Vintage Holiday Blog

Tucked away inland behind the costas and a myriad of mountains, lie three of Europe’s most culturally enriching cities – Cordoba, Granada and Sevilla. For many, old Andalucia epitomises Spain: Bullfights, Moors, gypsies and flamenco dancing. For centuries, Andalucia was one of the poorest parts of Spain, but because of its past and deep-founded love for simple pleasures that have become so embedded into Spanish culture, the fortunes of this region have changed, helped inexplicably by the huge amounts of tourists that visit Andalucia’s three most culturally credited cities each year.

Sevilla Cathedral

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Today, the Catalan parliament today approved a ban on bullfighting that is due to come into force on 1^st January 2012. It was deemed cruel by the parliament, 68 of whom were in favour of the ban and 55 against.

If you are not aware of what bullfighting is, it’s when a matador (or bullfighter) and his entourage use capes, lances and darts to subdue the bull which is killed at close quarters with a sword. The fight often lasts 10 minutes or so until the bull is exhausted, then the matador puts it out of its misery with a final thrust of the sword into its heart.

For the first time in over 1200 years, Bullfighting sees a ban in mainland Spain

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If you haven’t yet made a visit to the Festival Jardins de Cap Roig in Cataluña you’re missing out.

Held across July & August, you can expect a line up of concerts (from likes of Julio Iglesias, Sinéad O’Connor, George Benson and Herbie Hancock – as well as a number of leading Spanish artists) and theatrical and ballet performances.

The venue is the auditorium of the Botanical Garden (considered one of the most important botanical gardens of the Mediterranean) Caixa Girona, which is located right next to the sea… an absolutely delightful place to be on a hot summer’s night in Catalunya.

Festival Jardins de Cap Roig, Catalunya

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