Spain Blogger

Spanish & World Revolution News 2011

2011-08-24T13:33:00.009+02:00

UNITED FOR GLOBAL CHANGE OCTOBER 15TH

On October 15th citizens around the world will take to the streets to express outrage at how our rights are being undermined by the alliance between politicians and big corporations. From Democracia real Ya (Real Democracy Now) we invite you to participate in this peaceful protest by joining our call to action or by calling for other actions on this date. It is time to raise our voice. Our future is at stake, and nothing can hold back the power of millions of people when they unite for a common goal.

Democracia real Ya is a platform that originated in Spain to coordinate various civil mobilization groups. Under the slogan “We are not goods in the hands of politicians and bankers”, thousands of people took to the streets on May 15th to demand a more participatory democracy, to reject corruption in Spain’s political system, and to show our opposition to the austerity measures imposed on us. Following the success of that first demonstration, several movements emerged. Acampadas (tent cities) were set up in central squares across the country, much like the first occupation of Tahrir Square in Cairo. The acampadas gave rise to popular assemblies, where citizens shape their goals through an inclusive non-hierarchal decision making process. The May 15 movement soon expanded beyond Spanish borders and inspired actions in numerous cities around the world, including a mass demonstration against the Euro Pact last June 19th.

Pressured by financial powers, our political leaders work for the benefit of just a few, regardless of the social, human or environmental cost this may cause. By promoting wars for profit and impoverishing whole populations, our ruling classes are depriving us of our right to a free and just society.

That’s why we invite you to join this peaceful fight and spread the message that together we have the ability to change this intolerable situation. Let’s take to the streets on October 15th. It’s time for them to listen to us. United we will make our voices heard! Join the cause!

Save the Costa del Sol, Spain

2011-08-07T11:36:00.005+02:00

On the 23 December 2010 in Cabinet, The Secretariat of Climate Change of the Ministry of Environment in Spain, gave approval for Repsol to prospect for natural gas and hydrocarbons in Malaga. This was approved and licenses were authorised to five companies to partake of a hydrocarbon investigation in the territory and on the Spanish coast. Among the companies who are authorised are CNWL Oil Spain, of the Canadian international Sherrit Corporation, and Shuepbach Energy/Vancast Exploration. These licenses authorise the mentioned companies to look for petroleum or gas in six areas of the Andalusian coast, denominated "Chinook - A, B, C and D" and "Tesorillo and Ruedalabola". These new licenses to explore the hydrocarbon potential on the Andalusian coast between Cadiz and Almeria are to look for active gas wells. Also other projects of investigation in search of hydrocarbons.
... read more by clicking below.... and please sign the petition...
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/save-the-malaga-coast-spain/

Holidays in Marbella – the Jewel in the Costa del Sol’s crown

2011-07-21T16:46:00.004+02:00

Hemmed in by the Mediterranean to the South and by the backdrop of the mountains to the North, Marbella is the centre of international tourism on the Costa del Sol. Its magnificent climate, superb beaches, wealth of leisure facilities and hundreds of thousands of annual visitors have transformed this fishing port into a summer playground.

Video and tourist information about Marbella

The seemingly endless mass of apartment blocks line the seafront, while more luxurious holiday complexes, with their impressive chalets, mansions and even palaces, extend inland. The city has developed a reputation as the most exclusive resort along the Costa del Sol, attracting famous visitors from the World of show business, adding a further glamorous dimension to this jet-setting resort.

Despite its modern opulence, Marbella has still preserved its old quarter of whitewashed houses, their facades adorned with typical wrought-iron grilles and breathtaking displays of flowers.
The town has become a shopper’s paradise, particularly for luxury goods and over the years has developed a reputation for its health clubs and spas. Mention should be made of Marbella’s fantastic sporting facilities, particularly its golf courses.

To further emphasize the cosmopolitan nature of this modern resort, Marbella has two mosques, a synagogue and a number of protestant churches.

It is of little surprise that Marbella is consistently one of the most sought after tourist destinations on the Costa del Sol. For the best selection of Holiday rentals in Marbella and to rent a beach villa in Spain be sure to check out Spain Holiday’s extensive list of property rentals – all directly from the owners themselves.

Spanish Revolution - Democracia Real Ya!

2011-05-31T14:08:00.010+02:00

A few days prior to the recent local elections in Spain, a group of people got together in the main plaza in Madrid to protest government and banking policies.

The movement has now spread to all major cities in the country and continues even today. Other countries in Europe have been inspired to follow Spain's lead or to lend their support.

If you are planning to visit the major cities of Spain, do not be afraid - these protests are entirely peaceful and you can only be moved by this experience.

You will see little, or nothing of this movement in the mass media - search on youtube.com for #spanishrevolution, Spanish Revolution or Democracia Real Ya! for more information.

The following is a video of the protests prior to election day, and below you can read the Manifesto in both English and Spanish:

Manifesto (English)

We are ordinary people. We are like you: people, who get up every morning to study, work or find a job, people who have family and friends. People, who work hard every day to provide a better future for those around us.

Some of us consider ourselves progressive, others conservative. Some of us are believers, some not. Some of us have clearly defined ideologies, others are apolitical, but we are all concerned and angry about the political, economic, and social outlook which we see around us: corruption among politicians, businessmen, bankers, leaving us helpless, without a voice. This situation has become normal, a daily suffering, without hope. But if we join forces, we can change it. It’s time to change things, time to build a better society together. Therefore, we strongly argue that:

The priorities of any advanced society must be equality, progress, solidarity, freedom of culture, sustainability and development, welfare and people’s happiness.

These are inalienable truths that we should abide by in our society: the right to housing, employment, culture, health, education, political participation, free personal development, and consumer rights for a healthy and happy life.

The current status of our government and economic system does not take care of these rights, and in many ways is an obstacle to human progress.

Democracy belongs to the people (demos = people, krátos = government) which means that government is made of every one of us. However, in Spain most of the political class does not even listen to us. Politicians should be bringing our voice to the institutions, facilitating the political participation of citizens through direct channels that provide the greatest benefit to the wider society, not to get rich and prosper at our expense, attending only to the dictatorship of major economic powers and holding them in power through a bipartidism headed by the immovable acronym PP & PSOE.

Lust for power and its accumulation in only a few; create inequality, tension and injustice, which leads to violence, which we reject. The obsolete and unnatural economic model fuels the social machinery in a growing spiral that consumes itself by enriching a few and sends into poverty the rest. Until the collapse.

The will and purpose of the current system is the accumulation of money, not regarding efficiency and the welfare of society. Wasting resources, destroying the planet, creating unemployment and unhappy consumers.

Citizens are the gears of a machine designed to enrich a minority which does not regard our needs. We are anonymous, but without us none of this would exist, because we move the world.

If as a society we learn to not trust our future to an abstract economy, which never returns benefits for the most, we can eliminate the abuse that we are all suffering.

We need an ethical revolution. Instead of placing money above human beings, we shall put it back to our service. We are people, not products. I am not a product of what I buy, why I buy and who I buy from.

For all of the above, I am outraged.
I think I can change it.
I think I can help.
I know that together we can.

----

MANIFIESTO “DEMOCRACIA REAL YA”:

Somos personas normales y corrientes. Somos como tú: gente que se levanta por las mañanas para estudiar, para trabajar o para buscar trabajo, gente que tiene familia y amigos. Gente que trabaja duro todos los días para vivir y dar un futuro mejor a los que nos rodean.

Unos nos consideramos más progresistas, otros más conservadores. Unos creyentes, otros no.
Unos tenemos ideologías bien definidas, otros nos consideramos apolíticos… Pero todos estamos preocupados e indignados por el panorama político, económico y social que vemos a nuestro alrededor. Por la corrupción de los políticos, empresarios, banqueros… Por la indefensión del ciudadano de a pie.

Esta situación nos hace daño a todos diariamente. Pero si todos nos unimos, podemos cambiarla. Es hora de ponerse en movimiento, hora de construir entre todos una sociedad mejor.

Por ello sostenemos firmemente lo siguiente:

Las prioridades de toda sociedad avanzada han de ser la igualdad, el progreso, la solidaridad, el libre acceso a la cultura, la sostenibilidad ecológica y el desarrollo, el bienestar y la felicidad de las personas.

Existen unos derechos básicos que deberían estar cubiertos en estas sociedades: derecho a la vivienda, al trabajo, a la cultura, a la salud, a la educación, a la participación política, al libre desarrollo personal, y derecho al consumo de los bienes necesarios para una vida sana y feliz.

El actual funcionamiento de nuestro sistema económico y gubernamental no atiende a estas prioridades y es un obstáculo para el progreso de la humanidad.

La democracia parte del pueblo (demos=pueblo; cracia=gobierno) así que el gobierno debe ser del pueblo. Sin embargo, en este país la mayor parte de la clase política ni siquiera nos escucha. Sus funciones deberían ser la de llevar nuestra voz a las instituciones, facilitando la participación política ciudadana mediante cauces directos y procurando el mayor beneficio para el grueso de la sociedad, no la de enriquecerse y medrar a nuestra costa, atendiendo tan sólo a los dictados de los grandes poderes económicos y aferrándose al poder a través de una dictadura partitocrática encabezada por las inamovibles siglas del PPSOE.

El ansia y acumulación de poder en unos pocos genera desigualdad, crispación e injusticia, lo cual conduce a la violencia, que rechazamos. El obsoleto y antinatural modelo económico vigente bloquea la maquinaria social en una espiral que se consume a sí misma enriqueciendo a unos pocos y sumiendo en la pobreza y la escasez al resto. Hasta el colapso.

La voluntad y fin del sistema es la acumulación de dinero, primándola por encima de la eficacia y el bienestar de la sociedad. Despilfarrando recursos, destruyendo el planeta, generando desempleo y consumidores infelices.

Los ciudadanos formamos parte del engranaje de una máquina destinada a enriquecer a una minoría que no sabe ni de nuestras necesidades. Somos anónimos, pero sin nosotros nada de esto existiría, pues nosotros movemos el mundo.

Si como sociedad aprendemos a no fiar nuestro futuro a una abstracta rentabilidad económica que nunca redunda en beneficio de la mayoría, podremos eliminar los abusos y carencias que todos sufrimos.

Es necesaria una Revolución Ética. Hemos puesto el dinero por encima del Ser Humano y tenemos que ponerlo a nuestro servicio. Somos personas, no productos del mercado. No soy sólo lo que compro, por qué lo compro y a quién se lo compro.

Por todo lo anterior, estoy indignado.
Creo que puedo cambiarlo.
Creo que puedo ayudar.
Sé que unidos podemos.
Sal con nosotros. Es tu derecho.

African dancing in Bioparc Fuengirola, Spain

2010-09-02T18:09:00.017+02:00

Bioparc Fuengirola (previously known as Fuengirola Zoo) offers a little extra during the summer months. In July and August each year, the zoo is open until midnight, giving people a chance to walk through the leafy and authentic environments and view the animals in the cooler time of the day. They also offer an animal exhibition in the "forest clearing", which involves various animals from the zoo strolling into the exhibition area - they have been well trained to come out and look for the treats left for them by their carers.

We were privileged to see a porcupine, a couple of bush pigs, a tiny little anteater, a sloth, a civet cat and other animals enjoying their evening treat. All accompanied by an owl and a hawk, swooping between two handlers, over the heads of the guests! Totally fascinating and so very well done.

The exhibition ends with dancing and drumming by a troupe of Senegalese performers - really entertaining and also gave the very real feel of being in the African bush (which, having lived in Africa most of my life, I totally enjoyed of course!).

Please enjoy a video of the performance below...

For more information about Fuengirola and a range of photo galleries, visit All Spain Accommodation.

Mijas - white village and beach resort on the Costa del Sol, Spain

2009-12-30T00:28:00.003+01:00

Mijas Travel Guide:

Mijas Self-Catering Accommodation / Mijas Hotels

Mijas is located in the Spanish province of Malaga on the Costa del Sol in Andalucia. The town consists of two separate areas - Mijas Pueblo - a traditional Spanish white village - and Mijas Costa - a modern coastal beach resort. Mijas Costa is typical of all the Costa del Sol beach resorts with restaurants and bars near the beach.

Mijas Pueblo is a typical Andaluz village of whitewashed buildings, with winding narrow streets, and the proverbial geranium strewn balconies, perched high on the mountainside with spectacular views to the Mediterranean below and a scenic backdrop of mountains and endless pine forests. On entering the village, it is possible to see the ancient spring, which provides natural mineral water. Stroll the narrow, cobbled streets and breathe in the atmosphere - stop for a coffee or a glass of wine along the way and sit and watch the world go by.. then take a trip around the village in the famous donkey-drawn taxis of Mijas.

The village is a fascinating place to visit. Many bars and restaurants, attractive shops, and astounding views all around, plus the following attractions:

Hermitage of the Virgen de la Peña

Visit the Hermitage of the Virgen de la Peña, which dates back to 1520. Built by Mercedarian monks, the inside of the hermitage is decorated with the image of the patron saint that gave this place its name. Legends tell that the Virgen de la Peña appeared right on this spot, in front of two shepherds which is why the heritage was built here and not elsewhere.

Botanical Gardens and La Muralla

Just below the heritage is a large and attractive botanical garden (plants are labelled with their names for information). The gardens are integrated with the old defensive walls of the town (la Muralla). There is also a rock gorge within the gardens, which makes an interesting rock climbing location for climbers to practice their skills, and lovely waterfalls and fish ponds.

Other attractions in Mijas Pueblo are as follows:

Casa Museo

The Casa Museo is a fully restored museum displaying old farming tools and equipment. Located on the Plaza de la Libertad, the museum has a typical Andalusian style patio, and on the top floor a range of sculptures, paintings and traditional crafts can be viewed.

Plaza de Toros

In the same area as La Muralla is the Plaza de Toros, or bull fighting ring. Built in the traditional manner in 1900 the bull ring though small offers exciting bullfights on a regular basis. The views from the seating area in the bull ring are astounding. Close by you can visit the Siete Caños square, the Casa de la Cultura and other other nearby points of interest.

Carromato de Max

The Carromato de Max is a fascinating and special museum, located only a few metres from the main square and the town hall of Mijas Pueblo. It is a museum of miniatures which includes fascinating objects such as a picture of Abraham Lincoln painted on a pin-head or a prayer written on the borders of a visiting card.

The entire Mijas area is a golfer's paradise with year-round sun and numerous championship golf courses within easy reach. Just inland from Mijas Costa you'll find La Cala North and South golf courses and the David Leadbetter Golf Academy. Also within easy driving distance are the famous courses of Valderrama, Torrequebrada, Alhaurin La Grande and Monte Mayor.

Well worth a visit on your trip to Spain - make a note to visit Mijas.

Author: Anne Sewell

Malaga city - capital of Andalucia and a city of great history

2009-07-02T11:47:00.008+02:00

Most tourists think of Malaga as a place to fly into to start their holidays on the Costa del Sol, but few actually take the time to explore this fascinating city.

The city is the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and is a cosmopolitan and attractive city – ranging from modern streets and buildings, to the older narrow winding streets of typical Andalucian buildings, with many seafood restaurants and tapas bar to relax and rejuvenate during your tour of the city.

Located on the Costa del Sol, Malaga is situated in a sweeping bay, with golden sandy beaches, and is surrounded by beautiful mountainous scenery. Visit the port to see many cruise ships visiting the city. The city enjoys over 300 days of sunshine each year and benefits from the highest average temperatures in Spain.

Malaga has many attractions for the tourist and here is a selection of the main tourist “must visits”:

Calle Larios:

A wide and modern boulevard through the centre of the city with many smart shops and coffee bars and well worth a stroll. You will see many human statues (or street performers) – reminiscent of the famous Las Ramblas in Barcelona.

From Calle Larios, you can take many of the smaller, narrow winding streets and plazas to view other attractions of the city.

The Cathedral of Malaga:

A beautiful Renaissance cathedral with a Baroque and beautiful façade – and well worth the visit to this gorgeous piece of architecture. However, beware of the gypsies haunting the entrance to the cathedral, who will try their best to take a few Euros from you.

Birthplace of Picasso:

Close to the Cathedral is the Plaza de la Merced – a huge square surrounded by restaurants and bars, and including the house in which Pablo Picasso was born. Not much to see in the house, but it is interesting to see photos of Picasso as a child, and the clothing he wore when he was christened. No cameras are allowed in the house – if they catch you they actually take your camera and lock it in a locker until you are ready to leave! (I speak from experience!).

Picasso Museum:

More interesting is the Museo Picasso – which displays many of the fine works of this famous artist – close to the Cathedral.

La Alcazaba

Further on you can visit La Alcazaba – built during the Moors occupation of Malaga in the mid fifteenth century. Fascinating architecture and definitely worth a visit. The Alcazaba is on the hillside, and you can get some wonderful views from up there.
An interesting note is that there is a well preserved Roman amphitheatre in the grounds of La Alcazaba – unfortunately as it is undergoing renovation, it is only possible to view the ruins through the fence.

Gibralfaro Castle

At the very top of La Alcazaba is the Moorish Castillo Gibralfaro – with astounding views of the city below and the surrounding areas. Right next door to the castle is the Parador de Malaga Gibralfaro, one of the famous Paradores of Spain, which also enjoys the wonderful views. Well worth a stay for at least a night.

Calle Alameda and the Botanical Gardens

Running through the centre of the city, and close to La Alcazaba are the beautiful botanical gardens – a lovely and leafy place to relax and catch your breath (also just adjacent to the Port of Malaga).

Teatro Cervantes

The main theatre in Malaga is the Teatro Cervantes, which is where another famous son of Malaga once performed – Antonio Banderas – and he still appears there from time to time.

Video and tourist information about Malaga city

Cuisine

Malaga has many excellent restaurants, cafes and tapas bars where you can enjoy a variety of local dishes, ranging from tapas to full menus. Most are very affordable and offer Andalucian specialities including “pescaito frito”, a selection of small fried fish including sardines and red mullet. Enjoy the catch of the day and wash it down with a fine Spanish wine.

As Malaga goes to sleep during the siesta period, this would be the perfect time to relax and refuel for the late afternoon activities.

Incidentally, if seeing Malaga with limited time, the Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour is a great option as it takes you to all the main sights of the city in comfort... get on and off as often as you like during the day.

In closing, Malaga is definitely worth at least a day and a night of your visit to the Costa del Sol. Tag it on to the beginning or ending of your holiday and you will not regret it!

Author: Anne Sewell

Fuengirola Zoo - An Oasis of Calm in the Centre of Town - Costa del Sol, Spain

2008-07-30T22:28:00.008+02:00

When visiting the Costa del Sol in Andalucia, Southern Spain, a must-see destination is the Zoo in Fuengirola

Located right in the centre of town, the zoo is a beautiful and calm place, beautifully designed to give its residents space and realistic natural habitats to live in, grow and produce their young.

History of the Zoo

The zoo originally opened in the 1970's, as a typical zoo, with awful cages and fenced enclosures for the animals. Living conditions were unspeakable and left a lot to be desired. In December 1998, Rain Forest took over the contract to operate the zoo and completely redesigned the property using the latest “full immersion zoo” concept. The property is actually relatively small, so they chose to use a “tropical forest” ecosystem for the whole of the property- very suitable with the sub-tropical vegetation in the area.

They set out to create an environment embracing the tropical rainforests of Madagascar, Southeast Asia and Equatorial Africa, including rivers and waterfalls, caves, valleys, trees and rocks. As the property is small, subterranean stables were built for the animals to sleep and also raised gardens were erected around the property to block off the nearby buildings - making the zoo a different world within the busy seaside city.

Breeding of endangered species

Once everything was in place, the animals were introduced to their wonderful new habitat. Breeding of endangered species now successfully occurred - particularly with the chimpanzees.. Although the zoo had been breeding chimps from the outset, in the past there was a great deal of infanticide, as conditions were so unnatural. For the first time they could walk on grass, touch plants, run, play hide-and-seek… for the first time they could behave like chimpanzees.

With the introduction of the new zoo, many of the animals are now successfully breeding - not only the chimps, but also the Bornean Orang-utans, the Sumatran Tigers, the lemurs from Madagascar, Pygmy Hippopotamus and the Blue Duiker are all examples of animals that now successfully breed their young in this new environment.

It is truly wonderful to see the baby animals, and their parents so happy and proud. Although I am normally against zoos as a whole, seeing endangered species flourishing is truly a heart warming experience.

A stroll around the zoo

As you enter the zoo, staff will take your photo, as a memento of your visit. You will then calmly stroll around the shady environment, with tropical sounds appropriate to each section playing through the trees. It is easy to imagine that you are actually in the tropical jungles of Africa or Asia!

There are aviaries of beautiful birds, waterholes with various buck and birds including beautiful flamingos and their young, sharing the space, and of course the more famous animals in the zoo - the Gorilla, the Sumatran Tigers and leopards! Also worth a visit are the Orang-utans - they have recently produced a cute youngster, and the mother endlessly shows off her baby to visitors, and also delights in posing for you - she definitely has a great sense of humour, and I have managed to take some amazing shots of her!

The chimps are also enchanting to watch, and currently have youngsters too. The golden cheeked gibbons are also beautiful - the male of the species being black and the female a beautiful golden colour. Currently their baby is also golden, but as it is a male, it will eventually turn black like Dad.

Make sure you visit the Nile crocodiles - scary looking creatures, but luckily the viewing glass is very thick!

The highlight of the visit, in my opinion, is the Madagascar enclosure - habitat of the lemurs, where every 30 minutes you can take a tour to visit these gorgeous and friendly creatures. Entrance to the enclosure is through a very realistic baobab tree - created for the zoo - you can really imagine that you are in Africa when you step inside this hollow tree on the way to the lemurs!

Another highlight is the regular Forest Clearing Exhibitions, where you can enjoy a commentary on various animals in the zoo, and see exhibits. In summer, during July and August, try and visit the zoo at night for an amazing experience as the animals come to life after sleeping in the heat of the day - concluding with a dinner in the heart of the jungle! Currently they are running a special African evening, with African dancing and a tasty meal.

In conclusion:

All in all, Fuengirola zoo is a zoo in continuous evolution and it is difficult to include everything about this wonderful place in one article. However, it is important to know that the zoo is involved in 35 European endangered species breeding programmes and also collaborates on a variety of international projects to save, in situ, the planet's endangered forest zones. Please give generously to the various projects as you visit the zoo and have a wonderful visit! You will be back (I've visited 4 times and I LIVE in Fuengirola!

About the Author:

Anne Sewell is involved in travel on the internet with several websites, including All World Vacation Station - a global travel guide with worldwide accommodation options.

Nerja - Charming Seaside Town, Costa del Sol, Southern Spain

2007-07-31T11:30:00.000+02:00

Originally a small fishing village on the Mediterranean Sea, Nerja is still known for its traditional Andalusian atmosphere and mood.

Located right on the beach front, Nerja is sunny 300 days per year. Enjoy the sandy coves, mountain views and also the Balcon de Europa (balcony of Europe), which is part of an ancient fortress (approx. 900 AD) overlooking the ocean views. There are several beaches, including the Playa Burriana (Blue Flag beach), and there is a charming seaside walk along the beachfront (known as the Paseo de Carabineros).

The old traditional centre of Nerja is charming, with white washed houses, narrow streets and the usual floral decorations on the balconies. There are many little tapas bars and restaurants in the town to rest and enjoy the local produce. You can also buy many regional products, including the famous olive oil, cheeses and honey, and delicious fresh tropical fruits, and vegetables.

There is so much to do in town, including flamenco shows, walking and hiking, jeep tours, sailing trips, mountain bike hire, diving and other water sports. Want to learn Spanish? There are Spanish courses held locally too.

A little further from town you will find the famous Cuevas de Nerja (Nerja caves) - originally discovered by children playing in the area, these caves have the largest stalactites in Europe and are the third most famous attraction in Spain.

Behind the Nerja caves is the nature park - Sierra Tejeda, Alhama and Almijara - with wonderful walks and views. You can view the Spanish mountain goat (cabra hispanica) in its natural habitat. Besides walking, there are also some wonderful drives through the area.

Other attractions close by include Granada - 1.5 hours drive - including the famous Alhambra and close by the Sierra Nevada mountains with wonderful ski slopes. Visit the Alpujarras, a lovely mountainous area and the village of Trevelez, which is the highest village in Spain.

Malaga is also close by - the capital of Andalucia, it is worth a visit to the Picasso Museum, the cathedral, the Alcazaba and the Gibralfaro. Other day trips can be made to famous Cordoba, Sevilla, Ronda and Gibraltar.

In conclusion, Nerja is well worth a visit - the real Spain, with wonderful beaches!

About the Author

Anne Sewell is involved in web based accommodation reservations and advertising in Fuengirola, Spain. Visit All Spain Accommodation

Estepona - Quiet Gem on the Costa del Sol in Spain

2007-07-16T00:25:00.000+02:00

Estepona is a wonderful little town - relatively unspoiled by tourism - and located on the Costa del Sol, about 30 minutes from Marbella, and only a short drive to Gibraltar. Unlike the busy towns of Marbella and Fuengirola, Estepona is relatively quiet - and the centre of town is still very traditionally Spanish. The winding narrow streets are lined with older houses, with balconies decorated with bright geraniums, and the sound of pet birds singing in their cages makes a lovely sound as you stroll along.

Relax in the Plaza de las Flores - a beautiful town square lined with flowers and several excellent cafes and bars. There's a coffee bar on virtually every corner of town and you will never go short on somewhere different to eat dinner, or have a light snack, or "tapas". On the beach you will find the famous beach "chiringuitos" serving excellent sea food and other dishes, or just an ice cold drink when you need one.

The outskirts are developing, however, and there are many huge apartment blocks sprouting up, but luckily this doesn't luckily interfere with the atmosphere and attractions of the town itself. New supermarkets and shopping centres have also been built on the outskirts, giving more shopping options for both residents and holidaymakers including the famous Carrefour and the ubiquitous McDonalds!

Running alongside the town is a beautiful Blue Flag beach, which is surprisingly quiet even in the summer months, lined by a stunning flower-strewn promenade. Estepona's beaches are in actual fact 21 kms long in total! Walk along the promenade from town to the end of the beach (a comfortable stroll), and you will find first the lighthouse, and then the Port of Estepona. The port is a traditional working fishing port, but there is also the addition of a modern marina, with lovely yachts, and a selection of fine restaurants serving international and Spanish cuisine and also a Yacht Club. Definitely the place to "hang out" in the evenings, with bars and nightclubs to entertain all ages.

For history buffs, there are interesting museums to visit including the archaeological museum, the Ethnic museum and also the museum at the bull ring. Quite a few interesting historical ruins in the town too. Selwo Aventura, close to Estepona, is the only Adventure, Animal and Nature Park in Europe - enjoy a safari drive in the warm Spanish sunshine. 200 species of animals can be viewed, and photographed. The town retains its original bull ring which hosts not only bull fighting, but also international music concerts.

Golfers will be happy with the selection of courses, including Atalaya Golf & Country Club, El Paraiso Golf Club (designed by Gary Player), Estepona Golf, Los Almendros and Golf SotoSerena.

Plenty of attractions close by too… you can easily visit Ronda, a fascinating mountain top city, or Ojen, a beautiful traditional white village, both reasonably close by, or pop down the coast to Marbella one way, or Gibraltar in the other direction, for shopping.

Accommodation:

In town, you will find small hotels and hostals to accommodate you in comfort, or you could go for the larger and more luxurious resort hotels on the outskirts of town. There are many wonderful holiday apartments on offer in the town - either along the beachfront, or above the marina, giving options to suit all.

Transport-wise, the town has an efficient bus service and many taxis, but you might find that you need a hire car to travel further afield.

Language: As for language, many workers in restaurants and shops do speak a certain amount of English, but it would be good to have your Spanish phrase book handy.

All in all, Estepona is the ideal destination for families, couples, golfers and the young. While retaining its traditional Spanish features, it offers everything one could want for the perfect holiday, and gives you a chance to relax without the crazy crowds!

About the Author:

Anne Sewell is involved in web based accommodation reservations and advertising in Fuengirola, Spain. Visit All Spain Accommodation

Writing Travel Articles by Anne Sewell

2007-07-05T18:16:00.000+02:00

In this modern world, where more and more people can afford international travel, knowledge of the country to be visited is very important.

Thus persons who are knowledgeable about a particular country should try to write interesting articles, outlining not only the attractions of the country, city etc, but also any downfalls, dangers, etc. that people may experience. A bit of honesty goes a long way to prevent unhappy incidents while on holiday! For example, avoid Such-and-such Street as you may be mugged... don't go near Such-and-such Street as this is the red light district, etc.

Let people know what the most important attractions are, giving a little history if possible. Advise them on modes of travel in the particular country - whether it is more convenient to use public transport, or rent a vehicle. If language may be a problem, advise on buying a phrase book for common sayings in that particular country.

Other important things to bear in mind when writing a travel article and submitting to the article web sites:

1. Check your facts: make sure what you are stating in the article is, in fact, true.

2. Check your spelling, grammar and punctuation: there is nothing worse than badly spelled or worded text, especially for webmasters who wish to use your article as content on their websites! If at all worried, or if English is not your home language, have your article proof read by an English speaking person to check whether all is in order.

3. Don't make the article too short, or even too long - an ideal guide is to use between 500-1000 words for a comfortably readable article. If you have a lot to say, maybe split the information over several articles, i.e. part 1, part 2, etc.

4. Web site links: bear in mind that people with similar web sites to your own will want to publish your article as content. Do not pepper your article with several links within the body of the text - this will put people off using the content! They don't particularly want your article to take potential business away from them immediately. Try to use just one link in the resource box, or about the author section at the bottom of your article.

I hope this helps you in producing top quality articles for the travel web.

Submit your travel articles to global-travel-articles.net

16th Annual European HOG Rally - Fuengirola, Costa del Sol, Spain

2007-06-23T13:09:00.000+02:00

Fuengirola, on the Costa del Sol in Andalucia, Spain has rocked and throbbed to the sound of 15000 Harleys for the past few days. Its the 16th Annual European HOG Rally, and they are all here! A wonderful array of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles from all over the world is collected in the Fuengirola Fairgrounds. On Saturday morning, there was a parade through town and along the beach front - amazing sight and sound! Our multi-cultural town became even MORE multi-cultural for just a few days.. running from 21 June 2007 to 24 June 2007.

Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol in Southern Spain by Anne Sewell

2007-06-16T18:26:00.000+02:00

You might have already visited Fuengirola in summer - too many people, burning summer heat? Time to replan your Spanish holiday!

The ideal time to visit this vibrant coastal city is during autumn and spring. Mild and pleasant temperatures, glorious sunshine, and quieter streets and beaches make for a really enjoyable holiday! You will find people smile just that little bit easier, shopping and dining are an absolute pleasure, and you can enjoy all the attractions this city has to offer in comfort.

Wonderful sandy beaches, relatively empty out of season, stretch along the coast with many restaurants, bars and chiringuitos (beach cafes) to choose from. Plenty of good shops including fashion, food, shoes, etc. and some excellent new shopping centres have opened up on the border of Fuengirola and Mijas.

Fuengirola is very convenient to Malaga airport - a short drive or train ride away, and is also close to Marbella and other attractions on the Costa del Sol (also known as the Costa del Golf for golfing fans!)

Other major attractions in Fuengirola include:

The Fuengirola Zoo:

Right in the middle of town is an oasis of calm, a world class zoo with wonderful animals in very natural enclosures. Appropriate regional sounds play as you walk around the various areas of the zoo. Of particular interest are the Sumatra Tigers, the gorillas, and also the Lemur enclosure, with many of these fascinating creatures from Magagascar. This enclosure is open with a tour guide at certain times of the day - ask when you arrive at the zoo for a close up experience with magical lemurs. Best time to visit is either early morning (zoo opens at 10 am) or late afternoon.

The Sohail Castle:

On a hilltop, close to the centre of town is the Sohail Castle. Makes a pleasant stroll (if a bit uphill), with wonderful sea views from the top.

Fuengirola Port:

The port of Fuengirola consists of two sections:

1. A working fishing port where it is fascinating to watch the fishermen offloading their catches from the boats - you can also take a pleasant stroll around the port from this point and look at the many boats moored in the port, and also magnificent mountain views.

2. A leisure boat marina, with many attractive yachts and other boats. In this area are several pubs and restaurants, and also enjoyable boat trips are on offer, including sailing boats and glass bottomed boats for viewing the dolphins.

So come and visit Fuengirola and enjoy our city in the so called "off season"! You won't regret it, and will have a wonderful holiday!

About the Author

Anne Sewell is involved in web based accommodation reservations and advertising in Fuengirola, Spain. Visit All Spain Accommodation
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Ronda, Spain - Magical Mountain Top City in Andalucia, Southern Spain by Anne Sewell

2007-06-16T18:25:00.000+02:00

When visiting Andalucia, I would highly recommend making the trip to Ronda. The winding roads up the mountainside can be a little daunting, but what a view all the way to the top!

Ronda is one of the oldest cities in Spain, having origins in the Neolithic age. Wonderful cave paintings were discovered, including the famous Pileta's Cave, depicting paintings from the Paleolithic age.

Its mountain top location made it an ideal location to build a city - very easy to defend. The first builders were the Romans, and many examples of their architecture can still be viewed in the city today.

The Moors then made their mark, and built the walls, gates and arches of the city, which are still very much intact. You can stroll alongside the walls, enjoying the fabulous views… or visit the Arab Baths, still in an excellent state of repair. State protected because of historic interest in 1931, these baths were built at the end of the 13th century or start of the 14th century.

Another fascinating building to visit is the Casa del Rey Moro - or House of the Moorish King - which appears to be from the 18th Century. The house itself is in a dilapidated condition, but the first floor has been restored, and contains the tourist office. Well worth a visit to the gardens of the house, which were constructed by the great French Landscaper Forestier in 1912. The house also has a mine which you can visit, which consists of a wide zigzagging staircase carved into the rock, covered by a fascinating system of stacked vaults. Visit the Sala del Manantial (Room of the Spring) from which slaves brought water to the King.

The hub of Ronda is the "New Bridge", that divides the city, over a deep gorge - El Tajo, with houses literally hanging on the edges of the cliffs. Right next door is the lovely Alameda del Tajo Park - perfect for a restful stroll after your busy sightseeing, and also the Blas Infante viewpoint where you can stand on a balcony over... a huge drop!

Famous people love this city - close to the Alameda del Tajo Park, you can visit the Paseo de Orson Wells - the famous actor loved Ronda and is, in fact, buried there. Ernest Hemingway was also very fond of the city and the Paseo de Hemingway has been named for him. He visited Spain during the Spanish Civil War, to report for the North American Newspaper Alliance.

The Plaza de Toros, or Bullring, of Ronda, is the oldest in Spain and was officially inaugurated in 1785 by the two bullfighters, Pedro Romero and Pepe Hillo. It is possible to visit the bullring, its museum and the surrounding buildings and paddocks. Outside the entrance to the bullring are statues to two famous bullfighters of Ronda, Cayetano Ordonez and Antonio Ordonez.

Strolling the streets of Ronda is like taking a step back in time - narrow streets with attractive buildings, tapas bars and restaurants - and wonderful shops. You will also come across interesting museums, like the Museo del Bandelero… lots of beautiful churches and lovely plazas and sidewalk cafes to rest and catch your breath.

It is difficult to mention all the wonderful attractions of this city in one article, but this is definitely a must-visit part of your Spanish tour! One little warning - try and stay a minimum of 3 days, otherwise you'll miss out on a lot of the attractions. Wear good comfortable walking shoes, and if visiting in summer, always carry a bottle of water.. it gets hot in Ronda!

About the author:

Anne Sewell is involved in internet tourism, and is also an enthusiastic amateur photographer. Photos and more details about Ronda can be viewed on All Spain Accommodation.

A Whistlestop Tour of Barcelona, Spain

2007-06-16T18:24:00.000+02:00

Visiting Barcelona, with limited time? There is so much to see in this fascinating city, which would normally take at least a week, but it is possible to see the major highlights in a couple of days too.

I would highly recommend the following:

The Gaudí masterpieces:

1. Temple de la Sagrada Familia - or Temple of the Sacred Family - Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece and a must-see in Barcelona. A fascinating combination of the original architects' vision (Martorell and De Villar), combined with the magic of Gaudí. Unfortunately Gaudí passed away before the work was complete. Construction still continues on this amazing building and your entry fee helps towards this.

2. Casa Milà (La Pedrera) - in the L'Eixample neighbourhood - Antoni Gaudí was commissioned by the industrialist, Pere Milà, to construct a building on the boundary of Barcelona and Gràcia, as both a family residence and also to be leased as separate dwellings. Owing to the way its facade appears to be carved out of rock, the Casa Milà was nicknamed "La Pedrera", which means stone quarry. Amazing interior architecture, as well as the famous and fascinating chimneys on the rooftop.

3. Casa Battló also in the L'Eixample neighbourhood - a fairytale building. Originally Gaudí was commissioned to demolish the building, and build from scratch, but he convinced the owner to let him completely redesign the existing building. This was in the days when the Paseo de Gracia was undergoing a "keep up with the Jones'" battle - everyone trying to outdo each other with their architecture. Gaudí did an incredible job using tiles and scales on the exterior of the building, wonderful interior design, plus again the famous chimneys on the roof top.

4. Parque Güell (Güell Park) - ideal for a restful stroll after your busy days in Barcelona. Originally planned to be a residential area, it is now a beautiful park with many wonderful Gaudí creations in tilework and stone. The views over Barcelona to the sea are simply beautiful.

Other areas worth visiting are the following:

- The very famous Las Ramblas - a busy street between the Plaza de Catalunya and the port with many restaurants, cafes, bars, kiosks and the famous Human Statues of Barcelona

- Poble Español de Montjuic (the Spanish Village) - situated at the foot of Mount Montjuic. Created in 1929 on the occasion of the Barcelona International Exhibition, the Spanish Village is the only initiative of its kind which has survived the test of time. A collection of streets and squares, monuments and buildings, representing the different peoples and cultures of Spain. Some might call it kitsch, but it is an attractive and interesting place to visit, full of shops selling the handicrafts of the various regions. There are restaurants and cafes to enjoy a break and also an art gallery, Fundacio Fran Daurel. Above the entrance is a terrace cafe with incredible views (but alas, bad service and incredibly high prices!) However, the views were worth it!

- The Cathedral - a Gothic creation of great beauty

- The Palau de la Musica - a beautiful concert hall

- The Port, Barceloneta and the beaches

Barcelona has many more attractions, too numerous to list here - so if you are only spending a couple of days in this city, plan ahead for a longer trip to Barcelona in the future - you will not regret it.

About the Author:

Anne Sewell is employed in internet travel and accommodation. More details of the above tourist attractions, plus photo galleries, can be viewed at All Barcelona Accommodation.

A Whistlestop Tour of Madrid, Spain

2007-06-16T18:21:00.000+02:00

Madrid is a modern, world-class, but also historic city - the capital of Spain - located almost centrally in the heart of the country. A contrast of old and new, Madrid is a beautiful and vibrant city with great architectural interest. You might find the drive into the city a bit boring with its suburbs of concrete apartment blocks, but once in the centre, you will enjoy the traditional streets, with medieval buildings and some narrow and very atmospheric alleys, containing shops and bars.

The old quarter has a concentration of magnificent attractions including the Prado Museum with its great art collection, as well as the Reina Sofia and Thysssen-Bornemisza galleries, displaying Picasso and many other European and American masters.

The people of Madrid are among the great attractions of the city. Commonly known as the "Madrileños" they can be seen relaxing in the traditional cafes and cars, at the Sunday El Rastro flea market, and also late into the night at the many bars and nightclubs of Madrid.

For shopping, Madrid is a shopper's paradise, including the classy and expensive shops of the Salamanca Quarter. For those on a more modest budget, the El Rastro flea market is highly recommended.

Other attractions include:

Parque del Buen Retiro (Park of the Pleasant Retreat) - a lovely green and leafy oasis in the heart of the city including a lake where rowing boats can be hired. There are also wonderful puppet shows for the children in the park.

Temple of Debod - an ancient Egyptian temple which has been rebuilt in Madrid. The temple was originally built in southern Egypt, close to the first cataract of the Nile and is dedicated to the goddess Isis, in Philae. Due to the construction of the Great Dam of Aswan In 1960, and the subsequent threat it posed to certain monuments and archaeological sites, UNESCO made an international call to save this rich historical patrimony. As a sign of gratitude for the help provided by Spain in saving the temples of Abu Simbel, the Egyptian state donated the temple to Spain in 1968.

The Teatro Real (Royal Theatre) which has the world's finest stage and acoustic settings for opera.

The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium - home to Real Madrid - is a must visit for football fans.

The city has many relaxing plazas with beautiful sculptures, including the Plaza de Cibeles with its magical fountain and the Plaza Mayor, a lovely place for strolling, feeding the pigeons and enjoying a cup of coffee at one of the sidewalk cafes.

Weather in Madrid: Freezing cold in winter, and boiling hot in summer! Recommended seasons for visiting this fascinating city are Spring and Autumn, when you can stroll around the city and enjoy its many pleasures in comfort.

Transport - with the versatile metro and bus transport systems, plus convenient taxis that can be hailed in the street, you will have no problems getting around Madrid.

In conclusion, Madrid is among the world's most popular destination cities and is well worth the visit.

About the Author:

Anne Sewell runs the website All Madrid Accommodation, which offers hotel and apartment reservations in Madrid, along with great private tours of the city and its surroundings.

Visiting Spain?

2005-05-31T21:16:00.000+02:00

Hi reader

This is a new blog, set up just for you - to contact other tourists and also residents in Spain. Do you have any questions? Worries? Concerns? Or just want to tell everyone what a good holiday you had or any bad experiences? Well, this is the place to do it!

If you are planning a trip to Spain in the near future, we have a full range of options for you - ranging from hotels (with secure online reservation), bed and breakfasts, and self-catering (vacation rental) accommodation and rural tourism options in all areas of Spain, right up to the best of the best - the famous and historical Paradores of Spain... The latter are well worth the visit, if a tad expensive..

Looking forward to all your feedback,

Saludos Cordiales,
Anne