Category ‘Canary Islands’

Take 5 hikes in Tenerife

March 22nd, 2013 by Carol Byrne

Carol Byrne
Tenerife, one of the popular Canary Islands, has much to boast about. And so it should – year round sunshine, brilliant beaches, great gastronomy and a wealth of museums and attractions.  It’s truly the island for all seasons. But for the walkers, hikers, climbers and scramblers, it figures as one of the top destinations in all of  Europe.  You’d have to climb high to beat it – let’s take a look at just 5 of the many walking and hiking opportunities in terrific Tenerife.

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Carol Byrne
So you thought that the party was over? But it’s just getting started in Spain!  This weekend sees the arrival into every village square and city plaza of the esteemed Three Kings, those noblemen bearing gifts.  They’ll dress up and hand over gifts and throw sweets high in the air for the children to catch - Spanish Christmas, if you like.  If later in the month is when you plan to visit, and you’re still in the mood for more fun and fiesta, then make it on one of the Saint’s days – celebrated somewhere in Spain, every day of the year! Start with San Antonio – and book yourself into the Balearics!

Read the entire post » January Saints – San Antonio – all over Spain!

January in Spain. Part 4 Canary Islands

December 18th, 2012 by Carol Byrne

Carol Byrne
A little Winter sunshine to warm your bones and some Vitamin D to set you up for the year ahead. What a nice thought, and where better than the Canary Islands, where you can lounge around on the beach even at this time of year, due to the proximity to Africa and the year round warm temperatures without having to spend 2 days of your holiday on a plane.  If you’re also a classical music buff then even better to choose the Canaries for your Winter break – sunshine and music, the perfect combination – without the long haul!

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Top 5 places in Spain to spend Christmas

November 23rd, 2012 by Carol Byrne

Carol Byrne
Where do you like to spend the festive season?  Christmas is a time for families, and the idea of a relaxing time spent with loved ones is one to look forward to. But rewind there for a second…relaxing? Acres of shopping, cooking and cleaning combined with a drizzle or a downpour is hardly appealing. Wind down in Spain instead, take the whole family along and choose one of our Top 5 destinations in which to spend a Spanish Christmas!

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Celebrate St Andrew…in Tenerife!

November 14th, 2012 by Carol Byrne

Carol Byrne
Well, come on, it’s not so strange! St Patrick is celebrated every year nowhere else like New York. San Jordi – St George – is celebrated every year in Catalunya – so why not St Andrew?  Come to Tenerife later this month and take part in the party for San Andrés – St Andrew. You don’t have to be Scottish, or even have to wear a kilt to attend  – but you can if you really want to! By the way, I do hope you like lots of noise as you’ll need to remember to pack your own pots and pans…!

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Give me a break…Spain in November

November 7th, 2012 by Carol Byrne

Carol Byrne
November . That month when Christmas is just around the corner -  and as I write just 47 days on the online countdown calender -  the weather turning wet and cold, the heating constantly on...if you live in the UK that is! You can choose to write your gift list, grow a moustache for Movember, and then again you could see what is on in Spain and book a break in the Winter sunshine…what sounds good to you?

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Gran Canaria walking festival

September 10th, 2012 by John Kramer

John Kramer
The island of Gran Canaria is getting for its annual 5-day walking festival. The five day celebration takes in some of the island’s most beautiful hikes.  It starts on the 15th of September and runs until the 22nd. There are five different walks across five days.

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Food from the Canary Islands

August 23rd, 2012 by Carol Byrne

Carol Byrne
Spanish gastronomy, what images are conjured up for you? Paella, well of course. Sangria, naturally. Chorizo, well, you can´t turn on a T.V. cookery programme without seeing it used in one form or another… But what about the Canary Islands? Do they do things any differently there? Let´s take a look and a little taste of what the sunshine islands have to offer…

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Carol Byrne
That phrase usually means that we are determined to do something, whatever it takes.  How determined are you? Can you catch the highest wave?  I´m talking Windsurfing, and the best competition around.  Interested? Head for the sunny Canary Islands and fabulous Fuerteventura.  It’s all happening right now….Pack up your best wet-suit and sea legs and come along to the 27th edition of  Sotavento Fuerteventura 2012….otherwise known as the Kiteboarding and Windsurfing World Cup!

Read the entire post » Come hell or high water – come to Fuerteventura
Carol Byrne
One of the things I loved to see when we first moved here, and still do, is the array of traditional pots, pans and paraphernalia in my neighbour´s kitchen.  Whether she is cooking in the `kitchen proper´in the house or rustling up something wonderful in the old Bodega underneath – more likely – the utensils seem to be as important as the finished dish. Most of them positively antique, handed down from generation to generation, and still doing a good job as they were always intended to do.  What can you expect to find in your holiday rental home in Spain? Let´s have a root around the cupboards…

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San Juan. A magical night in Spain

June 18th, 2012 by Carol Byrne

Carol Byrne
Midsummer.  A magical night all over the world where pagan rituals are celebrated and embraced.  The night of the 23rd June is traditionally celebrated in Spain with gusto – bonfires and ritual cleansing, dancing and eating, whether you’re on the beach or beached up in a mountain village! So come to Spain for San Juan and see what all the fuss is about – it’s more than just another fiesta.  A veritable Midsummer Night’s Dream – Spanish style!

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Carol Byrne
The temperature is rising steadily in Southern Spain.  The air is getting a little balmier by the day and Spring is well underway. For most that means an early Spanish holiday, a time for relaxing and recharging, a time to start the Summer with a smile and an early suntan.  May for most of Spain means the start of the fiesta season, so let´s kick off  the party with the floral Festival of the Crosses...

Read the entire post » Crossing over to Spain and the Día de las Cruces

Five Spanish beaches in European top ten

March 18th, 2012 by John Kramer

John Kramer
Tripadvisor has just published its list of best beaches for 2012. No less than five beaches in Spain made it into the top ten European beaches. More than any other European country. Turkey was well represented with two beaches in the top ten – including a beach near the village of Oludeniza which was voted in first place and Icmeler beach that came in second. Bournemouth was the UK’s best beach and ranked fourth. The annual “Traveler’s Choice Awards,” are based on reviews left by millions of global travellers on the TripAdvisor website.

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Carol Byrne
The cold nights of Winter are offset by the days filled with bright sunshine and blue skies already here in Spain, with daytime temperatures already creeping up along the south coastline.  Spain is truly wonderful for the clarity in seasonal change, and we know that Spring will bring heat and displays of blossom and flowers all over the country, what better time is there to escape? So, what’s on in Spain for the coming months? There’s always something going on – so with this month and next in focus – take a few days out and plan a visit to a Spanish destination, and combine your holiday with an event!

Read the entire post » Spring into Spain! What’s on in February and March…

Party time for January in Spain

December 28th, 2011 by Carol Byrne

Carol Byrne
You might think with Christmas festivities drawing to a close that once the New Year celebrations are out of the way that you can put away your party hat and whistle for a while.  But if you plan a January visit to Spain then you can think again! This is the country that likes parties, fireworks and music, and lots of loud noise – and January is no different – fiestas are not just for the Summer! What does Spain have planned for next month? Let’s see…



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Carol Byrne
So the gifts have been unwrapped and the turkey has been decimated – if you look at another leftover turkey sandwich or liqueur chocolate or watch another re run of The Wizard of Oz you´ll scream…. So pull up to the computer or switch on that laptop instead – but of course – you´re already here! Why not spend a few rewarding moments perusing the site at Spain Holiday instead.  Forget the cold weather outside your window, give the central heating a miss, browse the selection of holiday homes to rent and make 2012 the year to discover Spain and all it has to offer you – I can think of no better way to start the new year with a smile!

Read the entire post » New Year Resolution – Spain….sunshine guaranteed!

Star gazing in Spain

December 22nd, 2011 by John Kramer

John Kramer
The night skies that our ancestors have taken for granted for millions of years are disappearing before our very eyes. According to the International Dark Sky association, a child born today in either Europe or the US has only a one in ten chance of witnessing  a truly dark sky. The thousands of stars that were once visible to the naked eye are now increasingly obscured by industrial light and pollution. Recent estimates from both sides of the Atlantic suggest that city dwellers will only get a glimpse of 500 stars at any one time. In undisturbed areas, the Milky Way should be clearly visible and with it over 15,000 stars. Under these optimum conditions you should expect to see over 30 meteors per hour.

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Carol Byrne
Think January – think cold winds, sleet and snow…No! Think again! Log onto Spain Holiday and browse the selection of properties in the Canary Islands for this coming January.  Why? Well, if you enjoy the elegant strains of classical music, then you are in for a treat. What´s the occasion? The Canary Islands International Music Festival held throughout January and February,  on the major islands.  So book now for a holiday with a difference – and sunshine too of course!

Read the entire post » Classical Music – listen in style on the Canary Islands

Self catering in Spain? Cooking up a storm!

October 27th, 2011 by Carol Byrne

Carol Byrne
So, you´ve selected the area you want to visit for a break over Christmas, or perhaps in the New Year – nothing like escaping the British weather – or Irish, if the Dublin floods this week were anything of a prelude of what to expect :-(   – and browsed the Spain Holiday site.  You´ve chosen a lovely property from the huge selection available, remembering that renting directly from the owners has the advantage of a home-from-home with usually well equipped kitchens and all that´s needed. Now all you have left to do is to pack and look forward to your winter place in the sun! What can you expect to buy and cook there? Forget the weekly dash around the supermarket that sells all – you can do that too – but it´s far more fun to explore the art of shopping – Spanish style!

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Louise Brace
If you are swatting up on winter sun destinations this year I can highly recommend the Canary Islands. Lying just off the north-west coast of Morocco, the Canary Islands is an archipelago made up of seven islands to choose from. The diversity of each means that there is a destination for everyone. But its guaranteed that each offers winter sun, sea, sand and Spanish culture. 

Read the entire post » The Canary Islands: A winter sun destination you can’t beat