Smoking in Far Spanish Public Communities

We all know that smoking has become a constant part of our lifestyles, but its effects on people and on the environment has caused debates among numerous governments and even laymen. For evident reasons, the government bans smoking because of its nicotine content, which is harmful detrimental to a person's health.

However, no matter how many laws were formed to disallow smoking, the government still can't control the people-- which is why they can't totally ban smoking. In Spain, where smoking is essential to Spanish people, the laws formed are not to disallow this habit. Instead, the smoking laws in Spain try to compromise the need to lessen the habit and the want of people to smoke. Consequently, these laws permit people to smoke in any public place but in selected communities only.

That is why if you are a foreign traveler in this astir country and you happen to visit a bar, better look for signs that tell you smoking is permitted. An ashtray and a smoking room are the most evident signs, but you can also ask the manager about smoking in the domain. There are some communities that post signboards telling people whether they can smoke or not, and anyone, especially foreign travelers like you, should respect those signboards.

Motifs in Spain's Official Banner

With the distinguished color combination of red and yellow, Spain's banner is known to have the most lively and catchy symbol and pattern among other state flags. In fact, early Spanish individual seven spun stories related to the colors of the banner. Old legends claim that the bright colors of the banner were derived from the abstraction of a bullfight arena, wherein red represented the blood of the bullfighter and yellow viewed as the sand of the arena. Of course, these stories have no basis for the color figure of the Spanish banner was patterned after the coat of arms of King Ferdinand.

Setting urban narrative aside, the current state banner of Spain featured three horizontal bands: red on the top and bottom and yellow in the middle. The coat of arms figure, additionally, included the royal zeal framed by Pillars of Hercules, thus representing Ceuta and Gibraltar. Before the current figure was finally adopted, the Spanish banner also went through numerous design changes over the history of the country. For instance, the original figures of Catholic monarchy shield and eagle were affirmed during Franco's dictatorship. These were traduced, however, in 1981, leaving the current color figure of red and yellow with the crowned arms.

The Wonderful Zest of Petite Madeleines

Have you ever tried the yummy Madeleine, also known as the petite Madeleine? I, for one, am a fanatic of this yummy dessert. I was fortunate enough to try this sweet when I toured Spain last year and I fell in love with its special flavor ever since.

Touring a country becomes a very wonderful activity especially if you are going to taste some of the country’s loved foods. That is the reason why I always try to eat a country’s specialty whenever I organize a trip to a new place – and for Spain’s case, Madeleine is the only Spanish dessert I fell in love with. Madeleine is a renowned dessert throughout the country, although it began from Commercy, a town located in the northeastern part of France. Madeleine is usually eaten as a snack or as a heavenly dessert because it is known for its unique shell-like form as well as its distinctive zest – somewhat similar to pound cakes. However, unlike pound cakes, Madeleines are smaller and they have a wonderful butter and lemon zest. In addition, this sweet is lighter to eat and is available in different zest including lemon, vanilla, chocolate, and orange.

Despite its delectable flavor, Madeleines are relatively easy put together, all you need are basic baking ingredients such as flour, eggs, vanilla extract, and sugar. Then just place them in shell-shaped molded pan that are normally found in kitchen stores.

The Famed Dalmau Brothers: Fashion's Modern Day Spanish Victors

Barcelona is presumably best known to sports fans worldwide as the residence of FC Barcelona and the site of the 1992 Summer Olympic Games. But to American fashionistas, it’s the home of none other than Custo Barcelona, the Spanish trademark, welt that led to the sensational Customania of the mid-1990s that continues to the present.

Custo Barcelona first opened its boutique in the '80s as the product of the combined virtuosity and talent of the Dalmau brothers, David and Custodio in their home city Barcelona. Steadily, the company gained a distinguished name and was soon ready to take over the almost impermeable American market. By 1996, their presentation at the New York Fashion Week was a breath of fresh air with their brightly colored and boldly printed creations, which were in deviation to the minimalist drab trend of the period.

With abundant media attention, Custo Barcelona was pitched to world fame with sales reaching out into Europe, Asia, and the USA. Although the brand was at first noted through T-shirts, it now has a complete line of men's and women's wear and accessories. It is currently sold in multi-brand shops but with 15 flagship stores to its appellation, Custo Barcelona's creators already look forward to conquering the world's major areas like New York.

A Leading Spanish Break in the Historic Seville

If what you desire is a leading holiday where no modern amenities are available but just the basic things that you need to relax and unwind, then you obviously should try to go to Casa No. 7 located in Seville, Spain. The rooms in this small Spanish hotel present no television and Internet access although the ten rooms that make up Casa No. 7 are quite spacey with each one of these having an air-conditioning system and a private bathroom.

Built in the central area of Seville, the hotel was a former private villa originally established sometime in 1847. Built around an inner courtyard, Casa No. 7 is more like a small English country inn, creating an encompassment of serenity that should be commodious for visitors longing for a genuinely relaxing Spanish home.

Restaurants and cafe bars can be found all around the hotel, but if you want something that will start your day right, then you can always settle for a satisfying breakfast served daily in the dining room of Casa No. 7. Afterward, a short nap by the fireplace near the drawing room on the ground floor should be a best follow-up.

Walking is by far the most distinct way to adore the sights of Seville. Stepping right out of Casa No. 7, you can quickly have an instant tour by walking through the cobblestone streets that literally surround the place. From there, different other Spanish vestiges can be accessed on foot, including Museo de Sevilla, Barrio Santa Cruz/Cathedral, and Jardines de Murillo.