Scrapped the Venice/Florence Trip and doing Barcelona and Rioja

likely....hard

Sounds like a fun trip! Be sure to seek out an authentic Flamenco show (or two) in Barcelona (not the ones they do for tourists). Good Flamenco is one of the best parts of visiting Spain. So is the inexpensive rosé wine. :^)

Although the rail service is good in Spain, renting a car is an excellent idea. I rented a Diesel Peugeot there a few years ago, and that was a nice car. It was big enough for 4 adults with too much luggage, drove quite nicely and got good fuel mileage. Too bad they don't import them to the States.

Tom S

Since Flamenco is deeply linked to Andalucia in south-west Spain, you won't find any shows "not for tourists" in Catalunya in the nort-eastern corner of the Iberian peninsula.

M.

I'm not so sure about that. I found the "real thing" at a little hole-in-the-wall in Madrid, and that's pretty much dead center in Spain. (Incidentally, as I recall Barcelona is in the _South_ East of Spain.) Anyway, my point is that it might take some looking and asking around, but quality entertainment is worth seeking out.

BTW, I've seen authentic Flamenco here in Los Angeles, too - but of course LA _is_ in the South West. ;^)

Tom S

Dick, Is that Barcelona, SPAIN, or Barcelona, Georgia? :P~

Mark Lipton

Spain. Sorry..forgot to clarify. Georgia is very very nice however.

Yes, I went to a real Almeria flamenco night at a Madrid college, it was an incredible evening, with Tomatito playing guitar with the old guys....

North-East, not far from the French border.

Mike

OK, after looking at a map I realize that we are _both_ right!

My recollection was that since Barcelona is close to the Mediterranean, as well as the French border, it had to be Southeastern Spain. If it were Northeastern Spain it would be closer to San Sebastián, which is near the Bay of Biscay and also the French border.

Looking at the map confirms that Barcelona is almost as far _East_ as Spain gets, but isn't really South at all - except with respect to the North end of the French border - or is it the _West_ end? Very confusing to explain, but easy to see on the map.

Tomas S

Tom,

Not sure of your geography background, but Barcelona is clearly in the Northeast region of Spain. Ask any person from Barcelona what part of Spain they live in, and if they actually admit to living in 'Spain' and not Catalunya, they will tell you the Northeast.

As for flamenco, there is much migration into Barcelona from the south of Spain and the rest of the world for that matter. It's more likely than ever that now, there exists a true, authentic flamenco house. But as others have stated, this is not flamenco country; it's quite the opposite actually. Catalans do not feel a part of Spain and most things related to Spain are not true to Barcelona - just like bullfighting - you'll find it but it's nothing like it is in the rest of the country.

Cheers,

Ryan

True, the location on the Med coast makes people think of Barcelona as South. Most view San Sebastian and Santander as NE.

You're most assuredly correct in the statement that they identify regionally more than nationally. Different language/accent, different food, different architecture, etc.

Bulls are a part of Spain. Even in Barcelona. Might want to take the short drive up to Valencia for the Fallas--usually mid-March. It kicks off the bull-fight season. Then to Sevilla for holy week with the best of the bulls in the heart of Andalusia. Early May to Madrid for Feria de San Isidro--usually about three weeks of daily bull fights (actually the only time of the year to see a good bull-fight in the capital--the rest of the Sundays of the season are filled with hacks.)

A map check might reveal that the drive from Barcelona to the Rioja region is a bit of a haul. Might consider taking the train to Zaragoza and renting a car there. Less frightening than comparing machismo with the Spanish drivers for a couple of hundred miles.

Ed Rasimus Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret) "When Thunder Rolled" Smithsonian Institution Press ISBN #1-58834-103-8