Posts Tagged ‘La Alpujarra’
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
Using your 5 senses in Spain
April 9th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
A holiday in Spain will leave you with all sorts of lingering, beautiful memories. Uploading your photographs when you get back home is all part of the pleasure, remembering each sun filled day out, that great Paella, the gorgeous beach you chose when you booked that perfect holiday home. Spain will fill all of your senses, and leave you relaxed and rejuvenated. What are your special memories of your best Spanish holiday?
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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
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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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
Hitting the slopes in Spain
December 10th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
The Christmas holidays are a great time in lots of ways. Getting the family together these days is not as easy as it used to be, with people scattered all over the globe. A fantastic idea is to pour over the holiday ideas between the games of Scrabble and the endless TV repeats…what about a break for everyone in the New Year? Have the whole family arrive at a destination and share the cost of accommodation – what better than a holiday with a little activity thrown in…Ski Spain it is then!
Read the entire post » Hitting the slopes in Spain
Read the entire post » Hitting the slopes in Spain
Holidays are comin’- days off in December
November 27th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Nearly here, Christmas is just around that corner folks, and if you have been really, really good - have you?! - then perhaps you have a treat in store. Who would not like to find a holiday in Spain in their stocking this year?!
Perhaps you have decided on an early treat all to yourself? Good on you! If you do happen to plan a Spanish holiday in December, then take into account the extra days off planned for next month, and ensure that you aware of the dates – because when there’s a national holiday in Spain – don’t plan on going shopping!
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Read the entire post » Holidays are comin’- days off in December
Top 5 places in Spain to spend Christmas
November 23rd, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Where do you like to spend the festive season? Christmas is a time for families, and the idea of a relaxing time spent with loved ones is one to look forward to. But rewind there for a second…relaxing? Acres of shopping, cooking and cleaning combined with a drizzle or a downpour is hardly appealing.
Wind down in Spain instead, take the whole family along and choose one of our Top 5 destinations in which to spend a Spanish Christmas!
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Read the entire post » Top 5 places in Spain to spend Christmas
It’s snow time in Spain
November 13th, 2012 by vernon
It is that time of the year. I look out of my window and what do I see. Snow.
There are still people who believe snow never finds it way to Spain, but it does. And, in some locations for many months of the year. And snow brings with it the chance to see places in Spain in a whole new light. A bright, white light.
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Read the entire post » It’s snow time in Spain
Saddle up in Spain
October 30th, 2012 by vernon
Taking a riding holiday in Spain is fast becoming ever more popular.
The country and the countryside lends itself to being seen in this way.
Those who are not troubled by the idea of becoming saddle sore love coming to Spain and getting a leg up on these unique horses.
The Andalusian thoroughbred horse is a classy creature and there are so many lovely locations in Spain that are seen best from the saddle.
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Read the entire post » Saddle up in Spain
What to do when it rains in Spain
October 20th, 2012 by vernon
It doesn’t happen very often in southern Spain, but what can do you do to pass the day when the heavens open and the rain falls on Spain?
After many months of dry weather you often get two or three days of heavy rain. So your holiday visit to the beach is off. What then?
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Read the entire post » What to do when it rains in Spain
4 difficult Spanish fruits for October
October 18th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
The Grapes are harvested and pressed to make delicious Spanish wine, the Figs have all been picked and made into jams and conserves, the Mulberries have fallen and stained the ground below until it finally rains again. The remainder of the Almonds continue to be harvested, with the gentle Thwack Thwack sound of stick against tree audible in the countryside.
But the Spanish countryside here in Andalucía still has more to offer in the way of edible harvest. What’s next on the seasonal menu? Well, four fruits that are hard to get into, but delicious… let’s take a walk in the Campo…
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Read the entire post » 4 difficult Spanish fruits for October
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
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
Animal magic in Spain
August 30th, 2012 by vernon
What do you notice when on holiday in Spain?
The people? The places you drive by? The beautiful beaches or magnificent monuments?
Probably all those. But i am always taken by how people on holiday here notice the animals of Spain. Indeed, i am as guilty as the next person for giving them a name. Why do we do that?
And my treasured photo album of Spain is full of the animals of Spain.
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Read the entire post » Animal magic in Spain
Sounding out Spain
August 1st, 2012 by vernon
Wherever Paul Simon was thinking of when writing the classic hit record, ‘The Sound of Silence’, one thing is for sure. He wasn’t dedicating the song to Spain.
The Spanish love noise. They would feel bereft without it.
But what are the sounds of Spain? The loud ones, and the less intrusive, quiet ones.
And where should you go to hear them?
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Read the entire post » Sounding out Spain
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
When is a sausage not a sausage…When it’s Spanish of course!
July 18th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Let’s follow on from the post on kitchen paraphernalia….So now you know your Cazuela from your Chino and the Sartén is out ready for breakfast….but what’s the best sausage to buy? Honestly, have you seen the choice in Spanish supermarkets? Whole aisles are dedicated to the not so humble sausage, just picking one type may take up a whole afternoon!
Head to the nearest bar and order up a café con leche and a tostada smeared with fresh tomato and take a few minutes to consider the different sausages on offer – you’ll be less baffled with a little meaty knowledge!
Read the entire post » When is a sausage not a sausage…When it’s Spanish of course!
Read the entire post » When is a sausage not a sausage…When it’s Spanish of course!
Healing all ails in the spirit of Spain – cheers!
July 11th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
We all know a glass of red wine is good for you – I said one glass!
Here where I live in Las Alpujarras, history tells us that local wine made up a good portion of the daily calorific intake during the Años del Hambre- the Hungry Years when ration cards were distributed to the Spanish population. The wine boosted energy levels, and allowed people to continue to work and farm their land, although probably mostly through blurred eyes – some of the local wine here - Vino de la Tierra – is extremely strong.
What other Spanish brews are also said to act as healing elixirs? Are there any for everlasting youth I wonder?!
Hmmm, Let´s see…
Read the entire post » Healing all ails in the spirit of Spain – cheers!
Read the entire post » Healing all ails in the spirit of Spain – cheers!
Jazzing it up…in Almuñecar
June 20th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
A little way along from the popular destination of the Costa del Sol you´ll find the quieter Costa Tropical – popular too but more so with local Spanish mingling with the tourists looking for a tranquil beach holiday combined with traditional Spanish pueblos and local food. It´s the closest coastline for those staying in and around Granada, including the Alpujarras region and the Lecrín Valley. Almuñécar happens to make a great base too, with something for everyone and next month a little light Jazz too – let´s visit Almuñecar and see what they´re blowing their trumpets about!
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Read the entire post » Jazzing it up…in Almuñecar
