Category ‘Almeria’
Birdwatching for Spring – in Southern Spain
April 30th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Are you getting a little twitchy? Is it time for a holiday? Birdwatching is a big part of a holiday for some, and this is the perfect time of year to do so. Spain has a huge population of migratory birds – and now in Spring, they’re all coming back for their Spanish holiday. Where can you see them? Let’s take a look at our feathered friends- and see where are the best spots for a little Spring birdwatching in the South of Spain.
Read the entire post » Birdwatching for Spring – in Southern Spain
Read the entire post » Birdwatching for Spring – in Southern Spain
Taking an early bath in Spain
February 3rd, 2013 by vernon
The idea of jumping into a bath used by lots of other people was not exactly what I envisaged as a birthday treat.
One year, in the city of Granada, I was presented with the present of a free, early bath at the oldest Arab baths in the city.
And then there was the time I walked into one of the popular Balenarios in Spain and thought I had entered a scene from the film ‘Cocoon.’
Both days to remember!
Read the entire post » Taking an early bath in Spain
Read the entire post » Taking an early bath in Spain
Warm winter locations in Spain
December 31st, 2012 by vernon
Not everywhere in Spain is warm in winter. Contrary to popular mythology, some places are actually cold in deepest winter.
But there are several places to go where winter warmth is on offer every year. Some obvious locations, others more surprising.
Here are some suggestions where to go to chill out, but not be chilly.
Read the entire post » Warm winter locations in Spain
Read the entire post » Warm winter locations in Spain
A road trip – Almeria to Granada
October 22nd, 2012 by vernon
In bad weather a visiting friend got diverted in mid air. Instead of landing as scheduled at Granada airport he found himself touching down in Almeria. He had no idea where he was.
Instead of taking a long coach journey courtesy of the airline, I told him to get a taxi to a bar I knew, not a million miles from Almeria airport.
So off I drove to pick him up. On one condition. That we took a slower, more scenic route back. And took in some of the delightful places en route.
Read the entire post » A road trip – Almeria to Granada
Read the entire post » A road trip – Almeria to Granada
Christmas time in Spain
October 17th, 2012 by vernon
One of the first things that attracted me to Spain was that, when I first set about living here, the country didn’t ‘do’ Christmas.
I recall being in Supermarkets in December and there was not a sign of Santa. No teasing with tinsel. No silly Christmas songs being played in any language.
For this long lost relation of Scrooge, that was bliss.
Read the entire post » Christmas time in Spain
Read the entire post » Christmas time in Spain
The 10 best Spanish stadiums to watch football
October 17th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Ah… The Beautiful Game….watching a game of La Liga football on television is one thing, but actually attending a game is another thing altogether. The impossible bright green of the pitch, the roar of the crowd….
Spanish football is played differently from English football, tiki taka is a word you might hear, it´s because Spanish football is played more slowly and it´s a more technical game. Barcelona are the inventors of tiki taka – think of the seconds of a clock!
But, it´s still exciting to watch, and some of the stars are bigger – or think they are! – than the massive clubs that they play for…why not see for yourself? So let´s go to a game…
Read the entire post » The 10 best Spanish stadiums to watch football
Read the entire post » The 10 best Spanish stadiums to watch football
Room with a View
September 30th, 2012 by vernon
I have been trawling through my photographic library of Spain once again.
This time looking back at some wonderful views from around the country. Views that captivate and stay with you.
Read the entire post » Room with a View
Read the entire post » Room with a View
Four seasons in Granada – Spring
August 25th, 2012 by vernon
I have one complaint to make about the four seasons in Spain. I love spring. And it simply does not last long enough. It is my favourite time of the year but i feel the country is short changing me when it comes the the joys of spring.
I want it to last longer. Especially in Granada where winter departs and summer arrives without sufficient breathing space to enjoy the delights of spring.
Read the entire post » Four seasons in Granada – Spring
Read the entire post » Four seasons in Granada – Spring
Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 6 – Bedar
August 13th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Well, did you enjoy your trip to Almería? We´ve covered a few kilometres around the sunny coastline and this is the final part of our tour, number 6 in our series of shorts. Today sees us pay a visit to Bedar, this time going inland to a traditional and picturesque village – with unbeatable views and walks on the doorstep.
Pop the map in the rucksack and let´s get going…
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 6 – Bedar
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 6 – Bedar
Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 5 – Carboneras
August 12th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Carboneras. Not a creamy sauce to go with your plate of pasta – that´s Carbonara! Part 5 of our whistle stop tour of Almería finds us here in Carboneras – which falls inside the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata and has a deadly sounding beach!
Throw in Lawrence of Arabia for good measure and you can already see it´s a winning formula for your next Spanish holiday!
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 5 – Carboneras
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 5 – Carboneras
Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 4 – Vera. The naked truth.
August 9th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Vera? Sounds a little like a favourite Aunt…! Pronounced Bay-rah of course, with your best Spanish lisping accent.
So where are we? Yes, we´re already on part 4 of our whirlwind tour of Almería - and down on one of the popular coastal locations for both locals and tourists alike - Vera Playa.
Pack your best bikini – actually, hang on, you don´t really need it (read on!) – and join me there for a look around..you might need your binoculars!
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 4 – Vera. The naked truth.
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 4 – Vera. The naked truth.
Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 3 – San Juan de los Terreros
August 8th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
We´re still on our tour of Almería, in fact half way through with our third short piece on unusual and slightly different locations from this sunny, dry and stunning province. There´s more to Almería than Mojacar, although that´s also very nice in it´s own way, sometimes it´s good to go out and discover the smaller places too! So at the mid way mark, for part 3 of this series of sunshine filled shorts, let´s take a look at San Juan de los Terreros…
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 3 – San Juan de los Terreros
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 3 – San Juan de los Terreros
Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 2 – Almanzora
August 7th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Beautiful and relatively undiscovered parts of Spain are still there waiting for you, traditional villages and unusual coastal locations. In this series of 6 short guides to Almería, we´ll try and discover more out of the way places for you to visit and try out on your next trip to this lovely south coast of Spain…For part 2, let´s take a look at Almanzora, just slightly inland and what it has to offer the more intrepid traveller!
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 2 – Almanzora
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 2 – Almanzora
Short tours of the Almería Coast. Part 1 – Garrucha
August 6th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Despite the friendly and intimate airport of Almería, which is a breeze to depart from and arrive at, most holiday makers to the south of Spain tend to head for the bigger and busier Málaga. I always check out Almería airport first, it’s just so much easier! There’s a lovely open air bar on the roof where you can watch the sun go down over the sea before you fly home with your holiday memories…
Take a few moments and consider the Costa Almería as an alternative for your next break in the sun. And warm golden rays are what you may expect, this is the sunniest and driest part of Sunny Spain…How about a 6 part story of some of the best bits to visit, and of course the best places to stay? Let’s start with Garrucha and see what it has to offer you….
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería Coast. Part 1 – Garrucha
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería Coast. Part 1 – Garrucha
Waving the Royal flag in Spain – a jubilant Jubilee
May 30th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Wherever you choose to spend the month of June, there´s no getting away from the Big Party. Whether you have a street party at home in Blighty - don´t forget to bring the umbrella! - watch the celebrations on the box, or maybe even fly to Spain for some guaranteed sunshine! Where will you be?
Read the entire post » Waving the Royal flag in Spain – a jubilant Jubilee
Read the entire post » Waving the Royal flag in Spain – a jubilant Jubilee
‘Moor’ the merrier in Spain
April 28th, 2012 by vernon
Are there really religious tourists? That was the question fired at me recently. You better believe it, was my response. I know, I have met them.
And there are many people who want to see more of Spain. And by that i mean they want to learn more about the Moors. The people who once ruled Spain and whose influence is to be seen throughout the country.
Read the entire post » ‘Moor’ the merrier in Spain
Read the entire post » ‘Moor’ the merrier in Spain
Bus stop – La Alpujarra
April 8th, 2012 by vernon
The public transport service in Spain is excellent. So much of the attention is always on the high speed train service that now covers so much of the country and allows you to travel between the major cities at high speed.
But what if you want to see the country outside your window? Some trains go so fast it is difficult to take in the scenery.
I catch the bus. I think the superb coach network is a great way to see Spain.
Read the entire post » Bus stop – La Alpujarra
Read the entire post » Bus stop – La Alpujarra
Why go to?… the Costa Tropical
April 5th, 2012 by vernon
A perennial question asked of me is: “why should i go to… what for… what’s there?”
If i had a Euro for every time i have been asked such a question, well, i wouldn’t be writing this now. I would be on the beach. And, more likely than not, somewhere along the Costa Tropical. The most appropriately named stretch of coastline in all of Spain.
Read the entire post » Why go to?… the Costa Tropical
Read the entire post » Why go to?… the Costa Tropical
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.
Read the entire post » Adra – not just any port in a storm!
Read the entire post » Adra – not just any port in a storm!
What’s in a name? – in Spain
March 19th, 2012 by vernon
In Spain those displaying an ‘L’ plate for learner, or ‘P’ plate to prove that they recently passed their driving test, also show the place from where they are from.
Each time i see a driver displaying a sign in the back of their car that shouts proudly – ‘L’ MORON i have to laugh. The quality of the driving on Spanish roads is such that i think almost every driver should have a sign in their car that says MORON!
But, in this case, it refers to the place called Morón de la Frontera.
So what’s in a name?
Read the entire post » What’s in a name? – in Spain
Read the entire post » What’s in a name? – in Spain
