Spain Inside Out - A Travel and Tourism Guide

Google Earths new Online Gallery at the Prado Museum Madrid

2009-01-19T12:22:00.003Z

For those art connoisseurs or museum buffs out there that haven't yet had the privilege to have visited the world famous Prado museum in Madrid, can now see a large slection of the works housed at the museum on the Google Earth.

With a resolution of 14,000 megapixels (or about 1,400 times the definition of a standard 10 megapixel camera) the images of the 14 Prado masterpieces are so precise that even the individual brushstrokes can be seen, and according to the museum you can see details that the human eye alone is unable to see, amazing.

Google Earth's satellite and aerial photograph technology is proving invalid for us Internet travel freaks and this case is no exception. You can now explore every brush stroke ( literally) masterpieces by the likes of Bosch, Francisco de Goya, Diego Velázquez, Peter Paul Rubens and Rembrandt. Fourteen of the gallery's finest masterpieces can now be seen online in unbelievable detail

Google as yer has no plans to extend its project with the Prado museum or include more of the 1.000 or so works or art currently on view .

To see the high resolution pictures and the Prado museum on the Google Earth programme you will first have to download it via the Google web site.

Gary

The Camino de Santiago - St James Walk

2009-01-13T10:16:00.010Z

The Camino de Santiago, also known as “The Way of St James” is really a collection of old pilgrimage routes all of which have one thing in common, their destination, SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA in north west Spain.

Santiago de Compostela was named after the Apostle Saint James who was sent by the Romans , in those days to "Finis Terrae", "end of the world", to preach and convert people to Christianity. The pilgrimship Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James), is now considered by Unesco a World Heritage Site. monuments. The town is named after the Apostle Saint James

Many of the modern pilgrims are Catholics think the difficult journey to Santiago will halve their stay in the purgatory, at least this is one of the historical reasons to complete the Camino de Santiago. But you don’t have to be religious to make this fascinating journey. For over 1000 years pilgrims , young, old, religious, fit, unfit or otherwise have been walking along these historic routes with the main one being the “ Camino Frances” the French Route.

The Camino Frances traditionally starts in St Jean Pied de Port and finishes in Santiago de Compostela about 745 km later, after traveling the breadth of Northern Spain.

Pilgrims who travel these routes come from far and wide with the earliest recorded pilgrims visiting the shrine from over the Pyrenees dating back to the mid 10^th Century s although was probably about a century later that pilgrims from abroad where journeying there in larger numbers. The first recorded pilgrim from England was between 1092 and 1105. By the early 12^th century the pilgrimage was very well organized using four established routes from starting points in France , converging in the Basque country of the western Pyrenees. The routes track across Northern Spain linking Burgos, Lugo Bilbao, Oviedo and other major cities and towns.

Many establishments other related business have grown up along the routes to furbish the pilgrim trade . lodgings, hospices, shops selling all kinds of paraphernalia such badges, souvenirs, and the remarkable guide-book put together in about 1140.

Historic symbols of the Camino de Santiago are the scallop edged conch shell which you will see all along the 'Camino de Santiago' roads. It was used to dip water from streams on the way. Many Pilgrims carry a walking stick which can be very useful along the way.

Gary

Spains Top Tourist Attractions 2008

2009-01-12T18:45:00.006Z

Spain's top tourist attraction for 2008 was none other than the beautifully historic site of the Alhambra Palace in Granada which received just over 3.000.000 visitors. Although this was a slight decrease of some 17.000 on the previous year ( 2007) it still attracted more visitors than the ´ Church of the Sagrada Familia´ in Barcelona with 2.75 Millions and the Prado Museum in Madrid 2.73 Millions.

46.25% of the visitors are Europeans ( non Spanish nationals ) with the rest 34.66 % made up of Spanish nationals.

Some other curious statistics include that the average age of the European visitor is between 30 and 45 , has a university education and holds a qualified employment.

Look here for more information on the Alhambra Palace.

Gary

Renfe offer Online Discounts

2009-01-12T17:31:00.003Z

Renfe The Spanish Railways Board is offering via its web site ( in English ) a new a low cost ticket option for bookings made at lest 24 hours in advance. It applies to all the main lines and includes the prestigious high speed Ave trains.

Discounts of up to a whopping 50% are available so if you are planning a rail trip it is well worth

logging on and seeking the best deals.

The only draw back is that cancellations , changes and refunds are not permit ed however the discounts on offer make this a very interesting option if you plan to travel by rail. With this step Renfe hope that this will attract more customers to Spain's rail network, and one which I must say on a personal level has been very efficient and conformable in the past.

The Renfe Web site can be located here

Gary

13 Spanish Cities bidding to be the Capital of Culture 2016

2009-01-12T17:05:00.005Z

13 Spanish cities will bid for the title of European Capital of Culture for the year 2016.

Representatives of each of the cities will join up to at the ´International Tourism Trade Fair´ at the Ifema in Madrid being held between January 28th and February 1st 2009.

The ´Spanish Federation of Journalists and Trade Writers of Tourism´ have prepared a stand dedicated to promoting all those Spanish cities bidding for the title. They include Pamplona, San Sebastian, Santander . Tarragona, Zaragoza and, Segovia amongst others, in fact there are 13 truly worthwhile cities in contention.

The stand being prepared for the ´Ifema Feria´ will be located at pavilion 14.

Gary

Postcards from Spain

2009-01-01T15:26:00.003Z

After receiving many complimentary emails from our visitors who requested more choice in that department I have I have now included many more postcards for you to send to all your family and friends.

Best regards

Gary

Postcards from Spain

Motoring in Spain

2008-10-15T09:55:00.006+01:00

DRIVING in SPAIN. Despite common jokes about the locals driving abilities !! , it really is quite safe to drive on Spanish roads as long as you follow some simple rules. Gone are the days when Spaniards drove mostly old bangers around who's road worthy attributes left a lot to the imagination, as this country has now moved well into the modern era and so have the laws governing the use of motor vehicles which should be respected and adhered to at all times not least as they are now being rigorously enforced by the Spanish authorities. Recent legislation has now made some driving offences criminal ones. Although this guide is aimed in assisting the tourist or visitor to Spain it does apply equally to the expat resident vehicle owner.

RENTING A CAR IN SPAIN To rent a vehicle in Spain you will need a valid driving licence recognised within the EEC , rental companies will also place age limits on people wishing to hire cars with them, usually between 21 and 70, it is best to check with the rental company their policy before hiring a vehicle.Whether you pre book the car on line or directly from a supplier in the country the following rules and checks should be made

BEFORE driving the vehicle away. Make sure the hire cost covers the insurance you are paying for. i.e. fully comprehensive with or without an excess or a waiver which will exclude any general excess payments should you be responsible for the accident. Ask if the insurance covers things like mirrors, etc. Full roadside assistance should also be standard and most policies in Spain nowadays is provided in English by the insurer, make sure you have a standard EEC compliant road accident form in English. Check in the vehicle for the following items which should be carried in the vehicle at all times. The Insurance documents.The Rental contractAt least one reflective jacket.A spare set of light bulbs.2 approved breakdown triangles If you require glasses to drive you will also need a spare set also to be carried in the vehicle. If you will carrying babies or young driving in the car make sure you have a baby seat.

BASIC CHECKS. Make sure the tyre pressure is correct, engine oil levels are ok and have enough fuel to get you to your destination. Most rental vehicles in Spain use 95 UNLEADED ( Green pump ) , some will use DIESEL ( Black pump ).

CHILDEN AND PASSENGER SAFETY All children must be carried in a manner which ensures a maximum chance of survival in case of an accident or forced to make a sudden stop. All persons in vehicles up to nine seats must wear an approved seat belt and in the case of children and approved seat specially designed for that purpose. Babies up to 9 months old and up to 10kg should travel in a carrycot which must be laid across the back seat and secured with the cars safety belts or other approved safety attachments. From 10 to 13kg up to 2 years old should be sat in a Childs car seat fitted in the rear of the vehicle facing rearwards. From 9kg to 18 kg or from 9 months to 3 years old a child's seat facing forwards or rearwards may be used although it should be in the rear of the vehicle. From 15 to 25kg o up to 6 years old, a seat elevator can be used to lift up the child and travel more comfortably. From 22 to 36kg or 6 to 12 years old a combination of a seat elevator and the cars seat belts is acceptable. Children up tot the age of 12 years old are not allowed to sit in the front seat.

STAY ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LAW. Always carry the following documents in your vehicle. Your driving licence, ( permiso de conducer ) or a valid EEC driving licence. Insurance documents ( Poliza de Seguro ) , some form of identification such as your passport or residence permit ( permiso de residencia ) , the vehicle registration documents ( V5 if your British ) and if the vehicle is Spanish registered ( ficha tecnica and the permiso de circulacion ) . Drive carefully and you will probably never come into contact with any of the law enforcement agencies patrolling the roads in Spain, however here is a reminder of the dos and don'ts.Do not drive under the influence of drugs or drink, the legal limit for drinking now has just been lowered to 0.5 per cent. Penalties here can range from fines, community service, prison sentences and loss of your driving licence.Children up to 12 years old should be seated in the rear of he vehicle and children up to the age of 3 must be seated in n approved child seat again in the rear of the vehicle. Mobile Phones are a definite no no with police strictly enforcing this law, only true hands free units may be used, the speakers may not be attached to the drivers ears. You may not have use hearing devices attached to your ears except for an hearing aid. Blue tooth devices, music players etc are a no no.Drivers are not allowed top use DVD players, videos or internet screens.If you require glasses to drive then you will need to carry a spare set in the vehicle at all times.You will need two approved triangles in the vehicle ( only one if the vehicle is UK registered ) along with an approved light reflecting jacked. Should you break down on a main public highway or motorway you are not allowed to leave the vehicle unless you are wearing a jacket, the triangles can then be placed at a distance of around 30 meters behind the vehicle to warn oncoming traffic.You are not allowed to use radar speed checking devices which can be part of or separate to GPS systems, the fines are heavy if you are caught using this type of device.On the spot fines can be issued although you are in your right to request an official receipt from the officer collecting the fine.

ENFORCING THE LAWS ! There are two types of law enforcement agencies operating on Spains roads and highways.Firstly you have the local police ( Policia Local ) they are responsible to maintaining order on a local scale in and around the municipal boundaries of each town or city. This force also deals with pretty crime and general low level law enforcement along with other municipal duties. The main police force you will encounter on open roads and motorways will be the more serious and well prepared Civil Guard ( Guardia Civil ) patrol units. Their vehicles are usually white with green bonnets which show there official coat of arms.They use very well equipped vehicles, powerful bikes , 4 x 4s, helicopters and high powered speed boats to carry out their duties to the max.

GENERAL INFORMATION and ADVICE It is a good idea to carry a small first aid kit on the car, although this is not compulsory it is well advisable top do so.Fuel: You will almost never be more than a few kms from a petrol filling station. Mostly provide self service pumps which do not always require you have to pay the amount required. In the busy areas most petrol stations are open all night but will have limited personnel on duty , out of normal hours and for security reasons you will be required to pay for the fuel before filling up the car. There are six fuels on offer in Spain with Diesel and Unleaded being the most popular. 95 octane gasolina ( Sin Plomo ) is the most used unleaded fuel whish is distributed from the green pumps, along with Diesel ( Gasoleo ) which comes from the black pumps. 97 Octane Gasolina has a lead replacement chemical for older vehicles. Diesel ( Gasaleo “A” ) is a cheaper lower quality diesel on offer for the owners of older engines, do not use this on a modern diesel car.Credit cards are widely accepted in all stations these days.It is advisable to lock your doors when leaving the vehicle to fill up the tank and when you go to pay for the fuel as many vehicles have been reported stolen from the forecourts while the driver has left it unattended for w few minutes to pay their bill at the cashiers desk.EEC Country stickers showing where the vehicle has been registered are no loner required when driving in European Union countries.Headlamp converters are compulsory.Lights: dipped headlights should be used in poor daytime visibility. Motorcycles must use dipped headlights during the day at all times.Minimum age for driving, For holders of a full UK driving licence you are allowed to drive class B vehicles which are cars, bikes up to 75cc and light goods and vans up to 3500 Kilos in weight. If you wish to drive motor bikes over 75cc you will need to take the corresponding test either in Spain or abroad. Motorcycle and moped ( 49cc) drivers and passengers must wear crash helmets.Motor insurance: The vehicle must be insured for a minimum third-party cover, all other types of Insurance are freely available in Spain such as Fire, Theft, Fully Comprehensive, extended roadside assistance etc . Carrying a green card is no longer obligatory within the EEC. Replacement bulb set is compulsory.Seat belts are compulsory for front and rear seat occupants, if fitted.Snow chains If you Planning a trip up into one the Spanish mountain resorts during the winter season then it is highly recommended to carry snow chains , if you do not have them the police can prevent you from continuing you journey if they feel the conditions are to hazardous.Warning triangle is compulsory. One only is required for non-Spanish registered vehicles. Two required for Spanish vehicles, I would recommend that at least two triangles are kept in the car at all times.

SPEED LIMITS and ROAD TYPES.As in other EEC countries there are varying speed limits depending where on the type of road and the area are your driving in.Carretera Locale or Via Urbana – Urban Driving, within built up areas , towns, villages, cities etc. The normal speed limits here are 30 Kms p/h although some stretches may be 50 depending on the area, keep a good eye out for the signs which are clearly marked.Autopista (motorway) - The Maximum speed is 120 kph (73 mph), this also applies to the toll roads ( Peajes ).Autovia - dual carriageways which may or may not have a central reservation. Speed limits vary from 80 to 110 kph, again these roads clearly mark the speed limits in each case.Carretera Nacional - N or CN , main roads vary from 50 to 100 Mph.

PARKING ( estacionamiento/aparcamiento )As anyone knows who has visited and driven in Spain before, most of the typical Spanish villages where never built to handle the high and sometimes disproportionate amount of traffic that exists on Spain roads today. In some cases it will never be easy, however here are some good pointers to watch for.If you plan to visit small villages where you dead end streets or very narrow ones are commonplace, it is well advisable to park on the outskirts and walk into the towns centre.Whenever possible parking should be in the same direction as the traffic flow in one-way streets or on the right-hand side of roads with two-way traffic. In some areas parking is permitted on one side of the street for the first half of the month (blue and red parking restriction signs marked 1-15 ) and on the other side for the second half of the month (signs are marked 16-31 ). Always try to park in a correct and tidy manner, leaving two wheels mounted on the kerb infuriates pedestrians, irritates the locals and could get your vehicle towed away for good measure.Resident parking areas can be found around Spain and are marked with black bands on street lighting posts or telephone posts. Residents may park here by obtaining parking card from the local town hall ( you will need proof of residence for this ) and display it in their windscreen. Some towns have zones where parking is regulated during working hours ( horas laborables ), when you need a permit covering the period you intend to stay.Most Spanish town and city centres now have blue zones (zonas azules), indicated by blue street markings, to park here you will need to pay for a ticket which is paid via the blue ticket machines which can be located through out the blue zone area. Parking must usually has to be paid for from 9 or 9.30am until 2pm and from around 4 until 9pm, Mondays to Fridays, and from 9.30am until 2pm on Saturdays. Parking is free on Sundays and public holidays. Parking costs are approximately 70 cents to 1 Euros per hour, depending on the town. You can usually park from 30 minutes up to a maximum period of two hours. Once the ticket have been purchased be sure that is correctly displayed behind your windscreen where it can be easily seen by the parking attendant. If you exceed your time limit and find a parking ticket with a small envelope placed on your windscreen you can in many cases cancel it out immediately by paying a small penalty of 3 Euros . This is done by purchasing another ticket from the machine for 3 Euros , then place the new ticket in the small envelope provided with the parking fine and then post it in a special slot at the bottom of the ticket machine or by giving it to the parking attendant. This must be done within a limited period, usually 24 Hours , otherwise you will be liable for a fine of up to 40 Euros or more.Some towns operate a monthly card system costing around 15 Euros a month.Towns and cities are creating more parking areas, mostly in the form of underground or multi story car parks, although at the moment the number of places available is still insufficient. Parking rates vary considerably and are usually from around 1 Euros an hour. Spaces available in a multi-storey or underground car park (aparcamiento subterráneo) are indicated by a FREE ( libre ) sign at the entrance, while COMPLETO indicates that it's full.One final sound word of advice…its definitely better to arrive 5 minutes late than never at all…..PLEASE drive carefully .

Gary

A complete Guide to Spain

Huelva - Spains Gem in Southern Andalucia

2008-09-29T16:15:00.004+01:00

The Lighthouse at Rompido

If your looking for authentic Spain in an area of great natural beauty with some of the best beaches in the country as to offer then Huelva is the place for you. My family and I head for this refreshingly tranquil part of Andalusia every possible chance we have during the hot summer months.

Some of the best beaches in Spain can be found in the province of Huelva

The province of Huelva is located in Southern Spain and is situated in the western part of the autonomous region of Andalusia. It borders with Portugal and the provinces of Cadiz, Badajoz and Seville and has 79 municipalities with a population of approximately 600.000 inhabitants.

Huelva lies along the aptly named Costa de la Luz ( the coast of light ) and can proudly boast to being home of the largest concentration of top quality beaches in Spain.

The Rompido Ferry

The province of Huelva really is an area of great diversity, boasting around 3000 sunshine hours a year. About a third of its extension is taken up by the Doñana nature reserve, one of the most important wetland reserves in Europe with some 365 recorded species of resident and migratory birds, 5 of which are endangered species and include the Spanish Imperial Eagle, Iberian lynx and Egyptian mongoose. The park can be enjoyed by trekking, guided tours, 4 x 4 trips and horse riding walks, there are also museums and other informative posts scattered around the reserve.

The famous El Rocio Village is also located here. This curious pueblo is set by the side of the Doñana national park and is where hundreds of thousands of Rocieros from all over Spain make their annual dusty pilgrimage to pay homage to the Virgen del Rocio in one of Andalucias biggest festivals, the Romeria del Rocio. Although the Virgen del Rocio has been celebrated for over 800 years in 1758 it was decided that it would go ahead on the fiftieth day after Easter Sunday. There are actually two main parts, the festival of Almonte of which the Virgen del Rocio is the patron saint and the pilgrimage which starts several days earlier. The festival is a blend of catholic and local pagan beliefs.The pilgrimage to the village of Rocio is quite a spectacular and traditional affair with hundreds of brotherhoods from surrounding villages and from all over Andalucia taking part.

The picturesque fishing village of Rompido

Huelva City – the capital of the region is quite industrial area housing a petro chemical plant and at first glance the city may not be that inspiring to the visitor however it does house a few gems that are well worth visiting, such as the Barrio Obrero ( the workers neighbourhood ), the Tinto and Tharses wharfes, various historic churches including the main Cathedral, the Odiel wetlands and the provincial Museums housing thousands of Archaeological artefacts.

The province is of course famous for its historic connection to Christopher Columbus. On the 3rg August 1492 the caravels set sale from the old port of Palos de la Frontera making the city famous for playing its part in the discovery of America. Palos houses an open dock with replicas of Columbus’s ships.

Another must place to visit would be the beautiful and picturesque Sierra de Aracena. Sierra signifies mountain range in Spanish although the highest peak is only some 1.059 meters high, making it rather a big hilly area rather than mountainous. However having said that the Sierra really is a hidden gem in southern Andalusia where visitors will see typical white washed villages, spectacular views, chestnut forests in abundance and where some of the finest local home cooking can be found. I would highly recommend a trip to the Gruta de las Maravillas ( Grotto of Marvels ) which has more than 1 km of subterranean passages of pure natural beauty.

One of my personal favourites would have to be Las Minas de Rio Tinto – the Rio Tinto Mines . located in Village of Nieblas The name Rio Tinto ( Red River ) was of course coined from the impressive colour of the water that flows through the mines. When the ferrous ores come into contact with water they turn both land and the river into an incredible myriad of colours , shades of red, yellow, orange, brown and green can all be seen as the river trickles through the area.
The mines are reputedly the oldest in the world and rich in history, reportedly being the fabled mines of King Solomon himself. It was the wealth of the mines that beckoned the Phoenicians and the successive invasions of the Greek, Carthaginians and Romans. However it was inexplicably abandoned by the Romans and left to fall in the memories of time until it was rediscovered in 1556 although was not reopened until 1724. However inefficiency and bad management caused the Spanish government to sell the mines to a British consortium in 1871, which true to the dogged British commercial mentality and work ethic was fully exploited until it became one of the most important sources of Copper and Sulphur in the world.

The colonials even built a small village called Bella Vista for the employees of the mines which is identical to any perfect little country retreat in Britain with neat lawns gardens, tennis lawns and a social club, it even has its own and Presbyterian Church. It is still well maintained and can be visited to this day.

Gary

Galicia - Spains North Western Paradise

2008-08-17T18:57:00.006+01:00

Galicia, is quite simply one of most picturesque areas of Spain I have visited, after residing for so many years in the dryer hotter south you really notice the change in climate, vegetation, atmosphere and oldie worldly charm so similar to the villages and small hamlets of Ireland. Galicia is known in Spain as the "land of the 1000 rivers" , they wind there way all over the region from the mountainous inland to the coast, where they form the characteristical "Rias".

Galicia is made up of four sub provinces, A Coruña, Lugo, Ourense and Pontevedra, and also the cities of Vigo and Ferrol. The regions capital is the beautiful city of Santiago . The population, quite scattered, is almost three million inhabitants, residing mostly along the coastal regions it has around 100 inhabitants per square kilometre, which is much higher than the Spanish average.

Galicia has really everything to offer, it is clean, green, offers a pleasant climate throughout spring and summer, the coastline is quite spectacular with picturesque villages and small quaint harbours dotted all along its long coastline.

Lush meadows and orchards are abound in this idyllic part of Spain. Driving around the country side and coastline is a real pleasure with fantastic views from almost every corner of the province. The coastal areas offer great contrasts with most of Spain's best beaches to be found in this area.

There are a staggering 105 blue flag beaches in Galicia almost the highest number anywhere in mainland Spain and the Islands. These outstanding beaches regularly win awards for there sheer natural beauty, cleanliness, sea and sand quality. There are too many of them to list here although some of the exceptional ones would be the Playa del Estorde , Playa de Longesteira with its smooth white sands and the famous San Francisco Beach located at the mouth of the River Muros and Noi.

On the other extreme Galicia has its fair share of dangerous and wild cliffs , specially of the Costa de la Muerte, the "coast of death" located on the northwest coast of Galicia. Here is where a dedicated band of fishermen risk their lives in hunting Percebes one of Spain most sought after and prized seafood's. Perecebes ( Barnacles ) are a delicacy for the taste and because of the work involved in cultivating them and need large amounts of oxygen to survive and as such grow in the most dangerous places along the Coast of Death. Many a fisherman have perished over the years whilst trying to avoid the wild crashing waves.

One of the must see sites is the Catedral de Santiago in Santiago de Compostela. The cathedral of Santiago is the goal of a long pilgrimage path that comes along the north of Spain, starting in France. Thousands of people every year walk this Camino de Santiago , not only religious believers make this unusual pilgrimage, many are people searching for something different , perhaps being in contact with ones inner self. The Cathedral is a Baroque masterpiece and the city has a magic feeling with stone everywhere and small winding streets around the cities old quarter. Coruña city has the oldest lighthouse still on duty in the world: from the Roman period, the Torre de Hércules is witness of every ship that enters the bay and has been wintness to every wreckage for centuries. Also one of the most important fishing ports in Europe.

One of the prettiest towns in Galicia would have to be O.Grove, situated in the middle of the Rias Baixas region , some 25 kms west of Galicias capital Pontevedra. O,Grove is one of Galicias many charming fishing villages, and due to its situation on the eastern side of the headland which faces the mainland it is protected from the tidal force of the Atlantic Ocean. It has a gentle personal charm endearing to all visitors, there are many warm and freindly hotels in O'Grove including an excellent choice of restaurants and tapas bars to suit all tastes and pockets and most of them have one thing in common, seafood, its everywhere and so fresh it basically walks onto the plate by itself.

And of course if your a seafood fanatic, then Galicia is most certainly a must destination. It serves up arguably the best tasting and fresh seafood anywhere in Spain with almost every restaurant and tapa bar serving this local delicacy in some form or other. The Rias Baixas area is the largest producer of shellfish in Spain with crabs, mussels, clams, cockles, lobsters, percebes and oysters all in abundance and pretty reasonably priced to, it really is a case of from fishing boat to plate in Galicia.

Gastronomy has a great reputation in this part of Spain and other local dishes include Empanada Gallega (a typical pie of fish or meat) and many traditional sweets some of which are prepared in monasteries. As you walk along the beaches in the area as the tide reseeds it is easy to come across cockles , clams , shrimps and small crabs laying in clean golden sands of the Rios. Be careful though not to get the urge to fill up a bag to take away as this practice is not allowed, and beware as this true treasure of the sea is jealously guarded by the ladies who work in the local cooperatives who making their living cultivating these local delicacies.

Galicia with its DO regions of , Monterrey Rías Baixas, Ribeira Sacra , Ribeiro and Valdeorras , produces some very fine quaffable wines both Red and White, specially when they accompany a plate of the freshest sea food straight out the nutrient rich estuaries along this beautiful coastline. I would highly recommend a visit to O,Grove for the Sea food Feria ( Festa de Marisco) in October ( around the 6th to the 15th ) however make sure you book your hotel in O' Grove early as they receive visitors from all over Spain and indeed the world for this coveted Feria where you can try every kind of fresh local seafood produce at rock at bottom prices.

Gary

Jobs in Spain

2008-08-14T16:35:00.004+01:00

If your thinking of relocating to Spain or perhaps are already residing and working here and are looking for career change or simply looking for that dream job - then why not check out my new jobs in spain web site.

We have lots of new quality jobs being posted on a weekly basis, some of the current positions needed to be filled include Web Administrator - Fuengirola , sales director Marbella ,

Business analyst Malaga,

You can also post jobs for as little as 3.2 Euros for 60 days, block discounts are also readily available, please contact Gary for full details

Gary
Jobs in Spain

Golf and Sphereing ....why not !!!

2008-08-13T18:47:00.006+01:00

Sphereing or "Hill Rolling " is now available at the picturesque Benalmadena Golf and Leisure Complex and is included as part of the new " Fun Trips " on offer and being well organized by the club management ( Aymerich ) along with Spheremaniaespaña ( an adventure sport company based in Spain ).

What is Sphereing you might say, well its basically tearing down a hill at around 45 kms per hour inside a 4 metre inflatable sphere, yes you heard it your strapped inside a big plastic ball while it carreers down a long hill.

There is two types of Sphereing , aqua and harness. Harness-Sphereing is where you are physically harnessed in the sphere with other participants and the other ( Aqua-Sphereing ) has been referred to as rolling down a hill in a washing machine where 2 participants are free rolling in around 30 liters of water unharnessed...sounds great fun actually, why didn't someone think of this before you might ask.

According to Spheremaniaespaña the operators of Hill Rolling at the Benalmadena Golf Complex " Hill rolling at speeds of up to 30mph is fast-paced, exhilarating, and terrifying… fastened in just close enough to smell the sweaty fear and see the deranged excitement in your companion's eyes, is something that you will never forget. With a safety harness, and 3-foot of air between you and the ground, you're safe and free to enjoy the unique sensation of defying gravity in a controlled environment". And of Aqua-Sphereing they say "Ever wondered what it's like in a washing machine? Of course you have...well now try it yourself! With your fellow victim, you will slide together down a hill, riding the water".. this gets even better.

If you are in to adventure sports and would like to try something completely different why not check out the Spheremaniaespaña web site for full details and prices .

You could also participate in a great day out on one of Benalamadena Golfs new " Fun Trips ". For just 45 Euros per person you will enjoy a fun day out including lessons with a golf pro , free balls on the practice range. putting competition with prizes and " Hill Rolling ", If you would like further information on the Fun Trips at Benalmadena Golf please contact Gary on 607747321.

Gary

Costa del Golf

Fuengirola by Night

2008-07-28T11:30:00.005+01:00

Here are a couple of my latest photos taken on a warm June evening in Fuengirola, it was one of those many warm evenings with a full moon and calm seas.....perfect.

I have posted lots more photos on the main spain in photos web site.

Gary

Glide your way around Cadiz

2008-07-28T10:50:00.006+01:00

There is a new fun and exciting way to get around and explore the streets of Cadiz and its called the " Easy Glider ".

An ingenious little invention , basically a long bar and foot rest attached to an electric wheel , although in reality its much more than that. If your into skateboarding, surfing or cycling (without the hard work ) and looking for an easy way to get around town then this has to be one of the most fun ways of doing so.

Casually cruise the boulevards, easy turns on the pavements. No more waiting for snow, no more getting ready for the lakes now it's easy to glide anywhere. Curbacks, bottom turns, tricks and moves - all you need is your very own imagination and the easy-glider.

For guided tours and rental of the easy glider contact Eugenio Llanos on 615598733 or 651860898 or get more info via their web site at http://www.easy-gadir.com./

Have Fun

Gary

The " La Rioja " Region...Not only famous for its Wines.

2008-05-29T19:04:00.006+01:00

La Rioja is a small mountainous province of northern Spain. It is mostly agrarian, fantastic fruits and vegetables are grown here, but its main industry is its world renowned wine production. It has more than 500 bodegas and wineries.

The capital of the Rioja region is the ancient Roman river port of Logroño. The main outlaying towns and villages are Cameros, Anguiano and Calahorra followed by Haro, Najera , Santo Domingo, Ezcaray, Arnedo and Cervera.

The area can be divided into two - Rioja Alta, with its higher rainfall and milder climate and Rioja Baja, which is hotter and more arid. Its fertile plains have been producing wines since Roman times with the two areas boasting some of the finest high quality and well known wines in the world.

The delights of La Rioja cuisine are a gourmet lovers dream and are as wide and varied as its landscapes. Heavy stews are popular to combat the colder climate in the north to lighter dishes in the south including an ample selection of locally produced vegetables. Potatoes dishes flavoured with a spicy sausage called chorizo is one of the more typical dishes. Young goat or lamb ( Cordero) roasted over vine cuttings is another favourite. Local hand caught Trout and Barbel are amongst the most popular fish dishes and tripe ( Callos ) dishes and cheeses ( Quesos ) being ever present on most menus.

The region is well known for its quality crafts such as fine furniture, barrels, utensils and wooden carvings, leather goods, tapestries and wicker work. Colourful ceramics and metal work are also very popular in this part of Spain.

The natural and beautiful landscapes of the La Rioja provide the outdoor activity enthusiasts with so many options such as hiking, climbing and other mountain related sports. Skiing facilities can be found in the well known Valdezcaray resort . Water sports lovers are well catered for at El Rasillo. Cycling is popular throughout the whole region. Hunting is possible in three areas where you can fish for carp, trout, crabs and barbel amongst other species.

La Batalla del Vino ( The battle of the wine ) in Haro on June 29th is an authentic battle which finds participants being sprayed in a shower of wine. The ancient Danza de los Zancos, held in Anguiano on June 22nd is a day of traditional dancing on stilts.

La Vendimia is held in Logrono on September 21st where displays of grape-treading are a plenty along with an array of colourful floats, side shows and not least you will get the chance to taste the very best wines which the name “Rioja” has become famous for.

The Santo Domingo de la Calzada fiestas held on May 12th include parades and dances and extends to many neighbouring villages.

La Batalla del Vino ( The battle of the wine ) in Haro on June 29th is an authentic battle which finds participants being sprayed in a shower of wine. The ancient Danza de los Zancos, held in Anguiano on June 22nd is a day of traditional dancing on stilts.

Gary

Voted the Best Beaches 2007

2008-05-29T18:28:00.004+01:00

The best beach in Spain (2007 ) is located in Almeria according to a poll taken by 20minutes.es one of Spains leading newsprints.

Some 12.051 readers registered their votes with the Playa de los Muertos in Almeria being voted the best followed by beaches in LLanes (Asturias ), Tarifa (Cadiz), and Jandia in Fuerteventura.

The Playa de los Muertos is located in Carboneras, Almeria and its natural beauty , crystal clean waters and isolation make it the prized destination of Beach lovers from all over the world.

Last years winner was El Silencio in Asturias.

Gary

Best Beaches in Spain

Blue Flag Beaches for Spain 2008

2008-05-29T16:57:00.003+01:00

Spain has been awarded a total of 527 Blue Flags, 455 are for beaches and 72 for Marinas, this relates to a decrease of 49 in respect of 2007.

According to the information released by ( Adeac - The association of Environmental Education for the Consumer ) this slight decline in blue flags is due to the new stricter controls which came into force recently and relates to water quality , the drought and heavy summer rainfalls of 2007 also left its affect on some areas.

According to Jose R.Sanchez of Adeac, the torrential downpours carried materials down from urban areas, dry river beds which has affected swimming water quality.

61 beaches in total lost there Blue Flag status, 22 in Galicia, 15 in Andalucia, 7 from Valencia, 6 in the Pais Vasco, 4 each from Cantabriaand Asturias and 3 in the Canaries. However as beaches from other areas have been awarded the flag the total number was 49 less than 2007.

The famous Poniente beach in Benidorm lost its blue flag status this year his year because of the extensive work being carried out on the “ paseo maritime” sea front.

The most beaches with this prestigious award for 288 are located in Catalonia with 112, followed by
Galicia with an impressive 105, Valencia with 100, the Balearic Islands with 84, Andalucia now has a total of 59, 27 in the Canaries and Murcia with 23.

Spain continues to be the world leader with its Blue Flag beaches and Marinas and shows its continuing dedication in helping to insure the quality of its tourism installations remain an important priority for all the governments, local councils and tourism board alike.

Look here for more info on the best beaches in Spain

Gary

Alhambra Palace - Granada

2008-05-27T11:48:00.007+01:00

The magnificent Alhambra Palace in Granada must be one of my most favourite places to visit in Spain and its located ( in my humble opinion ) in arguably the most beautiful Andalusian city, Granada.

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The Alhambra got its name from an Arabic word meaning Reddish due to its colour and is located on top of the "Al-Sabika" hillside with magnificent views over the neighbourhoods of Albaicin, Alcazaba, Granada itself and for miles around the flat plains ( La Vega ) to the south of the city.

The complex is of course located in a strategic position in the area and other remains have been located on the site well before the Muslims arrived. The earliest recordings of the Alhambra date back to the 9th Century and refer to Sawwar ben Hamdun who had to seek refuge there in the year 889.

Buildings, towers, churches, ramparts, gates etc where added and some demolished by the various Caliphas, kings and othe residents of the Alhambra during its long history. Mohammed ben Al-Hamar made it the royal residence in 1238 which marked its most glorious period.

In later times after the catholic conquests had ousted the Muslims, King Charles V ordered the demolition of part of the complex t0 make way for a new palace. They in turn abandoned the palace for good in the 18th Century with part of the complex being blown up during the French domination.

It was not until the 19th that the restoration of the Alhambra began with its remarkable results culminating in what we see today. It is quite incredible that during the 18th Century when the palace was abandoned the whole complex was a free for all with locals and travellers, beggars and thieves lived and slept in and around the palace area , amazing to think in that time how so much of the Alhambras treasures actually survived . One has to wonder though how much of its treasures and other priceless artifacts where removed and taken away to far of lands.

One of the most celebrated portions of the palace is undoubtedly the "Lions Courtyard" a series of courtyards surrounded by rooms which present a varied repertoire of Moorish arched, columnar, and domical forms. The vast amount and intricacy of carved inscriptions on walls and ceilings are quite breathtaking. Visitors over the centuries has been captivated by the special combination of the slender columnar arcades, fountains, and light-reflecting water basins found in those courtyards.

Usefull Links for the Alhambra Palace: Flickr for lots of great photos, and good web site located at http://www.alhambradegranada.org/

The LIONS COURTYARD

" If you see only one city in Spain it should be GRANADA . For here, extraordinarily well preserved and in a tremendous natural setting, stands the Alhambra - the most exciting, sensual and romantic of all European monuments. It was the palace-fortress of the Nasrid sultans, rulers of the last Spanish Moorish kingdom, and in its construction Moorish art reached a spectacular and serene climax. But the building seems to go further than this, revealing something of the whole brilliance and spirit of Moorish life and culture. There's a haunting passage in Jan Morris's book, Spain , which the palace embodies: "Life itself, which was seen elsewhere in Europe as a kind of probationary preparation for death, was interpreted [by the Moors] as something glorious in itself, to be ennobled by learning and enlivened by every kind of pleasure."

Rough Guides

Gary

Cheese from Spain

2008-05-23T09:38:00.003+01:00

Spain has about 100 different varieties of Cheese. Every region has its own specialty, covering a full range of cheese types, from fresh to cured, to fermented and blue-veined. One essential characteristic is the type of milk used in the production. Depending on the area, time of the year, climate, or tradition, cheeses are made of cows', sheep's, goats' milk, or of a mixture of two or all three types of milk.

In general cow's milk cheeses are found in the north, along the Cantabric coast, from Galicia to the Basque Country, and along the northern Cantabric Mountain Range and the Pyrenees. Sheep's milk cheeses are found inland, from the north, in Cantabria and the Basque Country, down to the flats of Castilla-León, Castilla La Mancha, Aragón and Extremadura. And finally goat's milk cheeses are found mostly along the regions of the Mediterranean coast, from Cataluña to Andalusia, as well as in Extremadura. In the islands, both Canary Islands as well as the Balearic, you will find mostly goat milk cheese, although also some cow milk ones, as well as mixed milk cheeses. Mixed milk cheeses are produced across the whole geography, with the predominant milk of each area being more used in the mixes.

Quality cheese production is taken seriously and there are currently 13 cheeses with Denominations of Origin in Spain. Spanish eat cheese every day, whether it is by itself, or with bread, as a tapa, or as a dessert. Because of the variations in climate and geography, as well as culture, each region of Spain produces several varieties of cheese. Each cheese has its own unique characteristics that affect the finished product, such as the type of milk (sheep, goat, cow or a mixture), the production process, the history or traditions and the aging or curing process.

Cheese flavors are usually classified as light, medium and strong. Their classification depends on both the type of milk and breed of animal as well as on the curing or aging process. Strong and flavored cheeses are usually made from sheep milk or a mix, and typically have a longer curing process.

MACHEGO – The Manchego Cheese Council . This is Spain's best-known ewe's-milk cheese and indeed is one of my personal favorites, although for me it has to be well cured , the stronger the taste the better.

It is named for the province where it is made-La Mancha, home of Don Quixote. However, it is not as flamboyant as the old windmill fighter. It remains relatively sweet and mild at any age with a touch of salty nuts. Manchego was originally made to barter at livestock markets and it provided durable food for the shepherds.

More info on Spanish Cheeses can be found via my web site.

Gary

Jose Luis Moreno - Spanish Photographer

2008-05-20T14:19:00.004+01:00

Although the content of these fantastic photos do not have a Spanish theme about them I thought I would include them as they where taken by my business colleague and good friend of many years Jose Luis Moreno.

I really admire his work for the colour, composition and movement techniques of most of his work.

You can see many more photos of this talented photographer via his web site.

Gary

Spain Google Maps

2008-05-19T17:23:00.002+01:00

Google Maps have added geotagged photos and wikipedia entries to their already great free mapping service. Simply open google maps and click the PHOTOS and WIKIPEDIA options at the top and voila, thousands of relevant photos and info with every click.

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Gary

Sightseeing in Barcelona

2008-05-14T12:45:00.005+01:00

A great way to see and visit and all the major sights in Barcelona is with the Barcelona Guide Bureau.

The Barcelona Guide Bureau (BGB) is a tour operator founded in 1990 by a group of local expert guides who wanted to perfect the tour services offered to tourists and travel agents. Since then they have steadily grown, with an expert team of guides, highly efficient office staff, training programs, quality control and an online booking service.

BGB specializes in guided tours in and around Barcelona and are well known for their quality of service and reliability. All their guides are local licensed experts and are friendly, interesting and considerate people who will make sure you will enjoy great guided tours around the worlds most popular city destination.

Gary

Bay of Cadiz - Las Salinas

2008-04-28T15:46:00.004+01:00

The bay of Cadiz is located in the southern Andalucia about an hours drive south of the autonomous region capital, Seville. It encompasses around 10,000 Hectors of beautiful sandy beaches, slat marches, fresh water lakes and inlets as well as two natural parks, the ISLA de TROCADERO and the MARISMAS of SANCTI PETRI and supports a surprising amount of varied wildlife, much more than a first glance would suggest.

Enter the area from the San Fernando side of the Bay and the area is taken up with the simple natural beauty and calmness of the Salt Plains and marshland.

These wet lands ( Las SALINAS ) have supported salt mining since the times of the Phoenicians , the Romans also used it to preserve fish . These days little is left of this ancient farming technique as the cultivation of oysters, sea bass , prawns and clams now drives the local economy along with tourism and fishing.

The salt panning industry had a major effect on the area although great damage was done as abandoned salt mines where filled in to make way for land for construction during the 70s. Thankfully all future threats where halted in 1989 with the creation of the natural park and the wetland area which has become one of the most important in Europe, supporting a rich variety of plants and birds.

Cadiz Bay boasts an exceptional historical and architectural heritage. Its cuisine is some of the best in Spain and if you visit the area try some of the fresh local fresh and sea food noto top forget and one of the superb local wines or sherry’s on offer.
The most important festivals of this area would be the Cadiz Carnival in February, and the Virgen del Carmen Festival.

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Gary

Sierra Nevada in Spring

2008-04-23T08:52:00.003+01:00

Beautiful view up to the Sierra Nevada mountains of Granada from the Picturesque Santa Clara Golf course located some 5 kms from the center of Granada.

I have posted more photos on the main spain-in-photos web site.

Gary

Photos around Spain

2008-03-24T09:59:00.004Z

The NEW photos in Spain web site is now up and running.

We plan to post many hundreds of photos of all apsects of Spanish life including its culture, food , sports, countryside and history.

Gary

Photos of Spain

Mums abroad - Catalunya

2008-03-20T16:10:00.003Z

Came across and interesting web site the other day called MumAbroad.

It is an interactive information site for parents in Catalunya based on recommendations from local Mums. The site provides recommended activities for kids in Barcelona, Sitges, Sant Cugat, Maresme, Girona and Tarragona. You can meet local parents, check out regional cinema, theatre and event listings for kids across Catalunya (updated daily), visit the buy/sell message boards and read reviews on family holidays in Barcelona, Costa Brava & Costa Daurada.

There is also a dedicated section Just for Mums....sounds fun.

Gary