Category ‘Granada’
Event: Midsummer Music in Granada
June 17th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Looking for A Midsummer Night’s Dream? Kick off the longest day of the year with a little light music. Come to Granada in June, and hear a string quartet or two play the soundtrack to your Spanish holiday. From the 21st of June until the 12th of July, partake in the Festival Internacional de Música y Danza de Granada – the 62nd International Festival of Music and Dance – the perfect note for your trip!
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Read the entire post » Event: Midsummer Music in Granada
10 Cathedrals to visit in Spain
June 16th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Are you enjoying your Sunday afternoon? Feeling ecclesiastical? It’s so hot here this afternoon in Andalucía, the cicadas are starting their Summer rumble and the sun is besting down as the church bells of Murtas call the faithful to prayer. There aren’t that many left, and certainly not enough to fill the largest church in the Alpujarra, but they’re called religiously all the same.
Thinking about the cathedrals of Spain – and there are many! – and compiling a list of 10 to visit. Let’s take a look…
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Read the entire post » 10 Cathedrals to visit in Spain
June Event: San Juan in Spain
June 3rd, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Spain may be a Catholic country, but the Spanish also like to celebrate the odd Celtic festival – and the biggest one of the year is undoubtedly held later this month. June is the month of San Juan, a traditional night of fun on the beach, the elements of fire and water playing front of stage. Feeling in need of some rejuvenation? Of course you do, you need a holiday! Like a fresh start? Then come to Spain this month and celebrate San Juan in style!
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Read the entire post » June Event: San Juan in Spain
Over 50′s holiday in Spain – 5 Best Spots
May 31st, 2013 by Carol Byrne
When your windsurfing days are over, or you just feel that it’s time to hang up the surf board – when the very mention of the word water sports has you running for the nearest servicio – then perhaps it’s time to take stock. Seriously, as the old adage goes, age is but a number, and it’s only how old that you feel that will make any difference. However, some folk like a slower paced holiday, a more relaxed feel to their longed for two weeks in the sun. So where are the best Spanish spots to take a break – for the over 50′s? Let’s take a ramble…
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Read the entire post » Over 50′s holiday in Spain – 5 Best Spots
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
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 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
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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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
Head for the hills – take a picnic in Spain
February 5th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
The sky is azure blue, the birds are singing, daytime temperatures are climbing and the Almond is in full fluffy blossom. Wait a minute, it’s still only February, right? Right. And this is Spain. Even up here at altitude in the Alpujarras mountains the day’s heat will fool you completely into thinking that you have been transported straight to late Spring.
So, make the most of your self catering holiday, think al fresco, pack a picnic and a blanket, and head for the hills!
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Read the entire post » Head for the hills – take a picnic in 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!
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Read the entire post » Taking an early bath in Spain
February Festivals – San Cecilio in Granada
January 30th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
You’ve thrown off the blanket of UK Winter and decided on some early sunshine – good for you! Escape the dark days and long nights and head for the Winter sunshine of Southern Spain, where the sunrise and sunset are just incredible this time of year, and the views stunning. Have you recovered from all of the New Year parties and festive fun? Great – let’s indulge in a little more then – head for Granada and help to celebrate a Saint for February – it’s the day of San Cecilio – and Granada is planning a party.
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Read the entire post » February Festivals – San Cecilio in Granada
Be a culture vulture in Spain
January 29th, 2013 by vernon
So what are the best ways to immerse yourself in the Spanish way of life, even when you are simply in the country on a short holiday?
There are plenty of ways to do that. Events to attend and watch. And some in which you can even join in.
Oh yes! You too can experience Spanish culture in all its forms. There is so much you can do that doesn’t involve sand, sea or sunbathing.
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Read the entire post » Be a culture vulture in Spain
Horses for Courses
January 26th, 2013 by vernon
Lots of people visit Spain to go horse riding. And it is indeed a splendid way to see the countryside. Man and thoroughbred beast united amid stunning scenery and dramatic landscape.
And for those who are at one with horse flesh, there is lots to make you want to keep coming back on holiday to Spain. If you have always thought about going riding, but never got around to doing so, I cannot think of a better country in which to saddle up for the first time than Spain.
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Read the entire post » Horses for Courses
Every picture tells a story in the province of Granada
January 23rd, 2013 by vernon
When you take a holiday in Spain you will go home with lots of photographs. Be they taken on a normal, proper camera. Or via your mobile telephone.
Some will be more memorable than others.
From my vast travels around the varied landscape of Spain, I am going to share some of mine with you. Beginning in the province of Granada, here are some of my favourites.
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Read the entire post » Every picture tells a story in the province of Granada
Be my Valentine – Top 4 Romantic Spanish Spots
January 17th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Love is in the air – now you shall be singing along all day. Hey, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner – February 14th if you really need a reminder of the date. Forget the bunch of flowers from the garage – we always know – and remember boys, anything with a plug is not a present! What a girl wants is old fashioned romance. Simple. Now, if you were to somehow incorporate a Spanish holiday into that equation – you have a winning formula! Valentine’s day in Spain – how nice! Where are the Top 4 most romantic places to go?
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Read the entire post » Be my Valentine – Top 4 Romantic Spanish Spots
Spain by night
January 14th, 2013 by vernon
One of the best aspects about holidaying in Spain is that you can see so much in the evening.
At almost all times of the year, and in the majority of destinations, it is warm enough to wander the streets of a Spanish city, town or coastal location and savour all that is on offer.
And there is little finer than doing what the locals do at night. Promenading!
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Read the entire post » Spain by night
