Learn Spanish in Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Minimum Age: 16 - Average Age : 24-28

Palma de Mallorca

Learn Spanish at our language school partner in Palma de Mallorca, Spain and enjoy a Spanish language course on a beautiful island !

Palma is the capital of the Balearic Islands and the main city of Mallorca. The city's most imposing site is its 13th century cathedral, located in the beautiful bay of Palma, famous for its stunning sunsets.

Walking a little further, you’ll find the 10th century Arab baths and the old quarter of the city with its narrow winding streets and squares shaded by orange and olive trees. Palma is the ideal destination to learn Spanish in a wonderful setting and to take advantage of your Spanish language program abroad to discover a new culture.

With just over 300,000 inhabitants, Palma’s population is among the most diverse to be found in Spain. Mallorcan people themselves descend from a mix of Spanish, Arabs and Carthaginians.

Nowadays, the island welcomes people from all over Spain and Europe, as well as a significant number of South American and African migrants. Visitors to Palma also enjoy its lively arts scene and nightlife. The city also hosts every summer the Copa del Rey yachting competition.

Palma has everything to transform your language program into a memorable experience. It is at the same time historical and liberal, Spanish and cosmopolitan, and the sun is nearly always shining.

cap formentor, learn spanish in palma de mallorca, spain

Spanish Language School

Our Spanish language school partner is located in the heart of the old city in one of the most prestigious buildings of the Plaza de Cort, an old and charming busy square. The area around the school is mainly pedestrian and you will find several of the city’s main tourist sites at a walking distance, among which the ancient Arab baths and the cathedral.

The price includes registration, student card, level test, all course materials, classes, certificates, access to all the school facilities and a program of social & cultural activities.

The school facilities include:

Main street entrance with reception
4 floors accessed via lift or stairs
15 air-conditioned classrooms
Computer lab
Internet wireless hotspot (3rd floor)
Recreational areas

Please follow this link to see all accreditations of our partner school.

spanish language school building, palma de mallorca, spain

Spanish Language Courses

The main objective of most of our partner school's Spanish language courses is to help students improve their communicative skills. A particular emphasis is therefore given to the development of the students' abilities to speak and understand spoken Spanish. Classes are conducted entirely in Spanish and students are given plenty of opportunity to practice the Spanish language used in daily life.

Lessons also focus on grammar, vocabulary, reading and writing skills and a wide variety of materials is used, including published materials from many sources as well as materials which have been written by the school's own teachers.

internet room language school, palma de mallorca, spain

All materials that the students need to work with are included in the course price. At the beginning of their course, students are also given a Spanish coursebook. Students taking private classes will have course materials specifically designed to meet their particular needs.

The Director of Studies carefully supervises the teaching and the course program. He is also in charge of making sure that students are placed in the appropriate levels and that their progress is satisfactory. While the atmosphere in the classroom is generally relaxed and informal, students should be prepared to work hard and participate actively in the class.

1 lesson = 55 minutes

Standard Spanish Language Course (20 lessons per week)
The Standard Spanish language course consists of 4 group lessons daily from Monday to Friday. It focuses on the development of the 4 main skills in language learning: oral and written understanding and expression.
Details : Minimum duration : 1 week 20 lessons per week 1 lesson = 55 minutes Timetable : 09.30 to 13.30, with a 20 min. break in the morning* Course starting date : Every Monday (except 100% beginners) Level : all levels Max. 10 students per class
*In July and August some groups have classes in the afternoons from 16.00 – 20.00. In this case, a special social program of activities and visits taking place in the mornings is available.

One-to-One Spanish Language Course (min. 5 lessons per week)

Our Spanish language school partner also offers individual tuition. You can either choose to take private lessons only and define the number of lessons per week that suits your needs, or combine the Standard course in the morning with private lessons in the afternoon. The content and the schedule of the course will be arranged according to your specific needs. This type of course is particularly recommended for professionals as it can help develop skills related to their working environment (negotiating skills, presentation skills, telephone skills, writing skills, etc.) and learn the vocabulary adapted to their field.

Details :

Minimum duration : 1 week
Minimum: 5 lessons per week
1 lesson = 55 minutes
Course starting date : Every Monday
Level : all levels

This program can also be offered for on a Two-to-One basis for 2 students studying together provided that they have similar levels and linguistic needs. A supplement will be applied.

student working, palma de mallorca, spain

Best Ager

Best Ager 50+ Program (15 lessons per week + activities/excursions)
The Best Ager Program is specifically tailored for people over the age of 50 who prefer to study and socialize with people of their own age. It consists of 3 group lessons daily from Monday to Friday and a program of activities and excursions adapted to mature students.
Details : Duration : 2 weeks 15 lessons per week + program of activities/excursions 1 lesson = 55 minutes Timetable : 10.00 to 13.00, with a 15 min. break in the morning Specific starting dates (see below) Level : all levels Max. 10 students per class Price: EUR 445 for 2 weeks (incl. Spanish course + activity program)
The program of activities and excursions generally includes an evening visit to a show, a full-day excursion to the Drac Caves, a visit of the Modern Art Museum and a meal in a typical Mallorcan restaurant. Activities and excursions are subject to change.

Program starting dates (please click here)

Spanish + Sailing

Standard Spanish Language Course + Sailing (20 Spanish lessons + 15 Sailing lessons per week)
This program combines the Standard Spanish language course in the morning with a Sailing course in the afternoon. The Sailing course is offered in collaboration with El Arenal Sailing Club, one of Mallorca's longest established and most prestigious sailing schools. You can either take sailing group classes* or private sailing classes. Hire of all necessary sailing equipment and obligatory insurance cover are included in the program. Transportation to and from the sailing school has to be arranged by the participants themselves.
Sailing lessons details : Duration : 2 weeks 15 sailing lessons per week Starting dates on any Monday All levels including beginners in sailing Price incl. group sailing lessons : EUR 730 for 2 weeks (incl. Standard Spanish course + group Sailing course) Price incl. private sailing lessons : EUR 1,370 for 2 weeks (incl. Standard Spanish course + private Sailing course)
*Note that a minimum number of 4 participants is required for the group sailing classes to take place.

Dates

Classes take place from Monday to Friday (except holidays)
Students on general Spanish courses can begin their course every week (except 100% beginners)
Arrival day: Sunday before the beginning of the course
Departure day: Saturday after the end of the course

Starting Dates for 100% Beginners in 2010
	Jan	Feb	March	April	May	June	July	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec
	11	08	08	05*	03	14	12	09	06	04	01*	13
	25	22	22	19	17	28	26	23	20	18	15	27
					31						29
	*If Monday is a holiday, the course starts on Tuesday.


Holidays in 2010
	Jan	Feb	March	April	May	June	July	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec
	01			01	01					12	01	06
	06			02								08
	20			05								25
	On holidays the school is closed, courses are neither recuperated nor refunded. Please also note that Sunday August 15 & Sunday December 26 will both be celebrated on alternative dates. The alternative dates to be confirmed by Palma City Hall.

Activities/Excursions

Our Spanish language school partner organises a varied program of activities included in the course price.

The program usually consists of a "Welcome" cocktail, visits and excursions to places of interest in and around Palma, video films in Spanish, concerts by local musicians, and "exchange evenings" at which students can meet and talk with some of our other students who are learning English or German in the school.

Students also have the opportunity to experience some of Palma's unforgettable nightlife.

students activities, palma de mallorca, spain

However, please note that entrance fees and transport costs (where appropriate) are not included and students will therefore have to pay for these by themselves.

The school also arranges excursions to towns and places of interest outside Palma.

These excursions take place twice a month during the summer months and once a month during the rest of the year.

Upon arrival, students are given a copy of the social program planned for the following 2-week period.

cathedral, learn spanish in palma de mallorca, spain

Sample Activity Programme (please click here)

More info on transfers (please click here)

Visa information (please click here)

More on Spain (please click here)

Spain
Spain has many different faces and is one of the most visited countries in Europe. Beautiful beaches, cultural richness, excellent food, dramatic contrasts in people, landscape and culture are only a few excitements that makes so many visitors come to enjoy Spain. Also it is one of the more affordable countries in Europe. StudyGlobal offers more language programs in Spain than in any other country, because of the many different faces Spain has to offer. Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Alicante, Granada and Almuñecar give you the opportunity to pick the location in Spain that fits your needs the best. Carefully review all programs and locations before you make your decision. But don't worry no matter where you choose to go, you can never go wrong with Spain. Please email us about our combination programs between Madrid, Cadiz, Alicante or the combination Granada and Almuñecar.
Geography
Spain, together with Portugal, forms the westernmost of the three major peninsulas of southern Europe, an enormous octagonal promontory, at the extreme southwest of the continent. It is situated in a temperate area, between latitudes 43 47' 24''N. (Estaca de Bares) and 36 00' '3'' S. (Punta de Tarifa) and between longitudes 7 00' 29'' E. (Cabo de Creus) and 5 36' 40'' W. (Cabo Tourinan). Out of a total of 580,825 square kilometres, Espagne occupies four fifths of the Peninsula. It borders to the North on the Bay of Biscay, France and Andorra; to the East, on the Mediterranean; to the South, on the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, and to the West on the Atlantic and Portugal. Ancient historians gave Spain different names in the remote past. For some it was Ophiusa, for others Edetania, Sacania, Tartessos, Hesperia. It was the Romans who hit on the name of Hispania, a word which is apparently of Phoenician origin, derived from shepham which probably means 'coast or island of rabbits'. Professor Garcia y Bellido believes that the name of Hispania dates from two centuries B.C. Strabo considered the terms Iberia and Hispania to be synonymous. 'The Romans have called this whole region', he wrote, 'Iberia or Hispania, dividing it into two parts, Ulterior and Citerior, and reserving the right to change them yet again, should circumstances call for a further administrative division' (subsequently the division would be Baetica, Lusitania and Tarraconense). Peninsular Spain has a total area of 493,486 sq kilometres, to which must be added 4,992 sq km for the Balearics, 7,447 for the Canary archipelago and 32 for the Spanish towns situated in North Africa: Ceuta, with 18 sq km, and Melilla, with 14 sq km. The perimeter of peninsular Spain totals 5,849 kilometres. Of this distance, 3,904 are coastline and 1,945 land frontiers. The French and Andorran frontier account for 712 kilometres; the Portuguese frontier extends for 1,232 kilometres, while the border with Gibraltar is just a kilometre. The most important part of insular Spain is the Balearic and Canary archipelagoes. The first of these, situated at one side of the Peninsula, in the western Mediterranean, consists of the islands of Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera, Cabrera and other similar ones, while the Canary Islands to the south in the Atlantic, off the African coast, comprise Lanzarote, Ferteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Gomera, Palma, Hierro and a few islets.
Population
The population estimated to July 2008 was 40,491,052.
Language
Spanish is the official language of Spain. There are several regional dialects of Spanish. Dialects can include Catalan, which is usually spoken in eastern Spain, and Gallegos, which is popular in the northwest. Each dialect has different pronunciations and spellings. Additionally, the native language of the Basque region is called Euskera. It is not a form of Spanish, and its origins are unknown.
Currency
The Euro is the official currency of Spain. Check Currency Converter
Time Zone
Spain is exactly one hour behind of Greenwich Mean Time
Climate
Although Spain lies in the temperate zone, its rugged relief gives rise to a great diversity of climates. The Cantabrian mountains mark the first well-defined climatological dividing zone. To the north of this range, i.e. in the narrow northern strip, where the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia are situated, lies what we may call rainy Spain, with a maritime climate par excellence, with only slight variations in temperature, mild winters and cool summers, an almost constantly cloudy sky and frequent rainfall, although less so during the summer. This climate, which is typical of western Europe, favours a northern European type of vegetation. To the south of the Cantabrian range lies dry Spain, which has extremely varied climates, always characterized by scarce rainfall and a pitiless burning sun in an intensely blue sky, occasionally crossed by short-lived, fierce local thunderstorms. In terms of surface area, rainy Spain accounts for about a third of the country, while the other two thirds make up dry Spain.
Economy
Spain's mixed capitalist economy supports a GDP that on a per capita basis is 80% that of the four leading West European economies. Its center-right government successfully worked to gain admission to the first group of countries launching the European single currency on the 1st of January 1999. The Aznar administration has continued to advocate liberalization, privatization, and deregulation of the economy and has introduced some tax reforms to that end. Unemployment has been steadily falling under the Aznar administration but remains the highest in the EU at 14%. The government intends to make further progress in changing labor laws and reforming pension schemes, which are key to the sustainability of both Spain's internal economic advances and its competitiveness in a single currency area. Adjusting to the monetary and other economic policies of an integrated Europe - and further reducing unemployment - will pose challenges to Spain in the next few years.
Map

Food
Tapas While most people have heard of tapas, and they're available in most Spanish bars, it's not always clear to everyone how to go about finding and ordering them. Part of the problem is that the word tapas usually doesn't appear on menus or billboards, and that many bars don't adhere to the real tradition of tapas. The word tapas comes from the Spanish verb 'tapar' (which means to cover). A tapa was meant as a free snack to be placed on top of a drink to keep flies and other what-nots out. While many bars in Madrid provide a tapa with a glass of beer or wine (which in some cases is delicious and in others hardly worth eating), it's by no means the norm. More typically, going out for tapas implies ordering a plate of food called a ración, if it is to be shared among a few people, or a perhaps a canapé, which is something on a small piece of bread. Also common in tapas bars are bocadillos (or bocatas) which are sandwiches made with a bread roll or baguette. Just about any manner of Spanish food comes in the form of tapas, and as such it's a very good way to go about trying the huge variety of Spanish dishes. Don't worry if you don't understand the menu, most tapas bars have their goods on display at the bar so you can simply point at what looks appealing to you. "La tapa" so as to be considered, has to be eaten between main meals as food that allows the body to hold until lunch or dinnertime. Some authors assure that „the tapa" was born when, and due to an illness, the Spanish king Alfonso the 10th, the Wise, had to take small bites of food with some wine between meals. Once recovered from the disease, the wise king ordered that in all inns of Castile's land, wine was not to be served if not with something to eat. This royal providence has to be considered convenient and wise in order to avoid the alcoholic disturbances in the body to the ones that drunk the wine, those that, hadn't enough money to pay themselves mostly a regular and full of proteins appropriate meal. The story of the royal disease can be left apart if we rather consider the theory that „the tapa" first appeared, because of the need of farmers and workers of other unions to take a small amount of food during their working time, that allowed them to continue the job until the main meal's time.

More on culture - Spain Fiestas (please click here)

Spain has an incredible amount of popular and traditional fiestas also called ferias. Some of them have become famous all over the world such as The Running of the Bulls (Los San Fermines), The Tomato Battle (La Tomatina in Buñol) and Feria in Sevilla. Most fiestas are based on religious events such as Semana Santa (Holy Week) or various Saints like San Juan, San Fermin etc. However over time the typical ferias have evolved from something only religious into popular and excessive celebration events. Some of them can last up to a week, others usually last at least 2 days. Most towns shut completely down during feria, that means shops and stores are closed and everybody, young and old, participates in the festivities. Usually fireworks, heavy drinking and eating go along with most ferias. If you want to experience Spanish culture at its finest you have to participate in one of the many fiestas.
San Fermines - Running of the Bulls
Origins of the Fiesta The current San Fermines can be traced back to the Middle Ages. Three different events converged at approximately the same time to form the present day fiesta. San Fermin religious celebrations honoring San Fermin were held on October 10th Trade fairs, the Feria del Toro, and bullfights which took place in July since the 14th century . the Fiesta of San Juan on June 24th which lasted 20 days. These events led the Town Hall to ask the bishop to change the date of the San Fermin celebration to July 7th. This was done in the year 1590. The Running of the Bulls Or the "Encierro" as it is known in Spain, was born out of a necessity to transfer the bulls from outside the town to the bullring. Before the bullring was built, the Plaza del Castillo was used for the bullfights. Although the "encierro" has changed over the centuries, the spirit remains the same. At 7:55am, the runners some 70 meters beyond the bulls corrals, sing to a statue of San Fermin in a niche, asking him to protect them. The Running of the Bulls begins when the San Saturnino church clock strikes 8am. Then 2 rockets are shot off announcing the exit of the bulls from their corrals. The first rocket announces that the gate to the corral is opened. The second rocket announces that the bulls preceded by eight oxen are now in the streets running towards the runners. The "encierro" usually lasts about 2 minutes. The entire route of the bullrun is about 790 meters long. Tips for Running Access: If you want to participate in the running, you should enter the track before 7:30am through the gates in the Plaza Consistorial and stay there until the municipal barriers in the stretch between the Square and the Old Military hospital. After 7:30 the accesses are closed and you are not allowed to leave the track. Most dangerous stretches: Callejon-Plaza de Toros. (eight deaths) and the end of the Cuesta de Santo Domingo (three deaths). Garments: Use comfortable clothes and sneakers or sport shoes. Do not carry any other items (backpacks, cameras, etc.)with you. Ask experts runners for advice: The running is neither a joke nor an opportunity for media coverage. The risks are enormous, and the mass attendance of runners makes it even more dangerous. It takes many years of practice to become a good runner. Getting in and out of the flow: Getting into the flow of runners is as important as getting out of the way. Get in gradually, as the other runners get out. Or get straight in, from a standing start. Beware of falling: Bulls are not the only danger. Mainly, it's the number of runners. The chances of stumbling and falling are very high. In fact, most of the people who are injured during the run have fallen and been trampled over by other runners. You have to look in front of you, behind you and on the ground. Once you are in the herd, it's safest to remain close to the bulls because there will be no runners in front of you. If you fall, just curl up and do not move until someone taps you on the shoulder. If you're near a bull and you fall, do not try to get up. If you curl up in a ball, the bull will evade you and continue running. Getting up will cause the bull to attack you. This is the most common mistake made by runners The Running Rules: An edict issued by the mayors office details the following rules concerning the running of the bulls: Those who are less than 18 years old are forbidden to run. Crowding the fence is not allowed. All doors along the runway must be closed. No one can remain in the runway who is drunk or drugged or who in any other way represents a danger to the rest. One cannot carry things into the runway. Runners must be dressed correctly. It is forbidden to call to the bulls or in any way attract their attention either in the runway or in the ring. Taking photos from inside the runway or from the fences during the encierro is not allowed without permission from the authorities.
La Tomatina - Tomato Battle
The historical origin of the festival There exist several interpretations on the origin of this popular festival. According to some historians, its origin goes back to a "practical joke" that some friends wanted to play on a man who was crossing the town square singing and playing a musical instrument but, apparently, he was doing it so badly that some of the people around decided to take some tomatoes from a fruit and vegetables stall and throw them at him. Everybody else joined in to end up in a tomato battle. However, the most reliable and historical version says that everything started in 1945. The town square (where the "tomatina" is traditionally held nowadays) was crowded with young people of that time to witness a "Gigantes y Cabezudos" parade (giant carnival figures with a grotesque head). Some of them decided to join the authority commitee and music band leading the parade and to do so they pushed the ones who were wearing the giant disguises. One of the participants fell down and when he stood up he started beating everyone around so everybody got caught up in a fight. Fate or chance, there was a vegetable stall nearby with open crates showing the goods for sale. The young people involved in the fight took the tomatoes from the crates and started throwing them at each other until the police broke up "the battle", and those responsible for the riot paid for the damages. This riot was not forgotten and the next year on the same Wednesday of August the youths of the town met again at the square, but this time with their own tomatoes. This is how another battle started and once again was stopped by the local police. In fact, in the following years the authorities forbade the celebration of what was already popularly known as the "day of the tomatina". Nevertheless, this celebration has been held every year since them. If you come and participate, you must respect the following rules: These small civic duty tips are necessary so that the festival will go on like every year, that is without any incidents: You mustn't bring in any bottles or any kind of objects which could provoke an accident. You mustn't tear t-shirts. Tomatoes must be crushed before being thrown so they can't hurt anybody. You must be careful with the lorries which carry the tomatoes. As soon as the second banger is fired, you must stop throwing tomatoes. Try to enjoy yourself as much as possible but respect these rules and the people. In the "tomatina" festival there has never been a mishap and we would like it to stay that way so everybody around the world can have a good time.
Semana Santa and Feria in Sevilla
Religous Festivity that cannot be missed. Please be aware that it is also the most popular time to be in Sevilla and early bookings are recommended for either Spanish programs or Flamenco courses. Two weeks after the Semana Santa, Feria de Sevilla continues the festivity time in Sevilla. But here the fun and "getting drunk" part is much more emphasized rather than any religous aspects. Make sure to catch both of these events by spending April in Sevilla
Fiestas Throughout Spain
The Spanish calendar is packed with fascinating and diverse cultural events, both local and national, and the following is intended as a guideline only. As dates for specific festivals or celebrations often change from year to year it's best to check details with a local tourist office closer to the time. Whereas national and regional public holidays are set by the Spanish government during the last term of the preceding year, and therefore readily available, local events calendars and programmes are established by the cultural departments of the relevant councils and not usually published until just before the actual celebrations. Here is an alphabetical list of all events in Spain throughout the year: ALICANTE Hogueras de San Juan (mid summer day bonfires). Always around June 24. ALCOY (Alicante) Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians), traditional festival, Apr 22-24. Same dates every year. BENALMADENA Benalmadena Fair, June 24-31. Feast of the True Cross, Aug 16. Both are celebrated on the same dates every year. BENIDORM Las Fallas, Mar 15-19. Same dates every year. Moors and Christians festival, last weekend in Sept and the first weekend in Oct. November Festival, from the Sat before the second Sun in Nov to the following Wed. Same every year. BILBAO Aste Nagusia. Popular eight-day-long festival starting on the Sat following Aug 15. The city´s opera season runs Sept-March. For more information contact: ABAO, Rodriguez Arias 3,48008 Bilbao, tel: 94 415 5490/fax: 94 415 2200). BOCAIRENTE (Valencia) Moors and Christians festival, Feb 2-5. Same dates every year. BUÑOL (Valencia) The popular La Tomatina festival is normally celebrated on the last Wed of Aug. CADIZ Carnaval. Held 40 days before Easter. CAMBADOS (Pontevedra) Albariño Wine Festival takese place on the first Sun in Aug every year. CASTRO URDIALES (Cantabria) El Coso Blanco flower festival takes place on the first Fri of July every year. CONSUEGRA (Toledo) The Saffron Festival takes place over the last weekend in Oct every year. CORDOBA Festival de los Patios Cordobeses (The Courtyard Festival) takes place in May. May Fair. Guitar Festival, normally held during the first two weeks of July. For more information contact the Gran Teatro Fundación Publica Municipal on tel: 957 480644. CUENCA Religious Music week, normally held over the Easter period. ELCHE (Alicante) Traditional Palm Procession, always on Palm Sunday. August Festival, Aug 11-15. Same dates every year. FUENGIROLA (Malaga) Sea Festival, July 16. Same date every year. Fuengirola Fair, Oct 6-12. Same dates every year. FUERTEVENTURA Carnaval Puerto Rosario, 40 days before Easter. GANDIA (Valencia) Fallas, Mar 16-19. Same dates every year. Local festival, Sept 29. Same date every year. GRANADA The popular festival of Cruces de Mayo, May 3. Same date every year. Summer Fair/Corpus Christi celebrations, usually start on the Monday of Corpus Christi week. The International Music Festival takes place over the summer months, contact Internacional de Musica y Danza, tel: 958 276 200/fax: 958 286 868 for further information. JAVEA (Alicante) San Juán, June 14-24. Same dates every year. Harbour Festival, Sept 1-8. Same dates every year. A Moors and Christians festival takes place around the end of Sept. JEREZ 2000 The Feria del Caballo of Horse Fair usually takes place in May. The Autumn Festival, in Sept/Oct, includes various sub-festivals such as the flamenco and wine harvest festivals, plus horse jumping events. For further information contact the local council on tel: 956 318 829. LA ESTRADA (Pontevedra) The traditional A Rapa das Bestas festival takes place on the first Saturday in July every year. LLORET DE MAR (Gerona) The town´s traditional Santa Cristina festival takes place on July 24. Same date every year. NAVA (Asturias) The Cider Festival takes place on the second Sat of July every year. NERJA (Malaga) Nerja Fair, Oct 8-12. Same date every year. PONTEVEDRA San Beneitiño de Leire, traditional festival. On July 11 every year. PAMPLONA San Fermín, or the running of the bulls. July 6-14. Same dates every year. PUERTO DE LA CRUZ Carnaval (Mardi Gras), 40 days before Easter. RIBADAVIA (Orense) The Ribeiro Wine Festival, usually around end of April. RIBADESELLA (Asturias) Ribadesella Festival, always on the first Sat of Aug. RONDA (MALAGA) Goyesca Fair, runs for a week starting the first Mon in Sept. SAN SEBASTIAN Tamborrada festival takes place Jan 19-20. Same date every year. Aste Nagusia festival, takes place during the week of Aug 15. Jazz Festival, usually July; International Film Festival, usually Sept for more information contact: Apartado Correos 979, 280080 San Sebastian, tel: 943 481212/fax: 943 285779. SANTANDER International Festival. Cultural activities during the month of August. Same date every year. Organised by: Festival Internacional Avda Calvo Sotelo 15, 39002 Santander, tel: 942 314819/fax: 942 314767. SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA Santiago, traditional religious festival, always on 25 July. SEVILLA La Semana Santa: religious celebrations, street processions, 01 week to spend with your family, la Feria de Abril… a world-renowned feria, usually end of April. Flamenco, horses, jerez and fiestas until early in the morning. SITGES (Barcelone) A vintage car rally, usually first Sun of March. TORREVIEJA (Alicante) May Fair, usually first week of May. San Juan fiesta, with bangers and bonfires, usually in June. Habaneras Music International Festival, usually first week of August. Local fiesta, every year from 01st to 14th Decembre, always including the 8th Dec. TORREMOLINOS (Malaga) San Miguel, usually in September. TORROX (Malaga) Migas always on the Sunday before Christmas. TOLEDO Corpus Christi religious celebrations. 08 weeks after Easter. VILLA DE MAZO (La Palma, Tenerife) Corpus Christi religious celebrations. 08 weeks after Easter. VILLAJOYOSA (Alicante) A Moors & Chritians festival, 24-31 July, Same date every year. VITORIA La Virgen Blanca, popular festival, 04-09 August. Same date every year. ZARAGOZA El Pilar, 12 October. Same date every year. CARNIVAL The carnival takes place everywhere in Spain, 40 days before Easter. LA SEMANA SANTA Religious celebrations across Spain. Good Friday is 13 Aprill.

More on culture - Bullfighting (please click here)

Each bullfight comprises six bulls and three matadors, each of whom fights two bulls. The bulls are specially bred fighting bulls, usually from the same bloodline and are not less than four years old with a weight somewhere between 500 and 800 kilos. They must never have faced a man on foot before they enter the bullring. The reason being that if this is the case, they may charge the man, instead of the cape. The selection of bulls is determined by drawing lots on the morning of the corrida. The toreros perform in order of seniority with the senior matador going first and fourth, the second-ranked matador second and fifth and the least experienced fighting third and sixth. If a matador is gored and unable to continue, the senior matador must take his place and complete the fight. Each bullfight is divided into three stages of thirds and lasts for around 20 minutes. A corrida starts with a parade of all the contestants and bailiffs dressed in 17th century costume, who salute the president of the fight. The president is an important official who controls the fight and can award trophies to a matador who performs well. A trumpet is blown to announce the first fight when the matador and his team enter the ring, and to signal the end of each stage. The bailiffs receive the key to the gate which is thrown to them by the president of the bullfight, through which the bulls enter the ring. The president then waves a white handkerchief to signal the entrance of the first bull into the ring.
Preliminary Phase
During the preliminary phase the footmen, peones or capeadores work the bull with large magenta and gold capes while carefully appraising its agility, intelligence, dangers, sight and, most importantly, its strength. It's very important for the matador to determine the animal's qualities such as whether it favours one horn or the other (eg hooks to the left) or swings its horns up at the end of each pass. Sometimes a bull is reluctant to fight in which case it will be tactfully withdrawn on the sign of a green handkerchief from the president.
First stage
This is when the picadores, mounted on padded and blindfolded horses provoke the bull to attack them. The aim is to plunge their lance into the bull's neck thus weakening its strong neck muscles. This causes it to lower its head without which the matador couldn't perform the coup de grace in the final part of the fight.
Second stage
When the bull has been sufficiently weakened by the picadores, the next stage commences, during which barbed darts decorated with colourful ribbons are placed in the bull's neck. The banderillero, carrying a banderilla in each hand, runs towards the charging bull at an angle and places the banderillas in its neck. These are not supposed to weaken the bull but rather correct any tendency to hook, regulate the carriage of the head and slow it down.
Final stages
The final stage of a bullfight is called the suerte/tercio del muerte and ends with the death of the bull. It begins with the matador removing his hat, saluting the president and asking for permission to perform and kill the bull. He may dedicate the bull to somebody in the crown. Sometimes the matador will toss his hat over his head, if it lands upside down, it is supposed to be bad luck. The matador creates a series of passes with his red cape (of which there are 40), bringing the animal closer to his body. The two most basic passes include the right handed pass in which the sword is used to expand the cloth and the left handed 'natural'. After each pass the crowd usually shouts Olé!.
The kill
When the matador realises the bull is weak and unable to charge much longer he will reach for his killing sword and seek to manoeuvre it directly in front of him with its head down, so that he can administer the death stroke. The matador looks down the sword to sight the target, leans over the horns and attempts to insert it between the cervical vertebra and into the bull's heart.
Finale
If the matador has performed well and made a quick, clean kill he will be applauded, do a lap of honour and be showered with flowers, hats, cushions and anything else to hand. The crowd demonstrates its approval of a fight by waving white handkerchiefs which are a signal to the president to award the matador a trophy, such as an ear or tail. If the bull has put up a good fight, its carcass will also receive a lap of honour and very occasionally if a bull is exceptionally brave or strong and the matador is unable to kill it, it may be spared and allowed to return to its stud farm to live out its life in peace.

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