Travel and Vacation Digest » Spain

The Food Of Spain

Ed — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:09:01 +0000

Tapas, Raciones, Calamares en su tinta, Potaje de espinacas y garbanzos…exotic-sounding delicacies that can make the mouth water and make many vacationers wish they could return to enjoy the culinary delights of Spain.

Spanish people are very passionate about their lifestyle; especially, when it comes to food, wine and cuisine! Spanish food is typically very light and they use a lot of vegetables in preparing their meals. Meat and fish are favorite staples in the Spanish recipe book, too! Do you think of spicy foods when you think of Spain? Well, don't! Spanish recipes are typically light on the spices and heavy on the use of high quality ingredients.

Don't expect to find McDonalds and Burger King restaurants everywhere in Spain because fast food just hasn't taken a foothold in that country. The fast food restaurants can be found in some of the larger cities but there are not as many as you might think. Even then, the foods they serve at the local McDonalds and Burger King will have more of a local fare!

When dining at a restaurant in Spain, you don't have to worry about the freshness of the meat and fish. Spanish people are very concerned about their foods freshness and just about everything that is served is served fresh. While that does make for great dining, it also makes for a pricier meal! Spain maintains a high percentage of free range animals and one of their specialties is "jam

The Best Golfing Holiday Destinations In Spain

Ed — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 13:31:01 +0000

Golf has become one of the fastest growing sports for non- professionals and many golfers will want to continue playing golf when they are on vacation.

Even though there are plenty golf courses in Spain, you will want to know the best golfing holiday destinations.

Some cities that have great golf courses are Cadiz, Girona, Valencia, Murcia, Madrid, Almeria and Alicante.

Le Manga Club in Murcia has three golf courses and it has been named the best golfing destination in Europe. They have other sporting facilities to keep the rest of the family occupied while you enjoy a round of golf. Here you will find a putting green and a driving range; as well as bars, restaurant, and many other facilities. You can rent your golf clubs and also arrange for some lessons from a professional golfer.

San Rogue Club has both an old and a new course. The old course opened in 1989 and the new course opened in 2003. Both courses are very well designed and they are just a couple of the many courses found in Cadiz.

Montecastillo golf resort is also in Cadiz and it has 18 holes and is around 160 hectares.

Real Club de Sotogrande Golf Course again is in Cadiz, and it was built around 1964. This golf course is seen as a difficult course and a good challenge to any golfer. The course was designed by an American. They have won an award for being 7th on the Golf World list.

PGA Gold de Cataluna is in the Northern Spain in Girona. This course was designed with 18 holes and each hole has 5 different tees so that people with different handicaps can play together.

El Saler Golf Course, Valencia is a spectacular golf course. Many people believe they could be on the Scottish coast because of the surroundings and how close it is to the sea.

Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro is in Madrid and this course has a beautiful oak forest in the course. This course was built at the start of the 20th Century.

Desert Springs Golf Course in America has won various awards since it opened in 2000. It is one of the most prestigious golf courses in Spain and is also in one of the driest areas which allows for golfing all year around.

Bonalba Golf Course in Alicante offers classes for children who would like to take up golfing. Many professional golfers use this course because of the views and climate.

These are some of the best golfing holiday destinations where you will be able to enjoy a great golfing vacation while in Spain.

Little Known Spanish Beaches And Coves

Ed — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:17:01 +0000

When the crowds head for Spain for their vacation, they tend to opt for all the well known places. But these well known beaches are also full of people; especially when children are out of school during vacation time. The way to avoid the crowds is to find out about the little known Spanish Beaches and Coves. These are places where you can feel like you are on a desert island and you don't want to share your discoveries with other people.

If you go to the South of the country you will find 90 km of coastline. Since it is on the Atlantic Ocean rather than the Mediterranean Sea, it will be slightly cooler. In summer, that means it will still be hot and it will be an ideal place to get away from it all. Here you will find Costa De La Luz where the coastline is unspoiled and it is not a destination that many people have discovered. Spaniards come here and, in July and August, you will find the people celebrating the fiestas. Apart from that, very few people seem to visit here.

There is a wonderful little village which is on a hidden beach called Bolonia. It is a fine white sand beach and the population of this little village is only 125 people. There are a few restaurants in this village, but it is perfect for your vacation hideaway. You are able to walk along the coastline and you will arrive at different beaches along this coastline which are less known to tourists.

You might decide you want to visit an area which is well-known, like Costa Brava. Northeast and southwest of Tossa are many rocky coves some of which have very quiet beaches. If you go north from Llafranc you will find Tamariu which has a small cove. It is said that the water here is some of the most translucent on the Mediterranean coastline. If you head to Begur, you will find a series of small beaches. If you go from there to Fornells, you will find a hamlet on a beautiful beach in the Costa Brava, which includes a marina, beach and clear blue water.

As you search your favorite destination in Spain you will find lots of hidden places to explore. You will find lots of little known Spanish beaches and coves for you to get away from the tourists and be alone with your friends and family. There are many beautiful beaches and coves waiting to be discovered. Take some time to get away from the crowds and see what is waiting for you in some of the different destinations.

The Top Ten Tips For Camping In Spain

Ed — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 21:28:01 +0000

If you love camping then you will want to camp in Spain. There are over 1,000 campsites in Spain. Some of the camping grounds are near beaches, others are in the woodland, and some are near towns. What are the top ten tips for camping in Spain?

1. Have your own transport. Very few campsites are near to public transport since most are not near city centers.

2. Choose where you are going to camp carefully. If you want peace and quiet then you would want to avoid the places that come to life at night when lots of people decide to party at the campsites.

3. Choose your tent with care. Your tent will be your home for the duration of your vacation. What would happen if the weather were to turn bad and you had to remain inside your tent? Would there be enough room for all the family to spend many long hours together?

4. Choose your camping equipment carefully. You will need to decide which type of sleeping bag you are going to use and what other types of equipment you will need. You will want a bag that is warm enough in case it gets cold, but not so warm that you can't sleep because you are too hot.

5. Know what type of amenities you need. What are the stores like and will you be able to buy all the foods that you want to cook? What are the hook-up facilities like for electricity? Will the showers be hot at all times during the day? You need to consider these types of questions before you set off.

6. What facilities are there for your children? You need to know that your children won't be bored during their vacation. Is there a swimming pool for them? Are there activities for kids organized at the campsite? If not, then you will need to decide how to keep them from becoming bored. You might want to bring bikes so you can all go exploring together.

7. Have a checklist of items you should bring with you. This should include a first aid kit. Even though you hope you won't need it, you should make sure you have a good first aid kit with you.

8. Learn how to cook different foods in a different way. You will find there are plenty of dishes you can cook when camping but you might need to consider what your family normally eats and what they will eat while away.

9. Discover the local attractions. You might want to find out where they are before leaving home. You might want to plan certain trips away from the campsite and knowing the hours which those attractions are open will save you a lot of time.

10. Leave valuables at home. You won't have anywhere secured to leave your items safely at the campsite. Don't bring your children's expensive toys or games with you unless you want tears should they be stolen or broken.

Top Tips For Travelling Around Spain

Ed — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:43:01 +0000

You might be looking for a vacation where you will visit many cities. What are the top tips for traveling around Spain? What should you be aware of before you leave?

* Be aware that some cities become very busy during high season so book the hotels in advance.

* Know where the Embassies are in each city you plan to visit because you never know when you might need them.

* Keep a copy of your passport available just in case you should your original. Keep a copy on your webmail, and then you can get a copy by using any internet café.

* Know when there are holidays and festivals before you leave on your trip. You don't want to arrive in a city and find there is nowhere for you to stay because all the hotels are fully booked.

* You will have the opportunity to eat a lot of different foods but you should do it carefully. You may need to get used to all the spices.

* Don't drink the tap water. It may be safe to drink the water, but it could give you stomach problems; especially if you are not used to the different chemicals used in the water.

* If you have diarrhea, you will need to drink plenty of water and you may to use an oral rehydration solution. If you become ill, stay a few days where you are to recover before moving on.

* Have good health insurance.

* Be aware of the problems of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. You should ensure you drink plenty water because if you don't take enough fluids, you will become dehydrated. By the time this has occurred, you will already be showing the signs of heat exhaustion. Heatstroke is more serious and you will need medical care immediately.

* If you go into forest areas, be aware of the red-brown caterpillars. If you touch their hairs then you will have an allergic reaction.

* Jellyfish can be easily spotted and it is wise to avoid getting in the sea when they are around.

* Don't carry lots of money around, especially in your back pocket. You will find that this is the first place a pick pocket looks to take your money from you.

Use common sense as you travel around. If you are driving, don't leave any valuables in the car. By following some simple tips you will be able to enjoy a great vacation.

A Brief History Of Spain

Ed — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:40:01 +0000

When you understand a brief history of Spain, it will help you to understand a little about the country and also the people. You will find it well worth your time to learn about the country before you set off on your vacation.

Spain lies between Europe and Africa and has been invaded from both areas. The Romans invaded in the 3rd century AD, and again they were invaded by Germanic tribes in 409 AD. They ruled until 711 when the Muslims came via the Strait of Gibraltar. By 714 the Muslims ruled everywhere except the Northern part of Spain and they ruled the country for almost 800 years.

It was during this time that the arts and sciences were prosperous, and lots of new agricultural ideas were introduced; as well as, Mosques and other buildings not seen in Spain before were built.

Before the end of the 13th Century there were two main powers, Isabel of Castilla and Fernando of Arag

Seven Spanish Phrases Every Tourist Should Know

Ed — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:39:01 +0000

You have decided to go to Spain for your vacation, and maybe you know quite a lot of Spanish. Yet many people have no knowledge of the Spanish language and you will need to understand a little bit before you go. English isn't always widely understood and, because of this, there are seven Spanish phrases that every tourist should know.

1. Ma

An Introduction To Spanish Culture

Ed — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 10:02:01 +0000

You arrive in a foreign country, tired and jet lagged, and within a short time you have offended the local people. You wonder what you did wrong, how could you possibly offend them? You know that you did nothing different than what you normally do at home and you wonder if this is the problem. Often, we expect people to do things exactly the way we do things at home. This is why you need to have an introduction to Spanish culture and try to avoid offending the local people.

Some people come back from their vacations and they say the country was full of foreigners. What they fail to understand that we are the foreigners. Our culture is foreign to them and they will expect us to encompass their culture and not expect them to conform to our culture to make us feel more at home.

Many people might find it surprising that in some areas, very few Spaniards actually speak English. This can be quite a challenge; especially if you find learning a new language difficult. Some people who can speak English won't speak it because they feel that, as a visitor, it is our place to communicate with them. Some of this goes back to the culture of the country. It is wise to try to learn at least some of the language.

Food is a big part of the Spanish way of life. Paella is a dish that is generally associated with Spain, but there are far more dishes which are part of the culture of Spain. The dishes change as you move to different parts of the country.

With the change in life in Spain, some of the cultural ways of life are also changing. Some of the religious customs still remain but many have been replaced. Casual clothing is acceptable, but beachwear should be worn at the beach or pool. If you need to wear a black tie, then you will normally be informed about that. Eating in the evening is a late affair, normally after 9 pm.

Fiestas are also part of the Spanish culture and they are celebrated with wild parties and a time for a holiday. There are many festivals celebrated and you can get a real understanding of the way of life for the Spaniards.

* January sees the San Sebasti

Top Tips For Renting A Spanish Villa

Ed — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:37:01 +0000

A Spanish villa for your accommodations during your vacation to Spain might set your mind to thinking about luxury. You may have seen photos of many of the luxurious villas; however, you may be disappointed when you arrive only to find that luxury would be the last word to describe the property. What are some of the top tips for renting a Spanish Villa to make sure you get the villa you have always dreamed about?

* To know what you are renting you should view as many photographs as possible. If you could see a virtual tour of the villa then that would be the best thing possible. Interior photos should be available and, if they are not, then you should find out why they are not. Could it be that a photo might show that the villa is not as nice as you thought it would be? If you plan to share the villa with friends, you should make sure that it will be large enough to be comfortable.

* What about the beds in the bedrooms? Some villas will have more than one double bed in the bedroom and that may not be the perfect situation if two couples were sharing the villa.

* Who do you need to contact if there are any problems with any equipment in the villa while you are there?

* How easy is it to find the property if you have never been to that area before?

* Have a small bag packed with snacks and drinks. If you have been driving for a number of hours, you might want to have a drink and something to eat as soon as you arrive. So, have the bag in a place where it can be easily found.

* You should ask the owners of the villa where the nearest medical hospital and doctors are.

* If you are planning on a vacation outside the summer season then you should ask what type of heating is in the villa. Some areas can be cool and in the evening you will be glad you have heating.

* If you are going in summer to an area which has high temperature, find out if the villa has air conditioning?

* Ask what is included in the villa. Does it have everything you will need or will you need to bring some items from home?

* Find out if you need to pay for electricity via a meter and, if so, what money does it take? You might need to get a supply of coins before you leave for your vacation.

Ask questions before you agree to rent a villa and if you can't get the answers you want, look for another villa

Seven Facts You Should Know When Visiting Spain

Ed — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 07:20:32 +0000

There are seven facts you should know when visiting Spain and you should know about them before leaving your home for your vacation.

1. Electricity. Spanish plugs have 2 round pins and are 220V. You should consider what type of adaptor you need if you are taking electrical items with you. Also if you are taking a computer with you, get a transformer if your voltage is 110V as the different voltage can cause additional problems.

2. Crime. Spain is a fairly safe country to travel, but you do need to be aware of some of the scams that are happening; otherwise, you could end up losing all your money. Never put yourself in the position where your money or possessions could be taken from you. You might have a situation where a concerned person tries to help you and, in doing so, lifts your wallet from your pocket. Another scam concerns vehicles and the thieves try to convince you that you have a problem with your car. Once you stop and get out of the vehicle to see what the problem is, they remove anything valuable from inside the car. If you are a victim of crime then you should contact the national police. You can report any crime by telephone: 902 102112 or use the web www.policia.es

3. Embassies. In case of a problem, especially if you lose your passport, you will need to contact your Embassy. Most of the embassies are based in Madrid but some have offices in Barcelona and a few in Palma de Mallorca.

4. Money. Spain's currency is the Euro