Posts written by Louise Brace
Costa Brava amongst the ‘Best of the World Destinations 2012’
November 28th, 2011 by Louise Brace
The stunning region of the Costa Brava in Catalonia has been voted as one of the world’s Best Travel Destinations 2012. The awards which were presented in the National Geographic Traveler Magazine, chose 20 destinations, which they claim all hold promise for improving mind, body and spirit.
Read the entire post » Costa Brava amongst the ‘Best of the World Destinations 2012’
Read the entire post » Costa Brava amongst the ‘Best of the World Destinations 2012’
Ski Spain
November 23rd, 2011 by Louise Brace
As Spain is Europe’s second most mountainous country it is not surprising that it is the ideal destination for your next ski holiday. There are 33 ski resorts situated across the country; offering quality snow and plenty of winter sun, plus there are heaps more reasons to choose Spain for your next skiing holiday.
Read the entire post » Ski Spain
Read the entire post » Ski Spain
Madrid Gastrofestival 2012 – Spanish cuisine in the spotlight
November 21st, 2011 by Louise Brace
The Gastrofestival Madrid is a mouth-watering initiative set up by the Madrid City Government and Madrid Fusion, which presents to the four corners of the globe, the truly wonderful world of Spanish cuisine. Next year celebrates the third edition of this culinary festival, taking place from January 23rd to February 5th 2012. It promises to reach beyond the borders of traditional restaurant cuisine.
Read the entire post » Madrid Gastrofestival 2012 – Spanish cuisine in the spotlight
Read the entire post » Madrid Gastrofestival 2012 – Spanish cuisine in the spotlight
RENFE Wins Prestigious Global World Travel Award
November 16th, 2011 by Louise Brace
Spain’s national public rail service RENFE, has won a prestigious World Travel Market Global Award in recognition of its contribution to the tourism industry and the creation of a rail network which serves all regions throughout the Iberian Peninsula. The fast AVE service received a special mention for reducing train journey times between Spanish cities.
Read the entire post » RENFE Wins Prestigious Global World Travel Award
Read the entire post » RENFE Wins Prestigious Global World Travel Award
Barcelona building wins World’s top architecture prize
November 11th, 2011 by Louise Brace
An innovative Spanish building located in @22Barcelona creative district, in Barcelona, has seen off fierce competition to win the accolade of World Building of the Year 2011.
Read the entire post » Barcelona building wins World’s top architecture prize
Read the entire post » Barcelona building wins World’s top architecture prize
Cabopino Port – Understated but definitely not overrated!
November 9th, 2011 by Louise Brace
The port of Cabopino, to the east of Marbella, in Andalusia, is rather inconspicuous compared to the other nearby heavyweights of Puerto Banus and Benalmadena. Indeed it’s hard to imagine Sean Connery mooring his 12 million dollar baby or spotting King Fahd’s monster yacht sailing in. But the fact that Cabopino is still somewhat of a secret along the Costa del Sol is makes it so appealing…
Read the entire post » Cabopino Port – Understated but definitely not overrated!
Read the entire post » Cabopino Port – Understated but definitely not overrated!
Migas Festival, Torrox, Andalusia – December 2011
November 8th, 2011 by Louise Brace
Every year thousands of visitors descend on the charming, whitewashed town of Torrox in Andalusia, to eat fried breadcrumbs. “Fried Breadcrumbs”, you say, scrunching your nose up. Well if you haven’t ever tried Migas (fried breadcrumbs with a twist), don’t knock it, they’re good and a visit to the Migas Festival in December is a great way to get to know this typical Andalusian ‘peasant’ dish.
Read the entire post » Migas Festival, Torrox, Andalusia – December 2011
Read the entire post » Migas Festival, Torrox, Andalusia – December 2011
El Prado Museum in Madrid hosts a very special art exhibition
November 7th, 2011 by Louise Brace
The El Prado museum in Madrid, Spain, is hosting a very special exhibition of European art, which has been given on loan by the State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Russia. The Hermitage collection is regarded as one of the finest collections of Western European art in the world and this is an absolutely rare opportunity to see the work outside of Russia. The exhibition opens tomorrow and runs through to March 2012.
Read the entire post » El Prado Museum in Madrid hosts a very special art exhibition
Read the entire post » El Prado Museum in Madrid hosts a very special art exhibition
Cadiz features in Lonely Planet’s Top Destinations for 2012
October 29th, 2011 by Louise Brace
The travel guidebook publisher Lonely Planet has just released its Top Destinations list for 2012 and included in their list of top cities is the wonderful Andalusian city of Cadiz. The lists includes reasons to visit the destinations in 2012, not to miss sights and attractions, experiences and events in the local area.
Read the entire post » Cadiz features in Lonely Planet’s Top Destinations for 2012
Read the entire post » Cadiz features in Lonely Planet’s Top Destinations for 2012
Why I love Spain!
October 26th, 2011 by Louise Brace
Today I wanted to write down in words (or type them!) some of my favourite things about Spain. I started to think about what attracted me to Spain when I moved here nine years ago and what I have grown to love over the years. The items on my list have changed somewhat, but some ‘magnets’ never change: sun, seafood and Spanish hospitality, to name just three.
Read the entire post » Why I love Spain!
Read the entire post » Why I love Spain!
The Canary Islands: A winter sun destination you can’t beat
October 24th, 2011 by Louise Brace
If you are swatting up on winter sun destinations this year I can highly recommend the Canary Islands. Lying just off the north-west coast of Morocco, the Canary Islands is an archipelago made up of seven islands to choose from. The diversity of each means that there is a destination for everyone. But its guaranteed that each offers winter sun, sea, sand and Spanish culture.
Read the entire post » The Canary Islands: A winter sun destination you can’t beat
Read the entire post » The Canary Islands: A winter sun destination you can’t beat
Jijona: The birthplace of Spanish Turron
October 20th, 2011 by Louise Brace
Jijona (Xixona in Valencian) is a village in the Alicante province buried deep in the mountains (to one side of the Penya Roja), where according to legend the beehives produce honey so pure and sweet you will never taste honey like it anywhere else. It’s also the place where the Moorish (Arabic) inhabitants invented the delicious christmas sweet of Turron over 500 years ago.
Read the entire post » Jijona: The birthplace of Spanish Turron
Read the entire post » Jijona: The birthplace of Spanish Turron
Barrio Poblenou: Where Barcelona meets the sea
October 17th, 2011 by Louise Brace
Poblenou (catalan for New Village) is a popular barrio neighbourhood in the Sant Marti district of Barcelona. Where the city reaches down to the Mediterranean Sea at the Mar Bella Beach; with Sant Adrià del Besòs to the east, Parc de Ciutadella to the west and Horta-Guinardó and Sant Andreu to the north. Poblenou is by far one of the more dynamic neighbourhoods of Barcelona, combining old-style charm, with cutting edge architecture and, of course, the beach…
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Read the entire post » Barrio Poblenou: Where Barcelona meets the sea
It’s official: Spain is top spot for family holidays!
October 5th, 2011 by Louise Brace
There has been a lot of controversy over the last few years about the Spanish property market. Poor old Spain has been on the receiving end of much criticism. But being a ‘happy’ Spanish resident, I was delighted to read in the British press yesterday that Spain, for all its controversy, is back on top as the Number One destination for British holidaymakers.
Read the entire post » It’s official: Spain is top spot for family holidays!
Read the entire post » It’s official: Spain is top spot for family holidays!
El Bullí: The legend that ‘will’ live on
October 3rd, 2011 by Louise Brace
El Bullí in Roses on the Costa Brava, five times winner of the World’s Best Restaurant, and a three Michelin star restaurant, closed its doors at the end of July after 27 glorious years serving up the most avant-garde cuisine on the planet. It was a sad day for many. Yet the reason to close El Bullí wasn’t financial, or for loss of appeal. El Bullí is transforming itself into a centre of culinary excellence, the El Bulli Foundation, and so the legend of Ell Bullí lives on.
Read the entire post » El Bullí: The legend that ‘will’ live on
Read the entire post » El Bullí: The legend that ‘will’ live on
You can’t celebrate Xmas in Spain without a Roscon de Reyes
September 27th, 2011 by Louise Brace
Do you remember the poem, “Twas the Night Before Christmas”? Well in Spain it should be, “Twas the night before King’s Day, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring not even the mouse. However, peek through the window of any bakery (panadería) and you will hear the clatter of baking pans, ovens and probably a few stressed bakers trying to finish the hundreds, even thousands, of Roscón de Reyes they will need to have ready for the queues of clients in the morning. For King’s Day would not be King’s Day without a Roscón de Reyes on the table.
Read the entire post » You can’t celebrate Xmas in Spain without a Roscon de Reyes
Read the entire post » You can’t celebrate Xmas in Spain without a Roscon de Reyes
Spain: The gap year destination for the more mature traveller
September 20th, 2011 by Louise Brace
According to the British Post Office Travel Insurance gap years are no longer just for young students. Statistics released by the Post Office show a quarter (25%) of adults aged 55 plus are thinking about taking an extended trip abroad. Compared to just over 19% of young students. With Spain being one of the most popular destinations.
Read the entire post » Spain: The gap year destination for the more mature traveller
Read the entire post » Spain: The gap year destination for the more mature traveller
A Costa del Sol Christmas: Sun, Sea and Snow!
September 18th, 2011 by Louise Brace
When I first moved to Marbella, on the Costa del Sol in Spain, I was resolutely against spending Christmas here. Christmas should be spent in freezing cold temperatures, with (hopefully) some snow, roast turkey and a Christmas TV sit-in. You can take me out of the UK, but…. So I was very apprehensive about spending my first Christmas here. There was no need. The superb mix of sun, great food and a snowy trip to the Sierra Nevada fulfilled all my Christmas needs and some!
Read the entire post » A Costa del Sol Christmas: Sun, Sea and Snow!
Read the entire post » A Costa del Sol Christmas: Sun, Sea and Snow!
Asia Festival: A slice of Asia in Barcelona
September 9th, 2011 by Louise Brace
The eclectic city of Barcelona displays its diversity in full force with the 10th edition of the Asia Festival. Celebrating both the local and global Asian community, the event is a showcase for the cultural heritage and rich history of the continent. Be prepared to be enchanted and mystified.
Read the entire post » Asia Festival: A slice of Asia in Barcelona
Read the entire post » Asia Festival: A slice of Asia in Barcelona
Formentera: Naturally open-minded
September 7th, 2011 by Louise Brace
The beautiful, laid-back Balearic island of Formentera is a favourite destination for nudists, or naturists, as is apparently the more European term (according to a close friend). Its unique atmosphere, open-minded attitude and stunningly natural beaches makes it a top holiday destination for both naturists and those just looking for a relaxed and natural setting.
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Read the entire post » Formentera: Naturally open-minded
