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How do you like to arrive in Spain? In the traditional fashion, by air? Or by sailing to your destination? Or, perhaps, by train? First impressions are important and I have been very impressed when arriving at certain distinctive locations. 

Read the entire post » Trains and boats and planes

The hard hitting economic budget announced by the new Spanish government in the Spring of 2012 has received much publicity worldwide. But one of the many financial cuts announced in the budget did not attract much attention. The one that stated that the Spanish government would reduce their funding of making movies in Spain by a whopping thirty five per cent. That sent many a Spanish film director reeling. It may mean an end to some of the biggest films produced being shot on location in Spain. Which would be a pity. For so many destinations in Spain are famous thanks to the wonderful world of cinema.

Read the entire post » Spain on Film – the final cut

If you have visited the Costa Blanca, then it was probably to fly into Alicante and maybe spend a couple of sunshine filled weeks on the beaches of Benidorm or the bustling city of Valencia.Perhaps you even enjoyed a quieter location in one of the fishing villages located up and down this lovely white coastline. And who would blame you? White sands, sunshine, water-sports, nightlife – it’s an attractive combination and the perfect antidote to the rest of the working year…let´s have a look at some of them and then travel inland and see what some of the other villages have to offer…Hire car? Let’s go!

Read the entire post » Day trip from the beach? – exploring the White Coast

We´re not talking about fried rice and sweet and sour noodles – the other sort of eastern – but the east coast of Spain. Well, actually maybe fried rice! Spanish food is celebrated all over the world, and happens to be pretty fashionable amongst foodies at the moment. Switch on to any weekend food programme or Rick Stein series and watch Chorizo, Almonds, Saffron or Paella as the main stars…tapas bars such as the excellent José from my Twitter friend José Pizarro are popping up everywhere, whether you live in London or Luxembourg. But the east coast specifically with it´s range of food developed over the years, introduced by invaders and visitors alike, is worth a mouth watering holiday…best bib on – let´s go!

Read the entire post » Eating Eastern – Spanish style

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

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…

The Spanish cycling championship, ‘Vuelta a España’ (Around Spain), is one of the biggest European cycling events, along with its French and Italian counterparts. This year, for the first time in 33 years, the route will pass through the Basque Country, where cycling enjoys a huge following. Due to security problems the race hadn’t entered the region since 1978, when protesters blocked the course, but the Basque Government have fought hard to bring the race back into the region and this year sees the return.  

Read the entire post » The ‘Vuelta a España returns to the Basque Country

My first holiday to Spain was in 1976. Being a teenager it was, of course, to Benidorm. If my memory serves me correctly, a fun time was had by all. In more recent years I have driven right on by Benidorm. Older and wiser I know that there are other locations on the Costa Blanca that are less built up and which allow me to enjoy this coastline as it used to be before mass tourism arrived in Spain. Denia has to be one such favourite. 

Read the entire post » My first holiday in Spain

Alright, get your calendar out and start planning your trip with one of the many music festivals taking place all over the country this summer. A large amount of well know artists are taking the stage in various festivals and concerts and if you are a fan than this is your chance to see them perform live in Spain. Whether you are into heavy metal, electronic music or rock, I can guarantee that you will find something that will get you into that festival mood.

Read the entire post » Spains Summer Music Festivals

When arriving on the Costa Blanca it is tempting simply to spend every day on one of its many fine, long and sandy beaches. Understandable. But a mistake. Take those bare feet out of the sand and go discover parts of Spain that are within a size 7 hop away from the beach. In distance they are not far from the Costa Blanca. In all other regards, they are a million miles away from the tourist throng one expects in the most popular Spanish resorts.

Read the entire post » Sun, Shoes, Succulents and Sax

Why do we land in Spain and then immediately drive past the centre of the location at which we have arrived? Contrary to popular myth, Malaga is marvellous. Girona is great. And Alicante is a location that warrants a closer inspection than simply a quick look over your shoulder from behind the window of a car or coach. It’s a bad habit when it comes to seeing Spain.  No sooner has the plane landed, than people head off to the Costa del Sol, Costa Brava or Costa Blanca. All excellent destinations in their own right, no doubt. But the cities themselves are worthy of more than just a landing stage for your aircraft. Take time out at the start or end of your holiday and experience city life, Spanish style. Beginning with Alicante.

Read the entire post » Stop! Look! It’s Alicante

When people talk about Spanish wine they never speak of the excellent vino that hails from a corner of Murcia. Prior to going on a wine tasting tour of Yecla and Jumilla, I was always a Rioja man. But, as I write, there is now a bottle of the finest red from Jumilla in front of me. This area is, in every sense of the word, intoxicating.  

Read the entire post » Tasting Jumilla and Yecla

Summer is approaching and families are eagerly waiting for the summer holidays to begin. When travelling to Spain there are numerous activities to choose from for a fun day out with the family, but a great option is to visit one of the water parks. There are water parks located all around the country and here is a list of the some of the country’s most visited ones.  

Read the entire post » A Guide to Spains Water Parks

We are looking forward to our  5th Christmas on the Costa Blanca, out of the 9 years we have lived here.So far, we have been very lucky with the weather and Christmas day has been warm and sunny.

Read the entire post » Tinsel & Turkey in Spain

One of the most picturesque towns located on Costa Blanca is Moraira. The town is located 80km from Alicante City and 100km from Valencia City, and lies within a short distance from other popular destinations such as Javea and Benidorm.  Moraira which was formerly a quaint fishing village has flourished into a popular tourist destination which still maintains its small town charm.  Situated between the mountains and the sea the town boasts of natural beaches, rocky bays and enchanting coves to explore, and not to say the least one of the best climates in the world with over 300 days of sunshine with a average yearly temperature of 18 degrees.  

Read the entire post » The Picturesque Town of Moraira

Travelling to Alicante in the upcoming month? Then you will be surrounded by national and international musicians brought together in one place to give the city an extra groove to the summer fun.

Read the entire post » International Summer Music Festival – Alicante

Marina Alta is a coastal district in the northernmost province of Alicante, and is known for having the most stunning landscape in Costa Blanca. It has a very complex terrain with numerous mountains, valleys and a rugged coastline with many cliffs and coves stretched along the Mediterranean.

Read the entire post » Diversity within the Marina Alta district

My days are divided and organised into 30 minute segments. Maybe it’s my age, or the fact that I’ma mom of two Teens; maybe my day just seems more manageable in small bite size time frames; whatever the reason it seems to work for me; I feel I have to limit the time allotted for each task I undertake:

Read the entire post » 30 minutes