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

May 22, 2013

Isla Cristina Andalucia Spain

Filed under: Portugal,Spain — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 3:28 pm

Isla Cristina Andalucia Spain – Located in the not so touristy Costa de la Luz region of Andalucia, the resort of Isla Cristina will not be know to most British holidaymakers, but should not be ignores as a possible destination for your holiday this year. With fabulous unspoilt beaches, a charming fishing port and excellent weather conditions, Isla Cristina might be just what you are looking for in a peaceful vacation. It might be a good idea to avoid late July and August in Isla Cristina, as thousands head here from Seville, but any other time you can expect an enjoyable stay. Isla Cristina can be reached from either Seville airport or Faro airport in nearby Portugal.

View a map of Isla Cristina here: http://www.needahandspanishproperties.com/isla-cristina-map.html

April 9, 2012

Ayamonte Costa de la Luz

Filed under: Holidays,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 6:35 pm

Ayamonte Costa de la Luz – Ayamonte is a Spanish city in the province of Huelva in the autonomous region of Andalucia, Spain. In 2008 there were 19,738 inhabitants. The municipality of Ayamonte has an area of 142 square kilometres and a population density of 136.5 inhabitants per square kilometre. The town lies at the mouth of the Guadiana River on the Atlantic Ocean (Costa de la Luz) and thus on the border with Portugal. The distance to the provincial capital of Huelva is 48 kilometres, to Seville it is 140 kilometres. In Roman times, the mouth of the Guadiana River, was known as the “Ostium Fluminis Anae”. From there, was an important trade route leading north to Merida. It is assumed that even at this time Ayamonte occupied a strategically important position. In 1239, the Moorish domination was ended by troops of King Sancho II of Portugal. In 1263 they designated the river as a border between Portugal and Spain, and the town of Ayamonte came under the jurisdiction of the Castilian crown. First, they belonged to the county of Niebla, but later formed its own marquisate. 1664 Ayamonte was awarded city status by King Philip IV. If you wish to visit Ayamonte, you will find lots of hotels and privately owned apartments for rent. Ayamonte is in the region known as the Costa de la Luz in the region of Andalucia.

Learn more about Ayamonte here: http://www.needahandspanishproperties.com/ayamonte.html

August 30, 2010

Hotel Playacanela Isla Canela

Filed under: hotels,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 11:51 am
Playacanela Hotel Isla Canela

Playacanela Hotel Isla Canela Spain

For your accommodation in the Costa de la Luz resort of Isla Canela, you cannot go far wrong by choosing the Playacanela Hotel, a popular 4 Star Hotel located near to the beach and golf course. One of the best loved Isla Canela hotels, the Playacanela has 306 double rooms, all with balcony, bathroom, TV, air-conditioning, safe, min-bar and telephone. Built in an Arabian architectural style the Playacanela Hotel has a beautiful themed pool area, with swimming pool, whirlpool and water slides, all set amongst palm trees and shrubs, making this the ideal spot for a relaxing holiday. As yet mostly undiscovered by Brits and north Europeans, the Costa de la Luz (Coast of Light) is a mostly unspoilt region, with some tranquil, uncrowded resorts, Isla Canela is a built for tourism resort which basically serves the border town of Ayamonte, which sits beside the River Guadiana on the border with Portugal. Rooms in the Playacanela Hotel are offered from around 148 euros per night, but this is luxury accommodation, so heh, why not enjoy it. Costa de la Luz Map.

BOOK PLAYACANELA HOTEL

June 18, 2010

Punta Umbria Spain

Filed under: Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 1:50 pm

Now one of the Costa de la Luz’s main seaside resorts, Punta Umbria was originally established by the famous Rio Tinto Company (a British mining company), as a place of rest for its employees and managers. The Rio Tinto company built some colonial beach side houses there rather than the sanatorium for which they had building permission. Punta Umbria lies close to the ancient port of Huelva amidst marshy wetlands which are now a protected wildlife resort with some varied bird species. For holidaymakers the main attraction is the beaches, there are some excellent ones in the area, the closest to the town being Playa de la Mata Negra, another attraction is the wonderful conditions for water sports, especially windsurfing, as the Costa de la Luz coastline  is battered by winds from the Atlantic Ocean. If you are visiting, don’t forget a trip into nearby Huelva, an ancient port which was formerly settled by Phoenicians, Romans and Moors, from Palos de Frontera, Christopher Columbus sailed on some of his voyages. Punta Umbria can be reached from Laguna del Portil or from Huelva itself. Punta Umbria Map.

March 12, 2010

Huelva Costa de la Luz

Filed under: Algarve,History,Portugal,Spain — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 3:12 pm

The most westerly city on the Costa de la Luz, Spain, Huelva was founded by the Phoenicians in around 1000 BC. Originally known as Onoba, Huelva was later controlled by the Romans and became part of the province of Hispania Baetica, the Romans established a mint there and coins were produced bearing the name “Onuba”. In the 15th century the explorer Christopher Columbus sailed from nearby Palos de la Frontera, and the discovery of the Americas brought increased wealth to Huelva, though it was generally overshadowed by the more important city of Seville. Significant mineral deposits in the region led to Huelva becoming the home of the well known Rio Tinto Company, a British mining concern which set up shop in the Odiel estuary and subsequently exported its products throughout the civilised world. Huelva fell into decline after being devastated by the great Lisbon earthquake of 1755, though it has always been a significant port for the region. Located on a stretch of coast known as the Costa de la Luz (Coast of Light), Huelva is experiencing an increase in tourist activity as this less well known piece of coast attracts more and more visitors to its virgin beaches, as yet untouched by mass development. Enjoying a wonderful climate with Huelva weather being somewhat cooler than the neighbouring Costa del Sol, enjoying cooling Atlantic breezes and having a similar climate to Portugal’s Algarve to the south-west. Huelva is located just off the A-45 motoway between the Portuguese border and the city of Seville. Map.

March 11, 2010

Isla Canela Costa de la Luz

Filed under: Algarve,Portugal,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , — needahand @ 11:40 am

Just south of Ayamonte on the border between the Costa de la Luz in south-western Spain and the Algarve Portugal, the relatively new resort of Isla Canela is joined to the Spanish mainland only by a causeway which links it to the town of Ayamonte. Long popular with Spanish tourists, Isla Canela boasts over seven kilometres of superb beaches, an 18 hole golf course, and some wonderful protected wetlands which are home to a wide variety of bird species. Isla Canela looks across the River Guadiana to Portugal and shares a similar climate to the resorts of the Algarve, with Isla Canela weather being perfect for summer holidays though cooler than the Costa del Sol to the north-east. A great area for water sports, this coast gets plenty of wind from the Atlantic Ocean and is good for windsurfing and similar sports. Don’t expect a bustling resort or a vibrant nightlife scene whilst visiting but do expect a peaceful holiday with plenty of time to relax. Isla Canela Map.

September 3, 2009

The Costa de la Luz Andalucia Spain

Filed under: Portugal,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , , , — needahand @ 5:53 pm

Located in south-western Andalucia on Spain’s border with Portugal, a 300 kilometres stretch of coastline called the Costa de la Luz is often called “The Spanish Algarve”. Its name which means “Coast of Light” derives from its clear unpolluted skies, and the subsequent quality of light that can be found there, it is renowned for its stunning sunsets. As yet mostly unspoilt the Costa de la Luz is becoming increasingly popular with holidaymakers, who visit to enjoy the wonderful sandy beaches, the interesting historic towns and cities and the beautiful countryside of its hinterland. Apart form the traditional beach style holiday, many visit for the excellent water sports facilities, especially surfing and windsurfing, where strong winds coming from the Atlantic Ocean provide ideal conditions for these popular sports, one of the finest resorts for these activities is Tarifa in the south-east of the region. The strong winds make temperatures cooler in this area and Costa de la Luz weather is generally a little cooler than the neighbouring Costa del Sol. The Costa de la Luz has a rich history and boasts the oldest permanently inhabited city in Europe – Cadiz – which is well worth a visit if you are in the area. The Costa de la Luz is made up of 2 provinces Huelva and Cadiz, Huelva begins at the border with Portugal and the Algarve, and ends at the Guadalquivir River, Cadiz stretches from the Guadalquivir to Tarifa. If you are flying to the Costa de la Luz, you will probably land at Jerez airport, a modern and compact airport situated north-east of Jerez de la Frontera. If you are on a package holiday you will no doubt be picked up from here, if not you can pick up your Costa de la Luz car hire vehicle directly from the airport. It is advisable to hire a car while you are visiting otherwise you will miss out on some great opportunities to travel around the region, don’t forget a trip into the magical city of Seville. Costa de la Luz Map.

August 27, 2009

The Ancient City of Cadiz

Filed under: History,Spain — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 6:41 pm

Virtually surrounded by water on the Costa de la Luz coastline of southern Spain, the ancient city and port of Cadiz is claimed to be the oldest inhabited city in Europe. Founded by the Phoenicians as a trading centre in around 1100 BC it now has a population of 130,000 and has been the base of the Spanish Navy since the Spanish Bourbons ascended the throne during the 18th century. Known to the Greeks as Gádeira, in myth it was founded by Hercules, after he had completed his tenth labour. Later controlled by Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths and Moors, before being returned to Christian hands by Alphonso X in 1262. Cadiz waved off Christopher Columbus on 2 of his famous voyages, and benefited from the huge wealth that subsequently arrived from the Americas during Spain’s Golden Age. The wealth attracted the attention of pirates and Sir Francis Drake occupied the harbour in “The Singeing of the King of Spain’s Beard” incident, which delayed the Armada and possibly led to its eventual failure. Cadiz today has some important historic monuments, its best known perhaps the cathedral which was originally built in the 12th century, burned down in the 16th century and eventually rebuilt in the 18th century with rococo and neoclassical elements. The Cadiz area is also popular with holidaymakers as its coastline has some of the best beaches in Spain, and the Costa de la Luz (Coast of Light) benefits from a splendid climate with Cadiz weather being pleasant for most of the year and especially warm from May to September. Cadiz is just 40 km from the airport at Jerez, the spectacular city of Seville is around 125 kilometres away. Cadiz Map.

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