Spain - A Unique Culinary Experience

A gastronomical holiday

Spain is famous for its beaches, its mountains, and its natural parks that offer miraculous landscapes that please the eye and nourish the soul. It is famous for its impressive architectural and cultural heritage. Historical vestiges are at every step, in all the cities of Spain. But very few can imagine that Spain is the perfect destination for those who love food and enjoy tasting new dishes and flavors. One of the best places in Spain, one that blends the new with the old, the culture with the tradition, is the capital: Madrid. The region of Madrid is famous for its flavors, which are unique and full of passion or “encantadoras” (delightful), as the Spaniards would say.

The amazing cuisine of Madrid

After you visit the palaces, the cathedrals, and the museums, take your time to also enjoy the cuisine. You can’t say you have been to Madrid until you have tried the “cocido” and the “tripe”. The cocido is a stew, made of meat, chickpea, and potato. The dishes are not originally from Madrid, but Madrid is the city that made them famous. People come here just to taste the “cocido madrilène,” which actually brings together all the cocidos cooked in Spain and it never uses the same ingredients; they depend on their availability in the season. Chickpea occupies a place of honor in the cuisine of Madrid. It is used for the cocido, but tourists can also taste the chickpea stew, served with vegetables, cod, or spinach. Seafood is also very important for Madrid, as it is for the whole of Spain. If you visit Madrid around Christmas, you will definitely try the red bream, as it is always cooked this time of the year. If you love desserts, you will have the opportunity to taste the Aranjuez strawberries and the Villaco

nejos watermelons; these two fruits are very popular as ingredients served in desserts in Madrid. As a tourist in Madrid, you will also have the opportunity to taste the “torrijas,” which is a type of bread pudding, “bunuelos,” a fritter filled with cream and chocolate, and the “huesos de santo,” which are marzipan shapes.

Accommodation

If all these have determined you to visit Madrid, you should know that there is no better place to stay than in a villa. The accommodation conditions are similar to those in hotels, but you have the chance to really feel the spirit of Madrid in a private villa. You can ask for the owner to cook for you, so besides the multitude of restaurants that provide traditional dishes, you will also have the chance to taste wonderful homemade recipes. Enjoy!

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Spain - The best tourist destination

Spain comes in second place after France as the most visited country in the world. The country is just wonderful and this is evident by the increasing number of foreigners visiting it for leisure, business, or educational purposes. Tourism is thriving in this part of Europe thanks to its history and the many natural features that can’t be found elsewhere.

Spain has a wide variety of favorable tourist destinations well scattered in its cities and regions. It has 17 regions in total, all of which have uniquely memorable landscapes. Natural beaches and mountains are ready and waiting to be explored by all kinds of people. Besides the natural features, it has historical museums, monuments, and architectural buildings that are breathtaking. The natural habitations found here contain very rare flora and fauna species making it the ultimate destination.

Tourist destinations

Since Spain has a wide range of famous tourist destination, it is always advisable for visitors to have a laid out plan of places to visit to ensure that they end up in the place of their dreams. It is wise to know all the cities to make it easy to choose the destination best suited for you. There is always time to explore unknown grounds to see what they’ve got to offer.

Popular destinations such as Avila, Cuenca, Cordoba, and Salamanca are amazing. Other destinations include Segovia, Toledo, and Ibiza. These destinations will provide all you need from beaches to mountains, from landscapes to natural reserves and parks.

The coastal places in Spain offer great opportunities for those who love the sun and want to relax. Flourishing beaches will keep you entertained with all sorts of sporting activities, or you can just bask in the warm climate as you read a book. Beaches in Spain include Costa de la Luz, Costa Blanca, Costa Tropical, and Costa Valencia, which are scattered in the different cities or region of Spain. There is no better way to relax than to take a break in the cool waters or on the sandy beaches.

Parts of Spain have natural parks that are beautiful. National parks here include the national park of Nevada, Cabaneros, Donana, and los Picos de Europa. Famous museums include the Prado and Thyssen Museum in Madrid, and the Guggenheim, Bullfighting, and Maritime museums in Bilbao. These are just a few of the famous destinations in Spain that are worth checking out if you are looking to have the time of your life.

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Spain- Santiago De Compostela

What one should know about Santiago de Compostela

Tourists from all over the world come to Spain to visit Madrid and Barcelona, to see the bullfighting, or to watch the passionate flamenco dancers, but Spain has a lot more to offer than this. Santiago de Compostela is the capital of the Galician province and it is famous for being the end of the route that constitutes the Way of Saint James, which is a pilgrimage that attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. Santiago de Compostela shouldn’t be visited just for this. Santiago de Compostela is also known as the Camino; thousands of tourists set out on foot, some use bikes, others horse ride, but the final goal of all of them is the Cathedral in Santiago. This makes Santiago de Compostela one of the most sacred cities, well known by Christians from all over the world. Being the final destination in this road that blends spirituality with adventure, Santiago de Compostela has become one of the most visited cities in Spain. The Cathedral is the main attraction of the city: its majestic façade makes

it outstanding. Apart from the Cathedral, the city has a lot more attraction. The historical centre, just like the centre of Salamanca, has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. The streets and the squares host granite buildings that bring together centuries of history. Don’t miss the Santiago de Compostela Museum, the Museum of the Galician People, and the Galician Art Centre.

An active city

Santiago de Compostela is set in a very picturesque region. Surrounded by mountains and a valley, “green” is the word that best describes the city. Once you are done sightseeing, go visit the parks and the gardens; explore Alameda Park, the oak wood in Santa Susana, and the Belvis Park. For those who are very active individuals, a range of activities is at your disposal: water sports, adventure sports, and fishing. All of these are available in Santiago de Compostela. One can go kayaking or rafting, even scuba diving. For those who enjoy fishing, the rivers near Santiago de Compostela are rich in trout and salmon.

Accommodation

If you decide to go to Santiago de Compostela, choose a villa instead of a hotel. It is private, the owners can cook for you so you have the chance to taste the traditional dishes, and it is very comfortable. Choose a renovated historical house; you can find them in the Old Town, so you will be in the heart of the city.

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Palma De Mallorca

History

Mallorca is the capital of Palma, an island situated in the Balearic Islands. The island has had inhabitants ever since antiquity. There are still traces - burial chambers from the Paleolithic period that can be visited today. The island was even inhabited by the Romans around 120 BC; it is in this period that Mallorca blossomed. Salt mining, olive cultivation and even viticulture, have all led to what Mallorca is today. In 426 the island was occupied by the Vandals who were followed by the Byzantine Empire in 534. It is under the Byzantine Empire that monasteries and churches were built; many of them can be visited by today’s tourists. It was in 707 that the Muslims took control over the island, which explains the original and unique architectural heritage of Mallorca. Starting with the 1950s, the island’s aspect was changed because of the masses of tourists that came to visit it. The heritage was highlighted and Mallorca became an interesting and charming attraction for tourists.

What can one visit in Mallorca?

Besides the fact that Mallorca is an island with long coasts, delicate beaches and warm sun, the prehistoric settlements are an important attraction. Capocorb Vell, Novetiforme Alemany, Ses Paisses, Ses Talaises de Can Jordi, Sa Canova de Morell or Necropoli de Son Real host vestiges as old as the island. The landscapes in Mallorca are also worth seeing. If you go to the northwest, the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range dominates the landscape. Here, the pine forests and the olive groves, together with the small, coquette villages give a very special air of uniqueness and beauty to the surroundings that is highly appreciated by tourists.

Accommodation

The 250 miles of golden coasts that enjoy over three hundred days of sunshine every year are cobwebbed with hotels and villas that try to lure tourists. Of course it is wonderful to stay in a luxurious hotel, but the special atmosphere of the island is lost once you enter one. Tourists can choose from a wide range of villas that keep the tradition intact. Villa can Pax is a traditional villa situated in Polensa, built of traditional Majorcan stone. This lovely property has a pool of its own and extensive grounds covered with lush gardens, as well as spectacular views of the mountains. It is not the only villa in the region; there are thousands of them, and each has something special to offer, something that nourishes the soul and pleases the eye.

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Madrid Attractions

Madrid is the capital city of Spain, making it an immediate attraction for both foreigners and Spaniards living in other cities and regions. The city has several attraction sites that are impressive and memorable. You can’t afford to leave this city out of your list of places to visit.

Royal Park in Madrid

Retiro Park is one of the major attractions in the capital of Spain. It was created for the purpose of retreats by the Royal Family of the then King Phillips IV. The name Retiro means retreat in Spanish, expounding the purpose of the Royal Park and palace as well.

The park is home to a fascinating army museum, which depicts the military history of Spain and has an armor collection. There is a monument in the form of a cross that the famous explorer Christopher Columbus carried to the New World.

A large, artificial lake adorns the Northern entrance of the Park. People have fun here rowing boats, normally during weekends. There is a semicircular colonnade monument overlooking the lake. This monument was put up by the mother of King Alfonso, and it is a statue representing King Alfonso XII.

The park also has a Rose garden with a very peculiar statue dedicated to Satan. As weird as that sounds, it is true and this is probably the only statue of its kind in all of Europe.

Botanical Garden

The pleasant climate in Madrid has made it possible for this beautiful garden to be open throughout the year. It is a perfect spot to relax and have lunch. It is located in an area with many attraction sites in Madrid, including the Prado Museum. This fact makes the garden a popular ground for tourists who love the floral aspect of nature.

This botanical garden is home to a wide variety of shrubs, trees, flowers, and plants. Statistics clearly indicate that the garden has a whooping total of 30,000 flowers, plants, and trees. These include exotic plants and trees such as the Japanese raisin tree and the pomegranate.

During spring, the garden is a wonderful mixture of natural beautiful colors, and it acts as a favorite romantic spot and picnic area. You will find locals relaxing in the cool natural grounds, taking some time off from their daily routines. Carry a camera with you for beautiful photos that will always remind you of this place.

There are several attractions in Madrid that wait to be explored so take your time and head down there for a life changing experience.

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Places of interest in Spain- Alhaurin

Alhaurin de la Torre is geographically located at the mouth of the river Guadalhorce in a valley in the Malaga region at about 100 meters above sea level. It has an approximate area of 83 square kilometers. In a sense it facilitated passage from the valley of the river Guadalhorce to the coast. Its territory stretches between the mountains and the valley of Malaqa, across open country that rises to the edge of the Mijas and Cartana mountain ranges.

In the Alhaurin Grande there are marvelous  gardens, lemon . . . . . . .and numerous subtropical fruit plantations all blending in well with the new style housing developments that are going up in the area. The proximity of Alhaurin de la Torre to the capital of Malaga has resulted in it being chosen as a second home or a commuter suburb. Even though there has been an increase in population and development, the area has retained its originality, identity and traditions.

Places of interest include archeological sites from the Roman and Muslim eras, San Sebastian Parish Church, Sarto Cristo del Cardion niche, Arcos de Zapata aqueduct, El Alamillo heritage and the Refuges de Torrijos House de la Torre.

Alhaurin has a long history dating back to the Roman era. It was named Lauro Ventud and is mentioned in an old chronicle, therefore it must have been important. The Arab settlers called it Alhaurein. It received its final name after Christian troops conquered it and named it Alhaurin de la Torre, to distinguish it from Alhaurin el Grande.

Alhaurin el Grande is also located in the region of the river Guadalhorce valley adjoining the western Costa del Sol and Malaga regions. It is marginally smaller than Alhaurin de la Torre, having an area of 72.6 square kilometers. The people of this area are called Alhuarinos . Alhaurin el Grande is older than Alhaurin de la Torre, the latter being the more modern of the two.

Alhaurin el Grande has many markets, gardens and extensive plantations, olive gardens, orchards and wheat fields. The urban part of Alhaurin el Grande sits on the north slope of the Mijas mountain range. Due to its location, some of its streets provide picturesque views and turns that make climbing easier. The area is rich archeologically, dating back to the Neolithic Age. Peoples who have at one time or another inhabited this place include the lberians, Phoenecians, Greeks, Romans and Muslims.

The temperature in the region is at an average of 17° C which is why there is an abundance of fruits and vegetables. Alhaurin el Grande and Alhaurin de la Torre are both worth a visit not just for the archeological and historical treasures, but for the scenery and beauty as well.

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Places of interest in Spain- Alaior

If you love cheese, then you surely should visit ALAIOR. Two well known companies have their shops near the main road. You can easily reach these shops since there are signposts to guide you. The first of these is La Payesa, open 9am-1pm followed by a break, and open again from 5-8pm from Monday to Friday. The other outlet is comparatively bigger and far better, owned by Coingo; it has the same opening times except they are also open on Saturdays 9am-1pm. Both have the same products, which were originally exported from a port called Queso Mahon, and therefore are also named after the port.

If you have a craving for cheese, then Menorca is the stop for you. The cheese here is made from cow and from goats’ milk. For a distinctive flavor, they also add ewe milk. You can go to any shop and find cheese in four different stages: tiemo (young), semi curado (semi-mature), curado (mature) and anejo (very mature). This cheese is a bit on the expensive side, but it’s surely worth it. If you are a cheese lover, you shouldn’t miss out on this.

Every year in August there is a festival called Festa de Sant Llorenc, which takes place on the second weekend of the month in the streets on the hill just above these shops. All the houses there are white washed. You will also find the imposing Santa Eulalia Church above the houses.

If you are there to enjoy yourself and have the money to spend, you should stay at the La Noria De San Bou Hotel. It is the best and is at a walking distance from the beaches. It has a traditional design, more like a mansion, with a swimming pool which is quite large, as well as gardens all around where you could enjoy a walk in the evening.

But you need not worry if you are a bit short on the budget. Hotel Jeni is quite a popular hotel; its restaurant is located in the center. This would be best for you if you want to enjoy your holidays. You could step out onto the balcony for a view of the beaches, or even go and relax in the swimming pool. You can choose from a variety of dishes. You could indulge in various activities during your stay; cooking courses are available or you could enjoy nature as you wish.

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