Places of Interest in Spain - Cordoba

A city of Andalusia, Cordoba is filled with marvelous works of architecture. Many of the heritage buildings are found in Cordoba. Apart from historical buildings, the city has many parks and museums which attract large number of tourists all through the year. Now let us go around this city.

Brief history:

The earliest human presence in this area according to experts can be traced to 32000 BC. The Romans, Moors and Christians left their indelible impression on the life of people here. Some of the religious practices followed by these ancient civilizations are practiced even to this day.

How to reach?

It is about one hour drive from Malaga Airport. The place is very well connected by road from Zaragosa, Madrid, Barcelona and Malaga. Fast train services are also available from these cities.

Boarding and lodging:

There are plenty of villas and apartments where the tourist can stay comfortably. Accommodation is available to suit all categories of tourists. There are plenty of hotels, restaurants and bars which provide most delicious food.

Places of interest:

Tour operators are of the opinion that at least about three to four days are required to visit all the major tourist spots in Cordoba. The mosque of Cordoba which was constructed during the period of Ummayad civilization and later converted into a Cathedral is one of the main attractions of this city. The Mosque is an outstanding example of Roman and Visigoth architecture. The city has many churches of fame like the Church of San Agustin, Church of San Miguel, Church of San Pedro, San Andres church to name a few. Apart from this, there are many monasteries. Tourists are advised to visit Walcha cave which is believed to have been built in 1489. Some of the outstanding works carried out during Roman Empire like Roman Bridge, Roman Mausoleum and Roman temple are other places of interest in Cordoba. Tourists have a wide range of museums to visit in Cordoba. Some of the popular museums are Dioceses Museum, Three culture museum, Bull fighting museum, Julio Romeo de museum and Archeological and Ethnological museum

There are plenty of parks like Park of Miraflores, Park Cruz Conde, Garden of Agriculture, Garden of the victory and Garden of the Conde de Vallellano.

Festivals:

May festival is one of the most popular festivals of Cordoba. Patios festival is celebrated during this period. Private people can compete by decorating the patios. Many people from far and wide take part in this festival.

Places of Interest in Spain - Cordoba

A city of Andalusia, Cordoba is filled with marvelous works of architecture. Many of the heritage buildings are found in Cordoba. Apart from historical buildings, the city has many parks and museums which attract large number of tourists all through the year. Now let us go around this city.

Brief history:

The earliest human presence in this area according to experts can be traced to 32000 BC. The Romans, Moors and Christians left their indelible impression on the life of people here. Some of the religious practices followed by these ancient civilizations are practiced even to this day.

How to reach?

It is about one hour drive from Malaga Airport. The place is very well connected by road from Zaragosa, Madrid, Barcelona and Malaga. Fast train services are also available from these cities.

Boarding and lodging:

There are plenty of villas and apartments where the tourist can stay comfortably. Accommodation is available to suit all categories of tourists. There are plenty of hotels, restaurants and bars which provide most delicious food.

Places of interest:

Tour operators are of the opinion that at least about three to four days are required to visit all the major tourist spots in Cordoba. The mosque of Cordoba which was constructed during the period of Ummayad civilization and later converted into a Cathedral is one of the main attractions of this city. The Mosque is an outstanding example of Roman and Visigoth architecture. The city has many churches of fame like the Church of San Agustin, Church of San Miguel, Church of San Pedro, San Andres church to name a few. Apart from this, there are many monasteries. Tourists are advised to visit Walcha cave which is believed to have been built in 1489. Some of the outstanding works carried out during Roman Empire like Roman Bridge, Roman Mausoleum and Roman temple are other places of interest in Cordoba. Tourists have a wide range of museums to visit in Cordoba. Some of the popular museums are Dioceses Museum, Three culture museum, Bull fighting museum, Julio Romeo de museum and Archeological and Ethnological museum

There are plenty of parks like Park of Miraflores, Park Cruz Conde, Garden of Agriculture, Garden of the victory and Garden of the Conde de Vallellano.

Festivals:

May festival is one of the most popular festivals of Cordoba. Patios festival is celebrated during this period. Private people can compete by decorating the patios. Many people from far and wide take part in this festival.

Some Personal Observations of My Visit to Salamanca

Travel is a big part of my life, but some travel experiences stand out above all others. My visit to Salamanca, Spain in the Spring of 2007 falls into this category. After spending a week in Portugal in the Algarve area and another week on the Costa del Sol in Spain, the visit to Salamanca was almost an afterthought. It was to be part of a quick whirlwind car tour to Madrid, Salamanca and then back to Portugal where my wife and I had to return our rental car before our flight back to the U.S.

As we drove through Madrid, we decided that all we really wanted to see was Salamanca, so we continued on there without the Madrid stop. Upon arrival in Salamanca we checked into a hostel close to the old city and walked to the Plaza Mayor (Main Square). From there we walked to the university area and fell in love with Salamanca. Our one day stop suddenly turned into three days. We were hooked.

My personal interest in Salamanca began during my early university studies. I had begun a major in Spanish literature and during that time I was first introduced to Salamanca, Spain. Three items from those studies ( two of them specifically related to the University of Salamanca) stood out in my mind and made it impossible for me to forget Salamanca.

Fact 1. Salamanca was the home of the oldest university town in Spain. The exquisite architecture in the old city that I love so much dates back mostly to the 14th and 15th century. Interestingly enough, the University of Salamanca, established in 1218 by Alfonso IX, even predates these building. Although the university today offers a full course of studies and students from all over the world study there, the oldest and most historical classrooms (aulas) have been preserved as they were during its early days. As I passed by the classroom of Fray Luis de Leon (discussed below), I could not help but think that I would have had a hard time sitting on the wooden benches used by his students.

Fact 2. The picaresque novel, a literary genre founded in Spain with the publication of Lazarillo de Tormes, used the Tormes River running through Salamanca as its setting. In these novels, the Spanish picaro ("rogue" or "rascal") is used to expose injustices while doing so in a humorous manner.Huckleberry Finn in American literature falls into this category.

Fact 3. Fray Luis de Leon, a professor at the University of Salamanca during the Spanish Civil War was credited with some words that I never forgot. Salamanca was a major factor in the Spanish revolution, and some of the professors, like Fray Luis de Leon, were forced to leave for political reasons. It is said that upon his return to the class room after some years away, he began his class with "Como decia ayer..."(As I was saying yesterday...). He began at the same point in his lecture as if he had never left.

Salamanca's history parallels that of many of the oldest cities in Spain. It was founded in the pre-Roman period by Celts, was besieged by Hannibal, and later under the Romans became a commercial hub. Like much of Spain, Salamanca came under control of the Moors from 712 AD until the 12th century, at which time it was retaken by the Christians.

As stated above in relation to the Fray Luis de Leon incident, Salamanca also played a key role during the Spanish Revolution. The latest international publicity came in 2008 when the main square or Plaza Mayor was used in the movie "Vantage Point" for a shooting, bombing, and riot scene.

Some travel destinations are and should be once in a lifetime experiences. To me Salamanca is an exception. I will be back.

Some Personal Observations of My Visit to Salamanca

Travel is a big part of my life, but some travel experiences stand out above all others. My visit to Salamanca, Spain in the Spring of 2007 falls into this category. After spending a week in Portugal in the Algarve area and another week on the Costa del Sol in Spain, the visit to Salamanca was almost an afterthought. It was to be part of a quick whirlwind car tour to Madrid, Salamanca and then back to Portugal where my wife and I had to return our rental car before our flight back to the U.S.

As we drove through Madrid, we decided that all we really wanted to see was Salamanca, so we continued on there without the Madrid stop. Upon arrival in Salamanca we checked into a hostel close to the old city and walked to the Plaza Mayor (Main Square). From there we walked to the university area and fell in love with Salamanca. Our one day stop suddenly turned into three days. We were hooked.

My personal interest in Salamanca began during my early university studies. I had begun a major in Spanish literature and during that time I was first introduced to Salamanca, Spain. Three items from those studies ( two of them specifically related to the University of Salamanca) stood out in my mind and made it impossible for me to forget Salamanca.

Fact 1. Salamanca was the home of the oldest university town in Spain. The exquisite architecture in the old city that I love so much dates back mostly to the 14th and 15th century. Interestingly enough, the University of Salamanca, established in 1218 by Alfonso IX, even predates these building. Although the university today offers a full course of studies and students from all over the world study there, the oldest and most historical classrooms (aulas) have been preserved as they were during its early days. As I passed by the classroom of Fray Luis de Leon (discussed below), I could not help but think that I would have had a hard time sitting on the wooden benches used by his students.

Fact 2. The picaresque novel, a literary genre founded in Spain with the publication of Lazarillo de Tormes, used the Tormes River running through Salamanca as its setting. In these novels, the Spanish picaro ("rogue" or "rascal") is used to expose injustices while doing so in a humorous manner.Huckleberry Finn in American literature falls into this category.

Fact 3. Fray Luis de Leon, a professor at the University of Salamanca during the Spanish Civil War was credited with some words that I never forgot. Salamanca was a major factor in the Spanish revolution, and some of the professors, like Fray Luis de Leon, were forced to leave for political reasons. It is said that upon his return to the class room after some years away, he began his class with "Como decia ayer..."(As I was saying yesterday...). He began at the same point in his lecture as if he had never left.

Salamanca's history parallels that of many of the oldest cities in Spain. It was founded in the pre-Roman period by Celts, was besieged by Hannibal, and later under the Romans became a commercial hub. Like much of Spain, Salamanca came under control of the Moors from 712 AD until the 12th century, at which time it was retaken by the Christians.

As stated above in relation to the Fray Luis de Leon incident, Salamanca also played a key role during the Spanish Revolution. The latest international publicity came in 2008 when the main square or Plaza Mayor was used in the movie "Vantage Point" for a shooting, bombing, and riot scene.

Some travel destinations are and should be once in a lifetime experiences. To me Salamanca is an exception. I will be back.

Canyon de Guadalupe

The indigo blue night sky flashes brilliant points of light, and blankets my view in all directions as far as my eyes can see. Except for the occasional cry of a distant coyote or the soft flickering wings of a desert bat, the awesome silence envelopes me. I can actually hear myself breathe. Nestled in the warm, soft, and completely private natural hot springs tub carved into the granite rocks surrounding my campsite, I lay, soaking, without a single worry or thought of my daily life. I feel like I am a thousand miles from home. Guadalupe Canyon is truly paradise, and only a short drive from San Diego, where I live.

Canyon de Guadalupe is a palm covered oasis in the desert with natural hot springs, located 80 miles from the U.S./Mexico border in the Sierra de Juarez Mountains. Founded by Jose Loya Murillo, who first discovered the Canyon on horse back while searching for stray cows, "Don" Jose soon discovered the healing benefits of the mineral water and realized the natural beauty of the palm oasis. At the age of 60, Don Jose gave up ranching and set up a homestead in the canyon. He suffered from arthritis and found that bathing in the hot water cured his pain. The family built and continues to run two campgrounds containing about two dozen campsites each with its own private hand made hot tub. There is a store and a restaurant powered with solar and car batteries, but it is highly advisable to bring everything you will need for your stay.

Getting there was not too difficult on the first try and definitely part of the fun. I had a little trouble finding the campground but once I was on the right track it was a no-brainer. I arrived in the Canyon after driving south from San Diego through the Tecate border crossing and followed the signs to Highway 2 leading directly out of town to the East towards Mexicali. There are tollbooths along the way which accept US dollars, as well as checkpoints manned by Mexican armed guards, but passing through was fast and uneventful.

The "No Fear" Highway 2 passes through rugged mountains with spaghetti like turns where car carcasses lay far below. Eventually, the road descends onto the desert valley floor, and stretches out until it loses itself in the distance. The first road sign warns of Canon De Guadalupe, but I pass it knowing of another way to get there. I proceed about another two miles and turn South onto a ramp leading across a dry lake. This route is much quicker than the first one and saves my car and myself from a slow, washboard, bone crunching, thirty mile, drive. It's important to check weather conditions before using this alternate route since recent rains could leave you stranded in the mud.

The road leads south for 30 miles into the mountains and to the turn off to Guadalupe Canyon campgrounds. The last 7 miles are difficult, slow going and would not be possible without a high clearance vehicle.

Once at the campground (there are two), I check in at the office, order up a wheelbarrow full of firewood, and proceed to my campsite. It's a breeze to get set up since there is already a palapa with built in sink, table, fire-pit, and plenty of room to pitch my tent. This is where it gets good. Just steps from my new abode I find the granite hot tub. I fill it up with hot, natural spring water from a hose provided. The temperature is a perfect and toasty 90 degrees. I strip down, hop in and crack open an ice cold Corona. It's totally quiet, completely private, and absolutely serene. I am in hog heaven.

After settling in and have time to explore, Guadalupe Canyon has plenty in store. Go off-roading, head up the canyon to gorgeous waterfalls, go hiking in the rocky canyons, or explore caves with ancient Indian petroglyphs... or not. Perhaps you will find that soaking 'til you're shriveled like a prune in your hot tub and enjoying the solitude of your own private oasis is work enough. This is Baja and anything goes.

Canyon de Guadalupe

The indigo blue night sky flashes brilliant points of light, and blankets my view in all directions as far as my eyes can see. Except for the occasional cry of a distant coyote or the soft flickering wings of a desert bat, the awesome silence envelopes me. I can actually hear myself breathe. Nestled in the warm, soft, and completely private natural hot springs tub carved into the granite rocks surrounding my campsite, I lay, soaking, without a single worry or thought of my daily life. I feel like I am a thousand miles from home. Guadalupe Canyon is truly paradise, and only a short drive from San Diego, where I live.

Canyon de Guadalupe is a palm covered oasis in the desert with natural hot springs, located 80 miles from the U.S./Mexico border in the Sierra de Juarez Mountains. Founded by Jose Loya Murillo, who first discovered the Canyon on horse back while searching for stray cows, "Don" Jose soon discovered the healing benefits of the mineral water and realized the natural beauty of the palm oasis. At the age of 60, Don Jose gave up ranching and set up a homestead in the canyon. He suffered from arthritis and found that bathing in the hot water cured his pain. The family built and continues to run two campgrounds containing about two dozen campsites each with its own private hand made hot tub. There is a store and a restaurant powered with solar and car batteries, but it is highly advisable to bring everything you will need for your stay.

Getting there was not too difficult on the first try and definitely part of the fun. I had a little trouble finding the campground but once I was on the right track it was a no-brainer. I arrived in the Canyon after driving south from San Diego through the Tecate border crossing and followed the signs to Highway 2 leading directly out of town to the East towards Mexicali. There are tollbooths along the way which accept US dollars, as well as checkpoints manned by Mexican armed guards, but passing through was fast and uneventful.

The "No Fear" Highway 2 passes through rugged mountains with spaghetti like turns where car carcasses lay far below. Eventually, the road descends onto the desert valley floor, and stretches out until it loses itself in the distance. The first road sign warns of Canon De Guadalupe, but I pass it knowing of another way to get there. I proceed about another two miles and turn South onto a ramp leading across a dry lake. This route is much quicker than the first one and saves my car and myself from a slow, washboard, bone crunching, thirty mile, drive. It's important to check weather conditions before using this alternate route since recent rains could leave you stranded in the mud.

The road leads south for 30 miles into the mountains and to the turn off to Guadalupe Canyon campgrounds. The last 7 miles are difficult, slow going and would not be possible without a high clearance vehicle.

Once at the campground (there are two), I check in at the office, order up a wheelbarrow full of firewood, and proceed to my campsite. It's a breeze to get set up since there is already a palapa with built in sink, table, fire-pit, and plenty of room to pitch my tent. This is where it gets good. Just steps from my new abode I find the granite hot tub. I fill it up with hot, natural spring water from a hose provided. The temperature is a perfect and toasty 90 degrees. I strip down, hop in and crack open an ice cold Corona. It's totally quiet, completely private, and absolutely serene. I am in hog heaven.

After settling in and have time to explore, Guadalupe Canyon has plenty in store. Go off-roading, head up the canyon to gorgeous waterfalls, go hiking in the rocky canyons, or explore caves with ancient Indian petroglyphs... or not. Perhaps you will find that soaking 'til you're shriveled like a prune in your hot tub and enjoying the solitude of your own private oasis is work enough. This is Baja and anything goes.

Holidays in Almunecar, Costa Tropical

Almunecar sits between the sea and the mountains forked between two rivers. Pockets of copper and silver mined by the Phoenicians, as early as 800 BC, helped the town prosper for many hundreds of years until the Romans laid heritage to this promising area, the vaults - Cueva de Siete Palacios, salting pits, an aqueduct, and some baths. Later the conquest of the Moors left us with an outstanding monument of the past with the famous 'El Castillo de San Miguel' which was then so named after the consequent Christian settlement that later built upon the castle. The carved histories of cultures grafted into the landscape is also gifted with fertile plantations of sense-provoking subtropical fruit such as avocados, bananas, guavas and the remainders of mulberry trees that once laid testimony to the Moorish silk trade. Granada and Malaga are the serving airports to this destination. The "Shuttledirect" services are available for transfers to Almunecar. Car and taxi hire is also available from these airports.

Almunecar and La Herradura offer up to 25 excellent beaches, all with distinctive personalities, ranging from secluded coves to shingle laden or tide-swept fine sand. The average annual temperatures start as low as 12° C during the winter months to a whopping high 34° C in July. Many of these beaches are easily accessible by foot and for those beaches further away, local transport is well provided to get you there. Beach bars can keep you quenched and many offer freshly caught and grilled sardines.

Besides the grilled sardines, local restaurants and bars can also offer local delicacies such as pescado a la sal, embutidos and gambas al pil-pil, respectively fish, sausages and prawns all prepared in the Almunecar style. As well as sampling the local gourmet, other international food restaurants from Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa complement the unique dining experience that the cosmopolitan city of Almunecar has to offer. Many bars and restaurants stay open late and clubs open to offer the reveler a great evening's entertainment.

Boats are available for sailing, and some training can be found. These are supplied at the Marina del Este and on the beach of La Herradura. Yachts can be chartered with a captain. Dinghies, catamarans, can be rented too.

Windsurfing is very popular in the summer with winds light to moderate. Other times of the year can experience gales, though these are infrequent, please check before departure and daily after you arrive. There are facilities for the beginner through to the more experienced and equipment you may need can be supplied at the shops provided there.

Diving, this is extremely popular due to the diverse beauty of the seabed. There are at least six diving schools. Cave, wreck and night dives are available. Courses are available for all levels.

Local accommodation is widely available, and due to its history, and its cosmopolitan way of life, the range and diversity is enormous. From humble hostels to four star hotels. There is also the diversity of the modern and the old, so rented accommodation can range from being a picture-past white-washed dwelling to a modern state of the art modern villa.

Holidays in Almunecar, Costa Tropical

Almunecar sits between the sea and the mountains forked between two rivers. Pockets of copper and silver mined by the Phoenicians, as early as 800 BC, helped the town prosper for many hundreds of years until the Romans laid heritage to this promising area, the vaults - Cueva de Siete Palacios, salting pits, an aqueduct, and some baths. Later the conquest of the Moors left us with an outstanding monument of the past with the famous 'El Castillo de San Miguel' which was then so named after the consequent Christian settlement that later built upon the castle. The carved histories of cultures grafted into the landscape is also gifted with fertile plantations of sense-provoking subtropical fruit such as avocados, bananas, guavas and the remainders of mulberry trees that once laid testimony to the Moorish silk trade. Granada and Malaga are the serving airports to this destination. The "Shuttledirect" services are available for transfers to Almunecar. Car and taxi hire is also available from these airports.

Almunecar and La Herradura offer up to 25 excellent beaches, all with distinctive personalities, ranging from secluded coves to shingle laden or tide-swept fine sand. The average annual temperatures start as low as 12° C during the winter months to a whopping high 34° C in July. Many of these beaches are easily accessible by foot and for those beaches further away, local transport is well provided to get you there. Beach bars can keep you quenched and many offer freshly caught and grilled sardines.

Besides the grilled sardines, local restaurants and bars can also offer local delicacies such as pescado a la sal, embutidos and gambas al pil-pil, respectively fish, sausages and prawns all prepared in the Almunecar style. As well as sampling the local gourmet, other international food restaurants from Europe, Asia, South America, and Africa complement the unique dining experience that the cosmopolitan city of Almunecar has to offer. Many bars and restaurants stay open late and clubs open to offer the reveler a great evening's entertainment.

Boats are available for sailing, and some training can be found. These are supplied at the Marina del Este and on the beach of La Herradura. Yachts can be chartered with a captain. Dinghies, catamarans, can be rented too.

Windsurfing is very popular in the summer with winds light to moderate. Other times of the year can experience gales, though these are infrequent, please check before departure and daily after you arrive. There are facilities for the beginner through to the more experienced and equipment you may need can be supplied at the shops provided there.

Diving, this is extremely popular due to the diverse beauty of the seabed. There are at least six diving schools. Cave, wreck and night dives are available. Courses are available for all levels.

Local accommodation is widely available, and due to its history, and its cosmopolitan way of life, the range and diversity is enormous. From humble hostels to four star hotels. There is also the diversity of the modern and the old, so rented accommodation can range from being a picture-past white-washed dwelling to a modern state of the art modern villa.