![\"BackRoadGuideToAndalusia\"](\"http:\/\/www.listenandlearn.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/BackRoadGuideToAndalusia1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n\u00a1Bienvenido a Espa\u00f1a! <\/i>That\u2019s what it feels like, anyway, when you first step foot in Spain\u2019s southernmost region: Andalucia<\/i>. The warm air greets you as you wander along crowded Spanish calles <\/i>(streets), men\u2014young and old\u2014yelling, \u2018guapa<\/i>\u2019 (beautiful) at pretty-faced, exceptionally dressed women that speak loudly and emphatically to one another.<\/p>\n
Whitewashed walls cast the streets in cool shade and plazas<\/i> teem with people basking in the sunshine amid friends and family. One of 17 autonomous communities that comprise the peninsular nation, Andalusia embodies el esp\u00edritu espa\u00f1ol <\/i>(the Spanish spirit).<\/p>\nWhat to speak<\/h3>\n
Castellano <\/i>- Castilian<\/h4>\n
Inhabitants of Andalusia, Andaluces<\/i>, speak Castellano<\/i>, or Castilian Spanish, the proclaimed standard dialect of the language. But its geographical proximity to Morocco and its long history of influencia \u00e1rabe <\/i>(arab influence) has had an impact. Arabic words have crept into the everyday speech of Andalusians, which does not reflect the rest of the country\u2019s lexicon.<\/p>\n
Even more noticeable is the peculiar phonology revealed in Andalusian Spanish, asnatives frequently avoid the pronunciation of \u2018s\u2019.<\/p>\n
There are a lot of words in Spanish with \u2018s\u2019 in them.<\/strong><\/p>\n Though frustrating at first, as m\u00e1s o menos <\/i>(more or less) becomes ma o meno<\/i>, you\u2019ll soon fall in love with the seemingly lazy style of speech, and if not, at least you\u2019ll be able to understand any Spaniard anywhere.<\/p>\n Hop on a bus<\/a>, or hire a car from one of Andalusia\u2019s cities, and be sure to witness the spectacle that lies at the tip of the Iberian Peninsula. You\u2019ll cross what appears to be a national border and find yourself staring at a mountain locals call \u201cThe Rock\u201d.<\/p>\n Tour buses line the streets to take you up the steep incline and see wild monos<\/i> (monkeys) lounging against the stone walls of an ancient Moorish castle. And it keeps getting interesting! Because of the British influence, llanitos<\/i> (Gibraltarians) speak flawless English with British accents, occasionally drifting into a Spanglish-like dialect dubbed llanito<\/i>, which involves borrowing terms and phrases from both languages.<\/p>\n Here Pepe Palmero and Lionel Perez show you how it\u2019s done:<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ZMLI2X01jT4<\/p>\n You just can\u2019t beat Spanish food. And fortunately for the budget traveller, Spanish food is low-cost, high return in Andalusia.<\/p>\n Meander the streets of M\u00e1laga \u2013\u00a0voted \u2018best city to live in Spain\u2019<\/a> \u2013 and head to\u00a0El Tapy<\/i><\/a>. Order a pitcher of tinto de verano <\/i>(red wine with lemon soda) and enjoy the generously portioned free tapas<\/i> that come with it.<\/p>\n Or wander along the beach until you spot a line of chiringuitos, <\/i>small restaurants serving freshly caught calamares <\/i>(squid), boquerones<\/i> (anchovies), <\/i>and classic saffron-infused paella. <\/i><\/p>\n Andalusia is a popular destination for turistas<\/i> looking for the embodiment of la cultura espa\u00f1ola<\/i>, and while you can certainly post up at M\u00e1laga\u2019s 5-star\u00a0Vincci Selecci\u00f3n Posada del Patio<\/a>\u00a0for a measly 300 euros per night; the city\u2019s lively streets offer more affordable options as well.<\/p>\n Check out Oasis Backpackers Hostel<\/a> for lodging that won\u2019t break the bank. Located in M\u00e1laga as well as other cities (Granada, Sevilla, Toledo) the \u2018party hostel\u2019 guarantees a great time, and offers guests pub-crawls, walking tours, and a host of other activities.<\/p>\n Quick language tip: do not confuse the Spanish hostal<\/i> (pension) to mean hostel or you\u2019ll have a very difficult time finding your accommodations for the night.<\/p>\n El pa\u00eds vasco <\/i>(the Basque Country) or Euskadi<\/i> as it is called in euskera<\/i> (the local Basque language) is a stunning expanse of land boasting towering mountains, lush valleys, and a stunningly beautiful Atlantic coastline.<\/p>\n An area united by a rich and complex cultural history, Euskadi<\/i> is an emblem of diversity in the widely varying landscapes of Spain.<\/p>\n It is important to note that the term Basque Country refers to two things in Spain:<\/p>\n the autonomous community recognised by the Spanish government and the wider cultural jurisdiction that is home to la gente vasca <\/i>(the Basque people).<\/p>\n Because we aim to enlighten you with cultural information rather than political logistics, we refer to the latter definition.<\/p>\n As aforementioned, Euskadi<\/i> is home to the Basque people, a small population that inhabits northern Spain and part of southern France. Like many areas in Spain, they possess a unique cultural history, but the local language is perhaps the most intriguing quality.<\/p>\n With no conclusively known language relations, euskera <\/i>(Basque language) is the last Pre Indo-European language in Europe, and arguably the world.<\/p>\n Euskadi<\/i> is, in and of itself, a destination that is considerably \u201coff the beaten path\u201d when it comes to tourism in Spain. Compared to the tourist traffic that floods major cities like Barcelona and Madrid, it\u2019s fairly unexplored.<\/p>\n BUT, if what you desire is an authentically nonstandard holiday, a must-see is the town of Zumaia. Make your way to la playa <\/i>(the beach)\u2014either Itzurun or Santiago\u2014and let your eyes feast on the geological phenomenon known as the Flysch. One of the longest continuous rock strata in the world, you can hike along the cliffs, which make up a short piece of the Camino de Santiago <\/i>(Pilgrimage of St. James), a world-famous pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia.<\/p>\n Pintxos, pintxos, pintxos. The Basque Country\u2019s tapas<\/i> are called pintxos or pinchos <\/i>(meaning thorn or spike) and are traditionally shared among friends in a bar setting. Meant to be a small snack, they facilitate an aura of community and encourage loved ones to spend quality time and engage in meaningful conversation with one another.<\/p>\n El vino<\/i> (the wine) in Euskadi<\/i> and the surrounding areas is simply divine, but for something a bit less common, try the Basque sagardoa<\/i> (cider), a local specialty.<\/p>\n If Zumaia is the place for you, rent a place to stay only 3 km away at La Casa Rural Jesuskoa<\/a>. Fairly priced and only 20 minutes from San Sebastian, it\u2019s the perfect place to appreciate the quaintness of this little seaside town.<\/p>\n Major cities like Bilbao and San Sebastian are well worth a visit, but to get the full \u2018off the main road\u2019 experience, alquile un coche <\/i>(rent a car) and wind along the coast, visiting quaint Basque villages and truly enjoying the unrivalled scenery.<\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n When you\u2019re travelling a bit off the beaten path, it\u2019s important to be able to communicate, and despite the varying languages and cultures, it\u2019s safe to assume that any citizen you come across speaks Spanish. Test out your language skills with our Spanish Level Test<\/a>, or brush up on your knowledge and find a Spanish speaking tutor near you<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Spain is a country of contrasts, a brilliant blend of culture and longstanding history that distinguishes it from the rest of Europe. The Atlantic Ocean hugs the northern peninsular coast while towering mountains meet the pristine Mediterranean along the eastern side. And clouds generously shower the northern Basque Country, while southern Andalucia enjoys near constant(\u2026)<\/p>\nWhat to see<\/h3>\n
Enter Gibraltar.<\/h4>\n
Where to eat<\/h3>\n
Where to stay<\/h3>\n
Extra Tip!<\/h3>\n
El pa\u00eds vasco <\/i>- Basque Country<\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nWhat to speak<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nWhat to see<\/h3>\n
What to eat<\/h3>\n
Pintxos.<\/h4>\n
Where to stay<\/h3>\n
Extra Tip!<\/h3>\n