MADRID, ANDALUCIA, VALENCIA IN 11 DAYS SPAIN PACKAGE PERFECT FOR SUN-SEEKERS AND RELAXATION

There are a number of free, English language periodicals that you will find in bars and restaurants that are a great source of event information. PopGuide Madrid  is Madrid's premier English and German lifestyle magazine and features the best Madrid has to offer and the latest in film, fashion, music and art. The monthlyInMadrid newspaper  has a number of articles and information about events around town. Aimed at the 20-35-year-old crowd, European Vibe  has listings for concerts, exhibitions, bars, restaurants, parties and other events happening in Madrid as well as articles about living in the city. Check the websites for current distribution points.

There are a number of free, English language periodicals that you will find in bars and restaurants that are a great source of event information. PopGuide Madrid is Madrid's premier English and German lifestyle magazine and features the best Madrid has to offer and the latest in film, fashion, music and art. The monthlyInMadrid newspaper  has a number of articles and information about events around town. Aimed at the 20-35-year-old crowd, European Vibe has listings for concerts, exhibitions, bars, restaurants, parties and other events happening in Madrid as well as articles about living in the city. Check the websites for current distribution points.

Four teams from Madrid play in La Liga (Spain's premier division). The matches between Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid are known as "El Derbi Madrileño" (English: Madrid Derby).

• Real Madrid,  For football fanatics, a trip to the Santiago Bernabeu, the home of local club Real Madrid is not to be missed. Real Madrid is the most successful football club in Spain and Europe, having been crowned Spanish champions a record 32 times and European champions a record 9 times. Their biggest rivals by far are FC Barcelona, with which it contests matches known popularly as El Clásico at least twice a year. The rivalry between the two sides is by far the biggest in Spain and one of the most intense in the world, and stems from the longstanding traditional rivalry between the Spanish and Catalan speaking parts of Spain. As such, tickets for such matches often sell out very quickly. In case you arrive in Madrid on non-match periods, you can take a self-guided tour of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. It includes tours around the field, the dressing rooms, the Press Room and the Real Madrid Museum where the trophies and other memorabilia are kept. Without a loyalty card, the typical fees for adults is €16. However, a few days before a match, the chances are you will not be able to take the full tour, but only a part of it, with at least the Real Madrid Museum, at a reduced price.  

• Atlético de Madrid,  Plays games in the Vicente Calderón stadium. The club is one of the most successful in Spanish League history, having won both La Liga on nine occasions and the Copa del Rey on ten occasions, including a double in 1996. They also won the European Cup Winners Cup in 1962, were European Cup runners-up in 1974, Intercontinental Cup winners in 1975 and more recently won the UEFA Europa League in 2010 and 2012 and the European SuperCup in 2010 and 2012.  

• Getafe Club de Fútbol,  Plays games at Coliseum Alfonso Pérez in Getafe, one of the dormitory cities of Madrid.  

• Rayo Vallecano, plays games at Estadio Teresa Rivero. A popular team from the Vallecas area in Madrid, known for its alternative culture and left-wing ultras.
• 

Bullfighting

• Las Ventas Bullring, (Metro: Ventas),  The birth place of bullfighting. Unless you find this spectacle distasteful, this is a must see if you visit Madrid during the bullfighting season (May, during San Isidro). Tickets may nevertheless be expensive and hard to get for the more important corridas. Anyway, it usually is used as a venue for shows and concerts. You can also visit the bullring and get to discover every corner and history of this emblematic building with Las Ventas Tour. Open every day from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm. 

Festivals and events

Barcelona hosts a number of annual fiestas, many of which are unique to Catalonia and offer an insight into its distinctive culture.

• Cavalcada de Reis. (January 5) This float parade of the Three Wise Men is majestic and held on the evening of January 5 every year. Although geared towards families and kids, the various colourful and decorative floats can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

• Sónar. A annual three-day music festival. It is described officially as a festival of Advanced Music and Multimedia Art. Music is by far the main aspect of the festival. The festival runs for three days and nights, usually starting on a Thursday in the third week of June.

• Monegros Desert Festival The most famous and biggest one day/night electronic music festivals in Spain is in desert of Fraga 200km from Barcelona. More than 40,000 people gather every July to celebrate the electronic music with the best DJs representing styles from house, electro, minimal, techno, to drum&bass, dubstep and hiphop. 20hours nonstop, unique desert experience.

• Festes de Gràcia. The Festes de Gràcia is a Catalonian celebration, held around the 15th of August each year to commemorate the Assumption. During the week of festivities that mark one of Barcelona's most important fiestas, the city of Gràcia explodes with fun, excitement, color and fireworks. Many streets are decorated by the neighbours, live music, food in the street, and the parties continue all night.

• Festes de Sants. Similar to Gracia's event, but smaller and later on in August. If you can't go to the Gracia's, try to go to this festival instead.

• Sant Jordi. (April 23) Considered to be like Valentine's Day. People give roses and books around the streets. Traditionally men give women roses and women give men books. It is one of the most popular and interesting celebrations in Catalonia.

Take a walking tour

For those visitors who wish to get a real taste of Barcelona, you can join a group of English-speaking local guides for free sightseeing tours. In addition to exploring major landmarks and famous streets, you will also get stories, recommendations and tips that only a local could provide. These professional guides are passionate about their city and offer tours which are both educational and fun. These walking tours are based on a tip supported service.

• Orange Donut Tours - Free Walking Tours of the Gothic Quarter, Specializing in the oldest part of Barcelona, they offer highly-qualified 1.5 - 2 hour Free Walking Tours of the Gothic Quarter everyday Monday to Saturday at 11am and 3pm all year round. Reserve your spot on their website: www.OrangeDonutTours.com
• Runner Bean Tours - Barcelona Free Walking Tours, They offer highly recommended Free Walking Tours of Gaudí's buildings and the Gothic Quarter everyday at 11am (from October 15th to March 31st) and 11am & 4:30pm (from April 1st to October 14th). Meeting point: Plaza Real (by the water fountain). www.runnerbeantours.com.
• 360 Running Barcelona, Offers running tours in Barcelona and trial tours in Collserola Mountains near Barcelona. You can see sea and the mountain at the same with a 360º view. Or you can also visit the most touristic places in Barcelona as Montjuïc Mountain, Park Güell, the beaches or the Passeig de Gràcia and modernism tour.