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Friday, December 13, 2019

Spain Travel―Basic Spanish Greetings


¡Hola!           ――  Hello!
¡Buenos días!    ――  Good morning!
¡Buenas tardes!  ――  Good afternoon!
¡Buenas noches!  ――  Good evening!
¡Adiós!          ――  Good bye!
¡Hasta luego!    ――  See you later!
¡Hasta mañana!   ――  See you tomorrow!
¿Cómo te llamas? ――  What's your name?
Me llamo John    ――  My name is John
¿Hablas español? ――  Do you speak Spanish?
No hablo español ――  No, I don't speak Spanish
¿Hablas inglés?  ――  Do you speak English?
Yo hablo inglés  ――  I speak English
¿Cómo estás?     ――  How are you?
bien             ――  Fine
así así          ――  So-so
más o menos      ――  So-so
               ――  Yes
no               ――  No
por favor        ――  Please
gracias          ――  Thank you
de nada          ――  You're welcome
perdón           ――  Excuse me          

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Spain Travel―Visiting Cordoba

Video 1.

Video 2. Córdoba Travel Guide



Once known as a wealthy city, Cordoba was considered to be a worthy prize and was thus well protected and fortified. A combination of the Arabic, Jewish and Christian worlds, Cordoba is most deservedly the Pearl of Andalusia!

The Ponte Romana extends across the Guadalquivir and leads to the old town. With its sixteen arches the Roman bridge that spans across the river is one of the city’s main landmarks. The city’s most important building is the Mezquita Catedral in the centre of the old town. It is undoubtedly the most splendid mosque of Moorish Islamic origin on the Iberian Peninsula.

Figure 1. Cordoba City Center

Figure 2. Cordoba City Center

Top Attractions

References

  1. 10 Top Tourist Attractions in Cordoba
  2. Cordoba, Spain (video)
  3. The 10 Best Brunch Spots In Córdoba, Spain

Spain Travel―Visiting Seville

Video 1 Rick Steves' Europe Travel in Seville (YouTube link)


Video 2 Dennis Callan's Walking Tour in Seville (YouTube link)


You will find in Seville (⭐⭐⭐) all that a traveler can hope for:[6]
  • Pedestrian shopping streets and quiet alleys
  • Flower-scented gardens
  • An ancient palace and immense cathedral
  • Hundreds of historic sites
  • Three thousand years of conflict and peace
  • Thrilling evening entertainment
  • Excellent museums
  • Great food and drink, especially the tapas
  • Rewarding nearby attractions
the list goes on until you run out of time.  For more details, read the below articles:

Based on [1], the top 10 attractions of Seville include:
  1. Royal Alcazar of Seville (information)
  2. Cathedral of Seville & Giralda (information)
  3. Plaza de España (free)
  4. Plaza de Toros (information)
  5. Santa Cruz district & Historical centre
    • Santa Cruz with the narrow pedestrian streets and lots of shopping and eating
  6. Torre del Oro (information)
  7. Park Maria Luisa
  8. Casa de Pilatos (information)
  9. Archaeological museum (information)
  10. Metropol Parasol - Setas de Sevilla (information)

Christmas Markets


Feria del Belén, Seville


Seville offers visitors a different kind of Christmas market, specializing only in figurines and sets for Nativity scenes, known as Beléns in Spanish. Extremely delicate and intricate, you can buy anything from Mary, Joseph and The Three Kings to mini market places, shepherds, and even moving water wheels. Located in the historic centre, near the Cathedral, it runs from November 18th to December 23rd.

Mercado Navideño de Artesanía de Sevilla


Seville’s other Christmas market is a more traditional Christmas market affair, yet focusing on handicrafts and handmade gifts. Taking place on Plaza Nueva, it features an array of modern-style booths, where you can stock up on a variety of gifts. It’s particularly good for ceramics, for which the city is famous. The market runs from December 15th to January 5th.


Figure 1.  Santa Cruz in Seville
Figure 2.  Walking tour as shown in video 2

Walking Tour


Seville’s historic center (see Figure 2 & Video 2) is quite large—about a mile wide by 1.5 miles long, riddled with countless little alleys and important landmarks. You can discover it on foot if you are selective and seek out the particular attractions that most appeal to your interests.

An excellent central location to start your first walking tour is between the Cathedral and Alcazar palace in the Plaza del Triunfo. Many of the town’s main attractions can be easily reached from this central space, making it convenient for you to pick a direction, any direction, and go.

Starting out at Plaza Nueva, the most popular place in town. This central area with the plaza and the streets leading to it is really the heart and the focal point of the city. Notice the broad street that is for pedestrians, bicycles, no cars allowed, and the tram.  Seville has a recently installed modern tram system that really is a great way to move people around. This neighborhood along Constitution Avenue has been entirely transformed by the tram service

Plaza Nueva is just one block over from the main pedestrian street of town which leads right into the shopping district -- Calle Sierpes, lined with the best shopping and liveliest atmosphere, especially in the late afternoon when the locals are out enjoying their traditional stroll.



References

  1. Top 10 Attractions of Seville
  2. 12 Magical Christmas Markets to Visit in Spain
  3. Sights & Attractions Seville
  4. Why Visiting Spain in Winter Was the Best Decision We Made
  5. Andalucia.org
  6. Tourvideo.com
  7. Arcos de La Frontera
  8. The Most Scenic Cycling Routes in Seville
  9. Seville Travel Guide (video)
  10. The 10 Best Brunch Spots in Seville, Spain
  11. Seville 🇪🇸 Spain Best Cities Guide - Travel & Discover (video)
  12. infoTicketing (Royal Alcazar of Seville)

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Travelling Spanish―Basics At a Restaurant


To start with, you need to be prepared to hear and understand certain questions in restaurants, such as:
When you read the menu, you'll see the available food grouped into different categories, just like in an English menu:

When you're ready to order, use either quiero (I want) or quisiera (I would like) with the items on the menu to tell the waiter what you'd like. For example, quiero…
So, for example, to order that ice-cold beer you're looking forward to at the end of a long day, you'd say quiero una cerveza.
If you're not sure what to try, you can always ask your waiter for a recommendation:
  • ¿Qué me recomienda? – What do you recommend?
    • (Kay may re-kom-ee-en-dah?In most restaurants in Spanish-speaking countries, the staff will be more than happy to suggest a particularly tasty local dish for you to try.
If you're a vegetarian or you have dietary complications, these next two phrases are essential:
Finally, let's learn a couple of quick phrases you can use to ask about prices and pay the bill.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Barcelona Travel―Tapa Bars, Restaurants and Food Markets




Figure 1.  Google map with places mentioned in the video


Figure 2.  Places mentioned in the video


Places Mentioned in the Video

  • Mercat Santa Caterina
    • 7:30AM–3:30PM (M/W/Sat) or 8:30PM (Tu/Th/F)
    • Closed on Sunday
  • Arcano
    • Open from Monday to Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 0:00 a.m.
  • Bar del Pla
    • 11 am - 11 pm
    • Closed on Sunday
  • Sagardi
    • 10AM–12:30AM (weekday) or 1 AM (weekend)
  • Montiel
    • 1–2:30PM (except Wed), 7–10:30PM
  • Mercat de la Boqueria
    • 8AM–8:30PM
    • Closed on Sunday
  • Be Chocolat
    • 10:30AM–9PM


Barcelona Travel―Visiting Gothic Quarter and La Ribera

Figure 1.  Gothic Quarter (lower left) and La Ribera (upper right)


Video 1.  Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain (YouTube link)


Video 2.  Barcelona Gothic Quarter walking tour (YouTube link)

Gothic Quarter 


The charming Gothic Quarter, or Barri Gòtic, has narrow medieval streets filled with trendy bars, clubs and Catalan restaurants. The Museu d'Història de Barcelona shows remains of the Roman city. Artisans sell leather and jewelry near the Cathedral of Barcelona, while flower stalls and street-food vendors line busy avenue La Rambla. The Plaça del Pi, named after the adjacent Gothic church, hosts a weekend art market.


Video 3. Barcelona, La Ribera walking tour (YouTube link)

La Ribera


Many of the buildings in La Ribera date from late Medieval times. It was a well-to-do quarter during 13th–15th centuries, when it really was by the sea shore, and the area that today is named Barceloneta was still an island. Notable buildings are the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar and the palaces along Carrer de Montcada, including the Museu Picasso, the Museu Barbier-Mueller d'Art Precolombí, and part of the Textile Museum.

Video 4.  Barcelona - Ribera and Born walking tour (YouTube link)


How to Access


Figure 1.  L5 (Blue Line) and L4 (Yellow Line)

Figure 2.  L4 (Yellow Line) and L3 (Green Line)

L4 (Yellow Line)

Figure 3.  L4 (Yellow Line)
L5 (Blue Line)
Figure 4.  L5 (Blue Line)

References

  1. Why Gracia is the Perfect Neighbourhood to Stay in Barcelona
  2. 12 Magical Christmas Markets to Visit in Spain
  3. 10 MUST VISIT CITIES IN SPAIN
    • We love visiting Girona in Costa Brava. If you are visiting Spain, make sure to add this to your itinerary.
  4. Eight really cool things to do and see in Valencia
  5. 17 Best Cities to Visit in Spain
  6. 14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Barcelona
  7. 10 Gorgeous Perspectives Of The Sagrada Família
  8. Metro Line 4 Barcelona (L4 yellow line)
  9. Renfe.com (Train)
  10. Loco2.com
  11. BCN Aerobus
  12. BCN Airport Aerobus 
  13. Sagrada Familia: Fast Track (online ticket booking)
  14. AMB (Àrea metropolitana de Barcelona)
  15. Park Güell - Official website
  16. Pre-Booking Museum Tickets in Spain Before You Travel
  17. Palau de la Música Catalana
  18. Barcelona City Tour Sightseeing Bus Routes and Attractions (good)
  19. Finding public restrooms in Barcelona
    • No toilets in underground stations

Spain Travel―Visiting Barcelona

Video 1.  Barcelona and Catalunya (YouTube link)

Top Attractions (link)

  1. Basilica de la Sagrada Familia
  2. Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter)
  3. Casa Mila (La Pedrera)
  4. La Rambla: Barcelona's Social Hub
  5. Palau de la Música Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music)
  6. Parc Güell: Gaudí's Surrealist Park
  7. Casa Batlló
  8. Camp Nou
  9. The Magic Fountain
  10. Scenic Views and Art Museums in Montjuïc
  11. La Barceloneta
  12. Monestir de Pedralbes
  13. Mercat de la Boqueria
  14. Quadrat d'Or
Video 2.  Our First Christmas In Barcelona: Christmas Markets (YouTube link)

Christmas Markets (link)


Fira de Santa Llúcia, Barcelona

Time: Nov 24th - Dec 23rd (Time may vary each year)

Barcelona’s best Christmas market is the Fira de Santa Llúcia, located on the large square right in front of the Cathedral. Comprising traditional wooden chalet-like stalls, it sells many different types of Christmas decorations, nativity scene figurines and local sweets.

By metro

Fira de Nadal a la Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

Time: Nov 26th - Dec 23rd (Time may vary each year)

One of Barcelona’s other Christmas markets is set around Gaudí’s magnificent Sagrada Familia church, making for a truly spectacular location. Dating back to the 1960s, this is a popular market with both tourists and locals, and sells everything from food to handicraft gifts and Christmas decorations.

Video 3.  Barcelona (Spain) Vacation Travel Video Guide  (YouTube link)


Video 4.  Barcelona Vacation Travel Video Guide • Great Destinations (YouTube link)

References

  1. Why Gracia is the Perfect Neighbourhood to Stay in Barcelona
  2. 12 Magical Christmas Markets to Visit in Spain
  3. 10 MUST VISIT CITIES IN SPAIN
    • We love visiting Girona in Costa Brava. If you are visiting Spain, make sure to add this to your itinerary.
  4. Eight really cool things to do and see in Valencia
  5. 17 Best Cities to Visit in Spain
  6. 14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Barcelona
  7. 10 Gorgeous Perspectives Of The Sagrada Família
  8. Metro Line 4 Barcelona (L4 yellow line)
  9. Renfe.com (Train)
  10. Loco2.com
  11. BCN Aerobus
  12. BCN Airport Aerobus 
  13. Sagrada Familia: Fast Track (online ticket booking)
  14. AMB (Àrea metropolitana de Barcelona)
  15. Park Güell - Official website
  16. Pre-Booking Museum Tickets in Spain Before You Travel
  17. Palau de la Música Catalana
  18. Barcelona City Tour Sightseeing Bus Routes and Attractions (good)
  19. Finding public restrooms in Barcelona
    • No toilets in underground stations
  20. Barcelona - During the Christmas season (video)
  21. A Solo Traveler's Guide To Barcelona