Spain Holidays

Spanish people are known for being religious. Special celebrations are in place during the Holy Week (Semana Santa) in Spain.

The Spanish tradition of celebrating the Semana Santa

The Semana Santa is part of Spain's cultural tradition where people gather to enjoy music, processions, and religious displays, as they reflect over the life of Jesus Christ. The elaborate celebration take its root when Marqués de Tarifa first introduced the Stations of the Cross (Via Crucis) in 1521, after he came back t Spain from his journey to the Holy Land. As the years went by, the Stations of the Cross then included different display for the Passion, such as crosses and altars that made up today's procession.

The festivities during the Semana Santa

During the Semana Santa, statues of saints are carried around on floats. But instead of the usual festive atmosphere, the Semana Santa calls for mourning and solemnity. Religious brotherhoods are the ones who carry the statues during the processions. During the procession, where you'll get to see displays of biblical scenes and religious sculptures, accompanied by penitents and musicians. The culmination of the Semana Santa, or Easter Sunday, becomes a joyous celebration filled with light and color. You can hear church bells ringing as families gather to hear a mass and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Tourist guide

The Holy Week is an elaborate celebration in Spain compared to other countries in Europe. The processions are held to reflect over the life of Jesus. Different cities hold processions, but some are more known for their celebrations. The Semana Santa is a special holiday that calls for reflection. Merry-making is reserved during the Easter Sunday.

Spanish people are very passionate and mostly engaging. You will see and feel the surge of their winsome character especially during fiestas where a huge flock of people gather on the streets for celebration. A whole-year round and Barcelona beams a flurry of events and activites you should take down on your calendar.

Barcelona welcomes the New Year with a Carnival Party. In view of the event, people wear colorful masks while at the last 12 seconds of the year, they eat 12 grapes as part of their belief for good luck in the coming year. Come Juanuary 5, they hold procession of the "Three Magi", their counterpart for Santa Claus who also gives away presents for children.

They celebrate the festival of San Medir with street choir and processions on March 3. Meanwhile, April 23 sets forth the spectacles for the festival of Catalonia's patron--Sant Jordi. The following month of May, features the "plays of the flowers", festival of Sant Ponc and the Jocs Florals.

Half the year have past and there's more feasts and activites to watch out for. Corpus Christi takes place in June with processions, masks and the festival of the "dancing egg". On the forthcoming nights of the 23rd and 24th, beaming fireworks abound the streets of Catalonia in place for the fiesta of Sant Joan. But if you're looking for more action, there are dance performances and concerts held for the festival of Grec.

In August, you will blossom along with the decorated streets. It is a popular view during the feast of Gracia. While on the 24th of September, there's the usual processions with performing dancers for "sardanas" and sports feats all for the Fiesta de la Mercè. Fianlly on December 13, there will be expositions for Christmas cribs. Have you gone tired of all the fiestas, opera concerts at the "Palau de la Musica" is at its peak on winter months.

Well, fiestas depict the traditions and folklores behind every celebration. It is something to look forward to especially in Barcelona. The fun just doesn't stop for your whole-year round of events.

Come December 6th, Spain will mark the 28th anniversary of its Constitution. On that day in 1978, the people of Spain voted in a referendum for the drafting of a constitution on that same month. The date was proclaimed as Dia de la Constitucion.

Unlike the Bastille Day celebration, Spain commemorates its Day of Constitution in a more formal manner. People aged 40 and above participate the event. Although it seems that most people do not solemnly regard this holiday, it is still worth knowing that the event is the iota of the democratic government in Spain.

The written law has a very dramatic preamble. If you have read it, you will notice that the central theme of the foreword is liberty with security, and justice for the commonwealth. As a whole, the constitution provides its constituents the benefit of orderly society and economy; fair treatment or parity; cultures, languages, and human rights protection; an establishment of advanced and democratic society; and peaceful collaboration with other countries. It was reformed once to give the citizens the privilege to vote. Changes were also made with regards to succession of monarchy, state representation, constitution incorporation, and changing of the powers and organization of local governments.

Party animals need not look farther, Spain is always available. With the myriads of festivities scheduled all throughout the year, tourists will likely wish they could stay in Spain all year. That would be pretty expensive, but it is worth it.

I only had the chance to attend the Sant Jordi festival in Aragon. If I can make it, this time, I will go to Granada for a musical event. Come June 29, the Dance and Music festival will commence in Granada. The event is held in different places like Alhambra, Generalife, cathedrals, and monasteries. It is a fusion of religious and cultural musical and dance celebration. No wonder, Alhambra is always fully booked. But if you ask me, I would prefer visiting the sacred places.

The celebration lasts for almost two weeks. Last year, the program for the event contained sixty great shows. The performances were done by various artists from Spain. Also, different orchestras, ballet groups, and singing groups participated the said event. I just wish that I could see them all this time. During the festival, the streets of Granada are filled with musicians with their guitars, castanets, while the dancer gracefully do the flamenco. All over the town, there are concerts held in churches, chapels, cafes, and even public centers. The music range from jazz to classical.

If you are already enrolled to the Hatha Yoga sessions, then you will definitely have second thoughts in spending a yoga fete in Spain. You might be wondering just why among the many other European countries, I specified Spain. Basically, the climate in the country suits the relaxing yoga exercises. We all know that external factors such as weather and quiet environment help in achieving the highest level of yoga exercises.

The yoga holiday is held in Santa Cruz, in Cortijo farmhouse to be precise. It is situated somewhere in Andalucia near the olive groves towards Orgiva. There, guests/participants are accommodated. By the look of the venue, I am sure that anyone will definitely have a remarkable and complacent experience. Cortijo has a large pool. This is definitely a good idea, I mean spending vacations in Spain, because not only will we benefit from yoga sessions, but have the opportunity to discover another culture as well. The yoga sessions are held during autumn and spring seasons while the sessions are administered by professional yoga instructors.

By the way, the organizers of such holidays began their business four years ago. They are the de Ste Croix couple. The husband is a therapist while the wife is an agent whose business deals with information and/or translation services for house-buyers.

Whenever I wish to go to Spain during summer, I usually get rid of the often crowded European tours. Instead, I travel on my own and can do anything that suits or fancies me. Spain is such a great holiday gateway during summer. It offers a wide range of summer activities which can help tourists create a meaningful and pleasurable summer.

While getting most tourists would desire to get their own doses of heat lying near the pool of a resort hotel, I would rather walk on foot and explore the various sceneries in a particular area or region. It is like deviating from the usual stuff and seeing what this country has to offer apart from what we have known. I get to interact with the people, see different places, taste several cuisines and wines, and even participate or take part in colorful fiestas during summer.

In this way, I firmly believe that every travel that I make is enjoyable and affordable because I see to it that I get the most of. Some of the fiestas during summer are Christians and Moors Fiestas, Quantretondeta local fiestas, the All Saints Fair, and other summer holidays to name a few. Since I frequent the place on my own, I have learned some commonly used terms, words, and phrases in Spanish. You see, I get to learn many different things by being creative and adventurous in my own right.

I have always been fascinated by the way Spanish people celebrate their holidays. One of the most astounding presentations I have seen is the celebration of the National Day of Spain. That October day, while I was staying at the Real Alcazar hotel, the parade of military men began marching on the streets.

The banner in the nearby coffee shop in town featured the story on how the National Day came about. Accordingly, the holiday was begun in the twentieth century. A certain business man, at the same time, lawyer made a proposal to the authorities that the 12th day of October be honored as the Feast of the Spanish Race. The proposition was granted and since then Spain and other Latin American countries share the same holiday.

I was just confused with how people called the festival. Some used the term Hispanidad for substitute for Raza. Anyway, both terms mean race, and Spanish people, mind you, are very concerned with their nationality. As far as I have seen, they are very proud of their country and citizenship. I just felt overwhelmed by the patriotism they display over Spain. It made me wonder why other countries do not have such attitude towards their nations.

I am a Catholic. I admit that it is a tough being one. The schools I went to fed me with all sorts of lectures on my Religion and thought me of all the rituals that I must follow every time I pray. But, amid the memorization of prayers and litanies, I enjoyed mostly the feasts of saints.

Behind every Religious holiday is a story about a saint. One of my favorite is the life of Saint Theresa. She is the most holy woman here in Avila, a small town in Spain that remained unknown until the miracle of Saint Theresa. As far as I could remember, she ‘mocked’ the heavens one time when she fell to her face in the mud one stormy day.

The feast is celebrated every 15th of October with myriad of fun outdoor activities like street dancing, parades, mini sport competitions, entertaining musical performances, and above all a feast of native sumptuous holiday delicacies. The whole day, we gaily and piously hold the feast. We, the Roman Catholics, love Saint Theresa and recognize her as the greatest daughter of Avila. We offer to her our harvests and earnestly pray for continual blessings.

The Spanish people are undoubtedly religious. They have a long list of fiestas; most of them are commemorations of the birth of the anointed saints. Some celebrations are merely to thank God for a good harvest or for a safe journey. Every aspect of the lives of the people of Spain is connected to religious fiestas.

One of the most celebrated saints in Spain is Joseph. You guessed right if you thought of the man whom our Lord Jesus Christ knew as His father. He was the one who planned to abandon his wife Mary secretly in order to escape the criticism of the people since his wife is already pregnant while the child is not his.

Saint Joseph is depicted as the man who carries with him a staff. The staff is topped with a flower symbolizing Mary. Such representation has been accepted by the Roman Church. On the other hand, the Saint Joseph day is celebrated every 19th of March. It is also dedicated to the fathers or papas. They call upon Saint Joseph for protection against confusion when it comes to decision making. Also, old people pray to Father Joseph to grant them a peaceful and happy death. Communists also look upon Saint Joseph as their patron.

Tired of your usual European city tours? Want to have some sort of retreat and relaxation? Get away from the noisy city and its all kinds of pollution and visit Fuengirola in Spain. It is the ideal place to visit when you want to feel relaxed because it has a long stretch of beautiful pristine beaches.

You can have a breathtaking view and savor the magnificence of the Mediterranean. Plus, experience a hot and sunny condition of weather. In addition, there are still a lot of hot stuffs that you can do while you are in the town of Fuengirola. You can engage in excursions and learn more about the rich history of this town.

The town is about twenty minutes away from the airport. You can board the train to get to the heart of Fuengirola. The town itself offers a wide array of restaurants, shops, bars, and a whole lot more. Set your sights on the Fuengirola castle, sand sculptures, Fuengirola zoo, and other interesting paces. Taste also various delicacies and cuisines that this town offers to its guests. It is more than just a holiday vacation, is it not?

Europe is an excellent tourist destination. When you need a place that can offer you the quiet and relaxing experience, you can visit the Villa Milagro in Valencia. It is a one-hundred years of age farmhouse. The area is surrounded by orange trees, of beautiful views of mountains and beaches. The historic and beautiful house has 9 bedrooms, lounge areas, magnificent terraces, 2 patios, and surely you will enjoy swimming at the Villa’s large swimming pool.

A trip to Villa is some kind of a new experience away from the crowded city. It is perfect place for people to enjoy nature. A wide mountain view will let you experience a peaceful and a relaxed mind. While looking at the beach and the sunset is a romantic experience. You will feel that you are in your private townhouse enjoying the peaceful, relaxed, and happy day. When you need to refresh or drink some wine, you do not need to go any further because it is available in the Villa. When you want to have some coffee or tea, it is readily available at the area. You can visit some famous attractions nearby the Villa.

The Holy Roman Apostolic and Catholic Church is perhaps the one institution that has profoundly influenced the culture of the Spanish people.

The church’s influence permeates all levels of society from the working class masses to the landowners and business tycoons. One concrete example of this profound influence of the Catholic religion is in the celebration of many fiestas. Every region and even districts and cities in Spain have a particular religious festivity being celebrated annually to honor a particular saint.

The sun almost never set in Spain. The Spanish people value their time differently from the Americans. The American society is a rat race, fast-paced and stressful driven by economic desire to gain wealth but trading-off quality time. In Spain, leisure is a way of life. Although this does not necessarily mean that the Spanish people are indolent, it is just they know how to value their time and thus enjoy life more. Their civilization has already attained high level of refinement and they already have enough resources that they are wise enough to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Spain is a great country for holidays. Villa accommodations are available as well as guided tours in historical spots and tourists resorts. A tourist may want to visit different regions of Spain and experience the refined European way of life.