Plaza Mayor Christmas Market

This is without doubt the most famous of the christmas markets in Madrid. It’s a market where you can find all sorts of christmasy products, especially decorations. In addition, you can take a ride on the lovely carousel for fun with the little ones of the family, or a romantic moment with your partner. To ensure you stay right amidst the christmas spirit of Madrid, you can even rent a wonderful apartment in Madrid close to Plaza Mayor.

Christmas market on Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain by niall62

Where: Plaza Mayor.
When: 1st – 31st December. Monday to Thursday from 10AM to 10PM, and Friday to Sunday from 10AM to 11PM.
How to get there: Metro Station Puetro del Sol.

Plaza de España Crafts fair

Here you can buy some great holiday gifts at very affordable prices. You will find all kinds of products from all kinds of crafts, like ceramics, pottery, jewelry, leather goods, and much more. The market has about 200 stalls, and this year will last 1 hour more than usual thanks to the huge success of the years before. Don’t hesitate to visit this one.

Where: Plaza España.
When: 17th December 2012 – 5th January 2013 from 11AM to 9:30PM. On the 24th December and 3rd January from 11AM – 3PM. Closed between 25th December – 1st January.
How to get there: Metro Station Plaza de España.

Plaza de Santa Cruz/Plaza de la Provincia Crafts fair

These two squares, which are very close to each other, offer two different festive environments in which to enjoy christmas. In the christmas market of Plaza Santa Cruz you will find all kinds of christmas objects, handmade products, christmas trees, and decorations for nativity scenes, amongst other things. If, on the other hand, you want to have a fun twist to the holiday, you can go to Plaza de la Provincia where you can find spicy candy, wigs, itching powered, and all kinds of fun things.

Where: Plaza Santa Cruz and Provincia.
When: 11st – 31st December. Monday to Thursday from 10AM to 10PM, and Friday to Sunday from 10AM to 11PM.
How to get there: Metro Station Puerta del Sol.

Christmas market on the Plaza de la Luna:

Actually called Plaza Soledad Torres Acosta, the christmas market here incorporates traditional christmas awnings, and activities to get everyone into the holiday spirit, like an ice rink and ice slide. Sounds fun, no? After having fun on the ice, you can eat and stay cosy and warm with some traditional Spanish churros in hot chocolate.

Where: Plaza de la Luna.
When: 26th November 2012 – 9th January 2013 from 10AM to 10PM.
How to get there: Metro Station Santo Domingo or Callao.

With this little guide, you can enjoy Christmas 2012 visiting the legendary plazas of Madrid, adorned in holiday spirit. Happy Holidays!

The post Christmas Markets in Madrid 2012 appeared first on Best of European Union.

Catherine Zeta Jones by David Shankbone

Majorca has long been known as a playground for the rich and famous in Spain.  The secret has gotten out though, and even though it is an incredibly popular holiday destination for the rest of Europe, many celebrities still choose to buy or build homes there.  Here are five of the most affluent celebrities that make Spain their home.

Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas

Welsh beauty Catherine Zeta Jones and her wealthy older husband Michael Douglas own a property on the north end of the island of Majorca.  They have a lovely luxury villa on the island where they spend part of the year.  They have also been spotted holidaying in various other places around the country.

Rafael Nadal

Grand Slam tennis champion Rafael Nadal not only has a home on Majorca, but he is also a native of the island.  He was born in the district of Manacor on Majorca, and he still has a beautiful mansion there.

Zinedine Zidane

Former French footballer and head-butting enthusiast Zinedine Zidane has a home in Madrid, Spain where he settled during his time spent playing for legendary football club Real Madrid.  Many people wonder why he has stayed in Spain, but can you think of a better place for a retired footballer who David Beckham has described as being “the greatest of all time?” He lives there with his wife and their four sons, three of whom are members of the Real Madrid Academy; one as a midfielder, one as a goalkeeper and one as a striker.

Antonio Banderas

Famous actor Antonio Banderas not only has a beautiful beachfront mansion in Andalucía, Spain, but he was also born there in Malaga.  He began acting in Spain at the age of 19, but in 1991 he managed to break through to Hollywood in Madonna’s documentary Truth or Dare.  Even though he spoke minimal English, he was still able to perform in major roles, and his big break came in 1993 when he appeared on screen as the gay lover of an AIDS infected Tom Hanks in Philadelphia.  He retains close ties to Malaga, thanks in part to his home there and despite currently being married to actress Melanie Griffith, an American.  Banderas is a huge supporter of Malaga CF and even owns a vineyard in Andalucía that he spends a lot of time promoting in both America and Spain.

Alan Sugar

Alan Sugar, also known as Baron Sugar or Lord Sugar, former owner of football club Tottenham Hotspur and the UK version of the TV show The Apprentice also has a house in Marbella, Andalucía.  The savvy businessman started from humble beginnings in London’s East End and now is ranked as the 89th richest man in the world.  Alan Sugar also has estates in the USA and his primary estate in Essex, but I am sure he manages to make quite a lot of visits to his relatively modest beachfront home in Spain using his private aircraft, or possibly one of the many classic Rolls Royce or Bentley cars that he is well known for collecting.

If you want to do some celebrity spotting on your next holiday abroad, look into La Manga Club holidays – dozens of celebrities are spotted here year after year and you never know who you may bump into.

The post The Spanish Rich List – Five Well Known Stars Who Live in Spain appeared first on Best of European Union.