NIK-LAS.com | Cadiz

"(Cádiz) ...the most beautiful town I ever beheld... and full of the finest women in Spain," gushed Lord Byron in 1809.

Cádiz is 2,851 square miles in area and has slightly over 1,000,000 people. Located on a peninsula that juts sharply into the sea, and consists of haphazardly heaped, Moorish-style houses, in the Southeastern tip of Spain, it serves as a bridge between Spain and Africa. To its north, there is the Bay of Cádiz, where its famous wines of El Puerto de Santa Maria, Sanlucar de Barrameda and Jerez de la Frontera (also home to the maginificent Carthusian horses) is produce; to the south, there are the Straits of Gibraltar and Morocco, to cities such as Tangiers, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakech; while the rest of Andalusia and the picturesque White Villages in the mountains, such as Arcos de la Frontera, Vejer, Ronda, stands to its east. This province also hosts nature reserves in a class of their own such as the Sierra de Grazalema or the Parque Natural de los Alcornocales. The province of Cádiz displays authentic Andalusian folklore, flamenco dancing and singing, and many ferias.

	Cadiz was first named GADIR, by the Phoenicians who established it in 1100 B.C. It was home to the Carthaginians, Romans and Moors until the Christians finally conquered it in the thirteenth century. Present-day Cadiz boasts the most well preserved city center in the whole of Spain, with its beautiful squares, narrow streets, small palaces, and stately buildings. Traces of its historical past can be found in the Roman amphitheatre, the remains of the medieval city walls, the many stone towers of the city and the Oratory of San Felipe Neri (where the first Spanish constitution was drawn up in 1812).

	The old town is full of narrow, dilapidated alleys where flowers sprout from rusting cans mounted on walls beside religious tile paintings. Markets pack into tiny squares, alive with the battering of fish and vegetables, and street vendors selling pink boiled shrimps in newspaper. Cádiz enjoys pleasant temperatures all-year round, with clear blue skies and an annual average of 300 days of sun, which is perfect for beachgoers. Its landscape features 10 kms of attractive beaches in La Caleta, Playa de Santa María, Playa Victoria, and Playa Cortadura. Playa Victoria is one of the best urban beaches in Europe. Yet, Cadiz features some of Southern Spain's most beautiful undiscovered beaches.

	Besides sunbathing, one can enjoy a variety of water activities, such as, scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing, plus, whales watching in the Atlantic or even boat riding to the Straights of Gibraltar to watch migrating killer whales and dolphins. Cádiz is fast becoming a sailing capital, hosting the 2003 Olympic-Class World championship Sailing Competition in addition to two past Great Regattas. Still looking for more? There is horseback Riding on the cliffs and sandy beaches of Conil de la Frontera, golfing at El Club de Golf Valderrama or El Club de Golf Montecastillo, Football games at the Stadium; rock climbing, Sky riding along the Costa de Luz and around the mountain's of Andalusia.

	Cádiz showcases a festival almost every month of the year. It may be religious, cultural or an artistic exposition, there is always something to celebrate. The major ones are, the Carnaval, Holy Week in April and the Latin American Theatre Festival in October. The pride of Cadiz is Los Carnavales in February, an explosion of festivities. Under the dictator Franco, Cádiz was the only city where the authorities failed to suppress the anarchy of carnival. It is the largest and most famous, combined with Semana Santa. During this time, thousands of visitors flock from all parts of Spain and the world to experience this street celebration filled with numerous parades and street fairs. People roam the streets all night in costumes singing and dancing till sunrise. The people of Cadiz, "gaditanos", are known throughout Spain for their friendliness and sense of humor. You can definitely enjoy their many festivals as one of them.

	Cádiz offers a non-stop nightlife, which ignites the streets and beach spots with dance and music, attracts clubbers, dancers, and other fun-seekers. On the beach, in the parks, around plazas and in narrow alleys - there are many choices for bars, pubs, cafés and clubs at every turn. Numerous restaurants and tapas bars serve the masses some of the most authentic and tasty traditional Spanish dishes.


	School Facilities
	Gadir Centre: is situated in the district of the Bahía Blanca, only a few minutes away from the historic city center, cafés, bars and the beach. It has seven teaching rooms, a lounge, a library, a video library, a garden and a patio, all for the use of our students. K2 Int'l Centre: is situated in the historic center in a beautifully renovated historic 3- story on the charming Plaza Mentidero just a few minutes from the beach and park. The centre has seven fully equipped and luminous classrooms. There is a computer room with wi-fi access and a roof level courtyard for lounging with a beautiful view of the city. Plus, there is a meeting room with a library of books, music and videos to help your studies.


	American College Credits - Bildungsurlaub - CSN - FEDELE - CEELE - Camara - ELITE