Monestary of Santa Maria de la Oliva
The Monestary of Santa Maria de la Oliva
This beautiful monastery is located in the middle of Carcastillo, a picturesque village nestled in the region of Navarra in northern Spain.
It was founded in the 12th century by Garcia Ramirez, the monarch at that time. It was later ransacked by French troops during the war of independence.
Today it is inhabited by a Cistercian communty.
The Monestary of Santa Maria de la Oliva Thi s beautiful monastery is located in the...
Old Spanish Balcony
This old Spanish balcony is great to look at.. not to safe to stand on though !
This old Spanish balcony is great to look at.. not to safe to stand on though !
Fried Green Peppers
Fried green peppers, so easy to make, peppers, good quality olive oil and some seasoning.. and they taste so good !
And so easy to prepare.
SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED GREEN PEPPERS
Fry the peppers in hot oil until they go soft and start to go brown.
Place on kitchen roll to drain.
Sprinkle with sea salt and serve.
Can be eaten alone or as a side dish to most dishes.
GOOD QUALITY OLIVE OIL
SEA SALT
Fried green peppers, so easy to make, peppers, good quality olive oil and some seasoning.. and they taste so good ! And so easy to prepare. ...
A Complete Costa del Sol Golf Course Guide
Our Costa Golf guide is the perfect one stop guide to all the golf courses on Costa del Sol.
From Alcaidesa and San Roque located at the Western end to Baviera golf situated at the eastern end, our golf guide will provide you with all the up to date information and photos of the most popular golf courses on the Costa del Sol.
The Costa del Sol is know as the Costa del Golf, and not without good reason. There are over 90 golf courses and golfing resorts located in Andalucia, of which around 60 are located on the Costa del Sol, four of which are ranked in the top 10 in Europe. Some of the most prestigious courses located along this famous stretch of coastline include the highly rated Valderrama Golf Club, the San Roque Golf Club, La Reserva and Los Naranjos.
Valderama Golf was chosen for the Ryder cup in 1997, it was a momentous occassion for golf on the costa del sol. In 2007 the same club celebrated in style as the Volvo Masters commemorated its 20th anniversary, the longest-running single sponsorship in European golf. Due largely to the success of the Ryder Cup, golf was taken to new levels on the Costa del Sol as it gained universal recognition and along with it came even more quality courses which have been constructed to supply the ever increasing demand for Golf in southern Spain.
This concentration of quality courses and an enviable climate has made the Costa del Sol one of Europes top golfing destinations to many hundreds of thousands of northern European golfers each and every year. Many thousands of golfers head to the Costa del Sol to play with their friends, families or golf societies . Many golfing groups look to book golf holidays and packages which include everything such as tee times, hotels, club hire and transfers. There are many reputable tour operators who specialise in golf holidays so it is advisable to shop around for the best deals.
Some of the most popular golf courses with visiting groups include Santa Clara, Santa Maria, Santana, Valle Romano, Calanova, Cabopino, El Chaparral , Parador, Los Naranjos, Lauro and Miraflores. Discounted green fees are readily available so if you are looking to play golf on the Costa del Sol at reduced rates please use our golf booking service to search for the best green fee rates available.
80% of golfing visitors will repeat the same course as well as trying others. 16 new courses are planed on the Costa del Sol with a further 19 in the Cadiz region which includes the increasingly popular Costa de la Luz. This means huge investments in Spain and the creation of hundreds of Jobs. Over the past 30 years Spain has built upon a credible, sustainable and high quality golf tourism which even in these economically difficult times is managing to hold its head high and continues to be an affordable and popular golf tourism hotspot.
There is also a good selection of 9 hole courses which have sprung up to satisfy golfers who for many reasons prefer to play 9 holes instead of 18. In general the green fee rates are very reasonable whilst maintaining a high standard of golf course. The top 9 hole courses include the newly opened and very impressive El Higueral club situated near Benahavis and the Cerrado del Aguila Club located in Mijas Costa some 10 minutes from Fuengirola.
Save up to 75% on a fantastic selection of golf hotels on the Costa del Sol. Many hotels will cater for large golfing groups and offer extra services and discounts.
There are a good number of golf tour operators based on the Costa del Sol offering discounted golf packages which include everything from hotels, discounted golf green fees, transfers and club hire. Check out or latest multi-course options which start from just 145 Euros for three rounds of golf including a shared buggy.
Car hire is affordable and easy to book, so make the most of the low cost car hire rates on offer at many pick up and delivery points along the Coast. Most golfers will collect their car hire at Malaga airport where a large number of car hire companies offer very competitive deals for golfers all year round.
If you are thinking of playing golf on the Costa del Sol please contact us via our online golf booking section as we would be happy to assist you in getting the best possible deal for your next golf break to the sunny Costa del Sol.
01. Alcaidesa Resort
02. San Roque Resort
03. Almenara
04. La Reserva
05. Valderrama Club
06. Sotogrande
07. La Canada
08. La Canada
09. Dona Julia
10. Casares
11. Finca Cortesin
12. Estepona
13. Valle Romano
14. La Resina
15. Los Flamingos
16. El Paraiso
17. Atalaya
18. Guadalmina
19. Monte Mayor
20. Los Arqueros
21. Marbella Club
22. El Higueral
23. La Quinta
24. Los Naranjos
25. Magna Marbella
26. Las Brisas
27. Aloha
28. Dama de Noche
29. Monte Paraiso
30. Rio Real
31. Santa Clara
32. Marbella G&C
33. Greenlife
34. Santa Maria
35. El Soto
36. Cabopino
37. La Siesta
38. Miraflores
39. La Noria
40. Calanova
41. La Cala
42. Santana
43. El Chaparral
44. Mijas
45. Cerrado del Aguila
46. Alhaurin
47. Torrequebrada
48. Benalmadena
49. Lauro 27 Golf
50. Parador
51. Guadalhorce
Our Costa Golf guide is the perfect one stop guide to all the golf courses on Costa del Sol. From Alcaidesa and San Roque located at ...
Velez Malaga on the Costa del Sol
Velez Malaga
Capital of the Axarquia comarca, Velez Malaga, also known as Velez, is a bustling market town and the supply centre for the regions farmers. Situated east of Malaga and 4 kilometres inland from Torre del Mar, Velez Malaga, despite its close proximity to the coast, is a traditional Spanish city which is not dominated by the tourist industry. Famous for its agricultural production of vines, olives, sugar cane, and an abundance of fruits and vegetables, it is one of the most important cities in the comarca. Velez Malaga is also home to a variety of intriguing architecture and ancient palaces, with origins dating back to the Pheonicians and the Carthaginians.
Attractions and Sightseeing
Sightseeing is bountiful in Velez Malaga with numerous places of interest scattered throughout the historic town. If you fancy tasting the regions most beloved wares, then a trip to the market cannot be missed. The weekly market takes place every Thursday without fail, and makes for an exciting sensory experience for all the family. Be sure to take your wallet as you will more than likely want to indulge in the incredible fresh, local produce.
For the history buffs out there, La Fortaleza is bound to inspire. Built in the 13th century, this monumental castle is perched high above the city providing breathtaking panoramic views of Velez Malaga and the Torre del Mar area. Once used as a royal residence, jail and courthouse, La Fortaleza is steeped in history. Other notable attractions in Velez Malaga include Palacio de los Marquesas de Beniel, the church of Santa Maria la Mayor, and the Convento de Las Carmelitas.
Famous Fiestas of Velez Malaga
Anyone who has not experienced a Spanish fiesta has not truly experienced Spain! If you are looking to a true taste of Spanish life, joining in with the celebrations and local fiestas is simply a must. With that in mind, it is a great idea to time your visit to the town to coincide with one of the many vibrant, colourful and exciting fiestas. The biggest celebrations are held in Semana Santa, which is the week preceding Easter, with the main festivities being played out in the Axarquia district. Other important times to note down if you are looking to join in with some fiesta fun in Velez are July, when there are two fiestas, and late October, which is another large scale celebration in honour of the towns patron San Miguel.
Getting Around
Velez has been a rapidly expanding for a number of years now, and to cope with the increased demand lots of work has been done to improve the local and regional transport systems. There is a tram system in place which carries passengers from Velez to Torre Del Mar every 30 minutes or so, and this makes a trip to the beach extremely convenient and cheap. Torre Del Mar also has an abundance of shops and restaurants to explore and enjoy, with an especially eclectic atmosphere at the seaside resort. The bus station has been expanded upon in recent times offering more local and national services. It is now possible to get coaches to lots of the major Spanish cities directly from Velez Malaga, enabling much more varied day excursion options.
Subsequently one of the best and most economic ways to explore the region is by car hire. There are some great car rental deals, starting from as little as 9 Euros a day.
Traveller's Tips
Spain is considered to be a very safe place to visit on the whole, and the quaint and charismatic city of Velez Malaga is an ideal location for a family holiday. General advice given to travellers is simply to be aware of personal possessions when in public places, such as beaches and shopping centres as pickpockets do operate in the larger city complexes where there are lots of people around. This is not a major problem in Velez, but is something to be aware of if you are visiting Malaga or any of the other larger cities. It is always advisable that you take out travel insurance, especially if you are going to travel with medical conditions, as it gives you an extra level of security and makes the process of getting treatment hassle free. An absolute minimum requirement is that all travellers carry their European Health Insurance Card as this entitles you to receive free treatment in Spanish hospitals and doctors surgeries.
Velez Malaga Capital of the Axarquia comarca, Velez Malaga, also known as Velez, is a bustling market town and the supply centre fo...
Skiing in Spain
Spain is ranked second as the worlds hottest tourist destination and for most visitors its the sun and sand that brings them to the land of passion and not the skiing...until now !!.
For the winter sports and skiing enthusiasts Spain currently offers some 1.000 Kilometres of quality marked trails and slopes situated in over 36 superb ski resorts half of which are proud owners of the Q awards for their quality tourism facilities and services offered. And all this set in a country that is second only to Switzerland with the greatest amount of mountains.
The main regions for Skiing in Spain are located in Aragon and Catalonian Pyrenees , the Cantabrian, Iberian and Central mountains and the Penibetico mountain range in the south.
The Aragonese and Catalonian Pyrenees in Northern Spain is the home of most of this countries leading ski resorts although the Sierra Nevada located in the heart of Andalucia in Southern Spain ranks amongst one the most popular. Sierra Nevada although the southern most ski resort in Europe has the longest winter season with skiers enjoying snow for almost 5 months a year. There is also a good selection of Ski resorts near Madrid, Galicia, Leon and Cantabria in the north west and La Rioja and Teruel in the mid north.
Spain may not presently be in the league of the some of the Swiss, Austrian French and even some Italian resorts however the tide is definitely turning as Spain becomes one of the best value ski destinations in the EEC. Value for money with resorts offering quality slopes, trails, facilities, snow making equipment, ski schools, winter sports activities, accommodation and food are slowly making this country a hot spot and I'm not referring to the long sunny days we are usually accustomed to.
As far as accommodation is concerned the Ski Resorts now offer a vast array of luxury to hotels in Spain to satisfy every pockets and taste.
Spain is ranked second as the worlds hottest tourist destination and for most visitors its the sun and sand that brings them to the land o...
A Guide to Historic Cadiz
CADIZ is among the oldest settlements in Spain, founded about 1100 BC by the Phoenicians and one of the country's principal ports ever since. Its greatest period, however, and the era from which the central part of town takes most of its present appearance, was the eighteenth century. Then, with the silting up of the river to Sevilla, the port enjoyed a virtual monopoly on the Spanish-American trade in gold and silver, and on its proceeds were built the cathedral - itself golden-domed (in colour at least) and almost Oriental when seen from the sea - the public halls and offices, and the smaller churches.
Inner Cadiz , built on a peninsula-island, remains much as it must have looked in those days, with its grand open squares, sailors' alleyways and high, turreted houses. Literally crumbling from the effect of the sea air on its soft limestone, it has a tremendous atmosphere - slightly seedy, definitely in decline, but still full of mystique.
Inner Cadiz , built on a peninsula-island, remains much as it must have looked in those days, with its grand open squares, sailors' alleyways and high, turreted houses. Literally crumbling from the effect of the sea air on its soft limestone, it has a tremendous atmosphere - slightly seedy, definitely in decline, but still full of mystique.
The ancient port city of Cadiz Is located on the south western coastline of mainland Spain in the warm and friendly autonomous region or Andalucia. It is one of the oldest inhabited cities in Europe with its roots stretching back to THS Phoenicians over 3.000 ago.
Cadiz is known as the city of towers and once boasted over hundred such structures scattered in strategic positions built to help protect the local population. One of these historic towers, the Torre Tavira is still in existence today and is home to one of the earliest known pinhole camera devices. This is where darkened rooms with mirrors project views of the city onto screens.
The inner city, built on a peninsular- island has not changes much over the centuries and is home to large open Plazas, small alleyways and turreted houses and although the city is slightly in decline as far as its overall upkeep it is a city with a well defined culture and atmosphere and definitely worth visiting at any time throughout the year.
Cadiz is home to some of the finest long sandy beaches in Spain including those located at La Barrosa, Conil, Roche, Zahora, Zahara de las Atunes and Los Caos de Meca. There are some lovely unspoilt areas along the coastline whilst most of the resort areas are relatively small having been regulated to low rise constructions built around the local natural habitat including the ever present pine forests.
From rural tourism to luxury beach side accommodation there is a good amount of in Cadiz to suit all tastes and pockets and is certainly a great place for safe family holidays. If your prefer exploring cultural Spain then Cadiz will not disappoint you, there is enough historic monuments and areas particular interest here to keep you occupied for weeks. Some of the most popular historic monuments to visit include the Cadiz Cathedral which was completed in 1838, although the design goes back some centuries and incorporates Spain's Moorish past and is home to an impressive 50 meter high dome.
There is also a large collection of relics housed in the Fine Arts Museum located in the Plaza de Mina.
Cadiz is known as the city of towers and once boasted over hundred such structures scattered in strategic positions built to help protect the local population. One of these historic towers, the Torre Tavira is still in existence today and is home to one of the earliest known pinhole camera devices. This is where darkened rooms with mirrors project views of the city onto screens.
The inner city, built on a peninsular- island has not changes much over the centuries and is home to large open Plazas, small alleyways and turreted houses and although the city is slightly in decline as far as its overall upkeep it is a city with a well defined culture and atmosphere and definitely worth visiting at any time throughout the year.
Cadiz is home to some of the finest long sandy beaches in Spain including those located at La Barrosa, Conil, Roche, Zahora, Zahara de las Atunes and Los Caos de Meca. There are some lovely unspoilt areas along the coastline whilst most of the resort areas are relatively small having been regulated to low rise constructions built around the local natural habitat including the ever present pine forests.
From rural tourism to luxury beach side accommodation there is a good amount of in Cadiz to suit all tastes and pockets and is certainly a great place for safe family holidays. If your prefer exploring cultural Spain then Cadiz will not disappoint you, there is enough historic monuments and areas particular interest here to keep you occupied for weeks. Some of the most popular historic monuments to visit include the Cadiz Cathedral which was completed in 1838, although the design goes back some centuries and incorporates Spain's Moorish past and is home to an impressive 50 meter high dome.
There is also a large collection of relics housed in the Fine Arts Museum located in the Plaza de Mina.
The province of Cadiz is also home to the Sierra Grazalema, an area of outstanding natural beauty. It is located approximately 1 hour 30 minutes drive from the city and is an exceptionally pretty area of some 50.000 acres where you can explore caves, dozens of limestone cliffs, the Gargante Verde Gorge with its colony of vultures or simply stroll along one of the many prepared foot paths which wind there way through this unique Andalucia habitat.
Eating out in Cadiz is always a great pleasure if you like authentic Andalucian Tapas, locally caught fried fish and sea food along with other excellent dishes and some fine local wines and sherries. Take away fried fish was undoubtedly invented in Cadiz with its many Freidurias ( fried fish shops ), highly recommended is to stroll around the old part of the city with a cartucho ( paper funnel ) of fried fish , an experience every visitor to Cadiz should try. Another local delicacy is the crispy shrimp omelette, this is made with small sweet locally shrimps folded into a special batter then shallow fried in in flat circles, the result is a flat crispy sea food pancake.
Some highly recommended Freidurias worth visiting are the Freidura Las Flores located on the Plaza Flores, the equally reputable Freidura Sopranis in Calle Sopranis 2, close to Plaza San Juan de Dios. Others include the Pasaje Andaluz and El Quinto Pino. If you fancy eating more up market try the Restaurante Achuri on Calle Plocia or the El Faro in Calle San Flix.
A highly rated cheap hotel in Cadiz is the Hotel Senator Spa is located in Cadiz's old town, close to shopping centres. The town's port, railway and bus stations are within 5 minutes' walk of the hotel. Aquaplaya is the Senator Cdiz's superb and exclusive urban spa (fees apply) with a variety of treatments to enjoy. It is open from Tuesday until Sunday. During the summer months, you can make the most of the outdoor pool.
On the slightly lower price range is the Hotel Playa Victoria Set overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this modern hotel is on Playa de la Victoria Beach, 3 km from central Cdiz. It offers a large outdoor pool and terrace with ocean views. All air-conditioned rooms at the Playa Victoria have a TV, minibar and safe. The private bathroom comes equipped with a hairdryer and amenities.
On the slightly lower price range is the Hotel Playa Victoria Set overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this modern hotel is on Playa de la Victoria Beach, 3 km from central Cdiz. It offers a large outdoor pool and terrace with ocean views. All air-conditioned rooms at the Playa Victoria have a TV, minibar and safe. The private bathroom comes equipped with a hairdryer and amenities.
CADIZ is among the oldest settlements in Spain, founded about 1100 BC by the Phoenicians and one of the country's principal ports...
Discover Fuerteventura
Caleta de Fuste.
Caleta de Fueste is located just 10 km south of Puerto de Rosario and is a purpose built resort created around the original cove. Caleta is Spanish for a small cove and Fuste is a type of fishing boat.
Caleta has become one of the islands main tourist destinations and is home to a large beach made of pale golden sand, a firm favourite with beach lovers. It was improved at great in the last few years and is an ideal family fun beach to spend plenty of sunshine hours during your family holiday. The town, thankfully has remained low rise as far as construction is concerned located mostly around one long main street where the bars, cafeterias, restaurants an night life is concentrated.
For golf lovers you wont be disappointed as the 18 hole Fuerteventura Golf Club is close by and offers a lovely club house restaurants and many more facilities for the golfing enthusiast.
When you are not enjoying the fantastic beaches there is plenty to keep you and your family occupied including a good selection of shops, a cinema, 10 pin bowling, diving, boat trips and other water sports activities. There is even a submarine offering unique undersea excursions.
It is easy to explore the rest of the Island from of Caleta de Fuste's with a hire car.
Caleta has become one of the islands main tourist destinations and is home to a large beach made of pale golden sand, a firm favourite with beach lovers. It was improved at great in the last few years and is an ideal family fun beach to spend plenty of sunshine hours during your family holiday. The town, thankfully has remained low rise as far as construction is concerned located mostly around one long main street where the bars, cafeterias, restaurants an night life is concentrated.
For golf lovers you wont be disappointed as the 18 hole Fuerteventura Golf Club is close by and offers a lovely club house restaurants and many more facilities for the golfing enthusiast.
When you are not enjoying the fantastic beaches there is plenty to keep you and your family occupied including a good selection of shops, a cinema, 10 pin bowling, diving, boat trips and other water sports activities. There is even a submarine offering unique undersea excursions.
It is easy to explore the rest of the Island from of Caleta de Fuste's with a hire car.
Costa Calma
Costa Calma ( the calm coast ) is located some 80km south of the airport on the edge of the Jandia national park.
It became a popular tourist destination in the mid 1980s drawn by the incredible long white sandy beaches which it is famous for. The beach runs from the Costa Calma to Morro Jable in the southern tip some 12 miles away and has become very popular with holiday makes from all over Europe.
The authorities have taken great care with the developments that have grown up in the area in order to maintain the natural features of this beautiful part of Fuerteventura. Designated green belts have thankfully remained intact. With that in mind, the hotels are not located on the shoreline being built back away from the beaches, there elevated positioning though offers spectacular views over the sea and surrounding areas.
There are some nice shopping centres, plenty of restaurants, small bars and cafeterias to keep everyone happy. There is also a Sunday market popular with locals and holidays makers alike.
You can easily explore the the whole Island with cheap hire car Fuerteventura
It became a popular tourist destination in the mid 1980s drawn by the incredible long white sandy beaches which it is famous for. The beach runs from the Costa Calma to Morro Jable in the southern tip some 12 miles away and has become very popular with holiday makes from all over Europe.
The authorities have taken great care with the developments that have grown up in the area in order to maintain the natural features of this beautiful part of Fuerteventura. Designated green belts have thankfully remained intact. With that in mind, the hotels are not located on the shoreline being built back away from the beaches, there elevated positioning though offers spectacular views over the sea and surrounding areas.
There are some nice shopping centres, plenty of restaurants, small bars and cafeterias to keep everyone happy. There is also a Sunday market popular with locals and holidays makers alike.
You can easily explore the the whole Island with cheap hire car Fuerteventura
Caleta de Fuste. Caleta de Fueste is located just 10 km south of Puerto de Rosario and is a purpose built resort created around the origina...
Best Blue Flag Beaches in Spain 2012
If your idea of the perfect holiday is lounging around on beautiful beaches, then Spain is most definitely the country for you, and with over 4000 kilometres of coastline to choose from you are as they say....spoilt for choice. If you decide to plan a beach holiday then the following guide will be of great help to you. It was to be called the top 10 beaches in Spain, then I thought well for lots of reasons i.e location, privacy, cleanliness, type of activities offered etc etc everyone has an opinion, so here are the beaches......you decide.
2012
538 Blue Flags have been awarded to Spain's beaches for 2012, which was an increase of 27 beaches on 2011 and means once again Spain has the highest number of blue flag beaches in the world. This is great news for the tourism industry and foreign visitors, around 85% choose coastal areas.
The Blue flags where awarded to beaches located all around Spain's long coastline and where distributed around the autonomous regions as follows.
Andalucia: 77
Asturias: 19
Balearic Islands: 46
Canary Islands: 42
Catalonia: 87
Ceuta & Melilla: 3
Valencia : 108
Galicia : 126
Murcia : 26
The Basque Country: 4
If your idea of the perfect holiday is lounging around on beautiful beaches, then Spain is most definitely the country for you, and with ove...
Fuerteventura
The island of Fuerteventura is without doubt the most beautiful and spectacular of the Canary Island chain. The climate is sub tropical and boasts around 3000 sunshine hours a year . Its divers landscape , fantastic beaches , tranquil and spectacular surroundings have made Fuerteventura a very special place for sun. beach and sea lovers from all over the world.
The coastline stretches for more then 120 miles ( 193 kms ) and boasts more than 150 pristine beaches which are perfect for a myriad of water sports activities such as windsurfing, kite surfing, sports fishing and skiing. Strangely enough the two most popular tourist resorts on Fuerteventura are located at opposite ends of the Island. The Northern coast is home to Correlejo, popular with visitors who love its white sandy beaches and second to none tourism facilities . Down on the southern tip lies the stylish resort of Morro Jable , it is also offers some of the best surfing conditions on the island.
Visitors should discover every corner of Fuerteventura and one the best ways is by hiring a car, this will give you complete freedom to drive around at your leisure , stopping over to explore the stunning resorts and beaches scattered all along the enviable Fuerteventura coastline. Some of the towns you can easily visit by car include the capital of Puerto del Rosario, the villages of Antigua, Betancuria and El Cotillo, Costa Calma and Caleta de Fuste.
The island of Fuerteventura is without doubt the most beautiful and spectacular of the Canary Island chain. The climate is sub tropical a...
Discovering Bilbao and the Basque Country
The Guggenheim Museum is usually the first place that comes to mind when the Spanish city of Bilbao is mentioned. Frank Gehrys celebrated architectural masterpiece has placed this city firmly on the tourist map, and since opening in 1997 has been largely credited with reviving this once shabby industrial town into one of Spains hottest city break destinations. But Bilbao is more than just a one-museum town and aside from the Guggenheim, visitors will find a city full of historical and modern treasures.
You can reach most attractions in Bilbao by foot, and once you have done the Guggenheim, your next stop should be the Casco Viejo (Old Town), on the banks of the Nervin River. Centred around Las Siete Calles, the seven original streets that date back to the 1400s, this is a vibrant area both day and night. A stroll through the cobbled streets will reveal the Mercado Antiguo Lavadero, the old market which is one of Europes largest, the 14th century Cathedral de Santiago and the magnificent Arriaga theatre. The old town is full of small boutiques, cafes and bars and is a great place to relax and enjoy at a leisurely pace. The Basque country is famous across Spain for its cuisine, in particular its Pintxos (tapas ) and a bar crawl, known as Txikiteo and involving the frequent eating of pintxos, is a Basque tradition. Gure Toki in the Plaza Nueva is a good place to start, serving traditional and contemporary versions of Pintxos.
Bilbao is a city that has invested heavily in its transport infrastructure to accommodate its increasing number of visitors. The Norman Foster designed metro system impresses with its clean, modern stations and regular train services that reach across the city and the Greater Bilbao area. Building on the Guggenheim effect, many of Bilbaos modern buildings have been designed by international architectural superstars, including the Zubizuri Bridge and Bilbao airport designed by Santiago Calitrava and Zaha Hadids redevelopment of the old port area. You can take in views of the whole city, with its mix of the historic and futuristic, by taking the short trip in afunicular up the Artxanda hill.
For an insider view of the city, contact the Bilbao Greeters, a group of volunteers who enthusiastically share their knowledge and passion for the city, giving personalised tours and introducing visitors to locations beyond the traditional tourist map.
If you fancy getting out beyond the city itself, you will be rewarded by a tour of the Basque Country, which stretches a hundred and sixty kilometres from Bilbao north to Bayonne, France and ranges from a rugged coastline to the vast mountains and forests inland. The Basque Country has a local train network, called Euskotren, which gives easy access to the beaches, towns and villages of the local region, including the charming fishing port of Bermeo. If you wish to venture further afield, you can take the Feve train along the picturesque northern coast from Bilbao, passing through Santander, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia. Sometimes though, nothing can beat the freedom that a car brings and if you feel like treating yourself, hire a luxury car and experience cruising along the coastal roads with the top down. Driving east from Bilbao on the Cantabrian Corniche, with mountains on the right and the sea below on the left is an incredible experience.
The glitzy beach town of San Sebastian, just one hundred kilometres from Bilbao on the Bay of Biscay is a popular destination, with buses running regularly between Bilbao and San Sebastian and easily accessible by car. Its main attraction is the Playa de la Concha, a two-mile-long promenade that runs parallel to the gorgeous sandy beach, giving views of the Santa Clara Island that sits in the middle of the bay. This is probably one of Europes finest city beaches and the picturesque town is surrounded by mountains and decorated with traditional architecture and public art sculptures. San Sebastian is also renowned for its cuisine, and is often regarded as the gastronomic capital of Spain, which makes it well worth a visit.
You can access Bilbao from Madrid and Barcelona via the Abando train service, whilst the drive from either city takes about five to five and a half hours. Flights from many European destinations arrive at Bilbao airport, located twelve kilometres from the city and ferry services from Portsmouth in the UK arrive at Bilbao port. Whether you decided to rent a car on arrival in Spain, or make use of the public transport system, it is well worth taking the time to discover the beauty that lies beyond the city of Bilbao and enjoy the wonderful Basque Country.
Clare Haward is a travel writer for Europe Luxury Car Hire
The Guggenheim Museum is usually the first place that comes to mind when the Spanish city of Bilbao is mentioned. Frank Gehrys c...
La Tomatina - Spain
Some holidaymakers go abroad to relax in the sun, while others go looking for striking scenery. Still others seek out museums, art galleries and historical sites. Not many tourists go looking for the biggest mess they can possibly find. For the few that do, though, Spain's Tomatina festival is the perfect destination.
The origins of the Tomatina are unclear -- a number of competing stories exist. What seems clear is that the small Valencian town of Buol saw a number of large-scale tomato fights as part of festival celebrations in the 1940s and 50s. After initially banning the practice, town authorities succumbed to popular demand and made the tomato battles an annual celebration. Today, the Tomatina is an eagerly awaited event in Buol. The town's population can more than quadruple during a particularly lively Tomatina.
The Tomatina is part of a longer week of festivities during late August. The Tomatina takes place on the last Wednesday in August. The battle is preceded by an event called the "palo jabn", in which competitors attempt to climb a greasy pole with a ham mounted atop it. Success in this event signals the beginning of the Tomatina. Lorries laden with tomatoes roll into the Plaza del Pueblo, the town square. The lorries' crews fling tomatoes from their beds into the square. Already soaked with water from fire hoses (part of the palo jabn event), the crowd eagerly scoop up the tomatoes and the battle begins.
For an hour, chaos reigns in the plaza. Town residents and tourists hurl the tomatoes, already partly squashed, at one another. Within minutes, everyone involved is coated in a slimy mess of tomato pulp. At the end of the tomato fight, a shot rings out and peace is restored. The fire hoses are turned on the participants once more to rinse off the pulp.
Careful preparation is required for Tomatina. Shopkeepers board up their windows and cover the fronts of their establishments with plastic sheet. Experienced tomato fighters don swimming goggles to keep tomato pulp out of their eyes; some also wear rubber kitchen gloves. During the hour-long combat, tonnes of tomatoes, specially imported from Extramadura, are used up -- estimates range as high as 90 or even 100 tonnes.
Accommodation in Buol itself is limited, so many visitors stay in Valencia and make the drive or catch a train to Buol early on Wednesday morning. A direct flight from Heathrow airport to nearby Alicante airport takes around two and a half hours. Flying to Valencia airport itself from Heathrow requires a change, although there are direct flights from Stansted and Gatwick.
The origins of the Tomatina are unclear -- a number of competing stories exist. What seems clear is that the small Valencian town of Buol saw a number of large-scale tomato fights as part of festival celebrations in the 1940s and 50s. After initially banning the practice, town authorities succumbed to popular demand and made the tomato battles an annual celebration. Today, the Tomatina is an eagerly awaited event in Buol. The town's population can more than quadruple during a particularly lively Tomatina.
The Tomatina is part of a longer week of festivities during late August. The Tomatina takes place on the last Wednesday in August. The battle is preceded by an event called the "palo jabn", in which competitors attempt to climb a greasy pole with a ham mounted atop it. Success in this event signals the beginning of the Tomatina. Lorries laden with tomatoes roll into the Plaza del Pueblo, the town square. The lorries' crews fling tomatoes from their beds into the square. Already soaked with water from fire hoses (part of the palo jabn event), the crowd eagerly scoop up the tomatoes and the battle begins.
For an hour, chaos reigns in the plaza. Town residents and tourists hurl the tomatoes, already partly squashed, at one another. Within minutes, everyone involved is coated in a slimy mess of tomato pulp. At the end of the tomato fight, a shot rings out and peace is restored. The fire hoses are turned on the participants once more to rinse off the pulp.
Careful preparation is required for Tomatina. Shopkeepers board up their windows and cover the fronts of their establishments with plastic sheet. Experienced tomato fighters don swimming goggles to keep tomato pulp out of their eyes; some also wear rubber kitchen gloves. During the hour-long combat, tonnes of tomatoes, specially imported from Extramadura, are used up -- estimates range as high as 90 or even 100 tonnes.
Accommodation in Buol itself is limited, so many visitors stay in Valencia and make the drive or catch a train to Buol early on Wednesday morning. A direct flight from Heathrow airport to nearby Alicante airport takes around two and a half hours. Flying to Valencia airport itself from Heathrow requires a change, although there are direct flights from Stansted and Gatwick.
Some holidaymakers go abroad to relax in the sun, while others go looking for striking scenery. Still others seek out museums, art ...
About Spain - A Quick Guide
Spain is a country located in south-western Europe, bordered by France to the north-east, Portugal to the west, and the small British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar towards the southern tip. Its area is just over 505,000 square kilometres, positioning it as 52nd largest country in the world, and second in the European Union, which Spain forms part of. The countrys government system is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, with a democratic approach to leadership. The Spanish capital city is Madrid, located in the exact centre of the country.
Spain is comprised of its mainland, occupying about four fifths of the Iberian Peninsula; the Balearic Islands archipelago, located in the Mediterranean Sea off the mainlands east coast; the Canary Islands archipelago, located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of southern Morocco; and the seaside exclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, located in northern Morocco. In all, the country has a population of about 47 million, concentrated mainly in the coastal provinces of Malaga, Valencia, Barcelona, Vizcaya, Mallorca and Alicante, in the slightly inner Seville and Zaragoza, and in the centrally-located community of Madrid, in which roughly 6.5 million people reside.
Spain is divided politically into autonomous communities, which in turn are further divided into provinces, then comarcas (somewhat like the English counties) and finally municipalities, which are the individual villages, towns and cities. In total, there are 17 communities plus Ceuta and Melilla, and 50 provinces. It is definitely worth familiarising yourself with the location of these before you come and visit.
Spain lies between latitudes 26 and 44 north, and longitudes 5 east and 19 west. As a whole, the country is quite mountainous, hosting several great mountain ranges (from north to south): the Pyrenees, which form the natural border between Spain and France, the Cordillera Cantabrica, the Sistema Iberico, the Sistema central, Sierra Morena and the Sistema Penibetico. This averages Spain as the second highest country in Europe, after Switzerland. Inland Spain is dominated by a high central plateau. The tallest mountain in the Iberian Peninsula is the Mulhacen, in Sierra Nevada in Andalusia (the site of Europes southernmost ski resort). The highest peak in Spain is the Teide at 3,718 metres, a dormant volcano located in the Canary Island of Tenerife
Spain is home to hundreds of rivers and notable streams, the longest and largest of which runs over 1,000 kilometres, and are (in order): the Tajus, the Ebro, the Duero, the Guadiana, and the Guadalquivir. All but one of these flow westward from the Spanish highlands into Portugal, and drain into the Atlantic Ocean; the exception is the Ebro, which flows eastwards, draining into the Mediterranean Sea. The most voluminous river is the Ebro, located in north-eastern Spain. The Guadalquivir, located in the southerly community of Andalusia, is the only river navigable by larger cargo ships; this makes Seville, the largest city on its banks and fourth in Spain, the countrys only inland river port. The western coast of Galicia is peppered with many large and little rias, sea inlets similar to river estuaries or fjords.
The climate of Spain varies depending mainly on location and altitude. The mountainous regions named before all experience alpine climates, with considerable snow in winter and little to no snow in summer (except for the Pyrenees, which remains more densely snowed all year round).
The northern coastal provinces of Galicia, Cantabria, Asturias, Pais Vasco (Basque Country), Navarra, as well as eastern Catalonia, northern Aragon and north-western Castilla y Leon, all experience an oceanic climate due to their close or adjacent proximity to the Atlantic Ocean; this is characterised by mild winters and cool summers, with high rainfall all year round; this area is sometimes called Green Spain.
The northern inland regions of Castilla y Leon, La Rioja, southern Aragon, Madrid, and northern Castilla-La Mancha all have a continental Mediterranean climate, featuring cold, usually snowy winters, and hot, dry summers. The southern inland regions of Extremadura, southern Castilla-La Mancha and northernmost Andalusia have a very similar climate, with cold to cool winters with no or very little snow, and scorching dry summers.
Finally, the Canary Islands have an oceanic subtropical climate, with very warm winters and slightly hot, but never scorching, summers, and little to moderate rainfall all year round. This is probably the best and most comforting climate in the whole of Spain.
Spain has a variety of regional dialects and different languages. Those of notable significance are Castilian Spanish (the typical Spanish, spoken throughout the entire country), Basque (originating in the Basque Country), Catalan (originating in Catalonia and also spoken in the Comunidad Valenciana and the Balearic Islands), Aragonese (originating in Aragon) and Gallego (originating in Galicia).
The rail system is also highly extensive and sophisticated. Spain operates the longest high-speed rail network in Europe at over 15,000 kilometres, and the second longest in the world, behind China. High-speed rail is named AVE (Alta Velocidad Espaola). AVE began service in 1992 for the Seville Expo, connecting Madrid and Seville in less than two hours. Now, AVE connects the main cities and provincial capitals, with a trip from Malaga to Madrid lasting only two and half hours. The main AVE terminal is that of Madrid, which operates to Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga, Seville, Cordoba and Valladolid in record times. There are plans to extend AVE services to France and Portugal. Beside AVE, RENFE (the national railway administrator) operates suburban and inter-provincial lines in areas of high tourist and population density, or where many towns lie beside each other in a chain. Spain is also proud to run urban lines in its main cities, with 18 cities possessing either a ground-level tram system or an underground metro system, such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Seville. Madrid Metro is the oldest and most extensive in Spain, and sixth in the world at 293 kilometres, inaugurating back in 1919 and expanding ever since. Its annual ridership is over 635 million!
Spain is a country located in south-western Europe, bordered by France to the north-east, Portugal to the west, and the small British...
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