days, the tour runs up to five hours before kick-off. After that time and up to three hours before the start of the match, the only area open to visitors are the “Best Club in History” room, the “Sensaclones del Real Madrid” room, the Trophies Exhibition, and the panoramic view of the stadium.

The Bernabeu tour takes visitors around the club’s most iconic spots and shows them the stadium the way the authorities see it, from the Presidential balcony; from the players’ perspective, from the pitch itself, and from the coach’s viewpoint, sitting in the heated ergonomic seats in the bench area. The tour route also includes the players’ dressing rooms.

The tour explores the history of Real Madrid in the Trophies Exhibition, which houses the club’s trophy collection plus thousands of items that are part of its heritage, including shirts, ball, photographs, and documents.

Price of Santiago Bernabeu Stadium Tour

For children under 14 years of age, the price is eighteen euros. It costs twenty-five euros for adults to get in and children aged zero to four get in free.

How to get to the Bernabeu

The stadium is best reached by the metro line 10. Stop Santiago Bernabeu lies right next to the stadium. In the center, line 10 can be caught at Plaza de Espana or Tribunales, but can otherwise be reached with a transfer (e.g. line 1 from Puerta del Sol or Atocha train station.

I want to visit this site because I’m really interested in soccer and I have great initial impressions based off my research.

Some good things do come out of civil war. In Spain’s case, the Barcelona City History Museum (MUHBA for short) is one of them. The museum was inaugurated and opened in 1943 under francoist regime. MUHBA is unique by having multiple heritage sites spread all around the city, and most of them are archaeological ruins of ancient Rome.

I’m Eager to Learn More About Barcelona’s History of Conquest

There’s a rich history of outside influence in modern-day Spain. Most notably, the ever-expanding Roman empire and Moorish conquest still impacts the culture of Spaniards today. While it’s one thing to read about the information at my computer at home, I think it will be a great experience to witness architecture and infrastructure built by fellow humans over 2,000 years ago.

The Barcelona City History Museum Offers an Extensive Tour Throughout the City

There’s an official tour associated with the Barcelona City History Museum, and it gives people the opportunity to walk through Barcelona’s history in a chronological order. The best part is that the tour is spoken in English, so there’s no need to worry about bring a pocket dictionary. It starts underground with surprisingly well-preserved Roman ruins, and continues on to other medieval sites and exhibits. The museum and tour give practical insights as to what daily life was like for citizens throughout history.

There are Multiple Tours Running Throughout the Summer

The normal operating hours of the Museum are Tuesdays to Sundays, 10am – 7pm. It is closed on Monday. It’s also a cheap way to spend the afternoon, as normal tickets to the museum are just €7, and the walking tour is €18 for over 2 hours of exhibits and experiences.

The Museum’s Main Exhibit is Within Walking Distance from Hotel HCC Montblanc

Fortunately, the museum is a mere 500 meters away from our hotel in Barcelona. No transportation would be necessary to get to the site. There is also free admission with the Barcelona Card.

More information can be found at these links:

• Museum details
• What the Barcelona Card is and why it’s beneficial on the trip