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I have been drawn to take photographs of bullrings on my travels around Spain. And I’m not sure I can explain why. I stress they have to be empty. The feeling I get is akin to sitting in an empty but old football stadium in the UK. Not a modern one built of steel or those that are soulless. Some of the most peaceful moments I have enjoyed in Spain were when sat in a very empty bullring. What I know about the intricacies of architecture you could fit on a slice of chorizo, but there can be no doubt that in cities which have an old bullring, there are also some other fine buildings to be seen.

Read the entire post » Spanish architecture – without the bull

So we have established that there are museums for every age, interest and taste in Spain. True, there have been one or two notable casualties recently. Expensive white elephant museums that have closed their doors almost before the paint has dried. But there are some very well established museums all over Spain that continue to be popular, despite not being promoted heavily by local tourist offices. In part one i came across ships in Sanlúcar, planes in Malaga and football in Barcelona. Here’s a few more for your must see list.

Read the entire post » Missed museums of Spain – Part 2

It was announced this week that one of the newest museums in Spain is to close. The Niemeyer Centre in Avilés will shut its doors after only six months. The arts centre cost 44 million euros and opened to a fanfare. A new regional government in Asturias has said the building will shut because of “financial irregularities.” It may open again next year. The people of Avilés took to the streets to protest. They had hoped the futuristic new building would do for that city what the Guggenheim museum did for Bilbao. It is indisputable that, in some major Spanish citities, those working in the tourism industry are encouraged to send everyone to the same places. Hence why a few are packed and others are empty. So here is my tribute to just a few of the lesser known, inexpensive museums of Spain. There are many more where they came from.

Read the entire post » Missed museums of Spain – Part 1

The joy of travelling around Spain is in the discovery of pastures new. Coming across places, by design or accident, that live long in the memory – and not always for the most obvious reasons. Maybe you simply took a wrong turn and discovered a gem. Or you set off to see a well known destination but, instead, opted to follow a signpost out of curiosity. I’ve been known to do all of the above and, on each occasion, I was very glad I did. 

Read the entire post » Get lost in Spain

There are certain aspects of daily life in Spain that have changed little down the years. Sitting in a plaza in a Spanish town or city is one such way to pass time in Spain. Or stroll around and through the main square. You have to do it. It is in the unwritten contract you undertake when visiting Spain. And if you live in the country, the best way of experiencing the true pulse of a city is not to be square. But to be in the square.

Read the entire post » Plazas in Spain

Watching the very glamorous Penelope Cruz at Cannes this week, promoting her new Pirates of the Caribbean movie, and thinking of other actors not necessarily Spanish but certainly associated with Spain,  I found myself remembering a trip to Andalusia that we took some years ago….

Read the entire post » Choose the White Route to Ronda!

The Genal valley is sandwiched between two National Parks, the Sierra de Grazalema and the Sierra de las Nieves. Home to the river Genal, said to be one of the cleanest in Europe and with some of the best hiking in Spain, the Serrania de Ronda is a must for nature lovers.

Read the entire post » Serrania de Ronda, Genal Valley, Andalucia

One area that keeps making news headlines at the moment is Ronda and it’s surrounding villages - Serrania de Ronda. Michelle Obama has stressed visiting Ronda was one of the highlights of her recent trip to Spain – mentioning that she’ll be coming back and ‘not alone.’ David Cameroon is regular visitor to the area. With his wife eight months pregnant, he has been unable to return this summer – despite initial reports to the contrary.

Read the entire post » About Ronda, Andalucia, Spain