European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 5, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                All eyes on in 92 by Susan Linnee the associated press the last time Spain hosted an International event that attracted thousands of visitors it was an infant democracy mired in a deep economic recession. Soccer fans who flocked to the 1982 world cup remember cheap Little restaurants reasonably priced hotels and a country just Awakening to the wonders of a modern consumer society. A decade later a worldly sophisticated Spain is offering visitors a unique three ring spectacle consisting of Seville s expo 92, the Barcelona summer olympics and Madrid As european cultural capital a but at much higher prices. Spain s image is strongly fixed in the minds of outsiders. On the Bright Side Are Sun cheap wine flamenco and bullfighting. On the dark Side the bloody 1936-39 civil War and the ensuing 36-year Franco dictatorship that Only ended with his death in 1975. Most modern spaniards Hope 1992 will provide visitors with new images. Democracy has put Down firm roots and Spain once seen As a repressive country with women in Black is now a society remarkably tolerant of a wide variety of lifestyles. The annual income of the average spaniard has doubled in the past 10 years to $8,700, thanks to a economic Boom that began in 1987, but he is also paying at least three times More for everything. Here Are some highlights of the 1992 celebrations a summer olympic games july 25-aug. 9 Barcelona is a vibrant Mediterranean City of nearly 4 million inhabitants the majority of whom prefer to speak catalan a Romance language with similarities to Spanish and French. The restaurants and food Are among the Best in the country. The City has undergone major construction both to create olympic Sites and for general Urban renewal. Hotel space quite expensive and hard to come by in Normal times will be at a Premium during the olympics. Those interested in attending olympic events Are advised to Purchase tickets in their own countries before leaving according to Barcelona olympic organizing committee spokesman Adrian Mac Liman. He says a few tickets will be on Sale for lesser known events. The organizing committee has not established a formal program of finding rooms in private Homes for olympic visitors but the Barcelona City tourism office 3-215-4477 May be Able to help with accommodations. When calling numbers from inside Spain use the area codes beginning with 9, As 93 for Barcelona. When calling a number from outside Spain omit the 9. A expo 92 april 20-oct. 12 Seville Spain s third largest City and capital of Southern Andalucia has also undergone major construction to prepare for the Centrepiece event of the 500th anniversary commemoration of Columbus voyage to the new world. The 538-acre expo site on cart Uja Island in the Guadalquivir River will include More than 100 National and thematic pavilions gardens a planetarium and outdoor events and performances. Tickets do not have to be purchased in Advance and will Cost around $40 a Day at each of seven entry Gates a three Day pass will Cost $100. Entry Price for fair goers from 5 to 14, or Over 65, is $15. Passes Are Good from 9 . To 4 . Dinner time in Seville is around 11 . In summer Seville also has a shortage of hotels but the exp tourist service 5-448-1992 should be Able to provide information on accommodations. For information about hotels in the 3 to 5-Star category Call Coral in Seville at 5-446-0092. Rooms in University dorms or private Homes will be made available through exhibit a Seville open City with three numbers 5-4284936, 5-428-2636, and 5-428-4626. A Madrid located on the High arid Central plateau will Host some 5,000 cultural events during 1992, including opera classical music Rock concerts film festivals and dance performances. Among these Are events to showcase Spain s own contributions to music and the arts. The Spanish capital is Home to the Prado one of the world s Premier Art museums As Well As the new Queen Sofia modern Art museum. An 18th-Century building Cater Corner from the Prado is being restored to House the 800-piece Thyssen Bornemisza collection of old master and modern works. A visit to the olympics expo 92 or Madrid offers a Good Opportunity to see some of Spain s other sights. Among them a Figueres 1 i hours North of Barcelona off the freeway going to France is Home to Salvador Dali s unique theater museum where the flamboyant Painter is also buried. Amp Urdan and Duran Are two of the Best restaurants in Catalonia. Both Are also Small hotels. Amp Urdan 972-50-0562, fax 50-93-58, $100 double. Duran 972-50 12 50, fax 50-26-09, $80 double. A Cadiz 1 i hours South of Seville on the freeway that ends in the Atlantic port City perched on a Small Peninsula. Cadiz has a Beautiful Small museum depicting the history of Europe s oldest continuously inhabited City. It also possesses a special Section on 19th-Century marionettes featured in cabarets. The hotel Atlantico part of the excellent National Paradox system offers rooms with sea views 95622-69-05 for $110 double. Al Faro restaurant at no. 15 san Felix is an institution specializing in seafood 956-21 -10-68. The Venturillo Del Chato outside the City on National Highway 4 has been serving oxtail Stew and hosting flamenco dancers for the past two centuries. 95625-00-25. Although Cadiz is Small it is flanked by Miles of Good beaches. A Guadalupe 135 Miles Southwest of Madrid in the heart of Extremadura Home of Many of the 15th-Century Spanish explorers. It nestles in rolling Hills where a 12th-Century monastery was built after a Shepherd found an image of the Virgin of Guadalupe that had been buried during the moorish occupation. The hospice where sick pilgrims were treated is now a Beautiful Paradox with an excellent restaurant Paradox Nacional Zurbaran 927-36-70-75, fax 36-70-76, $95 for double the old Hieron mite monastery with moorish Cloisters and an exquisite museum now also serves As a Hostal Hospe Daria real Monasterio 927-36-7000, fax 36-71-77, $55 double. Much of Madrid has been spruced up As it prepares to be this year s european cultural capital. The downtown Casa de America shown during last year s face lift will serve As Headquarters for the events. 24 stripes Magazine March 5, 1992 a