Christmas Spain

Spain is very different than the northern Germanic based Christmas. We were in Seville and Granada the day after Christmas through New Years. No Christmas trees, very catholic oriented, gift exchange is Jan 6, no Santa Clau, emphasis on the three kings, etc. Christmas markets are very different with more emphasis on religious icons. The weather was cool and slightly rainy but much warmer than north Europe at the same time. We had a good time and would recommend it.

I've spent several Christmasses in Spain (in the south) and loved it every time. It's much more laid back than anywhere else I've been. The Parade of the 3 Kings takes place on about the 5th, 6th January and is well worth seeing. We saw it in Granada and another year in Malaga. It can be chilly (especially in Granada or Barcelona) but I agree with Frank, it's great.

We were in Madrid a little earlier - between Thanksgiving and Christmas...all of the streets in the old central part of the city were decorated with hanging lights, many parks/plazas had huge Christmas trees made of lights, Plaza Mayor had a large Christmas market filling the plaza (mostly cheap decorations like you have here), and El Corte Ingles department store had really big snowflake lights timed to Christmas music on one side of their main building and a mechanical kids show on the other...pretty impressive. All in all, I was surprised at how festive it felt. It's a great time to visit - no crowds whatsoever at Prado, El Escorial, Segovia, etc. Weather is low 50s for highs...expect a little sun mixed with clouds, some rain and all clouds, and some possible fog. A dusting of snow was visible on the hilltops as we flew out, but you won't have snow in the city.

Larry we did XMass in Portugal, and loved it. After flying into Germany, we hit up the XMass markets with our friends who live in Germany, then we hopped a cheap Ryan air flight to Farro in South Portugal. So. Portugal was awesome. We were wading in the surf, and enjoying wonderful weather. Everyone was friendly, no traffic. It was fun in the Alagavre and in Lisbon. But as we headed North we got into the rain. We drove to the Porto area and immersed ourselves in day trips and wine tasting in Porto. If you do Spain ,the very southern tip can be wonderful @ XMass. Remember, it is very close to Africa.