http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/towns-of-south-eastern-spain.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/towns-of-south-eastern-spain.html Sat, 20 May 2006 00:00:00 -0500 Almunecar

Almunecar is known as the capital of the Costa Tropical and forms part of the province of Granada. The Costa Tropical is a less well known part of the coastline and is found between the Costa del Sol on the west and the Costa de Almeria to the east.

There are some beautiful beaches along the coastline and a good selection of hotels, villas and apartments. The average temperature here is 20C with around 320 days of sunshine per year.

Almunecar has a Moorish castle, the Castle of San Miguel and there are also several churches and museums which can be visited. Near to the castle is the Loro Sexi Bird Park which has over 1500 birds and nearby the botanical garden, the Parque del Majuelo is home to Europe’s largest collection of subtropical plants.

Motril

Motril is the largest town on the Costa Tropical and the second largest town in the province of Granada with over 55,000 inhabitants.

Motril has a busy commercial port as well as a fishing port and a marina. The two main beaches are the Playa Granada and the Playa Poniente. On the coast road to the west of the Playa Poniente is Casa Astrida which is one of the King’s residences. A little further along is the popular golf course, Los Moriscos.

The production of sugar cane was the main industry in the town for centuries and there is still a 16th century sugar mill, Casa de Las Palmas.

Salobrena

The old whitewashed town of Salobrena which is built upon a large rock, has steep, narrow streets which are centred around the 10th Century Moorish castle and the town is surrounded by lush sugar cane fields and the last sugar factory in Europe can be found in the village of La Caleta to the west of the town.

Salobrena has been inhabited for over 6000 years and the old town is lovely with great views of the landscape beyond, if you can make the climb to the top of the old town.

Salobrena has lots of bars, restaurants and tapas on offer and is ideally situated just 45 minutes from Granada and little over an hour to the Sierra Nevada mountain range so it is also an ideal location to combine winter sun and skiing.

Mojacar

Mojacar is in the province of Almeria and just 50 minutes drive from Almeria airport. It is an old whitewashed mountain village and only a couple of kilometres from the coast. There is a tourist resort just to the south called Mojacar Playa.

It has over 3000 hours of sunshine per year and has almost no winter season at all. Mojacar has retained most of its original character and is home to a Moorish fortress called El Torreon.

The beaches are the main attraction to visit the area as well as the many other picturesque villages to be visited.

Puerto de Mazarron

Puerto de Mazarron is an attractive holiday resort which has been popular with holidaymakers for many years. Fishing and agriculture are still the most important industries in the area but the economy is boosted each year by the influx of tourists in the summer. The coastal area of Mazarron has some of the loveliest unspoilt beaches in Spain and provides a peaceful environment for those choosing to vacation here. It is also a popular destination for Spanish families in the peak season but is ideal for a quieter holiday out of season.

There is an attractive promenade which gives access to the beaches and there are many bars, restaurants and cafes to try.

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Warren Ward runs the vacation owner rental website of www.ChooseSpain.com which advertises hundreds of holiday villas and apartments throughout Spain.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/towns-of-southern-costa-blanca.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/towns-of-southern-costa-blanca.html Sat, 20 May 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Usually most people don't see Alicante other than from the window of the aircraft as they arrive at the international airport or from the window of their hire car, which they picked up from Alicante airport car hire terminal. However, spend a little more time and you will notice that Alicante has much more to offer than just a place of arrival and departure.

The capital of the Costa Blanca, Alicante, can date its history back to the Romans and there is evidence of pre-historic history dating back to a settlement here even further. Initial impressions are poor as you make your way from the airport to the town, however once past the urban sprawl, you'll find a palm lined promenade along the front of the town by the harbour with its nightlife and associated restaurants and a tree lined shopping avenue. To the south of the town, the coastline stretches away for miles of golden sandy beach.

Torrevieja

Torrevieja is one of the most popular destinations on the southern Costa Blanca. Only 40 minutes drive from the airport of Alicante to the north, or 20 minutes from the smaller airport at Murcia, which is also served from the UK, Torrevieja is a bustling tourist community. There has been a settlement here for thousands of years, the reason becomes clear after a visit as Torrevieja is situated by 2 large saltwater lagoons where they still harvest the salt just as they have done for centuries. The lagoons are also the home to flamingos as well as many other types of birds.

Torrevieja town is classically Spanish in design, with most inhabitants living in apartment blocks in ordered streets. A walk through the town highlights that it is a busy commercial centre servicing both the large number of tourists and the local Spanish and expat communities. The town, has a busy fishing port and marina and trips can be taken from here along the coast during the summer months.

The main beach promenade was recently refurbished and provides a pleasant stroll, or the ideal place to sit and take in the views while sipping a coffee at one of the many beachfront cafes. Most days there is a small market selling souvenirs near to the beach and harbour and on Fridays each week, a large open air market selling all sorts of goods. The market can get very busy and parking near impossible, so an early start is the order of the day.

There are many beaches to choose from, and a water park for the more adventurous.

Golfers are probably best equipped along this stretch of coastline with lots to choose from, through the golf courses of Villamartin, Las Ramblas, Campoamor and Quesada which are the more well known. Torrevieja holiday accommodation is both plentiful and varied, from luxury villas on the golf courses or beachfront, to townhouses and apartments on urbanisations. There is something for every budget.

Villamartin

Villamartin is probably the best known golf course on the Costa Blanca. The resort has expanded and now includes the golf courses of Las Ramblas and Campoamor, so there is more than enough for the most avid golfer. A Villamartin golf holiday visitor, can divide their time between the golf course and the beach, of which there are many within a 5 minute drive and most are Blue Flag approved. A favourite has to be the beach at Cabo Roig overlooked by its watch tower, now a speciality fish restaurant.

The resort comprises of a commercial centre with bars, restaurants, outdoor eating and a selection of shops. Around the centre there are plenty of Villamartin golf apartments, for rental from private owners. If your budget stretches a little more, there are many holiday urbanisations within a few minutes drive of the golf course, with either apartments or townhouses and most have communal pools and other facilities. Top of the range gives you luxury villas built overlooking the golf fairways, with their private pools and excellent location, these are the premier places to stay while you enjoy your vacation here.

La Manga

La Manga del Mar Menor is a resort town near Murcia. The area has several golf courses and over 40km of beaches.

The Mar Menor (Little Sea) is an enclosed salt water lake and the area is part of the Costa Calida. It is an ideal resort for water sports enthusiasts or for those wishing to learn because of the calm waters of the Mar Menor.

There is a coastal strip of hotels and houses which runs along the side of the Mar Menor as well as many restaurants, bars and holiday apartments. Two nearby coastal towns are San Pedro del Pinatar and San Javier and Murcia and Cartagena are also worth including on your holiday itinerary as well as the old fishing village of Los Alcazares. The famous La Manga Club is also to be found close by and is well known for hosting many football clubs during the winter months.

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Warren Ward runs the vacation owner rental website of www.ChooseSpain.com which advertises hundreds of holiday villas and apartments throughout Spain.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/towns-of-northern-costa-blanca-spain.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/towns-of-northern-costa-blanca-spain.html Sat, 20 May 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Midway between Valencia to the north and Alicante to the south, Denia is located on the Mediterranean with some 20km of beach and a backdrop of pine clad hills and mountains. The climate is one of the best in Spain, and Denia was voted as the 3rd healthiest place to live, once visited you can see why. With the temperature rarely dropping below the mid teens in the winter and averaging 19 degrees throughout the year, Denia’s climate is both mild and dry, ideal for both holiday makers and the orange and lemon groves surrounding the town.

More of a family resort, this quiet town is based around the tiny fishing port, where the daily catch is still unloaded and sold at the fish market or straight from the fishermen in some cases around the harbour.

Dating from the time of the Romans, the town’s history can be seen at the castle which doubles up as the museum of archaeology.

Most holiday makers will head for the water and the water sport activities that are mainly based from the large marina, though golfers are well catered for at La Sella, an 18 hole golf course with golf hotel resort and luxury golf urbanisations.

Javea

Set in an area of outstanding beauty, the holiday resort of Javea has an historic past, which is still evident throughout this small town devoid of the high rise apartment blocks of the resorts further to the south. A walk through the ancient streets reveals a town steeped in history and the old town is beautiful to behold with its traditional buildings, with their small balconies looking out towards the main Javea beach of Playa del Arenal with its long stretch of sand. Like Denia and many of the other smaller towns along the coastline of the northern Costa Blanca, Javea still has a small fishing port, where the daily catch is delivered as it has been for centuries.
Bars and restaurants can be found alongside the Avenida del Mediterraneo alongside the Javea harbor area. Holiday accommodation is plentiful with many of the Javea accommodation rentals having spectacular views from the hills overlooking the town of Javea and its beaches.
Arenal beach is the main beach of the town with its vibrant promenade and the place to visit for the town’s modest nightlife. Golfers will not be disappointed with the Javea Golf Club course set within pine and orange groves not far from the town.

Moraira

With its backdrop of hills rising upwards to the upper valley of Jalon, Moraira is about 1 hours drive from the international airport of Alicante. Alicante airport car hire is reasonably cheap, though it pays to book online before you arrive to get the best deal and be certain that a vehicle will be waiting for you.
Arriving in Moraira will bring you to a climate that has an average yearly temperature of 18 degrees and 325 days of sunshine each year. A low rise resort built around the small fishing town, Moraira has 8km of coastline to explore and associated water sports to enjoy. The towns fishing port history can still be seen at the interesting fish auction from Tuesday to Sunday on the harbour side, with many of the fish caught ending up on a plate in one of the excellent restaurants and bars around the modern marina and port.

An attractive resort, there are many vacation rentals here, set within pine forests. Most are private villas each having their own pools, though you will find beach front apartments for those wishing to stay in the town.

Moraira has 4 golf courses in the vicinity, so golfers are well served and a weekly town market held near to the main beach selling farm products, souvenirs and local specialities.

Calpe

Calpe is dominated by the towering Penon de Ifach, a vertical sided rock that protrudes from the Mediterranean over the town. The town, once an ancient fishing village, is now one of the most popular resorts in the northern Costa Blanca with its quaint Valencian charm and beautiful sandy beaches. The town still has its fishing port, where you can watch the daily catch, though next door a stunning marina houses dream yachts.

A glimpse of Calpe’s past can be viewed from the old town walls beside the Moorish quarter, used to defend the town against the pirate attacks. Calpe’s Roman heritage can be seen at the remains of the Roman villa next to the Paseo Maritimo, and more at the towns Museum of Archaeology. Self catering Calpe comes in many forms from frontline beach apartments on Calpe’s beaches to luxury villas overlooking Calpe and the Penon de Ifach.

Between Calpe and Moraira is the small village of Benissa with its not to be missed Cathedral of the Marina Alta.

Altea

Altea is without doubt one of the prettier villages along the Costa Blanca coast and yet only 7km north of the resort town of Benidorm, with its vibrant nightlife and towering holiday apartment blocks. Situated less than 1 hours drive from Alicante airport where most of the Alicante car hire is found, Altea is a fishing village that maintains it beauty with low rise buildings preserving the skyline and ancient history of the port. Remaining small, has also meant that Altea is a much more family orientated resort with a modest nightlife mainly centred around the restaurants along the beach front and the old town centre with its tapas bars and cosy atmosphere and cobbled streets. As well as the well maintained beaches, most with sun loungers and eateries, the town has the backdrop of the Sierra Bernia mountains to either explore of behold, especially around sunset.

Accommodation in Altea comprises of both private villas and resort complexes with all their holiday facilities.

Benidorm

Benidorm is not really the ideal place for a quiet holiday, the largest resort on the Costa Blanca, the skyline is full of high rise hotel apartments that are full to capacity during the summer months. However, Benidorm has come a long way from the days of the bucket and spade brigade and has improved its image considerably, becoming quite chic in the process. For nightlife the resort cannot be beaten and there is something for everyone, and for those of you who think that eating out in Benidorm is all pie and chips, think again. Benidorm has an old town which has still kept its Spanish culture and the flavour of Spain in its cuisine.

Being set on a wide and long crescent bay, Benidorm’s beach is perfect for families and provides safe bathing for children under the supervision of the parents.

Not far away from the resort is the theme park of Terra Mitica, based on the legends of the ancient civilisations that ruled the Mediterranean. Rivalling Euro Disney for its thrills, Terra Mitica, is a loud and exciting addition to the Costa Blanca and worth the visit.

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Warren Ward runs the vacation owner rental website of www.ChooseSpain.com which advertises hundreds of holiday villas and apartments throughout Spain.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/a-visit-to-the-main-resorts-of-valenica-and-catalonia-spain.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/a-visit-to-the-main-resorts-of-valenica-and-catalonia-spain.html Sat, 20 May 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain, and covers a large expanse of the Catalonian coastline. The city is built around its port, which is one of the busiest in the Mediterranean, though many would believe that it is built around its football club FC Barcelona (Barca) which is a major player in both the Spanish football league as well as the international.

Much more than just the capital of Catalonia, Barcelona with its international airport is a "major league player" on the world stage, having hosted the 1888 World Fair and more recently, the 1992 Olympic games.

The city can be dated back to a Roman settlement in the 2nd century BC, and has been occupied by differing Mediterranean tribes over the centuries each leaving their own identity on the area. The old town is the best place to see this within the many architectural designs and facades that adorn the buildings. Barcelona’s most famous street is Las Ramblas, a busy street 24 hours a day, though more so at the weekends and during the evenings. Market stalls, souvenir sellers, street traders, musicians and street acts keep you entertained as you stroll along the tree shaded walkway or drink cafe americano from the many cafes lining the street.

The Barri Gotic, Gothic Quarter is home of the cathedral and royal palace and the oldest part of the city. The Sagrada Familia is a work of art by Antoni Gaudi, it is the city’s most bizarre building and was built when the city was in a period of modernist revival.

Valencia

Situated in the middle of the Costa del Azahar, which runs down Spain’s eastern coastline, Valencia, the city where El Cid, a famous Spaniard and folk hero who battled the might of the Moorish armies, is one of the most vibrant cities in Spain. Renowned for its nightlife and outdoor living, the city is bathed in a micro-climate, which explains both the party atmosphere and the garden plantations of oranges that surround the city and the local area. Valencia has both an International Airport and also a busy port. You can catch a ferry to the Balearic Islands from here.

Built by the Romans in the 2nd century BC, Valencia again, as with most Spanish cities, has a wealth of history and Moorish influence that is still evident today in some of the buildings that mingle together with more modern and modernistic designs. The city centre is dominated by the cathedral, originally built in 1262. The towers of the cathedral offer fine views over the city. Valencia has a modern tramway system which also connects the beaches to the east with their lively promenade full of bars and eateries.

Gandia

The small city of Gandia, is on the southern edge of the Costa del Azahar. Valencia is the closest major city to the north by about 1 hour and it is here that you will find the international airport that serves this region. Once an important cultural town, formally run by the Duke of Gandia, the city is now more of a tourist destination, though the region is still important commercially for the orange industry, which is evident from the millions of orange groves that surround the regions and the fragrant aroma they exude.

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Warren Ward runs the vacation owner rental website of www.ChooseSpain.com which advertises hundreds of holiday villas and apartments throughout Spain.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/beach-front-resorts-of-the-costa-del-sol.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/beach-front-resorts-of-the-costa-del-sol.html Sat, 20 May 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Sotogrande is found within the province of Cadiz and is situated near the Straits of Gibraltar which can offer quiet beaches and coves although the hustle and bustle of the Costa del Sol is only half an hour away. It is within easy reach of Malaga, Marbella, Cadiz and Gibraltar.

Sotogrande is an exclusive sports and residential development which has developed over the last 30 years. It is a quiet area based around a substantial marina which will have over 1,000 berths once the second phase is completed. Sotogrande is also home to the famous Valderrama golf club as well as many others.

Sotogrande is an all year round resort offering golf, sailing and tennis with lots of good bars, restaurants and large hotels for relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere.

Estepona

Estepona is a coastal town on the Costa del Sol which, despite its expansion, has maintained its character and ‘old town’ feel. There are still numerous places where one can find traditional Spanish food amongst the narrow cobbled streets.

Estepona has good, sandy beaches but is also within easy reach of Puerto de la Duquesa and also close enough to visit some of the lovely inland towns and villages such as Gaucin, Casares and Genalguacil. It is just an hours drive to Malaga from Estepona. The Plaza de las Flores and the Clock Tower (Torre de Reloj) are attractive places to visit within the town and there is a popular market on Wednesdays. There are many golf courses in the area which makes it a popular destination as well as the fact that the average temperature is 18C.

The port and harbour are just a short walk from the town centre and is mainly centred around fishing although there are modern marina facilities and aside from the market in the town centre on Wednesdays, it also has its own market on a Sunday.

Puerto Banus

Just a few kilometres to the west of Marbella, Puerto Banus is famous for its marina full of luxury yachts as well as offering expensive bars, restaurants and designer shops. The beach, the Playa Levante, is to the north of the town and is very clean, long and wide. There is a market on Saturdays near the bullring. Puerto Banus has a busy nightlife with a wide choice of bars, clubs or discos to visit, or maybe you just want to sit in the open air with a meal and a drink and watch the world go by.

Marbella

Marbella is probably one of the most well known resorts along the Costa del Sol. It has a wonderful climate with over 3000 hours of sunshine per year. It is close to Malaga airport, has an impressive yacht harbour and many golf courses within easy reach.

Away from the glamour of the harbour area the old town still retains some character. The Plaza de los Naranjos (Orange Square) is a popular place to take a breather before setting off to explore the many streets and alleyways full of shops selling anything from local produce and crafts to designer clothing.

El Fuerte and El Fontanilla are two of the largest beaches in Marbella or you may just wish to take a stroll along the promenade, the Avenida del Mar.

Lots of people choose to holiday in Marbella because of the busy nightlife which offers a wide variety of bars, restaurants, clubs, theatres and cinemas to suit everyone. There are many quality hotels to choose from as well as numerous self catering apartments and villas.

Fuengirola

Fuengirola is a coastal town on the Costa del Sol situated partway between Malaga and Marbella. It has been a popular tourist resort since the 1960’s to the extent that tourism has now replaced fishing as the main industry. It has a lot of high rise hotels and apartments adjacent to the long, sandy beaches although it is still possible to find smaller, more traditional accommodation. It is a very busy resort, full of entertainment in the summer months but can also be the ideal place to visit out of season when it is much quieter. Fuengirola is truly an international resort with approximately 25% of its inhabitants coming from other countries, although in the summer it is still very popular with the Spanish and British alike.

Fuengirola offers all the facilities which you would expect to find in a major tourist resort as well as a zoo, Zoologico de Fuengirola, an Arabic Castle, the bullring and open parks. The old port is still used by local fishermen and the sports marina can provide berths for boats of all sizes.

Two of the suburbs of Fuengirola – Los Boliches and Torreblanca are worth visiting. In Torreblanca there are thermal baths and in Los Boliches the remains of a Roman villa can be seen. Los Boliches also has its own beaches and is a little bit quieter than Fuengirola itself.

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Warren Ward runs the vacation owner rental website of www.ChooseSpain.com which advertises hundreds of holiday villas and apartments throughout Spain.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/a-visit-to-ronda-malaga-and-nerja-spain.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/a-visit-to-ronda-malaga-and-nerja-spain.html Sat, 20 May 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Malaga is the capital city of the Costa del Sol, it is also one of the provinces of Andalusia, a port city and also the location for the international airport which is the largest airport in Spain.

The population of Malaga and the surrounding area is estimated at over 1,000,000 and this number swells in the summer with the influx of visitors. Malaga is surrounded by mountains and there are two rivers, the Guadalhorce and the Guadalmedina which flow past the city into the Mediterranean.

Malaga has a wealth of history going back over 3,000 years. It was founded by the Phoenicians and named ‘Malaka’, meaning salt, probably because of the fish which was salted by the harbour. In the 8th century it was inhabited by the Moors and became an important trading city. In more recent times, tourism has naturally boosted the economy.

Malaga is a very popular tourist destination, made more so in recent years, because of the number of cheap charter flights which now operate in and out of the international airport. But it is also from here that people can reach a large part of Andalucia and may choose to stay in the famous ‘white villages’ or the historic cities of Sevilla or Granada.

There is plenty to do and see in Malaga – the Arabic Fortress, the Gibralfaro Castle from where there is a beautiful view over the city, the harbour which is one of the most important in Spain and various museums, cathedrals and churches as well as, of course, the bullring and it can also be known as the birthplace of the actor, Antonio Banderas!

Nerja

Nerja is found at the eastern tip of the Costa del Sol, approximately 50 km from Malaga, 1 hour and 15 minutes from Granada and the infamous Alhambra Palace and from there just another half an hour to reach the skiing regions of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Nerja is steeped in history and is well known for the primitive paintings in the Nerja Caves, which were discovered in the late 1950’s and which have now become one of the most visited tourist attractions in Spain. The caves are also home to the world’s longest stalactite. Nerja is also famous for the Balcon de Europa, ‘the balcony of Europe’. A wonderful promenade which sits between two small coves on the edge of a towering cliff which was once the sight of a great Moorish castle. It offers magnificent views across the Mediterranean as well as numerous bars and cafes where one can sit sipping refreshments while enjoying the scenic surroundings.

Nerja has some lovely beaches which are mostly rocky coves with sharp sand and there are some good restaurants along the beaches which specialise in local fish dishes. The old town of Nerja has small, narrow streets which are busy in the summer and the weekly market is held on a Tuesday.

Nerja is also becoming a popular destination for walkers exploring the mountainous areas of the Sierra Almijar and the Sierra Tejeda.

Nerja has a wide range of good hotels as well as many private apartments and villas to choose from where you can enjoy your holiday and the surrounding area.

Ronda

Ronda is one of the most beautiful historic towns in Andalucia and is part of the province of Malaga. Ronda can be found approximately 50 kilometres from the coastal town of San Pedro de Alcantara along a very winding road through the mountains, the Serrania de Ronda and it is 113km from Malaga. Ronda has a population of approximately 35,000 people and it is 739m above sea level. The average year round temperature is 15C and has around 2700 hours of sunshine per year.

There is lots to do and see in Ronda. It is famous for having the oldest bullring in Spain and together with the New Bridge, the Puente Nuevo, these are two of the symbols of Ronda. The New Bridge is, in fact, over 200 years old and took more than 40 year to complete. The masonry stones were brought up from the depths of the Tajo gorge. The Bullring, The Plaza de Toros, is recognized as one of the oldest in Spain and one of the most monumental in design. It took 6 years to build and opened in 1785. The City Museum and the Bullfighting Museum are also very popular sights to visit. The Sierra de las Nieves natural park is within the province and has the most important forest of Spanish firs.

The fair and festival of Pedro Romero is usally held at the beginning of September and is a good time of year for tourists to visit.

Ronda is a wonderful place to visit, but an even better place to stay. There are many lovely villas, apartments or townhouses available to rent or maybe choose to stay in one of the picturesque surrounding villages such as Montejaque or Gaucin.

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Warren Ward runs the vacation owner rental website of www.ChooseSpain.com which advertises hundreds of holiday villas and apartments throughout Spain.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/a-day-trip-to-cordoba-spain.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/a-day-trip-to-cordoba-spain.html Sat, 20 May 2006 00:00:00 -0500 Cordoba, founded by the Romans, though it flourished under the Moorish occupation and this is evident in the architecture found all over the city.

Built on a sharp bend of the river which is crossed by the Roman bridge, the El Puente Romano, the city was once a port. When the Moors were replaced by the Christians, the city’s beauty was left untouched and the Christian cathedral was built within the mosque, the Mezquita. The Mezquita dates back to the 12 century and symbolises the power of the Moorish Islamic influence on this region of Andalucia. Built in 785AD by Abd al Rahman, the mosque has been added to over the generations by both Christian and Islamic faiths as they each controlled this area.

At the centre of Cordoba is the old Jewish quarter where little has changed in centuries, narrow streets and garden plazas, tapas bars and restaurants, an ideal area to explore and relax in the Spanish way. The bull fighting museum and the cool and refreshing fountains and gardens of the Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos are well worth a visit both being open from Tuesday to Sunday.

Move outside of the city into the area of Cordoba, and you'll find it quite unoccupied, most of the population live in the city itself while the remainder are spread out in this large unexploited region. Summers here are dry and hot, so the best time of the year to visit is during the cooler spring and autumn months, where you will find villages that still hold on to their Spanish values, something that has almost all but disappeared from the Costas to the south.

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Warren Ward runs the vacation owner rental website of www.ChooseSpain.com which advertises hundreds of holiday villas and apartments throughout Spain.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/the-seville-region-of-spain.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/the-seville-region-of-spain.html Sat, 20 May 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Seville (Sevilla), the capital of Andalucia stands on the banks of the Rio Guadalquivir which has sculpted the surrounding landscape and left the area a fertile plain, perhaps one of the reasons that Seville is such a beautiful city with its lush sub tropical gardens.

You need at least a few days in which to explore Seville, though falling in love with this ancient city will take far less time. Exploring by foot is the best way to get to know Sevilla, La Arenal is a good place to start. The port of Seville was once here, before the river silted up and the area took a downward turn, becoming entwined with the notorious underworld. However after the river was converted to a canal, the area began to regain its previous glory. Today boat trips can be taken down the river to view Seville from the peace of the water. The Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza is Seville’s bullring and built in the 18th century is one of the oldest in Spain. The arena seats up to 14000 and visitors can take guided tours here. Bullfighting season beings on Easter Sunday and lasts until October.

Santa Cruz is the old Jewish quarter, a literal maze of narrow streets, and small sunny squares hiding tapas bars, plazas and quaint gardens. Excellent bars and restaurants can be found here. Seville’s cathedral towers above the Jewish quarter and was previously the site of a large mosque when Sevilla was under Moorish rule. Don't leave Seville without visiting one of its wonders, the Reales Alcazares, Royal Palace. The palace is a work of art in itself and the beauty of the buildings, facades and gardens will take your breath away.

Leaving the city into the region also known as Seville, we find a countryside of distinctive flavours. The area around Seville, as mentioned previously is a fertile farmland, La Campina. To the north of the region you'll find the La Colmarca de la Sierra a mountainous area with lots of options for outdoor activities.

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Warren Ward runs the vacation owner rental website of www.ChooseSpain.com which advertises hundreds of holiday villas and apartments throughout Spain.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/the-cadiz-region-of-spain.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/the-cadiz-region-of-spain.html Sat, 20 May 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Cadiz, to the south of Huelva province shares the same stretch of coastline, the Costa de la Luz (Coast of Light), an Atlantic coastline, with long stretches of uncrowded pristine sand. Windsurfers and para-surfers will have heard of Tarifa, the most southern point of the Cadiz region, which as you would expect is renown for its constant breeze.

Inland, the area is dotted with pretty white picture postcard villages which during the cooler months lie in pleasantly green hills refreshed by the moist air brought in from the Atlantic, compared to the drier Malaga region.

One of the most interesting of the towns is Jerez de la Frontera, the capital of the sherry region and many of the bodegas offer visitors a tour of how the sherry is made. Gonzalez Byass and Pedro Domecq should be names known to those who appreciate a tipple. The famous white horses of Andalucia, are trained at the famous equestrian school, Real Escuela Andaluza de Arte Ecuestre.

Cadiz city is steeped in history, legend has it that the city was founded by Hercules, though more probably it was initially established by the Phoenicians in 1100BC. Over the centuries the city has been inhabited by Carthaginians, Romans and Moors. Set on a peninsula of land, almost entirely surrounded by the sea, Cadiz has often been the target of attack, mainly from the British with the first attack coming from Sir Francis Drake in 1587.

Cadiz is a wonderful place to explore, with many narrow streets and alleyways opening into market squares full of life.

Accommodation is usually of a very high standard, and whether you stay in a rural self catering rental in Jimena de la Frontera to sample the sherry or a cosy guest house, bed and breakfast in Cadiz, you'll have a holiday to remember.

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Warren Ward runs the vacation owner rental website of www.ChooseSpain.com which advertises hundreds of holiday villas and apartments throughout Spain.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/the-region-of-granada-andalucia-spain.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/the-region-of-granada-andalucia-spain.html Sat, 20 May 2006 00:00:00 -0500 Granada from whence the regions name is derived is a city of historic beauty. The Alhambra dominates the city and must be included as part of any visit here. The palace and its gardens were built under the rule of the Nasrid dynasty of caliphs. They created their vision of paradise on earth and in doing so built the magical building that still fills its visitors with awe today. The melding of stone and water, is an architectural masterpiece and provides a feeling of calm and coolness, especially in the mid summer sun.

The ancient Moorish quarter of the Albaicin, gives a feel of the Moorish influence and culture that dominated this city and is a wonderful place to relax as the sun sets over the Alhambra while enjoying a meal or drink in one of the many bars and restaurants.

South of the city, the land rises high up to the mountains of the Sierra Nevadas, Spain’s highest mountain range and home in winter to ski resorts, as they are so close to the Mediterranean coast and at such a low latitude. In summer months the mountains offer many outdoor activities and the chance to explore and view some of the nature that lives at these altitudes. The mountains close proximity to the sea, lends itself to the talk that you can ski in the morning and swim in the Mediterranean in the afternoon, though you'd be pretty rushed getting it all in.

Las Alpujarras are the foothills to the Sierra Nevadas and are home to small whitewashed villages tending their crop of chestnut and walnut trees and herds of goats. Hams are one of the local specialities and this can be bought at villages markets like the one in Orgiva, the main town of the region.

Further south and the land becomes more fertile as you enter the Lecrin Valley, Valley of Happiness. The lands here are covered in groves of lemon, oranges, almonds and olive trees and many holiday rental properties can be found here to enjoy the regions beauty which overlooks the Mediterranean.

Arriving at the coast, the Costa Tropical, is a low rise coastline, preserving much of the beauty that its neighbour the Costa del Sol has lost. This coastline is ideal for more family orientated holidays.

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Warren Ward runs the vacation owner rental website of www.ChooseSpain.com which advertises hundreds of holiday villas and apartments throughout Spain.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>