Spain
November 5th, 2007 at 01:16pm
Under Spain
One of the best things about visiting Spain is that it has fabulous art museums!! My personal favorites: 1. El Prado, Madrid for portraits by Goya 2. La Reina Sofia, Madrid for works like “Guer
nica” by Picasso 3. El Museo de Picasso in Barcelona; it’s in a beautiful building 4. El Museo de Salvador Dali in Figueres; a fun-house designed by the artist himself 5. the museum of modern art in Valencia
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By admin
September 30th, 2007 at 09:04am
Under Spain+ Travel
Guggenheim Museum Bilboa: “The Guggenheim Museum Bilboa, in Spain, was built in 1997 by Frank Gehry, a Pritzker Prize winning Canadian/American Architect. Mr. Gehry is well known for his modern architecture, much of which seems to defy logic with its curves and bends. Unlike many architects, he completed construction of the museum on time and within the original budget.”
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By admin
September 13th, 2007 at 07:27pm
Under Spain
All forms of tourist accommodation can be found in Galicia and Northern Spain. Accommodation can be found that will fit all forms of budgets and even the most particular tourists will find something to suit their particular needs.
If it is luxury that you are after then the best advice should be to head straight for the exclusive hotels and “Paradors” but to be honest even the basic family “casas rurales” are extremely good value for money. The region is dotted with mountain refuges with stunning views not to mention that in the coastal areas you can find quite a few campsites.
The standard of accommodation in the area is extremely high as you would expect from Galicia and Northern Spain. The categorisation for the hotels is awarded on a star system and these are allocated by the regional tourist authorities. If you need actual visible proof of the standard of your hotel you can find confirmation indicated by a small blue plaque near the hotel front door.
You can usually find en-suite bathrooms or at least a shower in each Hotel bedroom. Do not expect to find en-suite facilities in the smaller Hostels and “Pensiones” but you might be surprised in certain cases.
Don’t equate the number of stars on the outside door of the hotel to necessarily match the standards of the accommodation that is on offer and this is because in Spain the stars are allocated on the facilities on offer not necessarily the quality of the service. The more exclusive hotels offer all kinds of extra facilities, such as air conditioning, on-site parking, internet-access and rooms with televisions as well as facilities for the disabled.
The cost of accommodation as in most cases varies from season to season therefore it is wise to plan in advance. A popular option available in all of the autonomous regions of northern Spain are hostels (hostales) and guest houses (pensiones) which are cheaper than hotels. These are usually establishments that can only offer a few beds and by and large are family-run.
There are in excess of 1,500 hotels with a total of 92,000 beds registered in the territory of “Green Spain” — the Atlantic regions of Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque country.
Grupo Sol-Melia and NH are the biggest chain of hotels in the area. Their facilities are of a high standard and include internet-access amongst other features. Latterly there have been a growing number of smaller privately run hotels that offer memorable relaxing accommodation available.
In Spain they have dotted throughout the country a series of state run hotels that are known as Paradors. These are classified from between three to five stars. The first Parador opened in 1928 and there is now quite a comprehensive network throughout the country. The theory behind them was that they should never be more than a day’s drive from one to another. In Santiago de Compostela you can find possibly the best known Parador in the area and this is the Parador de los Reyes Catolicos. Other Paradors can be found in Castles, Monasteries and various other monuments’. You will quite often find that there are a growing number of purpose built Paradors and these can quite often be found in either towns of historic interest or areas of spectacular scenery.
The local Parador might not be best hotel in town but it will usually deliver a predictably consistent standard of comfort. The standard from each Parador to Parador very rarely varies with comfortable spacious bedrooms to be found throughout. Some also offer fine regional cuisine. It is usually wise to plan ahead and book your accommodation if you wish to use the network of Paradors. Bookings can be made either using the Central de Reservas which is a centrally based service based in Madrid or you can contact each Parador direct. Rates can be expensive it is worth looking for special deals especially in the high season but to be brutally honest this has to be the same anywhere you go.
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By admin
August 6th, 2007 at 01:27pm
Under Spain
Madrid became Spain’s capital simply through its geographical position at the centre of Iberia. When Felipe II moved the seat of government here in 1561 his aim was to create a symbol of the unification and centralization of the country, and a capital from which he could receive the fastest post and communications from each corner of the nation. The site itself had few natural advantages - it is 300km from the sea on a 650-metre-high plateau, freezing in winter, burning in summer - and it was only the determination of successive rulers to promote a strong central capital that ensured Madrid’s survival and development.
Nonetheless, it was a success, and today Madrid is a vast, predominantly modern city, with a population of some three million and growing. The journey in - through a stream of concrete-block suburbs - isn’t pretty, but the streets at the heart of the city are a pleasant surprise, with pockets of medieval buildings and narrow, atmospheric alleys, dotted with the oddest of shops and bars, and interspersed with eighteenth-century Bourbon squares. By comparison with the historic cities of Spain - Toledo, Salamanca, Sevilla, Granada - there may be few sights of great architectural interest, but the monarchs did acquire outstanding picture collections, which formed the basis of the Prado museum. This has long ensured Madrid a place on the European art tour, and the more so since the 1990s arrival - literally down the street - of the Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza galleries, state-of-the-art homes to fabulous arrays of modern Spanish painting (including Picasso’s Guernica ) and European and American masters.
As you get to grips with the place you soon realize that it’s the inhabitants - the madrileños - that are the capital’s key attraction: hanging out in the traditional cafés or the summer terrazas, packing the lanes of the Sunday Rastro flea market, or playing hard and very, very late in a thousand bars , clubs, discos and tascas . Whatever Barcelona or San Sebastián might claim, the Madrid scene, immortalized in the movies of Pedro Almodóvar, remains the most vibrant and fun in the country. The city is also in better shape than for many years past, after a £500-million refurbishment for its role as 1992 European Capital of Culture and the ongoing impact of a series of urban rehabilitation schemes - funded jointly by the European Union and local government - in the older barrios (districts) of the city. Improvements are also being made to the transport network, with extensions to the metro, the construction of new ring roads and the excavation of a series of road tunnels designed to bring relief to the city’s overcrowded streets. The authorities are even preparing a bid for the 2012 Olympics.
By admin
July 30th, 2007 at 09:12pm
Under Spain
Moraira has all the charm you would expect of a quaint old Spanish fishing town. Lying north of the city of Alicante and south of Valencia with the Mediterranean Sea stretched out at its feet Moraira remains one of the unspoilt resorts of the Costa Blanca. Its 8km of beautiful coastline backed by mountains attracts visitors from all over Europe, seeking a luxury holiday in Spain.
The town has expertly managed to preserve the traditional way of life whilst embracing modern tourism and offers an impressive variety of shops and amenities. Stylish cafes like ‘Deli’ on Calle Calatayud are popular, serving home cooked dishes including quiches and exotic curries. For more authentic Spanish cuisine visit Las Gaviotas which lies in the main square by the town’s church. To sample fresh local produce try the main fish restaurants located on the waterfront overlooking the port or the fish market (La Lonja) held every morning except on Sundays. Dining in is also an option as there are many supermarkets to choose from and the Continente Hypermarket is just half an hours drive away.
Moraira boasts two lovely sandy beaches with EEC Blue Flag Status which can be enjoyed by all the family. There are also plenty of other activities to keep you busy including water sports, golf courses, tennis, squash, boat hire and excursions. Apart from the resorts of Javea and Calpe, other places of interest are the mountain top fortress of Guadalest, the ancient city of Murcia and Europe’s largest palm forest all accessible by day excursion.
If you are lucky enough to be there during July, you will see a wonderful display of fireworks, parade and procession in honour of the Virgin of the Unsheltered and the Virgin of Carmen, protector of sailors and fishermen. The town of Teulada, the old town of Moraira is just 8km inland and is also well worth a visit. There is a great street market held here every week which is full of buzzing activity.
Moraira averages 3,000 hours of sunshine each year, 325 days of every year. The climate stays pleasantly warm whilst cool sea breezes ensure it is never sweltering, making it the ideal holiday location all year round. The relaxed traditional ambience of Moraira with its stunning views across to El Peñon de Ifach, the rock of Calpe, and the luscious green countryside of the Mediterranean canvas is a flawless setting for a luxury holiday in Spain.
By admin
July 22nd, 2007 at 02:20pm
Under Spain+ France
Little known to many, the area known as Gers lies deep in the south west of France and is part of the Midi-Pyrenees region. It sits just to the west of the university town of Toulouse. It is named after the river Gers which has it’s source in the foothills of the Pyrenees, near Lannemezan.
If you have been looking at property in Spain as well as France, or maybe you have had trouble deciding between Spain or France, then perhaps Gers is the place for you. Due to the proximity of Spain, the strong influence of Spanish culture is evident throughout this area. There have been many waves of Spanish immigrants to this part of south west France, adding colour and variety to the region, and making a truly unique ambience.
Property in Gers tends to reflect this influx of Spanish culture. The rolling countryside is lush and green, and forts and castles adorn the hilltops. This area is only now becoming increasingly popular with foreigners and is still relatively undiscovered.
From the foothills of the Pyrenees, the river Gers flows north and passes through the departments of Hautes-Pyrenees, Tarn-et-Garonne and Gers. The capital city of Auch, is found beside the river Gers. This department covers just over 6,000 square kilometres, and has a total population of around 150,000. Auch is the administrative capital of Gers, one of France’s least bustling and most overlooked areas.
Historically, Gers was part of Gascony. It was one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution in 1790. Interestingly, residents of this area are referred to as ‘Gersois’.
Gers is a part of the historic Armangnac region well known for its predominant commercial activity — the production of fiery world famous brandy. Gers is mainly an agricultural region, producing a variety of cereals, poultry and well known gastronomic specialities including goose pate “fois gras”.
Wild mushrooms are abundant here and their presence has spawned yet another specialist gastronomic industry all of its own, built up around the areas famously prolific wild mushrooms.
Whilst this region officially has it’s own language, a dialect of the “langue d’oc” it is little spoken or known today. The majority of people speak French here, but you will find smatterings who also speak Spanish. For many years throughout history, the people of Gers have offered shelter to pilgrims making their way to Santiago De Compostella in Spain.
The region of Gers is comparatively little known, and therefore property in Gers is usually a very welcome surprise in many ways to most Europeans. If you are seeking to make your dream of a home in France reality, then check out the property for sale in the Gers area of south west France.
By admin
July 18th, 2007 at 06:59am
Under Spain
Does the thought of having a fully staffed yacht to yourself appeal?
With yachts costing around the half million pound mark, plus crew and upkeep costs, they’re only available normally to the super-rich.
However, if you’re looking for a real relaxing holiday with a difference, without breaking the bank, how about heading to Mallorca and boarding the exclusive “Blue Ocean” for either 3 or 6 days?
Sleeping up to 6 guests in amazing comfort and luxury. the skipper will take you around the bays, train you in scuba diving and cave exploring - or you can just relax and sunbathe on the decks.
Children are very welcome and can be entertained by the on-board nanny / hostess who will prepare and serve your food and drinks.
A real bonus is the membership of Mallorca’s brand new, members only, Cala D’Or Yacht Club, with lounges, a business suite - and there’s even a kids area with PlayStations, a gym and a pool all overlooking the bautiful harbour.
This was the idea of the wife of the owner, Paul Gilbert, as a “complement to a lifestyle”, rather than just another hotel - and they’ve certainly managed that - think “yacht meets 5+ star hotel”.
Your first day in the yacht starts with a champagne reception and all costs, moorings, refreshments and soft drinks are included.
You can have 10 people on the yacht during the day and explore the Mediterranean around Mallorca - the captain and owner Ronaldo Valencia will take you wherever you want, with previous guests ranging fromn grannies to grandkids.
It occurs to me that this would make a brilliant “business meeting / team building” break, as the Yacht Club has 2 meeting rooms with computers, wireless internet, video conferencing, projection, and fax and a full boardroom style table with fine art on the walls.
My verdict? - Recommended …. and around half the price I expected!
By admin
July 15th, 2007 at 07:06pm
Under Spain
MADRID, Spain - Six massive bulls hurtled down narrow cobblestone streets alongside thousands of thrill-seeking runners Saturday, injuring three people on the final day of Pamplona’s annual running of the bulls festival.
Ricardo Brufau Giner, 21, of Barcelona, was gored in the buttock and taken for surgery. Fernando Garayoa Platero, 52, of Pamplona, was recovering from a skull injury after being caught and lofted in the air. And an unidentified 30-year-old Spaniard was recovering from abdominal bruising after getting trampled, the government said.
Although relatively quick at less than three minutes, the run was complicated after two bulls separated from the front-running pack and galloped several yards behind. The two bulls weighed more than 1,100 pounds apiece.
On Thursday, Lawrence and Michael Lenahan, brothers from Westlake, Ohio, were gored simultaneously in an accident-filled run that also injured 11 others. It was the worst day for injuries in the nine-day San Fermin festival.
The festival in this northern town, renowned for its all-night wine- and sangria-fueled street parties, dates back to the late 16th century. It gained worldwide fame in Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 novel “The Sun Also Rises.”
Alvaro Barrientos / AP
Revelers fall as they are chased by Victorino’s fighting bulls during the running of the bulls at the San Fermin fiestas in Pamplona, northern Spain, on Saturday.
By admin
July 3rd, 2007 at 10:18pm
Under Spain
Madrid, Spain’s capital, deserves respect having struggled hard to establish itself over the years throughout the troubled history of Spain.
Madrid is fascinating, highly intriguing with wonderfully interesting people. There are those who sarcastically referred to Madrid as Spain’s second city after Barcelona by and large those are the people that have never really got to know Madrid. Now I know Barcelona has the Cathedral, the Nou Camp Stadium and was the venue for the most recent Olympic Games to be held in Spain but to write Madrid off as Spain’s second city seems to miss the point completely.
Yes the Catalans may praise Barcelona for the creativity and elegance of the city but to regard to Madrid is any less important purely because parts of it might need the old lick of paint is extremely superficial.
Madrid has very much the archetypal continental climate in that it has very cold winters and hot summers which means for those who don’t like extremes in temperatures the spring and autumn are the best times to visit.
Madrid has a great many attractions of which a royal palace, many grand public squares, three internationally renowned art galleries, and a great many museums filled with the treasures of the long and glorious history of Spain.
Madrid like many international cities and probably more than most reflects in sections its historical past. Now we have to remember here that this was a major European city that for 400 years lay under the rule of North African influence, namely that of the Moors. This is reflected in the area of La Latina.
This is an area of Madrid often overlooked by visitors and tourists alike but is rich in historical heritage and indeed during medieval times the Plaza la Paja was Madrid’s main square.
When the influence of the Moors declined in Spain, this area of Madrid became know as a moreria which actually means an enclosed ghetto where the Muslims live. Memories of a former age can still be found when you consider some off the place names such as Plaza de la Puerta de Moros and/or the historic architecture.Nowadays as in most cases things have changed and this part of Madrid becomes a party centre for the madrilenos, the people of Madrid later on in the day, every day.
Perhaps one of the most overriding aspects of Madrid would lie with the juxtaposition off the modern international capital city and the apparent “down at heel” and slightly grubby appearance. Mention this to the madrilenos and all they will likely do is shrug, sigh and suggest that there are more important things in life worth bothering about?”
Who is to say they are wrong?
Elsewhere in Madrid you will find Malasana, a quaint cobble stones area stretching north from the city centre.Wonderfully described as possibly being like “the boyfriend or girlfriend you couldn’t bring home to your mother” all human life in Madrid can be found here. With graffiti, posters and street art on virtually every conceivable surface Malasana has an anarchic feel and atmosphere that tells you “this is the place to be at the right time of day”.
The trouble is as far as perennial party goers will tell you, in this part of Madrid it is sometimes party time all of the day.
There is an awful lot more to Madrid that initial impressions would indicate. Peel back the flaking paint and go beyond the many tourists spots and you will find a city that you will fall in love with for many a year.
Miss Madrid and it will be your loss.
By admin
July 3rd, 2007 at 10:16pm
Under Spain
Regardless of your reasons for visiting Tenerife, you will want to explore the island. As nice as basking in the sunshine is on any visit to this remarkable island, a trip here is not complete without taking a break from the beaches and making the most of the attractions and diverse landscape. By far the best way to ensure you experience all that you can on the island is to take daytrips.
It is true that the landscape on Tenerife is like nowhere else on earth. Numerous attractions await every visitor and the real beauty of it is that given its size, nothing is very far away. The highlights include Puerto de la Cruz, the second city of the island; the famous statue of the Black Virgin Madona and the majestic Mount Teide volcano, towering over Tenerife at 12,200 feet.
Being the most popular of the Canary Islands, some think that overcrowding would be a problem. On the contrary, you will have the whole coastline to choose from to find a suitable resort or hotel. Each area has something different to offer: Los Cristianos has a picturesque harbour and quiet atmosphere; Puerto de la Cruz offers real Tenerife culture, while Playa de la Américas is home to some of the best beaches on the island along with the liveliest nightlife. Where ever you choose to locate yourself, the choice is vast ranging from upmarket luxury to comfortable mid-range options.
As you would imagine, Tenerife is easy to navigate given its small size. You can either rent a car or use the well integrated bus system to visit the sights on daytrips or alternatively, you can make use of the many travel agents dotted around the tourist areas who will take care of planning daytrips for you.
A great way to ensure you make the most of your stay on Tenerife is to work around the island seeing the attractions. Get a bird’s eye view of the island by climbing to the top of Europe’s highest mountain or take the easy route via the cable car at Pico del Teide to the top and enjoy the view. Alternatively, visit Loro Park, home to 340 different species of parrots, or explore the busy port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Given Tenerife is surrounded by crystal clear waters, snorkelling, scuba diving and swimming are extremely popular activities for those who want to explore the underwater world of tropical fish and coral. Other off-island activities which are perfect for daytrips include glass bottomed boat trips, adrenaline pumping game fishing or exciting whale and dolphin watching.
From the airport in the south of the island, an aerial daytrip is a must. An experienced helicopter pilot can take you on a tour of the island, flying over highlights such as Los Cristianos, Playa del Américas’ golf courses, and then heading out over the highest cliffs in Europe at Los Gigantes. If you are really lucky, you may see whales coming up for air when the flight takes you between Tenerife and La Gomera.
The island of La Gomera makes another great daytrip, reachable via a short ferry journey. Once on the smaller island, the main highlight is the Garajonay National Park which is made up of over 10,000 acres hiding a laurel forest in the middle. This daytrip can prove to be absolutely magical as the mist descends over the park when the Atlantic winds mix with the warmer island air.
For animal lovers, Tenerife provides suitable daytrip activities such as Loro Park, just outside Puerto de la Cruz and home to an aquarium, dolphin shows, jaguars, gorillas and parrots. If you are not satisfied with this daytrip then combine it with a trip to Tenerife Zoo to see the monkey park and the informative camel breeding centre.
Another interesting daytrip means leaving the island of Tenerife and heading to another of the Canary Islands: Lanzarote. It is possible to do this in a day and it will give you a chance to explore some of the highlights of the neighbouring island. Lanzarote is however another destination in its own right.
By admin
July 3rd, 2007 at 07:01pm
Under Spain
As any keen mountain biker will know, there are some important rules to follow and bike handling skills to master before subjecting yourself and your bike to the thrills and spills of off-road riding.
Although most of us ride within our capabilities most of the time, riding on different trails in hot weather conditions can present a new set of challenges
requiring some new biking skills and knowledge.
Here in Southern Spain, I spend most of my time riding in warm and dry conditions, on shale/gravel trails in relatively remote areas, at medium to high altitude (1000 – 4000 ft). I say relatively remote, in that I seldom meet other bikers, hikers or other like-minded individuals. In other words, you must be prepared to patch yourself up and get yourself off the mountainside in the event of an accident.
Here are some points to consider before embarking on your Spanish MTB adventure.
Planning routes:
Map it out - When planning routes for yourself and other bikers to ride, get hold of a map first. I use the 1:25,000 topographical maps published by the Centro Nacional De Informacion Geografica (CNIG). They show most off-road vehicle tracks, forestry access roads and some single track/footpaths.
Note: I am not sure how often they are updated. Some trails marked on these maps can suddenly disappear. On the other hand, I have ridden trails, which are not indicated, on the maps.
Terrain and time of year -Taking into account the distance, terrain, altitude, gradients and vegetation you can plan a suitable route for the time of year.
Mid-summer (early morning and evening riding advisable) look for shaded trails, low gradients with less altitude gain and think about places to refill water bottles.
Mid-winter This time of year it can be lovely and warm (15-20 deg C ) at sea level and pretty chilly (0-5) at 1000+ metres. When ascending you are generating a lot of heat, coming down the other side at 40Kph + you are subjecting your body to a wind chill factor which can drop temperatures a further 10 degrees. - carry extra layers of clothing.
Preparation:
Rider - You of course, must be fit for the ride and this cannot be achieved the night before.…… although it can be enhanced by laying off the San Miguel.
Eat a decent breakfast, mainly carbohydrates, Cereal, toast and fruit for example.
Stretch before you leave and spin in a low gear for about 1 km when you first set off (especially in winter).
Know some first-aid that you can administer to yourself as well as to others. E.g dealing with Bleeding and serious grazes.
Bike & bits - Bike set-up and Maintenance is much the same everywhere so I won’t bore you with details of what you already know, however pay attention to the following.
-Check for any play in wheel, steering and bottom bracket bearings. With a lot of fast descents and rocky ground it is worth a quick adjustment before any loose bits get worse.
-Chain needs regular attention in these dry, dusty conditions (every 2-3 rides). Run it through a cleaner, apply fine oil and then remove any excess lubricant, which only acts as a magnet to any dirt. Clean shocks and apply thin film of silicone-based lubricant
-Tyres, nice ‘n’ knobbly if you’re intending to be off-road 90 % of the time.
With a lot of climbing on loose surfaces and descents on rocky stuff I get more traction and comfort with wider tyres at a lower pressure.
-2 spare tubes ( at least) - There are some vicious plants in the campo, especially prominent in the summer months, with thorns like you wouldn’t believe. Check inside surface of tyre thoroughly before fitting new tube – where there is one thorn there could be many.
- Helmet and gloves - This should go without saying.
Water - I usually allow for 1L of water per hour of riding. In the winter on a leisurely low level ride you may drink less than this, during the summer months it can be double. When the weather is hot, I carry 2 bottles on the bike and 2 in my rucksack. Most villages and towns have a natural spring or potable water available somewhere, on longer routes it is worth knowing where the nearest habitations are.
Food - Unlike thirst, hunger pangs will pass. On a short ride in warm conditions you may not even feel like eating – the wet stuff is far more important. However it is not advisable to deplete energy reserves so always have some driedfruit/muesli bar with you – Newsagents are not a common feature of Spanish villages and café/bars may not be open all day.
First-aid kit – This doesn’t need to be bulky. A small well-packed container, including the following; Bandage, gauze pads, safety pins, plasters, antiseptic cream.
Clothing – for comfort and protection from exposure to the sun and cold.
-2 or more thin layers especially on upper body for better temperature regulation, increased insulation ( more air layers) and protection against grazing if you fall off.
- Bandanas one folded and tied around the forehead keeps sweat out of your eyes.
Another folded diagonally and tied loosely to keep sun off back of neck.
- Sunglasses
- High protection sun-cream on any exposed skin.
Safety on the trail:
Hazards such as loose surfaces, ditches, eroded gullies and the like will always be present – it’s something that appeals to us MTBers. Accidents occur when we are unfamiliar with these conditions, over confident in our ability or meet with something unexpected in our path. Good bike handling skills can prevent or help get you out of a sticky moment, however when taking on steep descents and tricky technical sections be prepared for the unexpected
Dogs - Some people are put off from biking and walking in Spain because of the dogs they may encounter. More often than not this will be when passing by/through a farmyard. In my experiences (which doesn’t include any nasty ones yet – touch wood) Spanish mutts come under the following categories;
1. Bark and run away
2. Bark and chase
3. Total disinterest in your presence.
In most cases it isn’t always clear whether the dog is of type 1 or 2 until you have committed yourself to entering its territory. If you are starting a long descent when they give chase, you can give a two-finger salute and go for it. If however you are grinding uphill in 1st gear and the blighter is loping at your side with plenty in reserve it can be a bit intimidating – and you probably won’t care much for my categorising.
When passing farm buildings, I always assume that dogs are present.
If they do appear but remain at a distance and bark, I stand on my pedals to make myself taller and ride slowly but confidently past.
If a dog/dogs begins to advance I shout “FUERA” the term often used to send a dog out or away. This will usually work and also bring your presence to the attention of the household. You can advance and repeat this procedure if the animal is reluctant to give way. Stooping as if to pick up a rock can also intimidate Spanish dogs.
If you feel at this stage that it is still too risky then trust your instinct and retreat to find an alternative route.
In my experience, dogs will not attack if you retreat in a calm but confident manner – DON’ T RUN.
In general
Plan your ride
Don’t ride alone on unfamiliar trails
Carry spares and sufficient water
Protect your body from falls and extreme weather conditions.
Then get out there and enjoy yourself
By admin
July 3rd, 2007 at 06:44pm
Under Spain
Torrevieja is one of the most important summer holiday spots in the province of Alicante, about 50 kilometres from the city of Alicante and making up what is known as the Costa Blanca in Spain. Torrevieja and the town of Pilar de la Horadada are in the southern tip, the last towns before you head into the province of Murcia. When making holiday plans, if you are to arrive there by plane, the closest airport would be the one in Alicante called the Altet. It has great flight combinations with the rest of Europe, especially when flying in from England. It would only take you about half an hour at the most to get safely to your hotel if you have thought about a car hire. Look for the highway marked N-332 heading south and you are set. There are some bus companies connecting Torrevieja with Alicante, Elche, Murcia and other towns and cities. There are even hotels which have the convenient service of picking up its guests. And if you are in a hurry or do not want to be bothered driving and wish to take in the lovely scenery, then a taxi would do you well.
Salt and Habaneras from Torrevieja
In order to give directions, everyone referred to this town as where the old tower is and therefore in Spanish - Torrevieja, which when translated to English means ‘ an old tower’. This swampy marsh area has been known for its high quality production of salt and one of the places frquently used to store the dried salt was in towers. There was one particular tower which was knocked down when this area was hit by an earthquake in 1829. Even nowadays, this whole area is constantly being shaken by earthquakes, one of the last ones was just a few months ago. Although it is visited thanks to its beautiful beaches such as the Cura, the Locos or the Mata, it is also visited because it has become popular for its habaneras, Cuban music. One might think that it is quite strange that such far away music has planted its roots so strongly in a little salt mining town in Spain. But there is a very reasonable explanation. Torrevieja carried on a constant flow of salt trading with Cuba and the sailors who did this route were spellbound by this lively music and wanted to share it with their home folks and brought it back here. As we can well see, its has been happily transmitted from one generation to another. There is a fantastic international music festival of habaneras held annually at the end of July or the beginning of August. If you are in the area at this time of the year and wish further details, the Patronizer of the Competition ( Patronato Municipal del Certamen International de Habaneras ) can help you or look in the web.
Natural Parks to visit
When you leave Torrevieja on the highway marked C-332, you will be heading for the Natural park of the Lagoons of the Mata. To be sure you will be able to visit this paradise correctly, it would be recommendable to get information and book a date because there is a maximum of 35 people allowed at a time. The most interesting fauna are the birds like the stone curlew and in the winter there is a great concentration of the diving birds and important nucleus of storks, eagles and and avocets. On the other hand, the salt swamps export salt all over the world. And if that was not enough, salt baths are also recommended for some types of illnesses such as arthritis and skin diseases having become quite popular in the 19th century. But the best part of this excursion is when the sun reflects in these salt mountains.
Even though this city has a lot to do, it is easy and fun to make day excursion travelling up the Costa Blanca to visit Santa Pola on the outskirts of Alicante, then on to Benidorm with its fantastic theme parks of all kinds, Altea and Javea. Get the most out of your stay and travel.
By admin
July 3rd, 2007 at 06:43pm
Under Spain
I am trying to count the Griffon Vulture’s as they glide effortlessly on their 2m. wingspan over the top of the mountains opposite my home.
Earlier I was checking the damage to our vegetable patch as the wild bosr were here again last night and they seem to have taken a shine to my husband’s carrots!
I glance up as I hear the screech of a Booted Eagle letting his mate know she has nothing to fear from the carrion eating vultures as their constant circling takes them further and further down the valley searching no doubt for some unfortunate Ibex or goat who tried one leap too many.
The wildlife here is phenomenal nd the variety of birds seems never ending. Last night we could hear the hooting of the European Eagle owl at the valley bottom and at the sametime were lulled back to sleep by the beautifu singing of a nightingale perched somewhere outside our bedroom window.
After living here for over 14 years I am still amazed by the diversity of wildlife. I am still in awe at the glimpse of a yellow flash through the undergrowth as a Golden Oriele goes about it’s business.I love to watch the comic Hoopoe hopping frantically about chasing insects and the sound that I can only describe as gunfire as the many varieties of woodpeckers seek out grubs. I am especially intrigued by the vast array of birds of prey soaring effortlesly over our home, many of which I still can’t identify.
The setting is one of wooded valleys and majestic mountains with large swathes of wild flowers in the spring and many varieties of fruits and nuts in the summer, autumn and winter.
I find a net and remove an unwanted guest, ( a salamander) from the pool and then put on my bathers and have a dip.
Where is this paradise I hear you ask? Well it might surprise you to know that at the weekends I travel 20 minutes with my husband and all his Karaoke equipment to the bustling bars of the Costa del Sol where he works.
Yes, we live in Andalucia. the Real Spain. Less people, less traffic and over 70% of all European wildlife- a veritable paradise indeed.
By admin
