Posts Tagged ‘sightseeing’

Chilling out in Tarifa, Cádiz

May 23rd, 2013 by Carol Byrne

Carol Byrne
You know when you arrive somewhere for the first time, and you just think, ‘Aaahh – that’s better.’  Instant wind-down, when a view and an atmosphere are your holiday remedy for stress and worries, a sort of Spain Holiday chill pill! Tarifa is just like that.  Stand and survey the wide stretch of sandy beach and feel the tension ease with the ebb and flow of the tide. Travel to Tarifa this Summer, and just chill!

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June Event: Gay Pride in Barcelona

May 20th, 2013 by Carol Byrne

Carol Byrne
Next month, follow the crowds to Barcelona in the North of Spain, it’s time to be proud!  Gay Pride – renamed Pride Barcelona – is taking place, and will attract huge crowds, celebrating and growing in number with every year. So get your flights to Barcelona booked – and join in the party at Pride Barcelona!

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5 Things to do with Kids in Almuñécar

May 16th, 2013 by Carol Byrne

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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Wild Spring Plants of Andalucía

May 15th, 2013 by Carol Byrne

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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Event: Come to the Fair in Algeciras

May 13th, 2013 by Carol Byrne

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.

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5 Historic Sites in Galicia

May 8th, 2013 by Carol Byrne

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.

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Event: Celebrate San Isidro in Madrid

May 6th, 2013 by Carol Byrne

Carol Byrne
Madrid in Springtime – perfect!  The colder Winter nights of this high placed city are over,the intense heat of Summer not quite here, the perfect time to visit and stay in Madrid is now,  the capital city of Spain.  Any capital city weekend or short break is always full of things to do, but if you choose to visit Madrid next week, you can also take part in one of the biggest festivals on the city’s calender – the Fiesta de San Isidro.  Best party foot forward – let’s go to Madrid!

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5 Excursions on the Costa Azahar

May 4th, 2013 by Carol Byrne

Carol Byrne
If we said one of the famous Spanish Costas for a fortnight, most folk would immediately think of the Costa del Sol, or the Costa Blanca.  Rightly so, they’re certainly popular with millions of tourists every year, for all the right reasons.  If we said, the Costa Azahar, most would have to think for a minute, remembering the stretch of coastline to the North of Valencia, stretching it’s sandy fingers upwards, reaching the golden Costa Dorada.  Stay and be surprised by the Costa Azahar, lounge on the beaches or choose from a few days out and about the area. Let’s look at 5 of those excursions on and around the Costa Azahar.

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10 Best Days Out on the Costa Blanca

May 2nd, 2013 by Carol Byrne

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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City Heat – Top 5 City Breaks in Spain

April 29th, 2013 by Carol Byrne

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.

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5 Historic Jewish Sites in Spain

April 27th, 2013 by Carol Byrne

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.

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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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The Crosses of May – Come to Córdoba

April 20th, 2013 by Carol Byrne

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…

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Bubbly Spain – Cava country of the Penedés

April 15th, 2013 by Carol Byrne

Carol Byrne
Holidaying this year in the North of Spain?  Why not.  Rolling countryside, vibrant cities, wild and rugged coastline - Catalonia has much to offer. If you like to celebrate your arrival pick up a bottle of the local bubbly – Cava in Spain is often superior to it’s French counterpart – Champagne.  Take a day trip or longer and explore the Penedés, the region famous hereabouts for it’s production of Cava. Let’s take a ramble around Cava country. Salud!

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Cáceres – for food and more!

April 12th, 2013 by Carol Byrne

Carol Byrne
Today sees the start of the Fería de las Tapas of Cáceres.  A chance to visit a stunning destination in Spain, and eat all of the food, in bite sized portions.  Sounds like a recipe for a holiday to me!  Let’s take a look at Cáceres, and explore it via the tapas trail…what a nice way to walk!

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5 of the Strangest Fiestas – in Spain

April 10th, 2013 by Carol Byrne

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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Using your 5 senses in Spain

April 9th, 2013 by Carol Byrne

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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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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Organic eating in Jaén

April 4th, 2013 by Carol Byrne

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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Carol Byrne
What’s the one thing that consistently draws visitors back to Spain year after year?  Sunshine?  Definitely. Scenery and locations?  Absolutely.  Culture and history?  Spain has more culture than you can shake a stick at, sure.  What about food and drink?  It’s not all Paella and Sangria you know – although, of course, those as well! The thing is: Spanish food varies so much, region by region, and today we’ll look at one in particular, and have a taste of the food and drink around Castilla y León. Best bib and tucker?  Let’s go…

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