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Fiesta Nacional de España is the official name of the Spanish National Day. It is held annually on 12 October, to commemorate the arrival of the Spanish expedition led by Columbus to the new world.

We continue to celebrate the National Days of our member Nations in 2021 by introducing one of our staff members and unveiling some facts that are usually not found in any travel guides.

Did you know tapas were originally used to avoid flies drowning in the wine?

Tapas are a fun way to get together for a brief drink and a chat with friends. Spaniards often "go for Tapas" (Spanish: Ir de tapas) to bridge the time between finishing work and having dinner.

The literal meaning for the word "tapa" is "cover or "coaster." According to popular stories and old legends, in Castilla, Spain, the land of Don Quixote, men frequented taverns where the most popular drink was red wine. Wine barrels and taverns were an attractive place for wine flies and other flying pests. The custom of covering a glass of wine with a Tapa became a necessity to avoid flies drowning in the wine.