Or, how my kids and I found a reasonably priced way to experience the European high life For more than three decades, millions of European tourists have stepped out of the Málaga Airport into the guaranteed summer sunshine of Spain s Costa del Sol. For first-timers, what follows can be jolting— the drive west along a highway sandwiched between the Sierra Blanca and the Mediterranean reveals a stunning lack of charm. This coast was once a land of fishing …

1 The Route to Pico de Veleta The Route to Pico de Veleta Reaching 3, 428 meters, the Pico de Veleta Mountain is the second-highest peak in the Sierra Nevada range after the Cerro de Mulhacén Mountain, which soars to 3, 481 meters. The road to the Pico de Veleta is an enchanting trip into the glorious mountain world of the Sierra Nevada. The journey begins at an elevation of 640 meters at Vega de Granada and climbs at a continuous ascent to 3, 392 …

From tasty tapas to superb seafood and traditional roasts, Spanish food is all about making the most of the best local produce. We asked travel writer Annie Bennett, to pick ten of the best dishes to try on your travels. Gazpacho The reddest, ripest tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, bread, peppers and cucumber are blended until silky smooth, then chilled and poured into bowls or glasses. So delicious, so refreshing. In Andalucía in southern Spain, people …

With one of the world’s great natural harbours and rich mineral mines, Cartagena has been a prized location for millennia. The Carthaginians played a big role in its evolution as an ancient trading hub in the 3rd century BC before it was conquered by the Romans. You can purchase a multi-ticket to get access to Cartagena’s numerous Roman sites to understand the complicated ancient history of the city. In the 19th century there was a mining boom, bringing …

4-Day Spain Tour: Cordoba, Seville, and Granada from Madrid Day 1: Madrid — Cordoba — Seville (D)Your tour begins with a morning departure from Madrid to Cordoba, as your luxury coach takes you through the legendary countryside depicted in Don Quixote, the Man from La Mancha. After lunch (own expense), take a tour of Cordoba to discover the city’s mix of Jewish and Arab culture. Admire Cordoba’s medieval architecture, with its whitewashed courtyards …

Costa Blanca is the name given to Alicante s coastline in Spain, which stretches over 200 kilometres. It is an incredibly popular holiday destination for tourists from the UK, because of the marvellous weather and beaches, and low-price flights have been operating to the region since the late 1950s! Costa Blanca is both UK friendly and family friendly, thanks to the huge range of activities available there from beaches and golf to museums and parks …

For most tourists, the Alhambra is an essential pilgrimage and, as a result, predictably crowded. At the height of summer, some 6 visitors tramp through daily, making it difficult to pause to inspect a pretty detail, much less mentally transport yourself to the 14th century. Schedule a visit in quieter months, if possible; if not, then book in advance for the very earliest or latest time slots. The Alhambra takes its name from the Arabic al-qala’a …

At the time I’m writing, near the winter solstice, Madrid’s sunset is around 17:55, more than an hour later than the sunset in, for example, Naples, which is at a similar latitude. The same difference holds at the summer solstice and around the year. Just because it applies to most places I’ve been, a time like that in Naples feels more natural to me, and probably to most non-Spanish people. But is it? Looking for other regions of the world having …

I have a problem when I travel. Just like I can’t sit still normally, I also can’t just travel to one place. Going to just one place and returning home again seems like a waste to me. What if there’s somewhere else close by that’s worth seeing? I’d have to travel all the way back again which might never happen. I never noticed until I started blogging about some of my travels and a pattern started to emerge. When I went to Norway for Easter it was …

Of all the crazy Spanish fiestas that take place throughout the year there is nothing wilder than the Carnival celebrations in late February. The week leading up to Lent is a time for wild partying in some parts of Spain when the country plays host to Europe’s biggest and best Carnival festivals. There are a few speculations on the origins of Carnival in Spain. Most popularly it is believed the term Carnival derives from the words “farewell to the …

We have put together a hand selected list of the most important things to do and see in Hondarribia. Everything from eating pintxos in the Marina to visiting the Old Town – if it deals with Hondarribia tourism, we’ve got you covered. Santa Maria Gate & medieval wall Interior of the Santa Maria Gate Hondarribia s Old Town Balcony in Hondarribia s Old Town Plaza Guipuzcoa Kale Nagusia - Main Street of Hondarribia s Old Town Inside Hondarribia’s …

Depending on how you count, there are 22 Spanish speaking countries in the world. The five most populous countries where Spanish is the official language are Mexico, Colombia, Spain, Argentina, and Peru. The 22 Spanish Speaking Countries of the World = CIA World Factbook, = National Geographic, = NationMaster, = Wikipedia, = Lonely Planet, = Wolfram Alpha, = If It Were My Home The United States? Should the United States be considered a Spanish speaking …

The airline, Iberia, defended the test in the name of safety. Government and union officials decried the practice as sexist. Iberia said this week that it would drop the practice after being fined for discrimination. The airline required potential employees to pass a series of tests before being hired, including a medical examination, which for women meant a pregnancy test. Iberia described it as a routine step used to ensure the safety of employees …

If you’re sick of tricky calling cards when calling Spain, you should check out our handy dandy “How To Call Spain” guide just below. To call Spain from the U.S., just follow these simple dialing directions: First dial 011, the U.S. exit code. Next dial 34, the country code for Spain and finally the phone number (9 digits). Need more help with how to call Spain? Here is a list of some major city area codes and city calling codes: SPAIN AREA CODES …

The Palacio Real (Royal Palace) of Madrid is the official residence of the King of Spain although it is only used for state ceremonies. The Royal Palace was built between 1738 to 1755 and King Carlos took up residence in the palace in 1764. Pamplona is a city in Navarra, famous for its San Fermín festival held each year from July 6th – 14th. At the heart of the festival is El Encierro, the Running of the Bulls, an activity that involves running in …