Hotel Gametxo** Hotel located in the midst of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. Situated on a hill between the beaches of Laida and Laga, the hotel offers stunning views of the sea. More information. holidays, information, nightlife, where to stay in, hostels, tourism, where to sleep in, transport, map, accommodation, booking, sleeping, places to stay
Hotel Zubieta*** Cosy country hotel in a building dated from the 18th century, just 5 minutes by foot from the Lekeitio and its beaches. More information.
Hotel Pampinot*** This exquisite and romantic Renaissance palace, a residence of kings in olden times, invites you to re-live past times while you enjoy a warm and comfortable atmosphere. More information.
Hotel Arbe*** This hotel is situated over the spectacular Bay of Arbe on the Guipuzcoan coast. It is an avant-garde establishment enjoying beautiful views. This is the perfect place to relax and disconnect between the blue of the sea flowing over the cliffs and the green of the oak forests that descend to the coastline. More information.
Hotel Arrizul* Charming hotel located in the centre of San Sebastian, right on the seafront and within walking distance of all the major attractions the city has to offer. More information.
Apartamentos Turisticos Talaimendi** Comfortable apartments located near to the beach, and the mountains, in the prestigious Guipuzcoan town of Zarautz, on the Basque Coast. Its location and architecture invite total relaxation in natural surroundings. More information.
Hotel Jauregui*** The hotel is located in the centre of Hondarribia, very close to the beach and the airport of San Sebastián. It features 42 fully equipped rooms and 11 apartments, as well as a bar and restaurant. The location is perfect to enjoy the sea, the mountains and the beach, not to mention the gastronomy. More information.
Hotel Río Bidasoa*** Everything at the Hotel Río Bidasoa has been designed for the guest’s peace and comfort in mind. Standing in lovely gardens, with a car park and swimming pool, this is the perfect choice for those wishing to spend a quiet few days in Hondarribia. More information.
Spanish Civil War guided tours in Barcelona
Guided tour around Spain
Spanish natureTravelling around Spain on a scooter
Entertaining video from the Guardian here showing a woman travelling around rural Almeria on a Vespa scooter.
Best tapas bars in Palma de Mallora
The Guardian has this article on the best tapas bars and bodegas in Palma de Mallorca, home to an an impressive ranges of good eateries. I particularly liked the sound of Bodega Bellver:
Tucked up a side street around the corner from the theatre, Bellver is about as far away from Palma’s gleaming 21st- century tapas bars as it’s possible to imagine. Dark and shadowy, with shelves lined with dusty bottles and wine barrels, and rickety wooden tables scattered around the small space, it is steeped in history, atmosphere and the smell of spicy pork frying on the tiny grill beside the bar. Order up icy beers and pinchos and settle into a slice of unchanged Mallorquin life.
Trekking in the Sierra Nevada in June
I enjoyed this post on the iberianatureforum by Maria:
Outside the tapas bars of Lanjaron temperatures reached 30 degrees. 2500m above we donned our duvet jackets as an icy wind tore across the white snow filled plateau. Such are the contrasts this year in southern Spain’s Sierra Nevada, a legacy of the worst winter weather in living memory.
Read the original story here:
Travel guide to Osana
Good review of the county of Osana here from Barcelona writing.
On food of Osona
Pork and its by-products may be the most emblematic food of the county, but Osona has much else to offer gastronomes. The truffle (trufa), a black mushroom that grows underground and is highly prized, and a wide range of bolets (Catalan mushrooms) including pinetell, rovelló, rossinyol, cep and fredolic are found locally, as are the white beans (mongetes) of the Collsacabra Mountains, characterised by their small size. For dessert, the pa de pessic de Vic (sponge cake) is worth trying as are the regional cheeses, curds, honey and jam.
Teruel bat
Detail of modernist forge of the Staircase of the Paseo del Óvalo. The monumental staircase was built in 1921 to link the new railway station with the old part of the city. The work has modernist and neomudejar details. By SantiMB on Flickr
History and culture Notes from Spain