Posts Tagged ‘History’
5 Historic Sites in Galicia
May 8th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Galicia - the North of Spain, Think of crashing waves, long deserted beaches, bracing cliff walks. Make yours a really historic holiday! See the sights, explore the area, and delve into the history. A healthy sort of holiday, especially when dinner involves a plate of really good fish, freshly caught and landed that morning. Thinking about it is enough to put a bit of colour in your cheeks – so go to Galicia this year and see another part of Spain. Let’s start with 5 of the best historical sites to see.
Read the entire post » 5 Historic Sites in Galicia
Read the entire post » 5 Historic Sites in Galicia
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.
Read the entire post » City Heat – Top 5 City Breaks in Spain
Read the entire post » City Heat – Top 5 City Breaks in Spain
5 Historic Jewish Sites in Spain
April 27th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Do you long for a little more than the norm when you take a Spanish holiday? Perhaps you like to explore the history of your destination, or yearn to dig a little more than skin deep?
Lovers of history, archaeological interest, or just lovers - these destinations make for great romantic breaks – will appreciate a look at some of the Jewish routes in Spain. Let’s see a few of them, 5 historic Jewish sites in Spain.
Read the entire post » 5 Historic Jewish Sites in Spain
Read the entire post » 5 Historic Jewish Sites in Spain
The Crosses of May – Come to Córdoba
April 20th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
In a couple of weeks time there will be a full raging battle on the streets of Córdoba. Not the sort of battle you may imagine. Not guns… but perhaps roses!
The beginning of May sees the most scented and colourful event of the year – and Córdoba does it best. The Crosses of May is the floral occasion, and you must see and of course smell it for yourself. So this Spring, come to Córdoba for the Crosses in May.
Truly a holiday for those of you with green fingers, or ‘budding’ gardeners…
Read the entire post » The Crosses of May – Come to Córdoba
Read the entire post » The Crosses of May – Come to Córdoba
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.
Read the entire post » Wandering in Granada, a fresh look at the Alhambra
Read the entire post » Wandering in Granada, a fresh look at the Alhambra
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.
Read the entire post » Holy Week and Easter in Spain
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.
Read the entire post » A Ramble around Ronda
Read the entire post » A Ramble around Ronda
Artistic impressions in Spain: Picasso
February 25th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Ever spent a day at the art gallery and wondered where the masters of the brush and easel get their inspiration? In Spain, it’s more understandable, this is a country filled to the brim with romantic castles and palaces, a land of majestic mountains and steep valleys, the passion of the country and it’s culture flows with ease onto canvas and paper. Event the most amateur photographer can be transformed into David Bailey in Spain! Picasso went through many periods during his lifetime as an artist, let’s explore just one, and where he went for inspiration – Gósol in the province of Lleida, a short trip from Girona.
Read the entire post » Artistic impressions in Spain: Picasso
Read the entire post » Artistic impressions in Spain: Picasso
A Royal trip – making music in Aranjuez
February 14th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Aranjuez? Where’s that? Close to the capital of Spain, Madrid, just 46 kilometres in fact, this destination makes for a great day trip from the noise and bustle of the capital city. At just under 50 kilometres from Toledo too, consider Aranjuez for a visit the next time you are in this beautiful part of Spain. Royal connections ensure that there is plenty to gaze at, with stunning architecture and sightseeing. So leave the bustle of Madrid alone for just a day, and explore Aranjuez. It has a famous musical connection too - ringing any bells?!
Read the entire post » A Royal trip – making music in Aranjuez
Read the entire post » A Royal trip – making music in Aranjuez
Out of town – seeing Sagunto, near Valencia
February 4th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
A vacation in Valencia. Why not? Come to Valencia for the Paella, the scent of Orange Blossom, the sights of the city, a festival of fire or other top attractions of Valencia.. A city with beaches, with shopping, with sunshine. There are a dozen reasons or more why you should make Valencia your Spanish holiday for 2013 – and a dozen places or more to stay with Spain holiday. What about out of town? Let’s take a stroll around Sagunto just to the North of Valencia.
Read the entire post » Out of town – seeing Sagunto, near Valencia
Read the entire post » Out of town – seeing Sagunto, near Valencia
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.
Read the entire post » February Festivals – San Cecilio in Granada
Read the entire post » February Festivals – San Cecilio in Granada
Around Madrid – seeing Segovia
January 14th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
A visit to a capital city is always a treat – a weekend dash can really be rewarding with a bargain flight, a couple of nights seeing the city of your choice, a little shopping and sightseeing, sampling the local gastronomy, maybe take in a show. In Spain, Madrid offers all of this and more, and will beckon you back for a second visit before you know it. Second time around – take a little more time, base yourself in Madrid and see a little of the surroundings too – how about Segovia for starters?
Read the entire post » Around Madrid – seeing Segovia
Read the entire post » Around Madrid – seeing Segovia
January in Spain. Part 5 San Sebastian
December 19th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Looking for some January sunshine in Spain for the New Year?
Like a bit of noise? Feel the beat of San Sebastian next month and come to the noisiest festival of all – La Tamborrada – and drum up a Spanish holiday with a difference!
Read the entire post » January in Spain. Part 5 San Sebastian
Read the entire post » January in Spain. Part 5 San Sebastian
January in Spain – What’s on – Part 1 Granada
December 14th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
January is a funny old time. All the planning and excitement of Christmas can leave you feeling as deflated as that last lonely balloon you forgot to take down.
It’s also a time for resolutions – why not make your first one a decision to spend more time on holiday this year?
That doesn’t have to be expensive, Spain Holiday have plenty of Budget Options available, all over the country, so even if you have overspent at Christmas, there should still be some room for a treat. There’s always something going on here in Spain, and flights can be cheap if you look hard before you book. What’s on in January? Let’s take a look…
Read the entire post » January in Spain – What’s on – Part 1 Granada
Read the entire post » January in Spain – What’s on – Part 1 Granada
The Green Coast of Cantabria- Top 5 places to go
December 12th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
The Green Coast, the Emerald Coast – both names used to describe Cantabria in Northern Spain.
Like Ireland, there are at least 40 shades of Green in this part of Spain, as far removed from the palette of Browns that you might be more used to if you usually visit the South for your Spanish holiday.
Let’s go to Cantabria, and see at least 5 of the top spots to visit.
Read the entire post » The Green Coast of Cantabria- Top 5 places to go
Read the entire post » The Green Coast of Cantabria- Top 5 places to go
Top Ten FREE activities in Valencia
November 6th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Continuing with our frugal but fun theme as set out in the recent post on the top 10 FREE things to do in Seville, it’s time to visit Valencia. Let’s see whether we can work the same money saving magic and lessen the load on your spending, while still appreciating this wonderful destination.
Cheap flights can still be found, so save your pennies and vacation in Valencia!
Read the entire post » Top Ten FREE activities in Valencia
Read the entire post » Top Ten FREE activities in Valencia
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…
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 3 – San Juan de los Terreros
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!
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 2 – Almanzora
Read the entire post » Short tours of the Almería coast. Part 2 – Almanzora
Covering up – the Spanish Shawl and the Silk Route
July 13th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
A night out watching a Flamenco performance is often the highlight of your special Spanish Holiday. Particularly when performed on a balmy night in one of the Gypsy barrios of Seville or Granada. But it´s not just about the music…take in the colourful swish of red clothing and the use of the Abanico or Spanish fan. Watch as the mysterious dancer entrances you with clacking heels, a turn of her wrist and a sweep of the shawl…even clothing has its own language and every movement a secret signal or code. What is the history of the Spanish shawl? Where did it come from? Let´s find out…
Read the entire post » Covering up – the Spanish Shawl and the Silk Route
Read the entire post » Covering up – the Spanish Shawl and the Silk Route
Ibiza Rocks – come to the opening party
May 22nd, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Or come to several opening parties! The big name clubs on this Balearic Island will all put on opening parties during the month of June – come and join in the fun. Rather relax? Ibiza has that too, with a rustic beauty and sunsets like nowhere else on earth. Family friendly? That too – the Spanish Tourism Office have been working hard to promote family tourism in the last couple of years - with results that have put Ibiza on the map as a top Spanish destination for everyone...so come on….join in the party!
Read the entire post » Ibiza Rocks – come to the opening party
Read the entire post » Ibiza Rocks – come to the opening party
