Whilst a lot of people choose to visit Spain for the beautiful beaches and outstanding weather, the truly savvy know that to really get a taste of Spanish culture you should plan your trip around some of the fantastic festivals which take place around the country.
This list is by no means comprehensive; but these are some of our favourite festivals; well worth the hunt for cheap flights!

Sherry Festival, Jerez

A new Ministry of Health report claims that one third of Spanish grandmothers have taken over the childcare duties during the week, worth up to 1% of Spain’s total GDP.

In the UK, grandparents provide 33 billion euros of free childcare every year.

If you’re considering a trip or an even a permanent move to Spain, you’re not alone – it’s one of the most visited country in the world.

In 2007, almost 60 million foreign tourists visited Spain, putting it behind only France as the destination of choice. If offers the visitor luxurious accommodation that rivals even the finest of Dubai Hotels yet also boasts spectacular scenery, great weather, a glorious coastline and delicious cuisine.

The sun, sea and sand of the Spanish coast have been a significant enticement to British expats in recent years. According to the Spanish institute for national statistics (INE) between 2007-2009 26,130 Brits have made the move. A strong Pound to the Euro has been a major factor in making Spain an attractive alternative to living in the UK. In particular Britain`s O.A.P`s have flocked in their numbers; the exchange rate having increased the spending power of retirement savings and pension funds as compared to those choosing to remain in the UK. Many businessmen and women have also moved to areas such as Costa Blanca where small businesses providing a taste of home such as British style pubs or fish and chip shops prove popular among the British expat community.

40 provinces across the country remain on alert on Saturday for heavy rain and strong winds.

The Spanish Meteorological Agency, AEMET, says that the heaviest rain will be in Andalucía but there will also be moderate rainfall in Galicia, Murcia and Alicante.

The snow line will be between 800 and 1,200m in the NE of the country and over 2,000m in the south, but the Sierra Nevada ski station is closed because of the wind. Cetursa say they hope to open for skiers on Sunday.
The Canary Island will see more cloudy intervals.

Temperatures will fall to minus twenty degrees Centigrade in some areas

Temperatures in some parts of Spain are set to fall to as low as minus twenty degrees centigrade on Saturday night. All of the country will see temperatures below zero, wide areas inland will fall to -10ºc and it is expected to snow at sea level in Navarra. In Madrid the night time lows will be down to -6ºC and it will not rise above zero today.

2009 is the second warmest year in Spain since 1961

With the data for December still to be added, 2009 has been the second warmest year in Spain since 1961, behind only 2006.

Ángel Rivera, from the Spanish Meteorological Agency, AEMET, said that the average temperature this year has been 16.5ºC, 1.25º warmer than the average. Average rainfall over the year has been 20% below average, although some months have seen 40% less rain than normal. Autumn temperatures have been 1.7º higher than normal values. (Via Original Source)

THE son of the world’s most wanted man has claimed political asylum in Spain.

After the UK turned down his request, Omar Osama Bin Laden has now opted for warmer climes.

The son of terrorist chief Osama Bin Laden is being held in Barajas Airport, Madrid, after flying over from Egypt.

The 27-year-old – one of his father’s 19 sons – is waiting in the transit hall of Terminal four with his British wife and grandmother-of-five, previously called Jane Felix-Browne.

11 regions of the country have a fiesta on both Monday and Tuesday

The bank holiday weather, with both Monday and Tuesday fiestas in Spain for the Puente de la Constitución y la Imaculada, will see travellers having to pack their umbrellas and coats.

As the Constitution Day falls on a Sunday this year, 11 of Spain’s regions have moved the fiesta to the Monday, and this links up with the National Fiesta for the Inmaculada on Tuesday. Monday is a fiesta in the following regions – Andalucía, Aragón, Asturias, Baleares, Canarias, Cantabria, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, Galicia, Murcia and La Rioja.

MOVING to Spain is not like moving to paradise. Yes it’s sunny throughout, has beautiful beaches that run for miles and looks really pretty, but it’s also a place which can drive you wild if you don’t know it right

Tip 1
When dealing with any facet of Spanish bureaucracy, remember The Law of Falta Uno: that however many documents and photocopies you take along there will always be ONE missing. Always double check that you have every piece of paper that you think you might need (and possibly even a few more that you don’t).

Spain is amongst the top 20 countries where people live a happy life for more years

Spain is one of the happiest countries in the world, according to the latest figures from the World Database of Happiness drawn up by the Erasmus University in Rotterdam. It puts Spain amongst the top 20 countries where people live a happy life for more years.

The subsidies for new car purchase will remain in place in 2009 and will be negotiated as part of next year’s state budget

The Industry Minister, Miguel Sebastián, has announced that the government’s scrappage scheme designed to boost sales of new cars is to be extended and will remain in place until the end of this year.

Half a century after it pioneered the cheap “holiday-in-the-sun” package deal, Spain is seeking to upgrade its image by convincing the discerning and affluent tourist that it has much more to offer than just sun, sea and sangria.

Instead of overcrowded beaches in concrete jungles, tourist authorities want to put Spain’s lesser-known attractions, including its strong homegrown gastronomic traditions, firmly on the tourist map, targeting in particular the upper end of the market.

Spain’s spy chief has resigned amid allegations that he used taxpayers’ money to pay for hunting and fishing trips in exotic locations.

Alberto Saiz, director of the National Intelligence Centre, denies any misuse of government money.

He said he had resigned to prevent further damage to the reputation of the intelligence agency and the government.

Mr Saiz has been replaced by Gen Felix Sanz Roldan, who is a former military chief of staff.

It allows U.S. border officials to check passports in Madrid Barajas of passengers travelling to the United States

An immigration accord has been signed this Wednesday which allows United States border officials posted at Barajas Airport to check the passports of passengers travelling to the U.S.

Almost 21 million people received a bonus two points on 1st July

Almost 21 million drivers woke up this Wednesday with 14 points on their driving licence – an extra two points credit as a reward from the government for driving safely. The points go to drivers who have not committed any serious or very serious offences since the points system came into force three years ago, and who obtained their licence at least 3 years before that date – in other words, before 1st July 2006.

Spain will host a summit of the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in the Canary Islands next year, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said Monday.

He made the announcement at a press conference in the Canaries’ capital of Las Palmas after a meeting with regional officials.

The summit will be held in the second half of 2010 at the headquarters in Las Palmas of Casa Africa (Africa House), launched in 2007 and aimed at boosting relations between Spain and Africa.

The Ministry for the Environment has now said the restaurants can stay on the sand without disciplinary action taken against them

The Ministry for the Environment has completed an about turn and announced that Chiringuito beach bar restaurants are to be allowed to remain on the sand in Spain.
Only those where a move is easily possible off the sand will do so, and then only if the owner is in agreement.

“The congress of deputies calls for the immediate release of the opponents of the regime who have been arrested,” the parliament said in a resolution.

It also “asks the Iranian government to end the repression against the civilian population, and refrain from blaming foreign countries for its internal problems.”

Tensions have been rising between Iran and the West over the Islamic regime’s suppression of mass street protests sparked by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s contested re-election on June 12.

A nephew by marriage of Spain’s Queen Sofia was on Friday charged with corruption by a judge in Spain’s Canary Islands.

Carlos Morales, an architect, gave evidence to the judge for five hours before being charged with influence-peddling, a statement from the Canaries high court said.

Morales is married to Princess Alexia of Greece, the daughter the former Greek King Constantine, who is the brother of Spain’s Queen Sofia.