So, you´ve selected the area you want to visit for a break over Christmas, or perhaps in the New Year – nothing like escaping the British weather – or Irish, if the Dublin floods this week were anything of a prelude of what to expect 
– and browsed the Spain Holiday site. You´ve chosen a lovely property from the huge selection available, remembering that renting directly from the owners has the advantage of a home-from-home with usually well equipped kitchens and all that´s needed.
Now all you have left to do is to pack and look forward to your winter place in the sun!
What can you expect to buy and cook there? Forget the weekly dash around the supermarket that sells all – you can do that too – but it´s far more fun to explore the art of shopping – Spanish style!
A leisurely activity
Whether you are shopping for gifts to take back with you as souvenirs, Christmas presents, or buying produce for your stay here, Spanish shopping is a totally different experience to the one at home. Even the largest city has those small, family owned and run shops, and individuality is the key. I love it, that personal approach and the expertise of knowing that almost everything is specialist.
If you mention something is a regalo, or gift, it´s wrapped beautifully – free!
The approach is novel too – if they don´t have it, they will get it – usually by the next day – and of course as Louise pointed out in her great post on the things she loves about Spain -it´s always service with a smile!
A souvenir - wrapped beautifully!
Open all hours
The usual hours for shopping in Spain are reliant on the famous siesta – so arrive at 2pm and you´ll have to sit in a bar until around 5pm – not a great hardship! Morning don´t really start until 10am – unless it´s the bakery – closing at 2pm. Then evenings are from 5pm until 8 or 9 pm. Hypermarkets, supermarkets, bars and restaurants all ignore the siesta – * but most supermarkets and all small shops close on Sundays.
You may of course pay with cash, if you wish to use a credit card for larger purchases then most shops will also want to see your passport, so remember to carry it with you.
An unusual bakery in Mallorca!
A loaf or two…
Your first morning will start with buying a loaf of bread, the place to go is the Panadería – and there will be one everywhere, in the smallest village or the biggest city. One horse – or mule! – towns will have a van delivering daily…the Spanish eat bread with everything. Don´t expect to find much more on sale than bread, but if you ask they will usually bake to order. Our local Panadería is a wood fired one, and our friendly baker will rustle up pizza, croissants, or baked spuds to order…even let you help with baking the bread if you want!
For a sweeter tooth, you´ll find cakes of every description at the Pastelería – usually heaped with artificial cream and jellied fruits.
The Alpujarra region is famous for making meringues – and you´ll find produce from La Murteña at every Spanish airport as well as in the shops.
A typical Spanish local shop
And how many fish(es)…?!
Fish. The staple diet of Spain. Meat just comes second place in every region, and if you´re a vegetarian or vegan it´s a bit of a struggle – at least away from the larger Spanish towns.
Shellfish, flatfish, tiny little fried fish…fish soup and stew, dried fish and sometimes downright ugly fish – expect to try ´em all!
If you´re staying in Asturias or Galicia – then you´re in fish heaven.
But really, anywhere in Spain the fish is good- to- excellent… without fail. The miles of coastline ensure it´s on every menu, and if you choose to cook in your rental apartment or villa then head down to the Pescadería and choose from the biggest collection of sea creatures you will find anywhere. Even the little out of the way places like my village in La Alpujarra has a van that travels every single morning from the Costa Tropical with the catch of the day. He always throws in some herbs and maybe a lemon – what more do you require for a tasty lunch?
A carnivores delight!
Meaty stuff
If it´s meat you´re after, take a trip to the Carnicería, or butcher shop. That´s the place for a joint of the best fresh meat, but if you want to serve some tapas then you´ll want a selection of cold meats and sausage such as Chorizo – instead head to the Charcutería, where an unbelievable range of stringed sausage will be hanging from the rafters – smoked, dried, herbed, peppered, you name it…try the Morcilla, a type of black pudding flavoured with anis and delicious…mmm.
Spanish wine - take some home!
And to drink?
Of course, you´ll need to stock up on the old vino whilst enjoying your holiday rental. Perhaps you have chosen to rent some holiday accommodation in Tarragona or the Ebro Valley? Priorat is the label you will enjoy, or the famous Rioja wine region may be your glass of choice…
The Contraviesa has it´s own winning wines – the grapes are so sweet no sugar is added during fermentation – and the rolling hills that back onto the Sierra Nevada make for a wonderful winter break. So stagger along to the local Bodega, where you can buy the wine of the region by the litre – for a lot less than you would expect! – or visit the wineries, also called Bodegas, and see the wine making process in action. For the latter you might need to make an appointment, the former will be open during the normal shop hours.
Fruit ´n´veg
You can visit the Fruitería or the Verdulería – or the best way to buy your 5 a day is to ask when the local markets are on. Every town and village has a travelling or static market – and the produce will be local, in season, fresh and HUGE! Not to mention value for money – it´s possible to walk away with a carrier bag of tomatoes or a crate of strawberries for a couple of Euro…coming up to Christmas and the citrus fruits are ready, buy oranges for a few cents, ask if they are for eating or juicing, and create your own fresh healthy breakfast!
A little light reading
Something to read?
That breakfast tray will need a newspaper…your local Librería will have it – along with a selection of books and magazines, postcards and stamps – Sellos. The local Papelería will have a good selection of stationery, more postcards, and drawing equipment such as paints and crayons to keep the kids happy for a quiet day in, relaxing in your chosen accommodation.
Market Day in Durcal, Lecrín Valley
Market day
Back to the market for more than just your food shopping requirements. Clothing, spices, dried snacks, shoes, CD´s, flowers and even pots and pans are on sale. Or seek out the specific Christmas markets, especially if you have booked a seasonal break in the capital, it´s not too late to plan one now, have a browse through these places to stay in Madrid….and enjoy your Christmas somewhere a little different!
Your Festive dinner…
…might look a little different this year! Maybe a traditional Spanish feast instead of those Brussels Sprouts! Replace that same old gravy with a plate of juicy plump prawns, fresh market salad – sip on the local wine after a day ski-ing in the Sierra Nevada or walking on the beach on the Costa del Sol.
Maybe a glass or two of Banana Liquer if you have had a hard morning sunbathing in the Canary Islands? Forget Plum Pudding – munch on Turron - mind the teeth! – and wash it down with a glass of chilled Spanish Fino from Jerez.
Speaking of chilled – spare a thought for those at home – with the rain lashing against the window, and nothing to look forward to except the re-runs on the telly…..won´t you?!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/magic_eye//gonz/scottandrobin/pcesarperez/ Maeflower72
