A city and port in the Cantabria region of Spain, Santander has a population of 183,000 approximately one third of all the people who live in the Cantabria region. A historic city, Santander was already significant when the Roman occupied the Iberian Peninsular. The city mostly grew due to its fine natural harbour on the Bay of Santander, it was important during the Middle Ages and continued to be so as the discoveries in the New World brought increased imports into Spain. Unfortunately, much of the historic section of the city was destroyed by a great fire in 1941, an event that was amazing in that only one person died despite widespread devastation. Santander weather is notably mild although somewhat rainy and it has become a popular tourist destination with some interesting places to visit. Santander Map.
September 1, 2009
Castellon de la Plana Valencia
Capital city of the Castellon province of the Comunitat de Valencia, Castellon de la Plana has a population of around 170,000 and a history stretching back to the Moorish occupation of Spain, when the Arab castle of Fadrell was built to defend the town from the Christian reconquest. The castle did not do the trick for the Moors and the town was recaptured in around 1251, and the town moved from its mountain location to its present position close to the coast. During the Middle Ages, Castellon de la Plana was protected by fortified walls, moats and defensive towers, most of which was demolished during the 19th century, as the town grew and expanded. It became a university city in 1991, with the founding of the Jaume I University. Castellon de la Plana is a busy industrial town, with a significant port area – El Grau de Castellon, it also has a number of fine beaches to the north of the harbour and attracts an increasing number of holidaymakers, as the surrounding Costa del Azahar becomes ever more popular. Map of Castellon de la Plana.
Canary Islands the Early Years
One of the most popular winter holiday destinations for Europeans seeking some off peak sunshine is the Spanish Canary Islands, an archipelago of islands and islets located off the north-east coast of Africa. The Canary Islands have a long and interesting past and Canary Islands history is fascinating to discover. First settled some 5,000 years ago the earliest true civilisation occurred during the second century BC when a tribal culture known as the Guanches lived in caves and built primitive villages. The Guanches were still in occupation when the Romans arrived in 40 BC, as Juba II explored the region which was then called the Fortunate Islands. The present name was probably derived from the breed of dogs which lived on the islands and met the Roman explorers, they were large and fierce and no doubt left an impression on the arrivals. The islands, to all intents and purposes, disappeared from the map for over 1,000 years after the fall of the Roman Empire and were not set foot on again until the beginning of the 14th century when a Genoese captain called Lazarotto Malocello bumped into the island later named after him (Lanzarote) and took the news of its existence back to Europe. Later expeditions led to the eventual invasion by a small force under Jean de Bethencourt, he landed on Lanzarote and built a fort on Fuerteventura before running out of provisions and heading for the Spanish mainland to muster additional support from the Castillians.
Las Alpujarras Andalucia Spain
Sometimes called the Spanish Switzerland, the region of Las Alpujarras is a mountainous district taking in parts of the Almeria and Granada provinces of Andalucia, Spain. Extending northwards from between the towns of Almeria and Motril as far as the Sierra Nevada, it features deep fertile valleys, dissected by rivers and streams, and dotted with small secluded villages. The site of many Moorish uprisings following the Christian defeat of Granada, the Moors were finally cleared from the area by the late 16th century. Boasting the most diverse flora in the whole of Spain, Las Alpujarras is a lovely area to visit.
Can Picafort Majorca
Once upon a time, just a small fishing village on the Bay of Alcudia in Majorca, the resort of Can Picafort is now a busy holiday destination, visited by a variety of nationalities. Located in the north of the holiday island of Majorca, Can Picafort boasts a long sandy beach and a pretty marina and has a good selection of bars and restaurants offering cuisines to cater for its cosmopolitan clientele. Popular with water sports enthusiasts, the Bay of Alcudia is especially ideal for windsurfing, there are also facilities for water-skiing and diving, and boat trips are available from the harbour and pedalos from the beach. Nearby attractions include the prehistoric burial site at Son Baulo (Son Real Necropolis), the huge Hidropark at Alcudia and the nature reserve at S’Albufera. The area enjoys a fine climate and Can Picafort weather is perfect for summer holidays and winter breaks. There are a number of hotels in the area and some privately owned rental accommodation should you wish to holiday in the resort. Can Picafort Map.