Costa Brava
Costa Brava literally means “rugged coast” and a more apt description of this beautiful area of Catalonia could not be found. Although the area is a tourist spot, it is not typical of the resort type beaches found in other parts of Spain and the Mediterranean. The towns of the area were originally dependent on fishing as their major source of employment and financial stability, but increasing numbers of tourists from the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe quickly turned the area in to a resort destination.
Fully modern and newly constructed hotels are found right along the beach, providing spectacular views of the ocean from the patio or the balcony of the rooms. In addition the wonderful landscape is perfect for those that like exploring, hiking, or simply relaxing on the beach and watching the fishing boats go by. Swimming, diving and sports fishing are all popular activities with tourists and the warm weather year round makes it a perfect holiday destination. (more…)
April 11, 2008
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean, are really a group of seven islands that are volcanic in origin. They are actually located south west of Spain and north west of Africa and enjoy the mild weather patterns that exist through the coastal areas off Morocco. Historically they have served as a stopping off point for explorers from Spain that were heading for the New World and were also a resort type location for traveling dignitaries and famous people throughout history. The actual name of the Canary Islands is not believed to be from birds as may be expected, but rather from canines or dogs, which in Latin is Insula Canaria. Early Roman explorers likely were referring to the large wild dog populations found on several of the islands in the group. It is also believed in legend and myth that the lost city of Atlantis is located within the geographic area of the Canary Islands, further adding to the mystery of the location.
The seven islands that make up the Canary Island chain are La Palma, Hierro, Gomera, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. Each of the islands has its own cultural influences and special attractions, but in general the year round weather and beautiful scenery make all the islands popular tourist destinations. The average yearly temperature in the islands is between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit, perfect for year round outdoor swimming, hiking and enjoyment. Most of the islands have moderate to light rainfall during the year with no typically rainy seasons or poor vacation times. (more…)
April 2, 2008
Sierra Nevada
Spain is truly a country with almost any type of climate or environment possible. The Sierra Nevada mountain range, located in the area known as Andalusia, is another example of the variable nature of the country. The Sierra Nevada Mountains, which literally means “snowy mountain range” in Spanish, provides a breathtaking backdrop to the Mediterranean coastline. The Sierra Nevada Mountains are some of the highest in all of Europe with mountains over 3,000 ft common in the range. Lakes and valleys as well as waterfalls and streams are all part of the beauty of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The highest of the Sierra Nevada Mountains are covered with snow year round, even though they are located in the warm and tropical Iberian Peninsula. This makes skiing in these areas a popular tourist attraction, as skiers can ski in the morning and go to the beach and enjoy relaxing in the tropical sunshine in the afternoon. The city of Granada is considered to be the biggest tourist type city within the Sierra Nevada ski area, however the actual ski resorts also offer accommodations. (more…)
March 15, 2008
Costa Blanca
The Costa Blanca is not a specific town or city but is actually the name of the almost two hundred kilometers of beautiful coastline along the coast of Spain. The Costa Blanca actually encompasses several different beaches and stretches from Denia to Torrevieja and includes the Costa de Valencia. This area is rich with both historic and archeological sites as well as quiet coves and beaches to relax and enjoy a day in the warm sunshine.
The Costa Blanca is a very popular tourist destination for those that enjoy boating, sports fishing and diving. The vast number of small towns, larger cities and villages along the Costa Blanca ensure that visitors can find just the scenery and type of accommodation they are looking for. Renting villas or accommodations along the waterfront is very common along the Costa Blanca and the rates are reasonable given the beautiful year round setting. (more…)
February 26, 2008
Basque Region
The Basque Region of Spain is located in the north central area of the country and borders onto France and the Bay of Biscay in the north. It is a relatively moderate sized area of Spain encompassing the provinces of Alava, Vizcaya and Guipúzcoa for a total land area of 2803 square miles. The capital city of the Basque Region is Vitoria, which has a historical city center that is known for its medieval architecture surrounded by a more modern industrial and residential-style newer development areas.
The Basque area of Spain is known for its historical importance to the development of the country and its culture. It has been largely preserved with castles, palaces, courtyards and beautiful gardens largely untouched from their original construction. These areas are still in use, however, and provide visitors with an amazing glimpse into the ancient world and early developers of the area. (more…)
February 8, 2008
Andalusia
Andalusia, or Andalucía in Spanish, is perhaps the best known of the autonomous communities in Spain and is located in the southern area of the country. The capital city of the autonomous community of Andalusia is Seville, which is the fourth largest city in Spain.
Andalusia is a very large and diverse area, but there are several things that the area is well known for. One of the major attractions to the area is the warm and temperate climate, with the large number of beaches and outdoor areas to explore and travel. Andalusia is also known for its outstanding historical and modern architecture, with many different styles influenced by the different cultures and groups that inhabited this area throughout history. At historical points in time the area now known as Andalusia was controlled by Phoenicians, Tartessians, Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, Arabs, and Moors. There is a great deal of influence from the Arabian and Moorish culture, resulting in some beautiful buildings and artwork that are visible and important landmarks in the area today. (more…)
January 18, 2008
Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago is also known as the “Way of the Saint” and is a pilgrimage to the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain, where pilgrims walk tracing the route of Saint James. It is believed by the devout that the remains of the apostle Saint James are buried at the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, and the event of participating in the Camino de Santiago is seen as a spiritual undertaking by many people throughout the world.
The Camino de Santiago was a popular pilgrimage throughout the Middle Ages and was considered to be one of the ways to earn a plenary indulgence. A plenary indulgence was a way for the pilgrim to earn a remission from the punishment of a sin after guilt has been forgiven. Each pilgrim on the walk could start at different locations, although the main route was considered to be the actual Camino de Santiago. In current times many thousands of pilgrims make the trip every year, some traveling by foot and others by bicycle, while still others make the trip either by horseback or donkey. (more…)
October 18, 2007
Costa del Sol
The Costa del Sol is best known for its beaches – and that should be no surprise to anyone. They are some of the best beaches in Europe, and enjoy a wonderful climate for almost the whole year. They also have very well developed infrastructures and safety systems in place, which means that everyone in the family can find something, and it’s safe even for small kids to enjoy the sand and water.
he Costa del Sol stretches for about 150 kilometers from Nerja in the east to Manilva in the west. Most of it is in the province of Malaga, which is blessed with over 300 days of sunshine per year and a year-round average temperature of 22º C.
But the Costa del Sol does, in fact, have much more to offer. First there are all kinds of sports, from the obvious water sports, to golf, tennis, and many more. And for the whole family, there are now a number of theme parks.
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October 1, 2007
Regions of Spain
Spain is not only a large country, but a very diverse one. Its regions reflect that diversity very well, in many different aspects: from scenery to gastronomy, from traditions to climate and from culture to industry. Perhaps one of the most exciting features of a trip to Spain is the opportunity to experience for yourself the vast differences between the different regions of the country.
One of the first things most visitors notice about the differences between Spain’s regions is the landscape – after all this is the first thing they see. It varies from the desert landscape of parts of Almeria to the lush green of the north and northwest, in the Basque Country, Asturias and Galicia. But there are many other differences that, all together, have acted to forge the destiny of the different regions and to produce the Kingdom of Spain as it is formed today.
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