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Friday, 6 August 2010
Cordoba

Position

Cordoba is an urban scenario in the south of Spain. It is the capital of the province of Cordoba in Andalusia. It represents one of the most popular destinations of Spain. Moreover, it lies on the river Guadalquivir. Narrow streets with houses painted in white color are symbols of this city. The city has circa 300,000 inhabitants.

 Economy
  
Cordoba is a trading center for citrus fruits and olives, whose plantations are near the city. It also has well developed food, beer and textile industries. Local inhabitants sell various handicrafts, especially those made of leather and silver. They are very popular among the tourists.

History

Cordoba became a prominent city in the Phoenician period. The town blossomed as a key Roman community in the first century BC. Later it was conquered first by the Visigoths in 572, then by Moors in 711. 756 AD marked Cordoba as the capital city of Spain (at the time of Moors).

And from then onwards the city became known for another 250 years for its wide business and scholarly options throughout the world. 929 AD marked another landmark in the history of Cordoba, when the Caliphate of Cordoba was initiated; from then on the city experienced the peak of prosperity. In the 11th century, the caliphate fell, so material well-being of the city dropped. Furthermore, Seville became the capital.

In 1236, it was occupied by Ferdinand III. He made many new churches since this piece of Spain received Roman Catholicism. 

Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption is a cathedral built from the eighth to the tenth century. First, the Moors built a mosque on the remains of a Roman -Visigoth temple, then after Spanish conquest it was changed into the cathedral.  

This huge building is very interesting since it combines Moslem architecture and Gothic style. Until 1236 it was a well known mosque. However, in 1236 the cathedral was raised in the middle of the mosque. But the remains of Moslem history are preserved in its name- Mezquita, which is in use even today.

It lies on the banks of the river Guadalquivir. Therefore, it is a very attractive historical site for tourists.

The Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos

The second big landmark of Cordoba is Alcazar. It is the former Moorish fortress which was built on the ruins of Visigoth buildings, and later used as headquarters of the Inquisition. The Moors made many baths, gardens and even a library. In 1236, it was rebuilt but in the Mudejar style. Therefore, the Alcazar kept its Islamic appearance.

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Castilla y Leon – a treasure of monuments

Castilla Y Leon is called a place of historical monuments. Interestingly the Government of Spain has made every effort to preserve these monuments which are believed to have been built several centuries ago. These are very beautiful monuments which attract many visitors throughout the year. Let us now go round this town of Castilla Y Leon.

Aqueduct of Segovia:
 Romans who had established their rule in most of the towns left behind them some of the beautiful buildings as a gift to the future generations. These buildings speak of the professionalism the Romans had achieved in designing and building various types of buildings. The Aqueduct of Segovia is one such building which is believed to have been built by Romans. This is actually a bridge on the Iberian Peninsula which was presumably built in the late 1st century.

This aqueduct was built to ensure the flow of water from Fuente River to a city called La Acebeda. The aqueduct bridge is the place where the water flows at a height of about 28.5 meters over the bridge. In other words, the bridge acts as a canal to transport water from one end to the other end. This masterly engineering work has some arches which add beauty to the bridge.

History also says that this bridge suffered some damage when Moors took over the city. However, it was rebuilt in later period. This is one of the very well preserved bridges in Spain. The UNESCO has declared this building as a world heritage building.

Old city of Salamanca:
This is another city which is very close to Castilla Y Leon. Salamanca is popular for the sand stone building built during the Renaissance period. In fact, Salamanca is the nickname for ’La Ciudad Dorada’ which literally means ‘Golden city’. The Villamayor stone which is quarried from a place near Salamanca is of gold color. This city has many buildings which are worth seeing.

In fact even these are historical buildings built centuries ago and they are popular for their beautiful architectural design and aesthetic beauty. The monastery, chapel, convent, palaces are some of the many places worth seeing in Salamanca.

Las Médulas:
This was actually a gold mine when Romans were in occupation of Castilla Y Leon. This is yet another place which is declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO. This is also one of the main water sources for this region of Spain. It is known for its natural beauty.

 

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Cambrils

Cambrils is one of the popular tourist destinations on the Costa Dorada in Catalonia. It attracts numerous visitors due to its pleasant climate and golden sand beaches that are nine kilometers long. Above all, its name means Golden Coast. However, its coastline is full of greenery and there is also a wide range of activities that make this place interesting. Even though it is a vibrant and modern city, there are parts of the city with authentic Spanish cobbled streets and white houses. During the day you can see many people who live from fishing.

Playa del Prat d'en Regueral and Fores

These two beaches have the blue flag for the quality of their services. The warm and calm Mediterranean Sea makes them enjoyable places for swimmers. Their length does not exceed 960 meters, but they are very crowded in the summer. They offer many services and tourist facilities such as access for disabled persons, playgrounds, showers, bars, water sports, etc.

Another urban beach is the Playa de Horta de Santa Maria. It is always crowded even though it is smaller than others since it is about 550 meters long.

There are also other beaches that offer an unusual tranquil sea. Some of them are l’Ardica, l'Esquirol and la Llosa which is nearly 1,000 meter long.

The fact is that besides these beaches, Cambrils also offers a beautiful promenade for walking and biking. During your walks you will certainly enjoy the warm coastal landscape of this region of Tarragona.

There are a marina and yacht club at your disposal. Therefore, you can practice various activities.

Dinner

Finally, after a hard day at the beach, do not forget to charge your batteries with good food. Since the city abounds in restaurants, cafes and tapas bars, you will find plenty of options to eat tasteful food.  

Tourist Attractions

Port Aventura belongs to Universal Studios. It is only a few kilometers from the city. However, it resembles Disneyland parks. Therefore, if you are with a child, then this park is a must for you.

The park is divided into five thematic groups: Mediterranean, Polynesia, China, Mexico and the Wild West.

The biggest attraction is Dragon Khan; it is a steel roller coaster type. It can be seen from the highway from a distance of about 20 km. It is the largest roller coaster in Europe.

Tutuki Splash is very interesting. It is driving on a boat with 20 persons on an artificial water trail which rises about 20 meters high and then the boat goes down to the bottom of the river with a huge splash of water.

Furioso Baco is the newest roller coaster at Port Aventura. It is presented as the fastest roller coaster in Europe with a speed of 135 km / h, which it gains in a remarkable 3 seconds.

The water park Costa Caribbeanis is located next to Port Aventura. It has huge water slides, pools, beaches in various styles, etc.


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Calpe

Calpe is an important tourist destination for family vacation. It is placed on the Costa Blanca or the White Coast.

Tourist Attractions

Calpe is well known for its clean and tidy beaches. Furthermore, Calpe is rich in greenery due to several parks and green areas which are meant for children’s activities. The biggest park and the symbol of the coast is The Peñon de Ifach, which divides two main city beaches.

Moreover, Plaza of Spain offers many outdoor activities for the young kids as well.

In the old town at Plaza de la Villa is placed the parish church dedicated to Señora de las Nieves. In this area you can find many handicraft shops.

Greenery

La Plaza Mayor is another great place to visit. However, the city has numerous recreational areas. One of them is just a kilometer away from the village. It is placed in an area of 4700 square meters. Above all, it is a home to some native plant species. Here you can take part in many leisure activities and enjoy the sports playgrounds, fountains and other services.

Another green and recreational area is the Vallesa Park. It opened in 1996 and it is located in the urban part called La Merced, near La Merced church. It covers an area of 10,000 square meters in which you may find playgrounds, sports, barbecue spots and other facilities and infrastructure.

The Empedrola Park is another great park with tree species such as cypress, olive, palm and Dracaena.

The camping area Olta is situated in the northeast of the Olta Mountain. It has 5,000 square meters for free camping. It has a great number of trails so it is suitable for hikers and bikers.

Beaches

Calpe’s most popular beach is Playa la Fossa or Playa Levante. It received the Blue flag for extraordinary tidiness. The beach provides many playgrounds for children as well.  Along the beach is the promenade, which is called Paseo Infanta Cristina.

 Around the promenade you can find many restaurants which serve fresh fish and rice. At another end of the promenade you will find the rocky beach Playa Cantal Roig. However, Calpe has one more outstanding beach, Playa Arenal-Bol. Both of these beaches have got the Blue flag as well.

Historical Sites

The city has the remains of the Roman civilization. Therefore you can find the remains of Roman fish farm and Roman baths.

The old town also preserves the remains of the Iberian era and the middle ages in the Archaeological Museum.

 

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Posted by justinntaylor at 2:42 AM EDT
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Calella

The city

Calella is placed in the region of Maresme on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. This city is a popular Spanish tourist reserve which mainly attracts British and German visitors.
The inhabitants of the city have Catalan roots. However, due to the influences of Mediterranean culture, this charming city offers diversity in cultural heritage and everyday life.

History

Calella was built in the first century BC by Romans. However, the first official scripts about the city date back to the twelfth century. In the middle ages it was a small fishing village. However, in the twentieth century, it experienced an economical boom due to the development of the textile industry. Furthermore, in the sixties it started with tourism, which is nowadays the main source of income for many residents.

Tourist Attractions

The city has beautiful beaches and a promenade called the Manuel Puigvert.

Garbi Beach and Gran Beach are long golden sandy beaches which offer many water sports and activities for kids during the peak season. The beaches have received Blue flag for their extraordinary look. The water is not deep so it is a recommendable place for families with small children.

Since it is placed in the foothills of the Montnegre Mountain, it is nice place for hiking and biking. Furthermore, you can try horse riding here as well.

Landmarks

Above the city beach is a lighthouse, which was used for protection from pirates.
It was built in the nineteenth century.  

Many historical sites are placed around the church of Saint Mary, which is made in Baroque style with twelve apostles. Surrounding buildings are of historic importance as well. There is Salvador’s house from the fourteenth century in Gothic style and many more.

Events

Calella is also well known as the place which gathers Sardana’s dancer. This is actually a reunion of Catalan families. It happens every year at the promenade and in the park Dalmau.
Fira de Celella I L’Alt Maresme are fairs where local residents sell their handicrafts.

The Jornades Internacionals Folklòriques gathers international dancers of folklore.

During the Fira Medival, the city turns into a medieval town with numerous shows and spectacles.

Above all, the city has an unusual festival which reminds of Munich October Fest; it is called La festa de la cervesa. The festival starts with opening the barrel. Here you can try the best German, Irish, Dutch, Australian, British and Mexican beers. You can also eat authentic German food such as German sausages, dishes made from potatoes, etc.

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Posted by justinntaylor at 2:40 AM EDT
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Wednesday, 4 August 2010
Sanlucar de Barrameda

Overview

The city, Sanlúcar de Barrameda is situated in the Cadiz province which is a part of the Andalusia autonomous community in the southern part of Spain. It is located opposite the national park Doñana on the left bank of the River Sanlúcar. This city is well known for its manzanilla sherry cellars as well as beach horse races. The distance between this city and Cadiz is 52 KM whereas Sevilla is at a distance of 119 KM from this city. The population of this city is about 66000.

History

The origin of the city dates back to the Muslim times. The King of Castile, Alfonso X took Sanlúcar de Barrameda in the year 1264 from the Moors; in the 15th and 16th centuries this became a vital trading port connecting the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coast.

This port was used mainly for ship rebuilding and maintenance with the advent of the New World; in addition it also became the port of departure for different Spanish conquerors. Many maritime exploits were carried out from this port.

Popular ones are as follows:

Christopher Columbus departed from this port on 30th May 1498 for his 3rd voyage.
Magellan began his journey to go around the world from this port and arrived at this port in 1522 after circumnavigating the world. This was the first ship to do that.
Pizarro started from this port to conquer Peru.

Climate

The average temperatures in a year are as follows:

Maximum – 25 °C in the months of July-August
Minimum – 11 °C in January


Art and Culture

Popular monuments are as follows:

Palace of the Infantes of Orleans and Borbón – was built by the Montpensier dukes and adorned with the neo-Mudéjar style; this is used at present as the City Hall.
Castle of Santiago – is a monument built in the 15th century by Moors.
Palace of the dukes of Medina Sidonia – that houses the municipal archives.
Church of Nuestra Señora de la O – was built in the 13th century and has a Gothic-Mudéjar portal.
Convent of Santo Domingo – is a 16th century building.

Sports and Entertainment

Popular sports activities in this city are – Golfing, horseback riding, sailing, scuba diving, swimming, trekking, walking on the beach, windsurfing, etc.

There are three popular beaches – Calzada La Jara, Bajo de Guía and Las PiletaIts.

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Posted by justinntaylor at 6:05 AM EDT
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Donostia-San Sebastian

Overview
Donostia-San Sebastian, the summer capital of Spain is located in the Basque country and is at a distance of 21 KM from the border of France. It is nearer to the Bay of Biscay and green mountains surround it. The population of this town increases dramatically in summer because the Spanish people go to this place to avoid the heat inland. The population in this town is about 185,000.

This is the capital of Guipuzcoa province which is the smallest in Spain. This is a good holiday resort and you can explore the Basque country staying in this place. The river Uremia divides this city into two.

History
Once upon a time, Donostia-San Sebastian was a small fishing village where the residents were living facing the sea. They hunted for whales and fished for cod for their living. There was a time when this port was very busy and was used for import of oil and wine for England and France. This town was subjected to a number of sieges over a long period and Napoleon’s soldiers occupied it in 1808 and stayed up to 1813.

Climate
The average temperatures in a year are as follows:

Maximum – 22 °C in the months of July-August
Minimum – 5 °C in December-January

Art and Culture

1.Parte Vieja – is the old quarter where you can see the traditional life of the locals; the streets here are narrow.
2.Plaza de la Constitución – was the town hall earlier but at present it is the library.
3.The square – at the center was a bullring once.
4.Basilica of Santa Maria del Coro – is the city’s patron saint and is located on the street – Calle 31 de Agosto that survived the fire in 1813.
5.Naval museum and aquarium – are located near the harbor.
6.The Cathedral – was built in the 19th century and has a neo-Gothic structure; its top is at a height of 75 M from which you can see the whole city.
7.Castillo de la Santa Cruz de la Mota – is on Mount Urgull built on the site of a fort.

Cuisine

Seafood is a specialty in this town.

Sports and Entertainment

There are 3 beaches – Ondarreta, La Concha and La Zurriola. Queen Isabel popularized the beach La Concha which is considered as one of Europe’s most beautiful beaches.

You will find that the sunset in this city is impressive and also the nightlife in the old quarter.

Shopping

The best shopping place is Paseo de Muelle where you can buy most of the products. You can also purchase Basque products like berets and cotton shirts.

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Posted by justinntaylor at 5:51 AM EDT
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San Roque

Overview
San Roque was found by the Gibraltar people who were running away from the British. The British, in 1704, captured the Rock and ransacked the churches and their homes. This town is located at a distance of 35 km from Estepona in the province of Cádiz. The altitude of this town from sea level is about 109 M and it sits on a hill that is looking down at the Algeciras bay towards North Africa. It has a population of about 23000.

This place is located between two continents – Europe and Africa; it is also situated near the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. It has people from three cultures – British, Spanish and Arabic. All these lead to flavors and colors.

The area surrounding this place has beautiful and contrasting landscapes of ocean and sea beaches; the countryside is lively with wild life. This makes the tourism in rural areas very popular. The forest, Pinar del Ray has many fauna and flora.

History
There have been inhabitants in and around San Roque since prehistoric times. Carteia that was founded by Turdetani was the oldest settlement in the municipality. This became a trade post of Phoenicians and later on became a town of Carthaginians in 228 BC. The items traded in this period were mainly local wine and a fish based sauce.

The San Roque village has narrow steep streets and the walls of the houses are whitewashed in Andalusian style.

Climate

The average temperatures in a year are as follows:

Maximum – 25 °C in the months of July-August
Minimum – 13 °C in January-February


Art and Culture
The chapel of “Our Lady of the Pillar patron of Spain” was built in the 18th century.  In this you can notice the image of the penitent that was being brought from Gibraltar. The hospital for the poor was founded in the nearby building in 1776 and was administered by the same people from the Chapel.

San Roque Hermitage was constructed in the neoclassic style in the year 1801 wherein the image of San Roque is housed. Romeria is celebrated every year in this village in the month of May.

The Parish Church - Santa Maria La Coronada – has been declared as a historic and artistic monument. The building was started in the year 1735 on the old site of the hermitage of San Roque.

Sports and Entertainment
Popular sporting activities in this town are – water sports, rock climbing, paddle tennis, golf, polo, etc. This place is considered the Mecca of golfers and polo players.

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Posted by justinntaylor at 5:44 AM EDT
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Salobrena

Overview
The town Salobreña is located on the Mediterranean coastline Costa Tropical in the Granada province of Spain and is known as the jewel of the Costa Tropical. It is built on a hill that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and is surrounded by fields of sugar cane. The last cane sugar factory that remains in Europe is located on the coast.

It takes 45 minutes to reach this town from Granada and an hour from the Sierra Nevada; Alpujarra is 40 minutes from this town which facilitates easy exploration.

History
Its history dates back to 6000 years. In the old town, you will find a large number of whitewashed houses and narrow steep streets built around the 10th century castle of the Moors.

Salobreña and Gibraltar have a number of similarities in the orography; both were islands earlier and they have big rocks that are symbolic. The Salobreña Island was once separated by the peninsula; however with the disappearance of the isthmus they got united. This appears to have occurred in the Bronze and Copper ages.

The first settlements appear to have taken place in 3000 BC and agriculture and livestock were given importance. Fishing activity became popular after the arrival of the Phoenicians and Carthaginians.

Climate
The average temperatures in a year are as follows:

Maximum – 29 °C in the months of July-August
Minimum – 14 °C in February

Art and Culture
The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary was constructed by the Mudejars in the 16th century on the remains of an old Muslim mosque.

Cuisine
The gastronomy is a combination of gastronomy from different civilizations that have been part of this town. It is also a Mediterranean gastronomy wherein you will find that lots of sea products are used.

Some of these items are – meat, sardines on the grill, octopus, blue fish, stews, fried vegetables, soups, etc. Olive oil is extensively used in the dishes. Chinese and Italian foods are also available.

Sports and Entertainment
You can spend your time on a number of activities such as bird watching, climbing, cycling, golfing, hiking, horseback riding, paragliding, sailing, scuba diving, skiing, snow boarding, snorkeling, swimming, tennis, trekking, waterskiing, windsurfing, etc.

If you are looking for lap dancing, night clubs, karaoke, etc., this is not the right place. However the nightlife in this town is lively and full of cultural events, fiestas, live music, etc. and the restaurants and bars are open till the wee hours.

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Posted by justinntaylor at 5:34 AM EDT
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Chipiona

Overview
The coastal village Chipiona is hidden in the corner of Southern Spain near Cádiz and is not spoilt. In spite of not being a city, this village has an artistic and vibrant atmosphere and has lots of discotheques and bars. This place is nearer to the cities Jerez, Cadez and Sevilla. In the 19th century this was rural as well as seafaring; however at present it is one of the most popular holiday resorts.

The population in this town is 18000. The local population says that “Chipiona is the right place of time”; the reasoning being that the tourists can easily find time for resting, indulging in sports, learning Spanish or having a beer with friends. This is one of the places where only Spanish language is spoken.

Climate
The average temperatures in a year are as follows:

Maximum – 24 °C in the months of July-August
Minimum – 11 °C in January

Art and Culture

The lighthouse in this town has 344 steps to the top and is the tallest in Spain. This was constructed by the Romans and you can have the best view of Portugal’s coast from this lighthouse.

The Nuestra Señora de Regla Monastery was a fortress that belonged for centuries to the family of Ponce de León; but it was converted to a monastery over the years.

King Fernando III, in 1251 conquered this town and he constructed the Chipiona Castle in 1295. This is a monastery at present.

The iron sculpture – La Cruz del Mar was constructed on stone base. This is in memory of the 1755 earthquake that centered on Portugal but touched this village by sea. It was rebuilt in 1878 and renovated in 1910.

Cuisine
The food here is seafood as well as meat dishes.

Sports and Entertainment

Once you leave the Cadiz city, you will come across the coastal area that has white sand beaches that stretch up to Chipiona. The distance that these beaches stretch up to is 12 KM; the sea in this stretch contains iodine and many tourists are attracted to it. In addition, this village is famous for the spa waters that are directed to an ancient church – Sanctuary of Regla.

You can also spend your time by indulging in various sports activities – kite surfing, sailing, horse riding, wind surfing, volleyball, Golf and taking flamenco lessons. Golf is a popular sport here and there is a golf course with 18 holes in this village.

The forest surrounding Chipiona is famous for fauna and flora and you can watch the chameleons in this forest.

 

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Posted by justinntaylor at 5:33 AM EDT
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