Category ‘Culture’
Event: Come to the Fair in Algeciras
May 13th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
June is full of Fiestas and Fairs in Spain. Well, actually, so is every other month – in fact, you can probably happen on a party anywhere, or at any time in party loving Spain.
Come for your Spanish holiday in June, and you can join in with all the fun of the fair in Algeciras,the Royal Fair in fact, on the sunny South coast.
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Read the entire post » Event: Come to the Fair in Algeciras
5 Historic Sites in Galicia
May 8th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Galicia - the North of Spain, Think of crashing waves, long deserted beaches, bracing cliff walks. Make yours a really historic holiday! See the sights, explore the area, and delve into the history. A healthy sort of holiday, especially when dinner involves a plate of really good fish, freshly caught and landed that morning. Thinking about it is enough to put a bit of colour in your cheeks – so go to Galicia this year and see another part of Spain. Let’s start with 5 of the best historical sites to see.
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Read the entire post » 5 Historic Sites in Galicia
Event: Celebrate San Isidro in Madrid
May 6th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Madrid in Springtime – perfect! The colder Winter nights of this high placed city are over,the intense heat of Summer not quite here, the perfect time to visit and stay in Madrid is now, the capital city of Spain. Any capital city weekend or short break is always full of things to do, but if you choose to visit Madrid next week, you can also take part in one of the biggest festivals on the city’s calender – the Fiesta de San Isidro. Best party foot forward – let’s go to Madrid!
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Read the entire post » Event: Celebrate San Isidro in Madrid
5 Historic Jewish Sites in Spain
April 27th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Do you long for a little more than the norm when you take a Spanish holiday? Perhaps you like to explore the history of your destination, or yearn to dig a little more than skin deep?
Lovers of history, archaeological interest, or just lovers - these destinations make for great romantic breaks – will appreciate a look at some of the Jewish routes in Spain. Let’s see a few of them, 5 historic Jewish sites in Spain.
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Read the entire post » 5 Historic Jewish Sites in Spain
The Crosses of May – Come to Córdoba
April 20th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
In a couple of weeks time there will be a full raging battle on the streets of Córdoba. Not the sort of battle you may imagine. Not guns… but perhaps roses!
The beginning of May sees the most scented and colourful event of the year – and Córdoba does it best. The Crosses of May is the floral occasion, and you must see and of course smell it for yourself. So this Spring, come to Córdoba for the Crosses in May.
Truly a holiday for those of you with green fingers, or ‘budding’ gardeners…
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Read the entire post » The Crosses of May – Come to Córdoba
Cáceres – for food and more!
April 12th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Today sees the start of the Fería de las Tapas of Cáceres. A chance to visit a stunning destination in Spain, and eat all of the food, in bite sized portions. Sounds like a recipe for a holiday to me! Let’s take a look at Cáceres, and explore it via the tapas trail…what a nice way to walk!
Read the entire post » Cáceres – for food and more!
Read the entire post » Cáceres – for food and more!
5 of the Strangest Fiestas – in Spain
April 10th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Spain loves a party – and fiestas are synonymous with Spain. Perhaps you’ve wandered into one by accident, that’s easy to do, there’s one on almost every day, somewhere in Spain! You can book a holiday around a specific one, or just look one up when you get here. One way or another, it’ll be a riot – of music, dancing, local gastronomy and drinking, usually with loud sound provided on cue with fireworks and bangers. Yes, Spain ‘does’ LOUD very well too!
But there are some really odd festivals too, some so strange you’ll think I am making this up – but, I assure you – it’s all true. You might just have to come along and see some of these in order to quite believe them. Here are 5 of the strangest festivals in Spain.
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Read the entire post » 5 of the Strangest Fiestas – in Spain
Using your 5 senses in Spain
April 9th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
A holiday in Spain will leave you with all sorts of lingering, beautiful memories. Uploading your photographs when you get back home is all part of the pleasure, remembering each sun filled day out, that great Paella, the gorgeous beach you chose when you booked that perfect holiday home. Spain will fill all of your senses, and leave you relaxed and rejuvenated. What are your special memories of your best Spanish holiday?
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Wandering in Granada, a fresh look at the Alhambra
April 7th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Sometimes you just want a different perspective on something familiar.
Yesterday, we found ourselves in Granada, and spent a few sun filled hours wandering the narrow streets of Sacromonte and the Albaicin – leading up to the stunning Alhambra. Avoiding the hordes of tourists until the last moment, we dodged the main plazas and souvenir filled streets in favour of the local areas. A little edgy, a graffiti filled world opened up to us, as well as an insight into day to day life in the shadow of the most beautiful palace in Spain. Take a wander around Granada, and take a fresh look at the Alhambra palace and it’s surroundings.
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Read the entire post » Wandering in Granada, a fresh look at the Alhambra
Organic eating in Jaén
April 4th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
With all this possible Horse meat in the food chain, we’re all starting to wonder exactly what it is we eat – and most of us are becoming a little fussier about where it comes from. If you would like to sample some organic food treats on your next Spanish holiday, then come to Jaén. Check out the certificates in the local bars and restaurants – because from the end of this month they’ll be taking part in El Valor de Jaén – otherwise known as the Organic Tapas Route Festival. Fancy biting into some good organic food with a welcome slice of Spanish sunshine on the side?
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Fería time in Seville
April 2nd, 2013 by Carol Byrne
What are you up to later this month? Thinking of a trip to sunnier climes, a boost to your well being? Where better than Spain this Spring to do just that. How about a fería to beat all ferías too? Head to Seville this April, and join in with all the razzmatazz of the Seville Fería. And Seville isn’t so bad either. After all the snow and rain of the UK treat yourself and make a Spring date with some Spring sunshine and the Fería of Seville.
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Read the entire post » Fería time in Seville
A Spring Festival in Murcia
March 28th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Stuck for something different to do on your Spanish holiday? From next Sunday- 31st March – until the 7th April, take a trip to Murcia, where they’re planning on celebrating the arrival of Spring. If you want to see floral processions, giants on parade, and a burial of a ‘sardine’…then walk this way! Don your best flower covered hat and come along to the Spring festival in marvellous Murcia. And you thought that next Sunday was just Easter Sunday?!
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Read the entire post » A Spring Festival in Murcia
Arches and Architecture of Sant Feliu de Guíxols
March 27th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Picking up the latest copy of the archaeology magazine, Medieval, this week, it automatically fell open to reveal pages and pages of the stunning architecture of a hidden gem in Catalunya. The magazine itself, although Spanish, celebrates archaeology, history and travel all over the world, it’s a great buy, even if you are just looking at the pictures!
The article in question centred around the parochial church, which is the Monastery – Monasterio de Sant Feliu de Guíxols – but there’s so much more to this special place on the Spanish Costa Brava – let’s take a closer look.
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Read the entire post » Arches and Architecture of Sant Feliu de Guíxols
North of Valencia
March 25th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
From discovering the wonderful destinations ripe for discovery just South of the city of Valencia, we’re turning our heads in the other direction and looking North instead, don’t worry, it’s still sunny!
Valencia has many wonderful places in which to stop and spend a few hours away from the city itself, let’s continue on our journey and see what life is like North of Valencia, and a little way to the West too.
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Read the entire post » North of Valencia
South of Valencia
March 23rd, 2013 by Carol Byrne
The independent traveller likes to have a base somewhere special, and then travel out and around to discover more about the area, the people, the place. A little bit of the cultural anthropologist is in all of us, a thirst for what’s out there. You won’t get it in an all inclusive jail, sorry, hotel, but choose instead to wisely self cater and you’re entering a different world. Where better than a city like Valencia to base yourself and explore further? Come on, pack the pith helmet! Let’s see what lies in wait, just South of Valencia.
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Read the entire post » South of Valencia
Surreal Art Inspiration in Catalunya with Dalí
March 19th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Catalunya, Catalonia. The breathtaking Costa Brava. However you want to say it, this corner of Northern Spain has surprises in store for everyone. There are family holidays, activity holidays, quiet, romantic holidays, city breaks…something for everyone. What about those who like a little art injection with their sunshine? Spain isn’t just about Picasso you know, visit Catalunya with art in mind and you might find it all just a little surreal! Don’t dilly – Dalí on the way…
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Read the entire post » Surreal Art Inspiration in Catalunya with Dalí
Holy Week and Easter in Spain
March 18th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Easter. What does it conjure up for you? Chocolate. Easter Eggs. The Easter Bunny. More solemnly, Religion?
Somehow, sunshine figures somewhere in there too, why do all childhood memories of Easter involve yellow ribbons and sunshine? But you can still have some sunshine too, not if you stay at home, but come instead to sunny Spain for Semana Santa – probably the biggest and most important date on the Spanish calender.
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Read the entire post » Holy Week and Easter in Spain
A Ramble around Ronda
March 14th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Pop stars and politicians, poets and songwriters, authors and of course, us ordinary folk, we can’t be all wrong, can we?
Ronda remains one of the most visited places in Spain, for good reason, in fact, lots of reasons. One glance, your first glance, at the town perched high on a precipitous ledge, overlooking and surrounded by lush green valleys, and you’ll need no further explanation.
Filled with many gems, architectural and historic, let’s take a ramble around the Spanish diamond that is Ronda.
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Read the entire post » A Ramble around Ronda
5 Reasons to Visit the Costa Blanca
March 8th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
The Costa Blanca. Sun, Sea, Sand. You already know the reasons why the Costa Blanca – the White Coast – is such a – literally – hotspot for tourists. But if you had to name just 5 reasons to visit, what would they be? What are your top reasons for booking up the Costa Blanca this year?
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Read the entire post » 5 Reasons to Visit the Costa Blanca
Admiring Arcos de la Frontera
March 7th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Sometimes you just want somewhere to look exactly as you would imagine it to be. If you choose a Spanish holiday this year in the sunny South of Spain, then consider Arcos de la Frontera, in Cádiz. Your first view will be exactly as you thought it would, a perfect template for an equally perfect pueblo blanco – let’s take a moment and admire Arcos de la Frontera.
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Read the entire post » Admiring Arcos de la Frontera
