Steve's World Blog Information and articles on cities, towns and villages around the world.

July 31, 2009

Frigiliana Costa del Sol

Filed under: Costa del Sol,History,Holidays,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 7:03 am

Frigiliana Costa del Sol Andalucia – Just 6 kilometres inland from the resort of Nerja on the Costa del Sol, Andalucia, Spain, the pretty pueblo blanco (“white village”) of Frigiliana is a pleasant place to visit if you are in the area. Sitting high on a mountain ridge on the lower slopes of the Sierra de Tejeda, Frigiliana enjoys panoramic views of the nearby coastline and also the valley of the River Higueron. It’s attractive white-walled house line quaint narrow, winding, cobbled streets, with the occasional gift or handicraft shop to remind visitors that this is the 21st century. Historically Frigiliana was the scene of a bloody siege and battle in the sixteenth century when during the rebellion of Alpujarras, Moriscos taking refuge in Frigiliana Castle were defeated and expelled, many throwing themselves from the castle walls rather than be captured by the victorious Christian forces. Frigiliana is located on the MA-5105 north of Nerja.

Andalucia Map.

Read more about Frigiliana here: http://www.needahandspanishproperties.com/frigiliana.html

July 30, 2009

Holiday Islands – Madeira

Filed under: Holidays,Portugal,Travel — Tags: , , , , , — needahand @ 5:59 pm

What can you expect from a holiday in Madeira? Well – holidays in Madeira are perfect for those who enjoy wonderful scenery, with plenty of sub-tropical flora and a dash of old colonial charm, it also has a rich history and was known to the Romans in the centuries BC. One of Europe’s oldest tourist destinations, Madeira has long attracted travellers from many locations and with many interests, be it for the superb weather the excellent water sports facilities, the fine coastal resorts or just to enjoy the wildlife and picturesque scenery. In order to make the most of the island, it is advisable to avail yourself of a car hire vehicle, this will enable you to visit some of the more interesting places. Madeira has some of the world’s finest hotels and features in the brochures of most major tour operators. Lapped by the Gulf Stream, Madeira has a distinctly subtropical climate, with relatively high rainfall, it is perfect for all-year round holidays and Madeira weather is warm during the summer and very mild during the winter.

Madeira Map.

Cheack out the latest weather for Madeira here: http://www.needahandspanishproperties.com/madeira-weather.html

July 29, 2009

Holiday Destinations – Turkey

Filed under: Holidays,Travel,Turkey — Tags: , , — needahand @ 11:49 am

One of Europe’s growing holiday destinations, Turkey provides a wide range of wonderful opportunities for tourists and families. Turkey is unique in straddling 2 continents, a place where East meets West and has a wealth of historical and archaeological sites. It offers a wide mix of choices for its visitors, whether they are looking for the traditional beach holiday, or a more cultural experience. The Mediterranean coastline has plenty of super coastal resorts offering a climate similar to Greece or Spain, one of the best known is Bodrum, an ancient city and now a renowned resort, with fine sandy beaches, here you can enjoy the wonderful Turkey weather with hot, dry summers and mild winters. In the capital Ankara, visitors will find a huge variety of historical sites – a real cultural experience to savour, it has a history stretching back almost 4,000 years. If you have not yet visited Turkey, and are looking for somewhere a little different for your holiday, why not try this ancient and interesting country. Turkey Map.

Travel on the Costa Dorada Spain

Filed under: Costa Brava,Costa Dorada,Holidays,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , , , , — needahand @ 11:43 am

Less developed and generally less well known than the Costa Brava to the north, the Costa Dorada region of Spain takes in some 216 kilometres of coast and hinterland and boasts some wonderful sandy beaches and popular resorts. The Costa Dorada is not all about the seaside resorts, there are also some interesting inland cities and areas to explore and Costa Dorada travel should take in some of these places as well. Some of the interesting and historic cities include Tarragona, Reus, Falset, Valls and Xerta, there are around 40 cities in all in the region, pick out some of the more interesting for your visit. For instance in Xerta you can see the spectacular Moorish Weir which is over 1,000 years old, in Benifallit you can visit the fascinating caves, Tarragona, a beautiful old Roman city has an ancient city wall and also a Roman aqueduct and amphitheatre, further inland you can visit the picturesque River Ebro Valley or maybe go fishing in the river, it is famous for its huge catfish. Back to the coast and many choose the resort of Salou for their beach style holidays, this is not everyones taste, but it suits thousands each year. What is the best time to visit? Well this depends on what type of holiday you are seeking, in the summer time Costa Dorada weather can be very hot, although on the coast, sea breezes make it altogether more bearable, it is wetter and cooler in the winter months but mostly mild with temperatures ranging from 7-10 degrees Centigrade. If you wish to make the most of your trip and visit some of the fascinating places on offer you will need to check out the best Costa Dorada car hire deals, as having your own transport is essential for getting the best out of your holiday. For a holiday suiting a wide variety of tastes visit the Costa Dorada in Spain sometime soon.

Costa Dorada Map.

Learn more about the Costa Doradada here: http://www.needahandspanishproperties.com/costa-dorada.html

July 28, 2009

Review of Portinatx Ibiza

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Holidays,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 2:25 pm

Hidden away at the northern end of Ibiza in the Balearic Islands, Spain, the small resort town of Portinatx is a purpose built tourist destination which is quieter than many of the lively Ibiza resorts. Perfect for a peaceful family holiday, Portinatx has four super beaches and plenty of facilities, it is a wonderful location for water sports and in particular snorkelling and scuba diving, for those who prefer to stay dry there is a glass-bottomed boat so that you can view the marine life from a more comfortable position. The rugged coastline of this area of Ibiza is great for hiking, cycling and walking and panoramic views of the town and coastline can be enjoyed by those willing to burn a few calories. One of the best walks is a 10 km hike from Portinatx to Punta de Xarraca, but this is tough, so don’t try it unless you are prepared for a tough hike over rocky terrain. To the east you will find the village of Sant Vicent Sa Cala and its coastal limb Sa Cala, worth a visit if you have an hour or two to spare. Portinatx itself has plenty of self-catering accommodation and has some decent hotels, one of the best being the Hotel Presidente Portinatx a 4 Star hotel in a wonderful setting. The resort enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate with Portintax weather being suitable for both summer holidays and winter breaks. Portinatx is a compact resort which can be reached from Ibiza Town via the C-733.

Portinatx Map.

Read about Portinatx Ibiza here: http://www.needahandspanishproperties.com/portinatx.html

Majorca – Interesting and Historic Sights

Filed under: Balearic Islands,History,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , , , , — needahand @ 11:27 am

The holiday island of Majorca in the Balearic Islands is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain. The large majority of holidaymakers head for the well known beach resorts and may be missing out on some interesting and lesser known attractions that would add to the enjoyment of their visit. The best prehistoric site on Majorca is located 5 kilometres inland from Cala Pi, this Talaiotic site known as Capocorb Vell takes the form of an ancient village, some 3,000 years old. South of Algaida is Puig de Randa, site of an ancient monastery founded by Ramón Llull a famous resident of Majorca, it was founded in the 13th century. Off the south coast of Majorca about 18 km off Colonia Sant Jordi, you can visit Cabrera Island, now a protected Natural Park, it boasts the famous “Blue Grotto” cavern and some rare species of flora and fauna. Close to Colonia Sant Jordi on the Majorcan mainland is a small town known as Ses Salines, significant since Roman times for the production of salt, which was extracted from local marshes. East of the capital Palma de Mallorca, is the hub of the Majorcan shoe making industry, Llucmajor, which was also the scene of a bloody battle between two Spanish kings, resulting in the death of Jaime III and the end of the Kingdom of Majorca. This is the end of a short journey to just some of Majorca’s interesting places to visit, so if you are looking for something a little more than lazing on the beach, lapping up the fabulous Majorca weather, then the places listed above may be just right for you.

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