Posts Tagged ‘Andalusia’
Shopping on a rainy day in Málaga
May 21st, 2013 by Carol Byrne
What? The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain, doesn’t it? Well, it’s not great today – but the good news is, it will warm up later this week. There aren’t many wet days at this time of year in sunny Southern Spain, but sometimes it can happen! What’s to do on a rainy day? How about a bit of shopping? Based for your Spanish holiday in Málaga? Then head on down to the mall, and indulge in a little retail therapy. Let’s go shopping on a rainy day, in and around Málaga.
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Read the entire post » Shopping on a rainy day in Málaga
5 Things to do with Kids in Almuñécar
May 16th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
The Costa Tropical, it has such a natural beauty, Don’t drive on past either, stop and explore such towns as Almuñécar, there’s more to do here than you think. Travelling with kids isn’t always the most relaxing of holidays - ‘are we there yet?’- but you can make it better by filling the days with things to do. Here are a few suggestions of things to do with children in Almuñécar, on the sunny Costa Tropical.
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Read the entire post » 5 Things to do with Kids in Almuñécar
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
Event: Come to the Fair in Algeciras
May 13th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
June is full of Fiestas and Fairs in Spain. Well, actually, so is every other month – in fact, you can probably happen on a party anywhere, or at any time in party loving Spain.
Come for your Spanish holiday in June, and you can join in with all the fun of the fair in Algeciras,the Royal Fair in fact, on the sunny South coast.
Read the entire post » Event: Come to the Fair in Algeciras
Read the entire post » Event: Come to the Fair in Algeciras
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
Sanlúcar – Sherry and Sunshine
April 8th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Sitting in the warmed up Spring sunshine late yesterday afternoon, I thought to pour a tall, narrow glass of sherry. No, I’m not ninety, and neither am I a granny…! But sherry is having a revival not seen since the first Easter – it seems everyone is drinking it, and there’s so much more to sherry than just the flavour of a trifle. But on a warm Spring evening, the Sherry to try is a cold Manzanilla, with a little tapa on the side. The perfect aperitif before a late dinner, and so refreshing. Where’s it from? Let’s take a look…at sipping sherry in Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
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Read the entire post » Sanlúcar – Sherry and Sunshine
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
Organic eating in Jaén
April 4th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
With all this possible Horse meat in the food chain, we’re all starting to wonder exactly what it is we eat – and most of us are becoming a little fussier about where it comes from. If you would like to sample some organic food treats on your next Spanish holiday, then come to Jaén. Check out the certificates in the local bars and restaurants – because from the end of this month they’ll be taking part in El Valor de Jaén – otherwise known as the Organic Tapas Route Festival. Fancy biting into some good organic food with a welcome slice of Spanish sunshine on the side?
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Fería time in Seville
April 2nd, 2013 by Carol Byrne
What are you up to later this month? Thinking of a trip to sunnier climes, a boost to your well being? Where better than Spain this Spring to do just that. How about a fería to beat all ferías too? Head to Seville this April, and join in with all the razzmatazz of the Seville Fería. And Seville isn’t so bad either. After all the snow and rain of the UK treat yourself and make a Spring date with some Spring sunshine and the Fería of Seville.
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Read the entire post » Fería time in Seville
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
Holy Week and Easter in Spain
March 18th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Easter. What does it conjure up for you? Chocolate. Easter Eggs. The Easter Bunny. More solemnly, Religion?
Somehow, sunshine figures somewhere in there too, why do all childhood memories of Easter involve yellow ribbons and sunshine? But you can still have some sunshine too, not if you stay at home, but come instead to sunny Spain for Semana Santa – probably the biggest and most important date on the Spanish calender.
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Read the entire post » Holy Week and Easter in Spain
A Ramble around Ronda
March 14th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Pop stars and politicians, poets and songwriters, authors and of course, us ordinary folk, we can’t be all wrong, can we?
Ronda remains one of the most visited places in Spain, for good reason, in fact, lots of reasons. One glance, your first glance, at the town perched high on a precipitous ledge, overlooking and surrounded by lush green valleys, and you’ll need no further explanation.
Filled with many gems, architectural and historic, let’s take a ramble around the Spanish diamond that is Ronda.
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Read the entire post » A Ramble around Ronda
Torrox – it’s a Tale of 3…Pueblos!
March 13th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Torrox is a pueblo – or rather 3 different destinations – not too far from the airport at Málaga. It comprises the coastal resort, a hilly traditional pueblo, and even a bit in between! We stayed there last year for a few days on a bargain break, just to take the edge out of Autumn on our mountain, and grab a little downtime. Mostly, we speed past on the way to the airport, glancing right and left, alternating between the calm sea and the little villages and larger towns as we pass. But a few days there was a great idea, as it happens, so let me take you on a tour of Torrox.
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Read the entire post » Torrox – it’s a Tale of 3…Pueblos!
Bullfighting in Spain
February 23rd, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Bullfighting. It’s an emotive subject. Do you loathe it? Or do you accept bullfighting as part and parcel of the culture of Spain? Easily dismissed as cruel, barbaric or old fashioned, many visitors to Spain find bullfighting abhorrent – but it is still a big part of the culture and history of this country. What do you think? Whatever your opinion, March, next month, sees the start of the bullfighting season in Spain.
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Read the entire post » Bullfighting in Spain
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
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
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.
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Read the entire post » Spain’s Natural Parks – Top 5 in Andalucía
Top traditional foods of Spain
January 18th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Self catering on a Spanish holiday means that you get to try out all of the great local foods. Traditional Spanish food is known the world over, but how much of it do you know, what have you tasted? Forget impersonal hotels and the ubiquitous buffet – try renting a beautiful Spanish holiday home and rustle up some local flavour instead. What will you try?
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Breakfast in Spain!
January 15th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
What did you have for breakfast? Was it cold outside, the weather shows a blanket of snow for most of the UK today, brrrr. Perhaps you had a bowl of steaming porridge, or a traditional full English – or Irish! – breakfast.
If you are waking up to bright blue sky then you must be on a Spanish holiday - lucky you! The Winter here has been the mildest in years, and Spain has been enjoying long sunny days and blue skies. The Spanish like to eat out for breakfast – and you can do the same on that Winter break that you are just about to book! Let me tempt you….
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Read the entire post » Breakfast in Spain!
Travelling on the Costa del Sol
January 9th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Do you like to find somewhere to rent on holidays and then stay in the same place for the duration of your stay?
Or do you like to base yourself somewhere relaxing and explore the area?
What’s the best way to see the sights when you are in Spain? What’s the best method of transport? Let’s look at the options of travelling around the Costa del Sol, in Andalucía, Spain.
Read the entire post » Travelling on the Costa del Sol
Read the entire post » Travelling on the Costa del Sol
