Trips and excursions from Salamanca

Salamanca is a great "base camp" from which to explore the province and other places in Spain and even Europe. It is well connected to the rest of Spain and Portugal by bus and train, and it is just about two and a half hours from Madrid's airport, from which you can fly to virtually everywhere. Roads are good in the area, too, so you may prefer to rent a car o share one via car-sharing websites like Blablacar or Amovens. Make the most out of your stay at Tía Tula Spanish School by joining the excursions offered every week or by organising your own, and add to an already unforgettable experience.  

These articles round-up may inspire you when choosing your next destinations. Find suggestions and also the experience of our students. 

Province of Salamanca

The city of Salamanca is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. The province of Salamanca won't let you down either: charming villages and breathtaking landscapes await you:

Béjar

La Alberca (1 , 2 y 3)

La Covatilla

 

 

Castilla y León

Cradle of the Spanish language and witness to crucial historical events, Castilla y león offers numerous destinations and interesting activities to visitors. Here are some: 

Zamora

Castles in Castilla y León

Spain

There are so many cities worth visiting that it is hard to choose one. Here is some inspiration:

Sevilla

Bilbao

Madrid

Pamplona 

Time to plan your trip! If you need information, assistance, or advice, please don't hesitate to ask at the front desk, we will gladly help you.

Extracurricular activities 14.09.2015 - 20.09.2015

What a great start of the week with all our activities!

Dramatised tour, conversation workshop, boat trip, film, microtheatre... Let's practice our Spanish with all the activities of this week:

Monday 14, 5:00 pm: Dramatised tour – Today we are going to get to know Salamanca a bit better and in a different way.

Approximate duration: 1h30

Tuesday 15, 4:30 pm: Conversation workshop – Teacher Cristina will suggest some topics and help you get better at speaking Spanish.

Approximate duration: 1h

Wednesday 16, 4:30 pm: Boat trip – Tía Tula will take us to a boat trip along the river Tormes (pedal boats or rowing).

Approximate duration: 1h

Thursday 17, 4:00 pm: Film – Come enjoy a good Spanish film.

Approximate duration: 112 min. 

Friday 18, 7:30 pm: Microtheatre – We are heading to La Malhablada  to enjoy a microtheatre play.

Approximate duration: 30 min.

Saturday 19 and Sunday 20: Excursions – Segovia and Ávila, Aveiro, Lisbon and Fátima, or Sierra de Francia and La Alberca... We have a range of trips for the perfect end to the week! Please ask for further information at the reception desk.

Please don't forget that you need to sign up for each activity at the reception desk (in order to reserve your place). The minimum number of participants required fro each activity is usually three. Also, unless otherwise stated, the meeting point is Tía Tula school. Lastly, if there's no price mentioned in the description, the activity is free of charge. 

Try to participate in as many activities as you can; they are designed not just for you to have fun, but also to improve your knowledge of Salamanca and Spanish culture, and to put into practice the Spanish you have learnt in class.

Casetas and Pinchos de Feria

On september 7th the whole Salamanca celebrated Santa María de la Vega (the Virgen de la Vega, Salamanca's patron as well as San Juan de Sahagún (we talked about in this Spanish post). 

Pinchos de la caseta Café Rúa.

Among all the activities happening during these Salamanca's Ferias y Fiestas, concerts, exhibitions and even more (you can see more in the program, in this pdf or you can get a brochure in the Tourist Office), there is one in particular all of us are waiting for.

One of the activities we love is going for pinchos at the 'casetas'. The whole city smells and offers you a wide variety of tastes. The Feria de Día is one of the greater attraction during Ferias y Fiestas: this year we can taste pinchos de feria and a drink for just 2 euros in the 99 casetas placed in different corners of Salamanca.

Pato en escabeche de naranja y salsa de arándanos,
el pincho de feria del restaurante El Bardo.

If you don't already know where to start your tapas tour, take a look at De Pinchos, a free app for smartphones with maps in which can find the casetas (like the one at the bottom of this post), all the cafés and their pinchos de feria and the rating left by other users. You can download it for free for iOS and Android. All the casetas, with their pinchos and music, will stay open until the 15th of september.

For the first time ever, this year there is a photography contest “Vive la Feria”, held on social media. To participate, you can just add the hashtag #vivelaferia to your pictures in Instagram or Twitter.

Ración de pulpo en la caseta de Galicia
(casetas regionales en el Campo San Francisco).

We also want to recommend you some must-do things: diez cosas que no deberías perderte de las Ferias y Fiestas.

Fajita de codillo confitado con salsa de manzana y miel, el pincho de feria de la caseta The Molly's Cross.

Extracurricular activities 07.09.2015 - 13.09.2015

This week we're going to celebrate the Virgen de la Vega with a lot of activities of Ferias y Fiestas 2015.

Visits, conferences and even more... Take a look on what we've preparad to enjoying these Ferias and continouing practicing Spanish language:

Monday 7 – HOLIDAY – We anticipated the holiday in order to enjoy a longer weekend.

Tuesday 8, 4:30 pm: Visit to the Las Claras' convent – Dicover with us the Las Claras' convent and its painting, colections and architecture.

Approximate duration: 1h30

Wednesday 9, 7:30 pm: Literary conference – Our teacher Nela will take us to a literary conference of Aute, in the Teatro Liceo

Approximate duration: 1h

Thursday 10, 5:00 pm: International Festival of Art in the Street ANIMARTS. "El Principito"

Adaptation of the play with circus, dance, humour and plays.

Approximate duration: 1h

Friday 11, 6:30 pm: Medieval Market – Let's go for a walk in a different age in the Medieval Market.

Approximate duration: 1h

Saturday 12 and Sunday 13: Excursions –  We have a range of trips for the perfect end to the week! Please ask our secretary for more information.

Please don't forget that you need to sign up for each activity at the reception desk (in order to reserve your place). The minimum number of participants required fro each activity is usually three. Also, unless otherwise stated, the meeting point is Tía Tula school. Lastly, if there's no price mentioned in the description, the activity is free of charge. 

Try to participate in as many activities as you can; they are designed not just for you to have fun, but also to improve your knowledge of Salamanca and Spanish culture, and to put into practice the Spanish you have learnt in class.

Salamanca's Ferias y Fiestas 2015

Welcome September! Let's start this month with all the news about the Salamanca's Ferias y Fiestas 2015 in honor of Santa María de la Vega.
From the 7th to the 15th of september, thanks to the Salamanca Ciudad de Cultura y Saberes Foundation, there will be many activities for all.

Almost all for free, the program offers musical, scenic and enterteinment exhibitions. A total of twenty music bands will play during the ten planned concerts, with salmantinos and international artists, of whome you could view more at this link.

The city will be the very stage of the 9th edition of the International Festival of Art in the Street, that will take place from the 10th to the 13th of september, in the Parque de la Alamedilla, Plaza de Anaya and Plaza del Liceo, with a total of 28 passes and 15 different exhibitions, thaks to the Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte and the Concejalía de Juventud. This one partecipates to this Festival with its 8 exhibitions performed by as much Salamanca's companies. There will be 13 companies, of which 7 are from Salamanca while the others are from Brazil, Madrid, Catalonia, Aragon, Castilla and Leon, Andalusia. The 14 exhibitions are going to be about theatre, circus, storytelle and music.

There will be nine activities in the Scenic Arts and Music Centre and also a Medieval Market in the Vaguada de la Palma and the “Salamarket”, a Vintage Market in the Museo de Historia de la Automoción. Furthermore there will be a total of 15 sport activities and fireworks and many other activities.

Let's see what they have planned day by day:

Monday, 7th

12:30 pm. Inauguration of the photography exhibition about Salamanca at the beginning of the 21st Century. Palacio de Garcigrande (Plaza de los Bandos).
6:00 pm. Cabezudos and charangas. From the Parque de La Alamedilla to the parque de los Jesuítas.
7:00 pm. Flower offering to the Virgen de la Vega. From the Iglesia nueva del Arrabal del Puente to the Cathedral. Passing by Puente Romano, Rector Esperabé, Veracruz, Libreros, Compañía, Meléndez, Corrillo, Plaza Mayor, Quintana, Rúa Mayor and Plaza de Anaya.
9:00 pm. Musical The Hole. CAEM. An exhibition for adult audience, “The Hole” mixes on the stage cabaret, teathre, circus, music and humour, in a fun and provocative tone. The exhibition is presented by a Master of Ceremonies, an host, representing a millionaire character.
9:00 pm. Casetas regionales. Campo de San Francisco. Asociación Cultural Tresbolillo.
10:00 pm. Fireworks. Puente Romano.
11:00 pm. Noche Flamenca Concert: India Martínez. Plaza Mayor.
12:00 am. Floral enclosure lighting. La Aldehuela.

Tuesday, 8th

12:00 pm. Mass in honour of Santa María de la Vega. Cathedral.
1:45 pm. Announcement by Esther Vaquero and chupinazo. Plaza Mayor.
2:00 pm. V Custom Bike-Day. Plaza Mayor.
6:00 pm. Cabezudos and charangas. From Parque de La Alamedilla to parque de los Jesuítas.
7:00 pm. Musical The Hole. CAEM.
9:00 pm. Hechizo Andaluz. Campo de San Francisco.
9:30 pm. Noche + Joven Concert: Abraham Mateo. Plaza Mayor.
10:30 pm. Musical The Hole. CAEM.

Wednesday, 9th

10:00 am. Children Activity Grupo Antena 3 Media. Plaza de la Concordia.
1:00 pm. Municipal Band Concert. Plaza Mayor.
6:00 pm. Cabezudos and charangas. From Parque de La Alamedilla to parque de los Jesuítas.
7:30 pm. Gala de los mayores. Multiusos Sánchez Paraíso.
8:00 pm. 2nd  sevillanas. Campo de San Francisco.
9:00 pm. Noche Folk Concert: Raúl Díaz de Dios y Gabriel Calvo y La Fabulosa Retahíla. Plaza Mayor.

Thursday, 10th

10:00 am. Visiting Day: Casa Consistorial, Ieronimus (Torre de la Catedral), Scala Coeli (Towers of the Clerecía), Centro de Interpretación del Patrimonio Urbano Monumental Salmanticae (Iglesia de San Millán), Centro de Arte Contemporáneo (DA2), Museo del Comercio, Museo Taurino, Museo de Historia de la Automoción, Museo de Art Nouveau y Art Decó (Casa Lis), Edificio histórico de la Universidad de Salamanca, Colegio Arzobispo Fonseca, Casa Museo Unamuno, Dependencias de la Policía Local and Parque de Bomberos.
1:00 pm. Municipal Band Concert. Plaza Mayor.
5:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Unpuntocurioso. Parque de La Alamedilla.
5:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Animarts. Plaza de Anaya.
6:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. El niño lápiz. Parque de La Alamedilla.
6:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Compañía Pai. Plaza de Anaya.
6:30 pm - 11:00 pm. Medieval Market. Vaguada de la Palma.
7:15 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Animarts. Plaza de Anaya.
8:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Compañía Pai. Plaza de Anaya.
9:00 pm. Gaitas de Galicia Band. Campo de San Francisco.
9:00 pm. Musical The Hole. CAEM.
9:00 pm. Noche Indie Concert: Sidonie y Hugo Mati’s Band.

Friday, 11th

12:00 pm - 11:00 pm. Medieval Market. Vaguada de la Palma.
1:00 pm. Municipal Band Concert. Plaza Mayor.
5:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Unpuntocurioso. Parque de La Alamedilla.
5:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Sin Fin. Plaza de Anaya.
5:30 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Compañía Pai. Plaza de Anaya.
6:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. El niño lápiz. Parque de La Alamedilla.
7:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Sin Fin. Plaza de Anaya.
7:00 pm. Musical The Hole. CAEM.
8:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Compañía Pai. Plaza de Anaya.
9:00 pm. Sones Trianeros. Campo de San Francisco.
9:30 pm. Noche Rock Concert: Rosendo + La Banda.
10:30 pm. Musical The Hole. CAEM.

Saturday, 12th

12:00 pm. Acordeonistas. Plaza de Carmelitas.
12:00 pm - 9:30 pm. Salamarket. Museo de Historia de la Automoción.
12:00 pm - 11:00 pm. Medieval Market. Vaguada de la Palma.
1:00 pm. Circo Holiday Parade. Plaza de la Concordia.
1:00 pm. Municipal Band Concert. Plaza Mayor.
5:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Elegants. Plaza de Anaya.
5:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Habichuela. Parque de La Alamedilla.
6:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Circopitanga. Plaza de Anaya.
6:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. A tu ritmo. Parque de La Alamedilla.
7:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Elegants. Plaza de Anaya.
7:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Mago Oski. Parque de La Alamedilla.
7:00 pm. Musical The Hole. CAEM.
8:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Circopitanga. Plaza de Anaya.
8:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Jes Martin’s. Plaza de Anaya.
9:00 pm. Company Yllana The Gagfather. Teatro Liceo.
9:00 pm. María del Alba. Casetas regionales. Campo de San Francisco.
10:00 pm. Noche de los 80 Concert: Los Secretos + Ariel Rot. Plaza Mayor.
10:30 pm. Musical The Hole. CAEM.

Sunday, 13th

11:00 am. Photography Rally. Plaza del Hotel Monterrey.
11:00 am - 2:15 pm. 1st Vintage Car Urban Raid. Iglesia nueva del Arrabal.
11:00 am. Drummer Day. From Puerta Zamora to Plaza Mayor.
12:00 pm - 9:30 pm. Salamarket. Museo de Historia de la Automoción.
12:00 pm - 11:00 pm. Medieval Market. Vaguada de la Palma.
5:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Tiritirantes. Plaza de Anaya.
5:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Habichuela. Parque de La Alamedilla.
6:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Tresperté. Plaza de Anaya.
6:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. A tu ritmo. Parque de La Alamedilla.
7:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Tiritirantes. Plaza de Anaya.
7:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Mago Oski. Parque de La Alamedilla.
7:00 pm. Musical The Hole. CAEM.
7:00 pm. Wild Way Festival Country Charro con Freeborn Brothers (Polonia), Country Hell (Rusia), Jace Everett (Estados Unidos), In Blauk y Carbayo.
8:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Tresperté. Plaza de Anaya.
8:00 pm. International Festival of Art in the Street. Jes Martin’s. Plaza de Anaya.
9:00 pm. Casetas regionales. Campo de San Francisco.
10:00 pm. Pablo Alborán Concert. Multiusos Sánchez Paraíso.

Monday, 14th

1:00 pm. Municipal Band Concert. Plaza Mayor.
9:00 pm. Noche de los cantautores Concert: Ángel Stanich and Fernando Maés. Plaza Mayor.

Tuesday, 15th

1:00 pm. Municipal Band Concert. Plaza Mayor.
9:00 pm. Noche Soul Concert: Freedonia and Sfunk. Plaza Mayor.


Tía Tula, Colegio de Español is going to include some of these events in our extracurricular activities; you can go by yourself at the other.

Take a look to 10 cosas que no te puedes perder de las Ferias y Fiestas de Salamanca to enjoy all the activities and see where are going to be all the casetas.

Tou could read this post about ferias written byJoe, a traineer in our school.

We hope you'll enjoy a lot these Salamanca's Ferias y Fiestas 2015!

Extracurricular activities 31.08.2015 - 06.09.2015

August is already ending, but we are ready to welcome September with a lot of fun activities!

Monday 31, 5:30 pm: Guided tour – Accompanied by teacher Lorena, we will go to visit the principal monuments of Salamanca.

Approximate duration: 1h

Tuesday 1, 5:00 pm: Scavenger hunt – Cultural and photographic gymkhana. Come discover really interesting things about Salamanca.

Approximate duration: 1h30

Wednesday 2, 6:00 pm: Merienda – Let's go have an afternoon snack (merienda) at Café Bar Mandala. They offer a wide range of juices, coffees, cakes, tapas, ice-creams... 

Approximate duration: 1h

Thursday 3, 6:50 pm: Tapas – The casetas are opening, come and taste their pinchos and experience the atmosphere of the Feria. 

Approximate duration: 1h
Take a look at this article to see the concerts scheduled for the Salamanca Ferias y Fiestas 2015.

Friday 4, 6:20 pm: Scala Coeli – We will going up the Clerecía's towers to see the panoramic view.

Approximate duration: 40 min.

Saturday 5 y Sunday 6: Excursions – We have a range of trips for the perfect end to the week! Please ask our secretary for more information.

Please don't forget that you need to sign up for each activity at the reception desk (in order to reserve your place). The minimum number of participants required fro each activity is usually three. Also, unless otherwise stated, the meeting point is Tía Tula school. Lastly, if there's no price mentioned in the description, the activity is free of charge. 

Try to participate in as many activities as you can; they are designed not just for you to have fun, but also to improve your knowledge of Salamanca and Spanish culture, and to put into practice the Spanish you have learnt in class.