Mountains of…Marbella?
February 8th, 2012
Away from the yachts and glitz that encompasses the spirit that is upmarket Marbella, on the Costa del Sol, in the sunny south of Spain, you can do more than celebrity spotting if you venture a little way further north.
In the news this week is the little known mountainous region of Sierra de Las Nieves, not quite as breathtakingly immense as it’s similarly named cousin, the Sierra Nevada, but just as beautiful.
Binoculars, bikini and sturdy boots ready? Let’s go…
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Read the entire post » Mountains of…Marbella?
Butterfly park in Benalmadena
February 6th, 2012
Benalmadena is home to Europe’s largest butterfly park.
Opened last year in conjunction with the local town hall (they provided the land), the park has proved to be a resounding success. Visiting it makes a great day out for all the family.
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Read the entire post » Butterfly park in Benalmadena
Puente Genil- a sweet Spanish place!
January 25th, 2012
The Bridge over the River Genil – or Puente Genil – is actually the name of a town home to over 30,000 residents. Should you find yourself in the cultural city of Cordoba then travel just 45 miles south of the city to discover a town where you can satisfy your sweet tooth enjoying the taste of Membrillo- for this is where it is from.
Membrillo? A delicious jam-like pulp made and set firm with Quince and sugar, sold all over Spain in blocks or little triangles and best served with…Manchego cheese! One to take home and impress at your next dinner party!
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Read the entire post » Puente Genil- a sweet Spanish place!
Mojácar – a magical place in Spain
January 24th, 2012
With over 13kms of glorious beaches and just 90kms from the city of Almería, and enjoying one of warmest climates in Spain, consider a Spring holiday in the pretty white village of Mojácar, nestling on the hill just over 2kms from the glistening blue Mediterranean below. Sounds like a fairytale? Well, kind of…there´s a tale about a certain film-maker….and it´s not a Mickey Mouse story!
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Read the entire post » Mojácar – a magical place in Spain
Setenil de las Bodegas, Cádiz
January 24th, 2012
Andalucia is blessed with some beautiful villages. One of the most striking is Setenil de las Bodegas in the Province of Cadiz. Situated just across the border with Malaga it makes a fantastic day-trip.
This unique village is the only one in this part of Andalucia with troglodyte dwellings built into the rock. Unlike in Guadix, no chimneys are visible here, just rows of houses that seem to support the rock from which they have been dug.
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Read the entire post » Setenil de las Bodegas, Cádiz
Mijas – Village life close to the Costa!
January 23rd, 2012
Want to experience traditional life in an Andalucían village – but without the long drive?
Then just half an hour from your arrival at Malaga airport, a short hop in your hire car – you´ll discover the little gem that is Mijas.
Cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, craft shops, intimate bars and restaurants….A taste of Andalucían life and all within spitting distance of the Mediterranean sea! Let´s explore this lovely Pueblo Blanco…
Read the entire post » Mijas – Village life close to the Costa!
Read the entire post » Mijas – Village life close to the Costa!
A Fine Romance – Valentine’s Day in Spain
January 17th, 2012
Well, will she say yes?
To what? …..Your marriage proposal of course – St. Valentine’s day is just around the corner – next month – so if you’re going to do it – then propose in style in Spain. A weekend away as well as a sparkling diamond? How can she turn you down?!
Plan February 14th with sunshine in mind – take a trip to Romantic Spain and choose a special place to spring your surprise!
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Read the entire post » A Fine Romance – Valentine’s Day in Spain
Parque La Bateria, Torremolinos, Costa del Sol
January 16th, 2012
Parque la Bateria is another one of those parks, that is literally a hidden gem when travelling with children.
Despite being in one of the Costa del Sol’s most popular destinations, Torremolinos, it is still relatively undiscovered by foreign visitors.
As with the neighbouring Parque de la Paloma in Benalmadena, its the kind of place that will keep the whole family entertained for hours and all completely free.
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Read the entire post » Parque La Bateria, Torremolinos, Costa del Sol
From Estartit to Les Medes – Costa Brava
January 13th, 2012
The North coast of Spain – for the traveller used to the arid landscape of Andalucía – is a complete surprise. One small part of this green and varied Costa Brava coastline in Catalunya holds a delightful secret. Take a glass bottomed boat out from the resort of L´Estartit and discover underwater sea life and a little known paradise…the islands known as Les Medes.
Come on…dive in!
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Read the entire post » From Estartit to Les Medes – Costa Brava
Barcelona to build huge indoor ski run by 2015
January 10th, 2012
Recent articles in the Guardian and the French newspaper Le Monde have stated that Barcelona is set to build a huge indoor snow centre. It is due to be completed in 2015. The entire structure is going to be carbon neutral.
Despite being situated under two hours away from ski resorts in the Pyrenees, this new centre promises to be one of kind. People can swim in the Mediterranean and ski, all within the same city.
Read the entire post » Barcelona to build huge indoor ski run by 2015
Read the entire post » Barcelona to build huge indoor ski run by 2015
A new era – the UK’s jet-setting toddlers
January 10th, 2012
A recent survey has clearly demonstrated our changing travelling patterns.
Children of today will have been abroad four times by the time they reach ten.
Thirty years ago, 65% of children had never travelled by the age of ten and if they had, the most probable destination was a local seaside town.
The most visited family holiday destination was Cornwall…..now, its, you guessed it, sunny SPAIN.
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Read the entire post » A new era – the UK’s jet-setting toddlers
Feeling Fit? Head for Jaca in Aragon
January 7th, 2012
New Year – new you? Feel like getting fit and hitting the slopes?
It´s not just about the fantastic runs up on the Sierra Nevada in the south of Spain.
Just 30 kms from France in the shadows of the peaks of the Pyrennees you´ll find the town of Jaca – a base for the ski slopes and the first capital of the Kingdom of Aragon.
Lively, historic – and a great departure point for snowy sports up on the piste – let´s go!
Read the entire post » Feeling Fit? Head for Jaca in Aragon
Read the entire post » Feeling Fit? Head for Jaca in Aragon
Laurie Lee on Spain – Part 1, Almuñécar
January 5th, 2012
Laurie Lee was one of the finest English writers of his age. Spain was a favourite country of his and one he knew well having travelled it at a time when travelling was hard work. And when Spain was a very different country.
In ‘As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning’ he wrote of his time in the country and, in particular, Almuñécar. He arrived there in October 1935. Three decades later the words he wrote about his time in Almuñécar were published. By then the little village he knew had grown up into a thriving town.
What about today? Has much changed in a location that has attracted other artistic types to live there, including classical guitarist Andrés Segovia.
Read the entire post » Laurie Lee on Spain – Part 1, Almuñécar
Read the entire post » Laurie Lee on Spain – Part 1, Almuñécar
Valencia at Fallas time. Pass me those earplugs!
January 4th, 2012
It is common for people to ask about places to stay in Spain that are peaceful and quiet. But what about somewhere for those who like noise?
Well, for them, Spain can be a dream come true. Never more so than for those who go to Valencia to have their eardrums attacked or to smell fuel and listen to loud car engines.
They are spoiled for choice. Formula 1 motor cars race around the city in June. Petrol heads love that one. And soon, in March, all closet pyromaniacs head to Valencia for the annual celebration of fire that is Fallas.
The skies of Valencia light up. The smell of smoke fills the nostrils. And the city, and your body, vibrates to the sound of fireworks.
Read the entire post » Valencia at Fallas time. Pass me those earplugs!
Read the entire post » Valencia at Fallas time. Pass me those earplugs!
Spain´s loudest festival: La Tamborrada
January 4th, 2012
As we all might know by now is that Spain is famous for its many wild, crazy and loud festivals, and the madness of La Tamborrada in San Sebastian is no exception. The tradition of the massive drum festival, La Tamborrada, is without a doubt Spain’s highlight event in January (after the Three Kings that is..) and can even be considered as Spain´s noisiest festival.
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Read the entire post » Spain´s loudest festival: La Tamborrada
Sporty Spain
January 4th, 2012
Spain has become famous for producing some of the most successful sports teams and individual stars of the last few years.
Tennis has Rafael Nadal. Cycling boasts Alberto Contador. Then, of course, there is the Spanish football team, World champions. And FC Barcelona, champions of Europe, and admired the world over for the way they play the beautiful game.
So how come Spain has produced so many winners in recent years?
Read the entire post » Sporty Spain
Read the entire post » Sporty Spain
Going Underground
January 3rd, 2012
For my sins, I have lived in a town in England that showed me first hand what life must have been like when cavemen ruled the planet.
The name of that town will remain a secret, in order to protect the innocent. Suffice to say that I know what it is like to live among trogolodytes. Albeit the modern day version.
And yet, in and around that mystery town, I never saw a cave. I never did find out where such outdated men lived.
In Spain, meanwhile, I have seen many caves – but not a cavemen in sight.
Read the entire post » Going Underground
Read the entire post » Going Underground
A foodie in Spain
January 3rd, 2012
The country of Spain varies so greatly. Not just with the landscape, or via the accent with which people speak. But also when it comes to the food on offer in the country.
If variety is truly the spice of life, then the vast range of food on offer in Spain – including the spices used in cooking – provides anyone touring this great country with a veritable culinary overload. I think touring Spain while tasting the food on offer is a great way of sampling the very best Spain has to offer the holidaymaker.
But it wasn’t always that way.
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Read the entire post » A foodie in Spain
Jimena de la Frontera, Andalucia
January 3rd, 2012
This attractive, yet somewhat, forgotten town stands at the eastern edge of the Parque Natural de los Alcornocales. When driving to Jimena de la Frontera you pass through some of Spain’s most spectacular countryside, passing through forests of cork, holm and gall oak that only starts to change as you approach Jimena, giving way to pasture land set aside for the breeding of fighting bulls.
Situated in the Province of Cadiz and only 35kms inland from the exclusive resort of San Roque, it is an increasingly popular place for foreigners to live.
Indeed the local population censuses (around 10,000 inhabitants, 2007) puts expat numbers at 10% of the local population – many of them British.
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Read the entire post » Jimena de la Frontera, Andalucia
Malaga’s Palmeral de las Sorpresas
January 2nd, 2012
Malaga’s port has been undergoing some massive reforms and expansions.
One of the oldest ports in the World with over three thousand years of antiquity, it is now the second most important cruise terminal in Spain. Bringing thousands of passengers onto Malaga’s sunny shores.
The Port is conveniently located right in the city centre, within easy walking distance to most of Malaga’s cultural and historical highlights.
It is also a great place to stop off for some lunch and a rest when exploring Malaga’s sights.
Read the entire post » Malaga’s Palmeral de las Sorpresas
Read the entire post » Malaga’s Palmeral de las Sorpresas
