Michelle Obama visits Granada

Michelle Obama, who is travelling with one of her daughters, visited Granada yesterday. She arrived at Granada in the afternoon and before visiting the Cathedral, she enjoyed an ice-cream to bear the temperature.Then she visited the Cathedral, where the Catholic Monarchs lie. After visiting the Cathedral Michelle and her daughter were driven to the Sacromonte Quarter, where all the caves in Granada are placed. They enjoyed a "flamenco" show in Rocio´s Cave, but although many caves are devoted to dancing and music in this area, there are also some others which can be booked and enjoyed as cool summer dwellings, as for example, Cuevas del Abanico, The Fan Caves.

After having dinner near the Alhambra, Michelle and her daughter finally enjoyed an evening visit to The Alhambra Palace with its gardens and water. They also visited the famous Palace of the Lions, which gets its name from the marble fountain supported by twelve lions.

Medieval Street Markets

Summer is here and as every year many celebrations take place in the streets. Some of these celebrations are Medieval Street Markets which consist of open-air markets where you can buy handicrafts, native products, or enjoy some leisure activities and performances.

One of these markets is taking place this weekend, Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th,  in Huéscar, but many others are going to take place all summer long in Orce, or Galera, as well.

They are a good opportunity to enjoy life in the open-air and cool summer nights.

Adventure Sports Competitons

This weekend a "Triatlón" competition is going to be held for the first time in Pozo Alcón, a town in Jaén, in the Cazorla Range, but very close to Cuevas del Campo in the north area of  The Granada Province. The competition consisting of 450 metres swimming in "La Bolera" reservoir, 27 Km cycling on the road, and 5000 metres running round Pozo Alcón is going to take place on Sunday July 11th.

Practising adventure sports is a good way of knowing rural areas around Andalucia, which is full of wonderful places where practising sports in touch with nature. Sports such as: hiking, climbing, hang-gliding, cycling, swimming or horse riding, among others... and in such places you can also find a different kind of lodging, cave house, of which there are quite a few in Cuevas del Campo, thus enjoying the experience of resting without air conditioning, but very cool in summer nights.

Do not miss such an opportunity!!!

Castril and The Nobel Prize José Saramago

I have already talked about Castril, its landscapes and the beauty of its Natural Park... But it is also the place where José Saramago, the Portuguese Nobel Prize, often stayed  on holidays, as his wife was born there.

He had a special relationship with Castril and its people, a public commitment which made him collaborate in many cultural aspects related to Castril and the North Area of The Granada Province. He wrote about Castril, his walks along Castril riverside, its paths...

Maybe his works will be read by many children and teenagers who met him,  saw him in the streets of Castril, or heard him telling a story in the school... I hope so.

The Tropical Coast

The crystal-clear waters of The Tropical Coast, in places like Calahonda or Motril, are suitable for the practice of water sports such as: wind-surfing, surfing, swimming, diving, saliling...And within the Almuñécar district, you can find the ecological complex of Peña Escrita, with a small zoological park, accommodation and many other services for the tourists; while in Jete you can try one of the best wines in the Province of Granada.

The region offers magnificent possibilities for active tourism not just  on the coast, but also in its interior area. In Otívar, for example, you can find one of the best places in Granada to practice the descent of canyons and ravines: Río Verde, The Green River, with water jumps and pools which make the river waters descend form 1,200 to 300 metres of altitude in little more than 3 kilometres.

The region, then, offers tourists a wide range of possibilities for enjoying summer, the sun and nature.

 

The Albaicín

In Granada city there are many emblematic places: Mirador de San Cristobal (San Cristobal View Point),  from where every look becomes a different landscape, or Mirador de San Nicolás (San Nicolás View Point), from where you can have an excellent view of The Alhambra.

And from the greatness of the Alhambra fortress, The Albaicín, which was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994, can be seen. In fact, this neighbourghood is considered as an example of urban inhabited buildings which have become a rich legacy of The Arabic Architecture in Spain.

This is another of the places you cannot  avoid visiting while visiting Granada. You will enjoy it  a lot.

Spring and Festivities

When Spring comes many towns and cities celebrate festivities which take place out, in the streets and in the countryside. That is the case of two towns in the High Plateau of Granada, in El Altiplano de Granada. They are Huéscar and La Puebla de Don Fadrique, which share their Saint Patrons, "Alodia" and "Nunilon".

The legend tells that the two sisters were the daughters of a Muslim father and a Christian mother and they died because they converted to Catholicism. Their chapel is located at the foot of La Sagra, 2383 metres high, in the border between the two towns. Many people go there to celebrate the fact that they converted to Catholicism and both towns celebrate it with processions, sport competitions, music and dancing and with a picnic in the countriside as well.

The visitor will be surprised by a festivity full of joy which invites you to be out in the streets celebrating and in the countriside enjoying the good weather.

Sierra Nevada National Park

Sierra Nevada is a National Park just 10 kilometres away from Granada City, and it is also one of the main skiing resorts in Spain, although it has also spectacular landscapes in spring and nature and adventure activities in summer too.

At Medieval times it was known as the Mountain Range of the Sun, the towns of La Zubia, Cájar and Monachil are on its feet, together with Huétor Vega, one of the towns which has important testimonies of its historiacal past and the civilizations that populated it... By this area the old "neveros" carried the ice to the city of the Alhambra in ancient times. And following the path of the Genil River, we can reach Cenes de La Vega and Pinos Genil, full of almond trees in flower during spring time, and behind Canales reservoir we can reach the Güejar Mountain Range, where we can combine the cultural visits with active tourism.

If you visit this region you should also have a trip to "El Charcón", to "La Vereda de la Estrella" or to the "Maitena River", where you can enjoy its natural swimming pools in summer time.

It is a wonderful place to visit all year long, and where to practise all kinds of sports: just try hiking.

Charming Landscapes

In the Altiplano de Granada area centuries of erosion by water and wind have shaped different hills... The Sierras of Baza, Castril and La Sagra surround an area that millions of years ago was covered by a lake, but where today the green trees by the rivers stand out form the ochre coloured shades of the earth, creating a scenery of incredible beauty.

The red hillsides of Sierra de Castril are irrigated by beautiful waterfalls wich sparkle against the green vegetation..., while in La Sagra, during winter we can enjoy the dazzling image of the impressively hillsides completely covered by ice, and what is more, at any time of the year you can see the huge sequoia trees, which were imported form American lands, on its bottom.

The Alhambra

The Alhambra lies at the foot of Sierra Nevada. It was the last Muslim stronghold, ant it has become a centre of cultural and artistic exchange since then on...

The Muslims were responsibe for most of its exceptional heritage. It is full of narrow alleyways, beautiful gardens, wells and fountains, although one of the richest and most original arquitecture is found in "El Patio de los Leones", The Lions Courtyard, with its magnificent fountain dominating the "Patio" and its lions preserving it. This "Patio" is like an oasis surrounded by trees... It is a "Garden of delights" with clusters of delicate columns supporting the galleries around the courtyard.

But there is also another Granada, the Christian and Renaissance Granada which was chosen by the Catholic Monarchs as their final settlement... A Granada which offers cultural events of the highest level, highly personal gastronomy, arts and crafts, as well as a specvial character which has inspired so may times famous artists and writers, among them Washington Irving.

Guadix Monumental City

Guadix, which is 50 Kms away from Granada city, has a unique monumental heritage: churches, noble palaces, secular buildings and its "Judería" (the old Jewish neighbourhood), the Cathedral, a construction which combines the gothic, renaissance and baroque styles,  the 11th century Alcazaba, an Islamic fortress, wich affords splendid views to the Caves area... or the Santiago Church.

However, the troglodyte habitat has been one of the mos distinctive features of Guadix area since ancient times... Whereas in pre-historic times, men sought refuge in caves and natural shelters, the people who settled in the Guadix Basin carved out the rock to build what became the largest concentration of cave dwellings in Europe.

Guadix is worth a visit, not jus because of its caves and troglodyte heritage, but also becaus of its monumental heritage.

About Granada City

The best way to move along Granada and enjoying the city is walking. It is quite interesting to walk along the narrow streets and arount the typical historial centre... although you will also find a system of rental bikes is being considered to be introduced as a way of moving through the city.

Moreover, there is also an effective bus system covering the entire city, which also reaches Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén Aiport, located in Chauchina, just 17 kms away from Granada. The airport bus follows this way: Airport - Bus Station - La Caleta - Jardines del Triunfo - Gran Vía - Catedral - Puerta Real  and Palacio de Congresos and back. So, you can go from the airport to the city centre or back. There is also a taxi service in the arrival area but the price is higher.

In the city you can enjoy the monuments, the typical narrow streets in the centre, around the Realejo area... and the visit to LA ALHAMBRA, which is one of the wonders in The whole Province of Granada and in Spain. Do not hesitate in visiting it, as it is worth more than one visit.

...And if you are in Granada just try the typical "tapas" of the city. They are small meals you can have when you ask for a drink, so just try them and enjoy yourself.

Easter is Here Again

Easter is coming and Granada is preparing for it. Easter is a time for religion in The whole Province... People like taking part in the Religious Life of their community these days.

It is a tradition for many people around "El Altiplano de Granada" to join the procession as viewers or taking part in them: carrying the religious images, playing music in the bands or taking part as "nazarenos". In the High Plateau of Granada there are many towns with processions to visit during these days. One of the most famous are the Easter celebrations which take place in Cuevas del Campo, as the people in the town perform the different events taking place during the last days of Jesus´s life. But there are many other processions, which are important too, as for example the processions in Huéscar, Baza or the city of Granada itself.

It is a good opportunity to visit Granada and join the religious life of the city, as well as a good opportunity to visit new places during Easter.

La Vidriera, a New Hotel in the Country

A new hotel, "El Pinar de la Vidriera", will be opened in June. It is located in the North Province of Granada, near the border with Jaen and close to La Sierra de Segura, in the area of Huéscar.

It takes its name from the glass oven and the glass workshop that was built there in the beginning of the 16th century. During this period glass became very appreciated by the Spanish Nobility, and a Secretary of the Catholic Queen and King built a glass oven in Castril, his hometown. Following his example, the nobleman who was the owner of El Pinar decided to build a glass workshop in the building, taking advantage of the pine trees that sourrounded the building and the sand he needed for making the glass. Many objects were created: bottles, jars, etc.

This building was recently bought and restored by the Andalusian Government and it will join the Tourist Net of Andalusian Quality Villas.

Cortijo Bacares in Freila

Cortijo Bacares, which is located in Freila and about which I have already talked previously, has recently been given a new  Q for QUALITY Destination.

Some of the aspects taken into account have been the improvements introduced inside and outside the holiday homes, as for example: the improvement of the path to the entrance, the introduction of stones in the central square and the comfort details introduced in the bedrooms, using traditional elements for the decoration inside them. All of this has been done with  a special care for the environment reducing  the human intervention in the natural space to the minimum and recycling or reusing materials in order to be respectful with the natural surroundings.

So, once more, Freila is considered one of the Quality destinations regarding Rural Tourism in Granada Province.

La Calahorra Castle

Not too far away from Granada, in Guadix area, there is a castle, which can be seen from the distance, called La Calahorra Castle. It was built around 1509-1512 by El Zenete Marquis ant it is considered the first Renaissance Spanish fortress.

However, and although  it does not seem a medieval castle, it is silhouetted against Sierra Nevada Mountains with red walls as those you will be able to see in one of the most important monuments of the whole Province of Granada: La Alhambra.

Both monuments are worth a visit.

New Tourist Trail in Galera

Galera, one of the towns I have already talked about,  is one of the towns in the north area of Granada. It offers the  visitor the possibility of knowing a lot of things about history, as remains which belong to the first Europeans were found here... But, there are also references to later events. A new tourist trail has been opened in Galera. It is located in what is known as "El Cerro de la Virgen", The Virgin Hill.

For about 600 years The Moors settled and inhabited this hill, fact that ended when The Moors were expelled from Granada in 1570... so bearing in mind these facts, the tourist trail has been opened as a recreation of how people used to live in that period, what happened, and the fights that took place there.

It´s worth a visit.

Skiing in Sierra Nevada

Sierra Nevada is full of snow, so if you like skiing you should come and try one of the ski runs over here... you can reach Sierra Nevada taking a bus from Granada, or you can come by car.

And if you are near Granada city... don´t miss a visit to La Alhambra, Carlos V Palace, La Cartuja and the Cathedral, and try a tea in the popular "teterias" located in the centre of the city, near the Albaicin and Sacromonte neighbourhoods, where you can have a herbal tea, a tea, a coffee and you can try some of the typical pastries in Granada... or you can try the typical "tapas", just asking for a drink you will be served a small meal, which can  be hot or cold: some cheese, jam, hot fish, a small sandwich, salad... it depends on the place. Every "bar" has it typical dishes.

You will be delighted in Granada, as it is a city full of students and young people where to enjoy gastronomy, culture and sport.

Incredible Views from La Sagra, in Huéscar

La Sagra, a 2383 metres high mountain, is located in Huéscar and it is a meeting point for lovers of nature and hiking. People from all over Andalusia, from the east of Spain and from the whole peninsula come here to try to reach the summit.

Although reaching the top is not too complicated, following the path for this purpose, it becomes quite difficult during the winter due to the snow and the ice... so specialized equipment is needed, but there is also another mountain, not too far away, in La Puebla de Don Fadrique, which is lower and where you can enjoy incredible views of La Sagra. It is called "La Sierra de Guillermona". This mountain is worth visiting afert winter, as after the melting of ice is full of small lakes.

Baeza, a Monumental City in Jaén

An old building located in the city centre of Baeza, one of the wonderful cities you can visit in Andalusia (Jaén), is going to be  restored and recovered to be used as a Congress Centre or Palace. The Palace will be placed in an old riding school and it is going to have a total capacity from 650 to 1500 people, therefore, it will become one of the important centres for Congresses in the whole Province.

Úbeda and Baeza are two major cities in Jaén with a large  touristic, historical and monumental legacy which you should not lose to visit. In a land of olive trees and olive tradition you can find Renaissance palaces, churches and buildings which date from the 16th century...

It is very important to take care of our old buildings an recover them for our daily life.