Posts Tagged ‘Almeria’
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.
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Read the entire post » Birdwatching for Spring – in Southern Spain
Warm winter locations in Spain
December 31st, 2012 by vernon
Not everywhere in Spain is warm in winter. Contrary to popular mythology, some places are actually cold in deepest winter.
But there are several places to go where winter warmth is on offer every year. Some obvious locations, others more surprising.
Here are some suggestions where to go to chill out, but not be chilly.
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Read the entire post » Warm winter locations in Spain
A road trip – Almeria to Granada
October 22nd, 2012 by vernon
In bad weather a visiting friend got diverted in mid air. Instead of landing as scheduled at Granada airport he found himself touching down in Almeria. He had no idea where he was.
Instead of taking a long coach journey courtesy of the airline, I told him to get a taxi to a bar I knew, not a million miles from Almeria airport.
So off I drove to pick him up. On one condition. That we took a slower, more scenic route back. And took in some of the delightful places en route.
Read the entire post » A road trip – Almeria to Granada
Read the entire post » A road trip – Almeria to Granada
Christmas time in Spain
October 17th, 2012 by vernon
One of the first things that attracted me to Spain was that, when I first set about living here, the country didn’t ‘do’ Christmas.
I recall being in Supermarkets in December and there was not a sign of Santa. No teasing with tinsel. No silly Christmas songs being played in any language.
For this long lost relation of Scrooge, that was bliss.
Read the entire post » Christmas time in Spain
Read the entire post » Christmas time in Spain
The 10 best Spanish stadiums to watch football
October 17th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Ah… The Beautiful Game….watching a game of La Liga football on television is one thing, but actually attending a game is another thing altogether. The impossible bright green of the pitch, the roar of the crowd….
Spanish football is played differently from English football, tiki taka is a word you might hear, it´s because Spanish football is played more slowly and it´s a more technical game. Barcelona are the inventors of tiki taka – think of the seconds of a clock!
But, it´s still exciting to watch, and some of the stars are bigger – or think they are! – than the massive clubs that they play for…why not see for yourself? So let´s go to a game…
Read the entire post » The 10 best Spanish stadiums to watch football
Read the entire post » The 10 best Spanish stadiums to watch football
Sporting holidays in Andalucía – The Top 5
October 9th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
So, do you arrive looking forward to two weeks of rest and relaxation sprawled on the beach, or are you looking for a little more of an adrenalin rush?
Is it enough to have a bottle of suntan lotion in your hand, or would you rather it was a tennis racket or golf club? Maybe you prefer the Aprés Ski to the slalom….or long for the rush of the ski run…
Whatever your ideal holiday, Spain certainly caters for adrenalin junkies as well as it does for lounging lizards…! Let´s see what the top 5 sporting holidays in Andalucía are…
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Read the entire post » Sporting holidays in Andalucía – The Top 5
Four Seasons in Granada – Autumn
August 16th, 2012 by vernon
In Spain the autumn leaves fall earlier than they do in northern Europe. It is every bit as lovely in Spain at that time of the year.
The hot summer suns have gone, but the sky is still a beautiful shade of blue. There is a breeze in the air and – best of all – the beaches are much quieter than they were in August.
The months of September and October offer visitors a taste of some of the nicest weeks in Spain.
Read the entire post » Four Seasons in Granada – Autumn
Read the entire post » Four Seasons in Granada – Autumn
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…
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 6 – Bedar
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 6 – Bedar
Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 5 – Carboneras
August 12th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Carboneras. Not a creamy sauce to go with your plate of pasta – that´s Carbonara! Part 5 of our whistle stop tour of Almería finds us here in Carboneras – which falls inside the Natural Park of Cabo de Gata and has a deadly sounding beach!
Throw in Lawrence of Arabia for good measure and you can already see it´s a winning formula for your next Spanish holiday!
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 5 – Carboneras
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 5 – Carboneras
Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 4 – Vera. The naked truth.
August 9th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Vera? Sounds a little like a favourite Aunt…! Pronounced Bay-rah of course, with your best Spanish lisping accent.
So where are we? Yes, we´re already on part 4 of our whirlwind tour of Almería - and down on one of the popular coastal locations for both locals and tourists alike - Vera Playa.
Pack your best bikini – actually, hang on, you don´t really need it (read on!) – and join me there for a look around..you might need your binoculars!
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 4 – Vera. The naked truth.
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 4 – Vera. The naked truth.
Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 3 – San Juan de los Terreros
August 8th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
We´re still on our tour of Almería, in fact half way through with our third short piece on unusual and slightly different locations from this sunny, dry and stunning province. There´s more to Almería than Mojacar, although that´s also very nice in it´s own way, sometimes it´s good to go out and discover the smaller places too! So at the mid way mark, for part 3 of this series of sunshine filled shorts, let´s take a look at San Juan de los Terreros…
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Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 3 – San Juan de los Terreros
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
Short tours of the Almería Coast. Part 1 – Garrucha
August 6th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Despite the friendly and intimate airport of Almería, which is a breeze to depart from and arrive at, most holiday makers to the south of Spain tend to head for the bigger and busier Málaga. I always check out Almería airport first, it’s just so much easier! There’s a lovely open air bar on the roof where you can watch the sun go down over the sea before you fly home with your holiday memories…
Take a few moments and consider the Costa Almería as an alternative for your next break in the sun. And warm golden rays are what you may expect, this is the sunniest and driest part of Sunny Spain…How about a 6 part story of some of the best bits to visit, and of course the best places to stay? Let’s start with Garrucha and see what it has to offer you….
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería Coast. Part 1 – Garrucha
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería Coast. Part 1 – Garrucha
Waving the Royal flag in Spain – a jubilant Jubilee
May 30th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Wherever you choose to spend the month of June, there´s no getting away from the Big Party. Whether you have a street party at home in Blighty - don´t forget to bring the umbrella! - watch the celebrations on the box, or maybe even fly to Spain for some guaranteed sunshine! Where will you be?
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Read the entire post » Waving the Royal flag in Spain – a jubilant Jubilee
Why go to?… the Costa Tropical
April 5th, 2012 by vernon
A perennial question asked of me is: “why should i go to… what for… what’s there?”
If i had a Euro for every time i have been asked such a question, well, i wouldn’t be writing this now. I would be on the beach. And, more likely than not, somewhere along the Costa Tropical. The most appropriately named stretch of coastline in all of Spain.
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Read the entire post » Why go to?… the Costa Tropical
Adra – not just any port in a storm!
March 28th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
In fact, a storm is just about the last thing you might encounter here in the town of Adra – in Almería, the driest and sunniest part of Andalucía. Fly into the airport at Almería, or motor along from Málaga and enjoy the dramatic change in scenery as you move from the Costa Tropical to the Costa Almería and the desert – like setting of the spaghetti western scene of our destination.
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Read the entire post » Adra – not just any port in a storm!
Ugijar – a market town in Las Alpujarras
March 21st, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Exploring the little whitewashed Berber houses and villages in the Alpujarras should of course be on everyone´s list when they visit this lovely part of Andalucia, Spain. But also, do remember not to bypass the larger market towns, they have their own charm as well a little bit more choice on the shopping front.
Also, they sometimes have an interesting history to them, so let´s explore Ugijar in the province of Granada.
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Read the entire post » Ugijar – a market town in Las Alpujarras
What’s in a name? – in Spain
March 19th, 2012 by vernon
In Spain those displaying an ‘L’ plate for learner, or ‘P’ plate to prove that they recently passed their driving test, also show the place from where they are from.
Each time i see a driver displaying a sign in the back of their car that shouts proudly – ‘L’ MORON i have to laugh. The quality of the driving on Spanish roads is such that i think almost every driver should have a sign in their car that says MORON!
But, in this case, it refers to the place called Morón de la Frontera.
So what’s in a name?
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Read the entire post » What’s in a name? – in Spain
Grab your coat – off to Granada with you!
March 9th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
As the White Rabbit declared – I’m late, I’m late….for a very important date….
Today is the starting date for the 4th edition of the Tapas in Granada Fair. It runs from today until the 18th of March …so there’ s still time to pack your best bib and tucker…
Read the entire post » Grab your coat – off to Granada with you!
Read the entire post » Grab your coat – off to Granada with you!
Spain on film – Take 1
February 9th, 2012 by vernon
Once upon a time very few film directors came to Spain to shoot their movie.
For decades film fans reminisced about the days when famous film actors could be found reciting their lines in Spain.
Spaghetti westerns starring Clint Eastwood or they pined for the time when Omar Sharif performed in front of camera for director David Lean in Doctor Zhivago. A movie that made many a woman swoon over Shairf.
Fans of big films on the big screen wanted to visit the setting of their favourite film. Places like Peñiscola, where a cast of thousands took part in the filming of El Cid.
But there were many barren years. The time when Hollywood ignored Europe as a whole, including the stunning scenery of Spain. It is all very different now.
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Read the entire post » Spain on film – Take 1
