Granada
Granada is a beautiful Spanish city that is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains where the Genil and Darro Rivers converge. The breathtaking natural scenery around the city of Granada is combined with the amazing architecture seen within the city to make it a popular tourist destination for national as well as international travelers.
One of the most popular tourist areas in Granada is the ancient palace and citadel of the Alhambra. This is actually a small city unto itself with a huge garden area known as the Generalife as well as a fortress called the Alcazaba and a government area known as the Medina. The Alhambra overlooks the actual city of Granada and provides a spectacular view from the city, as well as providing an impressive view of the city from its buildings. (more…)
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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…)
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February 23, 2008
Biking in Spain
Biking through Spain requires a recumbent or touring bike. These bikes have the strength and resistance for hauling food, clothes and other supplies needed for this type of travelling. Saddle bags, with proper frames, can be used or trailers can be added to these bikes. These bikes have the proper wheel size, frame and wide rims, which make the riding of these bikes very comfortable and easier than other forms of bikes that are often designed for speed rather than comfort. The seat is comfortably positioned and the racks and saddles are balanced properly. There are tandem bikes as well. The tandem bikes are useful for couples planning to travel long distances. Touring bikes are not speed bikes but are strong and have great braking systems. Brakes can be lever-pulled or cantilevered, while some bikes come with disc brakes, which offer additional braking power. The proper bike, plus training and experience, help to assure a successful trip. (more…)
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February 20, 2008
Spain: Interesting Facts
Spain is a country that has a fascinating and complex history. In addition to just its history, there are a number of interesting facts about Spain that can make traveling the country more satisfying for visitors. Some of the most unique facts about Spain include:
- The two climate zones of Spain are divided by the Cantabrian Mountains. The northern division is wetter, colder and rainier and the southern half tends to be dryer and hotter.
- It is still traditional for shops in smaller cities and towns to close down for the afternoon but to open from 9 am until 8 pm to allow shoppers lots of time outside of the hot afternoons to get their shopping completed.
- Tapas are the traditional way to enjoy some light snacks, some great wines and good company. Tapas are usually sold on an honor system with the patron choosing what he or she wants and then letting the staff know how much to bill. (more…)
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February 17, 2008
Camping Holidays in Spain
The beautiful weather throughout most of the coastal areas of Spain, as well as the warm summer weather throughout the country, makes Spain an ideal camping holiday destination. Not all areas have camping sites available, so researching ahead of your vacation to find out the locations of camping sites near where you want to stay is important.
There are a great number of campsites in Spain with rated sites numbering over 1000. As can be expected, the bulk of the camping sites tend to be in the most popular tourist areas, especially in the southern Andalusian areas, as well as along the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca areas. These campsites are open year round and are rated on a scale from one to four stars. A one star campsite has the basics and not much more, whereas a four star campsite has additional features, attractions and overall is the best possible camping accommodation. (more…)
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February 14, 2008
Bed and Breakfast in Spain
For a relaxing and quiet stay in Spain that is often much less expensive than a hotel you may want to consider a bed and breakfast. A bed and breakfast, known informally as a B & B, is a smaller room or accommodation within a larger family home. In Spain, a bed and breakfast is called a Casa Rural since they have traditionally been located outside of the major cities in the country and rural areas. Not all Casas Rurales are located in the remote areas of the countryside, many of the newer Casa Rural accommodations are located in the smaller villages and towns around the major tourist areas.
In some areas such as Galicia, the Casa Rural accommodations or bed and breakfasts are inspected and licensed just as hotels and other accommodations are. In other regions of Spain they are less controlled and it may be more likely that the accommodations will be simple rather than elaborate and more hotel like in presentation and type. (more…)
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February 11, 2008
Santiago de Compostela
This picturesque town located in Galicia, Spain, is actually named after Saint James, also known as Santiago. The town cathedral is the ending spot for the medieval pilgrimage of St. James, known in the local dialect as the Camiño de Santiago. Santiago de Compostela is a World Heritage Site as designated by UNESCO, and continues to draw tourists and students to the beautiful buildings, historical sites as well as the famous University located within the city.
The Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela is considered to be one of the most influential and well preserved representations of medieval and Romanesque styles of architecture found in all of Spain. The building dates back to its first development in 1075 and the progressive adding on to the original construction provides an interesting view of how buildings changed throughout history. Besides the Cathedral there are also a variety of museums and palaces to tour and explore. Each year pilgrims dress in the traditional clothing of the saints and travel the long path to Santiago de Compostela, most holding a traditional staff topped with a clam or scallop shell. This provides tourists with a historical perspective on the ancient buildings and structures found throughout the area. (more…)
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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…)
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February 5, 2008
Train Travel in Spain
Travelling by train in Spain can be a rewarding experience but it also requires a bit of planning. The national train company, RENFE, is a large railway system throughout the country. There are high-speed train routes, the AVE, which go, for example, to Madrid from Seville, in 2 1/2 hours, Madrid to Zaragoza in 1 ½ hours, and from Madrid to Toledo in 30 minutes.
You need to have a ticket for your destination, which you get from Billetes which is the name for the ticket window. You need to locate the correct booth for the train you wish to travel on, for example Regionales for Regional trains, Cercanias for local commuter trains and Largo Recorrido for long distance trains. There are train schedules available for these destinations. There are English-speaking information officers nearby if you need assistance. (more…)
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February 2, 2008
History of Spain
As a coastal country, Spain has had an interesting and complex history. Many of the existing landmarks and historical buildings found throughout Spain show the history of Roman invaders, Moors, Jewish and Christian settlements as well as the Celts.
The earliest artifacts found in Spain date back to at least 50,000 years B. C. These early settlements are found in the caves of Granada and the area around Cova Negra. It is believed the first settlers arrived from North Africa to inhabit this warm and fertile area. The Celts invaded this highly desirable area around 1200 b.c. The Greeks and Phoenicians moved into the southern Mediterranean areas of Spain around 1100 b.c. These settlements were then again invaded by the Carthaginians, who were in battle with the huge Roman armies. Although the Carthaginians did establish settlements in Spain, especially in the eastern areas, the Romans moved through the whole of the country, securing it as a Roman stronghold. (more…)