There is most certainly a difference between grabbing a bite of something on the run, or sitting down at table to eat a meal the "right" way, and the Spanish are experts on making meals so much more than just sustenance.

Roscos Navideños are an exclusive Andalusian specialty that is relished in homes across southern Spain during the Christmas season. You would be hard pressed to come by a recipe for this genuine delicacy. But never fear, our secret agents have convinced an Andalucia.com relative to smuggle this authentic, generations-old document out of the family kitchen and into our studios.

Traditional Spanish Christmas pastries (of the non-"turrón" type) add a special touch to the holidays with their own distinct flavours - and textures! Here is a look at some of the most popular specialities. Once upon a time they were only available in December and January, but that is changing. Nevertheless, it's only during the holiday season that you'll see them in such large amounts. In fact, in most supermarkets you can even buy them in bulk.

Andalucia has a long history of winemaking and produces several interesting and taste-worthy products you’re sure to enjoy.

In Andalusia, as in the rest of Spain, the feast of Christmas dinner takes place late on the night of Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) and normally goes on into the small hours of Christmas Day. Traditionally, the exchanging of presents is not until the 6th of January, on King's Day (Reyes) and so full attention is given to the cooking of an extravagant meal on the night of the 24th.

This traditional Christmas candy is becoming more common throughout the year as supermarkets offer it as a standard product. However, it is still associated with the Christmas season where it is served after meals on a platter full of all kinds of Christmas sweets, nuts and dried fruits.

Tapas are more than just snacks in Andalucia. The word means, literally a lid and the term was thought to have come from the habit of having a few nibbles with a drink and the necessity of placing a saucer or tapas on top of a glass to keep the flies out.

There are plenty of places around Andalucia where you can enjoy a traditional Sunday lunch or fish and chipps or a full english breakfast.

Spanish cities are known for their noise levels. In fact, Spain is recognised as one of the “noisiest countries in Europe”. This, however, is set to change as concepts such as noise pollution (“contaminación acústica”) are making their way into society.

Seeking employment in Spain is not easy, particularly outside the major cities where unemployment is high, Also, if you don't qualify to live and work in Spain as a member of an EC country, then obtaining a residence card can be time-consuming and frustrating. Americans and other foreigners without the automatic right to work in Spain must have their employment approved by the Spanish Ministry of Labour (Ministerio de Trabajo) and obtain a visa before entering the country.

Many people choose to follow in the footsteps of Sir Sean Connery and John Lennon and Yoko Ono and get married on the Rock.

With the increasing trend of people moving more frequently between countries, either to find their place in the sun in Andalucía, for work purposes, or to return to their native lands, the thought of moving all their belongings can sometimes pose a problem.

Because commercially raised animals form such an important part of the Andalusian economy, veterinarian services are an integral part of life in this area. You see pigs, cattle, oxen, sheep and goats in fields all over the region, as well as horses used in the countlesss ferias and romerias.

Looking for financial information dealing with Andalucia? Doing business in Andalucia can be a little intimidating, especially if you are new to the region or even new to Spain. Many of the laws are as different as the culture so it is always refreshing to know that you can find trusted information all in one place.

Many people come to Andalucia, especially to the Costa del Sol, to make it their home. If you're thinking of moving to this part of Spain, you will need somewhere to stay while you look for your new apartment or house. In this situation, you'll be looking for a long-term rental.

When a consumer, whether resident or tourist has an incident or problem or complaint with any company or comercial entity, hotel, shop or service provider in Andalucia they can register a complaint with the regional government the Junta de Andalucía. This is carried out by completing a sheet from the 'complaints book'.

We all know that our pets are as much a part of our family as our parents, our spouses, and our children and frequently, they are the less of a cause for aggravation or concern. However, when they are sick or involved in an accident, pets can become a great preoccupation. Veterinary bills can be an unwanted surprise that can cause a great deal of stress within the family. That is why the concept of Pet Insurance has become a popular way to hedge against emergency veterinary costs.

Spain is well known for its bullfights, which inspire both admiration and disgust from visitors. Less well-publicised abroad are the general conditions in which pets and domesticated animals are kept in this country.

Some standard pet supplies are available at all major commercial centres, such as Carrefour and Al Campo, in Andalucia, as well as at many supermarkets. Here you will find both dry and canned foods for cats and dogs as well as bird and fish food as well as a variety of accessories for all pets in these categories. However, to find high quality and/or specialised items, you will need to find a pet store or veterinary clinic. Only in these establishments will you find medication for worming your pet, for example.