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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

Overlooking the river Duero and sitting pretty within easy reach of Zaragoza or a short hop from busy Bilbao, what will you find if you take a trip to Soria? Riverside activities, an elegant plaza and park, a tree house open to the public, medieval architecture in bucket-loads and lots more….pay a visit to Soria in Old Castile and Leon -  and prepare to be surprised!

Read the entire post » Soria – A special sort of Spanish town!

An odd title? Not really, The Place Near the Wall is the translation for Arevallon, the Celtic name for Arévalo, in the province of Ávila, Castile and León.  It does indeed have walls, and within them once played a young girl.  She was Queen Isabella I of Castile, who spent her childhood here and of course later married Ferdinand.  What about Arévalo?  Well, 6 churches, a castle, those walls of course, that Royal connection and beans?!

Read the entire post » Arévalo – The place near the wall!

Not the usual story! This is a legend set in Salamanca, that beautiful university city in Spain.  Actually a true story too and just right for Christmas.  You´ll find Salamanca north west of the capital, Madrid, and the town centres around the university which was one of the first in Europe founded  by Alfonso IX in 1220.  I expect that there are a lot more stories and legends surrounding somewhere with so much history but this one is particularly festive!

Read the entire post » A story for Christmas!

Often overlooked as a city to visit, but what do you really know about Valladolid? The sights are many, from Celtic origins to Castles, Columbus to Cervantes, and even Cinema to Cheese! What’s coming up? In October – the Semana Internacional de Ciné....the biggest Film Festival after San Sebastian…

 So, pack your popcorn, and let’s explore Valladolid!

Read the entire post » Explorers, writers and Kings? – visit Valladolid!

Spanish food….loved all over the world.  Rich Olive oil harvested from the sun drenched hillsides, plump Tomatoes full of Spanish sun, robust flavours of Garlic, Goats cheese and glorious Seafood from the North…The gastronomy is one of the strong forces that pull tourists to Spain every year, who would blame them?  But what about the Pudding? It seems Oranges are not the only fruit!

Let’s explore the delicious sweet course of Spain!

Read the entire post » Sweet Spain! Your Just Desserts…

Whether it’s for the late Summer music of the Sonarama Festival, which is held every July,  or the September fiesta of wine that the area is most famous for, visit Aranda de Duero in Castile y Leon - a Spanish holiday worth raising your glass to!

As the official website states with confidence – No la Pierdas de Vista -  or in English:  Don’t miss it!

So, miss this lovely place at your peril!…how are your navigation skills by the way?  Fancy discovering some tunnels with a difference?  Walk this way….!

Read the entire post » Aranda de Duero – a holiday labyrinth!

Well placed by name in Castile and Leon, Ávila can be found 115 km North West of Madrid, closer to the more famous Segovia. But don’t make the mistake of missing a chance to see this astounding walled city, walk the famous wall, also a land of Saints and Scholars!

Read the entire post » Ambling around Ávila, atop a castle wall in Castile!

Six Spanish cities, Burgos, Córdoba, Donostia-San Sebastian, Las Palmas, Segovia and Zaragoza, are out to demonstrate why their city should win the title of European Capital of Culture 2016, alongside the Polish City of Wroclaw. The bids were presented over the last couple of days behind closed doors at the Museum of Costume in Madrid and this afternoon the nominations will find out will win the prestigious title for Spain.  The jury consists of seven members from six European institutions and the Spanish Ministry of Culture. Let’s take a look at the shortlisted finalists and see what they each have to offer.

Read the entire post » Who will earn the title of European Capital of Culture 2016?

How about a stunning necklace of Romanesque churches, a splendid turreted and domed Cathedral, and a tale of jailed priests? Come to Zamora, known as the ‘well walled’ , a fine old city and Province of the same name,  in the Southern Castile and León, set on the banks of the River Duero.  Let’s stroll….

Read the entire post » Breaking bread in Zamora, Castile and León.

Not really what you might expect to find inside a Cathedral, but it’s all here for you in Burgos, the cradle of Old Castile.  The boisterous frog filled river Arlanzón and the Kingdom of Castile have a few surprises for you…. Along with a grinning devil, some fool’s gold, a moor named Ximena, a visit to this, one of Spain’s Gothic great cathedrals, and a UNESCO world heritage centre – is totally unmissable.  Want to know a bit more?  Then read on!…..

Read the entire post » Searching for El Cid and Buffalo Jesus in Burgos

…Or at least it was to El Greco, the famous painter.  He came, he saw and he was enchanted by the walled city of Toledo in 1577.  A ‘ jobbing  artist ‘ he was gainfully employed to paint the altarpiece in the convent of Santo Domingo of Antiguo, but decided to make Toledo his home and stayed there until his death in 1614.

Read the entire post » The city of Toledo – it’s all Greek to me…

Spain sure has a wide range of “out of the ordinary” festivals and the annual baby jumping festival El Colacho in the village of Castrillo de Murcia is no exception.