Living Andalucia

Seville Spain – Spectacular City Of Color And Romance

Andalusia Spain — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 09:52:55 +0000

Capital of Andalucia and largest southern city of Spain, this dashing and romantic place is packed full of life, history and culture.
Nature lovers will also find plenty on offer at the Doñana Nature Reserve and the Sierra Norte Nature Reserve. Children will delight in the Isla Mágica Theme Park, Aquópolis Seville Guadalpark Water Park, and nearby Mundo Park.
Seville is, of course, steeped in history with colorful districts such as Triana and La Macarena, plus magical monuments and buildings dating from the Moorish Conquest. Many of these are to be found in the Old Quarter.
At the heart of the Old Quarter is the Cathedral of Seville. Originally built as a mosque by the Almohads in the late 12th century, it later became the largest Gothic cathedral in the world.
Attached to the Cathedral is La Giralda, tallest tower in Spain. Ancient minaret of the Islamic Mosque and erected in 1184, its foundations use stones from Roman monuments.
Alongside the River and close to the bullring is the Torre del Oro or Golden Tower. Built between 1221 and 1222, it formed part of the last wall of defence from the Alcázar to the River and today houses the Naval Museum.
The Alcázar or Royal Mudéjar Palace which was begun in 931 has glorious gardens to enjoy. The Casa de Pilatos or House of Pilate is a 16th century mansion and a beautiful blend of Mudéjar, Gothic and Renaissance styles.
Near the Barrio Santa Cruz is the magnificent Plaza de España, a “must” for all visitors.
Seville is also renowned for its two major fiestas which take place in Spring. During Semana Santa or Easter Week, is a religious festival and there is also the Feria de Abríl (April Fair).
Both are truly spectacular so come and enjoy them!
Linda Plummer is webmistress of http://www.top-tour-of-spain.com Top Tour of Spain providing information on Spain be it for travel, food, language or living.

The Door To Andalucia

Andalusia Spain — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 09:10:55 +0000

In the northernmost part of Andalusia, between Jaen and Ciudad Real, where Andalusia begins, we find a Natural Park, which is unequalled amongst the natural parks of Andalusia.
Its history is ingraved in its landscape, and is well illustrated in books and stories, in common expressions, and also physically in the many archeological sites, paintings and sculptures found here. These, and the richness of nature in its rugged and hard terrains makes it a deserving subject for conservation. This natural and historical wealth is a heritage for the future. The Natural Park, with an area of 6.000 hectares, situated in the Sierra Morena, is one of the most spectacularly beautiful landscapes that exist in Andalusia. For the hiker or tourist entering the park after the smooth plains of the central peninsual, the sudden dramatic panorama of the mountains and narrow passes is breathtaking. On the other hand, the hiker leaving the park finds that in the space of only a few kilometers these forceful montains are now behind him, and that suddenly a gentle, easy Castilian landscape lies ahead.
The area is is the pass between Andalusia and the rest of the peninsula. In few places is your entry and departure so well defined. A place of history, a place full of rocky cliffs and crags, a frontier, and more, the list could go on forever with the ideals this place cojures up in the imagination. However, it is necessary to travel here to appreciate the range of images that can be seen in the changing vista from the highway.
In this area, the town of Santa Elena can be found, a place which the visitor really should visit. Although this is inside a natural park of great ecological value, it has also been for centuries an axis of meeting points between Andalusia and Castilla-La Mancha. A strong sense of its special omportance is expressed in the history of this place.
The national park was formed by a large fracture in the surface of the earth where the slow erosion of the river has formed the great narrow passes through the slate of the Sierra and has broken up the uniformity of the Sierras, through which, in its course, leasds the Valley of the Guadalquivir.
Their position in the northern border of Andalucia, gives these mountains considerable rainfall. The combination of the natural form of the rocks and the rainswater endows this land with its vitality and vigor. With heights of more than 1.000 metres and because of he geological break between the Meseta and the valley of the Guadalquivir, a natural bioversity exists.
Any tourist will be more than rewarded by a visit there and will be able to observe in these forests the blend of holm oak, cork, gall oak, and pine, to mention only a few species among the natural wealth of this mountain range. Below the trees, is an undergrowth of mediterranean origin, with plants such as madrona bushes, mastic bushes, and myrtle. The wildlife living here include the wolf, the lynx, the deer, the wild boar and the marten, to name just a few. They have evolved here in perfect equilibrium in a rich diversity of species in spite of the proximity of human civilization. The skies, too, are worth more than a mere glance, as here you can observe such birds as the lion vulture, and the beautiful imperial eagle.
Access to the park is principally via the Motorway of Andalusia which leads te Santa Elena, from where your route can be decided. You can travel through some of the narrow passes of the River or by going on foot across the Arroyo del Rey (The King’s Stream) or, perhaps, taking the road to the Aldea de Miranda del Rey (Village of Miranda del Rey).
Inside the park and just after crossing the pass in the north, is the zone of the Correderas. From here, the road going in the direction of Aldeaquemada leads to the interior of the sierras. On entering this area of natural beauty one should perhaps be prepared to pause and absorb at leisure the geological formations that nature has created. Deep ravines, stark, vertical faces and diverse eroded forms shape the landscape.
Speaking of areas of natural beauty, we must not forget that there are also those who consider this area to be a real hunter’s paradise as well. For a long time this has been a major hunting ground where hunting practices have had an almost ritual fulfillment, Santa Elena and La Carolina being central to the practice.
Few natural places of this size can offer the tourist so much. Wildlife, hunting, spectacular views, as well as its own special historical features. Near Santa Elena is one of the jewels of Iberian archeology, the Collado de los Jardines (Collado of the Gardens). In the middle of the Sierras is one of the most interesting Iberian sancturies known, and nearby, an archeological site, The Cave of the Dolis with its valuable cave paintings.
Another place of interest to visit, though not within the park’s borders, is the Paraje Natural (Natural Place) known for la Cascada de la Cimbarra (The Waterfall of the Cimbarra). It can be reached via the Motorway of Andalusia via Aldeaquemada or from Santa Elena which also leads to Aldeaquemada.
In mid sierra, due to the erosion of the strong hard slate, the River Guadalquivir appears to be completely enclosed, creating mighty cliffs, from where various waterfalls originate, the most spectacular being La Cimbarra. The combination of natural factors here make it a place to mark on the map as a must. The delicious meat of the mountain is also a rare delicacy due te the difficulty of the terrain. Meat, such as small game, with fried breadcrumbs, sausages, and delicate wild mushrooms, are authentic dishes which tempt the palate with their delicious flavours and aromas.
This area has become, over the centuries, through the richness of its wildlife and natural beauty, a unique place on the map of Andalusia and the Iberian peninsula as a whole.
With more than 20 years of experience in the travel industry Rudi van der Zalm is the founder of one of Europe’s most popular websites for rural holiday accommodation rural Spain. A wide selection of country houses and lodgings can be found at http://www.rural-tour.com

Andalucia Property Perfect For Investment

Andalusia Spain — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 04:58:12 +0000

Today properties in Andalucia are looked at as good investments by overseas investors. Andalucia has an excellent climate, breath taking beaches and an exotic lifestyle that has attracted tourist from all over the world. People today donýt want to visit Andalucia just for their holidays, but also because they intend to own some real estate in Andalucia. What makes Andalucia property perfect for investment is not just beautiful beaches and friendly locals, but also the feeling of being at home.

However, finding the piece of real estate that meets your requirement is a long drawn out process. Andalucia is so large and diverse that if you are not particular about the area of choice you may find it difficult to buy properties in Andalucia. The last five years has seen good appreciation in the prices of real estate in Andalucia, but you can still find good properties in the countryside. Cheap countryside properties can be found in places where there is difficulty selling, or in places where property development has to be taken up by the buyer.

Inland Andalucia, in recent times, has seen good growth in sales of property sales. This picturesque island is famous for its beautiful villages and hills covered with unending olive groves. Historic places like Granada, Seville and Cordoba, which are a treat to visit, have convinced people to take up homes in Andalucia. Also by living in Andalucia foreigners get a chance to be a part of the cultural and community experience of Spain.

One of the important reasons why foreign buyers are flocking to purchase property in Andalucia is due to the high rentals that they get on properties. Costa del Sol is one of the most popular tourist spots in Northern Europe. So people buying properties in Andalucia not only get to keep the high rentals that they earn on properties but also get to view the beautiful Andalucia coastline. If you intend on buying property in Andalucia, make sure the property is appealing to people who visit Andalucia. The first think that you should look for is its location. If the property is situated near a beach or a restaurant then you get better returns on your investment. On the other hand if you have purchased property near a busy market place where it is difficult to get parking, then you may not get good rental income from the property. To make the property attractive you can add a pool or a children games studio, so that people who stay at the property can enjoy it.

What people visiting Andalucia enjoy the most is the variety of sea food and the ambience that is provided by these resorts. Resorts in La Cala del Moral and Rincon de la Victoria are Spanish in character and provide excellent seafood that can be enjoyed by the entire family. On the other hand, resorts that are situated on the western side of Malaga are cosmopolitan in character.

If are able to find an ideal property it should prove to be one of the best investments you are going to make. Not only is Andalucia property perfect for investment but it could also guarantee fun filled holidays for your entire family. For those planning to relocate, this could turn out to be the place you always dreamt of living in.

Luxury Hotel In Spain

Andalusia Spain — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 04:54:36 +0000

We hope that this article is informative for those seeking a luxury hotel in Andalucia in Southern Spain. The hotels that we have stayed at in Andalucia in Southern Spain are similar to the exclusive country house hotels that we have stayed at in England-all offering a personal and professional service of the highest standard.

HOTEL CORTIJO SOTO REAL

Hotel Cortijo Soto Real, set in 1,000 acres, is located between Jerez and Seville several miles from the A4 in the middle of the Andalucian countryside.

Hotel Cortijo Soto Real was originally the opulent private residence of an Algerian prince and was converted into a luxury hotel in recent years. The hotel has 24 bedrooms/suites.

We arrived at this exclusive hotel in the evening to be greeted outside reception by two members of staff who quickly removed our luggage from the car which was then parked for us. We were upgraded to a junior suite (having been shown around 4 junior suites and asked to choose which ever one we wanted).The junior suite, beautifully furnished, had a seperate living area overlooking the orange grove. The huge bedroom had french doors opening onto a terrace with sun beds and table and chairs overlooking the acres of grounds and the outdoor swimming pool. The bathroom was the largest we have ever seen with a double ended whirlpool bath and huge shower with jets aimed at various angles. The lady asked my wife if she wanted a bath run for her whilst we enjoyed a complimentary glass of wine in the exotic Morocon styled drawing room but upon returning to our suite not only had a bath been run but it was surrounded by candles-what a greeting!

Dinner was taken in the hotel restaurant and the food was delicious. Breakfast was eaten outside in a courtyard to the sound of bird song.

This luxury hotel has an indoor swimming pool, small gym and hairdressers. The outdoor swimming pool is magnificent with the hotel staff providing outstanding service throughout the day direct to you at the poolside-you can have lunch by the poolside.

On the hotel’s estate you can hire quad or mountain bikes, ride on horseback or even a horse drawn carriage or shoot.

This is an exclusive luxury hotel set in the real Spain located well away from the busy tourist resorts. Nothing is too much trouble-the attention to detail is excellent. The hotel staff are professional and most personable. This luxury hotel in Spain provides a superb base to spend the day lazing around the pool or walking in the immaculate grounds and then to drive late afternoon to Seville or Jerez or tour around the famous White Villages in the locality. You will never forget the experience of being pampered at this luxury hotel -infact you will not want to leave!

Enjoy!!

HOTEL VILLA JEREZ

Hotel Villa Jerez is a luxury hotel in Spain located in an exclusive residential area of Jerez only a 10 minute walk from the home of the famous white Andalucian horses where a display can be witnessed.

We arrived at the Hotel Villa Jerez, whch is a classic residence set in an acre of beautiful grounds, late in the evening to a wonderful greeting outside the hotel entrance door with our luggage being removed from the car and the car parked for us. We had asked for a light salad to be prepared for our late arrival but they had prepared a beautiful 3 course dinner including a salad served in the hotel restaurant by a most friendly waiter. We had a junior suite with a seperate living area, a huge bedroom and a luxurious bathroom with double ended bath and a seperate walk in shower with water jets. Our suite overlooked the gardens and had a balcony with sun beds and a table and hair here we enjoyed tea before going down to breakfast which we had outside.

This luxury hotel has 16 bedrooms so you are assured of a personal service-you will be called by your name! The outdoor swimming pool is outstanding and beautifully situated. There is a small gym and sauna and steam room.

Jerez is beautiful to walk around with many designer shops and of course world famous as it is the sherry capital of the world-a visit around a bodegas is a must.

The most memorable evening was to have dinner in the gypsy quarter of Jerez at a restaurant where a performance of Flamenco dancing was performed-it was so intimate with only about 50 guests-mainly locals. You could not help but become encaptured with the electric atmosphere!

This luxury hotel in Spain has the most wonderful location for easy access to the city centre in about 5 minutes by car. The staff at this hotel are a credit with nothing being too much trouble. We would not wish to stay anywhere else in Jerez when visiting this beautiful old city in the future. Although this luxury hotel is located close to the centre it is peaceful and tranquil relaxing outside in the gardens by the pool. You can also travel to the quiet remote beaches of the Costa De La Luz in about 40 minutes.

The Hotel Villa Jerez is a most exclusive luxury hotel where you can be assured of an attentive service-you will not wish to leave!

Enjoy!!

Alan Hope runs a lifestyle management and concierge service business for both UK and Overseas clients. Visit his website at: http://www.arrangeitlifestylemanagement.co.uk/id170.html