Activities 09.09.14-13.09.14

With the 'feria' on in Salamanca there is loads of people and a great atmosphere around the entire city, why not come along to some of our activities this week to join in with the spirit of the party? On Tuesday you can come with us to some of the 'casetas' around the city, or come and learn to make some typical Salamancan tapas in our cooking class on Wednesday. On Thursday we are going to see a street theatre performance, then on Friday come with us to the medieval market to sample some traditional Spanish dishes. Then if you're looking for a change of scenery this weekend, we have a trip to Madrid planned for you!

Monday 8th: Holiday. Salamanca public holiday for their patron saint, 'the Virgin of the Lake'. Start of the 'ferias' de Salamanca.

Tuesday 9th: Tapas. We are going to explore some of the 'casetas' (the small bars set up all over the city as part of the festivities) and enjoy the festival atmosphere. Meeting Place: Tía Tula, 19:30. Approximate duration 1h.

Wednesday 10th: Cooking Class. We are going to learn how to make some typical 'Salamancan' tapas in spirit of the fair, then we will eat them afterwards! Meeting place: Tía Tula, 18:45. Approximate duration 1h.

Thursday 11th: Theatre in the street. We are going to see a performance of 'Zapatos en el aire' (shoes in the air) performed by a theatre group in the street. The performance mixes theatre, dance and circus acts together. Meeting place: Tía Tula, 17:45. Approximate duration 1h.

Friday 12th: Medieval market. We will take you to explore a medieval market set up as part of the celebrations this week. Come to enjoy a wide variety of things to eat and drink in a traditional Spanish style.

Saturday 13th: Excursion. We will be going to Madrid for the day to enjoy the sights and culture it has to offer. For more information about prices and timings, please contact reception. If you are interested in the excursion it is important to let the secretary know before Wednesday 10th at 14:00

*Note: Please contact reception for information about prices for any of the activities. If you are interested in any of the activities, it is helpful if you contact the reception to let them know beforehand. Minimum 3 people for each activity unless otherwise stated.

Activities 25/08/14-31/08/14

We have another programme filled with great activities for you to enjoy this week. Come and learn about and enjoy some of the city's history at the beautiful gardens of Calixto and Melibea. Come and watch a Spanish film with us on Tuesday, a great way to practice listening skills outside the classroom. We also have some cultural events, with a 'croquetas' cooking class and a Latin dance class. Come and relax with us in one of the city's parks on Friday afternoon, or come with us to Madrid on Saturday for our excursion.

Monday 25th: Gardens of Calixto and Melibea. We will go to visit the cathedral gardens of Calixto and Melibea to find out about its romantic history and the great views it has to offer. Meeting place: Tía Tula 18:45. Approximate duration 45 mins.

Tuesday 26th: Cinema. 'La Gran Familia Española' (Family United)-Spanish comedy from director Daniel Sánchez Arávalo-2013. During the final of the world cup in South Africa there is a wedding. This same day, while the Spanish team freezes, a family with five children with biblical names (Adán, Benjamín, Caleb, Daniel y Efraín) also face the biggest game of their life. Meeting place: Tía Tula 19:30 (we will take you up the 'Van Dyck Cinema' to watch the film). Approximate film time: 113 min.

Wednesday 27th: Cooking class. We are going to learn how to make the popular tapas dish 'croquetas', and afterwards we will try what we have made! Meeting place: Tía Tula 18:45. Approximate duration 1h.

Thursday 28th: Dance class. We are going to learn the first steps of the Latin dance together. It is important to let the receptionist know before Tuesday at 14:00 if you are interested in this activity. Meeting place: Tía Tula 19:30. Approximate duration 1h.

Friday 29th: Games in the park. We will pass the afternoon in the fresh air in one of the city's best parks playing different games between us with Spanish cards. Meeting place: Tía Tula. Approximate duration 1h30.

Saturday 30th: Excursion. This weekend we will be taking you to Madrid for the day. For more information about price and meeting place please contact reception. It is important to let the receptionist know before Wednesday at 14:00 if you are interested in this activity.

*Note: Please contact reception for information about prices for any of the activities. If you are interested in any of the activities, it is helpful if you contact the reception to let them know beforehand. Minimum 3 people for each activity unless otherwise stated.

Activities 21/07/14-27/07/14

We have another great week filled with fun activities, with the weather getting warmer as summer comes in we've got loads of things to do out in the fresh air! Come and have an ice cream whilst learning about the history of the Plaza Mayor on Monday, or take a horse trek through the beautiful countryside surrounding Salamanca on Wednesday. Take a boat out for a relaxing trip down the river on Thursday, or come and visit Madrid or the beaches of Portugal with either of our two excursions this weekend! With tapas on Tuesday and a visit to the bullring on Friday you are not short of great things to do this week!

Monday 21st: Ice cream and Plaza Mayor.  We will go to the Plaza Mayor to learn about its architectural history while enjoying a delicious ice cream from an iconic café in the Plaza Mayor. Meeting place: Tía Tula 18:50-duration approximately 40 min.

Tuesday 22nd: Tapas Route. We are going to some of the best bars in the centre of the city to try some typical Salamancan tapas. Meeting place: Tía Tula 19:25-duration approximately 1h30.

Wednesday 23rd:  Horse trek.  We will take a ride in the beautiful 'Ribera del Duero' countryside with a local equestrian centre. Meeting point: Tía Tula 16:00-duration approximately 2h. Please ask at reception for more details on prices.

Thursday 24th: River boat trip. We will take a trip in boats on the river Tormes (pedalos or rowing boats) It is important to let the secretary know if you would like to come before Tuesday 22nd at 14:00. Meeting place: Tía Tula 11:30//17:30-duration approximately 1h. Maximum 28 students.

Friday 25th: Trip to the Salamanca bull ring. We are going to learn about the famous bull ring in Salamanca, including information about the nickname 'la glorieta' (the roundabout) as well as the preperation of the bulls, the history behind bullfighting and the rite of the bull. It is important to let the secretary know if you would like to come before Wednesday 23rd at 14:00. Meeting place: Van Dyck cinema 19:10-duration approximately 1h. Minimum 10 people.

Saturday 26th: Excursion to Madrid. This weekend we will be taking you to the capital of Spain to see the famous sights and spend some time in discovering the city. It is important to let the secretary know if you would like to come before Wednesday 23rd.  For more information about prices and pick up points, please contact reception.

Sunday 27th: Excursion. On Sunday we will be going to relax on the beaches of Aveiro in Portugal, a good way to get a break from city life and feel the sea air on your face! Leaving about 8:30 in the morning and returning around 18:30. It is important to let the secretary know if you would like to come before Wednesday 23rd.  For information please contact reception.

*Note: Please contact reception for information about prices for any of the activities. If you are interested in any of the activities, it is helpful if you contact the reception to let them know. Minimum 3 people for each activity unless otherwise stated.

Real Madrid – Real Sociedad: first experience

I spent my first weekend in Madrid instead of Salamanca together with other students of Tia Tula, to watch a game of football: Real Madrid – Real Sociedad. Saturday morning we left Salamanca by bus to the stadium ´Santiago Barnabeu´. (+/- 2,5h)

We went by metro to the centre to visit some of Madrid its attractions: Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol after which we went back to the stadium to watch the game. The atmosphere in the stadium was great, filled with all enthusiastic Real Madrid supporters. The game was perfectly selected and run ends in 5-1 win for Real Madrid.

After the game we ate Tapas in the centre, where after we went to our apartment (booked on www.airbnb.com). The metro network and all public transportation are very easy to use, anyhow we covered a lot of the city by feet. Sunday afternoon we left Madrid and went by train back to Salamanca. (+/- 2,5h)

Because of the great public transportation, it is possible to spend the weekends in different cities and places. This gives you the opportunity to discover more of Spain than only Salamanca. 

Liane - student of Tia Tula