Category ‘Off the track’
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
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
Take 5 hikes in Tenerife
March 22nd, 2013 by 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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Read the entire post » Take 5 hikes in Tenerife
Spain’s Natural Parks – Top 5 in Catalonia
January 29th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Having covered the Top 5 Natural Parks in the province of Andalucía, in the far South of Spain, let’s take a trip to the North. The difference in climate between the North and the South of Spain is clear when it comes to nature. Travel to Catalonia, and discover dramatic mountains, green meadows and rushing rivers. Take a Spanish holiday with an emphasis on healthy activities and nature. Let’s look at the Top 5 of Spain’s Natural Parks – in Catalonia.
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Read the entire post » Spain’s Natural Parks – Top 5 in Catalonia
Spain’s Natural Parks – Top 5 in Andalucía
January 25th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Spain is a vast and wild country. The population is not huge considering the size of the area, and beyond the bustling cities lie acres of parkland and wild countryside. Much of this land is Natural Parkland, protected and preserved. Remote nature reserves and forestry that are given protective status and which form a backdrop to some great back-to-nature holidays. Forget the Winter winds and snow that are covering most of Northern Europe at the moment, instead think ahead to Spring, and a Spanish holiday discovering the Natural Parklands of Spain. A great place to start? Andalucía and the Top 5 Natural Parks.
Read the entire post » Spain’s Natural Parks – Top 5 in Andalucía
Read the entire post » Spain’s Natural Parks – Top 5 in Andalucía
Wine flows freely in Cádiar
October 5th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
A wine fiesta in October where the red stuff flows from the fountains in place of wine? Now that sounds like a party! Come and join in the fun in the Alpujarras this weekend at the Cádiar Feria de Octubre...There’s more than wine afoot – but it does take pride of place so come along and mingle…
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Read the entire post » Wine flows freely in Cádiar
Cavemen and Kings – come to Piñar in Granada
September 17th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Piñar in the province of Granada, a place to explore and have a scramble…a family day out away from the usual tourist haunts of city or beach, with a castle and a cave known as the cave of windows…want to have a look through for yourself?
Then read on and see what brings more than 45,000 people a year to see what all the fuss is about - best lion cloth packed? Yaba Dabba dooo Let’s go…
Read the entire post » Cavemen and Kings – come to Piñar in Granada
Read the entire post » Cavemen and Kings – come to Piñar in Granada
Foraging for food – Autumn Alpujarras style
September 9th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
This time of year is just lovely. Autumn brings us such a bounty of food from the farmlands and countryside there seems to be a glut of just about everything. If you’re staying in a Spanish village, you’ll most likely find seasonal and local foods to buy at the weekly markets, at really cheap prices! They might be mis-shapen, but they’ll always be tasty!
Here in the Alpujarra region of Andalucía, whenever we open the front door there seems to be a carrier bag tied to the handle with produce from our very generous neighbours…
What about picking your own?
The general rule of thumb is that if a tree overhangs a road or public place then the bounty is a free for all – although the law may be different! – so let’s see what we can forage today…
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Read the entire post » Foraging for food – Autumn Alpujarras style
Top 5 river pools in Andalucia for families
September 6th, 2012 by John Kramer
Andalucia is a natural paradise.
Over 18% of Andalucia’s surface area is protected. It is blessed with some of Europe’s most beautiful and most diverse Natural Parks. From the ‘tropical jungles’ of the Alcornocales in Cadiz, to the deserts of Las Tabernas in Almeria – Andalucia has it all.
With so much choice and so much diversity. Where to go? Where could you and your family go to spend a day in nature? How about somewhere next to a gorgeous river, with plenty of deeper pools for swimming…..maybe a waterfall or two? sound nice? Let’s take a look.
Read the entire post » Top 5 river pools in Andalucia for families
Read the entire post » Top 5 river pools in Andalucia for families
Heading for the hills of Cordoba
August 28th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
It´s still August, albeit the tail end of this hot and humid Spanish Summer of 2012, and we´re all still slowly melting away! What a Summer it has been, compared to the predictable wash out for those unfortunate enough to stay in the UK…well, you know what to do next year...!
If you are visiting Cultural Cordoba at this time of year, remember that it is as hot and stifling as it is stunning, the `frying pan´of Europe is not a tag given lightly to the Seville and Cordoba areas of Spain.
So when you need a break for a day, you could just enjoy a cooling mint tea next to the Mosque, but I have a better idea. Look to the hire car, crank up the air conditioning, do as the locals do …and head for the hills! Let´s drive…
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Read the entire post » Heading for the hills of Cordoba
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…
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Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 6 – Bedar
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!
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Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 2 – Almanzora
Shhh…A secret shared. Musical Murtas in the Alpujarras
July 31st, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Ever arrived somewhere for a holiday and just longed for somewhere a little more traditional, a tad more real?
Well, allow me to share with you my secret location, in fact my home for the past 6 years and some…you won’t find it in many guidebooks, and it’s not on the way to anywhere else!
But your first glimpse of Murtas on the Contraviesa will leave you spellbound, flat roofed Berber styled houses tumbling down a mountain higher than Ben Nevis, throwing open views right down to the Costa Tropical and the mountains of Morocco beyond, with a sweep behind to the snow capped Sierra Nevada and the impossibly pretty surrounding countryside.
Why here? Well, that’s hard to explain…..it’s a little like casting a fishing line, and once you’re reeled in….you’re hooked!
And next week the hills are alive… with the sound of music!
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Read the entire post » Shhh…A secret shared. Musical Murtas in the Alpujarras
Shop like a Spaniard! Supermarkets tips
June 18th, 2012 by Jill
In these times of austerity, most holidaymakers need to reduce what they spend during their self catering holiday. Best way to do this is to cut down on eating out and take advantage of the facilities in your villa/apartment..
When you are in your home town, you know from experience where to go for the best priced food and drink. Once you’re arrive in Spain however , very few are in the know.
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The sea cliffs of Barbate – Acantilados de Barbate
June 18th, 2012 by John Kramer
If in the area, one of the most spectacular views, is from the sea cliffs just outside of the village of Barbate, on the Costa de la Luz.
On a clear day the views are spectacular, with the mountains of Morocco and the surrounding beaches providing a breathtaking backdrop.
Read the entire post » The sea cliffs of Barbate – Acantilados de Barbate
Read the entire post » The sea cliffs of Barbate – Acantilados de Barbate
The Iberian Lynx
May 24th, 2012 by John Kramer
The Iberian Lynx has recently been classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as the world’s most endangered feline species.
It is set to be the first cat species since the sabre toothed tiger to go extinct (which happened over 10,000 years ago)
Saving it is proving to be an authentic race against time.
Read the entire post » The Iberian Lynx
Read the entire post » The Iberian Lynx
Fun with the kids in Antequera – near Málaga
May 14th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Last week my daughter went on a field trip with her school to Antequera. The aim of the day was to explore the Karst or Lime formations of the area known as El Torcal – which used to be under the sea. Listening to her rave about her day and viewing the photos she took – I thought it would be a nice addition to your list of things to do with the kids on your next Spanish holiday.
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Read the entire post » Fun with the kids in Antequera – near Málaga
Family picnic spot; the river pools in La Resinera, Granada
May 13th, 2012 by John Kramer
With summer fast upon us and temperatures already pushing 30C in southern Spain. People’s minds are naturally turning to beaches, to water and to places to cool off.
There are numerous quiet spots in the countryside, next to crystal clear waters, that make a fantastic day out from the coast.
Most of these places are well off the usual tourist tracks and some are only known locally. The river pools in La Resinera, near the village of Fornes, is one such place.
Read the entire post » Family picnic spot; the river pools in La Resinera, Granada
Read the entire post » Family picnic spot; the river pools in La Resinera, Granada
Best beaches on the Costa del Sol – Playa de la Rijana
May 10th, 2012 by John Kramer
Playa de la Rijana, or Rijana beach is situated in the province of Granada just outside of the village of Castell de Ferro. Some 20 kms east of Motril.
The beach has consistently been voted as being one of the best on the Costa del Sol – despite being situated on the Costa Tropical. These minor technicalities apart, for beach lovers, you couldn’t hope for a more beautiful spot.
Read the entire post » Best beaches on the Costa del Sol – Playa de la Rijana
Read the entire post » Best beaches on the Costa del Sol – Playa de la Rijana
Swallows, Swifts and early Summer in Las Alpujarras
April 10th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Does one Swallow make for a Summer?
Well, if so then great…. it has arrived! While the UK saw a freak few days of sunshine before Easter, we had a mix of Spring temperatures, a little snow and a little rain...but panic not, the weather this week has done what it does every year – like simply throwing a switch, the heat is palpable and the breeze warm…which is why we love it here in Southern Spain!
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Read the entire post » Swallows, Swifts and early Summer in Las Alpujarras
