Posts Tagged ‘nature’
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
10 Best Days Out on the Costa Blanca
May 2nd, 2013 by Carol Byrne
You’ve booked up your Summer Holiday in Spain, chosen the popular Costa Blanca, and sorted the flights. All you need to do now is plan in advance for some great days out to amuse all the family – you know the sun is going to shine, so no need for Wet Day plans. Great days out start with a little planning. That’s the great thing about Spain – the weather is almost guaranteed, whatever you choose to fill your Spanish holiday with, let’s look at 10 of the best days out on the Costa Blanca – with all of the family in mind.
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Read the entire post » 10 Best Days Out on the Costa Blanca
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.
Read the entire post » Birdwatching for Spring – in Southern Spain
Read the entire post » Birdwatching for Spring – in Southern Spain
Budget Busting Benidorm – 10 FREE Things to Do
April 22nd, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Have a look out of the window. What’s it doing? Really? Raining again? Who’d have thought it…..hardly like Spring, is it?
If your budget is a bit tight this year – and your mood matches the weather outside, perhaps you think you can’t afford a holiday this year….well, think again. Bag a cheap flight from thousands on offer and browse some budget rentals in Benidorm. Once you land under the Spanish sun, there are still lots of ways to save cash – a quick guide to cut out and keep – 10 free things to do in Benidorm.
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Read the entire post » Budget Busting Benidorm – 10 FREE Things to Do
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!
Read the entire post » Spring Flowers in Spain – in Photographs
Read the entire post » Spring Flowers in Spain – in Photographs
Take 5 hikes in Tenerife
March 22nd, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Tenerife, one of the popular Canary Islands, has much to boast about. And so it should – year round sunshine, brilliant beaches, great gastronomy and a wealth of museums and attractions. It’s truly the island for all seasons. But for the walkers, hikers, climbers and scramblers, it figures as one of the top destinations in all of Europe. You’d have to climb high to beat it – let’s take a look at just 5 of the many walking and hiking opportunities in terrific Tenerife.
Read the entire post » Take 5 hikes in Tenerife
Read the entire post » Take 5 hikes in Tenerife
Spain’s Natural Parks – Top 5 in Catalonia
January 29th, 2013 by Carol Byrne
Having covered the Top 5 Natural Parks in the province of Andalucía, in the far South of Spain, let’s take a trip to the North. The difference in climate between the North and the South of Spain is clear when it comes to nature. Travel to Catalonia, and discover dramatic mountains, green meadows and rushing rivers. Take a Spanish holiday with an emphasis on healthy activities and nature. Let’s look at the Top 5 of Spain’s Natural Parks – in Catalonia.
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Read the entire post » Spain’s Natural Parks – Top 5 in Catalonia
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.
Read the entire post » Spain’s Natural Parks – Top 5 in Andalucía
Read the entire post » Spain’s Natural Parks – Top 5 in Andalucía
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
Formentera for Nature Lovers
September 9th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Often described as the least developed in it´s cluster of Islands, a visit to Formentera - part of the Balearic Islands – will definitely cement this opinion.
The most southerly, and the smallest one of the islands, it has a lot to offer – to the tourist, to the beach lover, and most of all to the nature lover. Just a teensy 12 miles long, come and spend a little time getting to know fabulous Formentera!
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Read the entire post » Formentera for Nature Lovers
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
An excursion from Málaga
May 28th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
Perhaps you´re planning to spend a couple of week this Summer on the famous Costa del Sol? Good choice! A seaside holiday with all the attractions of Spain´s sunny South coast – you´re guaranteed a great time. Have you hired a car too? Then make the most of it by taking an away day or two inland – an afternoon or a full day away from Málaga and the coastal resorts – see what this area of Spain wears underneath it´s sunny holiday jacket!
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Read the entire post » An excursion from Málaga
From Estartit to Les Medes – Costa Brava
January 13th, 2012 by Carol Byrne
The North coast of Spain – for the traveller used to the arid landscape of Andalucía – is a complete surprise. One small part of this green and varied Costa Brava coastline in Catalunya holds a delightful secret. Take a glass bottomed boat out from the resort of L´Estartit and discover underwater sea life and a little known paradise…the islands known as Les Medes.
Come on…dive in!
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Read the entire post » From Estartit to Les Medes – Costa Brava
A river journey through Galicia
October 22nd, 2011 by Carol Byrne
Many different holiday options are available in Spain. From vibrant cities full of flamenco and passion to traditional villages - beach holidays for total relaxation or watersports, country houses and mountain retreats, the country is so large and so varied it seems you will never see all of it. That´s the joy of Spain – the diversity. Choose a good self catering base in any Spanish province and explore for yourself. Or how about choosing several? Why not go to Galicia in Green Spain and take a vacation with a difference? Let´s follow the route of a river as it makes it´s journey through this verdant land and meander with the delightfully named Minho!
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A green fingered Spanish holiday – Córdoba!
October 6th, 2011 by Carol Byrne
The gardens of Spain make for pleasant days discovering the Spanish love of formal gardens, connected to architectural planting, from plants that withstand heat and strong sunshine, to water features that literally reflect the Moorish history of this fascinating country. For an insight to the horticultural history of Moorish Spain, let´s visit the star of the story – Córdoba – and do a little digging!
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Parklife, naturally! In Andalucía
October 4th, 2011 by Carol Byrne
The enormous area of Andalucía that covers Southern Spain is home to acres and acres given over to Natural Parkland – an abundance of preserved areas that act as a haven for wildlife, plant-life and home to geological formations and spectacular peaks.
The Spanish weather is nearly always guaranteed to please on your holiday, and where better to take the kids exploring on a free day out, and get a little exercise into the bargain?
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Pack your map, binoculars and compass, let’s go explore Andalucía!
Read the entire post » Parklife, naturally! In Andalucía
Getting to Gomera, walking on sunshine!
September 13th, 2011 by Carol Byrne
You may have visited the Canary Islands before, probably Tenerife or Gran Canaria. But what about La Gomera, the second smallest of the seven Canary Islands? It also has what the others are famous for, Winter sun in bucket-loads...where else can you sunbathe on Christmas day?!
Your Spanish phrasebook will do nicely, but keep a keen ear out for the whistling…
Come on, let’s Go to Gomera…!
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Bountiful Berja – on the Costa Almería
August 30th, 2011 by Carol Byrne
When you think of the sunniest, driest, warmest province of Spain, you tend not to imagine that water also features so prominently. But visit the elegant town of Berja, in Almería and prepare to be amazed. A refined town, in an unlikely setting, surrounded by both sea and the peaks of the Sierra de Gador, the lower Alpujarras region of Andalucía. A sub-tropical climate similar to North Africa, uncrowded beaches and an Arabic beginning…Berja
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Read the entire post » Bountiful Berja – on the Costa Almería
A fanciful flight: San Vicente de la Barquera
August 27th, 2011 by Carol Byrne
A new movie documentary, a beach that came to the rescue…and a stowaway journalist? Visit San Vicente de la Barquera on the western Cantabrian coastline, and try your surfing skills at the beach in question: Oyambre. Walk the Natural Park of the same name with the Picos de Europa as the backdrop, discover the town and it’s fishing past…and why the area is of renewed interest to the film- makers…
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Read the entire post » A fanciful flight: San Vicente de la Barquera
Happy New Year! In August? In Bérchules!
August 3rd, 2011 by Carol Byrne
The Spanish tradition of welcoming in the New Year: Cava at midnight, 12 grapes, one for each toll of the bell, music and dancing and even red underwear for good luck! But, hang on a minute, isn’t it high Summer? Well, you know the Spanish have some strange traditions and customs….welcome to Bérchules in Las Alpujarras, Granada!
Read the entire post » Happy New Year! In August? In Bérchules!
Read the entire post » Happy New Year! In August? In Bérchules!
