Aragon Day

📣 Traveler notes

Spain is known for its relaxed culture, vibrant nightlife, and extensive folklore. It boasts the second-largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites after Italy. The country is generally considered safe and welcoming.

• New Year's Eve (Nochevieja) involves the tradition of eating 12 grapes as the clock chimes twelve times at midnight.
• The main New Year's event takes place at La Puerta del Sol in Madrid, where the twelve chimes (las campanadas) signal the start of the new year.
• Celebrations are typically followed by a large fireworks display.
• Spaniards typically expect arrivals to be no more than ten minutes late, but punctuality is always appreciated.
• When staying at a local's home, bring slippers for indoor use, as walking barefoot is considered unsanitary.
• Expect to interact with locals through physical contact, which are usually gestures of close friendship.
• Show respect for deeply held religious traditions, particularly Holy Week and Christmas, even though modern Spanish society is largely secular. When dining, allow the group to finish eating before departing, and be prepared for shared payment arrangements. Generally, touching and physical contact are common gestures of friendship. Be aware of sensitive political topics, including independence movements and the history of the Civil War era.