january – andalucia - Keytel International

SPANISH REGION OF THE MONTH:
JANUARY – ANDALUCIA
ANDALUCIA is the most southerly region of Spain consisting of 8 provinces stretching from the
Portuguese border to the Mediterranean province of Almeria in the S.E. corner of the country.
Although known for the sprawling coastal resorts of the Costa del Sol, these actually only form a
tiny part of this large and varied region. There are 5 coastal provinces – Huelva and Cadiz on the
Atlantic, and Malaga, Granada and Almeria on the Mediterranean, Inland there are 3 provinces –
Seville, Cordoba and Jaen. Fifteen very different Paradores are located all over Andalucia – on the
coast, in the mountains, in nature reserves and
in villages and cities.
Huelva
Portugal
AIRPORTS: There are flights to Malaga all year,
and in the summer to Seville, Jerez and Almeria.
For the province of Huelva another possibility is
to fly to Faro in Portugal.
Córdoba
AYAMONTE
•
Jaén
R.Gu adalq uivir
• CORDOBA
• UBEDA
• CAZORLA
• JAEN
Seville
SEVILLE
•
•
CARMONA
Granada
• MAZAGON
Co
la sta
Lu D
z e
Almería
•
MOJACAR
•
• GRANADA
Málaga • ANTEQUERA
RONDA
• ARCOS DÉ LA •
•
NE
FRONTERA
RJ
Cádiz
A
• CADIZ
Sol
l
e
D
a
t
Cos
M
ÁL
AG
A
Atlantic
Ocean
Mediterranean
THE COASTAL PROVINCES
HUELVA lies between the Guadiana River, the boundary between Spain and
Beach at Mazagon
Church at El Rocio
Parador at Mazagon
Portugal, and the Guadalquivir River which flows into the Atlantic beside the
Donaña National Park, one of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in Europe.
West of the city of Huelva are some small resorts and golf courses while East of
the city are 25 km of undeveloped Atlantic beaches.
The city of Huelva has an interesting centre but the large port is very industrial.
Inland is some beautiful rural countryside and the area in the hills around
Aracena and Jabugo is famous for producing “Jamon Iberico”, the best cured
ham in Spain. Almonds, olives, oranges, lemons, figs, strawberries and vineyards
cover the whole province. Beside the Donaña National Park is the pilgrimage
village of El Rocio to which thousands of people travel on horseback at Whitsun
to the Hermitage of El Rocio in Wild West country.
The Parador of MAZAGON, a delightful hotel, set in large grounds on a cliff with
steps down to the beach, is a haven of tranquillity. The small town of Mazagon
can be reached along the beach or is 3 km away along the road. 24 km in the
other direction is the town of Matalascanas on the edge of the Donaña National
Park.
The Parador of AYAMONTE, overlooks the bridge across the Guadiana River and
the Portuguese coast and hinterland, It stands above the town of Ayamonte,
from where a ferry crosses the estuary to Vila Real in Portugal. There are
excellent golf courses in the area.
View from Parador at Ayamonte
City and Beach at Cadiz
CADIZ is one of the loveliest provinces in Spain as the long sandy Atlantic
Grazalema village
beaches of the Costa de la Luz stretch from the city to Cape Trafalgar and
further south to Tarifa, the “Windsurfing capital of Europe”, a Moorish town
separating the Atlantic from the Mediterranean at the most southerly point
of mainland Europe. Inland are green hills surrounding the “pueblos blancos”,
the white villages characterising the area which rises to the mountains of the
Grazalema National Park.
Jerez, the second largest town, is in the centre of the vineyards so famous for
producing sherry, and the familiar names of Tio Pepe, Gonzalez Byass, Domecq
and Sandeman are found all over the town. It also attracts visitors to the horse
displays of the “Royal Andalucian School of Equestrian Art”, and to the Formula
1 racing circuit.
Grazalema National Park
There are plenty of first-class golf courses all over the province of Cadiz.
The Parador of ARCOS DE LA FRONTERA is in one of the prettiest white villages.
It is reached by climbing up narrow streets (a small car is advisable!), well
rewarded by the view from the top. It is a charming traditional palace in the
main square beside the Santa Maria church.
Parador at Arcos de la Frontera
Caleta beach beside the Parador of Cadiz
Cadiz
Beach at Conil, Costa de la Luz
The Parador in the city of CADIZ is currently being rebuilt as a magnificent
modern hotel within the city walls, beside the sea, due to open in 2012 when
Cadiz is “the European city of culture”. It is a historic maritime walled city on an
isthmus surrounded by the sea, with the large harbour on one side and sandy
beaches on the other. The port is visited by many cruise ships, is the departure
point for ferries to the Canary Islands, and also has ferries crossing the harbour
to Puerto de Santa Maria, renowned for its seafood restaurants.
The Costa de la Luz (Coast of light) deserves a special mention as the
bright sunny days and glorious sunsets make this west facing coast popular
in the Summer months as the Atlantic breezes cool the air, but the area has
its fair share of rain in the winter. Small resorts, attractive white villages and
fishing harbours are dotted along the coast, divided by miles of sandy beaches,
secluded coves and cliffs covered with wild flowers. The larger port of Barbate
is the centre of the tuna fishing industry and south of this, near Tarifa are the
Roman ruins of Baelo Claudia at Bolonia.
Tarifa where the 2 seas meet
Baelo Claudia Roman ruins at Bolonia
Pool and view at Malaga Gibralfaro
View from Malaga Gibralfaro
Parador at Malaga Golf
MALAGA is the starting point for many Andalucian holidays. Although
much of the coast is built up there are also some lesser developed beaches,
spectacular inland scenery and many interesting towns and villages. There are 5
Paradores in the province:
View from Parador at Antequera
Parador at Ronda
Parador at Nerja
The Parador of MALAGA GIBRALFARO lies below the walls of the Gibralfaro
castle with panoramic views of the coastline and with a wide path leading
down to the historic centre of the attractive city which is so often overlooked
as people head west to the resorts of the Costa del Sol. The Picasso museum is
in the centre, close to the Cathedral. The Parador of MALAGA GOLF is a few km
from the airport, and 8 km from Malaga, and has its own 27-hole championship
golf course in large grounds leading to the beach. The Parador of ANTEQUERA,
a modern hotel in an interesting town, is 60 km from Malaga in a position
between all the “show” cities of Andalucia, so a good base from which to
explore the cities, natural parks and countryside nearby.
The Parador of RONDA stands above the famous gorge in the lively mountain
town close to the Grazalema National Park and many of the picturesque white
villages. The Parador of NERJA is the only coastal Parador in the province, and
one of the most popular, as the recently renovated modern building is on a
cliff at the edge of the town, with its own lift down to the Burriana beach, so a
perfect base for a winter holiday.
ALMERIA is said to have the best climate in Spain. Long beaches and small
coves stretch from Mojacar to Cabo de Gata, a nature reserve surrounding the
lighthouse at the most south-easterly point of Spain. Vast areas of agriculture
can be seen growing under plastic tunnels, and inland is desert country where
many cowboy films were made so that it is known as “Mini Holywood”. In the
west of the province the mountainsides of the Alpujarras are covered with
almonds, olives and vineyards.
The Parador of MOJACAR is a tastefully designed hotel which has recently been
renovated, with gardens leading to the beach. It is beside the Playa de Mojacar,
below the centre of the pretty white village on a hill a few kilometres inland.
View from Hotel Balcon de Europa, Nerja
Parador at Mojacar
Lighthouse at Cabo de Gata
Coast near Cabo de Gata
Mojacar village
THE INLAND PROVINCES & THE THREE MAGICAL CITIES
GRANADA is one of the most varied provinces as, apart from the city itself,
View of Generalife from the Parador
The Alhambra Granada
it stretches from the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the relatively undeveloped
coast, so that it is possible to ski in the morning and swim in the Mediterranean
in the afternoon! In the Alpujarras ranges isTrevelez, the highest village in Spain
and one of many pretty white villages. The Cathedral dominates the city centre
which is overlooked by the palaces and gardens of the Alhambra, with the
snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada behind.
The Parador of GRANADA, a 15th century convent is situated within the
grounds of the Alhambra so a very special place to stay. Recently restored with
many original features, it has fine views across the gardens to the Generalife
from the terrace outside the restaurant. It is one of the “Parador Museums” and
although expensive has promotions off season.
SEVILLE lies either side of the mighty Guadalquivir River which flows from
Parador at Granada
Trevelez
the mountains in Eastern Andalucia to the Atlantic, between the provinces of
Cadiz and Huelva. Seville is a rural province surrounding the third largest city in
Spain, and some smaller typical Andalucian towns such as Estepa, Osuna and
Carmona. The city is full of excitement and the essence of life in Southern Spain.
The third largest Cathedral in the world is surrounded by magnificent buildings,
traditional houses lining the banks of the river, large parks, wide avenues
contrasting with the narrow streets of the Santa Cruz area, and the Arabic
designs adorning the palaces and gardens of the Alcazar. There is something to
see around every corner.
The Parador of CARMONA is the only Parador in the province but quantity is
compensated by quality. It is in the Alcazar at the top of the Andalucian town
which has a replica of the Giralda tower in Seville, 30 km from Carmona. The
Parador is full of atmosphere and sums up the three keywords of Paradores –
quality, history and charm.
CORDOBA is also divided by the Guadalquivir River, on either side of which
Plaza de Espana Seville
are plains, hills, olive trees and small towns. The city is smaller than Seville as
the historic centre is compact around the Mezquita, the extraordinary mixture
of cultures with the Arabic pillars surrounding the Christian Cathedral within
the mosque. In spring and summer the narrow streets of the Jewish quarter are
ablaze with colour as flowers trail from balconies.
The Parador of CORDOBA is a modern, spacious building on a hill above the city
so it has panoramic views of the city, the river and the hills beyond.
Patio at Parador at Carmona
Mosaic in the Alcazar
Roman bridge & mosque at Cordoba
Inside the mosque at Cordoba
Parador at Cordoba
Cloister in the Parador
at Granada
Roman bridge and the Mezquita
Cordoba
Parador at Carmona
The Alcazar in Seville
Giralda Tower, Seville
Some examples of the architectural wonders of Andalucia
JAEN is the most easterly of the inland provinces and is the most important
area of Spain for the production of olive oil. A landscape covered with olive
and almond trees rises up to the high central plain of Spain. The source of the
Guadalquivir is in the Cazorla Natural Park, a spectacular, remote mountainous
region. The city is 80 km North of Granada, on the main route from the South to
Madrid, and has a historic centre.
Parador at Jaen
The Parador of JAEN is one of the most stunning buildings in which Paradores
are located, as the 15th century Arabic fortress stands proudly above the city.
The Parador of UBEDA is a 16th century Renaissance palace beside the church
in the centre of one of the province’s monumental towns, 60 km from the city
of Jaen.
Parador at Ubeda
Cloister in Parador at Ubeda
Parador at Cazorla
The Parador of CAZORLA, in contrast, is a country house in the centre of the
Natural Park in the dramatic Sierra de Cazorla, home to some of Spain’s rarest
flora and fauna. The Parador is at the top of a valley, 24 km from the town of
Cazorla.
View from the Natural Park of Cazorla town
Cazorla Natural Park
TWO PARADORES IN NORTH AFRICA
From Tarifa and Algeciras there are regular ferries to CEUTA, a Spanish
enclave in North Africa, where there is a Parador. There is also a Parador
in MELILLA, another Spanish city along the N. African coast.
***The two Malaga Paradors were featured in our online Spring
feature ‘Parador of the month’, and further details can be viewed on
www.keytel.co.uk
Courtesy of Lorna Roberts, our representative in Ireland. Lorna has written 2 books on Paradors
and her travel experiences around Spain, which can be purchased from
www.lornarobertsholidays.com.
Keytel International, The Foundry, 156 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8EN
Tel: 0207 9533020 Fax: 0207 79533025 [email protected] www.keytel.co.uk