Lanzarote, Spain

Over 3000 years have passed since the eruption of the Monte de Corona volcano on Lanzarote, one of the Canary Islands. That eruption bored out a lava tunnel to the sea, and, indeed, continued under the sea bed for some distance. The tunnel is about 6 km. long, and is claimed as one of the longest lava tunnels in the world. They won’t stick their necks out, and say it’s the longest, but a considerable amount still remains to be explored.

A ‘jameo’, a word that comes from the language the islanders spoke before the Spanish arrived, is formed when part of the roof of a tunnel so formed collapses, and that, simplified, is how the Jameos del Agua came about. ‘Agua’ means water, and it got its name from the underground lake between two of the ‘jameos’.

Inside the ‘jameos’ live blind albino crabs which are found nowhere else. However, they’re difficult if not impossible to see as they’re only a centimeter long. They have been adopted as the icon of the site, so there are plenty of models of them around the place.

You enter by way of the ‘Jameo Chico’ (‘Baby jameo’) and descend into it, down to the lake. A notice sternly forbids throwing coins into the water … (why do tourists feel that, when passing any water feature, be it fountain or horse-trough, they must toss coins into it?) … as this will adversely affect the crabs.

A walkway takes you through the tunnel, along the side of the lake, until you come to the ‘Jameo Grande’, where you ascend once more to exit the system. It might be thought that it’s not very interesting apart from the crabs, for there are no stalactites or other formations found in limestone caves; it’s just a hole in the ground, really.

Jameos del Aqua

But then, in the middle of the 1960s, along came local architect César Manrique.
The work of Manrique can be seen all over Lanzarote, the most conspicuous of which are the ‘mobiles’ on the grass reserve of some roundabouts on the road. When he started, the ‘jameos’ were becoming rather dilapidated and overgrown.

What Manrique did in association with artist Jesús Soto was to create a sort of underground garden; one of the few examples of Man co-ordinating with Nature, and improving on it, but still retaining the feel of the volcanic tunnel.

The idea was to use the acoustics of the ‘Jameo Grande’ for a concert hall in addition to it a restaurant, a pool … for admiring, not for swimming in! … and a dance floor were installed. These blend in naturally, adding great interest to what is actually a rather anonymous hole in the ground.

Most Northern Europeans tend to regard Lanzarote as one of the inexpensive resorts for sun, sand, sea, ‘sangria’ and … (what’s the other S? I forget!) but that’s not true of the whole island. Most of the tourists head for the beaches on the eastern coast, to the south of the capital, Arrecife.

Some will head west, to the volcanic park at Timanfaya, for Lanzarote itself and indeed all of the Canary Islands were formed by volcanic action. Those volcanoes are by no means extinct as any tourist guide will often demonstrate, by tossing a bucket of water down a fumarole to produce a waterspout.

Luckily, Monte de Corona isn’t going to erupt any time soon. At least, I hope not!

Getting there:
Grab flights to Lanzarote from mainland Spain’s larger cities (Barcelona, Madrid) or direct from many northern European countries. Once on the island, your best bet is to rent a car.

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This was Keith’s first guest post with The Spain Scoop! Thanks Keith. See more of his work here: http://travelrat.wordpress.com/

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/paul_stephenson/

Barcelona Style, Chocolate Museum

By Nancy Todd     Comments by: The Blog Dog

Valentine’s cupid has yet to shoot her arrows in Spain as Valentine’s Day is barely celebrated here. However, if you are from the States, and live in Spain,  a big red heart should be drawn on your calendar for February 14.   Take it from me, women LOVE to be remembered on Valentine’s Day. So, if you’re a man and want to earn points with your love, in Barcelona style, head to the Chocolate Museum can help you stay at the top of the list.

The Chocolate Museum, Barcelona

Chocolates and Valentine’s Day go heart in hand.   Walking into this Museum is love at first sniff and a unique place to surprise your sweetie.  Start your day at the Café, also Barcelona style, with some freshly brewed, dark, hot chocolate and a chocolate covered pastry.

This small, unique Museum portrays the history of chocolate complete with sculptures such as a huge chocolate carriage with horses.  You can watch pastry makers at work in the Barcelona Patisseria School across the courtyard.  The friendly staff in the café/store will give you advice on which chocolate goes best with champagne.  Of course, candy is available from chocolate covered almonds that look like rocks to lollypops with burros.  Or make up a gift basket stocked with chocolate and orange marmalade and chocolate wine.  Chocolate wine?  Hey, this is Spain.  Cupid is sure to come your way!

Comments by The Blog Dog:  “Dah-ling who needs chocolate for an aphrodisiac?  All  the boys need is me.”

The Chocolate Museum

Metro: Yellow Line, Jaume 1

Street:36 Commerc

Hours:  Monday- Saturday, 10-7, Holidays-Sundays, 10-3

Related posts on The Spain Scoop: Food in Spain

A Hot Date, Barcelona Style

 By Nancy Todd    Comments by:  The Blog Dog

Calling all Romeos and Juliets who plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day Barcelona style!   Fresh flowers.  Great food.  Candlelight. Champagne. All this and more at Romeo and Juliette Restaurant, a sleek eatery in L’Exaimple, which elegantly serves a blend of French Mediterranean and Asian food.  The contemporary setting is hip and yet has an intimate feeling as it is not a large restaurant.  

 Begin your meal with sophisticated cocktails served by Miguel, the international  bartender who says, “I love what I do. I like to understand the psychology of people and give them precisely what they want.”  Changing art exhibits add to the ambiance.

Barcelona style entres include squid stuffed with vegetables, cuttlefish ink sauce and peppers coulis.  Lamb shanks with rosemary mashed potatoes, and giant shrimp with fennel sound delicious to me.  Of course, being Spain, there is a long wine list.  Check Restaurant Rules for more info on Spanish restaurants.

 The people that work here have a passion for excellent food, drinks, and service.  May your passions soar  at Romeo and Juliet with your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day.

Comments by The Blog Dog:  “I will be wearing my red high heels for Valentine’s Day.  Oh, the dogs are all after me.  So little time.  So many men.”

Place:  Romeo and Juliet Restaurant, 334 Valencia

Price:  Dinners start at 25e

Happy Hour:  Eight to ten o’clock

Romeo et Julliette

Related posts on The Spain Scoop:BCN Buzz

Zach in front of a Las Fallas sculpture.

Las Fallas is one of the most spectacular festivals in Spain and we have Zach Frolich our guest writer and expert  in Valencia, to give us his take.  Las Fallas has immense sculptures; comical, erotic, religious, all dazzling.  It is wild and noisy.   Zach will describe this fantasy fest in four parts. 

By Zach Frolich

Fallas are approaching in Valencia. Fallas! From March 15th through the 19th, the streets of Valencia are transformed into a giant art exhibit, public fair, and hand-fireworks battle zone, culminating in nighttime fireworks shows and “La nit de la cremà,” the night of the burning, when the fallas are all consumed in flames and falleras’ mascara is running all over their otherwise beautiful and ornate traditional outfits.

Sculpture: Convento Jerusalen

Falla Convento-Jerusalén, a large and popular falla. The price-tag of this falla: 300,000 euros! It won 1st prize in 2010, with its theme of “Rumbo al Paraiso”, or “Towards Paradise,” designed by artist Paco López Albert to represent the four seasons of the year.

Fallas dictionary of terms:

• Falla:  The festival Fallas is named for the large papier-mâché art statues called a “falla”, a Valencian word whose latin roots link back to fire. These art displays originated as piles of old furniture that were set out on the streets and burned as part of spring cleaning. They have evolved a lot since those modest 19th-century roots.

• Ninot:  – Valencian word for each paper-mâché puppet or figurine. A large falla might contain hundreds of ninots. They will all be burned on March 19th except for one ninot from the 1st-place falla, which is saved and placed in the Fallas museum.

• Fallero/fallera (mayor, infantil): – the people who make it all happen. You will see them in tents nearby the fallas during Fallas, celebrating with their families and neighborhood friends, and parading through the streets in traditional attire on their way to the Virgin with their flower ofrenda. There are two females, falleras, chosen each year to be the main representatives for each casal faller, a young one about 8 years old who is the fallera infantil, and another around 20-30 years old who is the fallera mayor.

• Casal faller:  - local neighborhood committee of “falleros” who spend the entire year preparing their street’s falla. There are hundreds of these casals, each with their own independent falla and neighborhood festivities

Close up of Convento Jerusalen.

.• Mascletà: This is what I’ve taken to explaining as a “sound fireworks show”, since it is more about the noise it makes than lighting up the sky. (Indeed, they are usually done during the day.) The city will do an official mascletà once a day during the festivities, but each casal faller will also have a neighborhood one at least once during the week of Fallas.

• Petardo: -  Spanish word for hand-fireworks, and you will be hearing a ton of them throughout the week of Fallas. It is not uncommon to see groups of kids in plazas setting them off. Masclets are the very, very loud ones, which resemble (in sound) a bomb going off and can set off car alarms and wake the whole neighborhood.

• Traca:  - strings of fireworks where you set off one and it triggers a series of small snapping fireworks. On la nit de la cremà, the burning of most fallas will be initiated by a traca string of fireworks.

• Castillo: Though it literally means “castle” in Spanish, this is also the word for a fireworks show in the sky. There is at least one official castillo each night the week of Fallas, normally around or just after midnight over the riverbed. Again, each casal will have its own castillo in the neighborhood, usually the last night.

What festivals have you enjoyed in Spain?

Related Spain Scoop:  You can read more of Zach’s writing here.  More attractions in Valencia.  More festivals from BBC.
Zach Frohlich, originally from Austin, Texas, has been traveling between Spain and the U.S. for over a decade, and settled and is living in Valencia for the last couple of years. He is a historian by training and married to a Spaniard. He shares cultural insights and background on Spain at: www.nothemingwaysspain.blogspot.com

Is it a boat? Is it a plane? No, it is The Guggenheim.

By Nancy Todd

Twice a month, The Scoopettes bring you Photo Scoop, a photo essay on things we love about Spain.  This month, I herald Frank Gehry, American architect extrordinare, who I have followed for years.    Whether I like his work or not, I love that he is daring,  exciting, in my face, and one of the most creative architects of our day.

When I took the train from the airport into the city of Bilbao, we rounded a bend, and in all it’s shimmering glory was The Guggenheim Museum.  I had expected it to be pretentious, an American imposition,  and was wondering what the hell it was doing in this sedate city.  Moored right next to the river, it’s ship-like bow glows, prods, swoops and slides.  I love it.  It works in Bilbao.

Layered with riveted titanium panels.

Louise Nevelson's Spider.

The Puppy, Jeff Koons. Huge, planted with thousands of flowers with an interior irrigation system.

Related Spain Scoop:  Soft spoken Frank Gehry in an interview with Charlie Rose.

Streets in Spain

By Nancy Todd

The best way to see Spanish cities is by foot.  Or by two feet, whatever your preference.  For sojourns by foot, you need several maps of Madrid, Barcelona, Toledo, Seville, etc.

Why so many maps?  In some neighborhoods, different maps have different names for the same street.  Or, handily, no name at all.  In one nine block street, in the neighborhood of Gracia,  a name changed four times.  Time for Barcelona street savvy to walk into action.

When in doubt, spread your maps on the sidewalk or car hood. Take a tally.  Find the winner. Maybe you will find the street you are looking for.  Maybe not.  With map in hand and meager Spanish skills, I stop the unwary and attempt three questions:

1.      Where have I been?

2.      Where am I now?

3.      Where am I going?

These are also questions of life’s purpose, and the answers give you free therapy.  No life coach needed.  Street names in Spain tend to be very long:

Looking at laundry while you are lost helps pass the time.

Carrer de la Comptessa de Sobradiel

Carrer Vallvidrera a Santa Crew D’Oorda                                                 Carrer Felix Rodrigues de la Fuente

What happened to College Street or Joe Buck Road?  What have your experiences been with traveling around Spain?

Maps: Available at hotels, Tourist Info Offices

Related posts on The Spain Scoop:  Barcelona tips

Barcelona at Night

By Regina Winkle-Bryan

Ok, this one is more difficult! Up for a challenge? This is one of the prettiest religious sites in Barcelona. It was made by the people, for the people. What is it? And which neighborhood is it in?

RELATED ON THE SCOOP: VIDEOS

Generalife, in Granada with the Sierra Mountains.

There are billions of bars in Spain.  Community. Sense of belonging to neighborhood. Gossip. Chat of the day. When I go out with friends in Spain, we go to a bar first, movie or activity second, and back to the bar.  People in Spain love to hang out.  Throw away your watch when you come to Spain.  Robin Graham, our guest writer and expert from Southern Spain, takes you into an ordinary bar.  Not a slick, trendy bar, this is the real thing.  And, Granada is known for their excellent tapas.

By Robin Graham

You know when you’ve reached Bar La Trastienda because it says “Bar La Trastienda” over the door, but everything else is telling you to turn around. It’s quiet and you’re facing an antique and slender double door of plain sheet metal. The upper section of each half is a paned glass panel, covered with net curtains which fail to obscure the interior scene.

Street in Granada.

The light inside is fluorescent and there are two women in white coats, which makes quite an impression. They aren’t alone, surrounded by what you take to be their neighbours. They are all of a certain age and their chatter, when you timidly push one of the doors open, puts an end to the quiet. Over their heads and – now that you’ve stepped down and in off the street – over yours, hangs an inverted forest of embutidos; salchichones, morcillas, chorizos.

Pool at the Partal Palace at the Alhambra in Granada

Apart from the neighbours, sausages and dark wood counter, all is white and brightly lit. It’s the kind of tiny shop you still remember from your boyhood, and family visits in the mountains of Galicia. The oily scent of cured meats spiced with pimentón; inexplicable lace doilies draped over any available surface; Jesus and/or Mary everywhere you look.

This isn’t Galicia, though; it’s Granada, and this isn’t meant to be a shop. According to The Guardian, it’s supposed to be a bar. You’re frozen at the door, unsure of how to proceed and on the point of retreating when one of the white-coats gestures to the right, to a big old antique till. As wrong as it seems, you comply and squeeze behind it and through a little doorway.

You find yourself trastienda (behind the shop). Benches line little recesses along a wall tiled in green, yellow and black – the archetypical Moorish patterns of Granada and its Alhambra palaces. The tables and stools are low to the ground and the room is dimly lit by little table-top lamps. Surprisingly chic, there is no piped music – just the hum of chat from a few patrons.

Relieved and delighted, you take a seat and order a caña, and because you’re in Granada you sit back to wait for your free tapa, which as it turns out is no surprise; a nice bit of salchichon from the ladies out front.

Plaza de Cuchilleros 1, Granada.

What has been your experiences in bars in Spain?

Related Spain Scoop:   Blogs from Spain we love.   See our interview with Robin Graham.  Christine Medina has The Scoop on tapas in Andalucia.

 Robin Graham, writer extroidnaire lives  in Tarifa.  He writes about places and experiences in Spain, some as he says,  “made up,”  perfect for his site name: www.alotofwind.com   His writing is well crafted and at times,  when I plan to spend three minutes on his blog, I read and read and read.

©Robin Graham 2012

calçots!

While February is viewed by many as a dreary month in Europe, in sunny Spain there’s plenty to celebrate. Here’s what The Scoop likes this month:

Calçots: Green onions dipped in romesco sauce, eating Calçots is a tradition, a meal, a hell of a good time. A seasonal food in Catalonia, do not miss Calçot season, which is on NOW until April. See more on how to eat Calçots here:http://youtube./rZQuHKRk3tc

Gastrofestival 2012: Held in Madrid until the 5th of February this an event foodies are going to want to be at. Filmoteca Nacional will also be showing food-related movies! http://www.esmadrid.com/gastrofestival/

Six In The City 2, theater in English: Hunter Treymayne puts on the second part to Six In The City, which was a hit in Barcelona last year. The four evenings of six one-act plays begin on the 23rd of February. See more here:http://www.huntertremayne.com/

Carnaval: Head to Sitges, the Canary Islands or Cadiz for the best Carnaval (Mardi Gras) celebrations in Spain. Bring your costume! Feb 16-22, 2012. More: http://www.sitgesevents.com/event/sitges-carnival-carnaval-2012/

Book Presentation!: Bilingual English and Catalan book All Angles: Souvenir, will be presented at FNAC in Barcelona on the 25th of February, 2012! Oh yeah, Scoopette Regina Winkle-Bryan is one of the authors. It’s a collection of short travel stories on Catalonia and a darn good read!
MORE:
Reading date: Saturday 25 February
Time: 18:30-19:30
Venue: FNAC Arenas, Barcelona (metro Espanya)

Flamenco in Spain, 2010

It is the same every time. Friends arrive to visit me in Barcelona and I ask them what they’d like to see. ‘We’d love to check out some flamenco!,‘ they reply, and I shake my head a slow ‘No’ in response, watching them look crestfallen. Barcelona is about a lot of things – flamenco is not one of them.

The scoop on good flamenco is:  go south, or at least get out of Catalunya. There are fabulous flamenco fests all over Spain all year long. For a complete list of some of the best flamenco festivals of 2012, check with flamencofestival.info, which lists shows by region.

Next month in Jerez, a city in the south of Spain, the Festival de Jerez will bring together some talented guitarists, dancers and singers. The festival goes from late Feb to mid March, and tickets to these popular shows range from 17 to 30 Euros. If you are in the south of Spain during this festival, you will not want to miss this opportunity to see some truly passionate music. Ole!

More:

RELATED POSTS ON THE SPAIN SCOOP: SEVILLE

Wall design in an Andalucia white village.

Our guest writer and local expert in Andalucia, Christine Medina, captivated with the white villages of Andalucia, gives us her take on the town of Vejer De La Frontera.  Originally, most Andalucian towns were fortresses.  Over the centuries, the area of the white villages developed agricultural products:   goat cheese, olive oil, fruits and vegetables.

By Christine Medina

After driving past this white village several times, set high atop a steep hillside off of the highway between Tarifa and Cadiz, I was intrigued. I set off in the peak of Spain’s boiling summer to seek shade amongst the labyrinthine walls of Vejer De La Frontera, a traditional Andalusian pueblo blanco (white village) that’s been ruled by Phoenicians, Romans, Moors and Christians.

The five-century-long Moorish rule had the biggest influence on Vejer De La Frontera. You’ll find it in the architecture of many door frames and spot it in paintings scattered around the town depicting women in burka-like apparel. It was until as recent as the end of the 20th century that the women of Vejer wore long, black cloaks that veiled their faces.

Vejer De La Frontera has an unmistakably mysterious feel to it, perhaps due to its diverse and intriguing past, or its dramatic location and even present-day isolation.  Here’s what’s worth seeing in Vejer:

Las Vistas

Stand at any high point in the town and you’ll be offered either stunning views of the whitewashed buildings, a peek at the Moroccan coastline on a clear day, or overlook the winding highway and fields that sprawl out before you .Vejer’s unique location in a cleft between two high hills make the views outstanding.

La Iglesia

The Church of the Divine Savior is unique in that it combines two distinct architectural styles: Gothic and Mudejar, left over from the Moorish rule of the city.

My favorite aspect of the pueblos blancos are their shared commonality. No, not the fact that they are indeed white, but the curvy, narrow streets they offer are perfect for exploration. You’ll be treated with discovering touches of Arabic influence, beautiful patios and feel almost like you’re in a different time, especially in Vejer.

Playa El Palmar

The beaches on the Costa de Luz are the unspoiled gems of the Andalusian coastline. Unlike the neighboring Costa del Sol, the beaches of much of Cádiz aren’t packed to the brim with people. Playa El Palmar is no exception with it’s long stretches of white sand.

Los Molinos

Vejer De La Frontera is dotted with several flour mills, located in the highest part of the town. Nearly all of the mills have been repaired by the Andalusian government (unless privately owned) and offer a unique peek into Vejer’s agricultural past.

What have your experiences been traveling in Andalucia?

Related Spain Scoop:  Christine has The Scoop on tapas in Andalucia.  Robin, another guest writer, transports you to bar life in Cadiz, also in Andalucia.   The Olive Press is a hard copy and on line newspaper in Andalucia worth your read.

Christine Medina, originally from Seattle, Washington, has been an expat in Andalucia for two years.  She shares her travel advice, anedotes and photographs   on http://www.christineinspain.com/

Azorri Beach - Bilbao

The Spain Scoop welcomes Liz Pitt as a guest writer and expert from Bilbao where you’ll find The Guggenheim Museum, excellent tapas, and the proud people of the Basque region.

By Liz Pitt

When most people think of the beaches of Spain, they conjure up images of the Costa del Sol, white sand beaches on the Mediterranean, and the fiestas that last all night in Ibiza. Bilbao is not one of the places that typically come to mind.

Industrial, gritty, developing-these are the words that people think of when they think of Bilbao. However, after living in Bilbao for almost a year and a half, I have thoroughly explored the coastline just outside the city, and and want to share some of my finds with you.

1.  Sopelana

Sopelana is quite possibly my favorite beach in Bilbao. It’s gorgeous. Cliffs  drop into the ocean and create a stunning backdrop for your sunbathing. You can also rent surfboards and take lessons there. There are also a couple cafes that overlook the beach  to have a coffee and a sandwich. If you’re not the “laying on the beach” type, but still want to appreciate the beauty, you can hike along the cliffs and witness some amazing views.

Sopelana Beach - Bilboa

How to get there: Take the metro line 1 in the direction of Plentzia. Get off at the Sopelana stop. You will have to walk through the town, otherwise there is a bus that drops you off right at the beach.

2.  Azkorri

Azkorri isn’t as well known, and it’s a bit of a mission to get to. Getting there involves a steep hill, but this seems to deter a lot of people. For me, it’s worth it, because it’s usually less crowded than most other beaches in the area.  A heads up: I knew people in Spain were usually comfortable with their bodies when it comes to sunbathing. What I didn’t know was that Azkorri is a  nude beach. Once I got over the initial shock, I was able to enjoy my beach experience.

How to get there: Take the A-3411 from the city center-either Plaza Ensanche or right in front of the Museo de las Bellas Artes. Get off at the last stop, and follow the hill down to the beach.

3.   Plentzia

This beach takes the longest to get to, as it is the last stop on the metro line.  It is worth the trek. Plentzia is a quiet town that grows in population over the summer when the Bilbaínas use it as their refuge from the city heat.

Plentzia Beach - Bilboa

The beach is fairly large, with lots of room to lay out or play the ever-popular paddle ball game. It’s also a good walking beach, with lots of coastline. The waves are usually smaller than the other beaches, which is nice if you want to take a dip.

How to get there: Take the metro line 1 to the end of the line. Follow the river on your left until you get to the beach.

4. Castro Urdiales

Castro isn’t technically in Bilbao. It’s not even in País Vasco, it’s in the neighboring community of Cantabria. However, it’s the shortest ride of all the beaches I’ve listed.

Castro Urdiales Beach - Bilbao

There are two beaches to choose from along with a jetty that many locals use for sunbathing as well. The town is also nice for taking a stroll, and the boardwalk has many cafes where you can have  coffee or  sangria.

How to get there: At the Bilbao bus station (Termibus), take the “Castro Directo”. It’s a 25 minute ride, and while you can get off at any stop, the closest to the beach is the second stop, Menéndez Pelayo 2

More related Spain Scoop:  If you visit nearby  San Sebastian while in Bilboa, we know some great tapas bars.

Liz Pitt is a Wisconsinite who transplanted to Bilbao, Spain almost 2 years ago. She currently teaches English at a local high school. While she doesn’t speak Basque, she loves everything about Bilbao, from the pintxos to the beaches, and will talk your ear off about it if she has the chance. When she’s not exploring Basque Country, she travels to other European destinations. You can check out her stories and photos on her blog, http://www.lizenespana.com/p/who-is-liz.html

Photo Castro Urdiales Beach by Matt Bardwell.

Sitges in Spain

By Nancy Todd

This internationally known Mediterranean party town has many excellent hotels.  Many will have Sea views, others will be in walking distance to the Sea as Sitges in Spain is a small town.  Grab a cup of excellent Spanish coffee, and view the sunrise.

Watching that huge ball of sun crest over the Mediterranean Sea is a great way to start the day, all the while walking along the one and one half mile long  esplanade.  Sitges, as a late night party city, you will want to check on the potential noise level on the street of your hotel  – if it matters to you.    You may be one of the noisy partiers.

 Here is the Scoop on hotels.  Prices flucuate with the seasons.

1. Calipolis Hotel **** – Recommended by Peder and Brent who keep returning.  Right on the Sea with choice of rooms or apartments.  Private terraces and pool.  A very cool hotel slightly away from late night revelers.  Price:  150 euros.

www.hotelcalipolis.com

2.  La Pinta *** - Intimate with 25 room right on the Sea.  75 euros.  

http://www.lapinta.net/

3.  Sitges Park Hotel *** – Experience an Art Nouveau building in the heart of the city with a pool, close to the Sea and action.  Tons of restaurants and good shopping right out your door.  Pretty garden and terrace.  Even though it is located on Jusus Street, it doesn’t mean you have to go to church.  75 euros.   

http://www.sitgesparkhotel.com/

4.  Bonaire Pension ** – This family run pension is on a quaint side street in the Old City and close to the sea.  A great location for strolling the back streets of Sitges.  50 euros. 

http://bonairehostalsitges.com/

 5.  El Cid * – Pool.  Bar.  Close to everything.  A bargain.  50 euros.  http://www.hotelsitges.com/    

RELATED ON THE SCOOP: Zombie Walk at the Sitges Film Festival.   We Scoopettes  love to go to sunny Sitges, just a shell’s throw from Barcelona.

Parador San Francisco - Hotel in Granada

By Nancy Todd

Your Scoop Experts have stayed in hundreds of hotels.  Some four star hotels really think they are five star hotels, but in reality are three stars.   The Scoopometer determines  that one quick way to know if a hotel is a four or five star is by the Plastic Flower Theory.  If  there is one plastic flower in the hotel lobby, it moves down to a two or three star.  If there are no real or plastic flowers, you are in a one star or below.  All five stars have gorgeous, real, live flowers.  For additional hotels, check out another cool site.

If you are staying in budget places in Granada and it is not January, ask if the hotel has air conditioning.  You will need it in the hot months.  The day I arrived in July, the temperature was 109 degrees.  Prices change with the seasons.

l.  Parador de Granada San Francisco – Want to feel like a king and queen?  Stay right on the grounds of the Alhambra in an Arab palace rebuilt in the fourteenth century.   Beautiful gardens with panoramic views, antique furniture, and a grand, cool courtyard with a fountain.  Regal.  Quiet. Paradors do not have the star system.  They don’t need one.  They are all superb.  Real flowers tell the story.  Restaurant.  If royal nights are your desire, you can drive or take a taxi unto the Alhambra grounds to get to this hotel.  300+ euros.

www.parador.es

2.  Hotel Villa Oniria – Oh, this is a beauty.  Four star which would be a five star if it had two elevators.  With a  spa, it’s located in the center of Granada. Opened in 2007,  with sophisticated renovation by famous Spanish architect Pascua Ortega.  This Hotel is an old, small palace, with lush garden restaurant and swaying palms.  The Superior Suite, I wanted to move into forever:   fireplace, terrace with sofa and dining table, two sets of french doors.  Contemporary furnishings yet classic.  Wow. 200′s+ euros.

Hotel Onira - Granada

http://www.villaoniria.com/

3.  Palace Hotel Granada – The views go on for miles. Depending on the location of your room, you can see the sunrise or sun set.  Located right next to the grounds of the Alhambra.  Four stars.  Moorish arches, tile work.  About two miles from the center of Granada.  200+ euros.  This hotel has a fortress look.   I did not go into this hotel.

http://alhambra-palace.hotel-rez.com

4.   Shine Hotel and Bar – Sleek,  and a brand new boutique hotel, it shines forth in 15th century building.  Seven hip rooms on Plaza Bib Rambla. Every room different with lavish, contemporary furnishings.  Breakfast included.  Not an Ikea piece in sight.  Excellent bar/restaurant.    70 euros.  A quiet dazzler and bargain.

http://www.shinehotels.com/ui/hoteles.aspx

5.  Garanat Hotel – On mellow side street.  Entering through ancient, huge wooden doors, you glide into a serene courtyard with white leather chairs and a fountain.  This 1500′s building has been refurbished in an elegant, contemporary style with inspirational poetic quotes on the walls.  Library.  All rooms different.  Large bathrooms.  Breakfast included. Gorgeous.  Top quality.  110+euros.

http://www.hoteldeperegrinos.com/

6.  Hotel America – You can stay on the Alhambra grounds for a budget price of  70 – 100+euros.  The Hotel is a two storied old house.  Courtyard with trees and fountain.  Cars and taxis will get you up the hill.  Small and quiet.  The staff will not win the Best Personality Award.  But, hey, you are on the grounds of the Alhambra.

http://www.hotelamericagranada.com/

7.  Zaquan del Darro – In charming Albaicin neighborhood with views of the Alhambra.  Rooms decorated in Moorish design in a 17th century home.  Restaurants close by.  Thirteen rooms with a pleasant staff.   Lovely courtyard lobby.  49 – 79  euros.  A bargain.

http://www.hotelzaguan.com/

8.    Hastal Costa Azul – Two stars.  Good location across from fruit store and cafes.  Wireless internet.  Patio.  Free book exchange.  Students affiliated with National Geographic classes and Miami University stay here.  Friendly staff.  44-55 euros.

http://www.hostalcostaazul.com/ Where have you stayed in Granada?  Write and let us know.

RELATED  SPAIN SCOOP:  Flea Market in Granada . More cool shopping in Granada..

Tilework In Seville

www.hotel-alfonsoxiii.com

2.  Hotel Regina*** -  Located near Parque de la Cartula. Lovely patio. In the center of the City.  Inquire about construction nearby.  Close to public transportation.  www.eurostarshotels.com

3.  Hotel Amadeus** – Eighteenth century manor house. Fourteen rooms.Beautiful Moorish architectural influence.  You will feel like the Moors did in the 1400′s before Queen Isabel kicked them outta Spain.  This is a chance to feel like a king and queen.

www.hotelamadeussevilla.com

4.  Hotel Zaida* – Rennovated Moor palace from the 1700’s. Courtyard with wicker chairs.Quiet street. Recently renovated.  Courtyards are common in southern Spain.  Take advantage of their beauty and coolness.  A different lifestle is waiting.

www.hotelzaida.com

5.  Hotel un patio Al Sur – Great location, quiet street but near the bustle of the city.Newly renovated with clean modern lines and Ikea creeping in.Very helpful staff. Basic and very clean, another lovely courtyard.

http://www.patioalsur.es/en/

RELATED ON THE SPAIN SCOOP: Food images in Seville.  The Christmas Market in Seville has lots and lots of holy figures.