Posts written by Carol Byrne
Beach life….lounging around on Mallorca
May 23rd, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Not too far from my last post on Ibiza, and staying with the Balearic Islands – let´s relax for a while on the magnificent Island of Mallorca.
Nothing makes a person yearn for some Spanish sunshine than a glance at a shot of clear warm blue water and soft white sand on a stunning beach…so why not head for the best and spend some time getting to know the playas of Mallorca.
Read the entire post » Beach life….lounging around on Mallorca
Read the entire post » Beach life….lounging around on Mallorca
Ibiza Rocks – come to the opening party
May 22nd, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Or come to several opening parties! The big name clubs on this Balearic Island will all put on opening parties during the month of June – come and join in the fun. Rather relax? Ibiza has that too, with a rustic beauty and sunsets like nowhere else on earth. Family friendly? That too – the Spanish Tourism Office have been working hard to promote family tourism in the last couple of years - with results that have put Ibiza on the map as a top Spanish destination for everyone...so come on….join in the party!
Read the entire post » Ibiza Rocks – come to the opening party
Read the entire post » Ibiza Rocks – come to the opening party
Slimy or delicious – see what´s on the menu in Lleida
May 16th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Nope. Can´t do it. In over 6 years here in Spain, sampling all kinds of Spanish food, I have run the gauntlet of strange and wonderful food served in a variety of surroundings eating anything from Pigs Feet to Pigs …..well…. parts! But caracoles – snails – I cannot bring myself to eat! I like the sauce, I like the garlicky smell, I even like the first taste, but the texture and – eugh -the idea of the little horns mean a mouthful ends up… in the bin. But Spaniards – and many tourists – maybe even you? – think otherwise, and these little creatures are consumed in Spain with - literally – gusto. Even to the point of having their very own Festival!!
Read the entire post » Slimy or delicious – see what´s on the menu in Lleida
Read the entire post » Slimy or delicious – see what´s on the menu in Lleida
Fun with the kids in Antequera – near Málaga
May 14th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Last week my daughter went on a field trip with her school to Antequera. The aim of the day was to explore the Karst or Lime formations of the area known as El Torcal – which used to be under the sea. Listening to her rave about her day and viewing the photos she took – I thought it would be a nice addition to your list of things to do with the kids on your next Spanish holiday.
Read the entire post » Fun with the kids in Antequera – near Málaga
Read the entire post » Fun with the kids in Antequera – near Málaga
An Eastenders Actress, Toledo and the Jewish quarter
May 9th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Watching the actress June Brown from Eastenders on TV on Monday night – not in her usual Dot- Cotton- fag- in -hand pose, but researching her family on the programme `Who Do You Think You Are?´ which traces the genealogy of famous people and their unknown -sometimes better forgotten! – ancestors. Anyway, turns out her family were Spanish Jews, relegated to North Africa during the Spanish Inquisition, later allowed to Italy and then Holland where she was able to pick up the bloodline. What has this got to do with Spain? Well, read on…put the kettle on…!
Read the entire post » An Eastenders Actress, Toledo and the Jewish quarter
Read the entire post » An Eastenders Actress, Toledo and the Jewish quarter
Flaming June in Spain
May 8th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
We always said that years ago – Flaming June…but as I recall there was never anything remotely hot about it! At least not on Northern European shores…this June book a respite from the damp squib of early British `Summer´ weather and come to Spain instead – let´s see what´s on…
Read the entire post » Flaming June in Spain
Read the entire post » Flaming June in Spain
Crossing over to Spain and the Día de las Cruces
April 28th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
The temperature is rising steadily in Southern Spain. The air is getting a little balmier by the day and Spring is well underway. For most that means an early Spanish holiday, a time for relaxing and recharging, a time to start the Summer with a smile and an early suntan. May for most of Spain means the start of the fiesta season, so let´s kick off the party with the floral Festival of the Crosses...
Read the entire post » Crossing over to Spain and the Día de las Cruces
Read the entire post » Crossing over to Spain and the Día de las Cruces
Surf´s up… in San Sebastian
April 24th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
San Sebastian – or Donostia in Basque – can be found in the north of Spain, a friendly, accessible city with the added pleasure of stunning coves, beaches and bays. Art and culture collide with the fun of the surf and the sea to provide an unforgettable holiday with a difference…so come and explore San Sebastian…
Read the entire post » Surf´s up… in San Sebastian
Read the entire post » Surf´s up… in San Sebastian
By George – it must be Catalonia!
April 23rd, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Last month in March, St Patrick was celebrated, nowhere better than my own Emerald Isle, unless you got to take part in one of the huge parades that New York puts on every year…But what about St George, the patron saint of England? Are the best parties UK based? No…..actually, today the 23rd April the dragon slayer himself will be celebrated in style right here in Spain…La Día de Sant Jordi…let´s cut to Catalonia!
Read the entire post » By George – it must be Catalonia!
Read the entire post » By George – it must be Catalonia!
A little sea and a sleeve? It must be Murcia!
April 16th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
The Costa Calida – or the warm coast – is just what you need for a few days away under the rays of the Spanish sunshine – a sheltered coast and warm waters of the blue sea splashing about in the Mar Menor - literally the little sea. Shallow and sheltered means a lagoon always like a warm bath, separated from the cooler Mediterranean by a narrow strip of coastline known as La Manga – the sleeve! Come and discover the many attractions of this part of Murcia…
Read the entire post » A little sea and a sleeve? It must be Murcia!
Read the entire post » A little sea and a sleeve? It must be Murcia!
Guernica – war and peace in Spain
April 12th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
When you hear the name Guernica what do you think of?
Personally, I think of a visit many years ago to the Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid, where my then very young daughter stood in front of one of the most famous paintings in the world and wished aloud that she had brought her crayons to colour it in!
Pablo Picasso paid tribute to that ancient Basque place, destroyed one busy market day in 1937 when he accepted the commission to paint the horrors of war. You too can visit the Reina Sofía and see the painted mural for yourself, or you can visit the town now rebuilt since that day in April ´37 when 1,645 people lost their lives.
Read the entire post » Guernica – war and peace in Spain
Read the entire post » Guernica – war and peace in Spain
Gardening for green fingers in Valencia
April 11th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
You´ll just have to face facts…! Your Summer gardening will consist of either a hosepipe ban, or a wash out, depending on the British and Irish weather – and as for an outdoor party or barbeque – ha! - forget it!
If you are of the common garden variety then come to Spain instead 
… and explore some sumptuous gardens open to the public – let´s try out the beautiful region of Valencia – it´s not all just Orange trees you know…!
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… and explore some sumptuous gardens open to the public – let´s try out the beautiful region of Valencia – it´s not all just Orange trees you know…! Read the entire post » Gardening for green fingers in Valencia
Swallows, Swifts and early Summer in Las Alpujarras
April 10th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Does one Swallow make for a Summer?
Well, if so then great…. it has arrived! While the UK saw a freak few days of sunshine before Easter, we had a mix of Spring temperatures, a little snow and a little rain...but panic not, the weather this week has done what it does every year – like simply throwing a switch, the heat is palpable and the breeze warm…which is why we love it here in Southern Spain!
Read the entire post » Swallows, Swifts and early Summer in Las Alpujarras
Read the entire post » Swallows, Swifts and early Summer in Las Alpujarras
Go take a bath…! Finding Mecca in Córdoba!
April 4th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Aching muscles? Tired limbs? You need a holiday! Soothe away the stresses and strains of life with a long bath…come to Córdoba and experience the secrets of the Hammam – the only way to bathe in Spain!
A weekend away on a city break with a difference – supplement the sightseeing and shopping with a trip to the baths - the Arabic Hamman – and be pummeled and polished with style…a holiday to relax, revive and rejuvenate…
Read the entire post » Go take a bath…! Finding Mecca in Córdoba!
Read the entire post » Go take a bath…! Finding Mecca in Córdoba!
Spring walking – go to El Montgó
March 31st, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Spring has sprung in Spain. The sun is growing stronger each day, and the countryside is erupting and unfurling with riotous colour, and heady scent.
What better start to the season than a walking holiday in clean fresh air, under the Spanish sun? If you happen to choose the towns of Dénia or Javea as a base to hang your boots then you may be tempted by the view of El Montgó from your superb rented holiday home…
Rising loftily to 753ft, what does this climb hold in store for you? Let’s find out…!
Read the entire post » Spring walking – go to El Montgó
Read the entire post » Spring walking – go to El Montgó
Water mill towers? Torremolinos!
March 28th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
The Costa del Sol is synonymous with Sun, Sand, Sea and…..Sangria of course! Marbella with it´s yachts, shops and jet set, Malaga for far more than flying from, Mijas for magical family holidays and then of course there´s Torremolinos. Look beyond the all day full English breakfast boards – there´s far more to discover here, what do you know about Torremolinos?
Read the entire post » Water mill towers? Torremolinos!
Read the entire post » Water mill towers? Torremolinos!
Adra – not just any port in a storm!
March 28th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
In fact, a storm is just about the last thing you might encounter here in the town of Adra – in Almería, the driest and sunniest part of Andalucía. Fly into the airport at Almería, or motor along from Málaga and enjoy the dramatic change in scenery as you move from the Costa Tropical to the Costa Almería and the desert – like setting of the spaghetti western scene of our destination.
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Read the entire post » Adra – not just any port in a storm!
Ugijar – a market town in Las Alpujarras
March 21st, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Exploring the little whitewashed Berber houses and villages in the Alpujarras should of course be on everyone´s list when they visit this lovely part of Andalucia, Spain. But also, do remember not to bypass the larger market towns, they have their own charm as well a little bit more choice on the shopping front.
Also, they sometimes have an interesting history to them, so let´s explore Ugijar in the province of Granada.
Read the entire post » Ugijar – a market town in Las Alpujarras
Read the entire post » Ugijar – a market town in Las Alpujarras
Activities for April – in sunny Spain
March 14th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
April – It´s not all about Easter! Although, if you do happen to spend April in Spain, then Easter -Semana Santa – really is the big parade and one not to be missed. Spanish style is the only style when it comes to the biggest celebration of the year and Seville is one of the best shows to see, but what´s on the rest of the month?
Put the kettle on and have a read – there´s more to the start of a warm Spring in Spain than just the chocolate eggs!
Read the entire post » Activities for April – in sunny Spain
Read the entire post » Activities for April – in sunny Spain
Keep the home fires burning – Las Fallas in Valencia
March 12th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Another starting date – today – sees the beginning of one of the most important fiesta in Valencia, Spain. From today until the 19th March sees the celebration of Las Fallas, the biggest firework display in Spain, probably anywhere…
Read the entire post » Keep the home fires burning – Las Fallas in Valencia
Read the entire post » Keep the home fires burning – Las Fallas in Valencia
