International Events in Spain

Research mission to the world’s oldest restaurant, and a spot of knight errantry in Alcala De Henares, home of Don Quixote writer Miguel De Cervantes.

Next week I am going to be in Spain, so please don’t be too surprised if I don’t respond instantly in discussions or to e-mails at the start of May. On the plus side, I will be doing plenty of research into events and parties in Madrid, fiestas in Segovia, celebrations in Avila and festivals in Toledo. All in all, I’m very much looking forward to it, as I am every time I go to Spain. There’s something remarkably infectious about the country as a whole, which is probably why it has some of the world’s greatest events – take Las Fallas in Valencia for example.

Aside from researching the events and festivals of Madrid, Castilla Y León and Castilla La Mancha, though, I am looking forward to two things in particular. The first is eating a meal in the world’s oldest restaurant – La Casa Botín in Madrid. Apparently they do a suckling pig to die for, and that has my name all over it.

The second place I’m looking forward to venturing to is Alcala De Henares, the birthplace of Miguel De Cervantes. I’ve been reading his masterpiece Don Quixote recently, and it’s inspired me to get up to a bit of knight errantry. Well, travel writer errantry anyway. I am sure there will be some damsel in distress, or gentleman that has fallen on hard times that will be in dire need of my noble assistance. Or, at least I might think there will be after knocking back a couple of sangrias, anyway.

So, if I don’t get back for a few days, you’ll know why – I’ve found my Sancho Panza, attacked the odd windmill and gorged myself on pork.