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Things to do on the Guadalquivir

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:26:41 +0000

The country of Spain is so full of activities, things to do, and place that you must see. I remember the first trip I took to Spain I almost felt overwhelmed because of all of the magnificent possibilities that were at my fingertips. It did not take long to realize that I was simply going to need more time on my journey. One area where I found that to be especially true was in Seville on the Guadalquivir River. I just did not realize its true beauty and all that there was to do there.

The Guadalquivir is the second largest river in Spain. The name itself translates in Arabic to mean “The Great Valley,” and today the Guadalquivir is the only great river that is still navigable. In the past the river was easily navigated all the way to Cordoba, but today it is only to Seville. I had some incredible times on the Guadalquivir, and if you are planning to visit then you must do some of the exciting things to do on the Guadalquivir.

Take a river boat ride on the river. The Guadalquivir River cruises allow you to see all the incredible features of Seville from the river itself. It is truly a wonderful time. You will get to see things like the Tower of Gold (Torre del Oro), the Maestranza Bullring, Pavillions of the Expo, Saint Telmo Palace, the Barqueta and Alamillo Bridges, and much more!

On the shore, you can explore and discover the old fishing village of Seville. The sheer beauty alone is enough to leave you feeling captivated and wowed. The people are warm. You will feel almost like you have stepped into a different period of time, yet like thi is just where you belong.

The hotels there are amazing. Our hotel was beautiful with a HUGE king mattress in our room and cute little breakfast nook.

Exploring the wonders of Spain is something that everyone can truly enjoy, and the Guadalquivir is just another piece to the puzzle of traveling in Spain.

Bullfighting Abolition Movement

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:04:00 +0000

In Spain, and other nations in the world as well, the ancient tradition of bullfighting has come under recent fire from animal rights activists, but also from simply modern and compassionate people. Tolerance for the sporting event has declined, as has attendance overall. The world has changed since the early days of the great matadors, when the elegant dance of the gaily decorated young man and the fearsome bull was considered to be an almost reverent event attended by hundreds of thousands. More and more people now look past the matador’s colorful costume, seeing for the first time the cruelty of the game.

Here you will be able to examine a video compiled by Europeans who wish for a bullfight free Europe, and the preservation of the line of bulls that have been specifically bred for bullfighting. The video is not graphic, but does contain information about the sport that many may find upsetting. Overall, it is just a general way to be introduced to the bullfight abolition movement. There will be some who agree, and others who do not. Let us know what side of the fence you are on.

Pilgrimage in Spain: Santiago de Compostela

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:18:23 +0000

Santiago de Compostela is the Way of Saint James, a Christian pilgrimage that began more than 1,000 years ago. It is more than a single pilgrimage, and more of a series of ancient pilgrimage routes across Europe that have been brought together under the banner of one of its most famous. They all have Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in north west Spain as their final destination, and is enjoyed by people of all kinds year after year. Religious and non-religious walk side by side, young and old together, women and men and children. For many in Europe, it is a historical journey over paths worn by their ancestors hundreds of years before them, and it remains one of Spain’s largest tourist attractions.

Once the most prominent holy site for Catholics to visit, it has lost some fame to the newer pilgrimage sites like Fatima and Lourdes in recent decades, but many devout Catholics still make the long journey in devotion to St. James. Santiago’s elaborate and magnificent cathedral, medieval buildings, and humble streets draw thousands of tourists annually. Walking, biking, or riding horseback on the paths of the historic Camino de Santiago are the most popular ways to make the trek. Below, enjoy a video about the pilgrimage and consider planning a vacation to make it your own.

Where British Travelers Holiday

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:39:57 +0000

During the holiday traveling season, British vacationers are spending a lot of time, and money, in countries other than their own. The British take the concept of holiday quite seriously — and by that, we do not mean specifically named holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas. We mean a well deserved getaway with time off from work, something Americans are largely falling further away from each decade. In fact, British travelers in 2010 went overseas approximately 54.9 million times.
The UK’s top visited foreign country is Spain.

There were also more injuries of British people in Spain than in any of the other frequently visited countries, according to the infographic below. Many of those accidents are the result of moped mishaps and injuries resulting from drinking too much and falling, either down stairs or off of balconies. The good news is that we have no reason to believe it has anything to do with bad tapas! One of the biggest draws of Brits to Spain is the delicious food and lively night life, including tapas. To learn more about what British travelers are doing on their holidays overseas, check out the infographic below.

Sights and Sounds of Barcelona

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:49:12 +0000

Sometimes, reading the words of others is just not as good as seeing for oneself; such is the case with beautiful Barcelona, Spain — a city of great beauty and thrilling adventures that await you around every turn. There are times when a travel brochure and still photography simply do not cut it. This is one of those times. Here you will watch a video that is designed to lure you into the heart of Barcelona to enjoy a getaway you will always cherish, in a place rich with romance and elegance. Take the time and let your eyes be caressed by this tour through the city. Take in all of the experiences as the videographer leads you through charming streets.

Paella, Traditional Spanish Feast

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 16:28:39 +0000

People who enjoy food, and also have a passion for recreating the world’s most traditional recipes, will find the following infographic about the traditional Spanish feast known as paella enlightening and informative. Every unique region in Spain has its own special way of preparing the dish, and depending on how near the coast an area is, there will be more or less seafood — but the most well known style of paella typically features a variety of shellfish, fish, and other delicious items from the sea.

Here below, you will find that there is also meat in the form of chicken, duck, rabbit, and even land snails in some versions of paella. As we mentioned before, this is very dependent on which part of Spain you are in when you go out in search of your perfect paella. Be sure that you ask around and find out where the locals go to have the very best experience possible. If you find yourself dining on paella and not falling in love with it, then you have not chosen a good restaurant.

Click on the graphic here to read about paella.

Eight Great Things to Do in Spain

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:58:04 +0000

1 — “Going out for tapas” is an integral aspect of life in Spain. It goes like this: have a morsel of food with every drink as you walk from bar to bar. It’s like American bar hopping, except the emphasis is less on the beverages and more on the unique treats to be found to eat at each stop.

2 — Bullfighting is gradually coming to an end in many parts of Spain, but it remains for now an iconic and traditional event. You can still catch a bullfight for now, so if you ever intend to see one, get here soon.

3 — Antoní Gaudí is Spain’s most daring and unique architect. Some people believe his designs to be the work of mad genius, and find them beautiful. Others consider his work to be hideously bad and over the top. You’ll have to come and see it yourself either way.

4 — The Alhambra Moorish fortress protected the city’s dwellers from invasion during the Crusades. This historic site is popular among tourists today.

5 — Flamenco is a traditional form of folk music of Spain that is still as alive today. Flamenco is often heard backed by a full orchestra in the gardens of Spanish towns and cities, so there is plenty to see.

6 — Two of the most important artists of the past century, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali, both hail from Spain. You can view work by each artist in the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, one of Madrid’s three most excellent national museums.

7 — Segovia boasts a 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct which is still in perfect working order, even without mortar to hold it together. Castle Alcazar, also there, is said to have been the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle and remains a frequently visited destination for tourists.

8 — Finally, when you visit Spain, you absolutely have to try the paella. Some Spanish restaurants, realizing that tourists will be trying it out, overbill their paella and serve substandard quality dishes. If you want the good stuff, be sure to ask the locals!