RUTA DE TAPAS

What is a glass of wine worth? For One Euro and 50 Cents you have the right to use the bar´s toothpicks, paper and serviettes, read the paper, watch the tele, sit down, occupy a table, powder your nose, wash your hands with soap, use the hand-dryer, throw paper on the floor, play dice, cards or dominos, meet people and laugh or complain in a loud voice. And besides, say that the owner makes a lot of money too". Sign in the bar of "Casa Morán", Madrid (Spain).Along with the siesta, the "Tapas" Tour could be described as the most popular Spanish custom. In Spain, things rarely get more Spanish than this. Ask the locals. For them few things so sum up their way of life than this custom- the perfect way to show friendship and companionship. On a "Tapas" Tour you can be yourself, while sharing a good wine, good food, and good manners. Let´s face it, they´re right. What better place is there to be with your friends and classmates than a good bar?<The Tapas tradition itself dates back 700 years, to the reign of Alfonso X, or "The Wise". He ruled that all the taverns in his kingdom couldn´t serve wine unless it was accompanied with food, to stop people getting drunk. The name "tapa" came in as that was the name of the object —a plate for instance— placed on top of the glass to stop flies falling into the drink, where a piece of food would be paced. As time passed people started calling the food a "tapa", as well as the stopper.The tapa has other names, according to its size: a "pincho" is for one person and it´s skewered with a toothpick. A "ración", on the other hand, is served on a plate and is shared with other people.Here are some handy tips before you go:1. It´s better to stand at the bar rather than sit down. That way everyone can join in the conversation and not feel left out.2. We mustn´t eat more than two tapas in the same bar- the idea is to try the dishes on several bars and get to know other people.3. Perhaps it doesn´t need saying but a tapas tour is not the place to argue, try and put the world to rights or conduct business. The whole point of the exercise is to have fun and make friends, not to say something you might regret the next day.On our tour you are taken to four of the best Tapas bars in Salamanca, or at least those which we think that you will like. On the tour you can choose one of five drinks: "una caña" or draught beer —with or without alcohol—, local wines —white, red or rosé—, "el mosto" or grape juice to you —a perfect non-alcoholic thirst quencher—, refreshing water —with or without bubbles— and Salamanca sangria, famous among Mester´s students.