Category ‘Andalusia’
5 Things to do with Kids in Almuñécar
May 16th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
The Costa Tropical, it has such a natural beauty, Don’t drive on past either, stop and explore such towns as Almuñécar, there’s more to do here than you think. Travelling with kids isn’t always the most relaxing of holidays - ‘are we there yet?’- but you can make it better by filling the days with things to do. Here are a few suggestions of things to do with children in Almuñécar, on the sunny Costa Tropical.
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Read the entire post » 5 Things to do with Kids in Almuñécar
Wild Spring Plants of Andalucía
May 15th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Go take a hike. Venture into the countryside – the Campo – of Andalucía at this time of year and take a deep breath and and a lasting look.
The countryside, as far as the eye can see, is covered with a colourful and sweet smelling blanket of wild flowers and herbs. A walk in the stunning Alpujarras at this time of year will lower your blood pressure, set your pulse to a slow rhythm and you’ll experience that feel-good factor, in some of the freshest air in Europe.
Take a second look at the wild Spring plants of Andalucía, and their uses.
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Read the entire post » Wild Spring Plants of Andalucía
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
Top Nudist Beaches around Málaga
May 10th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Airlines now are just so tight with luggage restrictions. 10kg seems to go nowhere if you choose to just travel with hand baggage. Wouldn’t it be easier to leave all the beach paraphernalia at home?!
Seriously, by the time you have UN-checked all those opt out boxes – when did that happen? – and booked your Málaga flight, you’ll want to keep luggage as light as possible. Unless you wear it all for the flight - dressed like an onion – then perhaps it would make a change to go natural – let’s take a look – hey, not too closely – at the top nudist beaches around Málaga.
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Read the entire post » Top Nudist Beaches around Málaga
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
City Heat – Top 5 City Breaks in Spain
April 29th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
City breaks – our favourite type of mini break and the total antithesis from where we live. A rural setting in some of the cleanest air in Europe is wonderful but sometimes a little bit of carbon monoxide is called for! A few short days in the city is a treat and a cultural top up, and needn’t cost the earth either. Spanish cities are worth exploring more than most. Let’s take a quick look at the Top 5 city breaks in Spain, for that next weekend away.
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Read the entire post » City Heat – Top 5 City Breaks in Spain
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
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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Sanlúcar – Sherry and Sunshine
April 8th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Sitting in the warmed up Spring sunshine late yesterday afternoon, I thought to pour a tall, narrow glass of sherry. No, I’m not ninety, and neither am I a granny…! But sherry is having a revival not seen since the first Easter – it seems everyone is drinking it, and there’s so much more to sherry than just the flavour of a trifle. But on a warm Spring evening, the Sherry to try is a cold Manzanilla, with a little tapa on the side. The perfect aperitif before a late dinner, and so refreshing. Where’s it from? Let’s take a look…at sipping sherry in Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
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Read the entire post » Sanlúcar – Sherry and Sunshine
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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Spring Flowers in Spain – in Photographs
March 31st, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Think of Spain in Springtime and you’ll probably conjure up thoughts of early sunshine, long stretches of sandy beaches, vibrant cities celebrating their Spring fairs. Well, yes, all that too, but more awaits if you venture out into the countryside of Spain during this most fragrant of months. Take a picnic, pack a blanket, and take a drive. Stop in some of the best countryside in Europe, the Alpujarras mountains and it’s foothills, and take a stroll. Like nature and wild flowers? Like to browse some wild flora photos? You’ll love this!
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Read the entire post » Spring Flowers in Spain – in Photographs
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
St Patrick in Spain – The Luck of the Irish!
March 16th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Tomorrow, the 17th of March, is the feast day of St Patrick. New York will hold the BIGGEST parade, and undoubtedly Ireland will drink the MOST pints of Guinness – well, you have to ‘wet the shamrock’! But where did Paddy go on his holidays? Why, Spain of course…You didn’t know that, really?! This year there’s an extra green connection between Ireland and Spain, of the global awareness kind.
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Read the entire post » St Patrick in Spain – The Luck of the Irish!
Torrox – it’s a Tale of 3…Pueblos!
March 13th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Torrox is a pueblo – or rather 3 different destinations – not too far from the airport at Málaga. It comprises the coastal resort, a hilly traditional pueblo, and even a bit in between! We stayed there last year for a few days on a bargain break, just to take the edge out of Autumn on our mountain, and grab a little downtime. Mostly, we speed past on the way to the airport, glancing right and left, alternating between the calm sea and the little villages and larger towns as we pass. But a few days there was a great idea, as it happens, so let me take you on a tour of Torrox.
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Read the entire post » Torrox – it’s a Tale of 3…Pueblos!
Cold and Wet? Ski and have Fun in Spain!
March 6th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Most of us woke up to a layer of white this morning – snow that is. Here in the Alpujarra mountains the ground was covered with a few inches, the views to the Sierra Nevada were simply stunning this morning. Unlike the UK, things won’t grind to a halt – but work for many will probably stop – it’s time for some fun in the sun – and the snow – literally, Solynieve. The general rule of thumb is if it rains or snows lightly on the Alpujarra, it will result in a layer of thick snow up there! Fancy some fresh air? Consider a Ski trip in the South of Spain – it’s not just for the beach!
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A day in the life of… Almuñécar
February 27th, 2013 by vernon
Many a popular Spanish town or city has its special day of the week.
The day when more people visit the place than on any other day of the week. It is often market day. And, at all times of the year, that day in Almuñécar is Friday.
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Read the entire post » A day in the life of… Almuñécar
Statuesque Spain
February 24th, 2013 by vernon
Spain is jam packed full of statues.
You must have noticed them when you go walkabout on your holiday in the country.
You cannot walk far in a city or town without passing several statues. While they get sat upon (and something else upon) by birds; surely they must represent points of interest to all of us.
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Read the entire post » Statuesque Spain
Spain in black and white
February 22nd, 2013 by vernon
We have grown accustomed to taking colour photographs on our travels. Spain looks great in colour. The vibrancy of the country lends itself to it.
But many people holidaying in Spain grew up in the era of black and white photography. And I have been taking a look at the country through a monochrome lens.
And I can reveal Spain looks great in black and white.
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Read the entire post » Spain in black and white
