Barcelona is great for New Year’s Eve
Last Days in Barcelona? Let’s commence with the classics. The twelve grapes at midnight. An ever-present tradition thru Spain. So ever present in fact that the majority think the popular ritual dates back to pagan times, but its roots are basically quite modern and constitute a promoting marvel.
1909 was a big harvest year for Spanish winemakers, and a grouping of savvy businessmen came up with a creative plan to sell their excess grapes. Listen up, everyone! Grapes are good luck! It succeeded beyond all expectations…and turned out to be such a laugh that people welcomed it as part of their annual New Year’s Eve customs. Today it is impossible to imagine New Year’s Eve in Spain without a smattering ( and mouthful ) of grapes.
1909 was a big harvest year for Spanish winemakers, and a grouping of savvy businessmen came up with a creative plan to sell their excess grapes. Listen up, everyone! Grapes are good luck! It succeeded beyond all expectations…and turned out to be such a laugh that people welcomed it as part of their annual New Year’s Eve customs. Today it is impossible to imagine New Year’s Eve in Spain without a smattering ( and mouthful ) of grapes.
Although folks do gather in town squares, most neighbors like to eat the grapes at home or at a party. For the 4th year in a row, the chimes will be broadcast by TV3 and Catalunya Rdio from the iconic Agbar Tower. The event is a 21st century version of the standard church bells, employing a flashy, decorative light show and electronic music to herald the New Year.
One thing you will not see is an official fireworks display. Unlike any other cities, Barcelona has not got a tradition of New Year’s Eve fireworks ( they give you three night’s worth during La Merc instead ). You might see one or two here and there, as well as plenty of firecrackers, but anyone expecting a grand fireworks spectacular will be disappointed.
Many eateries offer special dinner menus on New Year’s Eve, and most of the upscale parties include dinner and grapes. People choosing dinner at home or location appartement barcelone sometimes leave the house right after midnight. As far as parties go, Barcelona is a place that caters to virtually every preference, from sublime balls to mega-parties at sports arenas to personal affairs.
The classic event is the gala dinner and ball - called a cotilln in Spanish - typically held at swank hostels, a sublime evening of cava ( Catalan bubbly ), exquisite dining, cocktails, dancing and - for the die-hard night owls - churros ( a variety of fried pastry ) and chocolate at dawn. Getting around is no problem : the underground, FGC trains and night buses run all night on New Year’s Eve.
Finally the 5 Jan, the evening before twelfth Night ( Epiphany, six Jan ) the Thee Kings ( or 3 wise Men of the New Testament ) arrive by ship at the waterfront of Barcelona ( Moll de la Fusta ) to be greeted by the Mayor of the city and conducted to the nearby park of Ciutadella. From there the three Kings depart in their carriages, the principal part of a grand parade that proceeds slowly thru the streets and avenues of the centre towards the Olympic Stadium. The Kings and other partakers in the parade throw barley sugar sweets and other sweets to the kids lining the route.
If you’re looking for quality, location Barcelone at competitive price, then look no further than appartement barcelone
Related posts:
- Learn Spanish Like Crazy - Things Everyone Should Know Learning a whole new language can be very difficult. This...
- Great Gay Holidays To Chile The unique geography of Chile allows visitors to explore volcanoes,...
- 6 Places for a Great Holiday in Turkey Turkey is a great place to go in the summer....
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
