Tag: Christmas

Things to do in Barcelona during Christmas

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Best things to do in Barcelona during Christmas | Christmas in Barcelona | The Solivagant Soul

Christmas in Barcelona? My home town is one of the most popular destinations in Europe for both Europeans and for the rest of the world. Even though this capital is well-known for its beaches, paellas (although this is a mistake you should avoid) and general vibe, some people do visit Barcelona during the holiday season. It is a completely different experience to what you may have during the summer but worth it all the way. Here, I have compiled for you a nice list of things to do in Barcelona during Christmas. Many of them for free! Christmas in Barcelona…

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New Year’s Eve in Spain : Grapes and Champagne

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New Year's Eve in Spain : Grapes and Champagne - The Solivagant Soul

We Spaniards and Catalans have our own set of special and funny traditions. And of course, a New Year’s Eve in Spain could not be any different! How things often roll in New Year’s eve in Spain Although maybe not as much as in Italy, we are often very familiar. It doesn’t matter if you have a big or a small family. In a New Year’s Eve in Spain you all get together. You will eat like there’s no tomorrow. Then, you will pass through the grapes tradition and maybe afterwards you will leave with your friends. Classy and elegant,…

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The Three Magic Kings, or why Spaniards get their presents so late

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The three magic kings | Los Reyes Magos | The Solivagant Soul

So here’s the thing, while most of the Western World is getting their presents for Christmas, Spaniards are not. We are different, yep. We recieve our presents from three very nice guys in January: The Three Magic Kings (or Wise Men)! Where does the tradition come from Even though we are not Christian per se, Christmas are and so are the Three Magic Kings. The story says that Three Magic Kings from the East were on a camel following a star that brought them to Bethlehem. Before entering the city they found Herod, who welcomed them into the city and…

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Catalan Christmas, a different holiday season

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Catalan Christmas, a different holiday season - The Solivagant Soul

If there’s something we Catalans are specially good at is at being different. We are too cool to celebrate Valentine’s Day, so we have our own and celebrate St Jordi (much better if you ask me). In our holidays, we gather and dance in circles, or we dress up as demons and run the streets throwing sparks to the people. But it that were not enough, we love human castles and eat (kinda) burned onions while wearing a bib. We are a fantastic country, with very special and original traditions. And, is there something more original than our Catalan Christmas?…

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German winter: Christmas Market in Cologne

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Cologne Christmas Markets - The Solivagant Soul

After I moved to Belgium a few years back, one of the things I was the happiest about was that I was on a city with a beautiful Christmas market. And not only that, but only a few hours away from many others. In every city, or capital around here, there’s at least one interesting market. You can visit the weirdly lighten one in Brussels. Or the rustic in Liege. Or maybe the lovely one in Brugge. Each one of them has something special, but none compares to the Christmas market of Cologne. Because is not one or two, they…

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