HISTORY AND BEAUTY AT MOJACAR

Mojacar, which is located in Costa Calida, offers 17 kilometers of beach along its shoreline. Its beach is said to be one of the finest in this region with contrasting variations such as virgin, empty, and bustling ones. The beach stretches right from the coastline of Marina Torre to Granatilla and Sopalmo beaches, with an exciting Golf Course in their midst.

Many beach areas have been wisely protected from over-development, although tourist’s facilities have been included like bars and restaurants to attract more sight-seers.

There are sand differences in Mojacar. While most beaches have fine sand, some offer a coarser texture which may not be everyone’s preference. The clean and unspoiled beaches are a must for the tourist’s itinerary, where they are located at the town’s west by car. You will see the two tall towers looming ahead, which stand as the gateway to the beaches. This is purported to be where Orsen Wells built a bar named Sombrerico for his movie ‘Treasure Island,’ in 1971.

Places of Attraction

There are many beautiful sights to visit in and around Mojacar. The Moorish fountain, La Fuente Mora, is an exemplary example of its Roman influence and now stands as the main focus in the village. It has provided its fresh waters to the locals for many centuries which some locals use for their daily chores such as washing, cooking, or drinking. The village history is written on the fountain’s walls for the public.

Santa Maria church, or La Iglesia de Santa Maria, was originally built in the 14th century as a fortress, but was converted to a church afterwards and stands even today as a religious site in Mojacar.

The view from the town’s new square is the best view that Mojacar can offer as the Mediterranean Sea can be viewed from here, overlooking the rocks and cliffs to beyond the local farmlands.

There are two intriguing pre-historical settlements situated on the opposite side of the Aguas River that flows into Mojácar beach, which the visitor must visit for an interesting history of the place and its structural beauty.

The town’s ancient city gate, locally known as Puerta de la Almedina, serves as Mojacar’s ancient entrance during Moorish times, whose arch still displays Mojacar’s insignia engraved during the fifteenth century.

The 18th century building of Casa Torreón is an ancient site which is right at the ancient city gate functioning as Mojacar’s customs house where a tourist tax is imposed. It has a design that is from the 18th century, making it an impressive structure right at the city gate of Mojacar.

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AMAZING SIGHTS OF MAHON at MENORCA

MAÓ or Mahón, as the locals would call it, is the capital of this island of Menorca. Its inhabitants are courteous, making it a respectable town resort as tourists come flocking in.

Its architecture is a strange combination of classic Georgian town houses and apartment blocks that rise high as the skies. It is basically a harbor town with cafes and restaurants splattered around its port catering to the tourists who arrive.

Sights of Mahon

Although the island is not so small that you can walk everywhere, it is still best to discover the island on foot. There are ancient mansions in this beautiful island resort that allow you to explore its beauty in a day. You will find that the ferry terminal is uniquely set underneath the cliff which holds the city wall remnants that gives way to a wide stoned stairway leading on to four concise shopping areas.

The Plaça Espanya provides a direct bay and port view with a local fish market that was established in 1927. The Plaça Carme square houses a Carmelite church that has its covered passage lined with food stalls and a supermarket at its basement, whereas the Plaça Constitució houses Santa María, the town church that was founded by Alfonso III in 1287 as a celebration of the Re-Conquest’s victory on the island. Having been remodeled several times, the church holds a pleasant architecture with a high altar and huge Baroque excesses that reaches the roof with spiral columns. The pride and joy of this building is its monumental woodwork organ that was build in 1810 with its trumpeting angel figurines and pipes which were built in Austria before being transported from Europe during the Napoleonic wars. Next to this church is an 18th century British sponsored monument with an impressive façade clock; a gift from the first British governor to the islanders.

Historical Sights

Another church, the Sant Francesc, has a Baroque façade of light golden stones on its round arched doorway of Romanesque style. This church was built over 2 centuries – 17th and 18th – as the town was burned down by Barbarossa in the year 1535. It still has the original pink tint in its stones with unique spiral motives on its pillars.

Up at the north, the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception is brightly lit with garlanded vine as well as rose plants around this octagonal structure. There is also a chapel and some monastic buildings which house the island’s best and largest museum, the Museu de Menorca. This museum displays prehistoric artifacts from Neolithic settlers since 4,000 BC, to displays from the Talayotic era.

A 5 minute walk to the town will take you to the main square lined with flowerbeds and some fountain pieces. Outside of town there is a taula, which is one of the biggest and well preserved T-shaped monoliths that this island has to offer. This taula is placed at the center of a round compound encircled by remnants of round and wide buildings which were excavated by the Cambridge University archeologist team in the latter years of 1920s; but until today, no one could figure out how the structure was constructed.
Laying close by are two talayots which are cone shaped with one larger than the other; the latter being not accessible. The larger talayot has been reconstructed slightly as the French invasion in 1781 has modified its width to cater to mounting their firearms.

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Interesting Historical Ronda

The city of Ronda is situated in the midst of the spectacular angular mountains, which loom around it in dark contrast, adding on the full drama of nature in its natural beauty. Ronda is built on the edge of the mountains with El Tajo, a river gorge that is wide and alluring, splitting the city. El Tajo can be condescending with its 130 meters drop from 3 of its sides. Yet, looking resplendent and spectacular is the 18th century bridge, Puente Nuevo that is arched with tall white houses standing precariously from the sierra’s edge.

Ronda’s Attractions

Most of Ronda’s attractions are from the mountains and valleys, where a stroll along Río Guadalévin using the donkey trails across the lush valley greens will unveil nature’s spectacular beauty at its best.

This is also a favorite haunt for avid bird watchers who might catch a look on the lesser kestrels, which may nest or fly from these cliffs. Crag martins can also be spotted if one is lucky for the day.

Ronda town is an attraction sight which offers much historical character and story as day trips become a favorite with locals and tourists from nearby Costa del Sol.

Ronda Town

Ronda is divided into the northwest, central and southern sections; the northwest is usually where the newer section of Ronda lies known as the Mercadillo quarter. Crossing a bridge to the center is Ciudad, which is an ancient Moorish town. At the south is the suburb of San Francisco.

Ciudad, a Moorish set up, has retained many of its architecture in the existing houses with a few distinguished Renaissance buildings. The locations of these buildings are in such an amazing labyrinth that one can only wander about randomly and still be able to view the architecture.

Across the bridge will lead you to an 18th century building that is a Moorish mansion. Only the gardens are opened to the public at the moment which showcases an incredible underground stairway called the Mina. This 365-step stairway leads to the river and was cut and built by 14th century Christian slaves. The river is the town’s water supply source in times of war.

Attractions

An incredible mansion from the Renaissance era, the Palacio del Marqués, presents a rather awkward and ancient image of Adam and Eve, which has been placed on top of its portal. There are other interesting architectural buildings and monuments of unique shapes and structures on the southeast of the river, as well as the Roman baths from the 13th century.

There is the magnificent cathedral Santa María, which was an Arabic mosque that held prayers on Fridays, but now has been converted to the town’s cathedral. It displays a fine blend of different cultures such as the Moors, Goths, and Renaissance, with a belfry on the minaret top.

There is visible Arabic calligraphy on the arches of the cathedral as well as an ancient Arab mihrab which is a Muslim prayer niche. Further west, one will see the Casa de Mondragón, which was a Moorish palace once upon a time. Its interior is magnificent, beholding original stuccowork on its patio with a stupendous carved ceiling. It also functions as a museum which showcases the history of Moorish Ronda and its local archeology.

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EXCITING PAMPLONA

Pamplona has long established its presence as a significant meeting point between Castilia and France. But the famous writer, Ernest Hemingway put it on the map when he described Pamplona with its bulls running wild in his book ‘The Sun Also Rises’.

Pamplona is Navarre’s capital which holds a wide diversity in culture, cuisine and architecture, combining the influences of its past inhabitants, the Goths, Franks, and Moors.

Attractions

Pamplona’s main attraction is its St. Fermin Festival which is held every July and has attracted famous personalities like Hemingway, as well as adventure seekers from every nation. Thousands flock to the town’s streets to watch dozens of bulls released out of the corrals to run through a cordoned path to reach the designated bull ring. There, these bulls confront the professional matadors for a challenge later. Many old and wise folks watch from a distance while the thrill seekers are drawn near to the perimeters, unfazed by the dangers of these half-ton beasts wildly running in the streets, bumping into anything or anyone in their way. Hence, it is no surprise that injuries are common every year with some undesired deaths, like the one where an American youth, the 13th fatal runner since 1924, was gored to death in 1995.

These dangers and risks also serve to increase the adrenalin of many bold youth while tourists prefer to watch from the safety of the sidelines and to enjoy the festivity through drinks, dance, music and firework displays. An interesting wood chopping contest is also held in the eight-day celebration.

At other times of the year, you can still enjoy Pamplona on its tree-lined plaza located at the town center and the splendid cathedral that is of French-Gothic design in its interior. Many have come both far and near to appreciate the beautiful cloisters that are unparallel in its sculptural work. Such are the ancient walls and artifacts from the Roman era which are showcased in Navarre Museum.

Accommodations

There are many interesting options to stay at Pamplona; from great-valued modern hotels to highly rated ones, all of which are well situated in the city central for the visitor’s convenient exploration of the city. These hotels offer the basic amenities, such as swimming pools, golf courses, conference halls and pleasant rooms that will make your stay comfortable as you explore the city in the day.

These places to stay usually have their own restaurants which offer a wide selection of local cuisines to the delight of the visitors. One can enjoy authentic Spanish fare with a toast of the fine wine that is renowned in this region.

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QUAINT VILLAGE OF MIJAS at Costa del Sol

Mijas Pueblo or the village of Mijas is without a doubt, a star Jewel of Costa del Sol. It is nestled at the Sierra de Mijas foothills, about 450 meters above the sea level and offering spectacular natural landscapes over the town of Fuengirola as well as the Mediterranean coast and sea.

Mijas is known to be a traditional mountain village that is very Andalucian in style, with narrow streets that are cobbled and buildings painted white.

Mijas is visited by many tourists, especially at peak seasons with many coaches and excursions by both local and regional tourism companies.

Attractions at Mijas

It is always a pleasure to walk around this fascinating village in Andalusia. Some of the popular attractions here include a small bullring that is quadrangular in shape and forms the oldest bullrings in Spain – the Virgen de la Pena sanctuary that was built in the 17th century and the la Concepción sanctuary of 16th century.

A good place for a stroll is along the old wall and the gardens which lead to the open auditorium which hosts many cultural events during various times of the year. An interesting feature of this village is the unique donkey-driven taxis that go around the town center and the village outskirts.

Location of Mijas

This quaint village has about 10,000 inhabitants although its actual area spans more widely than the Mijas municipality; stretching from Benalmadena (on its east), to Fuengirola (south end), Marbella (west side), to Alhaurin and Coin (north side) all around. It is also considered as one of the richest areas in Spain.

There are further small districts around Mijas known as subdivisions such as Las Lagunas, La Cala, Sitio de Calahonda as well as Riviera del Sol. Most of these are pretty villages that offer soft beaches of clean sand which have become an increasingly popular tourist spot, as well as a residential preference for many expatriates in Spain as it offers many private beaches.

Golf Activity
Mijas boasts of the best and largest selection of golf courses along the Costa del Sol region, with as many as 12 top quality golf courses available to all golfing enthusiasts at whatever level.

There are also golf complexes that are huge, making your holiday at Costal del Sol enlightening; enjoying the old and the new. Thus, visiting Mijas is a must if you were to come back to this part of Spain. If not, it would be like dropping by Paris without setting eyes on the Eiffel Tower.

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DISCOVERING CAZALLA

CAZALLA DE LA SIERRA is located north of Sevilla in the province of Andalucia. Cazalla is quite a metropolitan city with its great offering of facilities; the place dates back to the Romans who gave it the name, Callentum. The Moors came and changed its name to Kazalla, which means ‘fortified city’.

Overview

The highlight of this city is the Nuestra Señora Church at the town’s southern part, which reflects the blend of cultural architecture from the 14th century to the Renaissance era in the 18th century.

Many worthy sights are accessible by walking as they are near to one another, such as the 18th century Ermita del Monte Church on the east side of town and 5 kilometers away on a forest hill overlooking the Rivera de Huesna.

There is a simple tourist center which provides basic information about the region, but does not have town maps, which can be obtained at the ayuntamiento, just 5 minute’s walk away.

There are a few hostel accommodations splattered around the region, but the best is La Milagrosa, located on the main road.

Amenities

Bars and restaurants abound with plenty of good food at decent prices. There is even a casino that serves simple hearty meals for a refreshing and relaxing moment, like a local club, with a nominal fee for monthly membership. Visitors and tourists in Cazalla are welcome to enjoy the facilities without charge, but this is an attractive offering since a membership offers drinks at discounted prices.

Cazalla has very efficient public transport with regular buses plying the route to Sevilla on a daily basis. Buses operate in the morning to reach Estación de Cazalla y Constantina for those who wish to catch a train to Extremadura or Zafra or any other connecting town in the region, although a walk to some nearby stops is more satisfying with the breathtaking view of the great river and the varied flora and fauna around the valley. The spectacular walk takes about 5 hours.

Although there are many stays available here, the best in Cazalla is the romantic Palacio de San Benito. This majestic palace hotel was formerly an Andalusian hermitage in the countryside. It has been duly renovated while retaining its many original features and is wonderfully decorated with art pieces and unique antiques. The colonnaded patio and fountain are still pieced with tiles from the 16th century. It also boasts a splendidly furnished library with a gallery covered in Brussels-origin tapestries. The hotel’s restaurant offers an excellent setting for a fine dining experience.

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The Resort of Playa de las Americas at Tenerife

The Playa de las Americas shoreline was once a splattered rocky coastline that enjoys an average of 320 days of fun in the sun every year. This condition alone made this place a popular destination for sunbathers. It is located at the south portion of Tenerife Island.

Except for Los Cristianos, an ancient harbor, many places here have been rebuilt in the past 30 years to turn this arid land into the potential economic town it currently is. A lot of work was done on this place from piped water and desalination plants with the Sahara desert sand and concrete breakwaters shipped in to form the lovely beach it has today.

Shore Beauty

The beaches are the main attraction of most visitors who spend a lot of time there, as the breakwaters provide a safe haven for swimming. Water sports are played, from jet skis, pedal boats, motorboats and paragliding or just a tow on the inflated banana boat. There are a few local dive services which offer scuba diving.

But aside from these hectic resort life activities, there are quiet spots on the island which one can enjoy at a slower pace, such as the animal park of Parques Exóticas and a banana farm that is very educational on the local fruit. The animal park is quite an imaginative park for anyone who would like a slow walk through of the place to enjoy the simple sights as they pass the time here on the island.

Other Attractions

A number of top quality hotels here help boost the town’s rating of a resort as well as the town’s finances which are meant to woo the more wealthy tourists. There is the Torviscas which has a British prominence that has become a popular family resort, and a recently developed yachting marina called Puerto Colon.

Another place to stay is the resort of Fañabé which is still being developed with many other hotels in the same area. The most impressive hotel on the island is the luxurious Gran Hotel Melia, which is located in the north end of the area.

More high-class hotels are currently being built to cater to the growing number of tourists that come to this island. These new developments are located at the south of Las Américas, quite close to the borders of Los Cristianos, causing very little space to stretch; although these are located at the lesser crowd beaches.

Another luxurious hotel at this area is the resort of Mare Nostrum which is a 5-star hotel that has been set up to offer a local atmosphere on this island.

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Places of tourist interest in Spain – Madrid

Madrid, the capital city of Spain, does not need any introduction. It is also called the ‘most touristic city’ of Spain. Enchantingly beautiful nature, historic buildings and parks and many examples of modern architecture, museums etc. keep the tourist busy and mesmerized. The visitor will enjoy every moment of his tour in Madrid. Some tour operators advise tourists that it would take about a week to visit all the places of interest in Madrid. The beautifully laid out Madrid city has added glamour.

A tour of the city:

Some tour operators advise tourists to go round the city on foot because many of the tourist spots are very close by.  Some tourists are of the opinion that the city is lively, be it day or night.

The Royal Palace, called as ‘Palacio Real’ in the Spanish language, is one of the most popular tourist spots in Madrid. This spectacularly beautiful palace is lavishly decorated. The Royal armory, weapons used during the medieval period and many works of art and artifacts are on display here. The museum in the palace has a collection of some of the rarest works of art and paintings. The palace is occupied by the present Royal family.

Plaza Mayor, also called Sol or Opera, is the most popular plaza of Madrid. This huge structure is unbelievably beautiful. A statue of Felipe III has been installed in the middle of the plaza. Many symphony concerts and tournaments are held in this plaza, which was used earlier for bullfighting. This is one of the busiest places in Madrid.

The Retiro Park is the ideal place to spend your day with family and friends in the midst of an enchanting environment. The tourist can enjoy boating in this park. The crystal palace, which is made of glass, receives a large number of visitors throughout the year.

The Egyptian temple, Templo de Dedod, is another place worth visiting. This is located very close to the Royal palace. The park around the palace is amazingly beautiful. The temple is strategically located for those who want to watch the sunset.

The tourists will be amazed to see the huge structure of the Cathedral de la Almudena. This beautiful structure was completed in the 20th century.

Apart from these, there are many other places, like the cultural centre, called CaixaForum, the main square, called Plaza de la Villa, Zoo Aquarium, and the Royal Theatre, which are worth visiting.

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La Concha Beach in San Sebastian, Spain

Tourists say that Spain is the leader for tourism in Europe. Now, people from other parts of the world are also visiting Spain. The beautiful beaches, high mountains, very beautiful gardens, national parks, ancient churches and other monumental buildings, and above all the hospitable people of Spain, have made this country the most ideal destination for tourists.

When we speak of beaches, one of the names commonly heard of is the La Concha Beach in San Sebastian. Actually San Sebastian was formerly a small fishing village where people hunted whales and cod. The village’s history dates back to the period of Napoleon. During those days the port in La Concha was engaged in trading in wines and oil to England, France etc. Now, this small fishing village has transformed itself into a major tourist spot.

What is unique in La Concha?

To put it in one word, ‘Nature’ has made this beach most popular amongst tourists. This is not an exaggeration, but a plain fact. The amazingly beautiful nature around the beach is not found anywhere else in Europe and is a welcome sign for tourists. It is also the most ideal place for those who are fascinated by bird watching. The beach also has a mountain range nearby. Tourists can trek up to the top of the mountain to see the most splendid view of the sea and of the surrounding countryside. A variety of water sports is available for people of all ages.

Apart from the beach, tourists find many other places of interest. There is an amusement park very close to the beach. The vast area just at the foot of the mountain is rich in vegetation and the Government of Spain has declared this area a National Park. The thick forest area has walking paths for the pleasure of tourists.

The La Concha Beach also offers mosques and churches. According to historical records, the mosques were built centuries ago by the Moors. There is a church believed to have been built over the existing mosque. These mosques and the church receive many tourists every year.

The ancient village is located in the centre of the island and is one of the most beautiful villages of Spain. Tour operators advise that it is ideal to visit the beach during the period June to August. There are many villas and apartments where the tourists can stay comfortably. However tourists are advised to book their accommodation in advance.

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Elche – The City of Palm Trees

This city in the Valencian community, Elche is recognized to be the third largest populated city; it is in the forefront for tourism. The city’s history according to available records is traced back to the 6th century BC. Since then the city has been greatly influenced by various civilizations, such as the Romans, Moors, Arabs and Christians.

Elche is known for its beautiful landscape and vast area of land where palm trees are grown. Apart from this vast area, tourists visiting Elche will find many other places of interest like the Saint Mary’s Basilica and the fortress believed to have been built in the 7th century. Historians believe that this fort surrounding the city was built by Romans. The famous ribbon beach is located at a distance of about 50 kilometers from Elche.

The city can be reached by air using the Alicanta airport and it is very well connected by road as well. There are many luxury villas and apartments that welcome tourists who will enjoy a very comfortable stay.

People with religious faith consider St. Mary’s Basilica as a most sacred place. This historic basilica, built centuries ago, is believed to have been built over a mosque. It is considered to be the best example of Valencian Baroque design. The annual festival held in the basilica is attended by thousands of devotees from the world over.

The other great asset of Elche is the palm forest covering over 430 hectares, with more than 200,000 palm trees. No other place in Europe has such a huge area under palm cultivation. The river Vinalopo has helped the growth of vegetation and the palm forest. Tourists always make it a point to visit the Priest’s garden, called Huerto del Cura in the Spanish language. The tourist will see some of the rarest species of palms in this garden. They are bleached and also used for many attractive handicrafts. The tourist can visit the palm processing units located at various places in Elche. The palm forest also provides places for the tourist to walk and relax. Dates are sold in retail and wholesale and tourists can also buy palm saplings.

The other places of interest in Elche are the Rio Safari, Cactus Garden, and the historic Atlamira Palace. Rio Safari has been the home of many wild animals and many species of birds. Tourists can go around the Safari; of course they must be accompanied by a trained guide.

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